The Best Daycare Centers in Norwood, PA
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Norwood. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Norwood
The Goddard School
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in nearby Prospect Park serves the Norwood community with a comprehensive F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic readiness with social-emotional development. Their play-based curriculum incorporates STEAM learning, language arts, and character development. Certified teachers lead small group instruction with low student-teacher ratios. The facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate playgrounds, and bright, modern classrooms. What sets this center apart is their focus on individualized learning plans and daily communication with parents through their proprietary mobile app. They maintain rigorous health and safety protocols with on-site security and comprehensive background checks for all staff.
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The Learning Experience
The Learning Experience Academies of Early Education
The Learning Experience in Glen Mills provides premium childcare services to families in the Norwood area with their proprietary L.E.A.P.® (Learning Experience Academic Program) curriculum. Their program emphasizes early literacy, mathematics, and social skills through hands-on learning activities. The center features state-of-the-art security systems including keypad entry and comprehensive surveillance. Highly qualified early childhood educators lead developmentally appropriate activities in purpose-built classrooms. Notable features include their philanthropy curriculum teaching children compassion, nutritionally balanced meals prepared on-site, and regular parent-teacher conferences. Their Bubbles the Elephant® character curriculum helps children develop important social skills and emotional intelligence.
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Norwood Creative Care
Independent
Norwood Creative Care is a locally-owned childcare center serving the Norwood community for nearly two decades. Their play-based educational approach focuses on developing the whole child through creative arts, music, and hands-on learning experiences. The center maintains small class sizes with experienced early childhood educators who create individualized learning plans for each child. The facility includes secure access controls, age-appropriate outdoor play areas, and dedicated spaces for different developmental stages. What makes this center unique is their strong community connections and flexible scheduling options that accommodate working families. They emphasize social-emotional learning and character development while preparing children for kindergarten success through structured yet engaging daily routines.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Norwood, PA
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Norwood, PA?
In Norwood and the surrounding Delaware County area, full-time daycare costs can vary significantly based on the type of facility. For a licensed daycare center, you can expect to pay between $1,200 to $1,800 per month for infant care. Toddler care typically ranges from $1,000 to $1,500 per month. In-home family daycare providers in Norwood often offer slightly lower rates, generally between $800 to $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, and some local providers may offer sibling discounts.
How do I verify if a daycare provider in Norwood is properly licensed and check their compliance history?
All childcare providers in Pennsylvania, including those in Norwood, 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 compliance reports or violations, through the publicly accessible **Pennsylvania Child Care Finder** website. Simply search by the provider's name or zip code (19074 for Norwood). This tool shows their license status, capacity, and detailed reports from unannounced annual inspections. You can also contact the DHS's Southeast Regional Office, which oversees Delaware County, for additional information.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Norwood, and what's the best strategy for securing a spot?
Yes, waitlists are common for many daycare centers in Norwood, especially for infant rooms, which have the strictest staff-to-child ratios. It's not unusual for popular centers to have waitlists of 6 to 12 months. The best strategy is to start your search during pregnancy or at least 4-6 months before your needed start date. Contact multiple centers (both in Norwood and neighboring towns like Prospect Park or Glenolden) to get on their lists. Be prepared to pay a non-refundable waitlist fee, which is typically $50-$100. Follow up with centers every 2-3 months to confirm your spot. Also, consider expanding your search to include licensed family daycare homes, which often have smaller capacities but may have more immediate availability.
What local resources or organizations in Norwood and Delaware County can help me find and evaluate childcare options?
The primary resource for Delaware County families is **Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) - Early Childhood Programs**. They act as a local hub for the state's Child Care Works subsidy and can provide referrals to licensed providers. Another key organization is **Child Care Information Services of Delaware County (CCIS)**, which offers free counseling and search assistance. For evaluating quality, look for providers participating in Pennsylvania's **Keystone STARS** quality rating system—a higher STAR rating (1-4) indicates a commitment to exceeding minimum licensing standards. The **Norwood Public Library** may also have community bulletin boards with local provider information.
What are the key differences between daycare centers and family/home-based daycare in Norwood, and which might be better for my family?
In Norwood, you'll find both state-licensed daycare centers and licensed family childcare homes. **Centers** (like those in commercial buildings) often offer structured curricula, multiple classrooms by age, and larger groups of children. They may have more robust facilities but can be less flexible with hours. **Family Homes** operate out of a provider's residence in a neighborhood setting, offering a mixed-age, home-like environment with smaller groups (often 6-12 children total). They often provide more flexible hours and may be more accommodating for non-standard schedules. The "better" choice depends on your child's temperament, your need for flexibility, and your preference for environment. Many Norwood families start with a home-based provider for infants and transition to a center for the preschool years. Always ensure any option you consider is DHS-licensed.
Childcare Insights for Norwood
Finding reliable, flexible childcare can feel like searching for a hidden gem, especially when your regular routine is disrupted by an appointment, a work emergency, or simply the need for a few hours to recharge. For parents in Norwood, Pennsylvania, the search for "drop in daycare near me" is a common one, and understanding your local options is the first step toward peace of mind. Unlike traditional daycare with fixed schedules, drop-in care offers a wonderful solution for those unpredictable moments, providing a safe and engaging environment for your child without the commitment of a long-term contract.
In a close-knit community like Norwood, the advantage often lies in the personalized attention and local familiarity that childcare providers can offer. When beginning your search, it's wise to look beyond a simple online query. Consider asking for recommendations from other parents at Norwood Park or through local community groups on social media. Personal referrals in a borough of our size can lead you to trusted, home-based providers or smaller centers that may not have a large digital footprint but are cherished by neighborhood families. Additionally, exploring options in the surrounding Delaware County areas, such as Prospect Park or Glenolden, can widen your choices while remaining conveniently close.
Once you have a few potential names, the key is preparation. Always plan to visit any drop-in daycare facility in person before you need it. This allows you to observe the environment, meet the caregivers, and ask crucial questions specific to their flexible model. Inquire about their reservation policy—some operate on a first-come, first-served basis, while others may require a call a few hours ahead. Be sure to ask about their hourly rates, any minimum time requirements, and what you need to provide, such as snacks, a change of clothes, or proof of your child’s immunizations. A quality drop-in center in the Norwood area will be as transparent about these logistics as they are welcoming to your child.
Finally, the most important factor is your child’s comfort. A good drop-in experience can be a positive adventure. When trying a new place, talk to your child about it positively beforehand and, if possible, start with a shorter visit to help them acclimate. Provide the caregiver with clear notes about your child’s habits, nap times, or any comforts they might need. Knowing that your child is in capable hands just a short drive from home in Norwood allows you to attend to your commitments fully. By doing a little research and planning ahead, you can transform the stress of finding last-minute care into a reliable resource that supports your family’s dynamic life right here in our community.