The Child Care Conundrum

EL GAYLORD DOWNTOWN YMCA CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

When it comes to child care, there is no right choice, no one-size-fits-all option, which can
feel both liberating and daunting to new and experienced parents alike. Confusing star ratings,
online reviews, opinions of friends and family and waiting lists a mile long can make the process
even more difficult. On the following pages, find expert tips, read about the experiences of
real local moms and learn about the most important things to consider when seeking care.

BY ERIN PAGE

arrie Williams
understands the
daunting task of finding
child care. Not only is
she a mother herself, but sitting
in her office at Rainbow Fleet,
phones ring all around her. On
the other end of those lines
are parents hoping to connect
to Rainbow Fleets referral
specialists who will help them
find the best child care.

Rainbow Fleet meticulously keeps an up-todate list of licensed child care facilities and
in-home care providers in Oklahoma and
Cleveland counties, ensuring families have
accurate, comprehensive information when
selecting child care. Referral specialists
help parents clarify their child care needs,
understand the types of care available and
become well-informed, quality-conscious
consumers. While recommendations from
family and friends are important, the allencompassing nature of Rainbow Fleets list
of child care providers means parents have
greater access to all their choices.

Picking care is so tough, said Williams,

whos the executive director of Rainbow
Fleet, a nonprofit that connects parents to
child care resources. Of course parents want
something thats safe, but beyond quality,
they have to think about how far away the
center is, what type of kids are there, the food
theyll be served, if its a positive learning
environment. And then if all that checks out,
can they afford it?

There could be a highly-rated in-home

facility just down the street from you, that
youd never know about without speaking to
one of our referral specialists, Williams said.

Rainbow Fleet was founded in 1972 to

connect families and child care providers
with innovative child development resources.
Among a host of other child development
programs, Rainbow Fleets referral
specialists, who all hold degrees in childhood
education, are available via phone or online
to help families find their best child care
match. Their services are completely free for
families.

Safety is the top priority for most parents

when selecting child care, according to
Williams. Rainbow Fleet only refers families
to licensed child care providers, so families
can feel confident that the referrals they
receive are meeting state health, safety
and caregiver training standards. Williams
stresses that parents should always check
a facilitys licensing record before placing
their child in that home or center; records
can be accessed at www.okdhs.org/child
care. Rainbow Fleet also provides parents
with each facilitys Oklahoma Department of
Human Services star rating.
Rainbow Fleet doesnt make specific
recommendations for individual daycare
centers or in-home facilities; rather,
referral specialists help parents determine
METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

18

JULY 2015

what type of care is the best fit for

their child or children.
Our referral specialists spend a lot of time
discussing each childs individual needs,
said Williams. One child might thrive
in a large learning environment, whereas
another might do better with more one-onone attention. We help parents really think
through their options, and we can steer them
toward a specific type of care depending on
the childs needs.
Rainbow Fleet tailors referrals based on
the age of your child, the days and hours
you need care, your childs personality, the
location most convenient for you and your
specific budget. Referral specialists can
also provide custom referrals for children
with special needs, like dietary restrictions
or developmental delays. While the online
tool is easy to use and offers instant results,
Williams recommends calling a referral
specialist to talk through options as well,
especially for first-time parents, many of
whom dont realize how quickly they need to
start their child care search.
Homes and centers alike often have long
waiting lists, said Williams. We can help
parents begin their child care research
process earlier in pregnancy, and we can help
them get their names on waiting lists.
Whether parents use the online tool (www.
rainbowfleet.org) or call in to speak to a
referral specialist (521-1426), they will
receive a parent packet in the mail with
information about the types of care available
and the steps to choosing quality child care.

What does the OKDHS

Star Rating Mean?
According to Williams, nearly 70 percent
of homes have two parents who work at
least part time, which has led to a jump in
the number of kids in child care. Oklahoma
is No. 1 in the nation in kids enrolled in
preschool, which Williams says is reflective
of parents in our communities expecting
much more than just babysitters. Parents
want learning environments that meet
childrens developmental needs. The rise
in the number of children in child care and
parents increasing desire for enrichment
for their children means the call for quality
child care is also on the rise.

