Vicki L. Jeffords
Waycross, GA 31501 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
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Bethesda Early Learning Center is a licensed child care center in Waycross, Georgia. It is licensed by the state, for up to 139 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning made 6 visits in the last 3 years and cited 27 rules across 6 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
Hours
| MondayToday | 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| Sunday | Not listed |
Programs
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| Licensed capacity | 139 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Bethesda Early Learning Center has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Ware County has a median price of $109 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
State record
6 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Mar 19, 2026: 9 rules cited
Rules cited on 6 of 6 visits · 27 rules in all
For comparison: 89% of Georgia daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 0.
A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
Rule .33(5)(b)(2)(i)-(iv) - New - Annual Training - Child Development and/or Health & Safety Topics: 2. At least two (2) hours in on-going child development and health and safety related topics, which could include, but not be limited to: (i) Child development (e.g., developmental domains (cognitive; social and emotional; physical development and motor skills; communication, language, and literacy; approaches to play and learning), discipline and guidance techniques, children with special needs); (ii) Health (e.g., nutrition and the support of breast feeding, physical activity, prevention and control of illnesses and infectious diseases, immunizations, prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions, cleanliness, sanitation, and the appropriate disposal of bio contaminants); (iii) Safety (e.g., prevention of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) which includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the use of safe sleeping practices, medication administration, injury control and prevention, transportation, handling and storage of hazardous materials, identification of and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injury such as electrical hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic, and emergency preparedness planning and response); (iv) Child abuse and neglect (e.g., identification and reporting, meeting the needs of abused and/or neglected children, prevention of shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma and child maltreatment).
Rule .33(5)(b)1. - New - Annual Training - Language & Literacy
Rule .31(2)(b)3.(ii)(I) - (VIII) - Lead teacher-professional development plan
Rule .31(2)(b)3.(i) - Lead teacher education requirements: 3. If the newly hired lead teacher does not possess one of the educational and qualifying child care experience requirements listed in 591-1-1-.31(2)(b)2.(i) through (xii), the Center may hire this individual as lead teacher if the following requirements are met: (i) The lead teacher enrolls in a program of study to obtain one of the educational credentials and qualifying experience requirements listed in 591-1-1-.31(2)(b)2.(i) through (xiii), within six (6) months after becoming employed at the Center and completes the credential or degree within eighteen (18) months after enrollment;
Rule .26(6) - Equipment-outdoor: (6) Equipment. Playground equipment shall provide an opportunity for the children to engage in a variety of experiences and shall be age-appropriate. For example, toddlers shall not be permitted to swing in swings designed for School-age Children. The outdoor equipment shall be free of lead-based paint, sharp corners and shall be regularly maintained in such a way as to be free of rust and splinters that could pose significant safety hazard to the children. All equipment shall be arranged so as not to obstruct supervision of children.
Rule .25(13) - Indoor Storage-Hazards: (13) Indoor Storage Areas. Potentially hazardous equipment, materials and supplies shall be stored in a locked area inaccessible to children. Examples of items to be stored include non-food related products under pressure in aerosol dispensing cans, flammable and corrosive materials, cleaning supplies, poisons, insecticides, office supplies and industrial-sized or commercial buckets with a capacity of three gallons or more or any other similar device with rigid sides which would not tip over if a toddler fell into the container head first.
Rule .20(3) - Medication-Records: (3) Dispensing Records. The Center shall maintain a record of all medications dispensed to children by Personnel to include the date, time and amount of medication that was administered; any noticeable adverse reactions to the medication; and the signature or initials of the person administering the medication.
Rule .20(1) - Medication-Parental Authorization: (1) Parental Authorization. Except for first aid, or as authorized under Georgia law, Personnel shall not dispense prescription or non-prescription medications to a child without specific written authorization from the child's physician or parent. Such authorization will include when applicable, date; full name of the child; name of the medication; prescription number, if any; dosage; the dates to be given; the time of day to be dispensed; and signature of parent.
Rule .15(2)(f) - Food size to prevent choking: (f) Food for infants or children less than one (1) year of age shall be cut into pieces one-quarter inch or smaller and food for toddlers shall be cut into pieces one-half inch or smaller to prevent choking.
