The Best Daycare Centers in Cambria Heights, NY
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Cambria Heights. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Cambria Heights
Kiddie Academy of Queens Village
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care
Kiddie Academy of Queens Village provides comprehensive educational childcare with a structured curriculum called Life Essentials® that focuses on character development, literacy, and STEM education. The center features state-licensed teachers with early childhood education credentials, secure entry systems, and age-appropriate learning environments. Their program includes daily progress reports, nutritious meals, and extensive indoor/outdoor play areas. The academy emphasizes social-emotional development through structured activities and maintains excellent teacher-to-child ratios for personalized attention.
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Bright Horizons at Queens College
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Bright Horizons at Queens College offers a research-based curriculum called The World at Their Fingertips, focusing on language, math, science, and creative arts. The center features highly qualified teachers with bachelor's degrees in early childhood education, secure facility access, and modern learning environments. Their program includes emergent curriculum approaches, daily outdoor time, and comprehensive health and safety protocols. The center is known for its diverse cultural environment and strong parent-teacher communication through the MyBrightDay app.
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Tender Years Childcare
Tender Years Childcare Center
Tender Years Childcare is a locally-owned center serving Cambria Heights with a play-based learning approach that incorporates Creative Curriculum elements. The facility features certified early childhood educators, secure monitoring systems, and developmentally appropriate classrooms. Their program emphasizes literacy development, social skills building, and multicultural awareness. The center provides nutritious meals, regular developmental assessments, and maintains small class sizes with low teacher-to-child ratios. They offer flexible scheduling and have established strong community relationships over nearly two decades of operation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Cambria Heights, NY
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare or preschool for an infant or toddler in Cambria Heights, NY?
In Cambria Heights and the surrounding southeastern Queens area, daycare costs can vary significantly based on the type of program. For a licensed family daycare home, you might expect to pay between $225 and $350 per week for an infant. Center-based daycare or preschool programs typically range from $300 to $500+ per week for full-time infant care. For toddlers, costs are slightly lower, often between $250 and $400 per week. These rates are generally in line with the Queens average but can be lower than Manhattan rates. It's important to note that New York State offers subsidy programs like the Child Care Subsidy for eligible families, and some local providers may offer sliding scale fees. Always inquire about what is included in the tuition (meals, diapers, curriculum).
How can I verify if a daycare provider in Cambria Heights is properly licensed and check their inspection history?
All legally operating group daycares and family daycare homes in New York State must be licensed or registered with the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). You can verify a provider's status and view their full inspection history, including any violations, through the OCFS online "Child Care Facility Search" tool. Simply enter the provider's name or zip code (11411 for Cambria Heights). This public database shows licensing dates, capacity, and detailed reports of past inspections. For your child's safety, never use an unlicensed provider caring for more than two children unrelated to them. You can also contact the OCFS Regional Office for NYC for further assistance.
Are there any free or subsidized early childhood education programs available for 3- and 4-year-olds in Cambria Heights?
Yes, there are key options for free early education in the area. The primary program is New York City's Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), which provides free, full-day pre-K for 4-year-olds. Seats are offered at public schools and many community-based early education centers (like those run by the NYC Department of Education or contracted agencies). For 3-year-olds, NYC's 3-K for All program is expanding, but availability in School District 29 (which includes Cambria Heights) can vary by year; you must apply through the NYC Department of Education's centralized application process. Additionally, Head Start programs, which are income-eligible, may be available through local community organizations, offering comprehensive early childhood services.
What is the waitlist situation like for daycare centers in Cambria Heights, and when should I start looking?
Due to high demand for quality childcare in residential neighborhoods like Cambria Heights, waitlists are common, especially for infant spots which have stricter staff-to-child ratios. It is strongly recommended to begin your search and tours at least 6 to 9 months before your needed start date, and for infant care, even earlier—during pregnancy is not too soon. Many popular local centers and licensed home providers maintain waitlists. When touring, always ask about the current waitlist length, the deposit policy to hold a spot (which is usually non-refundable), and how often they update the list. Being flexible with your start date can sometimes help secure a spot sooner.
What are some local resources or methods for finding and comparing daycare options specifically in the Cambria Heights community?
Beyond a general online search, several hyper-local resources can help. First, check with the **Queens Public Library at Cambria Heights**, as community bulletin boards often have flyers for local family daycares. Second, use the **NYC Child Care Connect** website and app, which is the official city resource for searching licensed programs by zip code (11411) and includes parent reviews. Third, ask for personal recommendations in local Facebook groups (e.g., "Cambria Heights, NY Community" or "Queens Parents") and on Nextdoor. Finally, you can contact the **NYC Department of Health's Day Care Council** or the **Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies** serving Queens for personalized referrals and guidance on the application process.
Nearby Cities
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