Inventory of Hartford

Child Care Centers

January, 1998

Inventory of Hartford Child Care Centers

This list includes thirty-nine child care centers which serve over 2,000 children within the City of Hartford. These centers provide a wide range of services to families who live in Hartford and its surrounding towns. Some of the centers are open to all, while others cater to a specific group of parents, for example employees of a hospital, or students at a college or high school.

All child care centers are required to be licensed and are inspected yearly.

Several new centers are going to open in Hartford during the spring of 1998 as a result of the state=s major increase in ASchool Readiness@ funding. This list was compiled in January, 1998. Contact the Hartford Department of Human Services at 543-8888 to request a current list of child care centers in Hartford.

Not all child care centers provide quality care. In an effort to help parents find high quality child care, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) administers an accreditation system for schools and child care centers. Accredited programs go through a self-study and external review every three years to assure that they meet NAEYC=s ACriteria for High Quality Early Childhood Programs.@ A copy of the Criteria can be obtained from:

National Academy of Early Childhood Programs
1509 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20036-1426
(800)424-2460

Looking for an accredited center is a good way to begin a search for quality child care. But accreditation is a voluntary process and there are high-quality, non-accredited centers, too. The only way to judge the quality of a particular center fairly is to visit it. Parents should observe classrooms and ask questions before enrolling in any center. Specifically, parents should look for:*

$ frequent, positive, warm interactions among adults and children (including lots of hugs and smiles);

$ planned learning activities appropriate to children=s age and development, such as block-building, painting, reading stories, dress-up and active outdoor play;

$ specially trained teachers (Teacher credentials to look for include a CDA, a bachelor=s degree or a master=s degree. Often, the personality and knowledge of the teacher can determine the quality of the program.);

$ enough adults to respond to individual children (at least one adult for every four infants, four toddlers or ten preschoolers);

$ many varied age-appropriate materials (dolls, books, legos, blocks, dress-up clothes, paper, paint, and a sand or water table);

$ a healthy and safe environment for children (no broken furniture or unnecessary clutter);

$ nutritious meals and snacks (fruit or vegetables served often);

$ regular communication with parents who are welcome visitors at all times (yearly conferences, frequent informal updates and notes);

$ effective administration; and

$ ongoing, systematic evaluation of the programs.

 

 

* Taken from NAEYC Publication #917

Beacon Day Care
571 Farmington Ave
232-6213

Beacon Day Care is open 7:00 to 5:30, and serves 45 children aged 11 months to 11 years. Beacon charges $95 to $160 per week for full time care, and usually has a few openings. No sliding scale or scholarship is available. Beacon is accredited. Beacon=s after school program will accept children from any school, but can only pick up children who go to Noah Webster School.

Best Beginnings
433 Fairfield Avenue
956-8280

Best Beginnings is open 6:30 to 5:30, and serves 46 children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. Best Beginnings charges $115 to $140 per week for full time care, and usually has a few openings. No sliding scale or scholarship is available. Best Beginnings is not accredited.

Betances Day Care
42 Charter Oak Ave
724-0333

Betances Day Care is open 7:00 to 6:00, and serves 50 children aged 3 years to 11 years. Betances charges $7 to $109 for full time care, and there is a sliding fee scale. Betances is accredited. Betances is usually full and keeps a waiting list. Betances= before and after school program is for children who go to Betances School.

Capitol Child Development Center
450 Broad Street
240-0330

Capitol Child Development Center is open 7:30 to 5:30, and serves 74 children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Capitol Child Development Center also has a full day kindergarten program. Capitol Child Development Center charges $150 to $180 per week for full time care, and there will be a sliding scale for some preschoolers who are Hartford residents beginning in June 1998. Capitol Child Development Center is accredited. Capitol Child Development Center gives enrollment preference to state employees but not all families at the center are state employees. Generally Capitol Child Development Center has more openings during the summer months. It keeps a waiting list when it is full.