Rule .30(2) - Safe sleep environment: (2) Sleeping and Resting Environment for Infants. A Center shall provide a safe sleep environment in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recommendations as listed in these rules for all infants. Center Staff shall place an infant to sleep on the infant’s back unless the Parent has provided a physician’s written statement authorizing another sleep position for that particular infant that includes how the infant shall be placed to sleep and a time frame that the instructions are to be followed. When an infant can easily turn over from back to front and back again, Staff shall continue to put the infant to sleep initially on the infant’s back but allow the infant to roll over into his or her preferred position and not re-position the infant. Sleepers, sleep sacks and wearable blankets that fit according to the commercial manufacturer’s guidelines and will not slide up around the infant’s face may be used when necessary for the comfort of the sleeping infant. However, swaddling shall not be used unless the Center has been provided a physician’s written statement authorizing its use for a particular infant that includes instructions and a time frame for swaddling the infant. Staff shall not place objects or allow objects to be placed in or on the crib with an infant such as but not limited to toys, pillows, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, sheepskins, stuffed toys, or other soft items and shall not attach objects or allow objects to be attached to a crib with a sleeping infant, such as, but not limited to, crib gyms, toys, mirrors and mobiles.
Rule .17(2) - Clean, Dry, Comfortable: (2) Children's Hygiene. To the extent possible, Personnel shall keep children clean, dry and comfortable.
Rule .11(1) - Disciplinary actions not to be detrimental: (1) Disciplinary actions used to correct a child's behavior, guidance techniques and any activities in which the children participate or observe at the Center shall not be detrimental to the physical or mental health of any child.
Rule .03(11) - Toilet, drink as needed: (11) Children shall be allowed to go to the toilet and get a drink of water as they feel the need.
Rule .33(3) - Staff Training-Health and Safety Orientation (Recite-Not Met)
Rule .30(1)(a)3 - Crib Sheet: 3. Crib Sheet. Each crib shall have only an individual, tight-fitting sheet which is changed daily or more often as needed and prior to a change of occupant.
Rule .26(6) - Equipment-outdoor (Recite-Not Met): (6) Equipment. Playground equipment shall provide an opportunity for the children to engage in a variety of experiences and shall be age-appropriate. For example, toddlers shall not be permitted to swing in swings designed for School-age Children. The outdoor equipment shall be free of lead-based paint, sharp corners and shall be regularly maintained in such a way as to be free of rust and splinters that could pose significant safety hazard to the children. All equipment shall be arranged so as not to obstruct supervision of children.
Rule .20(3) - Medication-Records (Recite-Not Met): (3) Dispensing Records. The Center shall maintain a record of all medications dispensed to children by Personnel to include the date, time and amount of medication that was administered; any noticeable adverse reactions to the medication; and the signature or initials of the person administering the medication.
Rule .20(1) - Medication-Parental Authorization: (1) Parental Authorization. Except for first aid, or as authorized under Georgia law, Personnel shall not dispense prescription or non-prescription medications to a child without specific written authorization from the child's physician or parent. Such authorization will include when applicable, date; full name of the child; name of the medication; prescription number, if any; dosage; the dates to be given; the time of day to be dispensed; and signature of parent.
Rule .03(11) - Toilet, drink as needed: (11) Children shall be allowed to go to the toilet and get a drink of water as they feel the need.
Rule .33(3) - Staff Training-Health and Safety Orientation
Rule .30(2) - Safe sleep environment (Recite-Not Met): (2) Sleeping and Resting Environment for Infants. A Center shall provide a safe sleep environment in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recommendations as listed in these rules for all infants. Center Staff shall place an infant to sleep on the infant’s back unless the Parent has provided a physician’s written statement authorizing another sleep position for that particular infant that includes how the infant shall be placed to sleep and a time frame that the instructions are to be followed. When an infant can easily turn over from back to front and back again, Staff shall continue to put the infant to sleep initially on the infant’s back but allow the infant to roll over into his or her preferred position and not re-position the infant. Sleepers, sleep sacks and wearable blankets that fit according to the commercial manufacturer’s guidelines and will not slide up around the infant’s face may be used when necessary for the comfort of the sleeping infant. However, swaddling shall not be used unless the Center has been provided a physician’s written statement authorizing its use for a particular infant that includes instructions and a time frame for swaddling the infant. Staff shall not place objects or allow objects to be placed in or on the crib with an infant such as but not limited to toys, pillows, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, sheepskins, stuffed toys, or other soft items and shall not attach objects or allow objects to be attached to a crib with a sleeping infant, such as, but not limited to, crib gyms, toys, mirrors and mobiles.
