The Best Daycare Centers in Greenwood, NE
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Greenwood. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Greenwood
The Goddard School of Omaha
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School offers a premier early childhood education program with F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic readiness with social development. Their curriculum focuses on literacy, STEM, art, and physical development with highly qualified teachers who hold degrees in early childhood education. The facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor play areas. They maintain low student-teacher ratios and provide regular parent communication through daily reports and an app. The school serves families throughout the greater Omaha area, including Greenwood residents.
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Little Lambs Early Learning Center
Little Lambs Ministry
Little Lambs provides Christian-based early childhood education with a comprehensive curriculum that includes phonics, math readiness, and social skills development. Their experienced staff includes certified early childhood educators who create nurturing, safe environments. The center features modern security systems, nutritious meal programs, and age-appropriate learning centers. They offer flexible scheduling options and maintain excellent staff retention rates. Located just 15 minutes from Greenwood, they serve many families from surrounding communities with their faith-based approach to early education.
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Primrose School of Legacy
Primrose Schools
Primrose School of Legacy offers the exclusive Balanced Learning® approach that combines purposeful play with nurturing guidance from trained teachers. Their research-based curriculum includes character development, literacy, and hands-on learning experiences. The school features state-of-the-art security systems, commercial-grade kitchens providing healthy meals, and extensive outdoor learning environments. Teachers receive ongoing professional development and maintain low child-to-teacher ratios. The school serves families throughout southwest Omaha and surrounding communities including Greenwood, with many parents commuting from the area for their high-quality educational programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Greenwood, NE
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare in Greenwood, NE, and are there any local financial assistance programs?
In Greenwood and the surrounding Cass County area, full-time daycare for an infant typically ranges from $175 to $225 per week, while toddler care is generally between $150 and $200 per week. These rates are often slightly lower than in the Omaha metro area but can vary based on the provider's licensing, curriculum, and facilities. For financial assistance, Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) administers the Child Care Subsidy Program for eligible families based on income and need. Additionally, local providers may offer sibling discounts. It's recommended to contact the **Nebraska Child Care Referral Network** or the **Cass County Community Center** for the most current information on local assistance and sliding scale options.
How can I verify if a daycare provider in Greenwood is properly licensed and what are Nebraska's key regulations for child-to-staff ratios?
All licensed childcare providers in Nebraska are regulated by the **Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)**. You can verify a provider's license status, view inspection reports, and check for any violations by using the online "Child Care Licensing Search" tool on the DHHS website. For Greenwood-specific providers, you can also call the DHHS Division of Public Health at (402) 471-0316. Key child-to-staff ratios in Nebraska are: for children 0-18 months, 1 staff to 4 children; 18-36 months, 1:6; 3-year-olds, 1:10; and 4-5-year-olds, 1:12. These ratios are strictly enforced for licensed centers and family childcare homes.
Are there many licensed in-home daycare options versus childcare centers in Greenwood, and what are the pros and cons of each locally?
Greenwood, being a smaller community, has a mix of both. Licensed family childcare homes (in-home) are common and often provide a smaller, home-like setting with mixed-age groups, which can be convenient for siblings. Centers, while fewer in number, may offer more structured preschool curricula and larger peer groups. A key local advantage of in-home care in Greenwood is often greater schedule flexibility and proximity within residential neighborhoods. Centers might have more resources and staff. The availability of either can be limited, so it's crucial to start your search early. The **Greenwood Community Facebook page** or local bulletin boards are often good places to find word-of-mouth recommendations for in-home providers.
What is the current waitlist situation for daycare in Greenwood, and how far in advance should I start looking?
Due to the limited number of providers in a town of Greenwood's size, waitlists are common, especially for infant care slots. It is strongly advised to begin your search **at least 6 to 9 months** before your needed start date, if possible. For popular providers or those with integrated preschool programs, waitlists can be a year or longer. When contacting providers, ask directly about their current waitlist length, any fees to be placed on it, and how often they update families on their position. Don't limit your search to Greenwood alone; consider expanding to nearby towns like Ashland or Waverly, but be mindful of the commute and if they prioritize local residents.
What resources are available in Greenwood for finding and evaluating childcare providers?
The primary statewide resource is the **Nebraska Child Care Referral Network**, accessible online or by phone at 1-888-208-8898, which maintains a database of licensed providers. Locally, parents often rely on community networks. The **Greenwood Public Library** and the **City of Greenwood website** may have bulletin boards or community information. For personal evaluations, schedule tours and ask providers for references from current Greenwood families. Prepare a list of questions covering their daily schedule, discipline policy, sick child policy, emergency procedures, and how they communicate with parents. Visiting during operational hours will give you the best sense of the environment.