One Star Programs:

Have a license
Will have unannounced inspections at
least three times per year
Have basic standards for health and
safety and limits on the number of
children in care
Caregivers undergo criminal
background checks, have at least a GED
and earn at least 12 hours of training per
year

One Star Plus Programs:

Meet all one star requirements and are

working toward two star rating
Have higher education and training
requirements for caregivers
Offer enriched learning environments
for children, including lesson plans,
outdoor play and reading to children
daily
Have family engagement and
communication systems in place
Have a membership on a professional
development registry

Oklahomas child care rating and

improvement system is called Reaching
for the Stars and is used to help parents
evaluate child care and encourage
continuous improvement among caregivers.
Programs are ranked from one to three stars,
and the ratings are based on: compliance
with licensing regulations, education
and training of caregivers, enriched
learning environments for children, family
engagement, administrative practices and
participation in national accreditation
programs. All licensed child care programs
in Oklahoma automatically earn one star,
and a program must meet all criteria at one
level before moving up to the next.

Meet all one star and one star plus

requirements
In child care centers, one master teacher
is employed for every 20 children; all
family child care providers meet the
same requirements as master teachers
Master teachers have 15 college credit
hours in early childhood education
or have completed an approved
credentialing program
Have higher training requirements for
caregivers
Include enriched interest centers for
children
Complete a program assessment as part
of the program evaluation process
Have improved family engagement
and communication, as well as
administrative practices

Three Star Programs:

Meet all one star, one star plus, two star

requirements AND are accredited by an
approved accrediting body

19

Lake
Sweep
Sat., August 8 7 10 a.m.
(Rainout day is Saturday, Aug. 15)

Spring Creek Park

Free Event!
Volunteer today and help keep
Arcadia Lake clean.

Two Star Programs:

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

18th Annual
Arcadia

JULY 2015

Free Brunch and T-shirts!

(While supplies last)
Dont forget your gloves and plenty of sunscreen.

216-7471

For more information and

large group registry.

What type
of care is
right for
my family?
Child Care Center
Provide care for eight or more children
and operate for more than 30 hours per
week.
Must be licensed by OKDHS.
Often selected by parents because
larger groups, multiple caregivers and
state inspections make programs feel
more safe for children and make the
arrangement more dependable.
Parents may also believe more space,
equipment, toys and organized activities
can provide better learning environments
for their children.
In Oklahoma County, the average weekly
rate for child care centers for ages 0 to
just under 5 years is $146.58.
Katie Green is a project manager and mom
to 5-month-old Harper. She and her husband
chose a daycare facility because they value
a continuum of care that isnt interrupted if
a primary child care provider is sick or goes
on vacation. Green appreciates that Harpers
caregivers will text with her, even on nights
and weekends, to discuss Harpers current
needs and how they can best care for her.

The options for child care are so vast, it can be

difficult to know where to start. We chatted with
local moms about three popular care options to
weigh the pros and cons of each.
Our review of local moms child care choices revealed
that care is an ever-evolving challenge, with needs
changing as children get older, additional children enter
the family and parents change jobs or employment
status. Leaning on the experiences of others can help
determine what is best in your current situation.

two busy work schedules, which vary from

week to week, and provides her children a
strong foundation for future learning. She
appreciates that from an early age, they are
both challenged academically and taught
about giving back to the community.
Link values receiving a daily report about her
children via email, and she also gets photos
and videos throughout the day.
It makes me happy at work to know what my
kids are doing and to see how happy they are
to be there, she said.
She and her husband asked a lot of questions
of their potential facility choices, including
what type of curriculum is used, the teacher
to child ratios, how much physical activity
the children would get, what type of
meals they serve and their severe weather
precautions.

Katie Brinlee is an accounting supervisor and

mom to 4-year-old Hayden and 15-month-old
Noah. She and her husband both work long
hours and needed a daycare center that could
accommodate their work weeks and was
convenient to their places of business. A large
daycare center means her children have an
on-site nurse for quick care emergencies, an
onsite underground tornado shelter, multiple
outdoor play areas, quality curriculum and
bachelors degrees for all lead teachers.
Important factors to Brinlee in choosing
a daycare facility were how long teachers
had been employed, the curriculum used,
child to teacher ratios, meal plans, the type
of discipline used and the priority of child
safety. She appreciates that her daycare is
used to and willing to work with parents on
redirecting typical toddler misbehavior in a
loving way. She also values an iPhone app

