Love it! An excellent Montessori institution in Creve Coeur, MO. There are numerous options in…read morethe St. Louis but if you are looking for a safe, clean and caring environment definitely pay HOPE Montessori in Creve Coeur a visit. The facilities are excellent and Susie Shelton-Dodge is the Headmistress and is wonderful and very approachable. They do have before and after school care which is included in tuition. They participate in numerous field trips. The menu in the cafeteria also has very healthy items. The summer camp is also wonderful with numerous fun activities but my favorite part of summer camp is the swimming lessons. They do have a very nice swimming pool on campus (fenced) and teach swimming every day during the summer. Lessons are dependent on ability and age. There is even parent observation day at the end of the summer. No this place isn't cheap but well worth the money. Overall my favorite aspects: 1) Before and after school care 2) Summer camp swimming lessons 3) Small class sizes 4) Safe, diverse and comfortable environment

Our experience started ok. Our son did pretty well but eventually started sharing how some kids…read morepicked on him. These kids tended to be from affluent families and made fun of his clothes or shoes. There became more concerning issues when one child was being threatening towards the children in the class. When we expressed concern the teacher became defensive of the other child and it became very uncomfortable after we had built what I thought was a good report. I found out later that the teacher was close with the other family and even went on a ski trip with them. The director also showed little concern for these more serious issues. I also had to address the fact that my daughters class never washed with soap and water but used hand sanitizer instead. Both of my kids would express that the wrong kids were often disciplined and others got away with whatever they wanted. Every day I asked them how school was and they had nothing good to report sadly. It was hugely disappointing for the amount of money spent there.

Lucky Lane is a St. Louis gem! My daughter has been attending for about a year now, but the school…read morehas been a part of my family for much longer. Both myself and my father attended Lucky Lane, so the decision to send my daughter there was a no-brainer. The staff at Lucky Lane is great. The teachers are all so kind and the director, Carly, is easy to work with. One of the most unique things about Lucky Lane is their flexible scheduling. It really makes a huge difference to my family, and I have not encountered another school that offers anything like it. My daughter has learned so much there. She always comes home singing new songs from music class, with new books form the library, or with stories about playing with her friends outside or in the wheel-toy room. She is always excited to go to school in the morning, which makes dropping her off each morning a breeze. I simply can't say enough great things about Lucky Lane!

My son has been attending Lucky Lane for almost a year now and we both love it! Lucky Lane has…read morecompetitive pricing and flexible scheduling options that really work well for our family. There are multiple playgrounds and lots of outdoor space to run and play which my son loves. We also love that Lucky Lane feels like a real school and fosters independence - the kids get to move throughout the school and experience multiple environments from thier regular classroom to the onsite STEM room, library, music room, and large indoor wheel-toy room. They even teach the kids French! We love Lucky Lane :)

My son attended Westport from infancy through the 3-year-old class. The setup is concerning:…read morebabies, toddlers, then suddenly 3-year-olds placed with 4-5-year-olds in a larger room. That alone shows how little thought goes into the children's development here. This daycare receives funding, yet when I was one of the top two contributors of a fundraiser, the money went to an employee's personal house fire relief instead of the children. You would think a go fund me account would be started instead of using money from a fundraiser. Where's the integrity? Without cameras, parents have no way of knowing what really happens during diapering or bathroom routines, and children can't always explain it. That lack of transparency is unacceptable. Daycare is supposed to support working parents, not make us question our child's safety. Trust is everything in childcare, and this place failed at the most basic level. On top of that, tuition rates were sketchy. I asked multiple times about a rate adjustment after my son was potty trained with moving to the 3 year old bigger class, and got vague answers until his last day--when suddenly the rate dropped by $40. This center has been in business for years, but that doesn't mean it's safe or trustworthy. Longevity without integrity means nothing. I am grateful my child no longer attends Westport. Parents, be vigilant and push for cameras in every classroom, because without them, we'll never truly know what's going on. ------- ------- Updated Review after Business Response: Thank you for your response. I want to clarify a few points for parents who may be considering this daycare. Classroom setup: While ratios may technically follow state guidelines, my concern was with the developmental mix of children. My son's experience showed that compliance and what is best for children's growth are not always the same thing. Fundraiser funds: The center did communicate that fundraiser proceeds would be directed to teachers affected by a house fire. While I sympathize with their loss, I personally felt that using funds raised under the impression of benefiting the children and center was not the most appropriate approach. A separate GoFundMe or designated collection would have offered parents a clearer choice. Safety and transparency: The response did not address my concern about the lack of cameras. In childcare, parents value reassurance and transparency, especially during moments when children cannot fully express themselves. Tuition adjustments: My questions about tuition changes after potty training went unanswered until my son's final day, when suddenly the rate dropped. Clear communication about costs is a basic expectation for parents budgeting for care. Finally, I want to add that I was asked multiple times to leave a review while my son was enrolled, but I chose not to at that time. Reading the tone of the center's reply to my concerns has only confirmed that decision. Rather than addressing my feedback constructively, the response came across as defensive and dismissive. This type of communication does not build trust with parents, it further erodes it. I understand this center has been in business for decades, but longevity alone does not equal trust. My review reflects my personal experience, and I encourage prospective parents to ask detailed questions and tour thoroughly before making a decision.

