The Best Daycare Centers in Braddock, PA
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Braddock. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Braddock
Brightside Academy
Brightside Academy
Brightside Academy is a well-established regional childcare provider offering comprehensive early childhood education programs. Their Braddock location features a research-based curriculum focused on school readiness, with certified teachers and low student-to-teacher ratios. The center emphasizes literacy development, STEM activities, and social-emotional learning. Facilities include secure entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor play areas. They provide nutritious meals and snacks, and maintain strong parent communication through daily reports and regular conferences. The center serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years and participates in Pennsylvania's Keystone STARS quality rating system.
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The Children's Campus at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
UPMC Children's Hospital
Located in nearby Oakland, this hospital-affiliated childcare center serves families throughout the Pittsburgh metro area including Braddock. The facility features state-of-the-art security systems, health and safety protocols developed with hospital expertise, and NAEYC-accredited programs. Their curriculum emphasizes developmental milestones with specialized attention to early literacy, mathematics, and science exploration. Staff include early childhood education specialists with ongoing professional development. The center offers extended hours, nutritious meal programs, and maintains excellent staff-to-child ratios. Parent satisfaction is exceptionally high due to transparent communication and comprehensive developmental tracking.
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Small Wonders Child Development Center
Small Wonders CDC
Small Wonders serves the eastern Pittsburgh suburbs including Braddock with a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum. The center focuses on whole-child development through structured learning centers, creative arts, and hands-on activities. They maintain Keystone STARS 4 rating, the highest quality level in Pennsylvania's early learning system. Features include secure facilities, certified teachers with bachelor's degrees in early childhood education, inclusive programming, and diverse cultural experiences. The center emphasizes social skills development, problem-solving, and kindergarten readiness. They offer flexible scheduling and maintain strong community partnerships with local schools and organizations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Braddock, PA
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Braddock, PA?
In Braddock and the surrounding Allegheny County area, daycare costs can vary significantly based on the type of provider. For a licensed daycare center, you can expect to pay between $900 and $1,300 per month for full-time infant care. Home-based family childcare is often more affordable, typically ranging from $650 to $950 per month. It's important to note that Pennsylvania offers subsidy programs like Child Care Works (CCW) for eligible families, which can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket costs. We recommend contacting providers directly for their most current rates and inquiring about any available sliding scale fees based on income.
How can I verify if a daycare or childcare provider in Braddock is properly licensed and has a good safety record?
All childcare providers in Pennsylvania must be licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS). You can verify a provider's license status and review their compliance history, including any violations, through the state's online **Child Care Finder** tool. Additionally, you can contact the **Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5**, which serves Allegheny County, for guidance and information on local providers. When visiting a potential daycare in Braddock, always ask to see their current license and their most recent DHS inspection report, which they are required to post in a visible location.
Are there any daycare facilities in Braddock that offer non-traditional hours for parents working evening or overnight shifts?
Finding childcare for non-standard hours can be challenging in Braddock, as most centers operate on a typical 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM schedule. Your best options are likely to be licensed family childcare homes, which may offer more flexible hours. We recommend using the search filters on the Pennsylvania Child Care Finder website to look for providers who list "evening/weekend care." Additionally, contacting the **ELRC Region 5** at (412) 350-3577 can help connect you with providers who accommodate shift workers. Some parents in the area also form small, informal nanny shares to cover these hours.
What resources are available in Braddock to help me find and pay for quality childcare?
The primary local resource is the **Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5**. They offer free referral services to help you find licensed childcare that fits your needs and location. Crucially, they administer the **Child Care Works (CCW)** subsidy program for Allegheny County, which provides financial assistance to qualifying families. You can apply for subsidies through them. For additional support, the **Braddock Carnegie Library** often has community information and may host early learning programs. Also, exploring state programs like **Pre-K Counts** or **Head Start** for preschool-aged children is worthwhile, as they are free for eligible families.
How long are waitlists for daycare centers in the Braddock area, and what can I do to secure a spot?
Waitlist times in Braddock and nearby communities like North Braddock, Turtle Creek, and Swissvale can range from a few weeks to several months, especially for infant rooms which have stricter staff-to-child ratios. Popular centers may have waitlists of 6-12 months. To improve your chances, start your search early—ideally during pregnancy. Get on multiple waitlists and follow up with providers every 4-6 weeks to express continued interest. Consider expanding your search to include high-quality family childcare homes, which often have shorter wait times and can provide a more personalized setting. Being flexible with your start date can also help.
Nearby Cities
Explore daycare options in cities near Braddock: