Parent Review - Please Read Carefully Spanish versión in…read moreimages. Update: This review has been updated to include additional factual details for clarity and completeness. I am sharing this experience so other parents can make informed decisions before enrolling their child. I wish I had seen a review like this beforehand. My intent is transparency, especially for families who rely on childcare subsidies and may have limited options. My daughter attended this school briefly. During that time, we experienced ongoing issues with communication and transparency. The most concerning situation involved my daughter being injured on more than one occasion--twice by the same child within a matter of weeks. When I asked why my child was hurt more than once in such a short period of time, the Director became defensive rather than responsive. On both occasions, I was not notified immediately. After the first incident, a vague incident report was placed in my daughter's backpack for me to discover after arriving home. The report was written on Mt. Tahoma letterhead, which was confusing and concerning, as my child does not attend that school. During the second incident, I arrived for pickup while my daughter was still crying and visibly distressed after being struck on the side of the head by the same child. The teacher who brought her to the gate did not know what had happened, and the Director also appeared unaware. My daughter was initially handed to me as if nothing had occurred. Only after it became clear that I was upset and would not leave while my child was crying, red in the face, and hurt did a staff member offer an ice pack. When the Director arrived, she was unable to explain what had happened. When my daughter identified who hit her, the Director stated, "No, it wasn't him," without clarifying who was responsible. Although my daughter clearly stated she was hit, the school insisted she had been "pushed onto bark." Bark would not cause a bruise on her ear or the contusion later diagnosed by urgent care. The conversation with the Director and owner was brief and uninformative. Neither acknowledged who hurt my child or clearly explained what occurred. Instead, the incident was repeatedly described as "normal child behavior," and it was implied that my daughter's actions caused her injury. Some children at the school are as old as six; my daughter is only four. No apology was offered, and no prevention plan was discussed unless I specifically asked. An incident report was not offered. I requested one and was told it would be provided, but it never arrived. After following up, I eventually received a report that lacked key details, including staff names and a clear explanation of how the injury occurred. Most concerning, the report focused heavily on my daughter's behavior in a way that implied she was responsible for being hurt, while also stating that a teacher witnessed the incident and did not intervene to prevent injury. In a follow-up email--after I continued requesting a corrected incident report and additional details--the Director suggested that I consider withdrawing my daughter and placing her in a private in-home daycare, stating that my concerns reflected "very specific needs," rather than addressing how the school would ensure my child's safety. Beyond the physical injuries, my daughter showed signs of emotional distress while attending this program, including difficulty playing with peers and fear associated with school staff. Since leaving the school, these reactions have continued. I have not been able to return to work since November, as attempts to transition her into other childcare settings have been unsuccessful due to her extreme distress and refusal to enter facilities. The emotional impact on our family has been substantial. What troubled me most was not just the incidents themselves, but a pattern of delayed communication, limited transparency around supervision, and dismissal of legitimate safety concerns. I have since withdrawn my daughter and am sharing this to encourage other parents to ask detailed questions about supervision, injury reporting, communication practices, and how children are supported emotionally. This review reflects my personal experience as a parent.

My oldest son has been enrolled here for nearly two years, and the growth we've seen academically,…read moresocially, and emotionally, has been extraordinary. He came in shy and hesitant, and he has blossomed into a confident, curious child who loves learning and communicating with others. He now problem-solves on his own, initiates conversations, and brings home life skills he proudly teaches his younger brother. Because of the trust we've built, I recently enrolled my youngest son as well. One of the most meaningful parts of our experience has been the genuine care the staff has shown our family. When my father passed away unexpectedly about a year and a half ago, the teachers and administrators surrounded us with warmth and compassion. They checked in daily, supported my son through his big emotions, and made sure he felt safe and loved during an incredibly difficult time. That type of care comes from people who truly value the children they work with. Communication has always been clear, consistent, and responsive. The staff is proactive in sharing updates, answering questions, and making sure parents feel informed and included. Over nearly two years, any small hiccups that naturally happen in childcare have been handled with transparency, thoughtfulness, and professionalism. My son has developed strong, trusting relationships with his teachers, both under the previous ownership and the current leadership. He talks about them with so much affection, and it's evident that they genuinely know and appreciate him as an individual. They celebrate who he is, encourage his interests, and guide him with patience and respect. The sense of belonging and stability he feels at school has been a major factor in his growth. Every family and child is unique, but I can confidently share that this school has been a nurturing, communicative, and supportive environment for both of my children. We are grateful every day for the foundation it has provided, and I am thankful for the teachers who care for my boys as if they were their own.