We've had two daughters attend Westport School. My younger daughter started at 3 months and is now…read morein pre K, so we've been with them through all the ages, from diapers to toddlers to graduating pre-K. My daughter had a very easy time transitioning to kindergarten after finishing preschool here. I recommend Westport School highly and without hesitation. It is a small family owned establishment, which really lets the staff know the kids and form close relationships. Communication with management and teachers has always been easy. My daughters have both been very happy here and my older one loves to stop in and give her favorite teachers hugs even now!

An incredible school, great use of Montessori. I wish it continued through high school. When I…read moremoved, I was light years ahead of my peers in reading and math, even at other very good private schools. The staff is very warm. During a summer I was there, there was a flash flood. The custodian saw the water coming in, and all the students were taken to higher ground in a safe and calm manner.

I give this place three stars for their kick-butt preschool, and minus two for the rest. At least…read morethey make everyone learn German really young. I had no idea that I was learning German, I just knew we went and sat with this crazy lady for a while twice a week. I asked my parents to take me out of this school because I didn't like it when I was in kindergarden. Don't ask me why, I don't know.

This looks and feels like a wonderful place and as a result I wanted to pull my son out of his…read morecurrent school and send both my boys in 2020. At the time I had a 3 and 5 year old. I applied for them both to do the summer camp, which they got into and to go to school there, which they did not get into. We put down a non refundable deposit for both. When the pandemic hit they cancelled the camp understandably. My husband sent several emails asking i if, under the unforeseen circumstances, could we get our camp deposit back. We never heard back with any explanation nor did we get our money back. Every camp we applied in the summer of 2020 either gave us our money back or gave us various options of how to use the money. A little communication goes a long way . This one didn't even respond with an explanation. Very poorly run.

I take my daughter here when she was 18 months and the first month of being in the school we…read morenoticed great improvement in her social and learning skills. All the teachers in her class are so nice.

Great school! Friendly staff and beautiful learning environment. I had a tour here and have learned…read moreso much about Montessori.

Guidepost is the best. The staff is amazing and our son has learned so much. He can't wait to go to…read moreschool in the morning and doesn't want to leave when we pick him up. Highly recommend!

Christina had an opening for us when our other daycare shut down the classroom. Incredibly…read moreaccommodating and enjoyed everyone. Our child loved attending, enjoys her ABC's, knows her 123's and made some great friends. Thank you for everything!

As of February 2017, our daughter has been going to the Creve Coeur Kindercare for nearly two…read moreyears, ever since she was 6 weeks old. Even after moving out to Ballwin, we've kept her at this same Kindercare location because of the bonds she's made with the other toddlers and her teachers. WHY WE CHOSE THIS LOCATION: When we were looking for daycare for our daughter, we did a lot of online research. Some of that research was looking up ratings for each place, like you're obviously doing now. Throughout the reading-up-on-reviews process, we kept in mind that negative reviews are often more common, as people with great things to say about places tend not to be very vocal on Yelp or Google. We also looked at data that's less subjective or disputable. What incidents were reported at the locations you're considering? Are they licensed? Are they accredited? (There's a good description of accreditation and why it matters here: http://www.kindercare.com/about-us/who-we-are/accreditation.) I encourage you to do as much research as you feel comfortable with. This is obviously an important decision. So, we saw that, at the time, the Creve Coeur Kindercare was licensed, accredited and even working toward a second accreditation (I think it has gotten it, too, since then). We saw it wasn't too far away from home, so that was nice. We visited a couple of other locations nearby and, to be honest, they seemed dirtier, or more chaotic, or less safe. That's partially where that accreditation comes in. The weekly rate did seem like a lot until we did more research and we saw that it was competitive with other daycares' rates. Yes, it is still a decent amount of money, but the safety and education of your child is worth it. And again, it's nowhere near the cost of Montessori school, for example. Plus, rates go down on your child's second and third birthdays. SAFETY & FOOD: [This section was deleted to save space. Please speak with the location for these details.] CURRICULUM: Each day, teachers will send home a report on your child's activities, what they learned and how they acted. It's really helpful to follow along for those parents who are interested. Our daughter has responded seemingly very well to their teaching style. Her communication skills are very advanced for a child her age, and she has really taken to learning as much as possible. Of course, it's hard to say if this is just our daughter or if this is Kindercare's doing, but I just had to brag on my little girl some, I guess! Again, when you visit, ask what the kids are learning at the time. They have lesson plans they follow, so the answer should be an easy one to get. Also, in case you're worried, they don't have TVs in the rooms, so they won't just be watching Barney all day. STAFF: Everyone has been wonderful to me. I like to stick around when I drop my daughter off and when I pick her up and talk to her teachers. I'll ask how she did, what her mood was, if she did anything (positive or negative) noteworthy. All the teachers have seemed invested in our daughter's care, education and growth. Some have decades of experience with professional childcare, even at Kindercare. Others are going to college to study it. The woman who previously managed the location was wonderful, but recently left to pursue an altogether different career. Her replacement is very kind, knowledgeable and vibrant and, while I'm no expert, she seems to be doing a fantastic job in the month or two since she started. BONUS: Once a month, on most months, the center will host a "Parents' Night Out" where, for an extra $15, they will feed and watch your child until 9. This is a wonderful way to have a built-in date night on the cheap, especially for people like us who don't have family close by to babysit on a regular basis. They also provide crackers for the ride home, which really come in handy with kids once they need snacks to keep them civil during car rides. There are plenty of smaller details, but this should cover the bulk of it. To be fair, this is the only daycare we have ever brought our daughter to, so we don't have any other experiences to compare Creve Coeur Kindercare with. But I'm just happy that my daughter is safe and learning everything she can in an environment that is well-suited to her. I hope this covers any questions you may have about the location. Good luck with your little one!

