Frequently Asked Questions About Childcare in Columbus, Ohio
Find answers to common questions about Mother’s Helper Childcare & Pre-K Education, including programs, Columbus locations, curriculum, enrollment questions, and how to contact the center for pricing, availability, and tour information.
What programs do Mother’s Helper offer?
Mother’s Helper Childcare & Pre-K Education lists programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, Pre-K students, and school-age children.
Where is Mother’s Helper located?
Mother’s Helper has two Columbus, Ohio locations: 2140 E. 5th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219, and 712 E. Spring Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203.
What is the main phone number for Mother’s Helper?
The main contact number shown on the current Mother’s Helper website is 614-253-4146.
What is the phone number for the Fifth Avenue location?
The Fifth Avenue location phone number is 614-253-2000.
What is the phone number for the Spring Street location?
The Spring Street location phone number listed in the handbook and current website is 614-252-2000. The current website also lists 614-424-2000 for the Spring Street location.
Are Mother’s Helper locations licensed?
The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook states that the centers are licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and that the licenses are posted in the front lobby or front office at each location.
What are the hours for the Fifth Avenue location?
The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook lists Mother’s Helper I at 2140 E. 5th Avenue as open Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
[CONFIRM CURRENT HOURS BEFORE LAUNCH]
What are the hours for the Spring Street location?
The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook lists Mother’s Helper II at 712 E. Spring Street as open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
[CONFIRM CURRENT HOURS BEFORE LAUNCH]
Does Mother’s Helper offer infant care?
Yes. Mother’s Helper lists infant care as one of its childcare program areas. The handbook says infant care provides a learning environment where infants are encouraged to grow physically, emotionally, socially, and in language and motor skills.
Does Mother’s Helper offer toddler care?
Yes. Mother’s Helper lists toddler care as one of its program areas. The handbook says toddlers are provided activities and opportunities to practice independent motor skills.
Does Mother’s Helper offer preschool and Pre-K?
Yes. Mother’s Helper lists preschool and Pre-K as program areas. The handbook says the preschool program supports fine motor, social, and language skills through a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
Does Mother’s Helper offer school-age care?
Yes. Mother’s Helper lists school-age care as one of its program areas. The handbook says school-age care is for children eligible for kindergarten or above and may include before-school, after-school, and some all-day care.
Does Mother’s Helper use a curriculum?
The current Mother’s Helper website says the center implements Creative Curriculum.
Are the classroom teachers credentialed?
The current Mother’s Helper website says classroom teachers have obtained a Child Development credential and/or degree in the field.
Who founded Mother’s Helper?
Mother’s Helper was founded by Donna J. Keaton and opened to the public on August 23, 1989.
What is required for enrollment?
The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook says a child is considered enrolled after the registration fee has been received, the Director confirms space is available, and the required paperwork is received. Required paperwork includes basic enrollment and health information.
Is a medical form required for enrollment?
Yes. The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook says a medical form signed by a physician, certified nurse, or practitioner is required within 30 days of admission and must be updated every 13 months.
How do parents update child or family information?
The handbook says any changes to enrollment or health information should be communicated to the office immediately so current information is always on file for the child’s safety.
How does parent pickup work?
The handbook says parents are asked at registration to list who will be responsible for picking up their child. If someone other than a parent or guardian will pick up the child, the center must be notified by phone and/or in writing.
Is photo identification required for pickup?
Yes. The handbook says photo identification is required for non-parents picking up a child.
Does Mother’s Helper provide meals and snacks?
The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook says the centers provide breakfast, lunch, an a.m. snack, and a p.m. snack. It also says menus are posted on the Parent Bulletin Board.
[CONFIRM CURRENT MEAL DETAILS BEFORE LAUNCH]
Can children bring food from home?
The handbook says children should not bring food from home unless the child has a special diet, doctor’s statement, or religious reason. Parents should provide special diet information in writing.
Does Mother’s Helper have nap or rest time?
Yes. The handbook says a daily afternoon rest period is observed. Children are not forced to sleep, but they are asked to rest quietly while others are sleeping. The center provides each child with a cot, and parents must provide a blanket.
Do children go outside during the year?
Yes. The handbook says children are expected to go outside during all seasons, weather permitting, and parents should dress children appropriately for outdoor play.
What should parents send with their child?
The handbook says parents should leave an extra set of clothing at the center, mark clothing with the child’s name, and dress children appropriately for outdoor play.
How does Mother’s Helper handle guidance and discipline?
The handbook says Mother’s Helper uses love, respect, positive reinforcement, positive redirection, age-appropriate guidance, and problem-solving to help children learn self-control.
Is corporal punishment allowed?
No. The handbook says corporal punishment or abusive behavior of any kind is not allowed by staff, parents, guardians, or anyone else on Mother’s Helper property.
What happens if a child has ongoing behavior challenges?
The handbook says Mother’s Helper will attempt to work with parents and the child to correct behavior. If needed, the center may develop a behavior management plan in consultation with the parents. Safety of the children is listed as the primary concern.
What happens if a child becomes sick at the center?
The handbook says staff observe children daily upon arrival and will notify the parent or guardian if a child shows signs or symptoms of illness. Some symptoms may require isolation and immediate pickup by a parent, guardian, or designated person.
How do parents ask about pricing?
Parents can contact Mother’s Helper directly to ask about current pricing, registration fees, enrollment availability, tour options, and which Columbus location is the best fit for their family.
Can parents schedule a tour?
Parents should contact Mother’s Helper directly to ask about tour availability, enrollment steps, current openings, and which location they should visit.
Which location should parents contact?
