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Our 5-Star Center Offers:
A safe, secure Christian environment
Convenient downtown location
Degreed or credentialled teachers
Voluntary Pre-K Program
Teachers with CPR and First Aid certification
Nutritious meals and snacks
Daily health checks for each child
Summer, Spring and Holiday Camps
Computer stations with language and literacy emphasis
Developmentally-appropriate curriculum
Chapel services and monthly field trips
Parent Resource room
Extended hours from 6:30 am to 6:15 pm
Elevator for children with disabilities
Quality childcare. A simple phrase, but it's a necessity for parents of young children, and it's getting harder to come by. In a time when issues of safety and school readiness are top concerns for families, The Salvation Army Child Development Center in downtown Jacksonville offers parents the ultimate peace of mind that comes with knowing their children are in safe, clean surroundings where learning, play and creativity are on the agenda every day!
Frequently called "downtown Jacksonville's best-kept secret", The Salvation Army Child Development Center has been providing excellent care and school-readiness programming for children from six weeks to 12 years of age since 1998. Located at the corner of Ocean and Monroe Streets in revitalized downtown Jacksonville, our modern two-story facility boasts a sunny-but-safe outdoor playground, specialized classroom spaces for children of different ages, and well-trained, fun-loving teachers who take seriously your decision to entrust your children to our care.
Our well-rounded program includes a developmentally appropriate Christian learning curriculum, creative opportunities in music and art, monthly field trips and nutritious meals and snacks.
A Smart Solution for Your School-Aged Children
Parents of school-aged children face special childcare challenges when school is not in session. The Salvation Army Child Development Center offers fun, stimulating day camp programs for children from kindergarten through age 12.
Our popular Summer Day Camp program features some of the best field trips around! Sample destinations include The Alligator Farm, Summer Waves, Diamond-D Horse Ranch and Daytona Speedway. The Center is also located only steps away from Jacksonville's amazing new main library.
Swimming, arts and crafts, "open gym" , chapel and many other activities ensure that your children spend their days exercising their bodies and their minds. Similar camp programs are offered during other school holidays / breaks.
Striving for Excellence
The Salvation Army Child Development Center is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and has the prestigious 5-star facility rating, awarded by the Guiding Stars program. One of just a handful of 5-star facilities in Northeast Florida, our Center is devoted to excellence in all aspects of its programs, from cleanliness to esteem-building to a strong emphasis on school readiness.
The Center features a "print-rich" environment, reinforcing literacy skills both passively and with compelling, colorful activities.The teachers and assistants in our Center hold credentials in childcare, and we have some on staff with four year degrees. Since the safety of your children is paramount to us, our staff is certified in First Aid and CPR.
What Our Parents Say
"I love that the children are always busy ~ busy playing, busy learning. They're not just wandering or lying around until their parents pick them up. They're growing all day long."
Mother of Kelli, age 6
"My granddaughter always brings home fun new songs from her days at the Child Development Center. I'm singing, too...singing praises for the loving teachers who give her such excellent care."
Grandmother of Khamari, age 2
"When I leave my child at the Center, I don't get that awful feeling that I'm leaving her with strangers."
Mother of Faith, age 4