Daycare & Early Learning Academy Columbus Ohio

INFANT CARE

Infant Nursery School: 6 weeks to 18 months

At Advantage Early Learning Academy in South Columbus, children develop in ways that give them the comfort and confidence to grow and develop both cognitively and socially in a super fun and engaging way.

Your child’s exciting educational journey gets off to a strong start in the Advantage infant room. Research tells us that the brain develops more in the first three years of life than at any other point in human development. Each moment is intentionally planned in Advantage’s infant child care program to ensure your baby makes the most of this period of rapid cognitive, emotional, and physical growth.

It is our priority to establish a supportive partnership with you as you leave your baby in our care. All of our infant programs are designed to make the transition between home and school seamless and enjoyable for the whole family. Individualized schedules, nurturing primary caregivers, and safe classrooms will ensure your infant’s days are fun and enriching.

While our infants are awake, they participate in active learning activities and are exposed to books and age appropriate toys in order to engage their minds. They get fresh air in our baby swings or play on blankets in the grass, and they can even participate in music enrichment sessions with their teachers...what baby doesn’t like shaking a maraca?

We have three infant rooms with one dedicated teacher to every four infants.

TODDLER CARE

Toddler Early Learning Program: 19 months to 2.9 years

Your toddler is going to change from a baby to a preschooler in a short amount of time. He/she is becoming a unique individual, gaining and asserting independence through milestones such as first steps, first words, drinking out of a cup, and potty-training. Advantage is your partner in supporting this exciting time of growth.

Our passionate and energetic teachers will provide your toddler with a consistent routine and schedule, filled with exploration and introduction to new experiences. Regardless of their developmental stage, each day will be filled with books, laughter, building self-sufficiency, and creative learning.

Should be a ratio of 1:7, one teacher for every seven children.

• Our Toddler Care Program Features:
• A perfect balance of nurturing, creative play, and age-appropriate learning each day;
• Daily group activities that help boost your child's social skills;
• Regular teacher-family communication, including daily updates to keep you informed;
• Themed units that provide a variety of daily experiences;
• Learning areas focused on dramatic play, mathematics, creative arts, language development, and sensory exploration.
• Age-appropriate activities and materials that develop confidence, self-esteem, and a love of learning.

PRESCHOOL EDUCATION

Preschool Learning Program: 3 years to 4 years

As a preschooler, your child is capable of increasingly complex tasks, learning, and thinking. Curriculum in our preschool program includes theme-based units that incorporate language, pre-reading, pre-writing, math, science, social studies, creative arts, motor skills, and social development in hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities.

Our research-based, themed curriculum is individualized for children ages 3 and 4. Passionate educators plan daily, customized small-group "Center" activities, so that children can learn at their own developmental and age-appropriate pace even in mixed-age groups.

All activities are linked to the developmentally appropriate practices of the Creative Teaching Strategies Curriculum, the Ohio Early Learning Developmental Standards, the National Reading Panel and National Early Literacy Panel’s recommendations for early literacy.

We have four preschool education rooms with a lead teacher and an assistant. Preschoolers participate in our inclusive weekly enrichment classes including yoga, music, and dance.

Our Pre-School Education Program Features:

• Hands-on experiences chosen to boost math and science skills;
• Daily small and large-group learning activities;
• Themed units that encourage your child's curiosity, increase confidence, and support self-directed activities;
• Portfolios that document growth and development through your preschooler's work; and
• Observation-based assessments that track your child's progress toward developmental milestones and kindergarten readiness.

SCHOOL AGE CHILDCARE

Before & After School Care Hours: 6:00 AM-8:45 AM & 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM

At Advantage Early Learning Academy, we are committed to creating a warm, welcoming place for your child to connect with the community, access homework support, and receive healthy breakfasts and snacks prepared by our cook. Developed specifically for elementary school-age students, we provide activities suitable for your child’s age group in a safe and secure environment that allows kids to be kids!

Spring, Summer, and Winter Break Programs

When public schools are on break, we've got you covered. Our action packed vacation weeks and summer camp programs keep your child engaged, smiling, and feeling secure all day. Your child will have enriching experiences that spark their creative imaginations, and inspire them to learn through play. Our camps offer a wide variety of activities to keep campers from getting, well...bored!

• Field Trips
• Arts & Crafts
• Outside Play & Exploration
• Hands-on Science & Engineering
• Technology Corner & more!

SUMMER EXPLORERS PROGRAM

Ages: 5-12 Years

Child Care Hours: 6:00 am- 6:00 pm

Tinkering, engineering, designing, creating and problem solving. A Summer worth exploring!
With robust and engaging enrichment choices like slime science, athletics, creative arts, engineering, computer gaming, handicrafts, and more, there is no shortage of fun and your child will have during our Summer Explorers Program. Children are given the freedom to explore their unique interests, while being encouraged to relate new knowledge to the curriculum they studied during the school year.

• Weekly Field Trips
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack included
• Splash Pad & End of Summer Cookout

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Navigating childcare expenses can be challenging, but there are several assistance programs available to help families in Ohio. Here's a simple guide to understanding and accessing these valuable resources.

Child Care Financial Assistance (Vouchers, Certificates, or Subsidies)

Financial help is within reach for parents who are working, studying, or training. Federal funds are distributed to states and territories to assist low-income families with childcare costs. Eligibility varies, so it's important to check the specifics for Ohio. Get started by visiting Childcare.gov and selecting Ohio to discover local assistance options.

State-Funded Prekindergarten

For children aged 3 to 5, state-funded prekindergarten programs can set the stage for future learning success. Depending on your location and eligibility, these programs may be free or low-cost, with options for part-day or full-day attendance. Discover if your family qualifies by visiting the Ohio section under "Child Development and Early Learning" on Childcare.gov.

Military Child Care Financial Assistance Programs

Serving in the military comes with unique challenges, and child care shouldn't be one of them. Military families across all duty stations have access to financial aid programs for childcare needs. For detailed information, visit the MilitaryChildCare.com website.

Local Childcare Assistance and Discounts

Don't overlook the support right in your community. Local nonprofits and childcare providers often have scholarships or fee assistance available. Additionally, some providers offer discounts for siblings. When you're choosing a childcare provider, it's always worth asking about any financial aid or discount programs they may offer.

Ohio Department of Job & Family Services

The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS) is dedicated to uplifting working families by offering a suite of services and resources focused on fostering the early development, health, safety, and overall well-being of children. They also provide financial aid to qualifying parents to support childcare expenses during their employment, education, or job training activities.

To find out how you can apply, click here.

Publicly Funded Child Care: Franklin County Board of Commissioners Job & Family Services

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners Job & Family Services’ Publicly Funded Child Care program (PFCC) assists qualified families with childcare expenses for children under 13 years old and those with disabilities up to 18 years old. Eligibility depends on family size and income, which must not exceed 145% of the federal poverty level. A sliding scale co-payment may apply.

Eligibility criteria are revised annually in September. For current income standards, please click here.

At Advantage Early Learning Academy, we understand childcare costs are a considerable part of any family's budget, but with these assistance programs, the burden can be lightened. Be sure to explore all these options to find the support that best fits your family's needs. Remember, investing in your child's early years is invaluable, and there are resources that can help make it possible.