The Best Daycare Centers in Oxford, NJ
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Oxford. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Oxford
The Learning Experience - Washington
The Learning Experience
The Learning Experience in Washington serves the Oxford area with a comprehensive early childhood education program featuring their proprietary L.E.A.P. curriculum. The center offers age-appropriate learning programs from infants through pre-K, focusing on cognitive, physical, and social development. Features include secure facilities with keypad entry, certified early childhood educators, regular parent communication through mobile apps, and enrichment programs including music, yoga, and philanthropy. The center maintains excellent staff-to-child ratios and has established transportation services that serve surrounding communities including Oxford.
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Harmony Early Learning Center
Harmony Early Learning Center
Harmony Early Learning Center provides high-quality childcare services to families in the Oxford region with a play-based learning approach combined with structured academic preparation. The center features state-certified teachers, secure facilities with surveillance systems, and a curriculum that emphasizes literacy, STEM, and social-emotional development. They offer nutritious meals and snacks, regular developmental assessments, and maintain small class sizes with low student-teacher ratios. The center has earned recognition for its safe environment and qualified staff with background checks and ongoing professional development.
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Phillipsburg Child Care Center
Phillipsburg Child Care Center
Phillipsburg Child Care Center serves Oxford and surrounding communities with a comprehensive educational program for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years. The center employs New Jersey state-certified teachers and follows developmentally appropriate practices with a curriculum that balances academic readiness and social development. Facilities include age-specific classrooms, secure outdoor playgrounds, and modern safety systems. The center is known for its experienced staff, many with 10+ years tenure, and offers flexible scheduling options including full-time, part-time, and drop-in care for working families in the region.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Oxford, NJ
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare or preschool in Oxford, NJ, and are there any local financial assistance programs?
In Oxford and the surrounding Warren County area, full-time daycare for an infant can range from approximately $1,200 to $1,600 per month, while toddler and preschool programs typically cost between $1,000 and $1,400 per month. These rates can vary based on the center's amenities, curriculum, and staff-to-child ratios. For financial assistance, New Jersey's Child Care Subsidy Program (often called "child care assistance") is available for eligible families through the state's Department of Human Services. Additionally, some local centers may offer sibling discounts or sliding scale fees. It's also worth checking with the Warren County Community Services office for any county-specific resources or referrals to affordable care options.
How do I verify that a daycare provider in Oxford is properly licensed and what specific New Jersey regulations should I be aware of?
All licensed child care centers and family day care homes in New Jersey are regulated by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Office of Licensing. You can verify a provider's license status and view any past inspection reports by using the "Child Care Search" tool on the NJ DCF website. Key state regulations include strict staff-to-child ratios (e.g., 1:4 for infants under 18 months), mandatory background checks for all staff, and annual health and safety inspections. In Oxford, many providers also participate in New Jersey's Grow NJ Kids quality rating system, which offers an additional layer of oversight and quality benchmarking. Always ask to see the provider's current license during your visit.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Oxford, and when should I start looking for care?
Due to the limited number of dedicated daycare centers in a smaller community like Oxford, waitlists can be common, especially for infant care. It is highly recommended that expecting parents or families new to the area begin their search 6 to 12 months before they need care. Many popular centers in the Oxford/Belvidere/Phillipsburg area have waitlists that extend several months. To improve your chances, consider expanding your search to include licensed family childcare homes in residential areas of Oxford, which may have more immediate openings, and get on multiple waitlists as a backup plan.
What types of childcare options are available in Oxford besides traditional daycare centers?
Oxford offers a mix of childcare options to suit different family needs. These include: 1. **Licensed Child Care Centers**: Such as programs that may be part of local churches or community organizations. 2. **Registered Family Child Care Homes**: Smaller, home-based settings often with mixed-age groups, which are common in residential neighborhoods. 3. **Preschools**: Often part-day programs for children ages 3-5, which may be run by schools, churches, or private entities. 4. **Before/After School Care**: For school-age children, this is often provided through the Oxford Central School or local community programs. 5. **Nanny Shares or In-Home Care**: Some families in the area arrange for private care or nanny shares with neighbors. For all options, verifying state licensing or registration is crucial for safety and quality.
What are some key questions to ask during a tour of a daycare facility in Oxford, given its semi-rural setting?
When touring a facility in Oxford, beyond standard questions about curriculum and safety, consider these location-specific inquiries: * **Transportation & Field Trips**: How do you handle transportation for field trips given the rural roads? Are vehicles properly licensed and insured for child transport? * **Outdoor Play & Safety**: What is your outdoor play space like, and how do you ensure child safety given potential proximity to wooded areas or less traffic-controlled roads? * **Emergency Preparedness**: What is your protocol for severe weather common to Northwest New Jersey (e.g., snowstorms, power outages), and how do you communicate with parents if roads are impacted? * **Local Sourcing & Allergies**: Do you incorporate any local farm products into meals or snacks, and how are food allergies managed, especially with seasonal/local items? * **Community Integration**: How do children engage with the local Oxford community (e.g., visits to the library, post office, or local parks)? Asking these questions will help you assess how well the program adapts to and utilizes its unique environment.