Good back up daycare and super easy registration process. It's charged by the hour so dropping off…read moreis a breeze when you need to immediately care. Absolutely love this daycare! From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed and comfortable. The staff is incredibly warm, kind, and professional. The place always look pretty clean. They truly care about each child and it shows in the way they interact with the kids. The best part is you knowing your child is in good hands when you go for a quick errand run.

My 6 year old son loves coming here. He'll choose KidsPark over riding his bicycle, which is his…read morefavorite activity. The staff here are polite and professional, and the facility appears clean and tidy. I'm happy that KidsPark is available for spontaneous drop offs. They're a great option for spring and summer camp as well.

My daughter is in St. Luke's preschool program. We were originally planning to only enroll her for…read morePre-K before moving to a public elementary for kindergarten, but we have been so impressed with the foundation these wonderful teachers are setting that we have committed to spending the additional cost of sending our daughter there next year. There are two teachers in her classroom of 18-20. One teacher is a little more stern while one seems to be more amiable. They are a great team.

I have one child that is about to graduate from kindergarten this year. My child has attended three…read moreyears at St. Lukes. 2day pre-k, 3 day pre-k and of course our current year. St. Lukes came highly recommended from a coworker that has deep roots in Federal Way. She pretty much knows all the ins and outs of this town. I trust her opinion regarding children as she is a retired nurse with grown well rounded children herself. My child has had the best experience here! Teachers are amazing! They are patient, informative and fun for the kids! My child in the three years attended did not once ever have an issue with a teacher nor did I. Common goal of preparing these kids for elementary both academically and socially has been beyond my expectations. The buildings are secure and safe. Tuition is comparable to most private preschools in the area but I feel you get much more from St Lukes. Weekly Chapel is wonderful reminding the kids that they are loved by our Lord just for being them and encouraging them to seek Jesus is so encouraging to these kids! Sadly, St Lukes only goes to kindergarten. My child will leave here with so many great friends, relationships and memories. I am grateful for this school making his first school experience wonderful.

We've been really happy here! The teachers are kind and attentive, and they genuinely care about…read morethe kids. It feels super safe and is well run. Highly recommend!

This place is horrible! The staff here does not care about the actual well being of children. My…read more My son was being bullied by kids and the staff didn't even catch it since they are too busy not paying attention

Our son joined Compass in the fall and we've been very impressed with the professionalism and focus…read moreon educational achievement. As a lefty, he has always struggled with holding a pencil but within a few weeks we had already seen progress. He now enjoys drawing which is wonderful! The teachers show genuine care for the kids and foster an intellectual curious environment. We plan to put our second child in the program prior to Kindergarden as well.

Compass Montessori School 10/28/2020 On first appearance…read morewhen pulling into the Dash Point Village, the school is on the corner to the left. From looking at the school front, it's very unwelcoming, the blinds are closed & there is nothing painted on the windows to give you the idea of imaginary minds. We had a scheduled tour of the school; upon arrival we were appropriately checked for the Covid-19 & then invited in. When entering the school, you enter her office first. She keeps a tidy office, she then explains the schools mission statement, the calendar & the Montessori curriculum. They provide daily snacks & the child arrives with their own lunch. From here we enter the multi age classroom, 2 1/2 to 6 years of age. The classroom is boring & not full of bright colors to keep the mind active or interested, all the paint is extremely outdated in color. There is designated area for snacks & lunch, the teachers have access to a kitchen that has a sink, a microwave, a dishwasher & a refrigerator. Now onto the bathrooms, there is one bathroom in each classroom, in the green classroom that bathroom leaves tons to be desired. The stall is not properly attached to the wall, where there is a hole, more than a 4x4 circumference where the stall should be attached. In the Rose classroom bathroom could be cleaner, but both bathrooms need attention & painted a more appropriate way for the targeted age group who attends school there. After the classroom tour was finished, we moved onto the playground, the first thing I noticed was the concrete & woodchips that cover the playground play area. This area is split into two sides for age appropriate play time. There is no grass, no trees & one picnic table that has a partially covered & sort of enclosed on one side. The large slide toy on the older age side of the playground, is part wood & part plastic. It has a slide on it, the toy is old, outdated & quite unstable. On the other playground are a few little tikes' toys that are faded & again, old & boring. There is no shelter or shade structure at all on the toddler side. It is enclosed by chain link fence that could offer a wonderful place to decorate the fence to provide some privacy & maybe a bit a wind blocker. I had higher expectations for the price of the privilege of attending her school. Overall, I would give this Montessori school 2.5 stars. It would behoove you to shop around before dedicating to a yearly tuition to this location.