For an infant in particular, Green

recommends asking potential daycare
options whether they will follow the childs
individual feeding schedule, what items
are provided versus what parents must
supply and what activities they provide for
stimulation and development. Katie also
advocates reviewing each potential facilitys
DHS rating and reports.
We toured each facility and showed up at
random times, even if the facility said to
schedule an appointment to tour, Green said.
We were better able to tell which places we
could trust.
For dental hygienist Lacey Link, mom to
2-year-old Brooks and 10-month-old Laney,
a daycare center works best for her familys

EL GAYLORD DOWNTOWN YMCA CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

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JULY 2015

she can access that tracks her boys activities,

what they ate and if they napped.
Becky Endicott works as a director of
development and is mom to 4-year-old
Sophia and 1-year-old Julia. Using a daycare
center located at her place of business has
afforded her convenience, access to her girls
during the workday and the added benefits
of activities like dance and music offered
onsite. Endicotts proximity allows her to
attend holiday parties or special recitals, get
to her girls quickly when they are sick or take
diapers or supplies over if they run out.
Its allowed me to take Sophie to lunch
every Tuesday because we are so close, she
said. There is absolutely no replacement for
the memories we are building together during
that time. Also, it allowed me to breastfeed
Julia on my lunch break every day when she
started there. This gave us special one-onone time every day and eased my transition
back into the office.
Endicott also appreciates that Sophia has
been prepared for organized school, learning
how to follow instructions, help around her
classroom, follow a lesson plan and the basics
of colors, counting and spelling.
Endicott and her husband asked questions
about how their girls would receive
individualized attention, if they would help
potty train when the girls were ready, what
curriculum was offered, how often they
would play outside, what nap time is like, and
how they documented and reported back to
them what the girls did during day.

Family Child Care Home

Residential homes providing care for
seven or fewer children (or 12 or fewer
children for Large Family Child Care
Homes).
Must be licensed through DHS.
Parents often choose in-home care
because they want to keep their children
in a home-like environment and feel their
children are healthier and more secure in
a smaller group.
In Oklahoma County, the average rate for
family child care homes for ages 0 to just
under 5 years is $124.18 per week.
For DHS-Child Welfare Services program
supervisor Jennifer Brown, mom to 3-yearold Caroline, an in-home child care center
provides the loving, family atmosphere
she wanted for her daughter. Highly
recommended to her by friends, the child
care home provides fresh, home-cooked
meals, lessons on numbers, letters and colors,

NORTH PENN CREATIVE KIDS LEARNING CENTER. PHOTO BY HILARY CRANFORD.

plenty of outdoor playtime and life skills

like helping clean up and forming long-term
bonds.
The caregivers get down on the kids level
and really listen to what the kids are saying,
which I know makes Caroline feel like what
she has to say is important and she feels
valued, she said.
Brown recommends asking potential in-home
centers their protocol if a caregiver is sick; in
her case, she appreciates that two alternative
caregivers are available when needed. She
also recommends asking about turnover, of
the children as well as the caregivers.

It makes me happy
at work to know what
my kids are doing and
to see how happy they
are to be there.
Lacey Link

same in-home facility her siblings attended

when they were younger. In the evenings
and on weekends, Erin also relies upon the
support of a manny, or male nanny.
If we are going to be a two-parent working
household, it is paramount that we feel
confident and comfortable with where and
who is caring for our children, and that they
are being loved and nurtured just as we
would love and nurture them, she said.
Engelke and her husband chose an inhome provider because they wanted their
childrens care to mirror what it would look
like if they were home with them. They got
recommendations from friends and online
resources, and their biggest considerations
were the comfort level of the individual
caring for their children, the atmosphere of
the facility, the location of the provider to
their home and the cost of care. They paid
careful attention to the location of sleeping
quarters/cribs, the amount of space for play
indoors and out, whether care included meals
and snacks, and how many days the facilities
were closed during the year.

I didnt want a place where children didnt

stay long, she said, and my child would
be forming a relationship with another child
who would move.

She appreciates that her in-home provider

knows her daughters likes and dislikes, can
console her when she is upset, provides daily
educational and development opportunities,
reads books and encourages outdoor play.

