Choosing the right childcare center for your child is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make as a parent. You want a place that’s safe, nurturing, and genuinely invested in your child’s growth — not just a place to drop them off.
Legacy Childhood Education Centers in the Tulsa, Oklahoma metro area has built a reputation for doing exactly that. Since opening in 2018, Legacy CEC has grown to three locations, earned the highest state childcare rating possible, and achieved national accreditation — all while keeping the focus on what matters most: the children.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Legacy Childhood Education Centers — from their programs and locations to what actually sets them apart from other daycares in the Tulsa area.
What Is Legacy Childhood Education Centers?
Legacy Childhood Education Centers (Legacy CEC) is a licensed, nationally accredited early childhood education provider serving families across the Tulsa, Oklahoma metro area. Founded in 2018, the organization operates three full-service childcare centers across Tulsa and Broken Arrow.
Their mission is straightforward: create a safe, nurturing environment that supports children’s social, emotional, and educational growth — and spark a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
What makes Legacy CEC stand out isn’t just their credentials (though those are impressive). It’s the philosophy behind every classroom, every teacher, and every interaction with a child.
Legacy CEC Locations: Where Are They?
Legacy Childhood Education Centers currently operates three locations across the Tulsa metro area:
1. Tulsa — 61st Street
- Address: 9135 E 61st St, Tulsa, OK 74133
- Director: Roshunda Crain
2. Tulsa — Mingo Road
Address: 4744 S Mingo Rd, Tulsa, OK 74146
Director: Whitney McCrory
3. Broken Arrow
Address: 1020 S Elm Pl, Broken Arrow, OK 74012
All three locations are conveniently positioned across the Tulsa metro, making it easier for families in Broken Arrow, South Tulsa, and East Tulsa to find quality childcare close to home or on the commute.
Hours of Operation
All Legacy CEC centers operate on the same schedule:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
- Drop-off is accepted any time before 9:00 AM
- Centers are open 52 weeks a year (year-round)
- Closed on major holidays
Parent tip: If your work schedule runs later than 5:00 PM, plan pick-up logistics in advance. Legacy CEC’s hours are designed around a traditional workday schedule.
Programs Offered: Ages 6 Weeks to 12 Years
One of Legacy CEC’s strongest advantages is that your child can grow with them from infancy all the way through elementary school. That continuity matters — kids thrive in familiar environments with trusted caregivers.
Infant Care — Ages 6 Weeks to 12 Months
The infant program is designed for your baby’s earliest and most critical months of development. Caregivers focus on:
- Building secure, trusting attachments with each infant
- Age-appropriate sensory and cognitive stimulation
- Safe sleep practices and feeding routines
- Consistent daily schedules to support healthy development
Each infant receives individualized attention in a calm, nurturing setting.
Toddler Care — Ages 12 Months to 3 Years
Toddlerhood is an explosion of discovery. The toddler program at Legacy CEC channels that energy with:
- Language and communication development activities
- Gross and fine motor skill building
- Social play and early cooperation skills
- Hands-on exploration and creative play
Preschool / Pre-K — Ages 3 to 5 Years
The preschool program prepares children for kindergarten success with a curriculum focused on:
- Early literacy and pre-reading skills
- Number recognition and early math concepts
- Social-emotional learning and self-regulation
- Creative arts, music, and movement
- Building curiosity and a love of learning
By the time children complete this program, they are ready — academically, socially, and emotionally — for kindergarten.
Elementary / School-Age Care — Ages 5 to 12 Years
Legacy CEC doesn’t stop at preschool. Their elementary program provides structured before- and after-school care and enrichment for school-age children, including:
- Homework support and academic reinforcement
- STEM-inspired activities
- Creative projects and group activities
- A safe, supervised space during non-school hours
What Makes Legacy CEC Stand Out?
There are dozens of childcare options in Tulsa. Here’s what genuinely separates Legacy Childhood Education Centers from the pack.
5-Star OKDHS Rating — The Highest Possible
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) rates childcare programs through its STARS program — a quality rating system from 1 to 5 stars. Most centers operate at 1 to 3 stars.
Legacy CEC holds a 5-star rating at all three locations — the highest level achievable. This rating is not handed out. It requires rigorous standards in curriculum quality, staff qualifications, learning environments, and family engagement.
National Accreditation Through Early Learning Leaders (NAC)
In addition to the 5-star state rating, Legacy CEC is nationally accredited through the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) of Early Learning Leaders.
Here’s why this matters: Oklahoma does not legally require daycares to pursue national accreditation. Most don’t. Legacy CEC chose to pursue it anyway — because they hold themselves to a higher standard than the law requires.
National accreditation means Legacy CEC’s programs are evaluated against national best practices in early childhood education, not just local minimum standards.
