Atlanta Children’s Resources: A Practical Guide for Families in the City

Raising or visiting with children in Atlanta, Georgia comes with a lot of questions: Where can kids get medical care? What are the best children’s museums and parks? How do schools and childcare work here? This guide pulls together key Atlanta children’s resources so you can quickly find what you need, whether you live in the city or are just in town for a visit.

Key Types of Children’s Services in Atlanta

For families focused on Atlanta children’s needs, most questions fall into a few categories:

• Health and hospitals
• Public schools and education
• Childcare and early learning
• Parks, museums, and activities
• Social services and child protection
• Special needs and developmental support

The sections below walk through each, with Atlanta-specific details and examples.

Healthcare for Children in Atlanta

Major Children’s Hospitals and Medical Centers

Atlanta is a regional hub for pediatric care. Families often hear the phrase “Atlanta Children’s” in connection with large pediatric systems and services. Here are some of the primary options:

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) – This is one of the main pediatric health systems in the metro area, with multiple hospital campuses and outpatient centers. CHOA provides:

• Emergency care specifically for kids
• Pediatric specialists (heart, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, etc.)
• Primary care practices in and around Atlanta
• Rehabilitation and therapy services

Major hospital locations include:

• Egleston Hospital – 1405 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322 (near Emory University)
• Hughes Spalding Hospital – 35 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303 (downtown, near Grady)
• Scottish Rite Hospital – 1001 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342 (Sandy Springs area)

General main phone line (to confirm current numbers and services):
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Main: 404‑785‑5000

Families usually start by contacting their pediatrician, urgent care, or a CHOA nurse line for guidance on where to go.

Other Pediatric Care Options

Beyond the major children’s hospitals, Atlanta has:

• Private pediatricians and family medicine practices across neighborhoods like Buckhead, Decatur, Midtown, and the Westside.
• Community health centers that may offer pediatric care with income-based fees.
• Urgent care clinics that treat common childhood issues like minor injuries, ear infections, and fevers.

💡 Tip: When you move to Atlanta, many parents prioritize choosing a pediatrician close to home or school, then use large hospitals mainly for emergencies and specialty care.

Education: Schools for Children in Atlanta

Public School Systems Serving Atlanta Children

Where a child lives in metro Atlanta largely determines which public school district they attend.

1. Atlanta Public Schools (APS)
Covers most of the City of Atlanta within Fulton County.

• Central office: 130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Main switchboard: 404‑802‑3500
• Serves grades Pre‑K through 12th
• Offers neighborhood schools, charter schools, and several specialized programs (STEM, arts, language immersion in some areas)

2. Fulton County Schools and DeKalb County School District
Parts of the “Atlanta” mailing address may actually fall into Fulton County Schools (especially north of the city) or DeKalb County Schools (east and southeast).

• Fulton County Schools: 6201 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30339 | 470‑254‑3600
• DeKalb County School District: 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 | 678‑676‑1200

Families should:

1. Check their home address against the district’s online boundary tool or by calling the district.
2. Ask about zoned schools, enrollment procedures, and required documents (proof of residence, immunization forms, etc.).

School Choice, Charters, and Magnet Options

Within Atlanta, parents may explore:

• Charter schools under APS or local authorizers
• Magnet and specialty programs focusing on STEM, performing arts, or world languages
• Open enrollment/lotteries where space is available

Deadlines and rules vary, so Atlanta families usually:

• Start researching options months before the school year.
• Track lottery dates and application windows carefully.

Early Intervention in Schools

For children who may need learning or developmental support, Atlanta-area public schools generally offer:

• Special education services under federal guidelines
• Speech, occupational, and physical therapy in some school settings
• Evaluation processes that typically begin with a request to the school or district’s special education department

Parents often start by talking with the school counselor, teacher, or student support team.

Childcare and Early Childhood Options

Daycare, Preschool, and Pre‑K

Atlanta offers a wide range of early childhood settings for infants through age 5:

• Private daycare centers (chain and independent)
• Faith-based programs (often “Mother’s Morning Out” or preschool)
• In‑home childcare providers
• Georgia Pre‑K classes for 4‑year‑olds (often lottery-based and housed in public schools or private centers)

For young Atlanta children, families typically:

1. Decide between full-day care, part-day preschool, or nanny/in‑home options.
2. Check whether the provider participates in Georgia’s licensing and quality rating systems.
3. Confirm hours, fees, teacher-child ratios, and waitlists.