Rule .26(6) - Equipment-outdoor: (6) Equipment. Playground equipment shall provide an opportunity for the children to engage in a variety of experiences and shall be age-appropriate. For example, toddlers shall not be permitted to swing in swings designed for School-age Children. The outdoor equipment shall be free of lead-based paint, sharp corners and shall be regularly maintained in such a way as to be free of rust and splinters that could pose significant safety hazard to the children. All equipment shall be arranged so as not to obstruct supervision of children.
Rule .20(3) - Medication-Records: (3) Dispensing Records. The Center shall maintain a record of all medications dispensed to children by Personnel to include the date, time and amount of medication that was administered; any noticeable adverse reactions to the medication; and the signature or initials of the person administering the medication.
Rule .10(4) - Diaper Changing surface: (4) If diapers are changed on a diaper changing surface, the surface shall be smooth, nonporous, and equipped with a guard or rails to prevent falls. Between each diaper change, the diaper changing surface shall be cleaned with a disinfectant and dried with a single-use disposable towel.
Rule .30(2) - Safe sleep environment: (2) Sleeping and Resting Environment for Infants. A Center shall provide a safe sleep environment in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) recommendations as listed in these rules for all infants. Center Staff shall place an infant to sleep on the infant’s back unless the Parent has provided a physician’s written statement authorizing another sleep position for that particular infant that includes how the infant shall be placed to sleep and a time frame that the instructions are to be followed. When an infant can easily turn over from back to front and back again, Staff shall continue to put the infant to sleep initially on the infant’s back but allow the infant to roll over into his or her preferred position and not re-position the infant. Sleepers, sleep sacks and wearable blankets that fit according to the commercial manufacturer’s guidelines and will not slide up around the infant’s face may be used when necessary for the comfort of the sleeping infant. However, swaddling shall not be used unless the Center has been provided a physician’s written statement authorizing its use for a particular infant that includes instructions and a time frame for swaddling the infant. Staff shall not place objects or allow objects to be placed in or on the crib with an infant such as but not limited to toys, pillows, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, sheepskins, stuffed toys, or other soft items and shall not attach objects or allow objects to be attached to a crib with a sleeping infant, such as, but not limited to, crib gyms, toys, mirrors and mobiles.
Rule .17(7) - Handwashing-Children: (7) Handwashing, Children. Children's hands shall be washed with soap and warm running water: immediately upon arrival for care; when moving from one child care group to another, and upon re-entering the child care area after outside play; before and after eating meals and snacks, handling or touching food, or playing in water; after toileting and diapering, playing in sand, touching animals or pets, and contact with bodily fluids such as, but not limited to, mucus, saliva, vomit or blood; and after contamination by any other means.
Rule .09(1)(c) - Employee - satisfactory Comprehensive Records Check Determination: (1)(c) A Center must ensure that every Employee has a valid and current satisfactory Comprehensive Records Check Determination on file prior to being present at the Center while any child is present for care or before an individual age 17 or older resides in the Center. The Comprehensive Records Check Determination must have a Records Check Clearance Date that is no older than the preceding 12 months of the hire date; provided, however, if the Employee has had a lapse of employment from the child care industry that lasted for 180 days (6 months) or longer, a new satisfactory Comprehensive Records Check Determination is required.
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FAQ
Yes. Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning lists it as licensed and operating.
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning lists the most recent visit on March 19, 2026, with 9 rules cited. It lists 6 visits in the last 3 years.
Yes. Inspectors cited 27 rules across 6 of 6 visits in the last 3 years. For comparison: 89% of Georgia daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 0. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
139, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.
It has not listed its tuition. Call (912) 285-1024 to ask.
(912) 285-1024.
1700 Osceola Avenue, Waycross, GA 31503. The nearest other daycare we list is Ware County Recreation Department/Memorial Park, 1.1 miles away.