Near-Perfect Licensing Inspection Record
Oklahoma childcare centers are inspected by OKDHS licensing specialists multiple times per year. These inspections are thorough and unannounced.
Legacy CEC’s inspection record is exceptionally clean:
- The 61st Street location has recorded zero non-compliances across every single inspection visit on record — a truly remarkable track record.
- The Mingo Road location had one minor non-compliance in January (related to infant swaddling), which was resolved within two days through a corrective action plan.
For parents researching childcare safety, this level of compliance transparency is exactly what you want to see.
Subsidy Accepted — Making Quality Childcare Accessible
Both state-licensed Legacy CEC locations participate in Oklahoma’s child care subsidy program (through OKDHS). This means families who qualify for childcare assistance can access Legacy CEC’s nationally accredited programs — quality childcare shouldn’t only be available to families who can pay out of pocket.
Trusted Institutional Partnerships
Legacy CEC has built relationships with respected organizations that reinforce their commitment to quality, nutrition, and community:
- Cherokee Nation — cultural and community partnership
- Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) — ensuring children receive nutritious meals
- Oklahoma Department of Human Services — state licensing and oversight
- United Speech and Rehab — access to speech therapy support services
- Certified Healthy Oklahoma — commitment to health and wellness
- Oklahoma Child Care Association — industry membership and advocacy
These aren’t just logos on a website. They reflect Legacy CEC’s integration into the broader early childhood education ecosystem in Oklahoma.
Who Oversees Legacy CEC? Licensing Specialists & Accountability
Transparency matters to parents. Here’s who monitors Legacy CEC’s compliance:
| Location | Licensing Specialist | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 61st Street (Tulsa) | Tonya Montgomery Aaron | (405) 795-3846 |
| Mingo Road (Tulsa) | Campbell Payne | (918) 346-9041 |
Parents can contact these OKDHS specialists directly if they ever have concerns. All inspection reports are also publicly available through the Oklahoma Child Care Locator at childcarefind.okdhs.org.
Frequently Asked Questions About Legacy Childhood Education Centers
What ages does Legacy CEC accept?
Legacy CEC accepts children from 6 weeks old through 12 years old, spanning infant, toddler, preschool, and elementary age groups.
Does Legacy CEC accept childcare subsidies?
Yes. Legacy CEC accepts Oklahoma OKDHS child care subsidies. Contact the center directly to confirm eligibility and enrollment steps.
How many children can each center accommodate
Each licensed Legacy CEC location has a total licensed capacity of 90 children.
Is Legacy CEC open year-round?
Yes. All three Legacy CEC centers operate 52 weeks a year. They close for major holidays but do not take extended seasonal breaks.
How do I enroll my child at Legacy CEC?
The first step is scheduling a tour. You can do so through their website at legacycec.com or by calling your preferred location directly.
What is the drop-off policy?
Children should be dropped off before 9:00 AM. Centers open at 6:30 AM.
Is Legacy CEC affiliated with a religious organization?
No affiliation is stated or indicated. Legacy CEC is a privately operated early childhood education organization.
How to Schedule a Tour
Seeing a childcare center in person is always the right move before enrolling. Here’s how to get started with Legacy CEC:
- Visit legacycec and click “Enroll Now” or “Schedule a Tour”
- Call your preferred location directly (numbers listed above)
- Email admin@legacycec.com for the 61st Street location or mingo@legacycec.com for the Mingo Road location
When you tour, come prepared with questions:
- What is the staff-to-child ratio in each classroom?
- How do teachers communicate with parents daily?
- What does a typical daily schedule look like?
- What curriculum framework do you use?
- How are behavioral situations handled?
Is Legacy CEC the Right Fit for Your Family?
Legacy Childhood Education Centers is a strong choice for Tulsa-area families who want:
- Proven quality — 5-star state rating and national accreditation
- Full-spectrum care — birth to age 12, all in one organization
- Transparency — publicly available licensing records with a clean track record
- Accessibility — subsidy acceptance for qualifying families
- Community roots — established since 2018 with deep local and institutional partnerships
That said, every family has different needs. If you work evenings, weekends, or need drop-in care flexibility, confirm Legacy CEC’s hours work for your schedule before committing.
Final Thoughts
Legacy Childhood Education Centers has done the hard work of earning trust — through state ratings, national accreditation, licensing compliance, and consistent care. For families in Tulsa and Broken Arrow searching for early childhood education that goes beyond babysitting, Legacy CEC is one of the most credentialed, transparent, and mission-driven options in the metro area.
The best next step? Schedule a tour and see it for yourself. No article replaces the feeling of walking into a center, meeting the staff, and watching how they interact with children.