Capitol Community Technical College Lab School
61 Woodland Street
520-7803

The CCTC Lab School is usually open 8:30 to 4:30, but the hours can vary depending on the needs of the parents. The CCTC Lab School serves 20 children aged 3 years to 5 years, and costs $2 per hour for CCTC students, $3 per hour for CCTC staff, and $3.50 per hour for the general public. The CCTC Lab School is accredited. Preference is given first to CCTC students, then to CCTC staff, then to the general public. The CCTC Lab School is usually full and keeps a waiting list.

Cathedral Day Care
809 Asylum Ave
247-2851

Cathedral is open 6:30 to 5:30 and serves 72 children aged 12 months to 5 years. Cathedral charges $95 to $120 per week for full time care. No sliding scale or scholarship is available. Cathedral is going through the accreditation process and should be accredited some time during spring, 1998. Cathedral generally has more openings in the spring and summer, and keeps a waiting list when it is full.

City of Hartford Day Care Centers
543-8890

Clark Day Care
75 Clark Street

Fox Day Care
470 Maple Ave

Hyland Day Care
355 New Britain Ave

Infant Care Center
36 Coventry Street

King Day Care
296 Greenfield Street

Kinsella Day Care
65 Van Block Ave

Parkville Day Care
19 New Park Ave

Waverly Day Care
55 Waverly Street

The City of Hartford Day Care Centers are open 7:00 to 5:00, and serve 24 infants and toddlers at the Infant Care Center and 250 preschoolers (aged 3 years to 5 years) at the other sites. The City of Hartford Day Care Centers charge $8 to $98 per week for full time care for 3 and 4 year olds, $75 to $145 for full time infant care. There is a sliding fee scale. All the City of Hartford centers are accredited except for the King Day Care and the Infant Care Center. These two sites are going through the accreditation process in 1998. Parents must be Hartford residents and must be working full time or enrolled in a job training program. The City of Hartford centers are usually full and keep a waiting list. They generally have more openings in the summer.

Clay Hill
115 Bedford Street
251-6515

Clay Hill is open 7:30 to 5:30 and serves 15 children aged 3 to 5 years. Clay Hill charges $50 minimum per week for full time care, and there is a sliding fee scale. Clay Hill is not accredited. Clay Hill is usually full and keeps a waiting list.

Community Renewal Team Day Care Centers
520-1027

Creative Learning Center
255 Barbour Street
520-1052

Laurel Street Day Care
211 Laurel Street
520-1027

Dreamland Day Care
155 Wyllis Street
520-1037

CRT=s Day Care Centers are open 7:30 to 5:30 each day. Creative Learning serves children aged 6 months to 5 years, Laurel Street serves children aged 4 months to 2 years, and Dreamland serves children aged 4 weeks to 5 years. Together the three sites can care for 209 children. CRT charges $8 to $98 per week for full time care, and there is a sliding fee scale. All CRT=s centers will go through the accreditation process during the next several years. Parents must be Hartford residents and must be working full time or enrolled in a job training program. CRT=s centers are usually full and keep waiting lists.

Community Renewal Team School Readiness Extended Day/Extended Year Sites
520-1027 (As of 6/1/99, this number no longer in service)

CRT Douglas Street
170 Douglas Street
no phone yet

Sand School Head Start
1700 Main Street
527-5101

Martin Luther King Head Start
25 Ridgefield Street
525-9326

CRT provides ten hours of child care per day at three of its state-funded School Readiness sites. There are 17 three to five year old children at each site. CRT charges $8 to $98 per week for full time care, and there is a sliding fee scale. Parents must be Hartford residents and must be working full time or enrolled in a job training program. CRT=s centers are usually full and keep waiting lists. CRT may add an extended day to more of its School Readiness sites. Call Nancy Shapiro at 520-1027 for updated information.

