The Best Daycare Centers in Sylvania, OH
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Sylvania. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Sylvania
The Goddard School of Sylvania
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in Sylvania offers a premier early childhood education program with F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic preparation with social development. Their state-of-the-art facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor playgrounds. The school employs degreed teachers who implement developmental milestones tracking and maintain low student-to-teacher ratios. Curriculum includes STEAM learning, language development, and social skills, with daily communication provided to parents through the proprietary mobile app. The center is known for its clean, safe environment and comprehensive safety protocols including background-checked staff and emergency preparedness training.
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Primrose School of Sylvania
Primrose School Franchising Company
Primrose School of Sylvania provides Balanced Learning® approach that combines purposeful play with nurturing guidance from trained teachers. The curriculum focuses on character development, literacy, math, and science through hands-on activities. The facility features secure keypad entry, commercial-grade air purification systems, and age-separated playgrounds. All lead teachers have early childhood education credentials and receive ongoing professional development. The school offers nutritious meals prepared on-site and maintains detailed developmental progress reports for each child. Parents consistently praise the school's communication, structured learning environment, and the genuine care provided by staff members.
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Toledo Jewish Early Childhood Center
Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo
The Toledo Jewish Early Childhood Center offers a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach combined with Jewish cultural education in an inclusive environment welcoming families of all backgrounds. The center features bright, well-equipped classrooms, indoor gross motor space, and natural outdoor play areas. Their play-based curriculum emphasizes social-emotional development, creativity, and early literacy skills. The staff includes experienced early childhood educators with low child-to-teacher ratios and comprehensive safety protocols including secure building access and health screening procedures. The center is noted for its warm, family-like atmosphere and strong community connections, with parents highlighting the exceptional individual attention given to each child's developmental needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Sylvania, OH
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Sylvania, Ohio?
In Sylvania, Ohio, full-time daycare costs can vary significantly based on the type of center, its amenities, and the age of your child. On average, parents can expect to pay between $1,100 to $1,500 per month for infant care (6 weeks to 18 months) at a licensed center. For toddler care (18 months to 3 years), monthly rates typically range from $950 to $1,300. These costs are generally in line with or slightly above the Ohio state average, reflecting Sylvania's suburban community and higher-rated school districts. Home-based daycare providers in the area may offer more affordable options, often ranging from $700 to $1,000 per month. It's important to ask what is included in tuition (e.g., meals, diapers, enrichment programs) and to budget for potential registration fees and waitlist deposits.
How do I verify that a daycare or childcare provider in Sylvania is properly licensed and has a good compliance record?
All childcare programs in Ohio, including those in Sylvania, must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). The most reliable way to verify a provider's status and history is to use the publicly available **Ohio Child Care Search** tool on the ODJFS website. Here, you can search by provider name, location, or type and view their current license status, inspection reports, and any cited violations. You can also contact the Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services for local insights. When touring a facility in Sylvania, don't hesitate to ask the director to see their current license and their most recent inspection report, which they are required to post in a visible location. Checking online parent reviews and community forums like local Facebook groups (e.g., "Sylvania Moms") can also provide anecdotal feedback on provider quality and compliance.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Sylvania, and when should I start looking for a spot?
Yes, due to high demand and limited capacity, especially for infant rooms, many of the more popular daycare centers in Sylvania have significant waitlists, often ranging from 6 to 12 months or more. It is highly recommended that expecting parents or parents planning a return to work begin their search and get on waitlists **during their second trimester of pregnancy**. For toddler and preschool openings, a lead time of 3-6 months is more common but still advisable. When contacting centers, ask specifically about their waitlist process: whether there's a fee to join, if it's a rolling list or by anticipated start date, and how often you should check in. Exploring a mix of larger centers, church-affiliated preschools, and licensed home providers in neighborhoods like Historic Downtown Sylvania or near the Sylvania Avenue corridor can increase your options.
What types of childcare and early learning programs are uniquely available in the Sylvania area?
