The Best Daycare Centers in Lakemore, OH
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Lakemore. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Lakemore
The Goddard School of Green
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in Green 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 state-of-the-art facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate playgrounds, and bright, clean classrooms. Highly qualified teachers implement play-based learning with STEAM curriculum components, and the school maintains low student-teacher ratios. Parents praise the consistent communication through daily reports and the nurturing environment that prepares children for kindergarten success.
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Bright Horizons at Akron
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Bright Horizons at Akron provides comprehensive early education with their World at Their Fingertips curriculum that emphasizes literacy, mathematics, science, and social skills. The center features secure facilities with coded entry systems, dedicated age-based classrooms, and nutritious meal programs. Their highly qualified staff includes teachers with bachelor's degrees in early childhood education, and the center maintains excellent staff retention rates. The program focuses on developing the whole child through hands-on learning experiences and maintains strong parent partnerships through regular progress updates and family engagement events.
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Springfield Learning Center
Independent
Springfield Learning Center offers a well-established childcare program with a balanced approach to early education, combining structured learning with creative play. Their comprehensive curriculum includes language development, mathematics readiness, and social skills building in a safe, nurturing environment. The center features secure facilities with surveillance systems, age-appropriate learning materials, and spacious outdoor play areas. Experienced teachers create individualized learning plans and maintain detailed progress tracking. Parents consistently praise the center's family-like atmosphere, experienced staff, and excellent communication about their child's daily activities and developmental milestones.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Lakemore, OH
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Lakemore, Ohio?
In Lakemore and the surrounding Summit County 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 $180 to $250 per week for an infant or toddler. In-home licensed family childcare homes often range from $140 to $190 per week. These rates are generally lower than in larger Ohio cities like Columbus or Cleveland but have been rising. It's important to ask what is included in the weekly rate, such as meals, formula, diapers, and educational curriculum. Some providers in the area may offer sibling discounts. For financial assistance, Ohio's Publicly Funded Child Care program can help eligible families; you can apply through the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services.
How can I verify the licensing and inspection history of a daycare provider in Lakemore?
All childcare providers in Ohio must be licensed or certified by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), unless they are legally exempt (like caring for only children from one other family). To verify a provider's status and review their compliance history, you should use the official **Ohio Child Care Search** tool online. This database allows you to search by provider name, city (Lakemore), or zip code. It will show the license type, capacity, any serious rule violations, and the dates of their last inspections. You can also call the ODJFS Office of Families and Children for the Northeast Region. Always visit a potential daycare and ask to see their current license, and don't hesitate to ask about any violations noted in their file to understand how they were resolved.
Are there any local resources or referral services to help me find and compare daycare options in Lakemore?
Yes, a primary local resource is **4C for Children**, which serves Summit County and is the state's designated Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for the region. Their specialists can provide free, personalized referrals to licensed childcare programs in Lakemore and nearby communities like Springfield Township and Akron. They can help you compare options based on your needs for hours, curriculum, cost, and location. Additionally, the **Summit County Early Childhood Consortium** offers resources on early learning. For community-based insights, consider joining local parent groups on social media, such as "Lakemore Community" or "Summit County Moms," where parents often share firsthand experiences and recommendations.
What is the average waitlist time for daycare centers in Lakemore, and how can I secure a spot?
Due to high demand and limited slots, especially for infants, waitlists at quality daycare centers in Lakemore and the greater Akron area can range from 3 to 9 months. It is highly recommended to begin your search and get on waitlists during your second trimester of pregnancy, if possible. When contacting a center, ask specific questions: their current waitlist length, if there's a fee to be on the list (typically $25-$75, often non-refundable), how often they update families, and if they offer guaranteed enrollment for siblings of current students. To improve your chances, consider applying to multiple centers and also exploring licensed in-home providers, which may have shorter wait times and offer a more home-like setting.
What are some key questions to ask during a tour of a Lakemore daycare, specific to Ohio regulations and local practices?
Beyond general questions, focus on Ohio-specific and local operational details. Key questions include: 1) "What is your staff-to-child ratio, and how does it compare to Ohio's minimum requirements?" (OH requires 1:4 for infants, 1:7 for toddlers). 2) "Are all caregivers trained in Ohio's mandated topics like First Aid/CPR, child abuse prevention, and communicable disease recognition?" 3) "What is your sick child policy, and how do you handle common Ohio health advisories?" 4) "Can you describe your outdoor play and safety protocols, given Ohio's variable weather?" 5) "How do you handle emergency preparedness, including tornado drills, which are common in our region?" Also, ask about their accreditation (like Step Up To Quality, Ohio's rating system) and how they communicate with parents daily. Observing staff interactions and the overall cleanliness and safety of the environment is crucial.