Child Care and Preschool Guide

West Side Montessori

7115 W. Bancroft St., Toledo • 419-866-1931
13587 Roachton Rd., Perrysburg • 419-874-9385 montessoritoledo.org

Ages accepted: 13 months- 8th grade
Student/teacher ratio: The Little House (13 months-age 3) ratio is 1:5 to 1:7. The Children’s House (age 3-6) ratio is 1:12
Number of students: The Little House program- 76 and The Children’s House- 140
Average class size: Little House- 12 Children’s House- 24
Potty training available? We accept children in diapers in the toddler program and work with families on toilet training when the child shows signs of readiness.
Special Programs: World Language starts at age 3 in Spanish and French.
WSM offers a Music/Literacy program that incorporates singing and dancing where whole group and small group instruction is given to promote Shared Reading using the songs learned. After school programs such as yoga, ABC art, karate and Irish dancing are offered.

Temper tantrum remedy: Give young children reasonable choices. Start with two choices and build from there as your child matures. By setting your child up for success he will feel empowered and you will avoid power struggles that frustrate you both!
Recipe for success: Give your young child the gift of exposure to other languages and cultures from a young age and you will set her on the path to greater understanding, less fear of the unknown, and an openness to the future. You will give her a world view worthy of the future she will inherit.

Brainy Breakfast: Make it fun! Include your children in the planning, purchasing and preparing of breakfast. Look at grocery advertisements together. Make shopping lists together and try something new every week. Giving your child options, “strawberries or bananas,” helps foster independence and guides him in making healthy food choices!

Favorite way to teach ABC’s: Using the Montessori sandpaper letters to blend and form words by seeing the letter, touching the letter and hearing the sound the letter makes as the teacher models the sound.

Best Children’s Book: At the start of the school year moms and dads create a personalized book for their child to keep at school.  It is full of pictures of their little one and the special people and activities that make up life at home.

Kidz Watch

6819 W. Central Ave., Toledo
419-843-2997
3150 Bostwick Rd., Perrysburg
419-874-9678

Ages accepted: 6 weeks-12 years (preschool 3-5)
Student/teacher ratio: 1:12
Number of students: 12-24
Average class size: 10
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? Yes
Special programs: Parent Portal for parents to monitor child’s progress and see messages from staff.

Best children’s book: If You Take a Mouse to School and No David!
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Letter of the week crafts, sensory box, songs, and stories.
Temper tantrum remedy: We get down on the child’s level and acknowledge his or her feelings and use redirection to introduce an alternative response. We also work with the children as a group to encourage everyone to talk about their feelings and help everyone understand their feelings and minimize temper tantrums.

Recipe for success: We teach the children to describe their feelings to the best of their ability and rely on giving praise and encouragement to help children feel successful.  Patience and understanding from the staff also is a key success factor.

Sensational Kids Daycare & Learning Center

6060 Merger Dr., Holland
419-724-5434
sensationalkidsdaycare.com

Ages accepted: Infant to school-age
Student/teacher ratio: 1:5
Number of students: 130
Average class size: 14-20
Transportation available? No

Potty training available? Yes

Special programs: Occupational, Physical, Speech Therapy. Special Education Classes

Best children’s book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carl
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Singing and hands-on activities
Temper tantrum remedy: Positive reinforcement and praise as often as possible
Recipe for success: Positive attitude towards parents and children. Treating every child like they are special and can do anything they put their mind to. No matter what the needs are of the children it is up to us as teachers to find a way to reach them.

