The Best Daycare Centers in Alexandria, PA
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Alexandria. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Alexandria
The Children's Learning Place
Independent Center
The Children's Learning Place is a highly-regarded early childhood education center serving the Alexandria/Huntingdon County area. They offer a comprehensive curriculum focused on developmental milestones with certified early childhood educators. The facility features secure access controls, modern classrooms with age-appropriate learning centers, and extensive outdoor play areas. Their program emphasizes literacy development, social-emotional learning, and STEM activities. They maintain excellent teacher-to-child ratios and provide nutritious meals through their USDA-approved food program. Parents consistently praise their communication, experienced staff, and the nurturing environment that prepares children for kindergarten success.
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Huntingdon County Child Day Care Center
Independent Non-Profit
This established non-profit childcare center serves families throughout Huntingdon County, including Alexandria residents. They employ degreed early childhood professionals and maintain Keystone STAR 4 accreditation, Pennsylvania's highest quality rating. The center features a research-based curriculum that incorporates Creative Curriculum and Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. Safety is prioritized with secured entry systems, comprehensive background checks, and regular safety drills. Their facility includes dedicated infant rooms, spacious preschool classrooms, and a large fenced playground. The center is noted for its inclusive environment, family engagement programs, and commitment to affordable, high-quality care.
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Small Wonders Daycare & Learning Center
Independent Center
Small Wonders provides quality childcare services to the Alexandria and surrounding Huntingdon County communities. Their educational approach blends play-based learning with structured academic preparation, focusing on the whole child's development. The center features bright, well-equipped classrooms, a commercial kitchen providing healthy meals, and multiple outdoor play spaces designed for different age groups. Staff members hold early childhood credentials and participate in ongoing professional development. The center is recognized for its strong parent-teacher partnerships, regular progress reports, and flexible scheduling options. Their kindergarten readiness program particularly stands out for its comprehensive literacy and numeracy foundation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Alexandria, PA
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Alexandria, PA?
In Alexandria, PA, and the surrounding Huntingdon County area, full-time daycare costs can vary based on the type of provider. For a licensed daycare center, you can expect to pay approximately $150 to $225 per week for an infant or toddler. A licensed family/home daycare typically ranges from $120 to $180 per week. These rates are generally lower than the state average, reflecting the rural nature of the community. It's important to note that many providers in this area have limited spots, so costs may also be influenced by availability. Some providers may offer a slight discount for additional siblings. We recommend contacting providers directly for their most current rates and to inquire about any potential financial assistance programs, like Child Care Works (CCW) subsidies, for which you may qualify.
How can I verify if a daycare provider in Alexandria is properly licensed and check their compliance history?
All childcare providers in Pennsylvania, including those in Alexandria, must be licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). You can verify a provider's license and review their inspection history online through the DHS Provider Search tool. This public database shows the license status, capacity, ages served, and any regulatory compliance reports, including citations and corrective actions. For local context, you can also contact the DHS Central Regional Office, which oversees Huntingdon County, for additional guidance. Always visit a potential daycare in person and ask to see their current certificate of compliance, which must be posted visibly. In a small community like Alexandria, asking other parents for their experiences can also provide valuable, informal insights into a provider's reputation.
Are there any licensed daycare centers in Alexandria, PA, or will I need to look in neighboring towns?
Alexandria is a small borough, and licensed daycare center options within the immediate town limits are very limited, often consisting of a small number of family/home daycare providers. Most parents in Alexandria expand their search to nearby communities such as Huntingdon, Mount Union, or Petersburg to find larger daycare centers or a wider selection of family daycares. The commute to these towns is typically short (15-20 minutes). It is highly advisable to start your search early, as providers in both Alexandria and the surrounding rural areas often have very limited capacity and can maintain long waitlists, especially for infants and toddlers. Checking with local churches or community centers in Alexandria may also lead you to smaller, licensed home-based options.
What are the key questions to ask a potential in-home daycare provider in a rural area like Alexandria?
When evaluating a family/home daycare in a rural setting like Alexandria, specific questions are crucial. Beyond standard queries about curriculum and daily schedules, be sure to ask: "What is your emergency plan for severe weather or medical situations, given our distance from a major hospital?" (The nearest full-service hospital is likely in Huntingdon). "How do you handle transportation or field trips, if any?" "Is your home equipped with a backup generator for power outages, which can be more common in rural areas?" "What is your policy on accepting children who are mildly ill, considering the longer travel distance for a parent to pick them up?" Also, confirm they are licensed, their maximum capacity (PA law limits family daycare to 6 children), and their plan for substitute care if the provider is sick. Personal references from other local families are especially valuable in a close-knit community.
Does the Alexandria Area School District offer any pre-kindergarten or early learning programs that could supplement childcare?
The Alexandria Area School District is part of the Juniata Valley School District. While the district itself may not operate a standalone daycare, it participates in Pennsylvania's Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance programs. These state-funded programs provide free, high-quality pre-kindergarten for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds, typically based on family income. These programs often operate on a partial-day schedule (e.g., 3-5 hours), so they may need to be combined with other childcare arrangements. Availability is limited and determined by lottery. For the most current information on locations, eligibility, and application processes for these programs in the Alexandria/Juniata Valley area, parents should contact the school district administration office directly or the Central Pennsylvania Intermediate Unit (CPI Unit), which often administers these grants locally.
Nearby Cities
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