The Best Daycare Centers in Yellow Springs, OH
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Yellow Springs. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Yellow Springs
Mills Lawn Elementary Preschool
Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District
Mills Lawn Elementary Preschool operates as part of the Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District, offering a high-quality early childhood education program with certified teachers and developmentally appropriate curriculum. The program focuses on social-emotional development, early literacy, and kindergarten readiness through play-based learning. Features small class sizes, experienced early childhood educators, and integration with elementary school resources. The preschool emphasizes community involvement and parent partnerships, with strong emphasis on creating a nurturing environment that supports each child's individual development and learning style.
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The Goddard School of Fairborn
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in Fairborn provides premium early childhood education with FLEX Learning Program that balances academic learning with creative play. Features state-licensed teachers with early childhood education credentials, low student-teacher ratios, and comprehensive safety protocols including secure entry systems. Curriculum includes STEAM learning, language development, and social skills. Facility includes age-appropriate playgrounds, modern classrooms with natural lighting, and dedicated spaces for art, music, and movement. Offers nutritious meal programs and extensive parent communication through daily reports and digital updates.
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Kiddie Academy of Xenia
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care
Kiddie Academy of Xenia offers Life Essentials® curriculum that combines academic preparation with character development. Features highly qualified teachers with ongoing professional development, comprehensive security systems including electronic entry, and health and safety protocols. Curriculum emphasizes literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies through hands-on learning experiences. Includes technology-enhanced learning, outdoor play areas with age-appropriate equipment, and family-style dining that promotes healthy eating habits. Strong focus on communication with parents through mobile app updates, regular conferences, and portfolio documentation of child development milestones.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Yellow Springs, OH
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Yellow Springs, Ohio?
In Yellow Springs, full-time daycare costs can vary significantly based on the type of provider. For a licensed daycare center, you can expect to pay between $1,200 to $1,600 per month for infant care. For toddlers, the range is typically $1,000 to $1,400 per month. Licensed in-home family childcare homes are often slightly less expensive, ranging from $800 to $1,200 monthly. These rates are influenced by factors like staff-to-child ratios, curriculum, and facility amenities. It's important to note that Yellow Springs, being a village with a higher cost of living than some surrounding areas and home to Antioch College, often has rates at the higher end of the spectrum for Greene County. We recommend contacting providers directly for the most current pricing and inquiring about any available slots for subsidized care through programs like the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Yellow Springs, and how far in advance should I apply?
Yes, due to the limited number of licensed childcare facilities within the village itself, waitlists are common, especially for infant care. It is not unusual for popular centers to have waitlists of 6 to 12 months, or even longer. For parents in Yellow Springs, we strongly recommend beginning your search and getting on waitlists as soon as you know you will need care, ideally during pregnancy. Many parents also expand their search to nearby communities like Fairborn, Xenia, or Springfield, which may have more availability and shorter wait times. When you contact a provider, be sure to ask about their specific waitlist policy, any fees to join the list, and how often they update families on their position.
What are the licensing and inspection standards for childcare providers in Ohio, and how can I check a Yellow Springs provider's record?
All childcare providers in Ohio must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) unless they are legally exempt (like caring for children from a single family). ODJFS sets strict standards for health, safety, staff qualifications, child-to-staff ratios, and curriculum. You can easily check the compliance record of any licensed provider in Yellow Springs by using the online "Child Care Search" tool on the ODJFS website. This public database shows the provider's license status, results of their most recent inspections (including any cited violations), and their Step Up To Quality rating—Ohio's voluntary quality rating system. Always verify a provider's license is current and review their inspection history before enrolling your child.
Besides traditional daycare centers, what alternative or part-time childcare options are available for families in Yellow Springs?
Yellow Springs offers several unique and alternative options due to its community-oriented culture. These include: * **Licensed Family Child Care Homes:** Smaller, home-based settings often offering more flexible hours. * **Preschool Programs:** Several local organizations and churches offer part-day preschool programs for children ages 3-5, which can be a cost-effective supplement to other care. * **Parent Co-ops:** Given the village's collaborative spirit, informal parent cooperatives where families share care duties sometimes form. These are not licensed and require a high level of trust and organization. * **Nanny Shares:** Families may partner to hire a nanny to care for their children together, splitting the cost. Local online community boards and parenting groups are good places to explore this option. * **Drop-in or Flexible Care:** Availability is very limited, but it's worth asking providers if they offer any flexible scheduling.
How does Ohio's "Step Up To Quality" (SUTQ) rating system work, and are there highly-rated programs in the Yellow Springs area?
Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) is Ohio's voluntary 5-star quality rating and improvement system for early childhood programs. A higher star rating (1 to 5 stars) indicates a program exceeds Ohio's licensing standards in areas like professional development, learning environments, and family engagement. While the number of programs within Yellow Springs village limits is small, several in the surrounding Greene County area hold 3 to 5-star ratings. Choosing a SUTQ-rated program, even if it requires a short commute, can provide assurance of higher quality. You can filter for star ratings using the ODJFS Child Care Search tool. Investing in a highly-rated program can offer a stronger educational foundation and better teacher-child interactions for your little one.