Tampa daycare: THE Top 10 Daycares in Tampa, FL | Affordable Prices

Опубликовано: December 22, 2019 в 10:12 am

Автор:

Категории: Miscellaneous

THE Top 10 Daycares in Tampa, FL | Affordable Prices

Daycares in Tampa, FL

Description:

Big Sista is more than a company it’s a family.
Big sista sitting services offering over 6 years of experience focus on supporting the family system by creating a safe stimulating environment for children.
Wealso administer one-on-one care and meets the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs of the children. While providing transportation to and from activities and school. We are experienced and trained Certified in First Aid and CPR….

Description:

Home health services consultation diabetes management, ventilator care, trach management and other conditions

Description:

Jungle Kidz Academy is a private, family owned Learning Center for school aged children. We provide small teacher to student ratio by only enrolling a total of 35 children in our program. Parent’s feelconfident that their children are in a safe, secure environment with proper supervision at all times.

Description:

Tampa Bay’s unique + chic party place

Description:

Love & Glory Learning Center, Inc is an educational facility that serves the community of Tampa FL. It offers a comprehensive early childhood program and provides developmentally appropriate learning activitiesthat enhance children’s emotional, social, physical, and mental abilities. The center promotes balanced learning by integrating child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities….

Description:

Ramona’s Family Child Care provides center-based early care and learning programs for young children. The company offers a Creative Curriculum-based early education program for pre-kindergarten students andbefore and after-school programs for elementary students. Ramona’s Family Child Care also provides meals and snacks throughout the day….

Description:

We provide a positive, safe, and affordable quality learning environment that will stimulate creativity as your children explores their world through play. Our caring staff will help in the development of yourchild overall well being. We offer full time rates, part time rates, drop-in rates, before and after school care, night care, and weekend care is also available. We provide healthy nutrition for all the children we care for. We also offer free VPK for 4-year-olds….

Description:

Creative World Brandon is a childcare center located in Tampa, Florida, that maintains an Exploratorium, a trademarked centerpiece, that features wonderful murals and interactive educational activities forchildren to explore and enjoy….

Description:

We are open from 630 am to 630 pm, M-F.
We accept infants thru after schoolers, up to 11 years old.
We provide a VPK program based on the Creative Curriculum.
We provide before and after school care. We providedrop off and pickup from:
Robles Elementary,
Temple Terrace Elementary,
Riverhill Elementary,
Woodmont.
Come visit our 18,000 sq ft facility with two playgrounds and excellent teachers! You and your child will love our center!. ..

Description:

Scholastic Opportunities INC is a childcare provider that serves the community of Tampa FL. It offers a warm and loving environment and provides age-appropriate activities that foster holistic development amongchildren. The center promotes balanced learning by integrating child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities….

Description:

Orient Road Child Development Center Inc offers center-based and full-time child care and early education services designed for young children. Located at 5708 Orient Rd, the company serves families living inthe Tampa, FL area. Orient Road Child Development Center Inc is fully licensed to handle 90 children….

Description:

Saint Matthew Child Development Center is a childcare facility that was established in 1987 to provide quality care and early learning for children living in Tampa, Florida and nearby communities. It provides asafe, healthy and stimulating environment suitable for children’s growth and development. It also provides educational activities that foster the children’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual development. The center operates from Mondays through Fridays, and it can accommodate up to 133 children….

A Bridge Learning

3902 Corporex Park Dr #100, Tampa, FL 33619

Costimate: $182/wk

Description:

A Bridge Learning is a childcare and education provider that serves the community of Tampa FL. It offers a structured academic program in an enriching environment and provides facilities that enhance children’ssocial, emotional, intellectual and physical skills. The center promotes active learning by providing activities that allow children to explore, discover, and learn….

Description:

Beatri Zfebo Day Care offers center-based and full-time child care and early education services designed for young children. Located at 6223 N 49th St, the company serves families living in the Tampa, FL area.Beatri Zfebo Day Care has served the community since they started operating in 2005.

Description:

Linda Anderson Early Headstart is a dedicated child care facility that is dedicated to early learning on 8514 Ridein Rd, Tampa, FL. Their center is state-licensed and provides education for children living innearby areas. They emphasize a holistic approach to education that promotes their students’ growth, development, and well-being….

Description:

All Gods Children is a Christian child care center located at 1105 S 58th St, Tampa, FL that is devoted to foster your child’s needs to learn while having fun. Their facility features a Christian-centeredlearning environment that effectively engages their students’ natural desire to explore, learn, and express themselves….

Description:

Maya Childcare Inc is a facility in Tampa, FL that offers a structured curriculum in a nurturing and safe environment. They provide creative educational programs that enhance the children’s growth while meetingthe individual needs. This child care works with the staff and parents in supporting the developmental skills and learning in a stimulating, clean, secure, and safe atmosphere.

Description:

WRIGHT’S WONDERLAND OF LEARNING INC in Tampa, FL offers various fun activities, educational toys, and interactive games to foster a state-licensed and stimulating environment. Kindergarten and preschoolchildren will flourish as they will be able to learn and play with others in their age group. The students will enjoy the daily lessons, games, and crafts with a maximum capacity of 45 children….

Description:

Murphy’s Child Development Center is an early childhood facility that promotes every child’s development. It serves children, as well as their families, of the Tampa community. Located in the state of Florida,the Center is operational Monday through Friday. It has been in the child care industry since 2006….

Description:

Located in Tampa, Florida, Glenn Mutcherson Family Daycare is a child care facility that offers individual and group programs. It dedicates itself to stimulate every child’s developmental growth and learning. It accepts infants up to school-age children. It has been operating since 2005….

Showing 1 – 20 of 76

FAQs for finding daycares in Tampa

In 2022 what type of daycare can I find near me in Tampa, FL?

There are a variety of daycares in Tampa, FL providing full time and part-time care. Some daycares are facility-based and some are in-home daycares operated out of a person’s home. They can also vary in the degree of education and curriculum they offer. Additionally, some daycares offer bilingual programs for parents that want to immerse their children in multiple languages.

How can I find a daycare near me in Tampa, FL?

If you are looking for daycare options near you, start several months in advance of when you need care for your child. Care.com has 76 in Tampa, FL as of September 2022 and you can filter daycares by distance from Tampa or your zip code. From there, you can then compare daycare rates, parent reviews, view their specific services, see their hours of operation and contact them through the website for further information or to request an appointment.

What questions should I ask a daycare provider before signing up?

As you visit daycare facilities in Tampa, FL, you should ask the providers what their hours are so you can be prepared to adjust your schedule for drop-off and pick-up. Ask what items you are responsible for bringing for your child and what items you may be required to provide that will be shared among other children or the daycare staff. Also, make sure to check directly with the business for information about their local licensing and credentials in Tampa, FL.

La Petite Academy of Tampa in Tampa, FL | 7511 Paula Drive

Your School La Petite Academy of Tampa, FL

Go

Remove

La Petite Academy of Tampa, FL


Welcome to Our School

Welcome to La Petite Academy educational daycare in Tampa, FL! My name is Disney Hernandez and I am the academy director. I have been with La Petite since 2007. I have more than 15 years’ experience in early learning education.

