APPLE Accredited
Florida's highest voluntary standard in early childhood education — verified curriculum, safety, and care.
Licensed · APPLE-Accredited · Gainesville, FL
Where children are cradled in the arms of love.
A family caring for Gainesville's little ones for more than 25 years — from 6 weeks old through 5th grade.
Our philosophy
We see the world through a child's eyes.
Full of wonder, possibility, and the joy of discovery. Our role is simple — to nurture that spark with love and purposeful play, so every child feels safe, valued, and free to become exactly who they're meant to be.
Come see us
Book a visit in a minute.
Fill in a few details and we'll set up your tour — no calling required. See the classrooms, meet the teachers, and get pricing for your child's age. We'll confirm within one business day.
Request your tour
Tell us a little about your family and we'll be in touch.
Our approach
Big-center credentials, family-sized heart.
Choosing childcare is the biggest trust decision a parent makes. Here's what stands behind ours.
25+ years, family-run
Founded by the late Mrs. Dorothy Ann Welch — "Granny" herself — and carried on today by her own family.
Low ratios, trained staff
Just 1:4 for infants. Teachers are CPR & pediatric First Aid–certified, and everyone is background-checked.
All meals included
Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack every day through the Child Care Food Program — no surprise fees.
Our programs
Loving care for every age and stage.
A play-based curriculum of art, music, science, and discovery, matched to your child's age and stage — with transparent weekly tuition, meals included.
6 weeks – 35 months
Infants & Toddlers
Your youngest learners, cradled in the arms of love. Safe, playful exploration that supports every early milestone — at a 1:4 infant ratio.
$275–350 / weekInfant · Toddler · 2s
3 – 5 years
Preschool
Confidence, friendships, and school readiness through a play-based curriculum of art, music, science, and hands-on discovery.
$225–250 / week3s · 4s
K – 5th grade
School Age
Before & after school with homework help, enrichment, and a daily snack. Full-day care on teacher workdays and select holidays.
$175 / weekAfterschool
Our story
It started with one woman they all called Granny.
Granny D's began as the dream of the late Mrs. Dorothy Ann Welch. As the years went by, neighborhood children started calling her "Granny" — and she wore the name well.
She believed children were precious gifts, and built a place where they'd be cared for like her own. Mrs. Welch has since passed, but her love and laughter still carry through these halls.
Today her family continues her dream — more than 25 years on.
"Where children are cradled in the arms of love."
Our family
The people who carry it on.
Kimberly Williams
Teacher & caregiver
For her, childcare isn't a career — it's her life's work and greatest joy.
Antionette Anderson
Owner & Director
Continues her mother's legacy of love and learning, every single day.
Connie Floyd
Teacher & caregiver
Brings warmth, patience, and genuine affection to every child in her care.
Honest, all-in pricing
No hidden fees. Ever.
- Breakfast, lunch & afternoon snack included — no meal fees
- Full-time, part-time & occasional hourly care
- $5/week sibling discount · one-time $50 registration
Weekly tuition from
$175
School-age · Infants from $350/wk
All meals & snacks included
See my child's rateAll meals & snacks included
Come see our place
You'll know the moment you pull up.
The powder-blue cottage with the striped awnings on SE 1st Avenue — where the front door says Welcome and means it.
901 SE 1st Avenue
Schedule a tourA peek inside our day
Life at Granny D's.
Trusted for generations
25 years of families who felt at home.
Many of the little ones in our care today are the children of children we once cared for. Families come back to Granny D's — and bring the next generation with them.
That’s the kind of trust that takes 25 years to earn.
Good questions
Everything a first tour usually asks.
What ages do you accept?
Children from 6 weeks old through 5th grade — Infants, Toddlers, Two-Year-Olds, Three-Year-Olds, Four-Year-Olds, and School Age (K–5), each with a developmentally-appropriate, play-based curriculum.
What are your hours?
Monday through Friday, 6:00am to 5:30pm. Closed weekends and major holidays. We offer full-time, part-time, and occasional hourly care to fit working-parent schedules.
What does tuition cost, and what's included?
Weekly rates: Infants $350, Toddlers $325, 2s $275, 3s $250, 4s $225, School Age $175. Every rate includes breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. One-time $50 registration; pay weekly or bi-weekly in cash.
How safe is the care?
We're a licensed Florida provider and APPLE Accredited. Ratios are low (1:4 for infants), at least half our staff are pediatric First Aid & CPR certified, every person is background-checked, and we run monthly fire and severe-weather drills.
Come see us
The best way to know is to visit.
Book a tour and feel the difference 25 years of love makes.
Call us
Visit
901 SE 1st Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Gainesville, FL 32601
Hours
Mon–Fri
6:00am–5:30pm
6:00am–5:30pm
About Granny D's
A family legacy, 25 years in the making.
What began as one woman's dream is today a licensed, APPLE-accredited center where Gainesville's children are known, nurtured, and loved.
Our history
The woman they called Granny
Granny D's Learning Center became a dream many years ago, born in the heart of the late Mrs. Dorothy Ann Welch. As time went by, kids of all ages in the neighborhood started calling her "Granny" — and she wore that name well.