My daughter is a current student at KM and even though we've moved to Maple Valley, we are keeping…read moreher there. We absolutely love the teachers, and the philosophy at this co-op. My daughter (2) has blossomed socially and we have already built some lifelong friendships with other families from our class. Because the school is not focused on academics, but rather, learning through play, the children have an opportunity to explore their own interests, even at this young age. What a joy to have the chance to teach my daughter independence and love of learning in a nurturing and supportive environment.

We love KM. We love the teachers! They are so wonderful. We love the KM community. I am so…read morethankful we found this preschool!

Updating review to state they did add more security and the security they added were very diligent…read morein keeping not only the church parking lot, but also the neighborhood safe.

I have been a member of this church for 20 years. It is a place of warmth and community where all…read moreare welcome and the love of Jesus and being faithful to God's word is at the forefront of its mission. While some churches aim to please with whomever is most charismatic being chosen to lead, St. Luke's stays true to Biblical teaching with pastors who have studied the Bible in seminary and preach God's word in every sermon. The Sunday School program is AMAZING and there are a lot of youth of all ages. Lastly, the music is INCREDIBLE with a full band of talented singers and musicians. There are two types of services so people can choose between contemporary music with the band or traditional (with hymns). Come check it out! The lead Pastor is a kind, funny, and easy to talk to man who would be happy to welcome you and answer any questions.

This place is awesome! Every morning I am given smiles and laughter. All of the teachers have lots…read moreof experience with kids and handle every situation with ease. I am never worried about my or any other child's safety or health while here.

this place is a joke! You pay books a of money to get horrible care for your child! First time we…read moresent daughter there she came home beyond dirty, wet diaper, her onesie was not even put together, and more. She looked like a little orphan! Today when I picked her up, my daughter didn't let go of her sippy cup, so we decided to take it home to wash it. When I took this sippy cup apart to wash it, I noticed that the cup was never thoroughly washed and mold had made itself permanent inside the sippy cup for months. Mind you I did ask if I needed to take the sippy cup home with me every week, but they insisted that they would wash the sippy cup thoroughly every single day.This makes me extremely sick. It all makes sense why my daughter has been so sick. I do not recommend this place at all to anyone.

Pros: The staffs were very friendly always. The director Nicky was very helpful and flexible in…read moreterms of changing our toddler's schedule around. They also have an app that allows you to communicate directly with your child's teacher and view some photos/videos throughout the day, though it depends on who's working that day. Some days I'd get 10 pictures and a video while some days I wouldn't get any pictures. Cons: My toddler always comes out at pick up in the afternoon with a dirty, sticky face and/or hands with maybe food from lunch or snack? There were two times when she got a pretty big bruised-up bump on her forehead and a scratch on her face that staffs weren't sure where she got them from.

I highly recommend this daycare for so many reasons: safety, kind teachers, lots of communication,…read morehealthy meals, clean facility, fun activities, education, and more!!

All my 3 kids of different ages went to Basic Steps and loved it! I've known Kany since 2014 (?)…read morewhen I enrolled my 1st child and her school has grown so much since then! I'm so amazed at how she's able to handle curriculum for different levels and know all the kids by their 1st names. She also noticed that my 2nd son was advanced for his age and, along with a few other 4 year olds, she made advanced lessons just for them. My son loved it cuz he felt more challenged and up till now (he's in 4th grade already) still remembers those lessons he learned from Kany and says those were harder than 2nd grade in public school, but it was more fun! I brought my 3rd child there who just graduated pre school this past spring as well and he loved Kany and all his teachers. Anyways, I only have good things to say about Basic Steps and Kany and I wish her all the best!

Absolutely loved every second my children attended basic steps!! Mrs Joa is outstanding and always…read moreup to the challenge!! Wish our children could be taught by her at all levels. Even tho we are done with her academy she still keeps in touch every now and then and check on " her kids " and we appreciate it very much so!! Thanks once again for everything Mrs Joa and team!! With kind regards, Jeremi