Our readers are opinionated when it comes to classes and care for their little ones—it’s a parent’s prerogative to be picky, right? Here, local parents’ picks for finding caregivers for the short and long term, teaching your little one essential life and social skills, and getting some much-needed shut-eye. (These resources originally appeared in the February issues of CollinChild, DallasChild, FortWorthChild and NorthTexasChild magazines.)
Best Child Care Centers for Infants
Collin and Denton Counties // Primrose Schools
At Primrose Schools, low infantteacher ratios, developmentally appropriate play spaces and an open-door policy that lets parents check on their little ones anytime all work to ensure that tots as young as 6 weeks are safe—and that Mom and Dad are at ease. The Balanced Learning approach combines everything from story time to sign language to make sure kiddos are physically, emotionally, socially and academically prepared for preschool.
Multiple locations; primroseschools.com
Tarrant County // Bright Horizons
Bright Horizons ticks those all-important boxes for safety,
security and cleanliness: Cleanliness standards exceed those required by the state, all staff members are CPR-certified, and there’s an open-door policy that lets you
check in on your little one. Plus, extras like finger painting, bubble blowing and outdoor playtime make it a fun place for babies as young as 6 weeks to learn and develop. Bright Horizons offers a Montessori or traditional curriculum, depending on location.
201 Jones St., Fort Worth, 817/334-0036 // 1709 N. Enderly Place, Fort Worth, 817/927-6249;
brighthorizons.com
Best Babysitting Service
Care.com
Find a sitter for tonight or that concert next month on Care.com’s babysitter matching service. After signing up for a free membership, post a job and then see candidates’ profiles, ratings, reviews and certifications and request a background check. Payment and tips are handled through
the app so you never have to remember to stop by the ATM on your way home.
Dallas-Fort Worth area; care.com
Best Parent & Baby Class
The Little Gym
Meet other parents, teach your infant new skills and have a bit of fun at one of The Little Gym’s parent-child classes. Classes are offered for ages 4 months to 3 years and are divided by age to make sure your kiddo is mixing with others at the same developmental level. In each 45-minute session, your baby builds muscles and social awareness through developmental gymnastics—little ones
wiggle on mats, push barrels and pull themselves up on padded beams. Monthly pricing starts at $96 for one class per week.
Multiple locations; thelittlegym.com
Best Infant Swim Classes
Denton County // Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
First-time swimmers at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools begin in the Tadpoles class, a 30-minute parent-child class for ages 4 months–1 year. Little fishies learn natural breath control and back floats while parents learn how to properly hold babies in the water. Monthly pricing begins at $84 for one lesson per week.
777 S. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 409, Coppell, 972/793-7992 // 6060 Long Prairie Road, Suite 100, Flower Mound, 214/396-7900; aqua-tots.com
Collin, Dallas and Tarrant Counties // Emler Swim School
You and baby take the plunge together at Emler Swim School, a perennial parent favorite with indoor saltwater pools kept at a balmy 90 degrees and—most important—a focus on safety. Start things off with a free 30-minute Bathtime Babies class that familiarizes 2- to 6-month-olds
with the feeling of being in the water. Then transition into the semesterlong Waterbabies course, where your little one learns breath control and floating techniques.
Multiple locations; emlerswimschool.com
Best Sleep Specialists
Collin, Denton and Tarrant Counties // Newborn Nightingales
If your little one isn’t sleeping through the night, the 25 registered nurses from Newborn Nightingales are here to
save your sanity. Choose an in-home, phone or email
consultation, and a nurse will assess your family’s situation and provide a sleep plan and daily schedule for your baby plus help you troubleshoot problem areas like swaddling, breastfeeding and tummy issues. If you have
any follow-up questions, Newborn Nightingales provides free email support for six months.
Dallas-Fort Worth area; newbornnightingales.com
Dallas County // Rest to Your Nest with Mary Cantwell
Turn your baby’s sleep from guesswork to clockwork with the help of Rest to Your Nest with Mary Cantwell. The certified sleep consultant builds a sleep plan tailored to each family and baby. After a two-hour in-home consultation (which can also be done by phone or Skype),
Cantwell emails a sleep plan for you to follow—with the help of email and phone check-ins. Packages start at $465 with an in-home consultation and at $365 for a remote consultation.
Dallas-Fort Worth area, 972/638-9974; resttoyournest.com
