choosing a center
KidWorks isn’t the only center in Gainesville where you can find high-quality care. Often, if we can’t meet your needs, we can point you towards other reputable centers that can. But truly bad centers do exist, and they undermine parent trust in all of us. Parents who discover, often too late, that their child’s center is sub-par, or outright dangerous, are surprised to learn the center has been the subject of multiple complaints and investigations, some very serious, and yet they remain open (some after a strategic name change).
It’s important to realize that you cannot rely solely on the fact a center is still licensed and operating for reassurance. This is especially true for first time parents, or families relocating to Gainesville.
Do a DCF Provider Search (Enter the center’s name, then click the center’s name to view their inspection reports. A red dot beside a date indicates a technical violation within that report).
Search other center's DCF reports
Tour a center and trust your gut. Ask questions. A good center has no problem spending as much time as necessary to address your concerns. If you get home and have more questions, call back. If you need to tour a second time, do so. If your mother-in-law who knows so much more about child-rearing than you possibly could wants to come along… sorry, but we have to draw the line somewhere. You’ll thank us later.
These are centers we recommend, in no particular order:
O2B Kids, all locations
Baby Gator
Education Station, all locations
The Little School at Santa Fe
Stepping Stones (Holy Trinity)
Sonshine Day
Oak Hall Pre-Elementary (Ages 3+)
Gainesville Country Day
Millhopper Montessori
(These are only schools that we have personal and professional experience with and not an exhaustive list of all of the good centers in Gainesville.)