TTM is a pedagogically-observant Montessori school, which will come as a relief to those parents…read morewho believe in the method and seek something more for their kids (and their expense) than a glorified day care. The classes are appropriately sized and more than adequately staffed with Montessori-trained guides & aides, and feature a full complement of beautiful wood, metal, and fabric Montessori-specific works arranged to allow curious minds instant access to meaningful, self-directed learning. The administrative staff is exceptional, led by a 20+ year veteran of both Pacific Crest Montessori & Northwest Montessori School. While transparently placing the student experience first (as they should), this administration takes great pains to accommodate the needs of parents by being respectful of the scant spare time available to most parents, and by reaching out to parents with lots of pertinent information & updates. The building itself is a high-security cruciform arrangement where toddler, primary, and elementary classes are housed in their own wings. It appears to be a former hospice or nursing home, the practical upshot of which is wide hallways and doors, bright sunny rooms, and lots of 'safety' hardware in common areas. The outside play areas are securely fenced (with locking, key-coded gates) and include play structures, gardening, and opportunities to get messy in real dirt in the time-honored tradition. The location is a quarter mile off WA-509 in Burien at 160th Street, just down the street from Highline Medical Center. We make the drive from Capitol Hill every day in 20 minutes. The location is also served by several bus lines from downtown Seattle (#131 & #121 pass 1/8 mi. to the east @ 160th & 1st; #123 1/8 mi. to the west @ 160th & 4th).

I have worked at Three Tree Montessori for twelve years and can only say wonderful, positive things…read moreabout it. The staff are incredible and the families, along with the children are amazing. Each day I go to school, I am amazed by the love and ability of the teaching staff, class assistants and the support staff. Each one cares deeply for the children and it shows in all they do. I am also incredibly proud of our administration and board of directors. They have weathered many storms through the years well and led us through difficulties with wisdom, always putting the children and their care first.

My daughter has attended this Montessori school for quite some time now, and I truly cannot say…read moreenough good things about them. Since starting here, I've watched her grow so much socially, emotionally, and academically. She has learned so many skills, gained confidence, and really come into her own in ways I hadn't seen before. The staff and teachers have helped bring out such a beautiful side of her, and I'm beyond grateful for that. Her teachers are absolutely amazing and genuinely feel like family to us. They've supported not only my daughter, but me as a mother as well. They watched me go from pregnancy to welcoming my son, and throughout it all they've always shown love, care, and support. They truly go above and beyond for their families, and that level of compassion and community support is something you don't find everywhere. This school is truly a wraparound support system, not just a place for education. They care deeply about their students and families, and it shows in everything they do. I'm incredibly thankful to have found them, and I can't wait for my son to start attending this fall as well.

7 years of my daughter being here and almost 1 year of my son being here, they love it. I am glad I…read morepicked GRMS as their school. If you are having 2nd thoughts, don't overthink it. You won't regret it!

This school has been purchased and is now being run underneath the name "The Country Playhouse…read moreacademy" and I will tell you that the purchase and takeover of the school by The Country Playhouse has been the best thing that has ever happened to the school. My son started at the school in 2015 (under Junior Junction) and my daughter started in the school in 2017. Very different experiences with both owners. The new owner Tara, is so caring and sweet. She has made the school feel very homey. The kids learn, they have outdoor Time and a huge area to roam, and they are able to flourish in this environment. If you are looking for child care, look no further.

We started our daughter at Country Playhouse when it was Junior Junction at age 2. We had an…read moreawesome nanny prior and were nervous but we couldn't have been happier. The change was seamless and the new ownership kept up the cleanliness ,structure and nurturing environment we always loved. We couldn't recommend it more! Great job Tara Stivers!

Both my children have gone to St Lukes Daycare for the past 4 years. I consider this daycare one of…read morethe greatest blessings for our family. It has become a home away from home for my children. Watching them excited to go to daycare everyday makes me so happy and allows me to go about my day peacefully, knowing they are well taken care of. The director, Miss Kelly is very involved and even teaches one of the classes herself. They have a great retention rate of all their teachers, which speaks volumes of the culture. Knowing that my children are being cared for by people who are happy to be there is a wonderful feeling. Even though they do not call themselves a Montessori school, the atmosphere i observe in the big room at pickup time is very much aligned with the Montessori philosophy, where children from different age groups work and play together on activities of their choice, with the teachers being present as "guides" whenever needed. This setup works very well, especially for children with siblings, where they can all enjoy a common play area with adult supervision. Any problems I have had have been immediately addressed by the director. Granted, they do not have all the bells and whistles such as cameras or constant daily updates that you would see at a more modern facility, but the warmth and genuine love that children receive here more than makes up for that. They even have a wonderful before and after school program and summer camp for older children, which also follows the Montessori philosophy, allowing children to choose what they would like to do (with some reasonable structure provided). 5 stars all the way for this gem in Federal Way!