YMCA and JCC Child Development Programs

26 locations throughout Northwest Ohio
419-474-3995
ymcatoledo.org

Ages accepted: 6 weeks–12 years
Student/teacher ratio: Meet/exceed licensing standards through the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.
Number of students: Approximately 1,500 each day
Transportation available? To and from schools in 11 school districts
Potty training available? Yes. Staff assists in potty training when it is age appropriate.
Special programs: For preschoolers, the Y follows the Creative Curriculum featuring project-based learning and swimming lessons, Melody Hounds music curriculum are incorporated. For school-aged children, the Y follows the Cincy After School Curriculum based on the 40 developmental assets from the Search Institute. The curriculum is grounded in Appreciative Inquiry, a strength-based process focused on “finding out what works and getting more of it” rather than “finding out what the problems are and getting rid of them.”
Brainy Breakfast: Fruit and protein.
Best children’s book:  Recommended by
Sarah Otis, vice president of YMCA Child Development – Love You Forever by Robert Muncsh
Recipe for success: “A great working relationship between the family and caregiver, the caregiver and the child, and the child’s ability to relate his or her experiences to his or her parent/guardian. The success of a child is built on relationships forged in early child development,” said Otis.   

Toledo Public Schools

420 E. Manhattan Blvd., Toledo
419-671-8200
tps.org/school/pre-schools

Ages accepted: 3-5. Our program accepts children who have typical development as well as children who are eligible for special need services. Two sessions: Morning (AM) 9:30-12:15 and Afternoon (PM) 1:00-3:45.
Student/teacher ratio: Peer classrooms consist of both special needs (of various needs) and typical development students- 2:12. Self-contained classrooms contain additional support for our special needs students- 3:8. Autism classroom- 4:8.
Number of students: 429
Average class size: 12 students per session per class
Transportation available? Offered to students who are currently on an IEP and receiving services.
Potty training available? To be considered a peer, a child needs to be fully potty trained. If a child is eligible for services and has a current IEP, he/she does not need to be potty trained. Worked on daily with all students in the program as a part of the daily routine.
Special programs: Offered to students who are currently on an IEP and attending other community establishments such as Head Start

Brainy Breakfast: Snack that consists of a grain, dairy and fruit

Best children’s book:  3-4 year olds: Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London; Pre-K: Pete the Cat by James Dean
Favorite way to teach ABCs: 3-4 year olds: Songs, dance and play; Pre-K: Association with food

Temper tantrum remedy: 3-4 year olds: Bean Bag Chair. Pre-K: Tell the child you see they are upset and are ready to talk when they are calm. Allow them a safe space to be until they are ready to compose and discuss why they are upset.

Recipe for success: 3-4 year olds: Follow the lead of the child… they take you to their next stage of development AND a firm foundation of the teacher in child development birth to 8 years of age. Pre-K: Positive social interactions with both peers and adults.

St. Joseph’s Preschool

5411 S. Main St., Sylvania
419-882-9701
stjosephschoolsylvania.org

Ages accepted: 3-5 year olds
Student/teacher ratio: 18:2
Number of students: ODE Licensed for 105
Average class size: 18
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? Children must be potty trained
Special programs: Family Field Trips, Home Visits from Teachers, Children’s Art Show, Hands-on Activities that Support Our Catholic Faith

Best children’s book: Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Brainy breakfast: Fruit Granola Crunch Kabobs

Favorite way to teach ABCs: We use sensory motor activities involving all areas of development to support multiple intelligences.

Temper tantrum remedy: Each child has unique needs that must be taken into consideration with care and respect (i.e., patient, calm, conversation and redirection).  

Recipe for success: We strive to instill in young children and families the importance of learning through play, empowering children’s intrinsic motivation to succeed.

Maria Early Learning Center

4651 Monroe St., Toledo
419-471-0170
mariaelc.org

Ages accepted: 6 weeks to 5 years      
Student/teacher ratio: PreK- 1:14; 3 yrs Pre-school 1:12; Toddler 1:7; Infants 12-18 months- 1:5; Infants under 12 months- 1:4
Number of students:  91
Average class size: Different each day– maximum varies in each room (fewer in infant rooms, up to 28 in Pre-K)
Transportation available? No
Potty training available?  Yes
Special programs: Music on Tuesday & Friday, Preschoolers have Religion on Thursday, Outdoor Garden

Brainy Breakfast: Chef frequently provides something hot (e.g. cream of wheat, mini quiche), and they always have fruit and milk. (Yes! Maria has a chef)

Best children’s book: Pete the Cat

Favorite way to teach ABCs:
Non-traditionally– “Environmental Print” method where teachers point out signs and the letters in the signs–  that’s why they label everything at Maria!

