Preschools & Day Care in Decatur, AL

Preschools and day care centers in Decatur draw families from more than one county. This page carries 20 businesses: 16 in Morgan County, 3 in Lawrence County and 1 in Limestone County. Moulton and Trinity bring in the Lawrence County side, Tanner brings in the Limestone County side, and the rest sit in Decatur itself. A parent comparing options here is often weighing a short drive across a county line as much as a choice between neighborhoods.

Church-run programs shape much of the local trade. St Paul's Lutheran Church & Preschool is a ministry of a congregation that has served children and families for 30 years, with extended care that adds hours before and after core preschool time and on Fridays, plus a summer camp. First Grace Child Development Center runs through Decatur First United Methodist Church in downtown Decatur and cares for children from 6 weeks to 4 years, with a theme-based curriculum that includes faith formation, math and science, and healthy meals. Central Park Baptist Childcare Center works from a Christian mission, and Legacy Kids Preschool is a Christ-centered learning center for babies through PreK that uses the Abeka curriculum.

Alabama lets a preschool that is an integral part of a local church ministry operate without a DHR license when it meets the exemption requirements in Alabama Code 38-7-3. In practice that means a church ministry and a licensed center can both be on the same parent's shortlist in Decatur, and the church programs above are part of that mix.

Featured preschools and day care centers in Decatur

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Best preschools and day care centers in Decatur

Review histories run from very short to fairly deep. St Paul's Lutheran is rated 4.8 from 17 reviews and Loving Hands Learning Center 4.8 from 19 reviews. Appletree Academy, a daycare and pre-school center that has served the area for over 30 years and includes breakfast, lunch and snacks in its rates, holds 4.6 from 11 reviews, 10 of them five stars. Central Park Baptist Childcare Center has 24 reviews at 4.0. Angel Keepers Daycare is rated 3.3 from 21 reviews, 12 of them five stars and 9 one star. Pleasant Haven Daycare has a single review, at 1.0.

Age ranges differ a good deal from one center to the next. Loving Hands Learning Center takes children from 6 weeks up to 11 years. Challenger Christian Academy is a small day care center where children can start at 12 weeks and stay until kindergarten, with tours by appointment. Legacy Kids Preschool runs a 4K class with daily phonics, writing, numbers, shapes, colors, music and art, and children must be potty trained to attend. Under the Oaks Enrichment Center in Tanner is a faith-centered day care and preschool rated 5.0 from 9 reviews.

North and west of the city, the page reaches into Lawrence County. Moulton Head Start and Angie’s Tender Care and Learning Center are in Moulton, and Kids Kount, a day care with one five-star review, is in Trinity. The businesses with a website that names a service area mention Moulton, Trinity and Tanner. Hartselle, Athens, Madison, Harvest and Rogersville each have their own page for families who work or live on the other side of Decatur.

Common questions about preschools and day care centers in Decatur

Which Decatur centers take infants?

First Grace Child Development Center cares for children from 6 weeks to 4 years. Loving Hands Learning Center takes children from 6 weeks up to 11 years. Challenger Christian Academy lets children start at 12 weeks and stay until kindergarten. Legacy Kids Preschool also cares for children from babies through PreK.

Who offers extended hours or summer camp around Decatur?

St Paul's Lutheran Church & Preschool runs extended care before and after core preschool time and on Fridays, and also offers a summer camp. First Grace Child Development Center offers early drop-off or late pickup and a summer camp as well.

Is there a 4K class in Decatur?

Legacy Kids Preschool in Decatur runs a 4K class that covers phonics, writing, numbers, shapes, colors, music and art each day. Children must be potty trained to attend. The program mixes hands-on learning through play with the Abeka faith-based curriculum.

Which child care options are in Moulton, Trinity and Tanner?

Moulton Head Start, rated 4.5 from 2 reviews, and Angie’s Tender Care and Learning Center, rated 3.7 from 6 reviews, are in Moulton. Kids Kount is in Trinity. Under the Oaks Enrichment Center is in Tanner and is rated 5.0 from 9 reviews.

Where can I look for programs in the towns next to Decatur?

Hartselle, Athens, Madison, Harvest and Rogersville each have their own page in this directory. Each page lists the centers in that town, so a family with a long commute can check both ends.

Preschools & Day Care near Decatur