Childcare in the Golden Isles
Finding reliable childcare you trust can be very stressful (trust us, we've been there, and one of us is still there). Options for Golden Isles childcare can be limited, and we’ll start by saying that if you’re looking for full-time or part-time care outside of your home, start contacting childcare centers as soon as you know you’re moving here or as soon as you find out you’re pregnant (we wish we were kidding). Certain options for childcare in the Golden Isles can have long wait lists, and you’ll want to get on them as soon as possible.
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
This is your go-to website for finding quality childcare and Pre-K programs. You can filter by specific needs such as full-time, part-time, after-school care, etc.
DECAL is responsible for the following:
- Licenses for childcare centers
- Administers state funds.
- Rates Georgia’s childcare centers
- Administers the federal nutrition programs.
- Administers Georgia’s Pre-K program.
Click here to find a childcare center in the Golden Isles.
Pre-Kindergarten in the Golden Isles
FACES Pre-Kindergarten Center – Georgia offers a lottery program for FREE Pre-K. Registration often occurs on or around December 1st, with local parents holding their breath until early spring to hear if their rising PreK’er got in. Elementary schools in Brunswick and St. Simons Island and several preschools participate. Note that seats for the Free lottery program are limited. Make sure to mark your calendar and return to the FACES site in November/December for more details regarding registration for the next school year.
If your child doesn't get in with the lottery, don't worry! There are plenty of private preschools with Pre-K programs in the Golden Isles. The difference is that you'll have to pay for it as they're not part of Georgia's free Pre-K program.
Suppose your child has a late birthday, and it's recommended to repeat Pre-K before moving on to kindergarten. In that case, you can apply for the lottery again, as long as your child attended a private program during their first year of Pre-K that wasn't part of Georgia's free lottery program. You can only take advantage of the free lottery program once per child.
Click here to find locations in the Golden Isles that offer Pre-K.
Childcare Recommendations from Local Parents
Visit the St. Simons Island Moms Facebook Group. You can search by preschool name or ask if anyone in the group recommends a certain school or is interested in a nanny share.
Mother's Morning Out
The churches and childcare centers listed below have a Mother’s Morning Out program or have previously offered one. Factors such as Covid protocols and the changing needs of currently enrolled families have led some facilities to change or alter their Mothers Morning Out programs. For this reason, we recommend that you check their websites and call to inquire, as things may have changed since this article was last published.
Brunswick
St. Simons Island
Babysitters in the Golden Isles
St. Simons Island Moms Facebook Page - Has a list of local mom-approved babysitters. Each babysitter has been personally recommended and used by moms within the group. This is an excellent place to start your search. You can find it in the ‘Guides’ section of the page here.
Sitters by the Shore - The premier sitter referral service in St. Simons Island:
- You must complete a client application for approval before setting up a babysitter.
- All sitter’s fees are paid by cash or Venmo directly to the sitter.
- Be advised that there is a three-hour minimum for all sitting jobs. Families do not have to use the full three hours, but the sitters will still charge for three hours of pay.
- Click here to view their fees.
- They also offer pet sitting and elder care.
- Golden Isles Sitters offers childcare, elderly care, and pet sitting.
- You must complete an application before you can schedule care.
- Click here to view their full list of services and fees.
Childcare Options if You’re a Guest at Sea Island Resort
Most people who reside on Sea Island use childcare centers on St. Simons Island. There are no childcare options on Sea Island itself aside from the few options provided by Sea Island Resort for guests:
- Camp Cloister - for children ages 5-14
- Kids Night Out - for children ages 5-12
Live-In Childcare Options
Au pairs are integrated into family life as temporary family members. They have a room in the family home, eat meals with the family, and receive monthly pocket money instead of a salary. A local option is Au Pair in America. They place experienced childcare providers with families. Contact them to request free information.
Summer Camps
We have an entire article dedicated to Golden Isles Summer Camps. You can view it here.
Parent's Night Out
The Brick and Salt AER Studios (both in Brunswick) offer monthly Parent Night Out events. Check their websites or our event calendar to see when the next ones are held.
Let us know if there are any childcare resources we may have missed. If you want more information on schools in the Golden Isles, click here.
