The Best Daycare Centers in Willow Wood, OH
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Willow Wood. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Willow Wood
The Goddard School of Mason
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Mason offers a premier early childhood education program with F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic learning with creative play. Their state-licensed teachers hold degrees in early childhood education and receive ongoing professional development. The facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor playgrounds. Curriculum focuses on literacy, STEM, art, and social-emotional development with daily communication to parents through the proprietary mobile app. Serves families throughout the Mason area including Willow Wood residents.
Daycare Services:
Primrose School of Mason
Primrose School Franchising Company
Primrose School of Mason provides Balanced Learning® approach combining purposeful play with nurturing guidance from trained teachers. Their proprietary curriculum includes character development, literacy, math, and science programs. The school maintains low student-teacher ratios and features secure facilities with camera monitoring, nutritious meal programs, and dedicated music and art rooms. Staff includes early childhood professionals with CPR/first aid certification. Serves the greater Mason region including Willow Wood with structured learning environments for children 6 weeks to 12 years.
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The Learning Experience - Mason
The Learning Experience
The Learning Experience in Mason offers comprehensive early education with their proprietary L.E.A.P.® (Learning Experience Academic Program) curriculum and philanthropy-focused programs. The center features modern security systems, bright classrooms, and outdoor play areas. Programs include early literacy, mathematics, social studies, and proprietary enrichment programs like Yoga, Music, and Manners. Teachers maintain state-required qualifications with ongoing training. The center serves Mason and surrounding communities including Willow Wood with flexible scheduling options and developmentally appropriate learning environments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Willow Wood, OH
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Willow Wood, Ohio?
In Willow Wood, Ohio, daycare costs are generally in line with statewide averages for rural/small-town areas. For full-time care (5 days a week), you can expect to pay approximately $600 to $850 per month for a toddler and $700 to $950 per month for an infant. These rates are for licensed daycare centers; licensed in-home family childcare providers may be slightly less expensive, typically ranging from $500 to $750 per month. Costs can vary based on the facility's amenities, curriculum, and staff-to-child ratios. It's important to note that Willow Wood has limited options compared to larger cities, so securing a spot at a lower-cost provider may involve a longer waitlist. Ohio's Publicly Funded Child Care program can offer subsidies to eligible families to help offset these costs.
How do I verify a daycare is properly licensed and check its compliance history in Ohio?
All childcare programs in Willow Wood must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). To verify a provider's license and review its history, you should use the official **Ohio Child Care Search** tool available on the ODJFS website. This free resource allows you to search by provider name, location, or county (Lawrence County). It will show you the license status, capacity, ages served, and any serious compliance violations or inspection reports from the last three years. We recommend always checking this database and even asking the provider directly for their license number. You can also contact the ODJFS Office for Family Assistance for the Southeast Region for additional verification.
Are there any daycare centers in Willow Wood that offer flexible or non-traditional hours for parents working shifts?
Finding childcare with extended or non-traditional hours in a smaller community like Willow Wood can be challenging. Most licensed centers operate on a standard schedule, typically from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. However, some licensed family childcare homes may offer more flexibility, including early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekend care, based on the provider's personal schedule. Your best course of action is to inquire directly with local providers about their ability to accommodate shift work. For reliable, consistent non-traditional hours, parents often need to look at providers in nearby larger towns like Ironton or Ashland, Kentucky, which may have centers catering to hospital or factory shift workers, though this adds commute time.
What is the current waitlist situation for infant care in Willow Wood, and how far in advance should I apply?
Due to the limited number of providers and strict state-mandated staff-to-infant ratios, waitlists for infant care (children under 18 months) in Willow Wood are common and can be lengthy. It is not unusual for a sought-after center or highly-regarded home provider to have a waitlist of 6 to 12 months. We strongly recommend that expecting parents begin researching and contacting daycare options as early as the second trimester of pregnancy. When you tour a facility, ask specifically about their waitlist process: Is there a fee to be placed on the list? How often is it updated? What is the typical turnover for infant spots? Being proactive and getting on multiple lists is a key strategy for securing infant care in this area.
What local resources or organizations in Lawrence County can help me find and choose quality childcare?
A primary local resource is **Help Me Grow of Lawrence County**. This program, funded by the Ohio Department of Health, provides free support to families with young children. Their specialists can offer referrals to licensed childcare providers in Willow Wood and the surrounding area and help you understand quality indicators. Additionally, the **Lawrence County Department of Job and Family Services** can assist with information on the state's Step Up To Quality rating system and subsidy applications. For networking and personal recommendations, consider joining community Facebook groups like "Willow Wood Community Board" or "Lawrence County Parents," where local families often share their experiences with specific daycare providers.