McKinley Daycare & Preschool in Akron, Ohio on Waterloo Road
Serving Akron families for 8+ years:
- Ages 6 weeks – 5 years (infant, toddler, & preschool programs)
- Open 6:30 am – 6:30 pm, Monday–Friday
- GOLD‑rated (Ohio’s highest Step Up To Quality rating)
- State‑licensed, CPR‑certified teachers
- Title XX–approved childcare assistance
“The environment feels like a family. My son always comes home happy and excited to go back.” – Jhonae P.
Why Parents Choose McKinley on Waterloo Road
We believe caring for children is more than a job—it’s our calling.
Warm, consistent caregivers
Your child is known by name and greeted by familiar faces.
Secure, clean classrooms
Daily cleaning checklists and safety procedures parents can see.
Play-based learning
Activities that build social skills and prepare for kindergarten.
Flexible full-time and part-time options
Schedules that fit working Akron parents.
Programs by Age
Choose the classroom that matches your child’s age and stage of development.
Infant Daycare (6 weeks–12 months)
A loving, secure infant classroom where your baby’s routine is followed and they’re cared for like family all day long.
You stay in the loop with daily updates from their teachers.
- Individualized care that follows your baby’s feeding and sleep routine, with daily communication home
- Safe sleep practices, clean environment, and developmentally appropriate sensory activities, plus free diapers, wipes, and formula included
Toddler Daycare (1–2 years)
A playful, structured toddler classroom where curious little ones can safely explore while building early social, emotional, and motor skills.
- Hands‑on learning through guided play that builds language, social skills, and coordination
- Consistent daily routines that grow independence, with free diapers and wipes included
Preschool Program (3–4 years)
A balanced preschool day that prepares your child for kindergarten through play‑based learning, early academics, and strong social skills.
- Early literacy, math, and science foundations woven into fun, age‑appropriate activities
- Curriculum that builds confidence, independence, and a lasting love of learning
Pre-K Program (4–5 years)
A focused Pre‑K classroom that gets your child ready for kindergarten with fun, structured learning and strong school‑readiness skills.
- Kindergarten‑readiness curriculum that builds letter recognition, early math, problem‑solving, and group learning skills
- Daily routines that grow confidence, independence, and the ability to follow classroom expectations
Check Openings & Tuition at McKinley Waterloo Road
Tell us about your child or children and we’ll confirm current openings and tuition for this center. If it’s a good fit, we’ll help you take the next step toward enrollment.
Whether you’re enrolling one child or a few siblings, you shouldn’t have to make a dozen calls to get clear answers. Complete the short form and our team will check availability for each child’s age group, walk you through tuition, and answer any questions about our center in one simple follow-up.
With this form, you can:
- See if we have space for your child’s age group
- Get tuition information for this specific center
- Ask about part‑time / full‑time options
- Learn how our Step Up To Quality GOLD rating benefits your child
We typically respond within one business day, Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Prefer to talk now? Call the Waterloo Road office at (330) 794-5060 and our team will be happy to help.
Request Openings & Tuition Info
After you submit, our team will review your request, confirm openings and tuition for each child, and contact you by phone or email.
By submitting, you agree we may contact you about enrollment at McKinley Waterloo Road
What Akron Parents Say About McKinley Waterloo Road
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by hundreds of Akron families since 2018
“My son has been coming here for over a year. He always comes home happy and excited to come back. He loves his teachers and they love him. Both directors, Sandra and Diana, are so helpful and the environment feels like a family.”
– Jhonae P.
“The director, Mrs. Sandra, is amazing. If any issues arise she promptly addresses them. The environment is inclusive and the teachers are pleasant. My child has developmental delays and has even begun to interact socially. Thank you, McKinley, for providing a safe place for my child to learn.”
– Endi P.
“My oldest daughter went to McKinley and is now in kindergarten. She learned so much before school. Now my youngest has been there about six months and has become more social and excited to go. The director has been so helpful, kind, and attentive, and communication has been thorough. The teachers are friendly at drop‑off and pick‑up.”
– Antonique A.
Listed on:
Safety, Quality, and Credentials You Can Trust
Your child’s safety and well‑being come first. McKinley Waterloo Road follows Ohio’s highest standards for licensing, staff training, and daily safety practices.
Our Standards
- State‑licensed center with regular inspections
- GOLD‑rated (Ohio’s highest Step Up To Quality rating)
- Comprehensive background checks and CPR/first‑aid–trained staff
- Secure entry, check‑in/check‑out, and authorized‑pickup procedures
- Health, sanitation, and allergy‑aware food practices
What This Means for Your Child
- Safe, supervised classrooms designed for each age group
- Clear routines and policies that keep children secure
- Teachers trained to respond calmly and correctly in emergencies
- Peace of mind knowing your child is in a vetted, high‑quality program
See Inside McKinley Waterloo Road
Here are a few photos of our classrooms, playground, and entrance.
Meet Our Director, Ms. Sandra
Center Director – Waterloo Road
I’m Ms. Sandra, the Director at McKinley Early Childhood Center – Waterloo. I’ve been part of the McKinley family since 2020 and have a deep passion for early childhood education and supporting the families we serve.
I’m committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment where children feel safe, confident, and excited to learn every day. Working closely with our teachers and families to support each child’s individual growth is the most rewarding part of my role.
Thank you for considering McKinley Waterloo for your child. I look forward to welcoming your family to our center and partnering with you in your child’s early learning journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re just starting to explore childcare options or have already requested information about openings and tuition, this page answers the questions parents ask us most often about care at McKinley Early Childhood Center on Waterloo Road.
Openings change throughout the year based on children’s ages and schedules. The fastest way to get an up‑to‑date answer is to use the “Check Openings & Tuition” form on this page or call us at (330) 794-5060. We’ll confirm current availability for your child’s age group and talk through next steps.
Tuition depends on your child’s age, schedule, and any financial assistance (like Title XX). After you submit the “Check Openings & Tuition” form, our team will share current tuition for your child’s age and schedule at this center, along with any available assistance options (including Title XX, if applicable).
We offer both full‑time and part‑time care for many age groups, depending on current enrollment and classroom space. When you fill out the form on this page, just let us know what type of care you’re looking for, and we’ll explain what’s available right now at this center.
This center on Waterloo Road provides care for infants as young as 6-weeks old through 5 years old, which is our pre-k program. If you’re not sure which classroom your child would be in, include their age(s) when you fill out the form on this page and we’ll match them with the right program.
We are open Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, to support working families in Akron, Ohio.
Yes. Our center is a licensed childcare center in the state of Ohio and is GOLD-rated (Ohio’s highest Step Up To Quality rating). We follow state regulations for health, safety, and staff‑to‑child ratios, and we have additional center policies in place to keep children safe and supported every day.
Start by completing the “Check Openings & Tuition” form or calling us at (330) 794-5060. We’ll confirm current availability and tuition, answer your questions, and, if it’s a good fit, guide you through the enrollment paperwork and setting up a visit to see the classroom and meet the teachers.
Visit McKinley Waterloo Road
Conveniently located on Waterloo Road
McKinley Early Childhood Center – Waterloo Road
792 E Waterloo Rd
Akron, OH 44306
Parking & Drop‑Off
- Free parking available directly in front of the center
- Please use the main entrance and ring the bell to be let in
- Designated area for safe pick‑up and drop‑off