Our school provides educational options and choices for children of every age and stage through our Infant care, Preschool and Before- and After-School program. Our teachers help make each child’s learning experience fun and enjoyable every day. This center is accredited by the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation.

I strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for our families. We have an outstanding staff that is dedicated to our children and families here in Tampa. We have taken some significant steps to upgrade our school to ensure that our children have the most up-to-date and engaging learning environment.

We’re committed to keeping you connected throughout the day while your child is in our care. Get access to live streaming video of your child’s classroom, plus other real-time updates, with our exclusive mobile app for families, SproutAbout.

Schedule a tour of our amazing La Petite Academy in Tampa, FL! We look forward to meeting you!


Here’s what people have to say

5 out of 5 stars


My son is happy healthy and enjoys himself at this school

Verified Shopper


I’ve never been more happy and comfortable with another child care provider

Verified Shopper


Attentiveness and caring. Thank you for all you do and patience.

Verified Shopper


The staff have been very warm and welcoming and have cheered my son on for his milestones.

Verified Shopper


My child loves the school.The teachers and the administrator are very kind and professional. That makes me feel grateful with the school. I recommend it.

Verified Shopper


I love this school. Glad i decided to enroll her at la petite. Best decision’m

Verified Shopper


Very friendly staff, genuinely care about my child’s learning and development.

Verified Shopper


I’ve seen such a great improvement in my child’s social interaction. The director and teachers have been amazing and have made me feel very comfortable with my child’s transition into this school.

Verified Shopper


We are very thankful that La Petite has taken such great care of our son and truly has assisted in his growth and development .

Verified Shopper


Great teachers, very clean. My kids love going to school here.

Verified Shopper




Grow Your Connection

With SproutAbout, you won’t miss a thing when your child is at school with us. Take a peek at the engaging experience provided by our new app.


Learn About Electives

For an additional fee, go beyond regular classroom learning experiences with our enhanced series of fun, interactive enrichment programs exploring a variety of activities. We offer:

Soccer, Music, Yoga, Spanish, Phonics, Handwriting & Advanced Math


Proud to be Accredited!

We’ve been recognized as a high-quality early education program.




Give Your Child a Great Start With VPK

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) is a free daily, 4-hour program that includes breakfast and lunch, with the option of extended wrap care. This full-day learning experience enhances your child’s school readiness journey. Every child who turns 4 by September 1 may be eligible for free VPK. Schedule a tour to learn more.




Open a window to your child’s day.

SproutAbout®, our exclusive family app, provides free live streaming video of your child’s classroom to your mobile device.

Learn More


Meet Our Staff

Disney Hernandez, Director

Education: Director Credential Level II, VPK Endorsed

Certifications: Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC), Pediatric CPR and First Aid

I have dedicated my professional life to early childhood education since 1999. My goal as a director is to guarantee a high-quality service to our children and families. I feel proud to be able to provide my services to the community and help to form good citizens.

Meet Our Staff

Aracelis Irizarry, Assistant Director

Certifications: Working on FCCPC, 45 Hours Child Care Facility, CPR and First Aid

Working in early education has always been my passion. I feel committed to the development of the children in my care. It is a pleasure for me to be able to serve families in the formation and education of their children.

Meet Our Staff

Dianeris Cespedes, Team Lead

Certifications: Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC), 45 HRS Child Care Facility, CPR and First Aid

As a teacher, I am committed to the education, well-being and good nutrition of the children under my care. My objective as a team lead is to coach and support my coworkers in anything they need. I have been in this field for more than five years.




Local School Phone Number: 813. 885.2215813.885.2215


License #: C HC 110049





TOP

Childcare in Tampa, FL | Daycare Near Me

Childcare in Tampa, FL | Daycare Near Me | Kiddie AcademyFind the best daycare and preschool in Carrollwood for you at Kiddie Academy of Carrollwood | Kiddie Academy







Request Information


813-264-2378
Get directions
Find Out More

Every day your child’s imagination grows and their curiosity gathers momentum—Kiddie Academy of Carrollwood empowers and celebrates all of it.

Our Life Essentials® learning approach and curriculum encourages children to explore and progress in their own way, and at their own pace. At Kiddie Academy of Carrollwood, your child will grow socially, physically, emotionally and intellectually. Our highly trained teachers are there every step of the way to guide, nurture and cultivate your child’s development.

Look inside our Academy


News

Carrollwood Reopened 4/27!

Kiddie Academy of Carrollwood has reopened to serve the needs of our community during this time. We are carefully following all CDC and state guidelines as the health of our staff, teachers, students…

Check out more!

Empowering at every age: our learning programs

Use the arrows to find the right fit.

Swipe to find the right fit.





Click to close

Why Carrollwood families and Kiddie Academy find each other

Our approach to early education is to capture the momentum of curiosity and involve parents in every minute of it. That includes you.

Life Essentials

®

Guided by our well-rounded philosophy and curriculum, our highly trained teachers help develop what’s unique in every child—nurturing imagination, fostering creativity and preparing them for school and for life.

See how we teach

Community-based care

We believe every Kiddie Academy should feel like an extension of family. Take a look inside our Academy to see what makes us the perfect place for your child.

Look inside our Academy

Our commitment to health and safety

Nothing matters more than your child’s health, safety and security. That’s why every Kiddie Academy follows our strict health and disinfection guidelines called Health Essentials, has a restricted-entry system and a thoroughly vetted staff trained in first aid, CPR and emergency drills.

Learn about our Health Essentials program



Hear from our parents


“Staff is very attentive and accommodating ”


Rachel C., Carrollwood


“Great place people are friendly and me being a first time dad they help out a lot and answer every question I have even if it’s nothing to do with daycare ”


Joshua W. , Carrollwood


“First the people are super nice and love receiving updated status of my child day through the app. ”


Julia C., Carrollwood


“Routine and structure and very informational. Both my children have attended here and many friends kids. My oldest son learned a lot here during daycare and the VPK program and has been a honor roll student throughout all of elementary so far. Thank you kiddie Academy! ”


Sara H., Carrollwood


“My daughter has been doing VPK and after school program and she loves it! She is excited to go to school almost every day, she loves her teachers and class. She is able to express herself daily (within limits) and she does not get told no she isnt able to do that. I love that… ”


Lilliana G., Carrollwood


“I really enjoy how I receive pictures and updates on the Tadpole application. This gives me joy and peace of mind knowing my daughter is doing great throughout the day ”


Ashley B., Carrollwood


“Learning is so interactive. My daughter loves all of the different activities that they have. They’re using all of their senses to learn. ”


Dannielle G., Carrollwood


“Teachers take the time to make sure each child is learning and on track for the next level. They make learning fun for my daughter and they are helping with her listening skills. It is a small facility so all the teachers are aware of what is going on and they know each child by… ”


Lilliana G., Carrollwood


“The people are great and my girls love it there ”


Alyssa O., Carrollwood


“I love the daily reports, the pictures of my kids. The fact that there are always at least 2 teachers to every room. The staff is always nice. ”


Alyssa D., Carrollwood



More Parent stories




Find out more about our Academy.

