Tollie's Daycare in Oklahoma City: Infant and Toddler Focus with Flexible Part-Time Options
Tollie's Daycare is a small, licensed family daycare serving infants and toddlers up to age three in Oklahoma City, operating as an alternative to larger center-based programs for families seeking closer staff ratios and flexible enrollment terms.
What Tollie's Daycare actually is
A licensed home-based daycare with capacity for a small group of children, Tollie's emphasizes one-on-one attention during the critical early childhood years. Unlike corporate chains or nonprofit centers that operate on full-time, year-round models, this provider accepts part-time and drop-in care, making it accessible to parents with variable schedules, shift work, or those phasing into full-time employment. The setting is residential rather than institutional, which appeals to families who prefer a home environment over classroom-style spaces.
Services and pricing
Tollie's charges on a part-time basis, typically $12 to $15 per hour for drop-in or flexible weekly care (verify current rates directly, as family daycare pricing shifts seasonally and with enrollment demand). Full-time weekly rates, when available, are negotiable based on the number of days enrolled. The daycare accepts children from six weeks through age three and follows Oklahoma's Department of Human Services licensing standards for family child care homes, which cap enrollment at six children under age thirteen when one caregiver is present.
Meals and snacks are provided. The provider does not typically accept state subsidy vouchers, though parents should confirm this before assuming they must pay entirely out of pocket.
How Tollie's compares to other Oklahoma City options
Tollie's part-time and drop-in model differs sharply from center-based daycares like Wee Care Academy or Primrose School locations, which require enrollment in full-time blocks and operate on nine-month or twelve-month contracts. Those centers offer more structured curricula, on-site activities like music and art, and backup care if a teacher is absent. They typically cost $900 to $1,400 monthly for full-time infant care in Oklahoma City.
By contrast, Tollie's flexibility comes at the cost of fewer formal programs and less institutional backup. Choose Tollie's if your schedule is unpredictable or part-time; choose a center if your child needs consistent peer interaction, structured learning activities, or you need guaranteed coverage year-round.
Compared to nanny care (which averages $16 to $20 per hour in Oklahoma City), Tollie's is less expensive and provides peer interaction; nanny care offers more flexibility and one-on-one focus but no peer socialization.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Tollie's works best for parents with part-time jobs, variable shifts, or temporary childcare needs. It suits families who value a home setting and smaller group sizes over structured programming. Parents seeking affordability and flexibility without the commitment of full-time enrollment find real value here.
Tollie's is not ideal for families needing year-round, guaranteed full-time care, parents who want documented curriculum or developmental progress reports, or those requiring care outside standard daytime hours. It is not a substitute for preschool or pre-K programs focused on academic preparation.
What the first visit involves
Contact the provider directly to discuss your schedule and needs; availability for new families fluctuates with current enrollment. If a slot opens, expect a brief in-person meeting to review policies, hours, payment terms, and to observe the home environment. Oklahoma law requires background checks and proof of required vaccinations for your child. The provider will ask about feeding routines, nap schedules, and any allergies or special needs. Most families complete enrollment and start within one to two weeks.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Tollie's operates Monday through Friday, typically 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with occasional flexibility for morning drop-off or evening pickup if arranged in advance (verify hours and confirm any seasonal closures). The daycare is located in a residential neighborhood; street parking is available. The provider requests at least 24 hours' notice for drop-in care to manage group size. Backup supplies (diapers, wipes, change of clothes) should be brought weekly.
Tollie's occupies a genuine niche in Oklahoma City's childcare landscape for families who need flexibility and home-based care rather than institutional structure, making it a practical option for shift workers and part-time parents who cannot commit to rigid center schedules.
