The Best Daycare Centers in Belford, NJ
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Belford. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Belford
The Goddard School of Middletown
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Middletown is a highly-regarded early childhood education center serving the Belford area with a play-based learning approach rooted in the Goddard Life Essentials® curriculum. It emphasizes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities, social-emotional development, and school readiness. The facility features secure, age-appropriate classrooms, outdoor play areas, and a focus on safety with keypad entry systems and rigorous cleanliness protocols. Teachers are certified in early childhood education and receive ongoing training, maintaining low student-to-teacher ratios. Parent satisfaction is high due to regular communication through daily reports and an app, along with inclusive events. The school is known for its nurturing environment and comprehensive programs for children from infancy through pre-K.
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Kiddie Academy of Middletown
Kiddie Academy International
Kiddie Academy of Middletown offers an educational childcare experience with its Life Essentials® curriculum, which integrates academic learning with character development and health-focused activities. Serving Belford and surrounding communities, the center provides a structured yet flexible environment for infants to school-age children, featuring hands-on learning centers, outdoor playgrounds, and technology-enhanced classrooms. Safety is prioritized through secure access, background-checked staff, and emergency preparedness drills. The academy employs qualified teachers with degrees in early childhood education, and it emphasizes parent partnerships through real-time updates via mobile apps and family involvement events. Its strong reputation stems from a balance of academic rigor and social skills development, supported by nutritious meal programs and inclusive practices.
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Bright Horizons at Red Bank
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Bright Horizons at Red Bank is a top-tier childcare center that extends its services to the Belford area, renowned for its evidence-based World at Their Fingertips® curriculum. This approach fosters cognitive, physical, and emotional growth through project-based learning, literacy emphasis, and creative arts. The facility boasts modern, safe environments with monitored access, hygienic protocols, and spacious indoor/outdoor play areas. Staff include highly qualified educators with backgrounds in child development, and the center maintains excellent teacher-to-child ratios. Parents appreciate the strong communication, including daily activity summaries and developmental assessments, as well as the center's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Its longevity and high parent satisfaction ratings reflect a focus on preparing children for lifelong success in a supportive setting.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Belford, NJ
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Belford, NJ?
In Belford and the surrounding Middletown Township area, full-time daycare costs can vary significantly based on the type of facility. For a licensed daycare center, you can expect to pay between $1,400 and $1,800 per month for infant care. Toddler care typically ranges from $1,200 to $1,600 per month. In-home family daycare providers in Belford often offer slightly lower rates, generally between $1,000 and $1,400 monthly. These costs are influenced by factors like staff-to-child ratios, curriculum, and facility amenities. It's important to note that New Jersey is one of the more expensive states for childcare, and Belford's proximity to major employment centers like Red Bank and the Jersey Shore contributes to these rates. Always inquire about what is included in the tuition (e.g., meals, diapers, enrichment programs).
How can I verify the licensing and inspection history of a daycare provider in Belford?
All childcare providers in New Jersey must be licensed or registered by the state's Department of Children and Families (DCF), Office of Licensing. To verify a provider in Belford, you can use the "Child Care Search" tool on the NJ DCF website. This public database allows you to search by provider name, location, or zip code (07718 for Belford) and view their licensing status, capacity, and any serious violations or complaints that resulted in corrective action. You can also call the DCF's Office of Licensing at 1-877-667-9845. We recommend always visiting a potential daycare in person and asking the director for their most recent inspection report, which they are required to have available for parental review.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Belford, and how far in advance should I apply?
Yes, waitlists are common for infant and toddler spots at highly-regarded daycare centers in Belford and the greater Bayshore region. Due to high demand and limited infant capacity dictated by NJ state ratios (one caregiver for four infants), it is not unusual for popular centers to have waitlists of 6 to 12 months, or even longer. For parents expecting a child, it is advisable to begin touring facilities and getting on waitlists during the second trimester of pregnancy. For immediate needs, your best options may be to explore registered family day care homes, which often have more flexibility, or to expand your search to neighboring towns like Leonardo, Port Monmouth, or Atlantic Highlands. Always ask about a center's specific waitlist policy, including any deposit requirements.
What are some local resources for finding and comparing childcare options in the Belford area?
Parents in Belford have several valuable local resources. The primary agency is **Monmouth County's Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency**, which is part of the statewide system coordinated by Advocates for Children of New Jersey. They offer free, personalized referrals to licensed providers in your zip code. You can contact them online or by phone. Additionally, local community hubs are great for word-of-mouth recommendations. Consider joining Facebook groups like "Middletown NJ Moms" or "Bayshore NJ Parents" to ask for experiences and reviews. The **Middletown Township Public Library** branch in Belford may also have community bulletin boards with information on local family daycare providers.
What unique programs or considerations exist for childcare in Belford given its coastal location?
Belford's coastal setting offers unique opportunities and considerations for childcare. Several local daycares incorporate "shore life" into their curricula, with activities like beach-themed art, local wildlife education (e.g., horseshoe crabs, seabirds), and lessons on ocean conservation. However, parents should inquire about specific policies related to the environment. This includes a center's protocol for **air quality alerts** on poor ozone days, which can affect outdoor play, and their plan for **hurricane or coastal flood preparedness** and closures. Furthermore, some providers may organize occasional supervised field trips to nearby locations like the Belford Seafood Co-op or the Hartshorne Woods Park for nature walks. Always ask about transportation safety policies if such trips are offered.