Temper tantrum remedy:
No time outs. At Maria we are big on teaching self-regulation so children learn self-control to avoid meltdowns. Redirecting is another method.

Recipe for success: Caring, loving, kind teachers – Our teachers are here for the children. 

Children’s Discovery Center

419-867-8570
6 locations to serve you
childrensdiscoverycenters.com

Ages accepted: 6 weeks-5 years; Before and After School 5–10 years; Kindergarten- Fourth Grade                             
Student/teacher ratio: Varies by age group
Brainy Breakfast: Fruit & Yogurt

Best children’s book:  The Giving Tree
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Hands-on activities
Temper tantrum remedy: Patience & Love
Recipe for success: Autograph your work with excellence!

Gateway School

4650 W. Bancroft St., Toledo
419-536-6503

gatewaypre-k.com

Ages accepted: 2½- 6 years old
Student/teacher ratio: 10:1
Number of students: 65    
Average class size: 10
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? No
Special programs: Gateway has music and science programs daily 

Favorite way to teach ABCs: With music

Temper tantrum remedy: Love
Recipe for success: Confidence & love
Best children’s book: Frog Trouble and Eleven Other Serious Songs by Sandra Boynton

EduCare Academy

806 Starr Ave., Toledo
419-704-2009
educareacademys.com

Ages accepted: 8 weeks- 12 years
Student/teacher ratio: All of our classroom ratios are under state requirements.
Number of students: 1500 students in 12 locations
Average class size: 7
Transportation available? Free transportation provided
Potty training available? Yes
Special programs: Participate in Step Up to Quality and Creative Curriculum

Best children’s book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Brainy Breakfast: Foods that are high in protein, eggs and milk, and healthy carbohydrates, such as, plain yogurt with fresh fruit, whole grain cereal or pancakes and oatmeal.
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Sing the alphabet song and make alphabet books with the children.
Temper tantrum remedy: They can be a normal part of learning independence and mastery. We acknowledge this with patience while working with the child.
Recipe for success: While children explore and discover in their daily activities, we will be their tour guide.

Olivet Christian Nursery

5840 Monroe St., Sylvania
419-882-4616
olivetsylvania.org

Ages accepted: 3-5, must be potty-trained
Student/teacher ratio: 9:1, 2 teachers are in each classroom, Parent Co-op (with an opt-out option)
Number of students: 75
Average class size: 18
Transportation available? No
School days: All classes run from 9am-11:30am. P1 program (3/4 year olds) is available Tuesday & Thursday mornings and P2 programs (4/5 year olds) are available 3 days a week (Monday Wednesday & Friday) or 5 days a week (Monday-Friday). School year runs September-May.
Special programs: Music program, enriched curriculum follows the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards which prepares children for kindergarten in a play-based setting, expansive indoor large motor room & fenced outdoor playground, Handwriting Without Tears Program, experienced loving staff.

Contact information: Jennifer Crooks offers private tours and can be reached at ocns@bex.net for additional information

Small Beginnings Christian School

405 Sackett St., Maumee
419-893-8773
mysmallbeginnings.org

Ages accepted: Children who turn 3, 4 and 5 by September 30th
Student/teacher ratio: 3 year old class- 12:2, 4 year old class- 14:2, 5 year old pre-kindergarten class- 16:2
Number of students: Current enrollment is 99 students
Average class size: Current class size is 11-14 students per class
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? No
Special programs: We have a Pre-Kindergarten program. We are an Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services Licensed Center and a Step Up  to Quality 3 Star Rated Center

Best children’s book:  This year we love all of the Pete the Cat books!
Favorite way to teach ABCs:  Letter of the week, use of letter people puppets, Frog Street Press Curriculum
Temper tantrum remedy: Loving care and use of cool down areas
Recipe for success: Small Beginnings Christian Preschool is an extension of the mission of the Maumee United Methodist Church. The Preschool is a place where children and families are touched with the love and grace of God and their faith is nurtured. We believe we must nurture the whole child; spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially and academically.  We believe quality learning experiences foster the natural learning abilities of young children.

