The Best Daycare Centers in Coplay, PA
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Coplay. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Coplay
The Goddard School of Allentown
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Allentown offers a premier early childhood education program with F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic learning with play-based development. Their highly qualified teachers hold degrees in early childhood education and maintain low student-to-teacher ratios. The facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor playgrounds. The curriculum focuses on literacy, STEM, art, and social-emotional development, with daily communication to parents through their proprietary mobile app.
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Bright Horizons at Lehigh Valley Hospital
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Bright Horizons at Lehigh Valley Hospital provides NAEYC-accredited care with their World at Their Fingertips curriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning and developmentally appropriate practices. The center features state-of-the-art security systems, nutritious meal programs, and highly trained educators with ongoing professional development. Their emergent curriculum adapts to children's interests while ensuring kindergarten readiness. The facility includes dedicated infant rooms, toddler learning centers, and preschool classrooms with outdoor nature exploration areas.
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KinderCare at Whitehall
KinderCare Learning Companies
KinderCare at Whitehall offers comprehensive early childhood education with their Balanced Learning® curriculum that combines academic preparation with social-emotional development. The center features secure keypad entry, dedicated learning centers for each age group, and outdoor play spaces. Their experienced teaching staff maintains small class sizes and implements ongoing assessment to track developmental milestones. The program includes phonics-based literacy, hands-on math and science activities, creative arts, and physical development, with regular parent-teacher conferences and digital daily reports.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Coplay, PA
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Coplay, PA?
In Coplay and the surrounding Lehigh Valley area, daycare costs vary based on the type of facility and the child's age. For a licensed daycare center, you can expect to pay approximately $1,200 to $1,600 per month for full-time infant care. Toddler care typically ranges from $1,000 to $1,400 per month. In-home family daycare providers in Coplay often offer slightly lower rates, generally between $800 and $1,200 monthly. These costs are influenced by factors like staff-to-child ratios, curriculum, and facility amenities. It's important to note that Pennsylvania offers childcare subsidy programs through Child Care Works (CCW) for eligible families, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
How can I verify if a daycare provider in Coplay is properly licensed and check their compliance history?
All childcare providers in Pennsylvania, including those in Coplay, 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, including any violations or corrective actions, through the publicly accessible **Pennsylvania Child Care Finder** website. Simply search by the provider's name or zip code (18037 for Coplay). This tool shows the license status, capacity, ages served, and detailed reports from unannounced annual inspections. You can also contact the DHS Northeast Regional Office, which oversees Lehigh County, for additional information or to file a concern.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Coplay, and when should I start looking for a spot?
Yes, waitlists are common for many daycare centers and highly-regarded in-home providers in Coplay and the greater Lehigh Valley, especially for infant rooms which have the strictest staff-to-child ratios. It is strongly recommended that expecting parents begin researching and touring facilities during their second trimester, and ideally secure a spot 6 to 12 months before their needed start date. For toddler or preschool-age openings, a 3 to 6-month lead time is often necessary. When contacting providers, be sure to ask about their specific waitlist process, any associated fees, and how often they update families on their position.
What local resources or referral services are available to help me find childcare options in Coplay?
The primary resource for Lehigh County parents is **Child Care Information Services (CCIS) of Lehigh County**. This is your local hub for childcare referrals and subsidy applications. They maintain a comprehensive, updated database of all licensed and certified providers in the area. You can contact them for a personalized referral list based on your location, child's age, schedule, and budget. Additionally, the **Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce** and local community Facebook groups (e.g., "Coplay Community Forum") are often used by parents to share personal recommendations and experiences with area daycares, preschools, and babysitters.
What are some key differences between daycare centers and family childcare homes available in Coplay?
Coplay offers both licensed childcare centers and certified family childcare homes, each with distinct characteristics. **Centers** (like those in nearby Allentown or Whitehall) are often larger facilities with multiple classrooms, structured educational curricula, and larger staff teams. They may offer more rigid hours but provide consistency if a teacher is absent. **Family Childcare Homes** are run out of a provider's residence in a neighborhood setting. They typically have mixed-age groups, which can be beneficial for siblings, and often offer more flexible hours and a homelike environment. In Pennsylvania, family homes are certified (not licensed) and have a smaller maximum capacity (usually 6-12 children). Your choice may depend on your child's socialization needs, your schedule, and the type of environment you prefer.