Here is a directory of the licensed child care centers in downtown and on the Southbank. Basic information such as cost, security precautions, activities for children, the number on staff and curriculum options were considered. The facilities are listed in alphabetical order.
Chappell Schools
101 W. State St. at FCCJ 632-3122
General
Located at Florida Community College at Jacksonville’s Downtown Campus, the facility provides before and after school care for children, including those with special needs, aged 12 months to 5 years. Parents can register any time. Bring your child’s physical immunization records. Hours 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Security
A contact list is prepared by the parent in which only certain people are allowed to pick up the child. In case of emergencies, the staff has a panic button to call a security guard.
Adult/child ratio
The four-person staff can accommodate up to 45 children in three different classrooms at any one time.
Learning opportunities
The school places an emphasis on the fine arts and provides computer labs for preschoolers. There is also physical education, foreign language and decorum classes.
Cost
Fees are priced by age on a full-time, part-time or drop-in (hourly) basis. No contracts are required. Prices range from $85 to $110 a week. Cash, checks, credit cards and vouchers are accepted. Although Chappell is not affiliated with FCCJ, students do receive a discount. Corporate contracts are available.
Amenities
Breakfast, catered lunch and afternoon snacks are served. They also have an outside playground, which is constantly supervised, and camps in the summer.
Other
Chappell is in the process of being certified by the NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children. They are also the official child care provider for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Community Connections
325 E. Duval St. 354-6681
General
Located at the corner of Duval and Liberty streets, the facility is in the same building with a transitional housing center for women and children. Open to the public, they accept children aged 6 weeks to 13 years, including those with special needs when their child-to- faculty ratio permits. Before and after school care is available for children in kindergarten through age 13. Full day programs are offered for younger children. Parents can register any time. Hours are Monday through Friday 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Security
The building’s entrance features security doors and is monitored by a guard for those dropping off and picking up children. Anyone picking up a child who is not familiar to the caregivers must be pre-authorized by the parent and show valid ID.
Adult/child ratio
The 15-person staff can accommodate up to 150 children at any one time.
Learning opportunities
ELLM — Early Learning and Literacy Model — is the curriculum they use. It places heavy emphasis on literacy skills. School age children can receive tutoring and the younger children can participate in Project Preschool in conjunction with the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art. Preschoolers in this program visit JMoMA every other week to learn about art and how to use various mediums. Character Counts, which teaches children about ethics, is offered in the summer.
Cost
Prices range from $32.50 to $105 a week. Drop-in rates are $4 an hour. Cash, checks, money orders, vouchers and Title 20 certificates are accepted.
Amenities
Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack are included in the price. They also have three outside playgrounds under constant supervision which are separated out by ages. Summer camps and holiday camps are also available. For parents, there is a lending library where they can check out the books their children are reading.
Other
All of their staff has first aid training and all of the full-time workers are CPR certified. Five of the teachers have their Child Development Associates’ certificate and three of them have director’s credentials. The children’s services coordinator is an advanced level director and holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences.
Family Partners Child Development Center
1301 Riverplace Blvd. 399-1009
General
Located in Riverplace Tower on the Southbank, the center takes children aged 6 to 8 weeks up to 4 years old, including those with special needs. Hours 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Security
A contact list is prepared by the parent in which only certain people are allowed to pick up the child. Both front and back doors are locked; visitors to the center must be buzzed in. Visitors must also sign in. If new to the staff, they must produce ID to be able to leave with the child.
Adult/child ratio
The 24-person staff can accommodate up to 100 children at any one time.
Learning opportunities
Regular curriculum is High Reach. They also have infant and toddler developmental programs and computer introduction. K-4 groups have field trips throughout the year.
Cost
Prices range from $134 to $101 a week according to age. No daily rates. Cash, checks, credit cards, money orders and vouchers are accepted.
Amenities
The fenced-in playground is constantly supervised. Hot lunches and snacks are included. Breakfast is $1.
Little Scholars Day Care
& Learning Center
484 Riverside Ave. 356-0109
General
Situated near the Blue Cross Blue Shield building in Riverside, the center accepts children six weeks to five years old for before and after school care, including those with a limited amount of special needs. Parents can register their children any time. Hours 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Security
A contact list is prepared by the parent in advance, designating certain people who are allowed to pick up the child. If the staff is not familiar with a person on the list picking up the child, they will ask for identification. Additions can be made by the parent, but only in person, not by phone.
Adult/child ratio
The staff can accommodate up to 92 children at any one time. They have 10 caregivers working, but are currently short-staffed.
Learning opportunities
The center uses the Duval County School Board curriculum for three-year-olds and up. Phonics are emphasized.
Cost
Fees are priced by age on a weekly basis only. Prices range from $100 to $120 a week. Cash, checks and vouchers are accepted.
Amenities
Two hot meals and two snacks are served. They also have an outside playground playground under constant supervision, arts & crafts, field trips and summer camps.
Salvation Army Child
Care Development Center
328 N. Ocean St. 353-0971
General
The facility provides before and after school care for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years, including some with special needs but it depends on the particular circumstance. Membership is not required; they are open to everyone. Hours 6:30 a.m.-6:15 p.m.
Security
Only parents are allowed to pick up children. A security code is needed at the door to get in.
Adult/child ratio
The 14-person staff can accommodate up to 125 children at any one time.
Learning opportunities
The center uses the Episcopal Children’s Services accredited curriculum and ELLM.
Cost
Fees are priced by the child’s age on a weekly basis only. Prices range from $70 to $115 a week. Cash, checks, money orders and vouchers are accepted. Sibling discounts are offered.
Amenities
Hot lunches, morning and afternoon snacks are served. They also have an outside playground, which is constantly supervised, summer camps, field trips and an off-site swimming pool.
Other
Kid Watch live Internet viewing of children at the center is available for parents.
Success Express Early Childhood Center
521 W. Ashley St. 359-5636
General
The center provides care for children, including those with special needs, aged 6 weeks to 5 years. They are open year-round, except for national holidays, to all children. Hours 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Security
A contact list, prepared by the parent, must be on file in order for someone else to pick up the child, even if the person is known to the child. Photo identification is required.
Adult/child ratio
The 8-person staff is licensed to handle 60 children at any one time.
Learning opportunities
A Beka Books, a faith-based curriculum, is used in addition to other educational supplements.
Cost
Fees are priced by age on a monthly, two-day or drop-in (unscheduled) basis. Prices range from $80 to $120 a week, depending on the age of the child. Checks, money orders, cashier’s checks and vouchers are accepted.
Amenities
Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack are served in accordance with the USDA nutrition program. They also have two outdoor playgrounds, which are constantly supervised, and field trips.
Note: St. Johns Cathedral School and Early Learning Center is scheduled to open Sept. 8 at Duval and Market streets. It will have a capacity of 100 children.
— by Monica Tsai