This is a day-care Of a lot of stuff The food is good I like…read moreit because it's a good thing to play with. We eat and more! Great start! Thank you Ms Ashley

Both of my children have gone here, very happy with staff and quality of care. We recommend to all…read moreour friends.

We are so happy with the environment, the staff, and the community at KCH! Our two children thrive…read morethere and I see growing literacy, number sense, curiosity, and kindness in them as time passes :)

We have had one or more children at KCH for the last three years. Florence Kramer and her staff…read morehave made the school into a wonderful, safe environment for the children. The school and student families really feel like a community. We are thrilled to have our children at this school and highly recommend to anyone.

Little Sunshine Playhouse-University City provides a warm, engaging, and well-run environment for…read morechildren. The staff is welcoming, diverse, professional, and genuinely nurturing. The school balances structure with fun, offering creative themes and activities that keep children excited to learn. From the beginning, the environment has felt intentional, secure, and thoughtfully designed for kids. Our family enrolled our daughter in August 2025. Before that, she stayed home full-time until age two and was very much a "stage 5 Velcro baby." The transition was emotional at first, especially at drop-off, but the growth we've seen since then has been incredibly encouraging. She now confidently gives hugs goodbye, happily says "bye-bye," and walks into her classroom with ease. She genuinely enjoys school and is happy during pick-up, which gives us peace of mind. There have been a few instances where we needed to remind staff to clean our child's face, hands, or nose after meals or messy play, as well as change her into clean clothes when needed. Parents are asked to provide at least two sets of weather-appropriate spare clothes for this purpose, and on occasion, changes were not made as promptly as we would have preferred. There have also been times when personal items were misplaced. That said, staff consistently communicated with us, made genuine efforts to locate items, and worked to improve. We understand that managing multiple toddlers and their belongings is a common challenge in any preschool setting. What matters to us is that concerns are taken seriously and addressed, which has been our overall experience here. Leadership has been a major strength. Ms. Katelyn, the Director, played a large role in our decision to choose LSP. As parents who were understandably nervous, she spent significant time with us before enrollment, both on the phone and in person, explaining the school's philosophy, operations, safety measures, and procedures. She remains approachable, responsive, and consistently kind. Ms. Lucy, the Assistant Director, is equally welcoming, knowledgeable, and easy to communicate with. Staff shout-outs: Ms. Amanda, a head teacher, is exceptionally friendly, caring, and highly creative. Her warmth and creativity are evident throughout the school. Mr. Daniel is upbeat, professional, and consistently friendly during evening pick-ups. Ms. Alina, another head teacher, is more reserved and has a straightforward, businesslike communication style. Her creativity is visible in school projects and displays. Ms. Niya, our child's current lead teacher, met with us prior to enrollment, gave us a full tour of the school and playground, and offered reassurance during the transition. She is warm, attentive, and a strong educator. Ms. Victoria, Ms. Sabrina, Ms. Jaela, Ms. Wafae, Ms. Nabila, and Ms. Cassie have all been kind, professional, and attentive in their roles. Communication is excellent. Phones are always answered, and messages through the app are returned promptly, usually within the hour. When concerns are raised, leadership responds quickly and respectfully. The school is clean, beautifully decorated, and secure. Drop-off and pick-up are smooth, classroom ratios are followed, and security measures (controlled entry, cameras, and app communication) are strong. Meals and snacks are included, hours are 6:30 AM-6 PM, and nap time is well-structured and age-appropriate. One important note for families is cost. It's expensive. Little Sunshine Playhouse is on the higher end and is priced as a premium program. Overall, our family is very happy with Little Sunshine Playhouse-University City and would confidently recommend it to families seeking a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for their child.

I would not recommend this school/daycare…read more The amount of turnover is ridiculous. You never know who will be watching your child from day to day. Leadership will move your children around to accommodate state requirements for staffing, so children are moved up before they are ready so new students can be added to the program. Your child is not a child, they are a dollar sign.