Erin Engelke works as a chief external

relations officer and is mom to 9-year-old
Gabriel, 7-year-old Ava and 4-year-old Elin.
The ages of her children mean they employ
a combination of child care options. Older
children Gabriel and Ava attend an after-care
program through their elementary school,
while youngest daughter Elin attends the

With three children having gone through

child care over the past 10 years, I can
confidently say that theres no perfect
scenario, Engelke said. Whats most
important is finding the scenario that works
best for you and your family, but also allows
your children to flourish and for you to
accomplish what you need to professionally.

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JULY 2015

Nanny Services
Care provided in the childs home.
Certification can be required depending
on whether the nanny uses an agency for
referrals.
Oklahoma does not regulate nannyplacement agencies or in-home
caregivers. The family is responsible for
criminal history checks, wage and hour
requirements, payroll taxes and workers
compensation insurance.
Parents often choose a nanny because
they feel children are more secure in their
own home environment and they have
more control over the kind of care their
children receive.
While Rainbow Fleet doesnt
endorse either, they direct families
interested in finding a nanny to
collegenanniesandtutors.com and
sittercity.com. According to sittercity.
com, nannies in Oklahoma City charge
anywhere from $10 to $30 per hour,
depending on the number of children in
their care, ages of children and additional
services required, like laundry or meal
preparation.
For registered nurse Carley McLaughlin,
mom to 23-month-old Tripp and 7-month-old
Quinn, a nanny means her young childrens
needs are carefully met, her children
experience less illness and she enjoys
greater flexibility for her working schedule.
McLaughlin is appreciative of her nannys
ability to keep in contact with her throughout
the day, sending pictures and letting her
know how they are doing.
Our daughter has GI issues and needs more
individualized care, McLaughlin said. Our
nanny is very flexible with us and comes over
early if my husband is traveling, as I have to
leave very early for work, earlier than many
daycare centers open. I know my children are

safe in their own environment and get to stick

to their schedules seven days a week.
McLaughlin and her husband recommend
asking candidates extensive questions about
their vehicles and driving records, especially
if the nanny will be transporting children,
including: the current condition of the
vehicle, the maintenance schedule, quality of
the tires and the number of wrecks both the
nanny and the vehicle have been in.
For McLaughlin and her husband who
typically must go to work even when the
weather is dicey, they also wanted to know
their nanny would be able to come to work
regardless of the weather. They were sticklers
about CPR and first aid certification, and they
wanted to know about candidates experience
caring for multiple small children at once,
presenting interviewees specific scenarios
in which both children need something at
the same time and asking how the caregivers
would respond.
Engineer Meredith Schneberger, mom to
7-year-old Jackson, 3-year-old Mitchell and
21-month-old Carter, uses multiple types of
care, including a nanny, after-school care for
her oldest and a Mothers Day Out program
several days a week for her two youngest.
My hope was to find a balance between
interaction with other kids and a structured
classroom experience, and making sure my
children got enough rest and downtime to
stay healthy, she said.
Her boys nanny takes them to school, keeps
them when school is out, starts dinner in the
evenings and helps with dishes. She takes
them on outings to the library and ensures
they get adequate rest at home. At her
youngest boys Mothers Day Out, they play
inside and out, are learning sign language
and enjoy frequent art projects.
Because its important to Schneberger
to minimize screen time, she values that
they dont watch
television at
Mothers Day Out.
She appreciates
that her boys
teachers regularly
communicate with
her, even though
she is rarely the
one who drops
off or picks them
up. She stresses
the importance of
giving constructive
feedback to
caregivers to ensure
children are cared

EL GAYLORD DOWNTOWN YMCA CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

22

JULY 2015

EL GAYLORD DOWNTOWN YMCA CHILD

DEVELOPMENT CENTER

for in the way you want, and she believes

good caregivers appreciate being part of the
parenting team.
I feel like my kids have a routine that
includes a lot of play and a lot of people who
love them and look out for them, she said. I
think its important that moms not settle for
child care situations they arent happy with.
While in-home care can mean a nanny, it can
also mean care by a grandparent or relative.
Account director Amy Blackburn, mom to
8-month-old Everly, chose what she calls the
best of both worlds for her daughter, three
days a week at a daycare facility and two
days a week with Blackburns mom.
We love that Everly gets to socialize at
daycare, but we also value the time she gets
to spend with her grandparents, she said.
When reviewing potential daycare options,
Blackburn and her husband toured each
facility and researched any violations with
OKDHS. The most important factors to them
were that the facility was clean and fostered
a learning, creative environment. She values
that her daycare facility sends photos and
texts throughout her workday to keep her
apprised of Everlys activities.