Community Renewal Team Head Start/School Readiness Sites with Wraparound Child Care
280-0109

CRT Early Childhood Center
110 Huyshope Ave
520-1044

John Street Center
20 John Street
520-1022

The Heritage Child Development Center
175 Enfield Street
520-1032

T.D. Ritter Center
555 Windsor Street
280-3170

Institute of Living Center
17 Essex Street
520-1058

CRT has combined federal Head Start funding with state School Readiness funding to provide ten hours of child care per day at three of its Head Start sites. Families receive comprehensive Head Start services in addition to full day child care for 144 three to five year olds at these sites. All sites are open 7:30 to 5:30. CRT charges $8 to $98 per week for full time care, and there is a sliding fee scale. Parents must be Hartford residents and must be working full time or enrolled in a job training program. CRT=s centers are usually full and keep waiting lists. CRT may add wraparound child care to more of its Head Start/School Readiness sites. Call Mary Greta Wilson at 280-0109 for updated information. All CRT=s centers will go through the accreditation process during the next several years.

Hartford Hospital
126-130 Retreat Avenue
(infants and toddlers)
545-5353

400 Washington St.
(preschoolers)
545-7230

Hartford Hospital Child Center is open 6:45 to 5:15, and serves 46 children aged 8 weeks to 5 years. Hartford Hospital Child Center charges $124 to $150 per week for full time care. No sliding scale or scholarship is available. Hartford Hospital is accredited. Parents must be Hartford Hospital employees. Hartford Hospital is usually full and keeps a waiting list.

Hartford Neighborhood Center
38 Lawrence Street
251-6517

The Hartford Neighborhood Center is open 7:30 to 5:30 and serves 15 children aged 3 to 5 years. The Hartford Neighborhood Center charges $50 minimum per week for full time care. There is a sliding fee scale. The Hartford Neighborhood Center is not accredited. The Hartford Neighborhood Center is usually full, and keeps a waiting list.

Interdistrict Montessori School
121 Cornwall Street
522-0281

The Interdistrict Montessori School is open 7:30 to 5:30 and serves 139 children aged 3 years to 4th grade. The Interdistrict Montessori School charges $10 to $100 for full time care. There is a sliding fee scale. The Interdistrict Montessori School is not accredited. Each year a lottery is held to select the children who will be admitted to the school. The Interdistrict Montessori School does not have openings except at the beginning of the school year.

Little Owls Day Care
55 Forest Street
278-5920 ext. 339

Little Owls Day Care is open 7:30 to 4:00 MWF, and 7:30 to 5:00 TR. The center follows the Hartford Public School District=s schedule and is closed in summer and during other school vacations. Little Owls serves 40 children aged 3 months to 5 years, and charges $3750 per academic year for full time care. There is a sliding fee scale available. Parents who are students at Hartford Public High School do not pay, but work at the center instead. Little Owls is not accredited. Parents must be students at Hartford Public High, employees of the Hartford Public School District, or students or staff at the University of Hartford. Little Owls has openings.

Mount Olive Day Care Centers
549-4380

Central Baptist Day Care
457 Main Street

R. A. Battles Day Care
20 Battles Street

St. Monica Day Care
41 Mather Street

Stowe Village Day Care
122 Hampton Street

Warburton Day Care
420 Brookfield Street

Mount Olive Day Care Centers are open 7:00 to 5:00, except RA Battles, which is open 6:30 to 5:00. Central Baptist and RA Battles serve children aged 3 years to 5 years, including full day kindergarten. St. Monica and Warburton serve children aged 18 months to 5 years, and Stowe Village serves children aged 18 months to 3 years. Mount Olive Centers also provide care for school aged children after school, school vacation days and during the summer. Together the centers provide care for 347 children. Mount Olive charges $8 to $98 per week for full time care. There is a sliding fee scale based on family size and income. Mount Olive centers are usually full and maintain a waiting list. They generally have a few openings during the summer. Central Baptist and St. Monica=s are accredited. RA Battles, Stowe Village and Warburton will be accredited before the end of 1998.

