Head Start in Dayton, Ohio
Miami Valley Child Development Centers proudly serves Dayton as southwest Ohio’s trusted Head Start agency. For more than 55 years, we’ve offered free and affordable early learning and child care for children from infancy to age five, beginning with dedicated support for pregnant women. Expectant mothers receive vital services through our programs, and once their baby is born and turns six weeks old, they can smoothly transition into our early learning programs. Our support extends beyond education, with Family Support Specialists, Home Visitors, and Coaches working closely with families in Dayton to foster financial stability and independence.
In most cases, families must earn 100% of the Federal Poverty Level or less to enroll. Children experiencing homelessness or who are in foster or kinship care also are eligible. In some cases, children with disabilities may qualify.
We are committed to supporting Dayton families with several convenient locations in Clark County, tailored to the needs of this vibrant community.
Dayton Child Care & Career Opportunities!
At Miami Valley Child Development Centers in Dayton, we’re committed to delivering quality child care and early learning experiences for children from six weeks to five years old. Our programs provide a safe, nurturing environment where skilled educators support children in reaching key developmental milestones. With free and affordable options available, eligible families can access enriching care and education designed to help every child flourish.
We’re Hiring! Looking to make a difference in Dayton? Join our team! Miami Valley Child Development Centers is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team as educators, Family Support Specialists, Home Visitors, and other essential roles. By becoming part of our mission, you’ll help shape the future of children while making a meaningful impact on local families.
Don’t wait – enroll today and explore career opportunities with us! Whether you’re interested in enrolling your child or becoming part of our team, we’re here to support Dayton families and build a stronger community together.
See our job openings
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Early Learning & Child Care Programs in Dayton
Miami Valley Child Development Centers proudly provides early learning and child care programs across Montgomery, Clark, and Madison counties, including right here in Dayton. Along with our centers, we collaborate with in-home Family Child Care providers to offer families even more flexible options.
Our Early Head Start program supports children from six weeks old to age three, delivering Dayton families nurturing, high-quality early care designed to meet young children’s developmental needs. This program is available at several convenient locations, ensuring Dayton parents have trusted care options.
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Miami Valley Child Development Centers (MVCDC) is committed to providing a trusted, community-centered approach to early learning for families in Trotwood. With several locations across Montgomery County, including Trotwood, we offer affordable or free early education and child care services for children ages six weeks to five years. Families can select from a range of options, including center-based, home-based, or school-based programs, with flexible choices for part-day or full-day care, available on either a year-round or school-year schedule.
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Our passionate teachers and staff in Dayton are "brain-builders," specializing in fostering children's early physical, social, and emotional growth. Guided by a research-based curriculum, we kick off the learning journey from birth. In addition to our educational programs, we are deeply committed to supporting Dayton families through our Family Support Specialists, Home Visitors, and Coaches, who provide assistance in areas like housing, career development, health insurance, and beyond.
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Families in Dayton earning up to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible, along with children who are homeless or in foster or kinship care. Children with disabilities may also qualify. Don’t assume your family won’t qualify—many Dayton families are eligible!
Complete our pre-registration form or call 937-236-7655 for assistance. We’ll reach out within 5 business days.
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Many families in Dayton are eligible for free child care, and those who qualify for Publicly Funded Child Care often only need to cover a minimal co-pay.
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In Dayton, we offer both full-day and part-day care options. Our infant and toddler program, which serves children from six weeks to three years old, is available year-round.
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Our Dayton programs offer flexibility:
Our school-day program offers early learning for up to 6 hours per day during the school year.
Our part-day program runs for 3.5 hours a day, Monday through Thursday, with both a.m. and p.m. session options. This is a part-year program.
Our full-day program provides up to 10 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Families choosing this option must be working or attending school and are required to apply for ODJFS Publicly Funded Child Care assistance.
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Yes! Children in full-day programs receive a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack. Morning part-day attendees get breakfast and lunch, while afternoon attendees receive lunch and a snack.
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Yes!
100% of teachers in our program have earned a minimum of a Child Development Associate credential.
64% of Head Start teachers have a bachelor’s degree.
73% of teachers at Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships have earned a Child Development Associate credential or are in the process of doing so.
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Once a family qualifies to enroll in Early Head Start, their child can remain with us even if the family begins earning more than the allowable income threshold until he or she turns 3.
If a family enrolls in Head Start (this program is for children between the ages of 3-5), the same is true. The family is still eligible to continue until their child is 5.
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Family Support Specialists in Dayton help families set and achieve their goals by connecting them to essential community services, including housing, job assistance, and more, all aimed at supporting the family’s overall well-being and success.
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Our Trotwood team connects families with community partners for:
• Immunizations
• Health checks and physicals
• Speech/language screenings
• Hearing and vision exams
• Dental exams
•Lead/ Hemoglobin Screenings
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Absolutely. Our Dayton staff includes professionals trained to support children with disabilities and behavioral needs.
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Families know what’s best for their child!
MVCDC in Dayton provides in-home services through our Home Visitors, who offer resources, guidance, and activities to help families foster learning and development right in the comfort of their own home.
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Absolutely! We encourage families in Dayton to take an active role in their child's early learning journey. Our Policy Council, made up of parents and caregivers, is crucial in guiding MVCDC's decisions and policies. If you're interested in joining this meaningful group, your Family Support Specialist or your child's teacher can provide more details.
Trotwood parents and caregivers are welcome to:
Volunteer in their child’s classroom
Attend parent committee meetings
Participate in parenting classes
Join our fatherhood initiatives
Here’s a link to our Parent Handbook.
It’s easy to make a one-time or recurring donation!
Miami Valley Child Development Centers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is part of the national Head Start network. We support families experiencing poverty, providing early learning opportunities for children from 6 weeks to age 5. Our Family Support Specialists help parents and caregivers become financially stable and self-supporting.
Donations are tax-deductible. Please make checks payable to Miami Valley Child Development Centers, Inc., 215 Horace Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402.
Thank you for your support!