Childcare

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Nothing’s More Important Than Your Children (Our Children).

Few decisions are more important and more meaningful to families than childcare. In St. Joseph, you’ll find many choices, styles and flexible options for childcare to suit your work/life balance and your family’s priorities. We are very intentional when we say our children are our future, and it’s evident across resources like Success by Six, Parents as Teachers, Head Start and St. Joseph School District Early Learning programs.

QUALITY OPTIONS

As you consider your family’s next steps for your career or your education, let our quality, licensed childcare providers come alongside you. Choices include La Petite Academy, KinderCare,the YWCA Discovery Childcare, One Step Ahead and the St. Joseph School District Early Childhood program, among others. Children with special needs attend programs alongside typically-developing children at UCP of Northwest Missouri. Training and top-notch skill development are also a priority. A long-standing community resource, the United Way Success By 6® initiative works to strengthen quality early childcare and education in the community. Success by 6® offers scholarships for employees of participating local childcare centers to pursue degrees in early childhood education. The initiative also coordinates a network for directors of early care and education to provide training on a variety of management and leadership topics related to quality childcare.

Learn more about the options available and find links here.

FAITH-BASED CHILDCARE

Looking for childcare that provides faith-based lessons and curriculum throughout the day? You’ll find several full and part-time choices in St. Joseph — with many offering licensed teachers and several years of success and experience. This list includes St. Paul Lutheran School and Childcare; Wyatt Park Christian Preschool and Parents Day Out; Cathedral of St. Joseph; McCarthy Baptist Church childcare; Ashland United Methodist Church Parents Day Out; and St. Joseph Christian School preschool.

PAYMENT FLEXIBILITY

For families choosing to return to education or employment, flexible payment options offer childcare for every season of life. Financial assistance is available at programs including YWCA Discovery Childcare, the YMCA and InterServ. Many programs offer quality childcare or preschool at no charge to qualifying families, including Head Start, Early Head Start and the St. Joseph School District early childhood services.

When I moved my daughter from a small town daycare to St. Joseph Cathedral’s Early Childcare Center it was like I could see a light bulb going off. She stopped being bored and her comprehension accelerated, plus the staff truly cares about all the kids. I know she’s safe, sound and growing smarter every day.

Kristi Bailey, Director of Communications & Marketing, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce