Finding the right stranger to entrust your child to is, a complicated, anxiety producing business.
How do you find a childcare center that fits your needs and provides peace of mind? Which centers are open early or late enough or offer a discount for a future sibling? And how can you arrange transportation for your older child’s trip to elementary school?
In the context of the current economy, child care has become more complex. Parents of younger families, who are both working, and whose children are in elementary school, before-and-after school care is an integral part of daily life.
But given the right resources, the search need not be difficult. Fortunately, Carroll County offers many childcare providers, including some within schools. Here is a helpful list:
ABC Care, Inc.
(Eleven locations in Carroll County)
Email: abccare@abccareinc.com
Website: www.abccareinc.com
Services: Daily rates, no registration fees for full time (five days before and after school care), drop-in care ($40 per day), all teachers in MD and PA receive 35 percent discount. Most locations are members of the National After School Association.
Calvary United Methodist Church
3939 Gamber Road, Finksburg, MD 21048
410-795-3696
Serving K-2 Mechanicsville Elementary school age children
Hours: 3:10 p.m.- 6 p.m.
(Morning care provided at Mechanicsville Elementary)
Eldersburg Elementary School
1021 Johnsville Road Eldersburg, MD 21784
410-795-6110
Hours: 6:45 a.m. until school begins, 3:35 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Linton Springs Elementary School
375 Ronsdale Road, Sykesville, MD 21784
410-549-7750
Hours: 6:45 a.m. until school begins, 2:10 p.m.- 6 p.m.
Parrs Ridge Elementary School
202 Watersville Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771
301-829-3840
Serving grades K-2
Hours: 6:45 a.m. until school begins, 3 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Westminster Elementary School
811 Uniontown Road, Westminster, MD 21158
410-848-8702
Hours: 6:45 until school begins, 3 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Carroll Lutheran School
1738 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster, MD 21158
410-751-9093
Hours: 6:45 a.m. until school begins, 3:30 p.m.- 6:15 p.m.
Friendship Valley Elementary School
1100 Gist Road, Westminster, MD 21157
410-857-1332
Hours: 6:45 a.m.until school begins, 2:10 p.m.-6 p.m.
Mechanicsville Elementary School
3838 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, MD 21784
410-549-0742
Hours: 6:45 a.m. until school begins, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Piney Ridge Elementary School
6315 Freedom Avenue, Sykesville, MD 21784
410-795-0731
Serving Piney Ridge Elementary and Sykesville Middle School
Hours: 6:45 a.m. until school begins, 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
St. John Catholic School
45 Monroe Street, Westminster, MD 21157
410-857-3984
Serving St. Johns, Faith Christian, West Middle and William Winchester families
Hours: 6:45 a.m. until school begins, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Winfield Elementary School
4401 Salem Bottom Road, Westminster, MD 21157
410-635-6985
Hours: 6:30 a.m. until school begins, dismissal until 6:15 p.m.
All About Kids Learning
601-C Old Liberty Road, Eldersburg, MD 21784
Bridget Roberts, 410-795-7802
Email: bridgetroberts417@msn.com
Age/Grades: PreK – 12 years
Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Services: Transportation provided from Eldersburg, Piney Ridge, Linton, and Freedom Elementary schools. 10 percent off second child
Celebree Learning Center
(Five locations in Carroll County)
Website: www.celebree.com
Grades: K-5
Hours: 6:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Services: Transportation provided to and from local elementary schools.
Eldersburg
5300 Georgetown Blvd., Suite 134, Eldersburg, MD 21784
Stan Whiteman, 410-552-5620, Email: eldersburg@celebree.com
Hampstead
2323 Hanover Pike, Hampstead, MD 21074
Marie Barnes, 410-374-5026, Email: hampstead@celebree.com
Mt. Airy
421 Ridgeville Blvd, Mt. Airy, MD 21771
Joanne Tracey, 301-829-6804, Email: mtairy@celebree.com
Westminster, Tech Court
1235 Tech Court, Westminster, MD 21157
Nicole Church, 410-386-0601, Email: techcourt@celebree.com
Westminster, College Square Shopping Center
444 WMC Dr, Suite 120, Westminster, MD 21158
Mariah Shifman, 410-871-1334, Email: westminster@celebree.com
The Goddard School
6300 Goddard Park Drive, Eldersburg, MD 21784
Alec Yeo, 410-549-8822
Email: eldersburgmd@goddardschool.com
Website: www.goddardschool.com
Ages/Grades: PreK- 12 years
Hours: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Services: Transportation provided to and from all local elementary schools, including Winfield, Parrs Ridge and Mt. Airy Elementary.
