We reached out to preschools and daycare programs throughout the Toledo area, and they provided day-in-the-life style rundowns of their programs. For parents interested in the Montessori method, the arts, cultural diversity and other methods for educating kids, here is a Q&A to help weigh childcare options.
Imaginative Beginnings
4937 Woodville Rd., Northwood
419-697-5605
imaginativebeginnings.us
Is your curriculum play-based, academic-based or something
different?
We utilize Creative Curriculum as our classroom curriculum, as
well as Conscious Discipline, which is a leading method in brain-based, social-emotional learning that builds resilience in children.
Does the Center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days?
Our Center only offers full-day childcare and preschool. We provide breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. We do not serve the children any processed meat. In other words, no corn dogs, frozen chicken patties, frozen chicken nuggets — we serve fresh lean meats, fruit and veggies.
Does the Center have early drop off and/or late pick up available
for working parents?
Our Center hours are 5:30am-5:30pm. Imaginative Beginnings
What training/certifications and experience do the teachers hold?
We require Lead Teachers to have a minimum of a CDA and that they currently be enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree program for early childhood.
What is the school’s Step Up to Quality star rating?
We have a 4-Star rating.
How long has the school been operating?
The school has been in operation for 16 years.
What kind of diversity experience does the school offer?
We accept families of all ethnicities and backgrounds.
What kind of support does your school offer for children with disabilities?
We partner with local schools, the Childcare Resource Center, and Help Me Grow. As a partner with GLCAP and Head Start, we have Head Start Advocates that work directly with families, teachers and children.
What is your school’s goal/mission?
Our Mission at Imaginative Beginnings is to raise the bar for quality childcare. We want to fill the gap for those families that need a safe, clean and educational environment.
Educare Academy
631 Euclid Ave. 419-691-6444
3158 Navarre Ave., Oregon. 419-693-6982
943 N. Dixie Hwy., Rossford. 419-666-9843
806 Starr Ave. 419-693-7550
3580 Lagrange St. 419-242-4777
111 Indiana Ave. 419-254-4000
4450 Jackman Rd. 419-478-3131
1940 W. Laskey Rd. 419-474-3400
2303 Cheyenne Blvd. 419-865-8191
1902 W. Sylvania Ave. 419-214-1322
educareacademy.com
Is your curriculum play-based, academic-based, or something different?
The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, Guided Edition is a
comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features hands-on, project-based investigations as a pathway to learning. It includes the most up-to-date early childhood development research and offers the embedded support and guidance to bring a content-rich, developmentally appropriate curriculum to life effectively.
Does the center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days?
The program is two days a week. M/W or T/TH 9:00-3:15. Breakfast, lunch and a snack are provided.
Does the Center have early drop off and/or late pick up for work-
ing parents?
Our program hours are 6am-6pm.
What is the adult to child ratio?
1:12.
What training/certifications and experience do the teachers hold?
Child Development Association (CDA), AA or BA in Early Childhood education or related fields. There is ongoing professional development yearly (30 hours).
What is the school’s Step Up to Quality star rating?
5. All 10 locations are five-star rated.
How long has the school been operating?
We have been in business for over 50 years.
What kind of diversity does the school offer?
All children are welcome in our Centers. Cultural diversity in our classrooms involves celebrating those differences and creating a culture of inclusion and acceptance among students and the greater school community.
What kind of support does your school offer for children with special needs?
We have partnerships with many facilities in our community.
Cardan Montessori Center
1555 S. Byrne Rd., Ste. 100
419-787-7376
cardanmontessori.com
Is your curriculum play-based, academic-based or something different?
We use the Montessori curriculum, a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. In Montessori classrooms, children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process. Children work in groups and individually to discover and explore knowledge of the world and to develop their maximum potential.
Does the Center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days?
We offer both a morning preschool, from 8:30am–12:30pm, and a full-day preschool program based on the family’s scheduling needs. Breakfast, morning snack and lunch are provided for both morning and full day preschool.