The Child Care at St. Luke's is terrific! Ever since the beginning, the staff was extremely kind,…read morewelcoming, and the environment is extremely safe. The childcare operates 12 hours from 6 am-6 pm, which is impressive comparing it to other daycares. Five teachers have been around 15+ years, and the other two have been around for 5 & 9 years. They are all excellent at bonding with kids and making them feel comfortable. They are also excellent communicators and are continually keeping me informed with what is going on in the classes. The teachers are also well-versed in teaching the faith to kids. Everything is centered around faithfully teaching Christianity and the Bible, which was one of the most appealing factors to me. The facilities that the childcare uses are also state-of-the-art, and they provide many activities for kids to participate and play. The childcare is also not run by a corporation, which makes it feel more personal and caring. Overall, I highly recommend this childcare program for anyone that is looking for a safe and friendly environment!

Finding a preschool for your child can be overwhelming but south preschool definitely made it so…read moreeasy for me and my family. I was on the search for something local and affordable but yet still can meet the slight standards I have. I gave the school a call and this school was the only school that answered me with an actual person on the call (not some machine). The teacher over the phone was so informative and stated that I can visit the school. The tour was done the same week of calling and my son loved it. He didn't even want to leave. He felt so comfortable there even though he had never been out of our sights. I would recommend parents to give this preschool a chance! Every teacher had their own age they teach and a set curriculum. It was clear from the start what they do with the kids.

My eldest child attended South Preschool for 1.5 years before kindergarten. To say the preschool…read moreprepared him for elementary is an understatement. South Preschool gave him a rock solid foundation that I believe continues to benefit him to this day (he is currently finishing up 2nd grade). My youngest child attended South Preschool for the last 3 years, through the onset of Covid shut downs, virtual learning, and the cautious return to school. The school has helped bring out all the best in him, and the things he has accomplished, from beginning reading, to the emotional maturity he has gained, amazes me. Ms. Pedersen and Ms. Knight, along with all of the aides and assistants who have helped throughout the years, are nothing short of incredible. Their dedication, flexibility, and genuine love for what they do shines through every day. Both of my children have benefitted immensely from their time at the school, and our family will truly miss the teachers and our time there. Thank you South Preschool!

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

1. Lack of transparency 2. Does not communicate when they…read moreplayed in sand when my child had sand all over her hair and in her scalp 3. Uses diapers that aren't our own after providing a full 24 pack. This caused red rashes on my child's butt and private area 4. My child received a large full complete bite mark. No communication, no reports done regarding this incident. 5. My child began throwing their food on their face and hair. They never did this until now 6. After my child leaves this daycare, I would never send or recommend this place for children. 7. Seen them on their phone when picking her up during outside play. 8. Value: not worth the money. 9. Keep track of your diapers. They may share them or use them elsewhere for other kids and not even use the diapers you give them.

Kitchen looks unorganized and dirty. Director is not very welcoming when I went to the interview.read more

Update: We're still loving the teachers and community at Benson Hill Cooperative School with our 2…read moreyear old in Ms. Kellys class! My family started at BHCP with our 2 year old kiddo in 2019. She was our first kid so it was a relief to be in class with her learning from the teachers, other parents working in the classroom and the Bates Technical College parent educator. My daughter learned to be more independent and play with kids her age. We now attended BHCP for three years and love the play based learning. Ms. Kristie keeps the kids engaged and laughing during opening circle. She encourages them to improvise in songs and guess what's going to happen in the story. The kids take turns bringing a class pet home (stuffed animal) and telling the other kids about their adventures. Art is a sensory messy creative play experience. Kids are encouraged to explore materials and come up with their own ideas about how to use them. Ms. Kristie supports them as they create and explore. We have class field trips like going to the pumpkin patch; seeing plays at Carco theater and visits from the firefighters with their trucks. BHCP has a large outdoor play space with swings, sand and plays to climb. Parents work in the classroom once a week which I've come to love. I get to see how my kid interacts at school and learn from other parents and the teacher. There isn't a focus on letters or counting however BHCP and Bates Technical college just held a kindergarten readiness panel and apparently it's more important that kids go to the bathroom independently and know how to use scissors. My 4 year old child participated in the 5 day program this year. So in additional to 3 days in the 4 year old class she also spent 2 days a week in the class for 3 year olds, which I was doubtful about at first but see how she gets to be a leader in class. She'll help open snack packets or demonstrate how to use a tool. Also since it's a play based school she does more projects on her own those days or with the help of a parent volunteer. Such as threading beads or dictating poems for her grandparents. Parents can choose to either serve on the board or have a parent job like laundry or playdough making. It's another way to build friendships with other parents. There are a lot of "thank goodness, your kid does that too?!" The preschool is in a church but is not religious. There is a Noah's Art Mural on one wall that the church as asked not be removed. But Christmas and even St. Patrick's day isn't topic of books or art projects. We actually had Purple Day on 3/17. They have trial classes. Worth checking out.

This is my daughter's first year at this co op school. Three of my friends and their kids had a…read moregreat educational journey at their local co op schools (Renton, Bothell and Bellevue) and their high recommendations inspired me to join. Two times a week we go to school together and play and learn for two hours and thirty minutes each day. My family tends to be more introverts and this easy separation transitional time and experience really works for us. Ms. Kristie is super attentive and caring. She is so dedicated to this school and her students. I cannot ask for a better teacher, environment and wonderful group of parents!