My child is currently attending SLICC in the Bear Room and started as a Bunny at 3 months old. Every time I pick him up he is smiling and always appears to have had a wonderful day playing outside and/or participating in sensory activities. All of his teachers have been very involved in his care and have been particularly wonderful and flexible because he does not go every day due to my work schedule. Particularly in the Bunny Room as a first time parent dropping off their baby I felt secure in the quality of care he received and he was truly loved. As a parent who wants to be very involved in his care, I'm particularly pleased with SLICC. The director is always very quick to get back to me regarding any concerns I may have. Even though she's not my son's teacher she knows him well and is truly immersed in his development and growth. I have visited several other day care facilities and it's true, SLICC is housed in a small, older building. This is a true Austin grown day care. While the building may not be as uniform/sterile as other chains in Austin, I have never felt that my child was unsafe. On the contrary, I feel as though they're constantly evaluating how to make the building safer and giving feedback to parents as to how to keep their children safe (ie - not putting car seats on counter tops). It's very unfair to make snap judgments about a facility without even giving it a chance. My son is loved and treated with respect. I look forward to sending my future second child here and never hesitate to recommend SLICC to any friends and/or family. read more

My son (now age 2) and my daughter (now age 4) both attended St. Luke Infant Care Center (SLICC) from 2010 through 2014. The teachers are incredibly warm and loving and the community of parents is equally incredible. When we had a family tragedy, they came together to support our family and our kids in a way I would have never thought possible. I credit this to the incredible hearts of the women who have served as directors of the program during our time there. I can understand why the previous poster may have been surprised by the state of the building, but I am of the opinion that the wear is completely appropriate given its age and geographic location. I have been to some very pristine daycare programs that have had some pretty horrific state reports of children in dangerous situations. I have never once believed that my children were in an unsafe situation and the state more than agrees. I recommend any parent looking at daycare check the state licensing reports for violations. SLICC's can be found here: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilityDetails.asp?ptype=DC&fid=98548 The state of Texas has also named SLICC as a "Rising Star" provider for far exceeding the minimum standards for childcare and early childhood development. (more info here: http://www.twc.state.tx.us/svcs/childcare/texas-rising-star-provider-certification.html) Here are a few of my favorite things about SLICC: - A program full of teachers that specialize (SPECIALIZE) in infant and toddler development. - Individualized care: my son has a speech issue and our Early Intervention Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) regularly visited him at school for therapy. SLICC voluntarily assigned an extra floating teacher to his classroom when the therapist came to visit so that the teacher could sit and learn with the SLP how to best reinforce the speech work in the regular course of classroom play. The teacher then made a custom lesson plan to accommodate the speech work my son was doing. This Early Intervention SLP visits almost every daycare in town and said that she has NEVER seen such incredible care and attention at other programs. - LOTS of outdoor time and frequent water / splash play in summer. If the weather is nice, the kids will picnic outdoors. The program is small enough that they have lots of flexibility around playground use. - Health conscious snacks (this is amazingly hard to find at other programs) - Active, regular requests for feedback and input from parents by the director - A community that embraces your child as one of their own - Regular assessments of development - Art projects that are all rooted in different types of learning. - Low teacher turnover for great teachers, rapid change when teachers don't fit with the school philosophy or loving environment - Regular community gatherings that give you a chance to really meet other parents and families - The best daily notes in town. It's the next best thing to being there. read more

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St. Luke Infant Care Center is an amazing place. Our daughter has been enrolled there for almost three years and we could not be happier. All of the teachers are wonderful and caring and many have been at the school for a long time. The director has a fantastic philosophy that is child-focused and incorporates aspects of Montessori and Reggio approaches. It is an excellent curriculum for the kids as they age and develop. Our daughter has really thrived. It is always hard to drop your kid off at a school when they are still a baby, but St. Luke's focus on caring and enriching the youngest ones is fantastic. They have among the best infant programs in town with very low ratios and attentive care. The level of engagement and care given to infants was superior to every other infant program that my wife and I visited. It is a great program with great teachers and a fantastic director. The building may not be "state of the art" but it is a safe environment. The classrooms are structured to allow constant engagement of the teachers with the children and for the kids to engage with each other. We never had any safety concerns. Locks are present and security is a priority. It is a safe place where are daughter has always felt loved and supported. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the community. read more

We love St. Luke Infant Care Center! Our daughter has been enrolled in St. Luke a little over a year (she was 8 weeks old when we started) and our second daughter will also attend St. Luke in the fall. Every single person on their staff is fabulous. It is clear that all of the staff really cares for and loves each of the children at the school. They are incredibly attentive, loving and are committed to the children's development. The director, Jordan, is attentive, warm and kind. Ms. Imelda and Ms. Alex taught our daughter in the infant room and I can't say anything but great things about both of them. They truly helped with some of the big infant developmental milestones with our daughter (sitting up, transitioning to solids, crawling, walking, getting in a sleep rhythm, etc.) and are dedicated to ensuring each child grows and develops. Our daughter just transitioned into the Toddler classroom with Ms. Aleicia and Ms. Josephina and the transition has been great! When we pick our daughter up everyday she is always happy and seems as if she has really enjoyed the day. Selecting a child care center is not an easy choice but we would highly suggest St. Luke to anyone looking for child care. read more

