CHILDCARE & SCHOOL INFORMATION

For those with young children, finding and choosing childcare is likely to be one of the most stressful parts of your move. We suggest you start your search as early as possible. Many centers fill fast and have very long waiting lists (typically a year for newborns). Consider a preliminary search by telephone months before arriving in Cleveland and apply to the wait list of centers you like (a fee generally is required with each application). Many of us have children and are happy to answer questions to help you narrow your search. Generally co-ops are less expensive than traditional pre-schools, but require parent volunteer time. Some of the more selective facilities (Music Settlement, Carol Nursery School, Ruffing Montessori, Hathaway Brown) may require an interview with your child as well. Below is a list of some of the preschools and daycare facilities in the area.

 

Downtown/University Circle

 

East Side

 

West Side

The best way to find a reliable sitter is to ask other HSSA members for recommendations. Many of the attending physicians’ daughters babysit at a reasonable rate. If you live on the East Side, the John Carroll University students are fantastic!

  • Alexandria School Trains and places professional nannies and newborn care specialists. Have opportunities for practicum and host families. Student nannies come in to your home for practical experience, free of charge; certain requirements to qualify, please see website.
  • CONCERN Cleveland Clinic Employee Assistance Program (216) 445-6970. This is the Cleveland Clinic referral service. They maintain lists of in-home childcare providers, daycare centers, and nanny services. They will mail a printout from their database of providers.
  • English Nanny & Governess School (440) 247-0600 or (800) 733-1984. 37 South Franklin St., Chagrin Falls. Trains individuals as nannies with a basis in early-childhood education. In the past, the school has offered a free practicum service which sends a governess or nanny student each Friday for 12 weeks if you have a newborn and toddler. Contact them directly for an application.
  • Online services, including sittercity.com and care.com, allow you to search for local babysitters and nannies looking for work. Interview applicants carefully!

There are several parent and family centers located in the Cleveland area. They are non-profit organizations that offer educational, social, and/or recreational programs for families with young children of all abilities.

  • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Supported by the Heights Family Foundation, children from birth to age five can receive a free age-appropriate book in the mail every month. The following areas of Cleveland qualify: Bedford, Bedford Heights, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, Shaker Heights, University Heights, Oakwood, Walton Hills, Warrensville Heights, or in Cleveland neighborhoods with zip codes 44106, 44119, and 44120. Registration can be completed by mail or online.
  • Stretch and Catch Reading Center 17800 Chillicothe Rd. Chagrin Falls. Tutoring for reading, spelling, and grammar.

Education for grades kindergarten through twelve is free in the Ohio Public School System. You may have to pay for full-time kindergarten if your school offers only a half day program. Each municipality (City of Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, Lakewood, etc.) has its own Board of Education, which administers education matters within its district. Some adjoining cities share a combined school system such as Cleveland Heights/University Heights and South Euclid/Lyndhurst. The Ohio Department of Education provides district and school profile information and publishes the results of the state proficiency tests and school district report cards. Before you start your housing search, it is worthwhile to compare the performance of each school district and evaluate individual schools within a district. Copies of the report cards can be ordered online, or call toll-free Ohio Dept. of Education. (877) 644-6338. Contact the Board in your area as soon as possible for specific information.

The starting age for children varies, but in general, a child must turn 5 on or before September 30th to be eligible to attend kindergarten. Generally, a child must be at least 6 years of age to start first grade. Some school districts allow underage children to start school after satisfactory completion of ability and preparedness tests. The school year and hours vary; however, the typical enrollment month for private schools begins the preceding January, so look into schools as soon as possible as there are occasionally waiting lists. Some schools provide orientation sessions for parents and children in August.

NOTE: Contact the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) to obtain a list of accredited schools in your area.

Documents required for school registration varies (contact your school for their requirements), but generally:

  • Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate
  • Current medical certificate from physician
  • Medical history and documentation of all U.S. required immunizations
  • Proof of residence (utility bill, driver’s license, etc.)
  • Legal custody papers, in case of divorce
  • School records for secondary levels, report cards, unofficial school transcripts