Making the choice

Finding child care can seem like an
overwhelming task, but a tailored referral
list from a service like Rainbow Fleet and
recommendations from fellow moms can
make it manageable. Though moms often let
the guilt and pressure of finding just the right
caregiver for our children take over, business
owner Erica Carr offers a heart-warming
perspective.
I love that I can leave my children in a
loving environment where they can thrive and
grow outside the home, Carr said. Its so
refreshing when they come home and tell me
about all the fun things they learned that day.

The Child Care Directory

This month, MetroFamily
is taking a closer look
at child care in the
Oklahoma City area.
Child Care Aware of
America reports the cost
of child care in the U.S.
often exceeds the cost of
housing, transportation,
college tuition, food and
transportation. Take a look
at these other important
numbers concerning child
care in our area:

The average annual child care

expense in Oklahoma is

Unlike some areas of education, families pay the

majority of early education expenses. In fact,
of funding for child care
in the U.S. comes directly
from parents.

7,480 60%

178,000

There are
children
under 12 living in Oklahoma and
Cleveland Counties.

Lack of child care options lead

to employee absences that cost
businesses in the U.S.

66 50%
Of those children,

billion
annually

A family of three earning anything below $20,090 a

year is considered below the federal poverty level. The
average annual cost of center-based infant care is nearly
of that.

have working parents.

Figures sourced from Child

Care Aware of America and
Rainbow Fleet.

Venue

Hours

Ages

Details

Chickasha Area YMCA

725 W. Chickasha Ave.,
Chickasha
405-224-2281
www.ymcaokc.org

School
release to
6 p.m.

5 to 12

YMCA School Age Child Care provides affordable, safe and wholesome
enrichment activities during out-of-school hours. The program is centered
on the YMCA mission and program objectives to help individuals grow
personally, clarify values, build character, improve personal and family
relationships, appreciate diversity, become better leaders and supporters,
develop specific skills and have fun. Activities include homework time,
snacks, interest centers, math components, literacy skills, science activities,
arts & crafts, indoor and outdoor sports and games and fitness activities.

Childcare Network
4500 East I-240 Service Rd.
886-521-5437
www.childcarenetwork.com

6:30 a.m.
to 6 p.m.

6 weeks to 12 Childcare Network is made up of six child development centers in the

years
Edmond and Oklahoma City Area. Facilities are three-star and nationally
accredited. Childcare Network uses HighReach Learning curriculum and all
facilities adhere to the USDA food program so children are provided with
healthy, nutritious meals and snacks.

College Nannies + Tutors

1333 N. Santa Fe, Ste. 116,
Edmond
405-513-6060
www.collegenanniesandtutors.
com/edmondok

Available
any time

Newborn to
18 years

College Nannies + Tutors provides customized in-home child care solutions

to fit any familys schedule and preference. The companys nannies and
sitters are fully screened, educated, active role models that are available on
an on-call (as needed) basis, after school, part-time and full-time.

Earlywine Park YMCA Before &

After Care at Greenbriar
1500 Kingsridge Dr.
405-378-0420
www.ymcaokc.org

6:30 a.m.
to start
of school
& end of
school to 6
p.m.

6 to 12 years

The purpose of YMCA School Age Child Care is to provide affordable,

safe and wholesome enrichment activities during out-of-school hours. The
program is centered on the YMCA mission to help individuals grow personally,
clarify values, build character, improve relationships, appreciate diversity,
become better leaders and supporters, develop specific skills and have fun.
Activities include homework, snacks, interest centers, math components,
literacy skills, science activities, arts, sports and fitness activities.

Earlywine Park YMCA Before &

After Care at Moore CC
301 S. Howard, Moore
405-378-0420
www.ymcaokc.org

6:30 a.m.
to start
of school
& end of
school to 6
p.m.

6 to 12 years

The purpose of YMCA School Age Child Care is to provide affordable,

safe and wholesome enrichment activities during out-of-school hours. The
program is centered on the YMCA mission to help individuals grow personally,
clarify values, build character, improve relationships, appreciate diversity,
become better leaders and supporters, develop specific skills and have fun.
Activities include homework, snacks, interest centers, math components,
literacy skills, science activities, arts, sports and fitness activities.

