The Best Daycare Centers in Lancaster, PA
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Lancaster. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Lancaster
Bright Horizons at Lancaster
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Bright Horizons at Lancaster offers a comprehensive early education curriculum focused on school readiness and whole-child development. Their World at Their Fingertips curriculum emphasizes literacy, mathematics, science, and social-emotional learning through hands-on activities. The center features highly qualified teachers with early childhood education credentials, maintains low student-teacher ratios, and provides secure facilities with keypad entry systems. Parents appreciate the strong communication through daily reports and regular parent-teacher conferences. The center includes age-appropriate outdoor play spaces and focuses on developing critical thinking skills through project-based learning.
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The Goddard School of Lititz
Goddard Systems, Inc.
Located just minutes from Lancaster in Lititz, The Goddard School provides a play-based learning approach through their F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience). The curriculum focuses on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) activities and social development. The school features state-certified teachers, secure facilities with surveillance systems, and nutritious meal programs. Their extensive facilities include multiple playgrounds designed for different age groups, music and movement rooms, and technology-enhanced classrooms. The school is particularly noted for its strong emphasis on kindergarten readiness and comprehensive safety protocols.
Daycare Services:
KinderCare at Mount Joy
KinderCare Learning Companies
KinderCare at Mount Joy serves the greater Lancaster area with a research-based curriculum that balances academic learning with social development. Their approach includes phonics-based reading readiness, early math concepts, and character development. The center employs dedicated teachers with ongoing professional development and maintains rigorous safety standards including secured entrances and comprehensive background checks. Features include age-appropriate learning centers, outdoor playgrounds with safety surfaces, and a structured daily schedule that balances instruction with play. The center is recognized for its inclusive environment and strong parent partnership programs, including regular progress updates and family engagement events.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Lancaster, PA
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare in Lancaster, PA, and are there any financial assistance programs available locally?
In Lancaster, PA, the cost of full-time daycare varies significantly based on the child's age and the type of center. For an infant, you can expect to pay between $1,200 to $1,600 per month at a licensed center. For toddlers and preschoolers, costs typically range from $900 to $1,300 per month. Home-based family childcare is often more affordable, ranging from $700 to $1,100 monthly. Financial assistance is available through Pennsylvania's Child Care Works (CCW) subsidy program, which is income-based. Additionally, local organizations like the United Way of Lancaster County and Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County can provide guidance and resources for accessing subsidies and sliding-scale fee programs at certain centers.
How long are waitlists for reputable daycare centers in Lancaster, and what can I do to secure a spot?
Waitlists for highly-regarded daycare centers in Lancaster, especially for infant care, can be quite long, often ranging from 6 to 12 months, and sometimes longer. This is due to high demand and limited infant-to-staff ratios mandated by Pennsylvania law. To improve your chances, it's advisable to begin your search and get on multiple lists as early as possible, even during pregnancy. When contacting centers, ask specific questions about their list: Is there a fee to join? How often should you check in? Are spots offered based on application date or other criteria? Also, consider expanding your search to include licensed family childcare homes in neighborhoods like Manheim Township, East Hempfield, or the city's West End, as they may have shorter wait times and offer more flexible availability.
What are the key differences between Pennsylvania-licensed daycare centers, group homes, and family homes in Lancaster?
In Lancaster, you'll encounter three main types of licensed childcare, each with distinct regulations: 1. **Child Care Center**: Serves 13 or more children. They are often larger facilities with multiple classrooms, structured curricula, and multiple staff. They must meet strict state standards for safety, staff qualifications, and child-to-staff ratios (e.g., 1:4 for infants). 2. **Group Child Care Home**: Serves 7-12 children in a residential setting. They offer a more home-like environment than a center but with a slightly larger group than a family home. 3. **Family Child Care Home**: Serves 4-6 children in the provider's own home (or up to 8 if assistants are used). This setting offers a very intimate, family-style environment and often more flexible hours. All are licensed and inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). You can verify a provider's license and review inspection reports online through the DHS website or COMPASS Pennsylvania portal.
Are there daycare centers in Lancaster that offer part-time or flexible scheduling options for parents with non-traditional work hours?
Yes, but they can be harder to find. Most traditional daycare centers in Lancaster operate on a standard Monday-Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM schedule. However, some centers and, more commonly, licensed family childcare homes offer part-time (e.g., 2-3 days a week) or flexible scheduling. For parents with evening, overnight, or weekend shifts, your best options are to seek out family homes that may accommodate irregular hours or explore specialized providers. A valuable local resource is the Lancaster County Early Childhood Education Directory, managed by the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 7, which can help filter searches for providers offering non-traditional care. Additionally, some hospital-affiliated centers (like those near Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health) may have hours catering to healthcare workers.
What should I look for during a daycare tour in Lancaster, and are there any local red flags specific to this area?
When touring a daycare in Lancaster, beyond general cleanliness and safety, ask specific questions about their emergency plans for local hazards like severe thunderstorms or winter storms, which can be common. Observe how children are engaged—quality programs often incorporate elements of Lancaster's cultural assets, like books about farms or local community helpers. Check for current Pennsylvania DHS licensing and inspection certificates posted, and ensure staff have required clearances (Child Abuse, FBI, and Criminal History). A local red flag is a provider who cannot clearly explain their plan for "snow days" or early closures due to weather, as this is a common disruption. Also, be wary of centers that do not encourage you to speak with other parents—the tight-knit community in Lancaster means parent networks are a valuable source of honest feedback. Finally, trust your instincts about the overall environment and how staff interact with the children.
Nearby Cities
Explore daycare options in cities near Lancaster: