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Toledo Parent’s Childcare and Preschool Showcase

When the time comes to send your little ones to childcare or preschool, there are many enriching options in the Toledo area to choose from. We included some local options that share their mission, curriculum details and other valuable information for parents who are looking for a reliable place to send their kids.

St. Catherine of Siena Early Childhood Education Center

1155 Corbin Rd, Toledo
419-478-9900
stcatherineearlyed.org

Is your curriculum play-based, academic-based or something different?
We use Creative Curriculum and Conscious Discipline which uses a combination of academic based with intentional play-based experiences.

Does the center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days? We offer full days and AM half days. We cook lunch on site. Students can purchase a hot lunch or pack a lunch. We are part of the National School Lunch program so families can apply for free and reduced cost meals.

Does the center have early drop off and/or late pick up available for working parents?
We have extended day available from 6-7:45am and again from 3-6pm for $8/hr

What age groups do you serve?
We offer preschool and prek 3-5 year old children

What accreditation(s) does your school hold?
Gold Rated Step Up To Quality

What kind of support does your school offer for children with disabilities?
We hold Ohio PROMISE Program Designation (OPPD) designation. The designation shows that we have taken additional training and are committed to providing inclusive care for children with disabilities

What is your school’s goal/mission?
We believe that each child is a unique gift created by God. It is our job as educators to work closely with parents to assist each child in their educational development. The experiences that a child has in the first years of their lives are important in the child’s growth and development. Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the whole child, complete with activities and experiences incorporated to enhance each child’s spiritual, cognitive, language, physical, social and emotional development.

What sets your center apart from others?
We are an adult-first model when it comes to social-emotional learning. We have taken extensive training to assist the faculty in learning how to identify, manage and demonstrate healthy emotional management, problem solving skills and conflict resolution. Students learn through the intentional modeling of these skills.

How many students attend your school and what is the teacher/student ratio? 130. 1:10

If you could describe your school in 5 words or less, what would they be? welcoming, innovative, inclusive, diverse, structured

Toledo Christian’s Eagle’s Nest (Early Learners, Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten)

4023 Beverly Drive
Toledo, OH 43614
419-389-8700

Join us for our upcoming Open House on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Register at ToledoChristian.com!

What is your school’s goal/ mission?
Toledo Christian has been partnering with Christian families for 50 years to provide a college-preparatory, Bible centered educational program to educate, disciple, and prepare students to follow Christ and impact culture. For our littlest of eagles at the Eagle’s Nest, we aim to instill excellent habits, foster curiosity and imagination, provide meaningful instruction and support every students’ development in a nurturing and safe environment where we play, learn and grow together.
Is your curriculum play-based, academic-based or something different?
Our curriculum uses a comprehensive approach that balances direct instruction, play-based activities, and student directed choice:
  • Teacher-directed: Teachers guide children through a structured curriculum. Formal instruction: Teachers introduce children to early literacy, fine motor training and writing, number sense and math concepts, and guided nature exploration.
  • Play time: Children have many opportunities throughout the day for intentional play experiences that help develop creativity, critical thinking, and social awareness.
  • Hands-on experiences: Children “learn by doing” with carefully chosen materials and activities.
  • Early learning standards: Our program adheres to early learning standards that focus on cognitive, language, and literacy development.
What sets your center apart from others?
A few things that set us apart are our connection to the Toledo Christian K-12 community, our integration of a Biblical worldview at every level, our focus on training good habits and virtue formation, and our beautiful indoor play space for our little eagles.
Does the center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days?
We offer both! Children can come for 5 full days, 5 half days, or 3 half + 2 full days. Lunch is part of the daily schedule for both half-day and full-day students. Children can bring a packed lunch or purchase a school lunch from our on-site kitchen.
Does the center have early drop off and/or late pick up available for working parents?
Yes! Parents can drop off as early as 7:15 a.m. We also provide after-school care services from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
What age groups do you serve?
Early Learners: 2 1⁄2 – 3 years (spots are limited), Preschool: 3 – 4 years, and Pre-Kindergarten: 4 – 5 years.

Children’s Discovery Center

6450 Weatherfield Ct.
419-867-8570
childrensdiscoverycenters.com

Is your curriculum play-based, academic-based or something different?
We have chosen the best components of the Reggio Emilia educational program and developed our own educational model, Inspired Approach to Learning. By using an emergent curriculum, our trained teachers encourage children to see, touch, and do—to draw, paint, weave, plant, write, take a photo, sculpt in clay, and more. Children pursue these projects in small groups while learning to socialize and solve problems as a team. To develop individualization, they are encouraged to express what they have learned in artistic, musical, and theatrical ways. 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 encourage 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.

Does the center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days?
We offer both full and part time schedules. Lunch is provided on Full days and is an option on half days.

Does the center have early drop off and/or late pick up available for working parents?
No. 6:45am -6:00pm Monday-Friday

What age groups do you serve?
Birth to 5 years of age. School age program kindergarten to 4th grade

What accreditation(s) does your school hold?
Step Up to Quality Silver and Gold ratings

What is your school’s goal/mission?
Children’s Discovery Center, a premier early care and education provider, respects the child, encourages learning through exploration, and supports the family with a creative, nurturing, and Christian environment.

What sets your center apart from others?
Our environments include museum quality exhibits as well as an art studio where the 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.

If you could describe your school in 5 words or less, what would they be?
Where education begins with Discovery

Toledo Public Schools

Various Locations
tps.org

What is your school’s philosophy on child care and/or education?

TPS Early Childhood Program Mission
The TPS Early Childhood Program recognizes the importance of early childhood experiences on school success and offers a wide spectrum of services and program options for children and their families. Our work with young children focuses on supporting their self-confidence, social competence, physical health, and academic preparation. We believe that a child’s family, the strongest influence on the child’s development, must be direct participants in the program.

TPS Early Childhood Program Philosophy
The preschool program is based on the understanding that children learn through experimenting, exploring, and interacting with their environment. We provide children with a rich variety of materials to encourage them to touch, smell, taste, hear, and see and thereby, learn.

TPS Early Childhood Program Goals
The written program goals provide a basis for daily operations, which support the needs, interests, and abilities of each child through quiet and active play while:

  • Developing positive parent-child-staff relationships.
  • Facilitating the growth and development of your child’s emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development.
  • Assisting you in the education and development of your child.
  • Stimulating children to become problem solvers.
  • Assisting children in developing positive social relationships with a diverse group of children.
  • Continuing to develop program systems that will help us achieve positive outcomes for our students, their families, and program staff.
  • Supporting teachers and other program staff in their roles as service providers and collaborative team members.
  • Providing high quality, individualized experiences for all students that are aligned with Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards.
  • Effectively using evidence-based, culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate curriculum and assessments to plan learning experiences and monitor student progress.
  • Practicing thoughtful collection and use of valid, reliable, and meaningful data to inform programming decisions at both the classroom and program levels.
  • Building strong, collaborative relationships with students’ families and community partners.

What accreditation(s) does your school hold?
All TPS ECE programs meet the 5 Star Step-Up to Quality requirements set forth from Ohio Department of Children and Youth.

Why should i enroll my child?
Our dedicated staff is focused on ensuring your child is successful when he or she enters kindergarten – that starts with enrolling in a proven early childhood education program. Our highly qualified staff is studentcentered in their approach to education. All teachers have earned at least a four-year degree and our classroom assistants have an associate degree in early childhood education.

What age groups do you serve? Who should attend?
Children 3-5 years old who reside in the Toledo Public School District are eligible to attend the TPS Early Childhood Program.

Where are the programs located?
The TPS Early Childhood Program has locations throughout the district. Students are placed at or near their

Toledo Parent’s Birthday Showcase

Celebrate your kid’s birthday with a birthday bash at a local business. Choose a theme and a venue that matches the guest of honor’s style and watch them have a blast with their friends. We rounded up some of the best spots to host a party for Toledo area little ones.

Waddles Indoor Playground

5345 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo
419-794-4609
waddlesplayground.com

Waddles Indoor Playground offers stress-free birthday parties for parents, in a play space created just for little kids. Designed especially for ages 1–6, every party includes private access to the entire playspace, so your child celebrates with only their invited guests—no public play during your party. Families can choose the celebration style that fits them best: our popular DIY party lets you bring your own decorations and food to create a personalized celebration, while our full-service packages handle the décor and details so you can simply show up and enjoy. Every party includes a dedicated Party Host to help with setup, cleanup, and keeping the celebration on track. With plenty of playtime and a cozy party room for cake and gifts, Waddles makes birthdays easy, memorable, and fun for everyone.

SafeSplash / SwimLabs

Various locations
safesplash.com
swimlabs.com

SafeSplash pool parties are the BEST! For a reasonable price, you get the entire facility all to yourselves! That’s multiple individual changing rooms, restrooms, the lobby and the pool.

In addition to all of the facility amenities you also get a party host that sets up the party space and cleans up after, a lifeguard to ensure safety, cupcakes, tablecloths and bottled water. You can also bring in additional food/drink if you’d like.

All you need to do is show up and celebrate! Book your party today at one of our two conveniently located swim schools: Call, text or email us and we will help you celebrate your special day!

Perrysburg: (419) 301-2998 General Manager – Nichole: [email protected]
Holland: (419) 868-2998 General Manager – Kristen: [email protected]

Spin & Splat

2785 Central Ave., Toledo
734-807-2050
spinandsplat.com

Ready to throw a birthday party that’s anything but ordinary?

At Spin & Splat, we turn birthdays into bold, hands-on art experiences that are joyfully messy and completely one-of-a-kind! From spin art and splatter sessions to glow-in-the-dark creations under black lights, every party is packed with color, energy, and nonstop fun.

Our fully hosted celebrations keep kids engaged and creating while parents relax and enjoy the moment. Each guest makes their own unique masterpiece to take home — no cookie-cutter crafts here!

We handle the setup, guide the fun, and take care of the cleanup (yes, even the messy part). You just bring the cake and the birthday kid — we’ll bring the wow factor!

If you’re looking for a creative, high-energy party that stands out from the crowd, let’s make their big day a true work of art. Dates fill fast — book your unforgettable celebration today!

March/April Giveaway

Kids Astrology: Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Happy Birthday to your Pisces child! This year’s theme is “Finding My Inner Voice.” Pisces kids are gentle, imaginative and intuitive. This year supports learning to trust their feelings and express themselves with confidence through creativity, music or storytelling.

Cake: An “Ocean Dream” cake in soft blues and purples.
Gift: Art supplies or a creative journal to help them share
what’s inside.

What Parents Often Say During Sibling Conflict (and What Helps More)

Sibling conflict has a way of pulling words out of us before we’ve had time to think.
The noise.
The urgency.
The feeling that this needs to stop right now. It has a way of moving even the most regulated spaces within us to dysregulation. 

Most parents aren’t trying to shame, minimize or escalate the situation. Rather, they’re trying to restore order. But in moments of dysregulation, the language we reach for can unintentionally increase defensiveness, competition or emotional shutdown—especially for children with sensitive nervous systems. 

This isn’t about perfection. We will never achieve perfection.
It’s more about building an awareness to create intentional choices with language that enable our children to utilize their own coping skills. 

Below are common statements many of us were raised hearing—or have caught ourselves saying—and alternatives that support regulation, fairness and emotional safety. Use what fits. Leave what doesn’t.

“Stop fighting.”

Why it often misses the mark:
It addresses the behavior, not the nervous systems underneath it. Children in conflict are usually already overwhelmed. This command gives no guidance for what to do instead. It would be like going to the doctor and hearing your doctor say “just get better.” Our children need to know how to make a different choice. 

What helps more:
“Something’s not working here. Let’s pause and figure it out.”

For example, my own three children have a habit of fighting in the car. The enclosed space with no escape has a way of triggering my own anxiety in a very short amount of time. I’ve had to remind my children that sometimes we need to take a pause in the car and revisit the conversation after we have all had a few moments in our personal spaces. 

“You’re older—you should know better.”

Why it often misses the mark:
It places responsibility on one child’s development while excusing the other, which can breed resentment and reinforce power imbalances.

What helps more:
“I expect both of you to treat each other with respect. I’m here to help you figure out what that looks like right now.”

In our home, we have a ten-year-old, a twelve-year-old, and a fifteen-year-old. I have noted that when I comment on age and how the oldest should “know better,” it breeds resentment towards her siblings. In that moment, her needs do not feel less important than her siblings’ needs. 

“Just share.”

Why it often misses the mark:
Sharing is a skill, not a switch. For many children, especially those with trauma histories, possession is tied to safety and control.

What helps more:
“It’s hard to give something up when you’re not ready. Let’s talk about options.”

I think it is also important to note that waiting one’s turn is also a life skill. In our home, we don’t always share on command. In real life, sometimes you will have to wait. We practice that skill early and often while also giving plenty of opportunities where it is communicated that sharing is expected. 

“Why do you always start things?”

Why it often misses the mark:
This labels one child as the problem and locks them into that role—often regardless of what actually happened in the moment.

What helps more:
“I’m trying to understand what happened. Help me understand your side of the situation.” 

“Go to your room until you calm down.”

Why it often misses the mark:
It assumes children can regulate alone when many need co-regulation first. Isolation during distress can feel like rejection rather than support.

What helps more:
“I can see you’re really upset. Let’s calm your body first, then we’ll talk.”

This situation can be tricky to navigate. On one hand, it is perfectly acceptable to take a break from one another’s presence if neither party is calm and trying to communicate is doing more harm than good. However, many children may feel isolated at being “sent away.” I have one child who craves physical touch and calming words to regulate herself. Her younger brother prefers his space until he is ready to talk. The key is to knowing which core need your child requires first. 

“I don’t care who started it.”

Why it often misses the mark:
Children hear this as: the details don’t matter. What is likely meant is, “This fighting is not acceptable right now.” However, for kids seeking fairness or understanding, this can intensify the conflict, rather than deescalate it. 