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

23

JULY 2015

The Child Care Directory

Venue

Hours

Ages

Details

EL Gaylord Downtown YMCA

Child Development Center
1 N.W. 4th St.
405-297-7760
www.ymcaokc.org

7 a.m. to 6
p.m.

6 weeks to 6
years

The YMCA Childcare Program emphasizes care, safety and the nurture of
a childs natural desire to learn by providing ample opportunities to explore
and learn through developmentally appropriate activities. The YMCA wants
to help children develop to their full potentia and help children develop a
healthy self esteem, learn through discovery and play, and to grow physically,
emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually.

The Goddard School of Edmond

17440 N. Western Ave., Edmond
405-348-4442
www. goddardschool.com/
oklahomacity

7 a.m. to 6
p.m.

6 weeks to
10 years

For more than 25 years, The Goddard School has been a trusted name
among families. Its classrooms are safe, nurturing environments for children,
offering opportunities to explore and discover.

The Goddard School of Edmond

(Northeast)
6001 E. Covell Rd., Edmond
405-330-1313
www. goddardschool.com/
oklahomacity

7 a.m. to 6
p.m.

6 weeks to 5
years

For more than 25 years, The Goddard School has been a trusted name
among families. Its classrooms are safe, nurturing environments for children,
offering opportunities to explore and discover.

Guthrie Kids in Action Preschool

Program & Before & After Care
2001 W. Noble, Guthrie
405-282-8206

8:30
a.m. to 3
p.m. for
Preschool;
6:30 a.m.
to 8:30am
& 3 p.m. to
6 p.m. for
Before &
After Care

4 and 5
years for
Preschool; 4
to 12 years
for Before &
After Care

Guthrie Kids in Action Preschool and Before & After Care is a place for
Guthrie Public School students to go when they are not attending school.
The purpose of the program is to provide affordable, safe and wholesome
enrichment activities during out-of-school hours. The program is centered
on the YMCA mission and program objectives to help individuals grow
personally, clarify values, build character, improve relationships, appreciate
diversity, become better leaders and supporters, develop specific skills
and have fun. YMCA activities include homework, snacks, interest centers,
math components, literacy skills, science activities, arts, sports and fitness
activities.

Leslies Child Care

Rockwell & Memorial
405-773-3655
lesliebeths@gmail.com

Hours
flexible
based on
parent
needs

3 months to
4 years

Leslies Child Care is in-home care specifically for children of teachers

backed by 13 years of experience. Fun, loving and educational care is
provided for children of teachers in an intimate setting.

Mitch Park YMCA

2901 Marilyn Williams Dr.,
Edmond
405-330-4016
www.ymcaokc.org

6:30 a.m.
to 8:30
a.m. & 3 to
6 p.m.

5 to 12 years

The Mitch Park YMCA Before and After School Care program services the
following schools in the Edmond Community: John Ross, Cross Timbers,
Washington Irving, Ida Freeman, Centennial and Frontier. Transportation
is provided. School Break Care is available for ages 5-12 from 6:30 a.m. to
6 p.m. on days when school is out due to holiday breaks or other planned
dates. The Ys financial assistance program ensures that everyone can
participate in Y programs, despite an inability to pay. Financial assistance is
provided through the Annual Campaign.

Nanny McDees Christian

Learning Center
6009 N.W. Expressway
405-722-8902
www.nannymcdees.com

6:30 a.m.
to 6:30
p.m.

6 weeks to 13 Nanny McDees Christian Learning Center uses Child-First Curriculum and
years
believes every child is unique and will grow at his or her own pace. Teachers
spend time nurturing childrens strengths and encouraging them to reach
new heights. Nanny McDees is a Christian child care facility.

North Penn Creative Kids

2000 N.W. 150th St.
405-254-2962
www.northpenncreativekids.com

6:30 a.m.
to 6 p.m.

6 weeks to 5
years

North Penn Creative Kids is a caring, friendly and welcoming learning center.
The facility has an age-appropriate curriculum for ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
The curriculum allows children to explore the world around them through
books, media (Interactive White Board) and hands on experiences. Smaller
classes allows for more teacher-child interaction.

Oklahoma City Community

College Child Development
Center & Lab
6500 S. Land Ave.
405-682-7561
www.occc.edu

7:30 a.m.
to 5:30
p.m.