Granny was a woman of deep faith and boundless love, who believed every child was a precious gift from God, deserving to be uplifted and encouraged. A devoted wife, loving mother, and caring grandmother, her love for the Lord was her glory — and she is missed greatly.
Mrs. Welch left us some years ago, but her love and guidance still linger, and her laughter carries on through these halls — today, through her own family.
Meet the director
Antionette Anderson
Antionette D. Anderson is the proud daughter of Dorothy Ann Welch and the owner and director of Granny D's. Carrying forward her mother's 25-year legacy, she brings more than 24 years of early-childhood experience — and a deep family commitment — to every child in her care.
Certifications
- Certified Director's License
- Certified First Aid & CPR
- APPLE Accreditation Training
Accreditation
What APPLE accreditation means for your child.
APPLE — the Accreditation Performance Program for Learning Environments — is Florida's Gold Seal: the highest voluntary standard in early childhood education. It's nationally recognized and accepted by the U.S. Department of Defense, so military families can trust it too.
Beyond basic licensing
Rigorous quality standards that go well past the minimum the state requires.
Regularly assessed
On-site quality reviews and continuous improvement — not a one-time stamp.
Highly trained staff
Ongoing professional development for every teacher, every year.
Safe & school-ready
Strong health and safety protocols, with a real focus on kindergarten readiness.
Our mission
Every day, happy and productive — for every child.
We create a place where children learn about themselves, their friends, and the world around them — discovering their abilities and interests in a warm, loving atmosphere.
What we believe
Our philosophy of care
A safe place to feel secure
Every child has the right to a nurturing, safe environment where they can feel comfortable and be themselves.
Room to grow at their own pace
Each child is an individual. We let every child develop to their maximum ability, in their own time.
Respect for every child
We accept and respect the differences between children of every background, so each one has the same opportunities.
Learning through play
Children learn best through active, hands-on play. Our teachers set the stage, then extend the play to make it richer.
By the numbers
Care you can count on.
25+
years serving Gainesville families
1:4
teacher-to-infant ratio
50%+
staff First Aid & CPR certified
100%
staff background-checked
Our team
Meet the family.
Kimberly Williams
Teacher & caregiver
For Ms. Williams, childcare isn't just a career — it's her life's work and greatest joy. She builds lasting relationships with every child.
Antionette Anderson
Owner & Director
Antionette continues her mother's legacy of love and learning, creating a place where every child feels valued and every family feels part of something special.
Connie Floyd
Teacher & caregiver
Ms. Floyd brings warmth, patience, and genuine affection to Granny D's. Her nurturing spirit helps children thrive and families feel at home.
Enrollment
Joining the family is simple.
Five easy steps, transparent pricing, and a team ready to help. Enrollment is first-come, first-served — so the best time to start is now.
How it works
From first visit to first day.
Book a tour & meet the Director
Come see the classrooms, meet the teachers, and ask us anything. Every enrollment begins with a visit and a conversation.
Reserve your child's spot
A one-time $50 registration fee holds your place. If a program is full, a $40 fee holds a spot on the waiting list and we'll call the moment one opens.
Complete your paperwork
We'll hand you a parent packet: enrollment forms, a current immunization record, a physical exam record, two emergency cards, and your enrollment contract. (Infants add a simple feeding plan.)
Choose your schedule
Full-time, part-time (2–4 days), or occasional hourly care. Tuition is paid weekly or bi-weekly in cash.
Welcome to your first day
Bring your little one and we'll take it from there — cradled in the arms of love, from the very first morning.
Tuition
Simple weekly rates — meals always included.
Every rate covers breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. No meal fees, no surprises.
| Program | Ages | Per week |
|---|---|---|
| Infants | 6 weeks – 11 months | $350 |
| Toddlers | 12 – 23 months | $325 |
| Two-Year-Olds | 24 – 35 months | $275 |
| Three-Year-Olds | 3 – 4 years | $250 |
| Four-Year-Olds | 4 – 5 years | $225 |
| School Age | K – 5th grade | $175 |
- Breakfast, lunch & afternoon snack in every rate
- $5/week sibling discount for each additional full-time child
- One-time $50 registration · $40 to hold a waitlist spot
- Pay weekly or bi-weekly in cash
Good questions
Enrollment FAQ
Do you have space right now?
Enrollment is first-come, first-served. If a program is full, we'll start a waiting list (a $40 fee holds your spot) and call the moment a place opens. The fastest way to check openings is to book a tour or call (352) 872-5852.
Can I do part-time or occasional care?
Yes. We offer full-time, part-time (2–4 days), and occasional hourly care when space allows — designed around real working-parent schedules.
How do payments work?
Tuition is paid weekly or bi-weekly, before service, in cash, in advance. A two-week written notice (or two weeks' tuition) is required to withdraw.
Ready when you are
Let's find the right fit for your child.
Book a tour and we'll walk you through everything — no pressure, just a warm welcome.
Call us
Visit
901 SE 1st Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Gainesville, FL 32601
Hours
Mon–Fri
6:00am–5:30pm
6:00am–5:30pm