Sylvania offers a diverse range of childcare options that leverage its strong community and educational resources. Key types include: * **Sylvania Schools Preschool Programs:** The Sylvania Schools district offers high-quality preschool programs for children 3-5, often with options for children with and without identified special needs. These are typically part-day programs. * **Faith-Based Centers:** Several churches in Sylvania, such as St. Joseph's and CedarCreek Church, operate highly-regarded daycare and preschool programs that may incorporate gentle faith-based learning. * **Montessori Schools:** The area is home to established Montessori schools offering child-led learning for toddlers and preschoolers. * **Nature-Based & Outdoor Programs:** Reflecting a growing trend, some local providers and home daycares emphasize outdoor play and learning, utilizing Sylvania's many parks and green spaces. * **Corporate/On-Site Options:** For parents working at major local employers like ProMedica, it's worth investigating if any partner discounts or referral programs exist with specific Sylvania centers.
What local resources or organizations in Sylvania can help me find and evaluate childcare options?
Parents in Sylvania have several valuable local resources: * **4C for Children:** This is the designated Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) agency for Northwest Ohio, including Lucas County and Sylvania. They offer a free, personalized referral service to match your family's needs with licensed providers, and they host workshops on choosing quality care. * **Sylvania Area Family Services (SAFS):** While offering broader support, SAFS can be a source of information and may have connections to affordable care options or subsidy programs. * **Sylvania Public Libraries:** The library branches often have community bulletin boards with postings from home daycare providers and host early literacy events that can be a good way to meet other parents and gather recommendations. * **Local Online Communities:** Facebook groups like "Sylvania, Ohio Community" or "Sylvania Moms" are active platforms where parents frequently ask for and give detailed, firsthand reviews and availability alerts for local daycares and babysitters. Always cross-reference this advice with official state licensing information.
Childcare Insights for Sylvania
As a parent in Sylvania, Ohio, the search for quality childcare often begins with a very practical question: "What is the daycare cost near me?" Understanding the landscape of childcare expenses in our specific community is the first step in making a confident and informed decision for your family. In Sylvania and the greater Toledo area, daycare costs can vary significantly based on several key factors, but having a clear picture of the local averages and what influences them can bring much-needed clarity to your planning.
Currently, for full-time, center-based infant care in Sylvania, Ohio, parents can expect to encounter a monthly range that typically falls between $1,200 and $1,600. This aligns with state averages but reflects our community's standards for quality and the operational costs of running a facility here. As children grow, costs often decrease slightly; toddler care might range from $1,000 to $1,400 monthly, while preschool programs can be between $900 and $1,200. It's important to note that these are general estimates, and the specific location within Sylvania, the age of your child, and the type of program will all play a role. For instance, a nationally accredited center or one with a specialized educational curriculum may command a higher tuition than a home-based daycare, which can sometimes offer a more budget-friendly alternative, often ranging from $700 to $1,100 per month for infants.
Several local considerations uniquely impact cost in our area. The reputation and demand for certain Sylvania school district neighborhoods can influence availability and price at nearby centers. Many facilities also include essential items in their tuition, such as meals, snacks, and curriculum materials, which is a valuable detail to confirm. When evaluating costs, always inquire about what is included versus what requires an additional fee. Furthermore, exploring financial support options is a crucial step for many Sylvania families. Ohio offers programs like the publicly funded childcare assistance through the Department of Job and Family Services, and some local centers may offer sliding scale fees or sibling discounts. It is always worthwhile to have a direct conversation with a daycare director about your family's situation.
Ultimately, while the question of cost is paramount, viewing it as an investment in your child's early development and your own peace of mind is essential. The best approach for Sylvania parents is to create a shortlist of local centers and licensed home providers that meet your family's needs for location, philosophy, and hours of operation. Then, schedule tours and ask detailed questions. A visit will tell you more than a price sheet ever could—allowing you to see the caregiver interactions, the cleanliness and safety of the environment, and the overall atmosphere. By combining this firsthand research with a clear understanding of the local cost structure, you can find a childcare solution in Sylvania that feels both financially manageable and wonderfully right for your child.