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.

Illustration of Granny D, the late Mrs. Dorothy Ann Welch, seated in a peacock chair
Licensed & insuredAPPLE AccreditedCPR & First Aid–certifiedBackground-checked teamAll meals includedOpen Mon–Fri, 6am–5:30pm

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.

Prefer to talk? Call (352) 872-5852

Our approach

Big-center credentials, family-sized heart.

Choosing childcare is the biggest trust decision a parent makes. Here's what stands behind ours.

APPLE Accredited

Florida's highest voluntary standard in early childhood education — verified curriculum, safety, and care.

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.

A happy infant at Granny D's
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
Books and learning toys in a Granny D's classroom
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
The Granny D's outdoor playground
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.

Antionette Anderson holding a baby, surrounded by happy children at Granny D's

"Where children are cradled in the arms of love."

Our family

The people who carry it on.

Kimberly Williams

Kimberly Williams

Teacher & caregiver

For her, childcare isn't a career — it's her life's work and greatest joy.

Antionette Anderson

Antionette Anderson

Owner & Director

Continues her mother's legacy of love and learning, every single day.

Connie Floyd

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 rate
Granny D's Learning Center — a powder-blue cottage with striped awnings and a welcoming porch

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
Gainesville, Florida 32601 · Mon–Fri, 6:00am–5:30pm
Schedule a tour

A peek inside our day

Life at Granny D's.

Loved by Gainesville families

Don’t just take our word for it.

Many of the children in our care today are the children of children we once cared for — families keep coming back, and bring the next generation with them.

5.0★★★★★3 Google reviewsRead them on Google →
★★★★★
“This is THEE BEST daycare in Gainesville!!! No other daycare is like this one. My babies have been at this daycare for years… Your babies will be taught manners and they offer potty training as well. The owner likes to cook and feed the kids REAL food — not that school cafeteria food… The center is so nice and clean, and it has a homey feeling to it. I HIGHLY suggest that you choose this daycare. You will NOT be disappointed. I PROMISE you that.”
Read full review on Google →
Ms. PatrickGoogle review · Local Guide
★★★★★
“Phenomenal daycare! My daughter was with them since 1 year old — she graduated and did so well transitioning to elementary school! Now I have my 4-year-old that will soon transition. They actually teach the kids and are very concerned about their growth academically. A safe environment — I never have to worry about my kid’s safety. Very clean.”
Read full review on Google →
Ashanti McCrayGoogle review

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.

Request a tour
Visit
901 SE 1st Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Hours
Mon–Fri
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.

Illustration of Granny D, the late Mrs. Dorothy Ann Welch

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 Anderson, Owner & Director

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

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

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

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.

Request a tour

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.)

  4. Choose your schedule

    Full-time, part-time (2–4 days), or occasional hourly care. Tuition is paid weekly or bi-weekly in cash.

  5. 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.

Weekly tuition. A $5/week discount applies for each additional full-time child from the same family.
ProgramAgesPer week
Infants6 weeks – 11 months$350
Toddlers12 – 23 months$325
Two-Year-Olds24 – 35 months$275
Three-Year-Olds3 – 4 years$250
Four-Year-Olds4 – 5 years$225
School AgeK – 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.

Request a tour
Visit
901 SE 1st Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Hours
Mon–Fri
6:00am–5:30pm

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