The Best Daycare Centers in Jenkintown, PA
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Jenkintown. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Jenkintown
The Goddard School
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in Jenkintown offers a premier early childhood education program with F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic readiness with social-emotional development. Their state-of-the-art facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor play areas. Highly qualified teachers implement play-based learning while focusing on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) concepts. The center maintains low student-teacher ratios and provides daily communication to parents about their child's activities and development. Their comprehensive curriculum includes language arts, mathematics, social studies, and character development programs.
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Jenkintown Day Nursery
Non-profit Organization
As one of the oldest and most established childcare centers in the area, Jenkintown Day Nursery provides exceptional care with a focus on whole-child development. The non-profit organization offers NAEYC-accredited programs that emphasize social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Their experienced teaching staff includes certified early childhood educators who create individualized learning plans. The center features secure facilities with modern safety protocols, nutritious meal programs, and extensive outdoor play spaces. Their play-based curriculum incorporates literacy development, mathematical thinking, and social skills while maintaining strong parent-teacher partnerships through regular communication and family events.
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Children of America
Children of America Educational Childcare
Children of America in Jenkintown provides comprehensive educational childcare with their proprietary COA Curriculum that focuses on school readiness and developmental milestones. The center features secure, technologically advanced facilities with keypad entry systems, camera monitoring, and dedicated age-specific learning environments. Their program includes specialized components like Sign Language for infants and toddlers, Spanish language exposure, and computer-based learning for preschoolers. Highly qualified teachers implement structured lesson plans while maintaining nurturing relationships with children. The center offers flexible scheduling options and provides detailed daily reports to parents about feeding, napping, and learning activities through their parent communication app.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Jenkintown, PA
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare or preschool in Jenkintown, PA?
In Jenkintown and the surrounding Montgomery County area, daycare costs vary based on the child's age and the type of program. For an infant (under 18 months), you can expect to pay between $1,400 and $1,800 per month for full-time care at a licensed center. For toddlers and preschoolers, costs typically range from $1,100 to $1,500 per month. In-home family daycare providers may offer slightly lower rates, generally between $900 and $1,300 monthly. These costs are influenced by factors like staff-to-child ratios, curriculum (e.g., Montessori), and included amenities. It's important to note that Pennsylvania offers childcare subsidy programs through the Child Care Works (CCW) program for eligible families, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
How do I verify that a daycare in Jenkintown is properly licensed and has a good compliance record?
All childcare providers in Pennsylvania must be licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). To verify a Jenkintown provider's license and review their compliance history, you can use the state's online **COMPASS Child Care Provider Search** tool. This public database allows you to search by provider name or zip code (19046) and view their license status, capacity, and any recent inspection reports, including citations for non-compliance. You can also contact the **Southeast Regional Key** (the local resource for Montgomery County) for additional guidance. We recommend always visiting a facility in person and asking to see their current certificate of compliance, which must be posted.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Jenkintown, and when should I start looking?
Due to high demand in the Jenkintown/Abington area, many high-quality daycare centers and preschools do have waitlists, especially for infant rooms. It is highly advisable to begin your search and get on waitlists **6 to 12 months** before you need care. For a September preschool start, many families apply in the preceding fall or winter. When contacting centers, ask directly about their current waitlist length and policy. Some may require a non-refundable deposit to hold a spot. Exploring a mix of centers, church-affiliated programs, and licensed family daycare homes in Jenkintown and nearby towns like Glenside or Abington can increase your options and potentially shorten your wait.
What are some of the key differences between daycare centers and licensed family daycare homes in Jenkintown?
In Jenkintown, parents typically choose between licensed childcare centers and licensed group/family daycare homes. **Centers** (like those in commercial buildings or community centers) often have multiple classrooms, structured curricula, larger groups of children, and multiple staff. They may offer more amenities and have stricter hours (e.g., 7 AM - 6 PM). **Licensed Family Homes** operate out of a provider's residence, caring for a smaller, mixed-age group of up to 6 children (or 12 if they have an assistant). They often provide a more home-like environment, potentially more flexible hours, and may be more affordable. Both are regulated by PA DHS, but inspection frequency and some rules differ. Your choice depends on your child's socialization needs, your schedule, and the environment you prefer.
What local resources in Jenkintown or Montgomery County can help me find and evaluate childcare options?
Your primary local resource is the **Southeast Regional Key for Montgomery County**. This organization, funded by Pennsylvania, offers free referral services to help parents find licensed childcare that meets their specific needs. You can contact them via their website or phone for a customized search. Additionally, the **Jenkintown Library** often has community bulletin boards with information on local programs, and the **Abington-Jenkintown Health Center** may have resources. For evaluating quality, look for providers participating in Pennsylvania's **Keystone STARS** quality rating system—a higher STAR rating (1-4) indicates a program that exceeds minimum licensing standards in areas like staff education and learning environment.