The Best Daycare Centers in Ackerly, TX
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Ackerly. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Ackerly
Little Blessings Daycare & Preschool
Independent
Little Blessings is a highly-regarded Christian-based daycare serving the Ackerly area from nearby Stanton. They offer a comprehensive early childhood program with age-appropriate curriculum focusing on social, emotional, and academic development. The center features small class sizes with low teacher-to-child ratios, experienced staff with early childhood certifications, and a safe, nurturing environment. Their program includes structured learning activities, creative play, outdoor recreation, and character development. The facility maintains excellent safety protocols and has built a strong reputation for personalized care and community involvement.
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Primrose School of Midland
Primrose Schools
Primrose School of Midland is a nationally accredited childcare center that serves families throughout the region, including Ackerly residents. They implement the exclusive Balanced Learning® curriculum, which blends purposeful play with nurturing guidance from trained teachers. The facility features modern classrooms, secure entry systems, and age-appropriate learning environments. Their program emphasizes literacy, math, science, and social skills development, with additional offerings in music, art, and physical education. Staff undergo extensive background checks and continuous professional development, ensuring high-quality care and education standards.
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The Goddard School of Midland
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in Midland provides high-quality early childhood education serving the broader West Texas region, including Ackerly families. Their F.L.E.X.® Learning Program focuses on developmental milestones through play-based learning and academic preparation. The school features purpose-built classrooms, secure facilities with keypad entry, and outdoor play areas designed for different age groups. Teachers hold degrees in early childhood education or related fields and receive ongoing professional development. The program emphasizes STEAM learning, literacy development, and social skills while maintaining small class sizes and individualized attention for each child.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Ackerly, TX
What are my licensed childcare options in Ackerly, TX, given it's a small town?
In Ackerly, as a very small community, licensed childcare options are primarily limited to registered or licensed home-based daycares. There are no large childcare centers in the immediate town. Your best resource is the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) Child Care Search website, where you can filter for providers in the 79713 zip code. Due to limited options, many Ackerly families also consider registered home providers in nearby towns like Stanton or Big Spring, which is about a 30-minute drive. It's crucial to verify a provider's license status and any recent inspection reports directly through Texas HHS to ensure they meet state standards for safety, caregiver-to-child ratios, and training.
How much does daycare typically cost in Ackerly, and are there any financial assistance programs available?
For home-based daycare in Ackerly and the surrounding West Texas area, costs are generally more affordable than in larger cities but can vary. You can expect to pay approximately $100 to $150 per week for full-time care for one child. However, due to limited supply, prices can be influenced by demand. For financial assistance, Texas offers the Child Care Management Services (CCMS) program, which helps eligible low-income families, those in workforce training, or parents attending school. You would apply through the local Workforce Solutions Permian Basin board, which serves Martin County. Given Ackerly's size, securing a spot with a provider who accepts CCMS subsidies may require early inquiry and potentially a waitlist.
What should I look for when visiting a home daycare in Ackerly?
When visiting a potential home daycare in Ackerly, go beyond the basic license check. First, observe the safety of the home: check for covered electrical outlets, secure gates for any stairs, safe outdoor play areas away from rural hazards, and the cleanliness of spaces used for children. Ask about the caregiver's experience, their training in CPR/First Aid (a Texas requirement), and their daily schedule. Given Ackerly's isolation, inquire about their emergency plan for medical situations and their policy on transporting children if needed. Also, ask for references from other local families. Trust your instincts on the caregiver's warmth and the overall environment.
Are there any part-time or drop-in childcare options available in Ackerly?
Formal part-time or drop-in daycare is extremely rare in Ackerly due to the limited number of providers and high demand for full-time spots from local families and oilfield workers. Most home daycares operate on a full-time, set weekly schedule to maintain stability and income. Your best chance for flexible care is to network within the community to find a trusted, licensed home provider who may have an occasional opening or to arrange a private babysitting share with another family. There are no commercial drop-in centers in Ackerly; the nearest would be in Big Spring, over 20 miles away.
How far in advance do I need to get on a waitlist for childcare in Ackerly?
Due to the severe shortage of licensed childcare providers in Ackerly, you should begin your search and attempt to get on a waitlist as soon as you know you will need care, ideally 6 to 12 months in advance, especially if you need care for an infant. Many home-based providers in small towns like Ackerly have very small capacities (often 6-12 children total) and may only have openings when an older child moves on to school. Contact every licensed provider in the area immediately, even if you are pregnant. Be persistent and check back regularly, as informal networks sometimes lead to openings that aren't publicly advertised.
Childcare Insights for Ackerly
Finding reliable and affordable childcare is one of the most significant challenges for families, and if you're a parent in Ackerly, Texas, you understand this search intimately. Living in a smaller, close-knit community like ours means your options might not be listed on a big commercial website, but there are pathways to discovering quality, low-cost daycare right here in Martin County. The key is knowing where to look and what resources are available to you locally.
A great first step is to connect directly with your community. In Ackerly, word-of-mouth and personal recommendations are invaluable. Talk to other parents at the post office, the local park, or community events. Often, the most affordable and trusted childcare providers are home-based operations run by experienced caregivers who may not have a large online presence. These smaller, licensed family daycare homes can offer a nurturing environment with more flexible rates. Don't hesitate to ask around; your neighbors are likely your best resource for finding these hidden gems.
It's also essential to explore state and federal assistance programs designed to help working families. The Texas Workforce Commission administers the Child Care Services program, which provides financial assistance for childcare to eligible families. Your local Workforce Solutions office, which serves the broader region including Martin County, can guide you through the application process and provide a list of approved providers. Even if a daycare center isn't immediately visible in Ackerly, there may be approved providers in nearby towns like Stanton or Big Spring that participate in the subsidy program, making them a more affordable option with support.
Furthermore, consider broadening your definition of "daycare." In communities like ours, sometimes the most practical solution involves a patchwork of care. This could mean coordinating with a trusted neighbor for part-time care, or exploring if any local churches in Ackerly or the surrounding area offer mother's day out programs or preschool at a lower cost than full-time daycare. These programs often operate a few days a week and can significantly reduce your weekly childcare expenses when combined with other arrangements.
Finally, when you do find a potential provider, whether a home daycare or a center in a neighboring community, ask specific questions. Inquire about their licensing, their adult-to-child ratio, and their daily schedule. A lower cost should never come at the expense of safety or quality care. Trust your instincts as a parent; you know what environment will be best for your child. Finding low-cost daycare in Ackerly requires a blend of community networking and utilizing available support systems. By tapping into the local grapevine and investigating state aid, you can find a childcare solution that offers both peace of mind for you and a happy, secure place for your little one to grow.