Families interested in the Fifth Avenue location can call 614-253-2000. Families interested in the Spring Street location can call 614-252-2000 or 614-424-2000. Parents can also use the main contact number shown on the current website: 614-253-4146.
What programs do Mother’s Helper offer?
Mother’s Helper Childcare & Pre-K Education lists programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, Pre-K students, and school-age children.
Where is Mother’s Helper located?
Mother’s Helper has two Columbus, Ohio locations: 2140 E. 5th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219, and 712 E. Spring Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203.
What is the main phone number for Mother’s Helper?
The main contact number shown on the current Mother’s Helper website is 614-253-4146.
What is the phone number for the Fifth Avenue location?
The Fifth Avenue location phone number is 614-253-2000.
What is the phone number for the Spring Street location?
The Spring Street location phone number listed in the handbook and current website is 614-252-2000. The current website also lists 614-424-2000 for the Spring Street location.
Are Mother’s Helper locations licensed?
The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook states that the centers are licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and that the licenses are posted in the front lobby or front office at each location.
What are the hours for the Fifth Avenue location?
The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook lists Mother’s Helper I at 2140 E. 5th Avenue as open Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
[CONFIRM CURRENT HOURS BEFORE LAUNCH]
What are the hours for the Spring Street location?
The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook lists Mother’s Helper II at 712 E. Spring Street as open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
[CONFIRM CURRENT HOURS BEFORE LAUNCH]
Does Mother’s Helper offer infant care?
Yes. Mother’s Helper lists infant care as one of its childcare program areas. The handbook says infant care provides a learning environment where infants are encouraged to grow physically, emotionally, socially, and in language and motor skills.
Does Mother’s Helper offer toddler care?
Yes. Mother’s Helper lists toddler care as one of its program areas. The handbook says toddlers are provided activities and opportunities to practice independent motor skills.
Does Mother’s Helper offer preschool and Pre-K?
Yes. Mother’s Helper lists preschool and Pre-K as program areas. The handbook says the preschool program supports fine motor, social, and language skills through a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
Does Mother’s Helper offer school-age care?
Yes. Mother’s Helper lists school-age care as one of its program areas. The handbook says school-age care is for children eligible for kindergarten or above and may include before-school, after-school, and some all-day care.
Does Mother’s Helper use a curriculum?
The current Mother’s Helper website says the center implements Creative Curriculum.
Are the classroom teachers credentialed?
The current Mother’s Helper website says classroom teachers have obtained a Child Development credential and/or degree in the field.
Who founded Mother’s Helper?
Mother’s Helper was founded by Donna J. Keaton and opened to the public on August 23, 1989.
What is required for enrollment?
The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook says a child is considered enrolled after the registration fee has been received, the Director confirms space is available, and the required paperwork is received. Required paperwork includes basic enrollment and health information.
Is a medical form required for enrollment?
Yes. The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook says a medical form signed by a physician, certified nurse, or practitioner is required within 30 days of admission and must be updated every 13 months.
How do parents update child or family information?
The handbook says any changes to enrollment or health information should be communicated to the office immediately so current information is always on file for the child’s safety.
How does parent pickup work?
The handbook says parents are asked at registration to list who will be responsible for picking up their child. If someone other than a parent or guardian will pick up the child, the center must be notified by phone and/or in writing.
Is photo identification required for pickup?
Yes. The handbook says photo identification is required for non-parents picking up a child.
Does Mother’s Helper provide meals and snacks?
The Mother’s Helper parent/guardian handbook says the centers provide breakfast, lunch, an a.m. snack, and a p.m. snack. It also says menus are posted on the Parent Bulletin Board.
[CONFIRM CURRENT MEAL DETAILS BEFORE LAUNCH]
Can children bring food from home?
The handbook says children should not bring food from home unless the child has a special diet, doctor’s statement, or religious reason. Parents should provide special diet information in writing.
Does Mother’s Helper have nap or rest time?
Yes. The handbook says a daily afternoon rest period is observed. Children are not forced to sleep, but they are asked to rest quietly while others are sleeping. The center provides each child with a cot, and parents must provide a blanket.
Do children go outside during the year?
Yes. The handbook says children are expected to go outside during all seasons, weather permitting, and parents should dress children appropriately for outdoor play.
What should parents send with their child?
The handbook says parents should leave an extra set of clothing at the center, mark clothing with the child’s name, and dress children appropriately for outdoor play.
How does Mother’s Helper handle guidance and discipline?
The handbook says Mother’s Helper uses love, respect, positive reinforcement, positive redirection, age-appropriate guidance, and problem-solving to help children learn self-control.
Is corporal punishment allowed?
No. The handbook says corporal punishment or abusive behavior of any kind is not allowed by staff, parents, guardians, or anyone else on Mother’s Helper property.
What happens if a child has ongoing behavior challenges?
The handbook says Mother’s Helper will attempt to work with parents and the child to correct behavior. If needed, the center may develop a behavior management plan in consultation with the parents. Safety of the children is listed as the primary concern.
What happens if a child becomes sick at the center?
The handbook says staff observe children daily upon arrival and will notify the parent or guardian if a child shows signs or symptoms of illness. Some symptoms may require isolation and immediate pickup by a parent, guardian, or designated person.
How do parents ask about pricing?
Parents can contact Mother’s Helper directly to ask about current pricing, registration fees, enrollment availability, tour options, and which Columbus location is the best fit for their family.
Can parents schedule a tour?
Parents should contact Mother’s Helper directly to ask about tour availability, enrollment steps, current openings, and which location they should visit.
Which location should parents contact?
Families interested in the Fifth Avenue location can call 614-253-2000. Families interested in the Spring Street location can call 614-252-2000 or 614-424-2000. Parents can also use the main contact number shown on the current website: 614-253-4146.