The Early Learning Center

at Penta Career Center
9301 Buck Rd., Perrysburg
419-661-6369
pentacareercenter.org

Ages accepted: 3 to 5-year-olds
Student/teacher ratio: AM Session 1:12; PM Session 1:14 (Each class has three to five student workers along with the lead teacher)
Number of students: 28
Average class size: 14
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? No
Special programs: In house field trips to the many career-technical programs offered at Penta Career Center

Brainy Breakfast: Green Eggs & Ham Sandwich with OJ
Best children’s book: I Love My New Toy! An Elephant & Piggie Book by Mo Willems

Favorite way to teach ABCs:
Dr.  Jean’s Lettercise!

Sylvania Community Services

4747 N. Holland Sylvania, Sylvania
419-885-2451
scsonline.org/childcare

Ages accepted: Preschool ages 3-5, and Before/After School K-6

Student/teacher ratio: 1:12 for ages 3-5 and 1:18 for K-6
Number of students: 250
Average class size: 15 each in Preschool Classrooms and 36 each in Before/After School locations
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? No, do not offer Toddler care
Special programs: Music Appreciation, Healthy Living, Pen Pal with Senior Citizens, use of Creative Curriculum®

Temper tantrum remedy: Deep breath, lots of patience, and not taking it personally!
Recipe for success: Penta’s Early Childhood Education staff mixed with 28 preschoolers ready to learn, add in 30 excited career-technical students and stir with laughter and hard work, makes for one incredible learning experience!

Favorite way to teach ABCs: Visual hands-on materials, use of Handwriting 

Maumee Valley Country Day School

1715 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo
419-381-1313
mvcds.org

Ages accepted: 30 months through Kindergarten
Student/teacher ratio: Preschool: 4.5 to 1; Prekindergarten and Kindergarten: 6.5 to 1
Number of students: Preschool: 14;
Prekindergarten: 19; Kindergarten: 21
Average class size: Preschool: 14; Prekindergarten: 20; Kindergarten: 20
Transportation available? Yes
Potty training available? Yes
Special programs: Kindermusik twice weekly (Preschool); Art, Music, and Physical Education 5 days/week (Pre-K & Kindergarten). Spanish instruction twice weekly for Pre-K and Kindergarten taught by certified Spanish language teacher. Home languages of our student body incorporated daily in all classrooms. STEM curriculum customized to all developmental stages and to each child.

Brainy breakfast: Cooked egg white “face” with fruit (fresh blueberry, banana, kiwi, or dried fruit) eyes, nose, and mouth. Top with a whole wheat toast “hat.” Low-fat milk to drink.
Best children’s book:  Joseph Had a Little Overcoat (we love reusing and recycling!) by Simms Taback
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Finding the letters in printed words all around us, everywhere we go.

Temper tantrum remedy: Acknowledge the emotion behind the tantrum, sing a song to initiate a calm state and redirect the child into appropriate management of his/her feelings.

Babes & Sucklings Child Care Center

1558 Campbell St., Toledo
2369 Airport Hwy., Toledo
419-720-4321

Ages accepted: 2 1/2- 12 years
Student/teacher ratio: 6:1
Transportation available? Yes
Potty training available? We help with potty training
Special programs: After school tutoring

Best children’s book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Temper tantrum remedy: Show the other children something special in your hand, make it exciting and soon the other child will come and join you!
Recipe for success: Prayer and seeking the Lord for direction on each child, give them love,  praise, attention, encouragement and learn to laugh along with them. state and redirect the child into appropriate management of his/her feelings.

 

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