Childcare for families
Childcare, preschool, and after-school care
Full-time care, part-time preschool, and before/after-school options across Scott County — including providers that accept childcare assistance.
What to look for in childcare
You know your child best. As you visit programs, use these signs of quality care to guide your questions and your gut feeling.
A current license
Licensed programs are inspected by the state. Ask to see the license, and check for a Paths to QUALITY rating.
Warm, engaged caregivers
Teachers who get down on children's level, talk with them, and comfort them help kids feel safe and learn faster.
Safe sleep for infants
Babies should always be placed on their backs in a crib with a firm mattress — no blankets, pillows, bumpers, or toys.
CPR and first aid training
Ask whether caregivers hold current infant/child CPR and first aid certificates, and how often the whole team renews them.
Low ratios, small groups
Fewer children per adult means more one-on-one attention, calmer rooms, and safer supervision.
A clean, safe space
Look for covered outlets, secured doors and gates, safe outdoor play areas, and regular hand-washing routines.
Open communication
Good programs share daily updates, welcome your questions, and treat you as a partner in your child's care.
A few more things families ask about
Ask about licensing
Licensed centers and licensed home providers are inspected by the state. Ask to see the current license and any Paths to QUALITY rating.
Check Indiana licensing (opens in a new tab)Help paying for care
Indiana's CCDF vouchers and On My Way Pre-K can cover much of the cost for eligible families. River Valley Resources in Madison is Scott County's local intake office — ask a provider whether they accept them.
Apply for CCDF vouchers (opens in a new tab)Local intake: River Valley Resources
River Valley Resources handles CCDF and On My Way Pre-K applications for Scott County families from its Madison office, and also offers free adult education and job training for parents.
About River Valley Resources (opens in a new tab)
Where to find care
Find a licensed childcare program
Indiana's official Child Care Finder is where families can search for licensed childcare providers near you — see locations, hours, and program details, and check each provider's license.
Are you a childcare provider?
Find state licensing, required training like CPR and safe sleep, and local health department support on our provider page.
16 resources found
- Childcare
Austin Christian Preschool
Faith-based preschool program in Austin.
- Address
- 2845 State Road 31, Austin, IN 47102
- Service area
- Serves Scott County
- Phone
- (812) 794-2541
- faith-based
- preschool
- ChildcareEducation
Austin Elementary Preschool Program
School-based preschool program at Austin Elementary (ext. #3).
- Address
- 401 Highway 31, Austin, IN 47102
- Service area
- Serves Scott County School District 1
- Phone
- (812) 794-8743
- school preschool
- Childcare
Bright Beginnings Early Learning Academy
Early learning academy at Vienna Baptist Church. Contact: Amy Mullins.
- Address
- 11 West Leota Rd., Scottsburg, IN 47170
- Service area
- Serves Scott County
- Phone
- (812) 752-1510
- licensed provider
- early learning
- ChildcareReferral & informationFeatured
Building Blocks (formerly 4C of Southern Indiana)
Childcare and preschool referral service for Southern Indiana families looking for quality care options.
- Service area
- Serves Southern Indiana
- Phone
- (812) 423-4008
- info@child-care.org
- childcare referral
- preschool
- help finding care
- Childcare
First Christian Scottsburg Christian Preschool
Faith-based preschool, childcare, and after-school care.
- Address
- 201 W. McClain Ave., Scottsburg, IN 47170
- Service area
- Serves Scott County
- Phone
- (812) 752-2110
- faith-based
- preschool
- after-school care
- ChildcareAlso in Schools & Education
Grace Christian Academy
Faith-based preschool through 12th grade. Contact: Dana Bracey.
- Address
- 1525 N. Gardner St., Scottsburg, IN 47170
- Service area
- Serves Scott County
- Phone
- (812) 752-5491
- faith-based
- preschool
- ChildcareEducation
Johnson Elementary Preschool Program
School-based preschool, Paths to QUALITY Level 3.
- Address
- 4235 State Road 256, Scottsburg, IN 47170
- Service area
- Serves Scott County School District 2
- Phone
- (812) 752-8923
- school preschool
- Paths to QUALITY Level 3
- ChildcareEducation
Lexington Elementary Preschool Program
School-based preschool, Paths to QUALITY Level 3.
- Address
- 7980 Walnut Street, Lexington, IN 47138
- Service area
- Serves Scott County School District 2
- Phone
- (812) 752-8924
- school preschool
- Paths to QUALITY Level 3
- Childcare
Lil Treasures Childcare
Licensed childcare and preschool program for Scott County families. Lil Treasures participates in the state food program, serving nutritious meals and snacks to the children in care.
- Address
- 1584 IN 56, Scottsburg, IN 47170
- Service area
- Serves Scott County
- Phone
- (812) 595-6464
- childcare
- licensed
- state food program
- preschool
- Childcare
O.V.O. Scottsburg Head Start Center
Head Start early learning center, Paths to QUALITY Level 3. Fax: (812) 273-5950.
- Address
- 1172 Community Way, Scottsburg, IN 47170
- Service area
- Serves Scott County
- Eligibility
- Income-eligible families with children ages 3-5
- Phone
- (812) 752-7409
- head start
- licensed center
- Paths to QUALITY Level 3
- free
- Childcare
Patricia Bales Childcare
Licensed child care center serving children 3 months to 12 years.
- Service area
- Serves Scott County
- Eligibility
- 3 months to 12 years
- Phone
- (812) 752-1125
- licensed provider
- infant care
- school age
- ChildcareFinancial assistanceFeatured
River Valley Resources — CCDF & On My Way Pre-K intake
Scott County's local intake office for CCDF child care vouchers and On My Way Pre-K grants. Families in Scott, Jackson, Jefferson, and nearby counties apply through River Valley Resources in Madison. Call or visit their website for forms and application help.
- Address
- 100 E. Second Street, Suite E, Madison, IN 47250
- Service area
- Serves Scott, Clark, Decatur, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland, and Washington counties
- Eligibility
- Income-eligible families
- Phone
- (812) 273-9270
- CCDF
- childcare vouchers
- On My Way Pre-K
- help paying for care
- application help
- ChildcareEducation
Scottsburg Elementary Preschool Program
School-based preschool, Paths to QUALITY Level 3.
- Address
- 49 N. Hyland St., Scottsburg, IN 47170
- Service area
- Serves Scott County School District 2
- Phone
- (812) 752-8922
- school preschool
- Paths to QUALITY Level 3
- Childcare
Tiny Treasures
Local childcare program serving Scott County families. Contact: Carol Vandervort.
- Address
- 582 E. State Road 56, Scottsburg, IN 47170
- Service area
- Serves Scott County
- Phone
- (812) 595-9299
- childcare
- ChildcareEducation
Vienna-Finley Elementary Preschool Program
School-based preschool, Paths to QUALITY Level 1.
- Address
- 445 E. Ivan Rogers Drive, Scottsburg, IN 47170
- Service area
- Serves Scott County School District 2
- Phone
- (812) 752-8925
- school preschool
- Paths to QUALITY Level 1
- Childcare
YMCA Preschool Program
Preschool program at the Scott County Family YMCA.
- Address
- 805 W. Community Way, Scottsburg, IN 47170
- Service area
- Serves Scott County
- childcare@scfy.org
- preschool
- licensed center
- YMCA
Not sure where to start? That's okay.
Search the directory for what you need, or talk with a real person at Indiana 211. They will listen to your situation and point you to the right local program — free and confidential, any hour of the day.