The Best Daycare Centers in Gilbert, SC
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Gilbert. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Gilbert
The Goddard School of Lexington
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Lexington 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 state-licensed teachers hold degrees in early childhood education and maintain low student-teacher ratios. The facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate playgrounds, and modern classrooms with interactive technology. They emphasize STEAM learning, foreign language exposure, and character development. The school maintains rigorous health and safety protocols including comprehensive background checks for staff and regular facility sanitization.
Daycare Services:
Primrose School of Lake Murray
Primrose School Franchising Company
Primrose School of Lake Murray provides Balanced Learning® approach combining purposeful play with nurturing guidance from degreed early childhood educators. Their research-based curriculum includes literacy development, math readiness, science exploration, and character development. The school features secure facilities with coded entry systems, commercial-grade kitchen providing nutritious meals, and age-specific outdoor learning environments. They maintain exclusive partnerships with leading children's organizations and offer enrichment programs in music, physical education, and Spanish. Parent communication includes real-time updates through the Primrose Schools app.
Daycare Services:
ABC Early Learning Center
ABC Early Learning Center
ABC Early Learning Center offers comprehensive childcare services with a focus on individualized development and school readiness. Their curriculum incorporates Creative Curriculum® with hands-on learning centers and structured activities that promote cognitive, social, and emotional growth. The center features secure facilities with surveillance systems, fenced playgrounds with safety surfaces, and classrooms designed for specific age groups. Their qualified teaching staff participates in ongoing professional development and maintains CPR/First Aid certification. The center emphasizes parent partnership through regular progress reports, parent-teacher conferences, and family engagement events.
Daycare Services:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Gilbert, SC
What are the licensing requirements for daycare providers in Gilbert, SC, and how can I verify a facility is compliant?
In Gilbert, South Carolina, all childcare facilities must be licensed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS), Division of Child Care Licensing and Regulatory Services. This includes family home daycares (serving 6-12 children) and group child care centers. Licensing ensures providers meet minimum standards for health, safety, staff-to-child ratios, staff qualifications, and facility safety. To verify a provider's license and compliance history, you can use the SCDSS "Child Care Search" tool on their official website. It's highly recommended to check this database, as it shows the license status, any serious violations, and the results of their last inspection. You can also contact the local SCDSS office for the Midlands region for additional verification.
What is the average cost of full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Gilbert, and are there any local financial assistance programs?
In the Gilbert/ Lexington County area, average costs for full-time, center-based infant care typically range from $150 to $220 per week. Toddler care is slightly less, often between $130 and $190 per week. Home-based daycare may be more affordable, sometimes starting around $110-$160 weekly. These rates can vary based on the facility's amenities, curriculum, and operating hours. For financial assistance, South Carolina's ABC Voucher Program (also known as SC Voucher) is the primary state-subsidized program for eligible families based on income, work, or school requirements. You can apply through the SC Department of Social Services. Additionally, some local centers may offer sibling discounts or sliding scale fees, so it's always worth asking directly.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Gilbert, and when should I start looking for infant care?
Due to high demand and limited infant slots (which have stricter staff-to-child ratios), many reputable daycare centers in Gilbert and the surrounding Lexington County area do maintain waitlists, especially for infants. It is strongly advised to begin your search and get on waitlists as early as possible—ideally during your second trimester of pregnancy or at least 6-9 months before your needed start date. Some popular centers may have waitlists exceeding a year. When contacting providers, ask specifically about their current waitlist length, the deposit policy to hold a spot (if any), and how often they update families on their position.
What types of childcare options are most commonly available in a smaller town like Gilbert, SC?
Gilbert offers a mix of childcare options typical for a smaller South Carolina town. Your primary choices will include: 1) Licensed Family Child Care Homes: Often run out of a provider's residence, offering a smaller, home-like setting. 2) Local Child Care Centers: These are standalone facilities, some of which may be affiliated with local churches or community organizations. 3) Part-Day Preschool Programs: Often operated by churches (like Gilbert United Methodist Church or other local congregations) for ages 3-5. For more extensive center-based options with specific educational curricula, many Gilbert families also consider providers in nearby, larger towns like Lexington (approximately 10-15 minutes away), which significantly expands the available choices.
How do daycare schedules in Gilbert typically align with the local school district calendar, especially for school-age care?
Most daycare centers in Gilbert follow a schedule closely aligned with the Lexington County School District One calendar, which serves the town. This includes observing major holidays, teacher workdays, and typically having reduced hours or closures during the winter and spring breaks. For school-age children (ages 5-12), many centers offer before-and-after-school care with transportation to and from local elementary schools like Gilbert Primary and Gilbert Elementary. These programs often provide care on early-release days and full-day care during most school holidays and summer breaks. It's crucial to ask a provider for their annual calendar and specifically what coverage they offer for school-age children on days when public school is not in session.
Childcare Insights for Gilbert
Finding the right part-time daycare can feel like searching for a missing puzzle piece in the middle of a busy day. For parents in Gilbert, South Carolina, the quest for flexible, reliable childcare that fits around work schedules, school hours, or simply the need for a few hours of respite is a common and important journey. The good news is that the Gilbert community and the surrounding Lexington County area offer several wonderful options that can provide your child with a nurturing environment, even on a part-time basis.
When beginning your search for part-time daycare in Gilbert, it’s helpful to understand the local landscape. Many in-home daycare providers and smaller childcare centers in our area recognize the need for flexibility that full-time working schedules don’t always require. These programs often offer options like two or three days a week, half-day sessions, or even hourly care for appointments or errands. A great first step is to connect with local networks; the Gilbert Community Facebook page or other parent groups specific to Lexington County are invaluable resources for personal recommendations. Hearing from another parent about a provider’s warmth, safety, and daily routine carries a weight that a simple online listing cannot.
Considering the semi-rural charm of Gilbert, you’ll want to factor in travel. A provider might be just a short drive down a country road, but it’s wise to do a trial run during your typical commute time to gauge the real-world travel. Also, think about the setting that best suits your child. Some thrive in the cozy, family-like atmosphere of a licensed in-home daycare, which is plentiful in our community. Others may benefit from the structured preschool curriculum and social opportunities of a larger center in a neighboring town like Lexington or Batesburg-Leesville, many of which offer part-time enrollment. Don’t hesitate to ask specific questions about how part-time children are integrated into the daily flow to ensure they don’t feel like an outsider.
Your visit to any potential daycare is crucial. Look for engaged caregivers, clean and safe spaces, and evidence of happy, busy children. Inquire about their policies on everything from nutrition—perhaps asking if snacks include local fruits—to their approach to outdoor play, which is one of the joys of raising children in South Carolina. Trust your instincts as a parent; you know your child best. The right part-time daycare in Gilbert should feel like an extension of your own care, a place where your child is known, valued, and excited to learn and play. By taking the time to explore your local options, you can find a supportive partnership that gives you peace of mind and your child a joyful, enriching experience a few days a week.