1. Cedars Preschool Macon
Sector: Preschool and Early Childhood Education
Service Areas: Cedars Preschool provides care for infants, toddlers, pre-K children, and after-school aged children with competitive learning programs and summer camps.
Year Founded: Established preschool
Employee Count: Highly-trained staff including directors, front staff, and caregivers
About: Cedars Preschool Macon provides a safe, loving, and nurturing environment focusing on education development and kindergarten readiness. The school believes children learn through play and offers outdoor learning playgrounds designed for small children. Flexible scheduling options include two days a week, three days, or more. Summer camp programs feature weekly themes for variety and adventure. Annual enrollment fee is $100 per child with a 5% sibling discount (youngest child pays full tuition). Reviews praise the clean, safe environment, incredible teachers, and family-like atmosphere where everyone shows genuine interest in caring for children.
Address: Macon, GA
Contact: https://cedarspreschool.com
Operating Hours: Contact for scheduling
2. Sandy’s Sandbox Child Care and Learning Center
Sector: Childcare and Learning Center
Service Areas: Sandy’s Sandbox provides care for children ages 6 weeks to 10 years, including Georgia Lottery-Funded Pre-K Program, before and after-school programs, and school transportation.
Year Founded: Established childcare provider
Employee Count: Childcare and educational staff at three locations
About: Sandy’s Sandbox Child Care and Learning Center operates three locations: two in Macon and one in Bonaire, Georgia. The Bonaire and East Bibb Macon centers serve children from 6 weeks to 10 years and offer Georgia Lottery-Funded Pre-K (free to Georgia residents). Before and after-school programs provide transportation to and from area schools. After-school programs include homework tutelage, cooking and craft activities, onsite field trips, and physical development opportunities. All centers are open 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday and close for only six major holidays yearly.
Address: 2771 Lanier Heights Road, Macon, GA 31217 (East Bibb) | 1610 Shurling Drive, Macon, GA 31211 | 2930 Moody Road, Bonaire, GA 31005
Contact: (478) 745-6006 (East Bibb) | (478) 621-4441 (Shurling) | (478) 225-9555 (Bonaire) | https://www.sandyssandbox.net
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
3. Big Blue Marble Academy (Peake Road)
Sector: Early Childhood Education
Service Areas: Big Blue Marble Academy provides nurturing childcare and early education for infants through school-age children with play-based curriculum and character development focus.
Year Founded: National childcare provider
Employee Count: Teachers and staff
About: Big Blue Marble Academy in Macon provides nurturing childcare and early education using play-based curriculum that fosters love of learning. Georgia Pre-K is offered during the regular school year (state lottery-funded with no tuition during Pre-K hours). Typical GA Pre-K hours are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM with extended care available. The academy accepts childcare subsidy vouchers and tuition assistance. Private Pre-K is available requiring tuition and registration fee. Reviews praise teachers knowing every child by name, fast communication through the Procare app, daily photos sent to parents, and clean, well-maintained facilities.
Address: Peake Road, Macon, GA
Contact: https://bbmacademy.com
Operating Hours: Contact for hours
4. The Children’s Center at Mulberry
Sector: Faith-Based Daycare and Early Learning
Service Areas: The Children’s Center at Mulberry provides faith-based daycare and early childhood learning in downtown Macon.
Year Founded: Established faith-based childcare center
Employee Count: Childcare and early learning staff
About: The Children’s Center at Mulberry is a faith-based daycare and early childcare learning center located in downtown Macon. The center focuses on community and helping families navigate early childhood care. The program supports parents through the challenges of early childcare, working hand in hand with families and children. The center aims to provide quality church preschool and church daycare options for Macon families.
Address: 719 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA
Contact: https://www.childrens-center-mulberry.org
Operating Hours: Contact for hours
5. Macon Early Childhood Learning Center (Central Georgia Technical College)
Sector: Educational Childcare
Service Areas: Macon Early Childhood Learning Center provides care and education for young children including preschool classrooms, with priority for CGTC students and employees.
Year Founded: Part of Central Georgia Technical College
Employee Count: Educators with education and experience in early childhood
About: Macon Early Childhood Learning Center is located within Central Georgia Technical College and is licensed by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. The center is Quality Rated and maintains separate waiting lists for community children, children of PELL-eligible CGTC students, and children eligible for GA Pre-K. Priority registration is given to CGTC employees. The preschool classroom has maximum enrollment of 18 children. Special consideration may be granted to children with special needs. Educators have education and experience providing care and education for young children.
Address: 3300 Macon Tech Drive, Building B Second Floor, Macon, GA 31206
Contact: (478) 757-3492 | https://www.centralgatech.edu
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM (closed scheduled holidays)
About Macon, GA
Macon offers diverse childcare options from home-based providers to center-based facilities, faith-based programs, and Montessori schools.
Childcare Options: Macon has approximately 77 to 98 daycare providers including 41 home-based programs and 57+ centers. Options include full-time care, part-time care, before/after school programs, and drop-in care (at select locations).
Georgia Pre-K: Many Macon childcare centers offer Georgia Lottery-Funded Pre-K, which is free to Georgia residents during Pre-K hours (typically 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM during the school year). Extended care may require additional tuition.
Licensing: Look for centers licensed by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Quality Rated centers have met additional state quality standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does daycare cost in Macon?
According to local data, average monthly daycare costs in Macon range from $448 to $539 for full-time care, though prices vary significantly by provider, child’s age, and program type. Infant care typically costs more than toddler or preschool care. Home-based daycares may offer lower rates than centers. Many providers offer sibling discounts. Georgia Pre-K is free during program hours for eligible 4-year-olds.
What is Georgia Pre-K and how do I enroll?
Georgia Pre-K (Georgia’s Lottery-Funded Prekindergarten Program) provides free Pre-K education for 4-year-olds during the school year. Children must be 4 years old by September 1 of the school year to enroll. The program operates during school hours (typically 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM) with extended care available for additional cost. Enrollment is typically in spring for the following school year through participating childcare centers and schools.
What should I look for in a daycare?
Key factors include licensing and quality ratings (Bright from the Start licensing, Quality Rated status), staff qualifications and child-to-staff ratios, safety and cleanliness, curriculum and learning approach, hours of operation and flexibility, location and convenience, parent communication methods, outdoor play areas, and parent reviews and references. Tour facilities and observe classrooms before enrolling.
What is the difference between center-based and home-based daycare?
Center-based daycares operate in dedicated facilities with multiple classrooms, more children, and typically more structured programs and regulations. Home-based daycares operate in the provider’s home with smaller groups (often 6 to 12 children maximum) and may offer more flexible, family-like environments. Both types are licensed and regulated in Georgia. Neither is inherently better; choose based on your child’s needs and your preferences.
How do I find childcare assistance or subsidies?
Georgia offers Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) for eligible families needing help paying for childcare. Eligibility is based on income, family size, and work/school status. Many Macon childcare centers accept CAPS vouchers. Contact the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning or local CAPS offices to apply. Some employers also offer dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for childcare expenses.