Contact us to learn more about what makes Kiddie Academy stand out among educational child care providers. A member of our team will contact you.

Welcome tips and insights to the family:

Parenting Essentials

®

The learning doesn’t stop for parents, either. That’s why we created an information resource with helpful tips on everything from enriching our STEM program at home to introducing lifelong healthy eating and fitness habits.







Daycare, Preschool & Child Care Centers in Tampa, FL

KinderCare has partnered with Tampa families for more than 50 years to provide award-winning early education programs and high-quality childcare in Tampa, FL.

Whether you are looking for a preschool in Tampa, a trusted part-time or full-time daycare provider, or educational before- or after-school programs, KinderCare offers fun and learning at an affordable price.

  1. Gunn KinderCare

    Phone:
    (813) 963-2062

    4250 Gunn Hwy
    Tampa
    FL
    33618

    Distance from address: 7. 42 miles

    Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
    Open:

    Tuition & Openings

  2. Webb Road KinderCare

    Phone:
    (813) 885-5519

    4934 Webb Rd
    Tampa
    FL
    33615

    Distance from address: 7.81 miles

    Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
    Open:

    Tuition & Openings

  3. Temple Terrace KinderCare

    Phone:
    (813) 980-3188

    11501 N 53rd St
    Temple Terrace
    FL
    33617

    Distance from address: 8. 26 miles

    Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
    Open:

    Tuition & Openings

  4. Northdale KinderCare

    Phone:
    (813) 961-9172

    15609 Premiere Dr
    Tampa
    FL
    33624

    Distance from address: 10.58 miles

    Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
    Open:

    Tuition & Openings

  5. Seffner KinderCare

    Phone:
    (813) 654-6492

    2524 S Parsons Ave
    Seffner
    FL
    33584

    Distance from address: 10. 70 miles

    Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
    Open:

    Tuition & Openings

  6. Bell Shoals KinderCare

    Phone:
    (813) 654-0572

    4304 Bell Shoals Rd
    Valrico
    FL
    33596

    Distance from address: 12.63 miles

    Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
    Open:

    Tuition & Openings

  7. Oldsmar KinderCare

    Phone:
    (813) 854-1817

    113 Forest Lake Blvd S
    Oldsmar
    FL
    34677

    Distance from address: 14. 90 miles

    Ages: 2 months to 12 years
    Open:

    Tuition & Openings

Parents scramble to find open childcare spots in Tampa Bay

Parents scramble to find open childcare spots in Tampa Bay

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Tampa Bay parents tell ABC Action News they’re in the middle of a childcare crisis. Thousands of families are on waiting lists as they scramble to find places for their young children to be cared for while they work.

Sophie Sandelin is getting a lot of extra time in with her kids. The Clearwater mom has spent 7 months looking for childcare for her daughter Ava and her son Ezra. She’s even looked across three different cities.

“I checked up in Safety Harbor, up in Palm Harbor, over in Dunedin and none of them had availability,” she said with a sigh.

In Pinellas County alone, the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County estimates more than 3,000 children are currently on waiting lists for childcare.

“One of the schools said they are two years out on their waiting list,” Sandelin recalled from one of her phone calls.

Stefanie Van Riper has been dealing with similar issues, “It’s really, really, really tough finding childcare,” she said with frustration.

Van Riper finally found a spot at a licensed in-home childcare, but that’s after she called more than 40 places looking for a spot for her kids. She spent a month and a half relying on babysitters so that she could continue to work.

“You can’t expect your employer to not have an employee so they can take care of their kids for 6 weeks, but babysitters are expensive too,” she added.

ABC Action News Reporter Sarah Hollenbeck went to Facebook to ask parents about this problem and nearly 140 people weighed in on the topic. Some of you asked if the pandemic is causing a shortage in spots.

ABC Action News pulled the numbers in Hillsborough County. Pre-pandemic in late March of 2019, there were 1,072 childcare facilities. This spring, there are 1,047. That’s 25 fewer child care facilities now compared to pre-pandemic, according to Hillsborough County Government leaders.

In Pinellas County, there were 693 child care facilities open pre-pandemic in April of 2019. There are 634 facilities now. That’s 59 fewer child care facilities now compared to pre-pandemic, according to the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County.

Yet, while there are fewer facilities open, child care experts tell ABC Action News that the bigger problem is staffing. They say existing child care facilities don’t even have enough staff to take on the number of kids they’re licensed for.

Lindsay Carson, the CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County says that’s impacting infant, toddler and two-year-old spots greatly. “About 40% of our providers have a waiting list due to staffing shortages so that represents 300, 400 providers throughout Pinellas County with a waiting list,” she elaborated.

It’s concerning for Lynn Gibson. Gibson heads up Lynn’s Tender Touch Daycare. Her licensed at-home daycare has operated in Pinellas County for 34 years.

“I really think this is a crisis,” she explained. “If I could go bigger with my childcare, I would. The problem is I’ve even been offering part-time work to people and can’t get people to come in and work.”

Gibson says she receives as many as 15 calls a day from parents looking for a spot. Gibson spends whatever time she can talking to lawmakers and asking for help.

“We’ve taken it all the way to congress trying to say we need help out here because without it we can’t keep going,” she said.

Child Care Coalitions on both sides of the bay are working to train more early learning workers while making the jobs more attractive.

“We offer sign on bonuses, free training, we connect them with potential employers,” Carson added.

In Hillsborough County, Media Relations employee Hilary Zalla tells ABC Action News some childcare facilities that once had multiple infant rooms now may operate only one infant room, and programs offering multiple VPK classes are struggling to offer even one class. One provider Zalla spoke with recently had 44 children registered for VPK in the fall but has been able to hire only one credentialed teacher, which means that 33 children will have to look for VPK slots in other programs, which are equally short-staffed.

Hillsborough County Child Care Licensing, in conjunction with CareerSource Tampa Bay recently offered a first-of-its-kind virtual job fair for child care professionals. 21 child care programs participated in this inaugural event. Hillsborough County is looking to offer additional job fairs this year.

Time is of the essence to get more workers trained. The Early Learning Coalition says 17% of child care centers in Pinellas County are at risk of closing because of staff shortages, which would put parents in an even bigger pickle.

WFTS

Sandelin is still working to figure out her options. “I may just consider homeschooling. I don’t know what to do at this point,” she said. “I’m hoping that more people will see the need and fill the need. ” Carson says her organization has helped connect many families with ELC vouchers and yet many can’t find spots to use the vouchers because of the waiting lists.

Gibson hopes more people will follow her lead and open home daycare businesses. While the businesses have to be licensed and often need higher insurance policies, Gibson says it’s been a wonderful career for her to excel at and follow the families in her care for years.

Currently, there are 256 at-home childcare centers in Pinellas County.

Gibson suggested people interested in opening at-home childcare businesses can participate in a $25 session to learn how to start the business. The next session is May 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone interested can contact Lisa at 727-275-6493 or Paula at 727-275-6483.

The lack of childcare is also leading to nationwide impacts. The United States Labor Force now has 1 million fewer women working than it did when the pandemic began and childcare has been cited as one of the major reasons why, according to the National Women’s Law Center. The cost of childcare now amounts to 31% of the average income for women. 

