There are right around 2,700 children under the age of 5 living and growing in Limestone County. That means that there are a lot of parents out there who are trying to navigate the sometimes complicated world of child care.

There are in-home daycares, privately owned facilities and church-based operations. Some are full day, others are half day, and some, like First Baptist of Athens, offer both full-time and part-time options. Many are licensed by the Department of Human Resources, but not all. Most provide children with a combination of age-appropriate learning opportunities and free play, while some, like Little Tots in Athens, are recognized as a rigorous half-day preschool program.

According to DHR, there are two ways day care centers operate in the state of Alabama — licensed or license-exempt. Church-affiliated child care centers and providers who care for children for four hours or less per day are generally exempt from DHR’s licensing requirements.

First Baptist of Athens is one of the only church-affiliated full-time day cares in the area. Providing care to children ages 6 weeks to 4 years, Director June Grantham said that they are not licensed by DHR but go out of their way to exceed DHR’s licensing requirements.

Child care and the law

DHR-licensed facilities currently are required to undergo annual inspections and must meet minimum health and safety standards, including criminal background checks and CPR training for staff, minimum staff-to-child ratios and facility upkeep, such as regular cleaning and maintenance of equipment.

Grantham said she requires all of her staff to undergo criminal background checks and CPR certification. She adds her staff-to-child ratios are usually significantly lower than the state’s standards.

Offering a faith-based curriculum that encourages learning and development, Grantham said the children who graduate from First Baptist’s Weekday Early Education program are well-prepared for kindergarten and elementary school. FBC’s part-time program follows the Athens City Schools calendar, while their full-time program runs year-round.

Registration for the 2018-2019 school year begins March 1. For more information, contact Grantham at 256-431-5860.

Half-day child care

In addition to the half-day program at FBC, several other churches in the area offer part-time, or what is often referred to as “Mommy’s Morning Out,” programs.

Lindsay Lane Baptist calls their MMO program, “Little Lane.”

Open to children 8 weeks through K4, parents can chose to send their child two, three or five days per week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Program Director Rhonda Carter said students at Little Lane are cared for in an environment that fosters “academic, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development.”

“We believe in love, learning and laughter,” Carter said.

Fall registration for this program begins in mid-February. For more information, contact Carter at 256-232-1102 or Rhonda@lindsaylane.org.

Nestled in downtown Athens, First United Methodist also offers a half-day MMO that, according to their website, promotes a learning environment where children develop and maintain a positive self-image. Offering art and music enrichment classes, Director Susan Fikes believes children learn best by doing.

Like the Lindsay Lane program, First UMC offers two-, three- and five-day options. Registration for the fall semester has already begun. Contact Fikes at 256-232-9996 for more information.

Little Tots Preschool is another option for parents exploring the half-day option. Owned by Mandy Marks, Little Tots is one of the only part-time programs in the area not affiliated with a church.

Marks describes her center as a “true preschool” based on the “We Learn” curriculum.

Open to students ages 3 and 4 (as long as they are potty trained), registration for the two-, three- or five-day program began Feb. 8. Contact Marks for more information at 256-230-6060.

Full-day child care

Although half-day programs continue to grow and find their place in the community, many parents find that full-time child care is their only option. Limestone County offers these parents several options, including Kid’s Journey Child Development Center. The center includes an after-school, holiday and summer program for children up to 12. Enrollment in their full-time daycare is open to children as young at 6 weeks, but only the 3- and 4-year-old class currently has openings.

Director Donna Beaty said that her center is licensed by DHR, but she strives to exceed those standards by providing additional staff training, better teacher-to-child ratios and more equipment for the children.

Over the last few years, Beaty said she has noticed a surge in the number of parents demanding high-quality child care that prepares children for the rigors of kindergarten and beyond. Children at Kid’s Journey start working with a theme-based curriculum when they turn 2. Their days are filled with calendar time, counting, music, movement, sign language and art. As they grow, teachers begin to introduce them to more advanced concepts, such as writing their names and sight words.

“People are looking for day cares that incorporate quality education into their daily schedule,” she said. “Over the years, we have had many parents tell us how well their child was prepared for school after going through our program.”

Beaty said the best way to register is to do so in person. The center is located at 1105 Annie Ruth Jamar St. in Athens.