I used Gateway Nanny Agency on the employer side - looking for a nanny. I was fresh off the baby…read moreproduction assembly line and desperately needing to get back to work. Care.com only gave me people that stood me up for interviews (5 of them!) Or wanted to bring their baby along with them. To be honest, that drives me nuts. How can someone watch my newborn with their 7 month old with them? Anyway, Gateway found me a candidate that I liked. They did the research (background check, references check) for me. I hired her after an interview and a few trial days. There is a 30 day "return policy" and although I had issues with my nanny after 30 days, I was trying to work it out because I had put her through a $600 newborn class. Fast forward another month and it was CLEARLY not working out, she needed to be fired. My reluctance here was paying another agency fee, which in my case was over $3k. They did allow me to pay the fee in two installments. Gateway ended up coming to an agreement with me after we discussed the situation further. Since then, they gave me four other candidates. In summary: - the fee to start a search is $200 - they post all jobs so candidates can shop - they do the background work for you, although I did call a few references the second time around - 30 day return policy - industry standard fees (some percentage of the full contract) - they provide you a sample contract I was also provided some temporary sitters when my first nanny was out. One of them was fantastic but the other was so bad I sent her home mid-day. I believe there is a $30 fee per sitter booking. I wouldn't do the temp thing again. If you have a favorite, requesting them each time is probably the better way to go. In all I ended up very pleased with there services. If you can afford it, this is the agency to use.

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!

My son has been attending Westport since 2025 and my infant daughter only since April this year…read more The staff members take the time to know every child, even if they aren't in their classroom. Donna, the director, is the eyes and ears and surely makes us feel comfortable leaving our children there. Shout out to all our previous and current teachers : Ms Lynnsie, Ms Catherine, Ms Connie, Ms Amanda, ms Emily x2, Ms Janiyah, Ms Miranda, Ms Melissa. My children have known and learned so much socially and intellectually. Would recommend anyone looking for a smaller center

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.

My son started going to Grace Pointe when he was 1 year old. Even now, at 8 years old, he still…read moregoes in the summer when school is out and he looks forward to it every year. All the teachers and staff care for the littles as if they were their own and they always keep them safe, protected and loved. The owner, Chris, is one of the most loving, caring, and compassionate people I have ever met and I would trust her or any of her staff with my sons life on any given day!!! The cost is well below other childcare facilities in the area. A definite plus considering you are getting a wonderful price and not sacrificing quality of care for the most precious parts of your life!!! I am beyond thankful to have found somewhere to care for and love my son just as I would when I could not be there. I will never take him anywhere else! Thank you to everyone at Grace Pointe for being amazing humans!!!!!

When we were looking at places to send our kids nothing was good enough in West County. Even the…read morenicer looking places owners were never there. My kids love going to Primrose every day, they wake me up to try and get there early! Staff is great, owners are always there and responsible and food is amazing. Best of all, their education is top notch, but this isn't a place your child will be not be learning!

Primrose is the Pre School and Daycare you want to send your child to! Everything about Primrose…read morehas gone beyond my expectations and I recommend it to everyone!

As a first-time parent, we had a lot of anxiety about childcare choices. We looked into different…read moreoptions and childcare centers, and I am still confident and happy with our decision to enroll our child here. My child started when she was 4 months old. Ms. Yan is such a nurturing person. I still remember one day when I went to pick her up and opened the door; Ms. Yan was playing with dolls with her. Even though my daughter was the last one to stay there, she was still having fun. As she got older and moved to different classrooms, Kita, Lauren, and all the other teachers were so kind. The various themed activities were enriching, and they would also suggest activities to do at home, which was very helpful for us. Additionally, the management team, Shuai and Michele, were incredibly supportive. They communicated with us frequently and in advance. Their dedication and passion were evident. They genuinely cared about our child's health and development, which was reassuring for parents like us. I believe this is a perfect place if you are looking for full-time childcare with a well-organized system. If you are seeking a part-time spot, this may not be the best choice, as they only offer full-time options. I actually think this is beneficial because it ensures consistency. They also have an app system that provides almost real-time updates about your child, which we appreciated greatly. We had to leave because we were moving out of state, but until the last day, my daughter enjoyed her time there. We are truly grateful for the wonderful experience our daughter had and highly recommend this center to other families seeking a nurturing and reliable childcare environment.

My 8 month old son has been going there since he was 4 months old! I absolutely love it! His…read moreteachers treat him so well! I get photo updates of him doing many activities! Very very easy to communicate with the teacher and the director. The Director is so kind and sweet! I feel like my baby is in good hands while I'm at work.

I'm grieving the loss of "my family" as my kiddos transition to elementary school…read more I already missed seeing Ms. Lesha's face in the morning as soon as I open the door. She is ALWAYS so pleasant, seems as though she never experience a "Bad Day." She is ALWAYS optimistic and supportive. Always there when I needed a listening hears (after dropping the kids off to their class of course). Teachers: ALL are awesome and truly enjoys what they do. You can tell. It shines through their work. You know the difference when someone is looking for a check vs being called to do this work. Honestly, I don't know how they do it, because my 2 alone is more than enough lol lol. The teachers from the baby room on up is so energetic and the kiddos responded well. Watching them makes me feel tired and old already lol. **** Ms. Tiffany & Ms Chavon**** special thanks to you both!!!! You both have instilled so much into my children & I know they will take it wherever they go! Ps. they do not want to leave you. Directors: Ms Monica & Ms. Moore are so personable and are truly a gem. Unfortunately, I didn't have much interactions with Ms Tamekia because we were transitioning out, but I like her spirit. Perks: They give back so much. We as parents feel the love. There's only one way to find out how, and that is to enroll your child/children here! You WILL NOT be disappointed. Your child will leave here ahead of there peers!

Kidz Preparatory Academy is an outstanding childcare and educational facility. What I loved and…read morerespected most was that it is ran by actual certified early childhood education teachers who bring a wealth of experience from the classroom to the learning environment. Both my children were very well prepared for kindergarten academically, socially and emotionally. Kidz Biz is not just a daycare it runs like a family. The creativity that goes into the day to day planning is top notch and the kids are exposed to so much. I've referred many family and friends to Kidz Biz and their children have had the same experience. If you're looking for a quality childcare provider Kidz Biz Prep is the place to be.

My daughter has gone to Webster Child Care Center since she was about 4 months old (she is now 4…read moreand 1/2). In the infant room she went part-time. The staff was great about making sure that they were consistent with what we were doing at home. When she moved up to the 2 year old room she was welcomed with great, high energy teachers who were fun and engaging to prepare her for the preschool classrooms. She is now in one of the 3-5 preschool classrooms, and she continues to thrive. There is a great balance of structured play, free play and educational activities. We are so glad to have her at a school where we know she is happy and safe. I would (and have done so) recommend Webster Child Care Center to my friends.

BEWARE!! Webster Groves Child Care will QUICKLY cash your deposit with no intention of providing…read moreyou childcare. We were told the average wait time is 15 months but we would be priority and get the next available opening. It's been 15 months and no communication from the owner Lisa Jones unless I inquire about openings. We instead have been sending our precious kiddo to a local Montessori and absolutely LOVE it.