Little People Day Care
4229 North Wood Trail, Hampstead, MD 21074
Cindy Little, 410-374-6106
Ages/Grades: PreK – 15 years
Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Services: Bus transportation to Spring Garden Elementary School. Transportation provided to Hampstead, Manchester and Ebb Valley Elementary School. Sibling discounts.
Little People’s Place
604 Johahn Drive, Westminster, MD 21158
Mary Burke, 410-848-0834
Email: littlepeoplesplace@comcast.net
Website: www.littlepeoplesplace.net
Ages: 2-10 years
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Services: Transportation provided to and from Westminster, Cranberry Station, William Winchester Elementary schools, St. John Catholic School and North Carroll Community School.
Rhymes and Reasons Child Development Center
730 Old Liberty Road, Eldersburg, MD 21784
Noi Sinerley, 410-549-0502 or 410-549-4661
Email: rhymesreasons@verizon.net
Website: www.rhymesreasons.com
Ages 2-12 years
Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Services: Free transportation to and from elementary schools: Piney Ridge, Linton Springs, Eldersburg, Winfield, Freedom and Carrolltowne Elementary schools. Open even when public schools are closed, expanded programs available all summer.
Shiloh Stepping Stones Child Care Center
3459 Shiloh Road, Hampstead, MD 21074
Ruth Loveless, 410-239-9349
Email: shilohsteppingstones@verizon.net
Ages/Grades: PreK – 10 years
Hours: 7 a.m.. – 6 p.m.
Services: Family discounts for more than one child, country setting, transport to Hampstead Elementary.
Sprouts Childcare Center of Westminster
2502 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD 21158
Laurie Tucker, 410-346-8008
Email: sprouts2003@aol.com
Website: www.sproutsofwestminster.com
Ages/Grades: PreK – 10 years
Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Services: Sibling discount, transportation to Charles Carroll Elementary School.
Stepping Stones
7300 Spout Hill Road, Eldersburg, MD 21784
Nancy Diefenbach, 410-549-6585
Email: ssteppingup@aol.com
Website: www.asteppingstonechild.com
Ages/Grades: PreK – 9 years
Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Services: Sibling discount, bus transportation to and from local elementary schools.
Y Journeys: Enrichment Before & After
Carroll County Y Family Center
2103 Sykesville Road, Westminster, MD 21157
410-875-9622
Keri Slemp, 410-848-3660
Email: kerislemp@ymarlyand.org
Hours: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Services: Also available in Carrolltowne Elementary, Cranberry Station Elementary, Elmer Wolfe Elementary, Friendship Valley Elementary at Westminster Baptist Church, Mechanicsville Elementary at Westminster Baptist Church, Oklahoma Road Middle, Robert Road Middle, Robert Moten Elementary, Runnymede Elementary, and William Winchester Elementary. Financial Assistance available and transportation provided from some locations.
Sunshine Kids Club
175 Klee Mill Road, Sykesville, Maryland 21784
410-549-0844
Grades: K – 8
Hours: 6:30 -9 a.m., 2:45-6:30 p.m.
Services: Provides full day care on days when schools are closed, sibling discount 10%, early dismissal and delayed openings, drop-in care, transportation provided to Carrolltowne, Linton Springs, Piney Ridge, Freedom, Eldersburg, Mechanicsville, Winfield & Mt. Airy Elementary, and Sykesville, Oklahoma Road & Mt. Airy Middle Schools.
Wee Care Best
(Two locations in Carroll County)
Website: www.weecarebest.com
Ages 6 weeks – 12 years
Hours: 6:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Services: Transportation to area schools. Staff is CPR and first aid-trained personnel. Certified in Maryland Model for School Readiness
Finksburg
2893 Baltimore Boulevard, Finksburg, MD 21048
Jody McKennie, 410-883-1155 , Email: jmwcb23@hotmail.com
Hampstead
1430 North Main Street, Hampstead, MD 21074
Stacy Dutterer, 410-239-3711, Email: weecarebest@yahoo.com