Does the Center have early drop off and/or late pick up available
for working parents?
Our hours are 4:30am-8pm to accommodate the schedules of our families.
What training/certifications and experience do the teachers hold?
Our Lead teachers hold either a degree in Early Childhood Education or a Child Development Associate (CDA) and have a combined 80 years of child-care experience.
What is the school’s Step Up to Quality star rating?
3.
How long has the school been operating?
Since November 2019.
What kind of diversity experience does the school offer?
Cardan Montessori Center is committed to creating an inclusive school culture where students from every background are embraced and celebrated. To enrich learning in our classrooms, we explore diversity, incorporating it into our activities and lessons. Our staff and student population reflect the multicultural nature of our country.
What kind of support does your school offer for children with disabilities?
We partner with Harbor Behavioral Health and Help Me Grow
to provide resources to students with special needs.
What is your school’s goal/mission?
To provide an environment that frees the child’s potential for self-development, curiosity and the joy of learning. Cardan Montessori Center brings Montessori education within reach of all children and their families, regardless of race, ability or socioeconomic status.
Children’s Discovery Center
Franklin Park 1 (Talmadge 1), 3839 Talmadge Rd. 419-474-8303
Franklin Park 2 (Talmadge 2), 3905 Talmadge Rd. 419-292-2528
Perrysburg, 11090 Ave Rd., Perrysurg. 419-874-8203
Harbortown 7033 Lighthouse Way, Perrysburg. 419-872-4510
Waterville, 8011 Dutch Rd., Waterville. 419-878-8689
Holland Wolf Creek, 1640 Timberwolf Dr., Holland. 419-861-1060
childrensdiscoverycenters.com
Is your curriculum play-based, academic-based or something different?
We use the Reggio Emilia educational model to inspire our teaching. It is viewed as child-led and emergent, where children learn through discovery and exploration. Since our educational program views the child as competent, capable and amazing, we seek to nurture his/her interests.
The teacher and children work together to design projects, which encourages growth in physical, emotional, creative, and intellectual development. The teacher is a partner in learning with the child while acting as a resource, facilitator and documenter of learning in the classroom. We believe that a creative environment is essential for inspiring young children to learn. Therefore, the Inspired Approach to Learning emphasizes aesthetic design elements such as color, focal points, texture, lighting, displays, furnishings and the use of nature. Our environments include museum-quality exhibits as well as an art studio where children are encouraged to explore, make discoveries and use a wide array of creative media and materials. Our creative director assures that our centers integrate natural elements into the environment, personalize the space with the children’s work and reflect current
design trends based on research and the latest innovations.
Does the Center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days?
We offer both full and part time programs. Our infant program is full-time from age six-weeks to 18-months of age. Once a child is 18 months, they can continue full-time and also have a part time option. We offer a Monday-Wednesday-Friday or a Tuesday-Thursday schedule. These can be full or half days. Lunch is included on full days and, with a fee, on half-day morning schedules.
Does the Center have early drop off and/or late pick up available
for working parents?
Each location is open from 6:45 am-6pm. We offer before and after-school care for school-age children, kindergarten through fourth grade. We offer a summer camp program for ages
kindergarten through age ten for 10 weeks in the summer for our working parents.
What training/certifications and experience do the teachers hold?
We have a variety of teaching experience across our centers. Our
teachers hold high school diplomas, child development associates, associate degrees in early childhood education and bachelor degrees. Longevity is also valued.
What is the school’s Step Up to Quality star rating?
Perrysburg: 3 stars
Talmadge 1: 3 stars
Talmadge 2: 4 stars
Wolfcreek: 3 stars
How long has the school been operating?
In June 1982, with an extensive background in early childhood
education, a love of children, and a few innovative ideas, Lois Mitten Rosenberry, founder and CEO of Children’s Discovery Center, opened the first Children’s Discovery Center location.
