Hello! My family is moving to Lakeland in April and I am searching for a great full-time daycare for my two-year old son. Can anyone make any recommendations for us? We'd like something close to downtown Lakeland but are willing to branch out further for a great place! Thanks!

Now, it's been many years, approximately 15 years actually, since my oldest was in daycare for about a year or so, but her experience at ...

LA PETITE ACADEMY
1940 GLENDALE STREET
Lakeland, 33813

was a good as any I've heard. I loved her teachers there, they were exceptional with her. And I had no problems during her stay there. Now, it's been a lot of years, and I don't know, things could have changed a lot, but it's definitely one I'd say to check in to. Hope this helps.

NewLakelandMom, thank you for your post and making of a new thread. We are in soft launch right now, and not many moms know about the site as of yet. Hold tight and we should have more moms on the way soon. Then, I hope that you will get multiple offers of advice. . Congrats on coming to Polk County!

I have had a great experience with Bright Imaginations off of Old 37. My son was there from 8months to a year and a half, but had to be pulled out because he was biting everyone.

They are a little expensive, but so worth it. Good luck trying to get in, the waiting list is a mile long. In the meantime, I have my two yr old at the Montessori Preschool and so far he likes it. Monday was his first day, so I will have to let you know how I continue to like it.

I'm going through the whole problem of finding a daycare cold too...have you gone to the Florida DCF website yet. They license the daycares and have the inspection reports online. http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/

Click on provider search and it can start giving you ideas of places to check out when you get here. You can also start to gather price and location information now. Good luck

Gloria, thank you for supplying that information. I was planning on hunting down that link and starting a new forum with it in future. You saved me the trouble, thank you!

Hello New Lakeland Mom- I am a mother of three, ages 5 yrs, 4 yrs and 20 months. My 4 yrae old and 20 month old have gone to Small Wonders preschool which is located at the church I attend. I have been happy there. I have heard great things about Covenant Presbyterian child development center, Montesorri preschool and if you want close to downtown there is the Methodist church around Lake Morton but have not heard much about it. Let me know if you need any other information. I have lived in Lakeland for 20 years and I am very familiar with the area.

My 23-month old son currently goes to La Petite Academy. He's been attending La Petite since August 2007. All the teachers (even the teachers of the older children) know my son by name. I was a SAHM before he went to daycare, and they helped ME adjust being away from him. I can always call and check on him.

The daycare on Lake Morton is the First United Methodist Church. We really did our home work prior to taking our son there. They conduct thorough background checks, and are very proactive with law enforcement and DCF. Once he began to walk, there was a brief period of very detailed accident reports - always due to him just being a young toddler. They would call and then provide a copy, for infants they provided a daily activity log of developmental progress/activities. We both stopped by unannounced often and never experienced any concerns. Julia (director) was always upfront and honest - especially during the biting phase (not sure what was worse, when he was on the receiving end or did it a few times himself) Very clean with dedicated people. Our son is in a pre-K program now, but we would not have picked another daycare. His infant teacher became his babysitter a few times. Worth a walk through,

I had three of my children in daycare in Lakeland for several years altogether. I call those years the "daycare blues". The very best place I ever left my children was Covenant Presbyterian Child Development Center (the big church behind Steak n Shake on S Florida). Most of the teachers have been there for several years. Some were there when my now-21-year-old was attending (17 years ago. They have a woman who comes in and prepares fresh hot meals for the children everyday, and the kids eat in a "lunchroom area". Everything is structured just like school. They have art classes on specific days/times, and teach age-appropriate lessons, including manners and loving each other. My children who attended were always ahead of the other kids their age. The place is VERY clean (including the bathrooms), and the price is no higher than the average going price in this area. The child must be potty trained to attend. 863-646-6531

I take my son to Scott Lake Christian Pre School. He is a year and a half and he loves it. I never worry about his safety and I know he is being well taken care of. Their # is 863/648-2383.

I am the owner of a Preschool and was in agreement with the issue of knowing your child is safe. We are proud to know that some parents believe in us and know that there is good care for children away from home. We are gearing up for our summer program and will be offering a contnental breakfast to parents to stop in and visit to see what we have to offer.

MY SON HAS BEEN IN FIRST BAPTIST CHILDCARE IN LAKELAND OFF MEMORIAL BLVD. I LOVE IT. THEY HAVE A CODE ENTRY AND THEY ARE VERY CLEAN. MY SON HAS BEEN THERE SINCE HE WAS BORN AND HE IS 11 MONTHS. IT RUNS 110 WEEKLY FOR INFANTS BUT I AM NOT SURE FOR 2 YR OLDS.

My son and daughter both go to Small Wonders at Highland Park Church of the Nazarene. It is very clean and the teachers take such good care of my children. My son was going through a very hard terrible two's time and they worked out a plan by my request to help him with his behavior issues. I know the waiting list is long, but they have opened some new classes in the last year.

My son goes to PCH (Pres. Church at the Highlands). It just opened the end of last year....LOVE IT!