Pinellas County parents, grandparents and guardians can find information about available child care centers HERE.

Hillsborough County parents, grandparents and guardians can find information about available child care centers HERE.

Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Report a typo

Sign up for the Morning Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information.


now signed up to receive the Morning Headlines Newsletter.


Click here to manage all Newsletters

Hourly Daycare on Your Time | Tampa, FL

FAQ

What will my child do at KidsPark?

Short answer:  HAVE FUN!

 

Long answer:  Activity areas throughout our centers offers enrichment opportunities and opportunities to socialize. Kids can participate in the area of their choice. Areas include Creation Station, Mountain of Energy, Activity Area, Blue Crew (5 and up), Theater, Sport Court. Each month there are featured activities that include cooking, arts and crafts, sensory exploration or hands-on science. Read more.

Who will care for my kids?

Short answer: Our KidsPark staff are energetic, creative people who enjoy interacting with children and have experience in early childhood education. 

 

Long answer: Our staff provides a safe, fun center for your kids and they are also:

  • Certified in First Aid and CPR
  • Screened by the Department of Justice
  • Trained in Early Childhood Education and Recreation
  • Required to attend staff development and skill-building workshops and classes

What COVID-19 safety protocols does KidsPark use?

Short answer: Your children’s health and safety are our top priority. KidsPark follows CDC guidelines. We’ve increased cleaning and disinfection efforts and health screening protocols at check-in.

 

Long answer: Visit our COVID-19 detailed resource page.

 

When should I use KidsPark?

Short answer: ANYTIME!  KidsPark is a treat, a part of your routine, or your back-up childcare provider. 

 

Long answer: KidsPark is a safe, fun, pay-as-you-play center for kids ages 2-12 (check with your local center for exact ages). Care by the hour, day, or week, we’re here anytime you need us. We’re open days, evenings, and weekends – no reservations needed!

 

Please keep in mind, especially for young children, it is easier for them to come to a center they know.  Don’t wait until an emergency, get your children used to KidsPark now so they are prepared.

Should I bring a meal or snack?

Short answer: Snacks of 100% apple juice or water and crackers are complimentary at 10am, 3pm and 8pm.  

 

Long answer: Lunch and dinner can be brought with you or purchased. See our daily menu on the sidebar. Check your local center for mealtimes. Please, do not pack any products with peanuts. Check with your local center for their detailed meal policy. 

 

Label all items and meals from home with your child’s name.

Are there potty-training requirements?

Short answer: No! 

 

Long answer: Diapers are welcomed. If your child is in diapers, bring a spare. What if my child is potty training? If your child is toilet training, bring extra clothes just in case . . . we do remind them!

Is there a regular nap time?

Short answer: Naps are not scheduled* since children arrive at various times. 

 

Long answer: If a child is tired, they are encouraged to rest in our theater or a quiet area. If you are sure your child will sleep, please bring a pillow or blanket for them.

 

*Some State regulations require a center-wide quiet time.  Please check with your local center.

How can I help my child transition to a new setting?

Short answer:  kids thrive at KidsPark and can’t wait to come back.

 

Long answer:  You know your child best and how they react to new experiences.   They may be joiners, watchers, explorers, or resisters. We assist each child to make his or her transition easy and positive. Read more.

How did KidsPark start?

Short answer: I am sure you’ve heard, necessity is the mother of invention.  Like you, the founder, Debbie Milner, needed hourly care . . .  and the rest is history.

 

Long answer: Read more.

What is the KidsPark Good Citizen pledge?

Short answer: We want all the children in our care to experience a fun, safe time. Consequently, KidsPark is serious about good citizenship.   We have zero-tolerance for fighting, bad language, and bullies.

 

Long answer: If your child acts inappropriately, we may call you to pick up. If this behavior is demonstrated on multiple visits, children may be suspended or expelled. If the transgression poses serious safety concerns, they may be suspended or expelled on the first occurrence.

 

A good KidsPark Citizen:

  • Enters the center calmly and stays in the play area.
  • Keeps their hands to themselves.
  • Uses toys as they are intended.
  • Is friendly and uses kind words and actions.
  • Takes turns and shares.
  • Is respectful and a good listener

 

Kindergartens and schools in the USA

Kindergartens and schools in the USA – in this article we will talk about them, as well as what foreign families can count on.

Education for children is a matter of paramount importance for parents. With schooling, everything seems to be clear – secondary education is compulsory in almost every country. But what about preschool education? Kindergarten attendance is mostly voluntary. Most parents opt for preschools. But the lack of places and sometimes high fees force them to refuse kindergarten services.

If a child is born in the United States, he automatically becomes a citizen of that country. In terms of education, this gives him the opportunity to attend public kindergartens and study in public schools free of charge.

Unfortunately, public kindergartens and schools in the US are not available to foreigners. Therefore, a child who does not have the status of a citizen or permanent resident of the country can only attend private institutions of preschool and primary education (age group – from 5 to 14 years, that is, up to grade 8).

F-1 visas are issued for children to attend kindergarten and study at any American school.

Kindergarten

Preschool in the United States begins at the age of five and lasts for a year, from age five to six. In some states, kindergarten is compulsory. There are no public kindergartens in the US for children under the age of five, only private ones. They are quite expensive. Prices vary depending on:

  • State
  • educational programs
  • time of visit (e.g. full or part time, all year or September to May)
  • the prestige of the area and the garden itself.

A year of a full day in kindergarten can cost from 2,000 to 8,000 dollars on average. Or maybe 25-35 thousand – in New York, for example. In many kindergartens, a full day is considered the time the child stays from 9:00 to 14:45. Time from 8:00 to 9:00 and from 14:45 to 18:00 is paid separately. You can choose absolutely any private kindergarten – there is no attachment to the place of residence. It all depends on the needs and budget of the family.

You can send your child to kindergarten even up to 2 years, or more precisely, from one month, but the cost in this case is almost doubled. And, of course, such gardens are not easy to find.

There are several types of kindergartens for children from 2 to 4 years old. There are home-type gardens – its owner must obtain permission to organize a kindergarten on the territory of his house and a certificate for a certain number of children to stay in it. There are also large gardens, reminiscent of Russian ones in organization. There is a clear division into groups, ages.

Note that kindergartens vary from state to state. It all depends on the laws of a particular state.

For Russian-speaking kids there are private kindergartens where communication is in Russian. Most often, these are home kindergartens. They are designed for an average of 8 people, because this is the number of children that one teacher who has received a license can bring up. The age of children admitted to such a kindergarten is from 2 years and older. They are cheaper than American ones, breakfast and lunch are included in their price, there is no language barrier in communication. Of the minuses, parents often name the fact that in such kindergartens there is not as much as they would like, they pay attention to developmental activities and creativity (for example, modeling or drawing), and in one group there can be both monthly babies and one and a half year old children.

Kindergarten enrollment

The first step is to submit an application to enroll your child in kindergarten. The administration of the children’s institution considers the application for one month and confirms or rejects it. Filing an application is paid – approximately from 100 to 300 dollars.

