How much does daycare cost in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra?

Full-time infant care in St. Johns County typically runs 1,300 to 1,900 dollars a month in 2026, with Ponte Vedra and Nocatee centers at the top of that range. Toddler and preschool rooms are usually 1,000 to 1,500 dollars. Family daycare homes in St. Augustine, Hastings, and the west side are often 200 to 400 dollars less. Registration fees of 100 to 250 dollars are common.

Is VPK free in St. Johns County?

Yes. Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten program is free for children who turn four by September 1, and most licensed centers and many church preschools in St. Johns County offer it. The free portion covers about three hours a day during the school year or a shorter summer option. Care outside those hours is paid. You register through the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida.

How long are the waitlists for infant care in Nocatee?

Expect six to twelve months for infant rooms at popular Nocatee, Julington Creek, and CR 210 centers. Many parents put a deposit down during pregnancy. Preschool-age spots open more often, especially in August when kids move to kindergarten. Ask whether the deposit is refundable and whether siblings get priority.

What is the difference between a licensed center and a family daycare home?

A licensed center operates in a commercial building with multiple classrooms and set ratios by age. A licensed family daycare home is run in someone's residence with a small group, often mixed ages. Both are regulated by the state, but homes have fewer staff and can be more flexible on hours. Ask to see the license and the most recent inspection either way.

Does childcare close for hurricanes?

Usually yes. Most St. Johns County centers close when the school district closes, and the district tends to close one or two days ahead of a storm. Some stay closed longer if they lose power or have flooding, which happens in low spots near the Intracoastal and in Davis Shores. Ask whether tuition is credited for closures of more than a few days.

Are there summer camps for school-age kids?

Yes, and they fill early. St. Johns County school ends in late May, and camps through the county parks department, the YMCA, churches, and private centers typically open registration in February or March. Weekly rates in 2026 run roughly 175 to 350 dollars depending on hours and field trips. Specialty camps for surfing, sailing, or golf cost more.

Childcare & Preschools in Fernandina Beach & Amelia Island, FL

Childcare & Preschools in Fernandina Beach & Amelia Island

Finding childcare in Fernandina Beach & Amelia Island usually starts with a waitlist, especially for infants and toddlers. The best programs in and around Fernandina Beach & Amelia Island tend to fill through word of mouth at neighborhood pools and school pickup lines, so ask early and tour more than one. Check that the center is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, ask about VPK, and confirm hours cover your real workday including traffic.

How to choose a childcare & preschool in Fernandina Beach & Amelia Island

Check the license and inspection history

Most centers and family daycare homes in St. Johns County are licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, and inspection reports are public online. Read the last two years, not just the current status. Some faith-based preschools operate under a religious exemption, so ask what oversight they have.

Ask how long the teachers have been there

Turnover is the biggest quality problem in local childcare because wages are low and housing is expensive. A center where lead teachers have stayed three or more years is doing something right. Ask who will actually be in your child's room, not just who runs the office.

Match the schedule to your real life

A preschool that runs 9 to 1 in St. Augustine is wonderful if one parent is home, and useless if both commute to Jacksonville. Count the days closed for teacher planning, hurricane closures, and the two-week winter break. Many centers follow the St. Johns County school calendar for holidays.

Understand VPK and what it does and does not cover

Florida VPK gives four-year-olds 540 free hours during the school year, usually three hours a day. Wraparound care before and after is billed separately and can cost nearly as much as full tuition. Ask for the all-in monthly number.

Visit during the day, unannounced if allowed

Drop by at 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. and watch how adults talk to kids. Look for low ratios, clean diaper areas, shaded outdoor play, and a sign-in system that actually gets used. If the director will not let you see a room in use, keep looking.

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