New Dawn Day Care
66 Whitney Street
232-1788

New Dawn is open 7:00 to 5:30 and serves 60 children aged 3 to 5 years. New Dawn charges $70 to $90 per week for full time care, and there is a sliding fee scale. New Dawn will be going through the accreditation process in 1999. Children must be potty trained to attend. New Dawn can provide after school care, but does not pick children up at any school. New Dawn is usually full, and keeps a waiting list.

Nurture Nest Day Care
25 Cornwall Street
241-0314

Nurture Nest is open 6:30 to 5:00 and serves 80 children aged 18 months to 4 years. Nurture Nest charges $105 to $125 per week for full time care, and no sliding scale or scholarship is available. Nurture Nest is not accredited. Nurture Nest is usually full and keeps a waiting list.

Our Lady of Fatima Day Care
40 Fatima Square
233-8037

Our Lady of Fatima Day Care is open 7:00 to 5:00 and serves 50 children aged 4 months to 5 years. Our Lady of Fatima Day Care charges $8 to $170 for full time care. There is a sliding fee scale based on income and family size. Our Lady of Fatima is not accredited. Preference is given to Hartford residents. Our Lady of Fatima is usually full and keeps a waiting list.

Southend Community Child Care
680 Franklin Avenue
296-0366

Southend Community Child Care is open 7:00 to 5:30 and serves 40 children aged 3 years to 11 years. Southend Community Child Care charges $47 to $85 for full time care, and no sliding scale or scholarship is available. Southend CCC is accredited. Southend CCC=s before and after kindergarten program and its after school program are for children who attend Naylor School. Southend CCC is usually full and keeps a waiting list.

Small Wonders/Bright Horizons
135 High Street
240-4426

Small Wonders/Bright Horizons is open 7:00 to 5:30 and serves 61 children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Small Wonders/Bright Horizons charges $630 to $770 per month for full time care. Tuition assistance is available for families with lower incomes. Lower rates are also available for employees of Aetna, Mass Mutual and the state or federal government. Small Wonders/Bright Horizons is accredited. Small Wonders/Bright Horizons is usually full and keeps a waiting list.

St. Francis Hospital
137 Woodland Street
(infants and toddlers)
714-4692

129 Woodland Street
(preschoolers)
714-4659

St. Francis Hospital Child Center is open 6:30 to 5:30 and serves 50 children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. St. Francis Hospital Child Center charges $135 to $165 per week for full time care. No sliding scale or scholarship is available. St. Francis is accredited. Parents must be employees of St. Francis Hospital. St. Francis is usually full and keeps a waiting list.

Trinity College Community Child Center
300 Summit Street
297-2530

The Trinity College Community Child Center is open 7:30 to 5:30 and serves 130 children aged 6 weeks to 11 years. Trinity CCCC charges $55 to $185 per week for full time care, and there is a scholarship program for parents who work full time. Scholarship priority is given to Hartford residents. Trinity is accredited. Trinity=s before and after school programs will accept children from any school, but can only pick up children who attend Fox Elementary School and Kennelly School. Trinity is usually full, and keeps a waiting list.

Women=s League
1695 Main Street
524-5969

Women=s League is open 7:00 to 5:00 and serves 160 children aged 3 months to 12 years. There is a flat rate fee ($75 to $125 per week) for infants and toddlers, and a sliding fee scale ($55 to $100 per week) for 3 to 5 year olds. Parents must be working full time or enrolled in a job training program. Women=s League is accredited. The Women=s League before and after school program will accept children from any school, but can only pick up children who attend SAND Elementary School. Women=s League has a few openings and keeps a waiting list when they are full.

YWCA Child Care Center
814 Asylum Avenue
524-9117

The YWCA Child Care Center is open 7:00 to 5:00 and serves 30 children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. The YWCA Child Care Center charges $95 to $135 per week for full time care, and there is a sliding fee scale for working parents. YWCA is accredited. YWCA will have openings when it expands to two sites in April 1998. One site will be for infants and toddlers, and one site for preschoolers and older toddlers.