Kindergarten fees are obligatory and are paid for all days, including holidays and weekends, as well as days when the child does not attend kindergarten (for example, in case of illness). If a child stays in the kindergarten longer than the closing time of the kindergarten, a certain amount set by the administration of the child care institution is automatically deducted from the parent’s account. But there are no fees “for the arrangement of the class”, “the teacher’s birthday”, and so on.

Children are divided into age groups. These groups, in turn, are also divided into full-time and part-time groups. The first group – primary – children 2-3 years old, the second group – intermediate – children from 3 to 4 years. Everyone works according to their own schedule, which is drawn up a year in advance. Parents receive daily descriptions of what their children did during the day.

Child’s stay in kindergarten

Once every six months, educators conduct an assessment, which assesses the child’s language abilities, literacy, knowledge of numbers and numeracy, understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship and the environment. Depending on the individual abilities of the child, the opinions of the educators and the wishes of the parents, the child is transferred to the older group. Communication between the administration of the garden and parents always takes place in writing – by e-mail.

Most often in American kindergartens there is no food, the child brings all the food from home.

It should also be borne in mind that, since every day in the garden is paid regardless of whether the child comes or not, parents often bring their children sick. Only a temperature above 38 degrees can force the caregiver to call the parents with a request to pick up the child. By law, he must stay at home for at least one day. So you can’t go back to the garden the next day. But, if the child was at the doctor’s office and received any medication, he can come to the garden after 12 hours. Moreover, parents must write down the dosage and schedule of taking medications so that educators can track the intake of medications.

Nanny

In most cases, babysitting services are cheaper than kindergarten. On average, from 7 to 15 dollars per hour, depending on the level of professionalism of the nanny (of course, students who want to earn extra money are paid less than professional babysitters).

School

There are three stages of school education in the USA:

  • elementary school – children 5-12 years old;
  • secondary school – children aged 13-14;
  • higher (high) school – children aged 15-18.

As mentioned above, foreign children cannot attend public schools for free. The only exception is international school exchange programs. In this case, a foreign participant in the program is enrolled in a public school for a period of study of up to 12 months.

In secondary school (from 9th grade) the child can also study in public schools. But here there is the same limitation – no more than 12 months. In addition, the student’s family must reimburse the full cost of the course for one person.

To transfer or enroll a child in an American school, you must present:

  • birth certificate;
  • certificates of vaccination and reaction to tuberculosis;
  • visas;
  • the so-called “address confirmation” – proof of residence in the city in which the child goes to school.

Before starting school, the student must go to an ESL class where English is a second language. Then he will be transferred to a regular class. Which one depends on which school he goes to. If it is a primary (zero to fifth grade) or middle (sixth to seventh) school, then the grade depends on age.

Every state has special Russian schools for Russian-speaking children. Despite the fact that classes are usually conducted in English, the program includes the Russian language and Russian literature. Most often, such schools are opened at Orthodox churches. It happens that in ordinary schools additional classes in the Russian language are introduced.

In addition, there are all kinds of studios, educational centers and circles for Russian children: figure skating, ballet, dancing, drawing, gymnastics and many others. Russian teachers work here, classes are held only in Russian.

Regular schools (both public and private) also have extra-curricular activities. This is volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, drawing and more. Most often they are paid separately.

The approximate cost of studying in a private school, depending on the state, can be found here.

What to See in Tampa – Top 20 Attractions

On the northwestern outskirts of Tampa is a building you wouldn’t expect to see in the US – Florida Hindu Temple. It was built not so long ago – at 1996, but quickly became significant for the worshipers of this religion. Admission to The Hindu Temple of Florida is completely free, but guests are required to adhere to a dress code (shoulders and knees must be covered). Holidays and festivals are constantly held in the temple, and in May a health fair is held here.

The Hindu Temple of Florida © Box Lab / Shutterstock

Glazer Children’s Museum

The Glazer Children’s Museum is a great place to spend time with the kids, especially when the weather doesn’t allow for long outdoor activities. Inside the museum there are areas where children can try on a variety of professions and roles – print money in a bank, build and design in an engineering workshop, find out where food comes from on a farm, put out a fire in a fire station, cook meals in a pizzeria, learn the basics treat diseases in the hospital, take part in a theatrical performance and take care of furries in the veterinary clinic. In addition, children will gain knowledge about the countries of the world, the properties of sound and light, and much more here in a playful way.

Glazer Children’s Museum © assets.simpleviewinc.com

Glazer Children’s Museum © a.travel-assets.com

International Plaza and Bay Street

International Plaza and Bay Street is located near Tampa International Airport. There are stores of American and foreign brands of clothing, accessories and cosmetics of different price categories – Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Burberry, GAP, Gucci, H&M, Louis Vuitton, LUSH, MAC, PANDORA, SEPHORA, Tiffany & Co. , VANS, etc. After shopping, visitors can satisfy their hunger in one of three dozen restaurants, coffee shops, eateries and cafes.

International Plaza and Bay Street © assets.simpleviewinc.com

Sparkman Wharf

Sparkman Wharf is a vibrant and vibrant place in the heart of Tampa that is a must-see during your visit to the city. In fact, it is a social and cultural center that houses office space, shops, a beer garden with food courts and meadows designed for relaxing on the grass. It becomes especially cozy here after dark, when the illumination is lit. This location often has live music, film screenings and other entertainment events.

Sparkman Wharf © Holly Guerrio / Shutterstock

Sparkman Wharf © landezine-award.com

Sparkman Wharf © tampamagazines.com

Sacred Heart Catholic Church Tampa

year. It is made in the Neo-Romanesque style of light stone. The height of the building with the dome is 41 meters. Inside the Sacred Heart Catholic Church there are oak pews, a Carrara marble altar, and 70 elegant stained-glass windows instead of windows.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church © Nagel Photography / Shutterstock

Tampa Museum of Art

The Tampa Museum of Art is centrally located on the waterfront. It was founded in 1979 and moved to a new building in 2010. Its permanent collection includes ancient Greek exhibits, unique examples of photographic art, installations, and sculptures. The Tampa Museum of Art provides educational and recreational activities for children and adults. The museum shop sells jewelry, T-shirts, books, toys, figurines and home decor items.

According to architect Stanley Saytowitz, the museum building should remind people of a jewelry box on a glass plinth. 14,000 LEDs are built into its walls, which create an impressive atmosphere in the evening.

Tampa Museum of Art © tampamagazines.com

Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa

Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa is a 22,000+ m2 space where you can try your luck at slot machines, blackjack, poker, baccarat and other gambling games. This is the fourth largest casino in the United States of America. In the Hard Rock Event Center you can take a breath and attend a bright concert. Alicia Keys, ZZ Top, TLC and many other famous musicians performed within these walls.

Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa © assets.simpleviewinc.com

Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa © seminolehardrocktampa.com

Bayshore Boulevard

Bayshore Boulevard is one of the longest pedestrian areas in the United States. It stretches along Hillsboro Bay, offering magnificent views of downtown Tampa. The boulevard is 7.2 km long and 3 m wide. This is a great place for long walks in the fresh air and sports, as well as cycling and rollerblading.

