Ducklings Early Learning Centers
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing where your child spends their day is one of the biggest decisions a family makes, and we know it. Below are the questions we hear most often from parents. If yours isn’t here, please reach out to your nearest Ducklings location, and our team will be happy to help. We’ve been answering questions like yours since 1994!
Enrollment, Tuition, & Tours
How much does daycare at Ducklings cost?
Tuition at Ducklings Early Learning Center varies by location, age group, and schedule. We encourage you to reach out directly to your nearest center for current pricing, and our team will be happy to walk you through what’s included in your child’s day, things like curriculum, daily activities, indoor gym time, library time, and outdoor play as well as any items families are responsible for providing, such as meals, diapers, and similar supplies.
How do I enroll my child at Ducklings?
Enrollment is open year-round but based on availability, and requirements can vary by state and location. The process starts with a tour at your preferred Ducklings center, where you’ll meet the Center Director, see the classrooms, and ask any questions about your child’s day. From there, if the timing and fit feel right, you’ll complete an enrollment application along with any required health forms, immunization records, and emergency contact information. Your center team will walk you through exactly what’s needed.
How do I schedule a tour?
Tours are the best way to get a feel for whether Ducklings is the right fit for your family. Contact your preferred location directly to schedule one. Tours are usually scheduled by appointment, and you’re welcome to bring your child along. Expect to spend 20 to 30 minutes seeing the classrooms, meeting teachers when possible, and asking anything that’s on your mind.
Do you have a waitlist?
Some classrooms, especially infant rooms, fill quickly and may have a waitlist at certain times of year. We recommend reaching out to your preferred location as far in advance as possible, particularly if you’re planning around a return-to-work date. The Center Director can give you a realistic sense of availability for your child’s age group and target start date.
Do you accept childcare subsidies or offer financial assistance?
Ducklings centers participate in state subsidy programs, including Pennsylvania’s Child Care Works (CCW) and Delaware’s Purchase of Care (POC). Participation varies by state and by individual site, so please ask your preferred center whether they accept the program you’re using.
Do you offer part-time or flexible schedules?
Most Ducklings centers offer full-time schedules as the standard, with some part-time options depending on the location and classroom availability. Because schedule offerings vary by center, the best way to find out what’s possible is to ask the Director at your preferred location. They can walk you through current openings and what flexibility looks like for your child’s age group.
Daily Routines at Ducklings
What ages does Ducklings ELC teach?
Ducklings Early Learning Center welcomes children from 6 weeks to 6 years of age. Our classrooms are organized by developmental stage:
- Babies: Infants and Waddlers
- Toddlers: Crickets, Caterpillars, Butterflies, and Ladybugs
- Preschool: Doodlebugs, Honeybees, Jitterbugs, Fireflies, and Dragonflies
What does a typical day at Ducklings look like?
Every day at Ducklings is built around a mix of learning, play, rest, and routine, balanced for your child’s age group. A toddler’s day might include circle time, art or sensory play, outdoor playground time, lunch, nap, and afternoon activities in our indoor gym or children’s library. Our preschool and pre-K classrooms follow a similar rhythm with more structured learning blocks built into the curriculum. We aim for predictable routines so children feel secure, with enough variety to keep them curious and engaged.
What are your drop-off and pickup policies?
Drop-off and pickup happen at your center’s secure entry, where staff will greet you and your child each day. You’ll provide an authorized pickup list at enrollment, and anyone picking up your child (including family members) must be on that list and prepared to show ID until our staff knows them on sight. Late pickup fees vary by center, so please ask your location about their specific policy.
Do you provide meals and snacks?
We trust that parents are the experts when it comes to understanding their child’s food preferences and sensitivities, so we kindly ask that you provide meals and snacks for your child each day. Some centers also offer optional extras like Pizza Wednesdays. Please ask your center what programs they have available!
Rest assured, our centers are equipped with microwaves and refrigerators for your convenience in heating and storing your child’s food.
What should I pack for my child?
We recommend packing any items that will help your child feel comfortable throughout the day, such as extra clothes, a nap mat, or blanket.
Here’s a suggested packing list:
- A change of clothes (more for younger Ducks who are still potty training)
- A nap mat or blanket
- A water bottle labeled with your child’s name
- Weather-appropriate outdoor gear (boots, hat, mittens in winter; sun hat and sunscreen summer)
- Diapers and wipes if your center doesn’t provide them*
*Some centers provide diapers and wipes. Please contact your center for more information.
Please label everything with your child’s name, and leave toys, jewelry, and small items at home.
Health & Safety
What's your sick child policy?
