The Best Daycare Centers in Farmington, NY
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Farmington. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Farmington
The Goddard School of Farmington
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Farmington offers a premier early childhood education program with F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic readiness with social-emotional development. Their curriculum includes STEAM learning, language arts, and character development. The facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor playgrounds. All teachers hold degrees in early childhood education or related fields and receive ongoing professional development. The school emphasizes play-based learning with structured activities that promote cognitive, physical, and social development. Parent communication includes daily reports and regular progress updates through their proprietary app.
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KinderCare Learning Center at Victor
KinderCare Education
This KinderCare location serves the Farmington community with comprehensive early childhood programs featuring their proprietary curriculum that focuses on literacy, math, science, and social skills. The center maintains low student-teacher ratios and employs state-certified early childhood educators. Safety features include secured entry systems, regular safety drills, and comprehensive health protocols. The facility includes dedicated infant rooms, toddler learning centers, and preschool classrooms with hands-on learning materials. Their program includes nutritious meals and snacks, outdoor play areas, and enrichment activities like music and movement. Parent engagement is supported through regular conferences and digital daily reports.
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Canandaigua YMCA Childcare Center
YMCA of Greater Rochester
The Canandaigua YMCA Childcare Center provides high-quality early childhood education with a focus on the YMCA's core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Their research-based curriculum emphasizes school readiness through literacy development, STEM activities, and social-emotional learning. The center features certified teachers with backgrounds in early childhood education, secure facilities with monitored access, and age-appropriate learning environments. Programs include swimming lessons for older children, physical activity components, and character development. The YMCA's sliding fee scale and financial assistance options make quality childcare accessible to diverse families in the Farmington area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Farmington, NY
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Farmington, NY?
In Farmington, NY, full-time daycare costs can vary significantly based on the type of facility. For a licensed daycare center, you can expect to pay between $1,200 to $1,600 per month for infant care, and slightly less, around $1,000 to $1,400 per month, for toddler care. Licensed home-based daycare providers in the area often offer more competitive rates, typically ranging from $800 to $1,200 per month. These costs are influenced by factors such as staff-to-child ratios, curriculum offerings, and facility amenities. It's important to note that New York State does not have price controls on childcare, so rates are set by individual providers. Many families in Ontario County, where Farmington is located, utilize the New York State Child Care Subsidy Program to help offset these expenses if they meet income eligibility requirements.
How long are waitlists for reputable daycare centers in Farmington, and when should I start looking?
Due to high demand and limited slots, especially for infants, waitlists for well-regarded daycare centers in Farmington can be substantial. It is not uncommon for popular centers to have waitlists of 6 to 12 months, and sometimes longer for infant rooms. We strongly recommend starting your search during pregnancy, ideally by the second trimester. For a planned start date when your maternity/paternity leave ends, you should aim to get on waitlists at least 9-12 months in advance. When contacting centers, ask specific questions about their list: Is there a fee to join? How often is it updated? Do they offer guaranteed spots for siblings of current families? Exploring licensed family daycare homes can also be a good strategy, as they may have shorter wait times and offer more flexibility.
What are the key New York State licensing requirements I should verify when touring a daycare in Farmington?
All legal childcare providers in Farmington must be licensed or registered with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Key requirements you can and should ask about include: **Staff-to-Child Ratios** (e.g., 1:4 for infants under 18 months, 1:5 for toddlers 18-36 months), **Maximum Group Sizes**, and **Staff Qualifications** (including background checks, fingerprinting, and mandated training in topics like SIDS prevention and Shaken Baby Syndrome). Providers must also meet health and safety standards for their physical space. You can verify a provider's license status and view any past inspection reports with violations online through the NYS OCFS website. Always choose a licensed provider to ensure basic health, safety, and oversight standards are met.
Are there any unique local programs or resources for finding and evaluating childcare in Farmington, NY?
Yes, parents in Farmington and Ontario County have access to excellent local resources. The primary hub is the **Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes**, which serves Ontario County. This resource and referral agency offers free, personalized assistance to help parents find licensed childcare options that match their needs. They can provide lists of providers, guidance on what to look for, and information on subsidies. Additionally, the **Ontario County Department of Social Services** administers the child care subsidy program locally. For evaluating quality, look for providers participating in **QUALITYstarsNY**, New York's voluntary quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs. These local resources are invaluable for navigating the childcare landscape in our community.
What options exist for backup or emergency childcare in the Farmington area if my regular provider is unavailable?
Planning for backup care is crucial. In Farmington and the surrounding Finger Lakes region, options can be limited but do exist. Some local daycare centers may offer occasional "drop-in" care if they have space, but this is rare and usually requires prior registration. Your best bet is to network with other parents in your community or neighborhood to arrange informal swaps. Additionally, you can search for licensed family daycare providers who might have more flexible daily availability. For more structured solutions, you can explore regional services like **Bright Horizons Back-Up Care**, though availability in Farmington itself may be sparse, and you might need to look toward nearby Rochester. Developing a relationship with a trusted babysitter or nanny share for emergency coverage is often the most reliable local strategy.