Bayshore Boulevard © Rafael Laurentin / Shutterstock

Tags: #North America New0003

News

Featured

Tickets: Glaser Children’s Museum, Tampa

Check Ticket Availability

1 variant • from 15.87 €

Choice Tiqets

Buy now, cancel later

Free cancellation for all tickets

Carefully selected combinations

Glazer Children’s Museum – Combine your visit with other popular attractions in Tampa. Some things are worth putting together.

Tips for visiting the Glaser Children’s Museum

It takes most people about 2-3 hours to see all the sights of the Glaser Children’s Museum. You can easily explore the entire museum in a couple of hours, but it’s best to let the kids play as they please and take your time. They will have a great time and will definitely ask to come back!

The best time to visit the Glaser Children’s Museum is in the morning, before the crowds and school groups arrive. If you can get there early when it opens, you’ll have a better chance of seeing the exhibits all by yourself. If possible, try to go during the week. Weekends and school holidays can be very busy.

At the Glazer Children’s Museum, Tampa’s interactive learning lab, kids can play hard! Set kids free to discover and connect with the world around them in ways that will help them develop as lifelong learners and leaders.

It also has a frequently changing schedule of events, including year-round camps and special events such as storytelling and puppet shows.

So you’ve booked your tickets to the Glaser Children’s Museum and now you’re wondering how to get your little ones there. The museum is located one minute walk from the Tampa Museum of Art. Affordable parking can be found at the William F. Poe pay garage, located next to the museum.

There is a small café inside the Glaser Children’s Museum serving snacks and coffee. You can also bring your own food and snacks inside – not a problem if you have little hungry mouths to feed.

Glazer Children’s Museum Reviews

4.6

based on 57 reviews

D

Daylin,
United States

10 Sep. 2022

Excellent

Es excelente para llevar a niños pequeños, que normalmente en otras instalaciones, no son lo mas acorde a ellos. Hay para todos los gustos.

Glazer Children’s Museum: General Admission

S

Sue,
United States

Mar 07 2022

Excellent

Our grandson had so much fun exploring all the different things available for him to see and do! Especially loved the grocery store!
Keep up the great job kids were loving so were quite a few of…

Our grandson had so much fun exploring all the different things available for him to see and do! Especially loved the grocery store!
Keep up the great job kids were loving so were quite a few of the adults!!!

Glazer Children’s Museum: General Admission

B

Betty,
United States

Jul 12 2022

Excellent

Great for kids 6 and under. My grandson loved it. The fire station , Publix and pizzeria were his favorite

Glazer Children’s Museum: General Admission

Some of the content on this page has been translated automatically and may contain inaccuracies.

Glazer Children’s Museum: information

The Glazer Children’s Museum is a non-profit play and educational center in Tampa, Florida. The museum houses 21 exhibits designed to inspire young minds and develop their passions and identities.

Monday

10:00 –
17:00

Tuesday

10:00 –
17:00

Medium

10:00 –
17:00

Thursday

10:00 –
17:00

Friday

10:00 –
17:00

Saturday

10:00 –
18:00

Sunday

13:00 –
18:00

Glazer Children’s Museum

101 W Gasparilla Plaza, 33602 Tampa

Open on the map

Get the most out of your trip

Most Helpful Review

Show all reviews

Recommended by Tiqets

Top attractions in Tampa

  • Dinosaur World, Florida
    |
  • Florida Aquarium
    |
  • Glazer Children’s Museum
    |
  • clearwater marine aquarium
    |
  • Zoo at Lowry Park
    |
  • LEGOLAND Florida Park
    |
  • Imagine Museum: Modern Glass Art
    |
  • adventure island
    |
  • Tampa Bay Historic Center
    |
  • Center for Alligator and Wildlife Studies
    |
  • Henry B. Factory Museum
    |
  • Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Tampa – get to know

Cities in the United States

  • New York
    |
  • Las Vegas
    |
  • San Francisco
    |
  • Chicago
    |
  • Orlando
    |
  • San Diego
    |
  • Los Angeles
    |
  • Washington
    |
  • Boston
    |
  • Miami

Explore USA

Most popular places to visit

  • Coliseum
    |
  • Vatican Museums
    |
  • Sagrada Familia
    |
  • Park Guell
    |
  • Louvre
    |
  • Saint Paul’s Cathedral
    |
  • Uffizi Gallery
    |
  • Acropolis
    |
  • Milan Cathedral
    |
  • Monastery of Jeronimos
    |
  • Aquarium of Genoa
    |
  • Doge’s Palace Venice

Tampa to make another contract offer to Ward

Home

/

News

/

NHL

Sunday July 10, 2022
21:00

section
NHL

“Tampa” does not leave attempts to keep the team Ondrej Palat . Earlier it became known that the 31-year-old striker is close to entering the free agent market, having not agreed with the club on a new contract.

“Expect another offer from the Chamber,” wrote TSN insider Pierre LeBrun.

The Czech forward is an unrestricted free agent. Under the expiring deal, his cap hit is $5.3 million a year.

Source TSN

Report an error or misprint

Interesting stuff

September 7, 2022

September 9, 2022

You may be interested in

Match Center
Match center

17:00

Salavat Yulaev – Spartak

2.00 x 3.95 x 3.35

-:-

19:00

Ak Bars – Dynamo Mn

1. 48 x 5.00 x 5.65

-:-

10:00

Admiral – Kunlun RS

Finished

3:1

12:30

Siberia – Tractor

Finished

2:3
B

15:00

Avtomobilist – Vanguard

Finished

4:2

17:30

Lokomotiv – CSKA

Finished

2:3

17:00

Salavat Yulaev – Spartak

2. 00 x 3.95 x 3.35

-:-

19:00

Ak Bars – Dynamo Mn

1.48 x 5.00 x 5.65

-:-

19:30

Vityaz – Dynamo M

3.50 x 3.95 x 1.95

-:-

19:30

Severstal – SKA

3.45 x 4.00 x 2.05

-:-

19:30

Neftekhimik – Torpedo

2.45 x 4.20 x 2.45

-:-

12:00

Amur – Kunlun RS

2.13 x 4.00 x 3.00

-:-

15:30

Siberia – Vanguard

2. 65 x 3.85 x 2.40

-:-

16:30

Barys – Tractor

2.70 x 4.15 x 2.25

-:-

09:00

Metallurg Nk – Lada

Completed

1:4

12:00

Ermak – AKM

Finished

4:5

13:00

Chemist – Ryazan-VDV

Finished

6:3

14:00

Omsk Wings – Star

Finished

2:0

17:00

Dynamo St. Petersburg – Buran

Finished

6:2

17:00

SKA-Neva – Rostov

Finished

4:1

17:30

Izhstal – Gornyak-UMMC

3.75 x 4.40 x 1.70

-:-

18:30

Oilman – Zauralie

1.55 x 4.40 x 4.70

-:-

15:00

Sokol – AKM

-:-

15:30

Metallurg Nk – Bars

-:-

16:00

Omsk Wings – Lada

-:-

19:00

SKA-Neva – Buran

-:-

13:00

Mikhailov Academy – Dynamo-Shinnik

Completed

5:3

13:00

MHC Dynamo SPb – MHC Dynamo M

Finished

1:3

12:00

Typhoon – Wings of the Soviets

0:1

14:30

Siberian Snipers – Mammoths of Yugra

3. 00 x 4.50 x 1.90

-:-

18:30

MHC Dynamo SPb – MHC Dynamo M

2.20 x 4.15 x 2.55

-:-

19:00

Mikhailov Academy – Dynamo-Shinnik

-:-

No match found for the selected parameters


Nichushkin: Americans treat cars a little differently than Russians

Tampa Bay to make another contract offer to Chamber


The general manager of “Washington” on the exchange of Vanechek: not the smartest thing to do, right?


