Increasing Access to Quality Early Childhood Education
Delaware County currently exhibits the 2nd highest cost of childcare in the state. At an average of $10,731 each year, it is more expensive to send a child to high-quality childcare than to pay for one student’s annual tuition at Ball State University.
Studies show that quality early childcare builds the foundation of a child’s success later in life—even through adulthood. BY5 is dedicated to providing opportunities for affordable, high-quality childcare to all children in Delaware County under the age of 6.
With these rising childcare costs in Delaware County, there’s an evident need for affordable, high-quality childcare in the community. That’s where On My Way Pre-K comes in. The state-funded program provides free pre-school education to eligible 4-year-olds in Indiana
Delaware County’s On My Way Pre-K Providers
Delaware County’s On My Way Pre-K program currently boasts 31 diverse childcare providers, including childcare centers, home daycares, and five elementary schools in Muncie. Having a wide variety of sites allows families to choose the pre-school education program that best fits their needs and desires.
All of these childcare providers are ranked as Paths to QUALITY Level 3 or Level 4 care centers. Paths to QUALITY is a statewide ranking system of early childhood care and education programs, with Levels 3 and 4 being the highest possible rankings a center can earn—Level 4 programs even receive national accreditation. Since 2014, the number of Level 3 and 4 programs in Delaware County has more than doubled, and BY5 hopes to see that amount continue to grow.
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Grissom Elementary School
GT Kids Daycare & Preschool
Inspire Academy - A School of Inquiry
Kidz Club Learning Center
New Beginnings Day Care
South View Elementary
Tee Trudy's Rainbow Palace
Woodside Child Care Home, LLC
Cardinal Clubhouse Inc.
Countryside Child Care Center L.L.C.
Hazelwood Christian Preschool
Precious Hearts Development Center
Cardinal Clubhouse Inc.
Little Gems
North View Elementary School
Teddy Bear Child Care, LLC
Wee Walkers Child Care Center
West View Elementary School
Destiny Christian Academy-Central
East Washington Academy Preschool
Wes-Del Preschool
Destiny Christian Academy
Little Bloomers
Natty's Treehouse Childcare
Kaleidoscope Kids
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Huffer Memorial Children's Center, Inc.
Huffer/Longfellow Pre-School
Transition Resources Corporation Head Start
Kinder Care Learning Center #571
Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center
United Day Care Center of Delaware County., Inc.
Precious Little Angels
Wee Wisdom Nursery School and Child Care Center, Inc.
BY5 has been Delaware County’s lead agency for On My Way Pre-K since January 2018. By working closely with partner organizations throughout the community, BY5 has been able to provide free pre-school to more than 95 kids in Delaware County.
