Mckinley Early Childhood Center #2 is a Gold-rated, state-licensed childcare provider at 2529 Romig Road in Akron, Ohio, serving infants through school-age children with full-day care available Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. The center is Title XX-approved, employs Gold Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) certification, and benefits from experienced leadership—Director Ms. Brittany has been on staff since 2012. A play-based curriculum emphasizing social skills development, early academics, and meaningful family partnerships is delivered through guided hands-on learning, projects, and structured enrichment activities; families also appreciate tangible support including free diapers, wipes, and formula for infants and toddlers. Parent reviews highlight clean facilities and consistently warm staff culture, though some staff citations for low pay and occasional understaffing in recent inspections merit acknowledgment of ongoing operational challenges.
Safety7.0
Curriculum8.0
Art / Music6.0
Infant care8.0
Kindergarten readiness8.0
Teacher quality8.0
Compassion8.0
Management8.0
Culture9.0
Extracurriculars7.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Play-based learning approach that builds social skills and prepares children for kindergarten. Emphasizes high-quality learning environments, strong teacher-child relationships, and meaningful partnerships with families.
Programs & activities: Early academics including literacy, math, and science woven into age-appropriate activities; structured play with guided hands-on learning, projects, and enrichment; daily parent communication; summer field trips and structured playtime. Includes free diapers, wipes, and formula for infants/toddlers.
What sets it apart: GOLD-rated by Ohio's Step Up To Quality (highest rating); state-licensed with regular inspections; CPR/first-aid certified staff; comprehensive background checks required. Hours M-F 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM. Accepts Title XX-approved childcare assistance.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 3 in Akron
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 3 in Akron</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Ranked among the top 3 childcare centers in Akron across all 11 quality dimensions — placing this center in the very top tier of local options.</span>
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Top 100 in Ohio
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 100 in Ohio</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Among the top 100 childcare centers statewide — a distinction earned by fewer than 1% of licensed centers across Ohio.</span>
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Most Compassionate
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Most Compassionate</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest compassion score in Akron. This dimension captures how families describe staff empathy, how concerns are handled, and the emotional environment of the center.</span>
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Best Infant Care
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Infant Care</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest infant care score in Akron. This dimension focuses on caregiver ratios, responsiveness, feeding and sleep routines, and parent feedback specific to infant rooms.</span>
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Best K-Ready
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best K-Ready</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest kindergarten-readiness score in Akron. This dimension reflects pre-literacy, pre-math, and school-readiness preparation reported by parents and visible in the curriculum.</span>
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Best Culture
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Culture</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest culture score in Akron. This dimension captures a sense of community, inclusivity, staff morale, and the feeling families describe when they walk through the door.</span>
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Updated · July 2026
This recognition is awarded independently by Creative Minds Montessori based on publicly available parent reviews and public records. Centers do not pay for or request these rankings. Scores reflect editorial synthesis of verified parent experience — not center marketing materials. Rankings are updated periodically as new reviews are analyzed.