Financial Help With Childcare

Some Atlanta families may qualify for:

• Childcare subsidies or assistance programs administered at the state or county level.
• Sliding-scale community centers that offer lower tuition based on income.

Families usually contact:

• The Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) or
• Local family resource centers

for details on whether they qualify and how to apply.

Fun Things to Do With Children in Atlanta

Atlanta has many activities tailored to kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens.

Major Children’s Attractions

Georgia Aquarium (Downtown)
One of the largest aquariums in the world, very popular with families.

• 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Focus: Marine life, interactive exhibits, educational programs

Zoo Atlanta (Grant Park)
A long-established city zoo with a wide range of animals and children’s programming.

• 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Druid Hills)
A favorite for children interested in dinosaurs, nature, and science.

• 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307

Children’s Museum of Atlanta (Downtown)
Hands-on exhibits designed specifically for young children (toddlers through early elementary).

• 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Parks, Playgrounds, and Outdoor Spaces

Atlanta’s green spaces play a big role in children’s lives here.

Some well-known family-friendly areas:

• Piedmont Park – Large central park with multiple playgrounds and open fields.
• Grant Park – Historic neighborhood park adjacent to Zoo Atlanta.
• Atlanta BeltLine – Multi-use trails with access to playgrounds, murals, and kid-friendly stops.
• Chastain Park – North Atlanta park with paths, playgrounds, and recreational facilities.

Many neighborhoods also have local playgrounds, splash pads, and recreation centers operated by the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation.

Recreation Programs and Youth Sports

Atlanta children can join:

• City recreation center programs – after-school care, summer camps, sports leagues
• Youth sports leagues – soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, and more, often through city rec, YMCA locations, or private clubs
• Arts and music programs – dance, theater, visual arts, and music classes offered across the city

Families typically call the nearest recreation center or check citywide programming to see what’s available seasonally.

Social Services and Protection for Atlanta Children

Child Welfare and Protective Services

For concerns about a child’s safety or well-being, Georgia’s child welfare services are managed at the state level but affect Atlanta directly.

Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS)
Metro Atlanta families may interact with DFCS for:

• Child protective services (reporting abuse or neglect)
• Foster care and adoption services
• Some support programs for families in crisis

Key statewide reporting line (verify current number):

• DFCS Child Protective Services Intake Center: 1‑855‑GACHILD (1‑855‑422‑4453)

Locally, there are Fulton County and DeKalb County DFCS offices that handle cases affecting children living in and around Atlanta.

Family Support Resources

Various Atlanta-based organizations and public agencies may offer:

• Parenting classes and support groups
• Food, housing, and utility assistance for families with children
• After-school and mentoring programs for youth

Atlanta families often locate these services by:

• Contacting United Way of Greater Atlanta (2‑1‑1 phone line) for referrals
• Asking school counselors or social workers for local resource lists
• Checking with city and county human services departments

Special Needs and Developmental Support for Atlanta Children

Developmental Assessments and Therapies

For Atlanta children with developmental delays, disabilities, or special healthcare needs, families often look for:

• Developmental pediatricians
• Speech, occupational, and physical therapy providers
• Behavioral and mental health services
• Autism evaluation and support centers

Some of these services are:

• Located at major hospital systems (like Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta clinics)
• Offered through private practices across the metro area
• Available within public school systems, depending on a child’s eligibility

Parents usually:

1. Start with their pediatrician to discuss concerns.
2. Contact early intervention or special education departments for school-aged children.
3. Reach out directly to therapy providers to ask about waitlists, insurance, and intake steps.

Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers

Georgia offers early intervention services for infants and toddlers with certain developmental concerns. Atlanta families typically access these through:

• State-run programs coordinated at the county or regional level, which may include home-based or center-based services.

Families can ask their child’s doctor or local health department how to request an evaluation.

Quick Reference: Core Atlanta Children’s Resources

Below is a simple overview of key resource types Atlanta families often use.

How to Start Navigating Atlanta Children’s Services

If you’re new to Atlanta or just starting to explore what’s available for children, a practical order of steps is:

1. Clarify your priority (health, school, childcare, activities, or support services).
2. Confirm your address and school zone if school-related.
3. Identify a pediatrician or clinic close to home.
4. Make a short list of key places – nearest children’s hospital, local park, recreation center, and library.
5. Keep important numbers handy, such as your child’s doctor, a nearby urgent care, school front office, and relevant helplines.

With these basics in place, navigating life with children in Atlanta—whether you’re here long-term or short-term—tends to become much more manageable and predictable.