For the health of our Ducks and our staff, we ask parents to keep children home when they are showing signs of illness, including a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or any contagious condition (including a rash that hasn’t been diagnosed). Each Ducklings center follows guidelines informed by their state’s licensing requirements, so specific exclusion criteria and return-to-care policies may vary by location. Generally, children should be symptom-free before returning, and a doctor’s note may allow for an earlier return in some cases. If your child develops symptoms during the day, we’ll call you to come pick them up. Please check with your center for their specific policy.
How are food allergies and dietary restrictions handled?
Food allergies are taken seriously at every Ducklings location. At enrollment, you’ll share any allergies, intolerances, or dietary restrictions, and that information is posted in your child’s classroom and shared with everyone who interacts with them during the day. Because parents pack meals at Ducklings, we ask all families to avoid sending certain foods (most commonly tree nuts and peanuts) when a classmate has a severe allergy, and we’ll let you know if that applies in your child’s room.
What are your emergency and weather closure procedures?
Every Ducklings location has documented procedures for fire, severe weather, lockdowns, and other emergencies, and our teams practice drills throughout the year. For weather closures, we generally follow the lead of the local public school district, and we’ll notify parents through our communication portal and by phone or text as early as possible.
Can staff administer medication to my child?
Yes, with the right paperwork. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can be administered by Ducklings staff when accompanied by a signed medication authorization form, in original packaging with your child’s name on it, and following the dosing instructions on the label. For ongoing conditions like asthma or severe allergies, we work with you to make sure care plans are clear and that emergency medications (inhalers, EpiPens) are accessible.
Curriculum & Child Development
What curriculum do you use at Ducklings?
Our proprietary Here We Grow!™ curriculum is the framework our teachers use across every Ducklings classroom, from infants through pre-K. Here We Grow!™ guides our teachers to plan and facilitate individualized lesson plans and hands-on activities that meet each child where they are developmentally, building social, emotional, physical, and academic skills through play and exploration.
The Off We Go! Curriculum® serves as our specialized foreign language and world culture exploration program, inviting children on a global journey from within their classroom. Through a mix of language, music, storytelling, and cultural celebration, our Ducks build an early appreciation for the world around them while developing communication skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Both programs were created by and are exclusive to Ducklings Early Learning Center. You won’t find them anywhere else. Learn more about our curriculum here.
How do you support potty training?
Potty training works best when home and school are on the same page, so we partner with you on the approach and the timing. Most of our Ducks start showing readiness signs somewhere between ages 2 and 3, and we’ll watch for those cues alongside you. When you’re ready to start, we’ll follow your lead on routines, language, and rewards so your child gets a consistent message in both places.
How do you handle behavior and discipline?
Our approach focuses on redirection, problem-solving, and helping children name what they’re feeling, especially with our youngest Ducks, who are still building the vocabulary to do it themselves. When a behavior pattern needs more attention, we’ll partner with you, share what we’re seeing, and build a consistent plan together.
How do you support children with special needs or developmental concerns?
We welcome children with a range of developmental needs, and we work closely with families and outside specialists (early intervention therapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists) to support each child in our care. If you have a concern about your child’s development, or if your child is receiving early intervention services, please share that with us at enrollment so we can build the right support into their day.
Staff & Communication
What are your teacher-to-student ratios?
Student-to-teacher ratios are based on the age of the child and vary state-by-state. As a general guide, infant rooms have the lowest ratios, with ratios stepping up as children get older. Please ask the Center Director at your preferred Ducklings location for information on your state’s child care regulations and the specific ratios in each classroom.
Are you NAEYC accredited?
It is a Ducklings standard that all Ducklings schools achieve NAEYC accreditation within their 5th year of operation. NAEYC (the National Association for the Education of Young Children) sets the gold standard for early childhood program quality in the United States, and the accreditation process is rigorous. It involves on-site visits, classroom observations, and detailed reviews of curriculum, teacher qualifications, and safety practices.
What are your staff's qualifications?
All Ducklings staff members meet and exceed state licensing requirements and are committed to Ducklings values and standards. Every staff member is certified in pediatric first aid and CPR, and completes professional development courses each year. We provide specialized training that ensures the highest level of proficiency in Ducklings standards and Early Childhood Development.
How will you communicate with me throughout the day?
We communicate daily with parents using our childcare management portal, where you’ll receive updates on your child’s activities and photos from the day. Most parents tell us they love checking in and seeing exactly what their child is up to. You can also message your child’s teacher directly through the portal, and we’ll always call you for anything that needs immediate attention.
Are you hiring?
View career opportunities here. We’re always looking for warm, qualified teachers and staff who love working with young children. Visit our careers page to see what’s open at locations near you.
Ready to see the Ducklings Difference?
Find a location near you and schedule a tour today.