Goaltender Talbot Wants To Seek Trade From Minnesota


It became known what could be the salary of Nichushkin in “Colorado”


Barbashev Jr. joined the Rangers in the club’s development camp


Goalkeeper Holtby could retire


Calgary GM on Gaudreau: We want the player to sign a new contract


The best Russian NHL draft Mintyukov explained his departure to the USA


Islanders extend contracts with Sebastian Aho and Robin Salo


Malkin renews his social media subscription with the Pittsburgh Penguins


Two Russian hockey players will take part in the Calgary development camp

Jay Brown – latest news

Jay Brown – latest news – Gazeta. Ru

Twitter found a February post predicting the exact date of the death of Elizabeth II
12:43

An American was jailed for replacing his stepson’s medication…
12:42

In Podolsk, a group of teenagers staged a stabbing
12:41

The LPR told about psychological attacks in the republic from Ukraine
12:39

The UN expressed concern about the new energy policy of some EU countries
12:38

Kim Kardashian’s ex-boyfriend sues her mother over leaked sex tape
12:36

More than half of respondents in Germany are ready to put up with energy prices due to…
12:35

RIA Novosti: Ukrainian border guards refused to fight because of terrorism…
12:34

FT: The EU should allocate resources and assets to reduce dependence on Russia
12:34

A resident of Khakassia tried to hack his father with an ax and killed his stepmother with a metal crowbar
12:32

Mass brawl occurred during one of the NHL matches

Investigative Committee

The failure of Ovechkin, the defeat of Malkin: the NHL surprised everyone again

“Dallas” without Radulov beat “Washington” Ovechkin

Investigative Committee

Rangers lose to Anaheim in NHL game

Investigative Committee

Vasilevsky returned to “Tampa” 94th

Vasilevsky’s 28 saves and Namestnikov’s goal brought Tampa victory

Investigative Committee

Washer Namestnikova helped “Tampa” to beat “Anaheim” in the NHL game

Investigative Committee

Tampa defeated Detroit, Vasilevsky saved 31 shots

Investigative Committee

Vasilevsky pushes Bishop

Vasilevsky for the first time in the season played to zero in the NHL

Investigative Committee

Crosby offended Vasilevsky

Vasilevsky’s 37 Saves Didn’t Save Tampa in Game 2 Against Pittsburgh

Investigative Committee

A nightmare for Varlamov and a triumph for Torchetti

Vancouver beat Colorado in the NHL

Investigative Committee

Double Datsyuk and 1600 matches Jagr

Datsyuk double gives Detroit victory over Florida in Jagr’s 1600th NHL game

Investigative Committee

Kucherov offended Datsyuk

Kucherov brought the “Tampa” victory over “Detroit”

Investigative Committee

Forward “Tampa” Kucherov scored the first goal of the NHL season in a victorious match with “Buffalo”

Investigative Committee

Kucherov Victorious

Nikita Kucherov brings Tampa Bay victory in overtime

Investigative Committee

Stepan, Abdelkader, Brown named NHL Stars of the Day

Investigative Committee

US Ice Hockey Federation named 17 players who will play at the World Cup

Investigative Committee

Error found?

Close

Thank you for your message, we will fix it soon.

Continue reading

90,000 ★ Top 12 Tourist Attractions in Tampa ★

The city of Tampa, located at the inlet reaching far on the west coast of Florida, is the economic center of western Florida. Tampa is known for its tourist attractions, especially the Bush Gardens, where families enjoy an amusement park and zoo experience all in one place. There are several other popular animal and wildlife destinations in the area, including a zoo, an aquarium, a large cat sanctuary, and a public manatee area. With all that, plus an excellent science museum and children’s museum, Tampa is the perfect destination for vacationing families. Downtown Tampa is an area of ​​high-rise office blocks, but Tampa also has historic old neighborhoods such as Ybor City and Old Hyde Park. Franklin Street is a walking hub in downtown Tampa where you’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and things to do.

See Also: Where to Stay in Tampa

1 Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is a 335 acre family fun and adventure amusement park with thrilling performances, rides and live music many exotic animals in their natural habitats. Visitors can take safaris to see animals grazing the plains with reproductions of African villages and camps, with the Serengeti Night Safari being one of the most popular options. There are several special animal encounters, including the chance to feed kangaroos and giraffes; watch the park staff tend to their patients at the Animal Care Center; and get up close to some of your favorite residents, including sloths and flamingos. The park has plenty of fun things to do, including game rides and water rides, but Bush Gardens is best known for its roller coasters, which are extreme experiences. There are several ticketing options for Busch Gardens, including multi-park passes and packages that include in-park dining.

Address: 10165 North McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL

Official website: https://buschgardens.com/tampa/

2 Museum of Science and Industry

IMAX Dome at Tampee Museum of Science and Industry / photo modified

The Museum of Science and Industry invites visitors to explore, learn, imagine and immerse themselves in all aspects of science and technology. Starting with the basics of physics, mathematics and other scientific principles, the exhibits expand into various thematic areas. Kids will love playing the giant operation game as they learn about how the human body works and how technology helps people live longer, better lives. The Ideal Zone has hands-on projects, and the Connectus exhibit gives attendees the chance to use cutting-edge technology before it’s open to the general public. Other exhibits include the ability to interact with extreme weather and explore NASA’s vision model for human life off earth. The museum also has many other things, such as a thrilling adventure rope course, a life-size model of the Mercury spacecraft, and an IMAX theater.

Address: 4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL

Official Website: www.mosi.org

3 Tampa Zoo at Lowry Park

Lowry Zoo at Tampa Zoo

Tampa contains over 2,000 animals in their natural habitats, including animals from Africa, Asia, and Australia, as well as Florida habitats, a primate area, and an aviary. There is also a large aquarium and three pools that are used to treat injured or sick native manatees. Visitors can climb up close to some of the zoo’s residents, including “behind the scenes” opportunities with penguins and turtles, as well as the chance to feed an Indian rhino. Popular zoo residents include African elephants, African penguins, Florida panthers, and the Bordeaux orangutan. The park also has attractions including an African habitat safari, a mini train ride, and a family roller coaster. The zoo also hosts special programs and events throughout the year and is popular with locals as well as tourists.

Address: 1101 West Sligh Avenue, Tampa, FL

Official website: http://www.lowryparkzoo.org/

4 Henry Plant Museum

Henry Plant Museum

once owned by railroad magnate Henry Plant, was turned into a museum in 1933. This is a luxurious Victorian palace with characteristic Moorish features. The Heinrich Best Plant Museum traces the history of the hotel and the plant’s contribution to Tampa and Florida. The various rooms, such as the Great Hall, the Reading and the Desk, as well as the garden, are exquisitely furnished and offer a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Henry B. factory..