What helps more:
“I care about what happened, and I care about how we fix it.”

“You’re fine.”

Why it often misses the mark:
This minimizes lived experience. Even when the conflict seems small to us, the emotional impact may not be. 

What helps more:
“That felt big to you. I see that.”

Think back to your first heartbreak. With all the wisdom that comes with age, your mother or father probably stated, “You’ll be fine. Plenty of fish in the sea.” However, it was the first time you had felt that emotion and sting of rejection with that intensity. You didn’t feel fine. And you really wanted that fish. You wanted to be heard. 

A gentle reframe for parents

You don’t need the perfect script.
You don’t need to get it right every time. And you won’t. 

What children learn most in sibling conflict isn’t how to avoid disagreements—it’s how conflict is handled when emotions run high. They are watching how power is used, how repair happens, and whether emotions are met with curiosity or control. Moreover, if adults can remain regulated and able to facilitate rather than direct, these conflicts provide valuable opportunities for children to practice conflict resolution skills. 

Sometimes the most regulating thing you can say is simply:
“I’m here. Let’s slow this down.”

And sometimes, that’s enough.

Cardinal Stritch Senior Named Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo’s 2026 Youth of the Year

Olivia Ford was named 2026 Organizational Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo has named Olivia Ford, a senior at Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School, its 2026 Organizational Youth of the Year. She will represent Toledo at the Ohio Youth of the Year competition in April.

Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier leadership recognition program, established in 1947. The award honors members who exemplify academic success, character, leadership and service, with winners advancing through state, regional and national competitions.

A leader shaped by the Club experience

Ford’s involvement with Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo began as a volunteer at the Ottawa River Club. She later became a Teen Employment Corps (TEC) junior staff member at the East Toledo Boys & Girls Club, where she mentors younger members and supports staff in delivering daily programming.

Her commitment to service and leadership earned her the East Toledo Club’s John E. Gunckel Award for Service last year, recognizing her mentorship and dedication to the Club community.

“Members connected well with Olivia right away,” said Hannah Fox-Lu, senior Club director at the Ottawa River Boys & Girls Club. “She is caring, compassionate and a great listener, which made her a strong leader who built meaningful and lasting relationships with members.”


RELATED: Building an Individualized Disability Support Team


Ford credits her time at the Clubs with helping her discover her passion for working with children. She plans to attend Bowling Green State University to pursue a degree in education.

At Cardinal Stritch, she is active in student council and the National Exchange Club and competes on the volleyball team. In her final season, she was named Player of the Year by the Toledo Area Athletic Conference.

Ford was selected from five finalists representing Club sites across Toledo. Finalists participated in a preview night at the Homer Hanham Club, where they answered questions and delivered speeches reflecting on their academic achievements, leadership roles and personal growth through the Clubs.

Meet the Other Finalists

Four exceptional seniors were also named finalists for the 2026 Youth of the Year:

  • Sakiyah Caulton, Rogers High School — Vice president of the Keystone Club at the Huber Teen Center; plans to study forensic psychology and criminal justice at North Carolina A&T State University.
  • Emmanuel McCreary, Rogers High School — Member of the Huber Teen Center and Schoenrock Family Club; plans to major in civil engineering at the University of Cincinnati.
  • Jayden Robinson, Scott High School — TEC Teen junior staff member at the Homer Hanham Club; plans to study digital art and graphic design at Bowling Green State University.
  • Roy Williams IV, Toledo Technology Academy — TEC Teen junior staff member at the Schoenrock Family Club; plans to pursue mechanical engineering at the University of Toledo.

Each finalist exemplifies strong leadership, academic excellence and commitment to their Club community.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo

Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo serves youth ages 7 through high school graduation at nine locations across the city. The organization provides a safe and supportive environment where young people can learn, grow and build meaningful relationships with caring mentors.

Clubs offer:

  • After-school and summer programming
  • Academic support and career readiness programs
  • Leadership development opportunities
  • Teen Employment Corps (TEC) job experience
  • Character and service initiatives
  • Athletics, arts and enrichment activities

Through programs like Keystone Club and Youth of the Year, members gain leadership skills, public speaking experience and opportunities to give back to their communities.

How to get involved

Families interested in enrolling their child can contact Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo to learn about membership opportunities at one of its nine locations. Teenagers interested in leadership roles, volunteer opportunities or paid junior staff positions through the Teen Employment Corps are also encouraged to apply. bgctoledo.org

Community members can support the mission by volunteering, mentoring or contributing financially to help ensure local youth have access to safe spaces and life-changing programs.

For more information about membership, volunteering or supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo, visit the organization’s website or contact a local Club site directly.