The Scoop on Childcare in Central Park

Whether you’re new to the Central Park area or just starting a family of your own, researching childcare options can be overwhelming! Central Park is comprised of more than 29,000 residents within its 12 neighborhoods: that’s a lot of kids!  To help support the community’s childcare needs, Central Park is home to many great childcare centers. To help navigate your choices, I’ve compiled a list of local childcare options here in Central Park as well as 5 tips on how to start your search!

Tip # 1: Start Early

I can’t stress this enough. When I began my search in 2019, I was completely blown away with how long waitlists could be! To be exact, my unborn child was number #105 at my top choice. If you are new to this part of town or expecting your first child, start preparing as soon as you know you are welcoming a new member to your family. I recommend putting your name on a few waitlists as over time the numbers will dwindle down as others on the list commit to facilities or alternative options and this gives you the best option to get a spot as soon as possible in the long run.

Tip #2: Tour Care Centers

To help narrow down your preferences and ease your comfort of a new routine, I recommend touring several different facilities. This really helped me establish my top options and where I wanted to put my name on the waitlists. I knew that if I received a call for an opening, I was going to be ready to jump in and accept. Something else to consider is location and your daily routine. Your top choice may not be the childcare center closest to your home, but maybe on your way to work.

Tip # 3: Ask All The Questions

Don’t be shy! Finding the right fit for your family is important and it’s certainly not a one size fits all deal! Most facilities are well prepared to answer the general questions of hours, drop-off/pick-up expectations, yearly calendar schedule, what is included with monthly and yearly fees, teacher to child ratio, what meals are included daily, etc. But also ask them questions regarding their curriculum, what’s a typical day look like, how they handle discipline, and how do they communicate with parents. Even though I had an infant entering, I wanted to have a “whole picture” view on what to expect as my child grew.

Tip # 4: Understand Their Yearly Calendar and Closure Dates

Each facility should be able to provide you with what their year looks like. Some facilities follow the DPS school calendar, which might have some extra time off you weren’t expecting, and others may include holiday or seasonal breaks for a few additional days each year.

Tip #5: Explore Other Options

Don’t feel defeated if all the childcare options you are interested in have a waitlist. There are other options you can explore too! Au pairs, nannies, and nanny shares are also avenues a handful of local families use. We personally wound up in a nanny-share for our daughter until our current facility had a spot. It worked out great, and not only did our family bond well with our nanny, but we also created lifelong friendships with the other families involved.

There you have it, my 5 tips to get started on your childcare search here in Central Park! Check out the list below of local facilities. Want to connect and ask me more questions? Feel free to reach out, my contact information is below.

Primrose of Denver Central Park

Location: East 29^th Avenue

Age Range: Infant care beginning at 6 weeks to kindergarten, with after school care available too

Additional Information: Meals and snacks provided

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Acacia Learning Center

Location: South End

Age Range: Infant care beginning at 6 weeks to kindergarten, with before and after school care available too

Additional Information: Meals and snacks provided

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Montessori Children’s House of Denver

Location: South End

Age Range: 12 months- middle school

Additional Information: Interactive learning around the community, snacks provided

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Open Air Academy

Location: Stanley Marketplace

Age Range: Infant care beginning at 6 weeks to preschool.

Additional Information: Reggio Emilia Curriculum

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Happy Ladybug Early Learning

Location: South of Eastbridge

Age Range: 12months- 5 years old

Additional Information: Meals and snacks provided

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Creative Learning Preschool

Location: Bluff Lake

Age Range: 3 months- 5 years old

Additional Information: Smaller teacher/student ratio than usual.

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Tinker Town Preschool

Location: Bluff Lake

Age Range: 12 months- 6 years old

Additional Information: n/a

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Knowledge Beginnings

Location: Eastbridge

Age Range: Infant- kindergarten, plus before and after school care

Additional Information: Meals and snacks provided

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New Horizon Academy

Location: South of 1-70, North of CPN

Age Range: Infant- pre-kindergarten, plus before and after school care

Additional Information: Meals and snacks provided

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Little Lions, Tiny Tigers, Bitty Bears and Friendly Foxes of Central Park

Location: Conservatory Green

Age Range: 18 months- 5 years old

Additional Information: Low care-giver to child ratio, Montessori methods, snacks and meals provided

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The Goddard School of Northfield

Location: Conservatory Green

Age Range: Infant- pre-kindergarten

Additional Information: Snacks provided

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Prestige Preschool Academy

Location: Beeler Park

Age Range: Infant- kindergarten

Additional Information: Lunch and Snacks provided, before and school care available

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Primrose of Denver North

Location: North End

Age Range: Infant care beginning at 6 weeks to kindergarten, with after school care available too

Additional Information: Meals and snacks provided

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Alef Academy

Location: Central Park West

Age Range: 6 Weeks – 5 Years Old

Additional Information: A Reggio-inspired Jewish E.C.E. Center, part time and full time flexibility!

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