An avid gardener, the factory hired an eminent landscape architect to design an area known for its beautiful tropical gardens. The rest of the building now houses the University of Tampa.

Address: 401 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida

Official website: http://www.ut.edu/plantmuseum/

5 Florida Aquarium

Walter Florida Aquarium 903 / photo02 modified Florida Florida Florida Florida has an exciting variety of animal habitats, exhibits and activities to educate and entertain all ages. The habitat is designed to accurately represent a watershed area similar to the Tampa area so that visitors can see a wide variety of fish and ocean life. Visitors have the opportunity to get hands-on with invertebrates such as starfish and anemones, and even visit some land-dwelling residents such as lemurs. Admission to the Florida Aquarium also includes an outdoor Splash Pad where kids can cool off, as well as shows in a 4-D cinema where sensory elements are added to the 3D film for a completely immersive experience. For an additional fee, visitors can also take behind-the-scenes tours and in-depth interactions, such as swimming with sea turtles or encountering African penguins.

Address: 701 Channelide Drive, Tampa, FL

Official Website: www.flaquarium.org

6 Big Cat Rescue C.R. Girou / photo modified

Big Cat Rescue is a wildlife sanctuary for cruel and abandoned big cats. It is a non-profit organization that is home to over 60 animals, which include tigers, lions, leopards, servals, caracals, bobcats, jaguars, lynx and other species. While at the sanctuary, visitors learn about the care and rehabilitation of these animals. The rescue team’s ultimate mission is to stop the big cat trade, which is causing many of these graceful cats to live in appalling conditions. Unlike the zoo, tourists can only visit the sanctuary on a sightseeing tour, which must be booked in advance, and early bookings are advised due to popularity. If you are visiting a child under the age of 10, you must take the “Children’s Tour”, which is only available on certain days.

Address: 12802 Easy Street, Tampa, Florida

Official website: http://bigcatrescue.org/

7 Children’s museum Glazer

9000 9000 9000 9000 on giving children a complete interactive experience so that they can learn and explore the game by using their imagination to bring the many exhibits to life for children. Kids can learn about how to save money and trade at the bank, slide through a field of fire to save lives at the fire station, and try their hand at design and carpentry to fix an old house. Future veterinarians can check x-rays and plan patient treatments, and potential captains can navigate a shipping vessel through a canal. In addition to many more adult jobs for them to explore, there are exhibits that explore robotics, engineering, oceanography, and world cultures.

Address: 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL

Official website: www.glazermuseum.org

8 Tampa Theater

Tampa Theater Gordon Tarpley / photo modified

Built in 1926, the Tampa Theater is an opulent palace museum with a unique blend of architectural styles, including Italian Renaissance , Byzantine and Greek Revival. It regularly presents foreign and classic films along with special concerts and other programs. While you can see both new and old films here, watching one of the classics in this building is a great way to feel like you’ve stepped back to a different time period.

Address: 711 Franklin Street, Tampa, FL

Official Website: http://tampathatre.org/

9 Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center on Apollo Beach

Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center on Apollo Beach009

Although it may seem like a strange place, this manatee reserve is located across from the Tampa Power Plant. The manatees are drawn here with warm water produced by the power plant and can sometimes be seen in very large numbers. They are most common when the ambient temperature is cold, dropping below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors will find tide walkways showcasing many of Florida’s plants and birds, butterfly gardens, and a manatee lookout. The Manatee Viewing Center is also home to an educational building that contains a power plant and manatees.

Address: 6990 Dickman Road, Tampa, FL

Official Website: http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/

10 Tampa Bay History Center

Cotanbechoe Fort Brot Park View from the Tampa Bay History Center Jared / photo modified

Exhibits at the Tampa Bay History Center trace the rich history of the Tampa Bay area, dating back 12,000 years. The region’s early inhabitants such as the Seminoles, the multicultural influences of the past five centuries, the railroad and shipping era, and regional geography are highlights of the Tampa Bay History Center. In addition to the permanent collection, the center has a temporary gallery with changing exhibits. This is a 60,000 sq. Feet with a glass facade located in the Kanade area.

Address: 801 Old Water Street, Tampa, Florida

Official website: http://tampabayhistorycenter.org/

11 Ybor City

Ybor City

historical area. It is named after its founder, cigar baron Vicente Martinez Ybor. He came to the region in the mid-1880s after union threats were made by workers at his Key West factory. At one point, the Ybor cigar factory was the largest in the world, with over 4,000 people hand-rolling over 900,000 cigars per month. However, the Great Depression and machine rollers ended the boom and most of the factories were closed and demolished. The area has experienced a revival in recent years and is home to many shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes. Seventh Avenue in the city of Ybor, known in Spanish as “Septima”, has some of the area’s most historic buildings, several of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Ybor City’s Columbia Restaurant is the oldest state and the largest Spanish restaurant in the country. This historic institution was founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. Colombia is famous for its Spanish cuisine, dining shows and old world architectural charm. The entertainment venues have flamenco and jazz in the café.

Official website: http://ybor.org/

12 Sunshine Skyway

Sunshine Skyway

Sunshine Skyway is a toll bridge located on I 275 / US 19. This multi-lane “stilt track” is 12 miles long and curves gracefully through the entrance to Tampa Bay. Its most impressive feature is the 4.25-mile-high bridge, the middle section of which is suspended from two giant pylons, allowing large ocean-going ships to pass below. The previous bridge was rammed by a cargo ship in 1980 and partly collapsed, while parts of the old bridge now serve as fishing piers.

Driving across the new bridge offers great ocean views, and the bridge itself is also impressive and often photographed by tourists.

Where to Stay in Tampa for Sightseeing

There are several good places in Tampa, depending on your reason for visiting. Staying in the city center is a great option for sightseeing and entertainment. You may want to stay close to Busch Gardens if that is your main reason for visiting, or near the stadium if you are going to watch a football match. Below are some highly rated hotels in these top locations.

  • Luxury Hotels : Centrally located, Le Meridien is an upscale hotel in a former federal courthouse and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A bit out of the city center action but in a nice area is the modern Epicurean Hotel. If you’re coming to Tampa to see a game, the renaissance close to Raymond James Stadium is a great option.
  • Mid-Range Hotels : Downtown Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina overlooking the waterfront; pleasant outside patios; and large comfortable rooms. In the same category is the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk, also with great location and scenic views. Both of them have pools and are conveniently located for visiting Ybor City or the Florida Aquarium. In a stunning location in the Historic Ybor District, the Hilton Garden Inn features an outdoor pool and hot tub. The Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Tampa N, near Busch Gardens, is a good choice for families.
  • Cheap Hotels : A short drive from Ybor City is the Quality Inn and Suites, with a great location for this price range. Near the Raymond James Stadium is the inexpensive Comfort Suites. Also good value and near the stadium – Clarion. Both are a bit far from the city center but within a reasonable distance if you have a car and ideally located if you are here to see the game.

Tips and Tours: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Tampa

  • Save money: If you’re planning to visit some of Tampa’s best attractions, the Tampa TRIO Pass will save you money.