6 weeks to 5
years

The OCCC CDCLS is open to the community, OCCC staff and studentparents. The facility staff believes children are unique, capable, creative
problem-solvers, eager to learn. The staff is committed to designing and
implementing a safe, friendly, nurturing environment, which promotes high
quality care and physical, intellectual, and social-emotional developmental
growth, in a collaborative effort with children, families, community and each
other. Each teacher and teacher assistant holds a degree in early childhood
or a related field. The CDCLS is nationally accredited with the National
Association for the Education of Young Children and is an Oklahoma threestar rated child development center.

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JULY 2015

The Child Care Directory

Venue

Hours

Ages

Details

Primetime Indian Meridian YMCA

1865 Indian Meridian, Choctaw
405-733-9622
www.ymcaokc.org

6:30 a.m.
to 8:30
a.m. & 3
p.m. to 6
p.m.

Kindergarten
to 12 years

Primetime Indian Meridian YMCA offers a program that not only provides a
safe place for children to go, it also provides them with a curriculum that lets
them engage with other children, be creative and challenges them all at the
same time. They will receive help with their homework, while also learning
nutrition and enjoying fun, interactive games throughout the day.

Primetime Nicoma Park YMCA

1200 Hickman Ave., Choctaw
405-733-9622
www.ymcaokc.org

6:30 a.m.
to 6 p.m.

4 years to 12
years

Primetime Nicoma Park YMCA offers a program that not only provides a
safe place for children to go; it also provides them with a curriculum that lets
them engage with other children, be creative and challenges them all at the
same time. They will receive help with their homework, while also learning
nutrition and enjoying fun, interactive games throughout the day. This site
also provides a pre-k program during the day with the option to participate
in the before and after school program as well.

Primetime Westfall YMCA

13239 N.E. 10th, Choctaw
405-733-9622
www.ymcaokc.org

6:30 a.m.
to 6 p.m.

4 years to 12
years

Primetime Westfall YMCA offers a program that not only provides a safe
place for children to go, it also provides them with a curriculum that lets
them engage with other children, be creative and challenges them all at the
same time. They will receive help with their homework, while also learning
nutrition and enjoying fun, interactive games throughout the day. This site
also provides a pre-k program during the day with the option to participate
in the before and after school program as well.

Primrose School of Edmond

15000 N. Western Ave., Edmond
405-285-6787
www.primroseschools.com/
schools/edmond

6:30 a.m.
to 6:30
p.m.

6 weeks to
kindergarten

Primrose Schools exclusive Balanced Learning curriculum provides children

with the best early childhood education. Primrose is the first educational
child care company to achieve accreditation by CITA (SACS CASI and
NCA CASI), recognized as the gold standard in school evaluations. The
schools balanced approach has earned high marks for carefully blending
child-initiated and teacher-directed activities. These are the two leading
philosophies in early childhood education with the very special Primrose
focus on character and values. The methodologies used in Primroses
Balanced Assessment help us guide and improve instruction for each
individual child.

Rankin YMCA
1220 S. Rankin St., Edmond
405-348-9622
www.ymcaokc.org

6:30 a.m.
to 8:30
a.m. & 3 to
6 p.m.

5 to 12 years

The Rankin YMCA Before and After School Care program services the
following schools in the Edmond Community: Chisholm, Orvis Risner, Will
Rogers, Sunset and Northern Hills. Transportation is provided. School
Break Care is available for ages 5-12 from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on days when
school is out due to holiday breaks or other planned dates. The Ys financial
assistance program ensures that everyone can participate in Y programs,
despite an inability to pay. Financial assistance is provided through the
Annual Campaign.

Child Care Resources

Venue

Hours

Edmond Home Child Care

Association
405-509-4843
www.edmondhomechildcare.com
Rainbow Fleet
3024 Paseo Dr.
405-521-1426
www.rainbowfleet.org

Details
Edmond Home Child Care Association is a professional organization for licensed family
child care providers. The association works with providers to provide professional growth
and promote quality care. They also help parents by providing child care and consumer
guidelines on how to select the best care provider.

8 a.m. to
5 p.m.

Rainbow Fleet is not a child care provider, but a child care resource for local families. This
non-profit maintains important information on Oklahoma City metro child care providers
and helps local parents find quality care. Additionally, their resource center features a toy
library with developmental toys for all ages and stages that can be rented by families and
child care providers.

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE

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JULY 2015