LOVE this place! I have been working here coming up on a year now and it is by far the best place…read moreof employment I have ever had. The kids are amazing and coworkers are great to work with! Recommend for both childcare and a place to work!!!

From the owner: Ithaca Community Childcare Center (IC3) is a non-profit, NYS-licensed, and NAEYC-accredited…read more(National Association for the Education of Young Children) center that has been serving the community since 1976. We offer care for children between 8 weeks and 10 years old, and are committed to providing families with the highest standard of child-inspired, professionally-nurtured care and educational opportunities. Our innovative continuity of care program is nationally recognized. By providing a safe environment where children can explore and experience hands on learning, we offer a truly child-centered approach. We are proud of our committed staff and low teacher turnover. The average number of years a teacher has been working at IC3 is 12 years! Our experienced, professional, nurturing teachers will help your child grow a lifelong love of learning. Come see why IC3 is such a great place to play, learn, work, and grow!

my son attended smart start from 4 to 16 months and we are only stopping because we are moving to…read moreanother state. They are super accommidating and allowed us to use cloth diapers and glass bottles. When we started my baby had a hard time napping and they did whatever they could to get him to nap, even having someone hold him for an hour long contact nap. My son LOVES Miss Kristen in the continuity room. It was so reassuring leaving him with people he cared for and I feel, truly cared for him.

I am so glad a preschool like Smart Start exists. It can be hard to find high-quality and…read moreaffordable childcare; it can be especially hard to find such care for infants. The staff in the infant room have all been warm, bright, creative, patient, and so awesome at responding to the ever-changing needs of our little girl. She had not been in daycare before--we had a sitter who came to our home--and they worked with us to help make the transition as easy on her as possible. And, as she has grown and developed, they have provided new activities to keep her engaged. (Shout out to Ms. Alyssa, Ms. Katie, Ms. Hillary!) Walking in, you frequently hear the joyful squeals and chatter of children in the older classrooms. The setting is great, too: big outdoor play areas, lots of grass and trees, and the kids get plenty of fresh air and exercise. I just can't say enough good things about our daughter's experience there. Ultimately, I knew we made the right choice enrolling her at Smart Start because, when I would come to pick her up, I'd peek in the window, or stand around the corner where she could not see me--and my girl always looked happy.