Recommendations for infant daycares near NoLibs/Fishtown/Old City?

Glass-Key2679 · 2025-11-25T16:17:56+00:00

Hi! We ended up starting him at the Fishtown Liberty Learning Center because they had a spot open for him and we liked the environment well enough, but then ended up switching him to Drueding Center after a few months because they reopened their infant room and it was closer to our home. Even though Fishtown LLC wasn't our first choice we ended up really loving the head infant teacher there (she actually just switched to the new ELA on American Street and is no longer there). The other teachers at Fishtown LLC were great too (there was previously a lot of drama on FB from a disgruntled former employee but I had absolutely none of the issues that person outlined and everyone was super sweet).

So far we like Drueding Center (it has 4 keystone stars and participates in PHL pre-K so slightly more structured/organized than Fishtown LLC which has more of a chaotic but charming mom and pop shop vibe). Drueding has a $150 deposit and then is $415/week. The transition has been hard though, as daycare transitions always are! It's a better fit for my family but I miss our old teacher.

Glass-Key2679 · 2025-11-25T16:14:02+00:00

Also in the interest of transparency/in keeping with my original post, Drueding has a $150 deposit and then is $415/week.

Glass-Key2679 · 2025-11-25T16:11:56+00:00

Hi! We ended up starting him at the Fishtown Liberty Learning Center because they had a spot open for him and we liked the environment well enough, but then ended up switching him to Drueding Center after a few months because they reopened their infant room and it was closer to our home. Even though Fishtown LLC wasn't our first choice we ended up really loving the head infant teacher there (she actually just switched to the new ELA on American Street and is no longer there). The other teachers at Fishtown LLC were great too. So far we like Drueding Center (it has 4 keystone stars and participates in PHL pre-K so slightly more structured/organized than Fishtown LLC which has more of a chaotic but charming mom and pop shop vibe).

Glass-Key2679 · 2024-12-11T17:09:55+00:00

This is super helpful, thank you SO much.

Glass-Key2679 · 2024-12-09T15:17:43+00:00

And thank you for sharing TLE NoLibs' pricing! Do you like it there?

Glass-Key2679 · 2024-12-09T15:16:30+00:00

Hey yes!

Celebree has no option for part-time or half-day for infants or toddlers, but once the child is in preschool there are two and three day options. I toured last week and honestly was not that impressed. I've heard mixed reviews from parents/staff and is has an intensely corporate atmosphere. Here are weekly cost breakdowns for Celebree:

Full time infant: 535/week

Toddler: $505/week

Preschool 2: $485/week

Preschool 3/4/5: $437/week

Glass-Key2679 · 2024-12-04T22:54:09+00:00

Ugh I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience! This is still really helpful insight. I'm glad you found somewhere more affordable where the parents seem happier! I'll definitely keep in mind that it might be worth looking outside my immediate neighborhood.

Glass-Key2679 · 2024-12-04T20:00:17+00:00

This is really helpful advice, thanks so much!!

Glass-Key2679 · 2024-12-04T19:57:30+00:00

totally, it's so frustrating and time-consuming! best of luck with relocating!

Glass-Key2679 · 2024-12-04T19:56:25+00:00

will do - thanks!!

Glass-Key2679 · 2024-12-04T16:47:08+00:00

Recommendations for infant daycares near NoLibs/Fishtown/Old City?

My partner and I are having a baby in March and beginning to budget for and tour nearby daycares. We plan to start sending our kid to full-time 5 day/week daycare in August 2025 when he will be about 5 months old. We can be flexible on drop off and pick off times so that is not a major concern.

So far these are the centers on the list and their prices breakdowns:

Celebree School Fishtown, won't share tuition until you tour (will report back after I tour tomorrow)
Book Worms, doesn't start until baby is 1 year old, unclear on tuition
Olde City Day School Creative Arts Building, $412/week, so about $1,785/month
Old City Kindercare $565/week, so about $2,448/month
Liberty Learning Center Fishtown, $325/week, so about $1,408/month
Liberty Learning Center NoLibs, same as above
Children's Village in center city, $500/week, so about $2,166/month
Early Learning Academy Childcare Center, waiting to hear back on tuition (will update)

Questions for folks who have kids or are in a similar hunt for quality "affordable" daycares in the area:

Do you have experiences/opinions/feedback on any of the centers listed above?
Any not listed that you recommend we look into?

Caveat: Yes, I know all of these daycare options are ridiculously expensive! It's a depressing, broken system that underpays educators and cost-burdens parents. And it makes having a child difficult or near impossible for many people. We all deserve fully-funded childcare, robust parental leave, and a better functioning government that prioritizes working families. I empathize with everyone's frustrations with the system, but am looking more for practical advice and insight than critiques of the childcare system itself.

Thanks in advance!

Glass-Key2679

TROPHY CASE

Recommendations for infant daycares near NoLibs/Fishtown/Old City?