What to say about this AMAZING place, that has not already been said? I share a very different relationship in regards to SLICC. I was a teacher here for a few years before having the opportunity to send my newborn here! I then got to step out of my role as teacher, that helped many parents deal with their first few weeks of care and experience it myself. This coming from a well seasoned individual in terms of knowing what to expect at drop off the first few days, I knew without a doubt that my child was in the best place for him! I was treated with respect and nurtured during my first real experience of leaving my 12 week old baby. From the beginning my child was loved, cared for and nurtured in the same way that I would have done if he didn't attend care. From the basic milestones to him graduating December 2017 every teacher at SLICC had a helping hand in molding and creating the strong willed, smart and ever so independent toddler I have today. The small community that you become a part of is essentially a family. It's really hard for larger programs, where every teacher remembers the child's name much less the parents. Ms Amber, she is my sons second mom-and I don't give that title lightly! These women at SLICC, that we instill our trust in, help to raise our children like the kids are their own! I have absolutely nothing but wonderful things to say and my experience here was hands down the best I could have ever asked or hoped for. The loving caring teachers that get to spend the day with your child are honestly going to make you feel so comfortable about leaving your most precious gifts, to go to work. read more

St. Luke UMC has given me and my family a loving, inclusive community beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I quit going to church years ago because I didn't like how so many churches were not welcoming to my LGBTQ+ friends. When I drove by St. Luke UMC and saw a rainbow banner out front that said "All Are Welcome," my husband and I decided to check it out. 5 years later, these people have become my family. This community is radically inclusive and a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network (an organization seeking the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of the United Methodist Church). The 9:15 service is very casual and the music is great - guitarist Stephen Castillo of The Western Express brings a fun vibe. The 11:00a service meets in the beautiful a-frame sanctuary and has the incredibly talented Adam Roberts playing piano, often accompanied by our choir. If you are remotely interested in church or spiritually, I highly suggest checking out this church. Bring your questions and doubts - we welcome discourse and we're definitely all at different places on this journey of faith. read more

I just read the negative review posted below and am astonished at how totally wrong that guy got it. I would never EVER leave my child in a place such as the one he described - SLICC is not like that at all. I have had my daughter at SLICC for two years now, and I could not be more pleased with the quality of care she receives here. The staff are dedicated, caring, loving, and conscientious. I have no idea what that guy thought he saw, but he was incorrect. The rooms are clean (and cleaned twice a day), sanitation is handled with diligence, and the Director oversees all of it with kindness, intelligence, and attention to detail. When I drop off and pick up my daughter, I routinely spend 20-30 minutes just hanging out in the classroom or in the playground with her, so I've spent plenty of time with the staff and in the facility. I have never walked in the door without being greeted by name almost instantly - the teachers are extremely aware of who is coming and going. The building is old and small, that is true, but it has passed multiple intense inspections from the licensing department, which can be verified online. It has also undergone supervised lead paint removal. The review listed below mentioned "damp, cracked ceilings, and exposed wires," which is just not true. I don't know what he's talking about. My daughter likes order and routine and clear rules, and she is 100% comfortable at SLICC. In fact, when I pick her up at the end of the day she is often reluctant to leave, and when I drop her off in the morning she loves to give her teachers hugs. One of the things I like most about the SLICC teachers is the extra training many of them have in Early Childhood Education - this helps them develop and implement age-appropriate education and management strategies, and I have repeatedly gone to the teachers and the Director for input and suggestions for parenting through the varied phases of our child's early development. They are always spot on the money, and more than willing to volunteer their time to help out a rookie parent. My daughter had started whining when our second baby was born - with their help, we nipped it in the bud, and she's a much better communicator (and a happier child) as a result. Lastly I want to address the lullabies the guy mentioned "blaring." It was nap time. Getting 8 babies to sleep at the same time requires some noise maintenance. They put on noise makers and play (not blare) lullabies. The babies sleep. The lights go out so the babies can sleep. This guy needs to get a grip. SLICC is a wonderful place, full of love and intelligent child care. I cannot recommend it highly enough. read more

My youngest attends St. Luke's and I cannot say enough wonderful things about the school, the program, it's teachers, or how much my daughter is loved there. Lucy literally starts squealing with delight and clapping her hands as we pull into the parking lot each morning. Her teachers are kind, loving, and well trained. They work hard to develop age-appropriate developmental activities to help each child blossom and grow. I've had an opportunity to observe not just at pick up and drop off, but also at random times during the day as I've stopped by to nurse. Everyone is uniformly attentive and caring. My oldest, now 3.5 went through three day cares before we found one that worked for her (sadly, we didn't get on St. Luke's waiting list fast enough with her.) St. Luke's is the most organized, most communicative, most safety-conscious and developmentally-focused of all the day care programs we looked at for two children (and we looked at more than 10!) It's the best, and I'm so glad we're now a SLICC family. read more

Our daughter has been there for nearly 2 years and we are happy with the place. Is it perfect? No it isn't, but they do care for the kids and the are licensed by the state. Both Alistar's and Greg's reviews are way over top, and in many instances the information they are providing is simply not true. The do read to the children. The do help potty train. Two days ago when I picked her up, I interrupted singing. The building is a bit shabby, but it is not dangerous and the thought of lead paint and asbestos is ludicrous. Those both have been outlawed for decades and to think they might be there is something Alex Jones might rant about. There has been some turnover, but I've seen that in other day care centers, too. However the main reason we like the place is our daughter likes it. Go for a tour. Don't listen to keyboard warriors. read more

Where are the recent negative comments coming from? These people have no idea what they're talking about. I mean, are they even reviewing the right school?? I am a former employee of St. Luke's Infant Care Center and THE ONLY reason I left was because when I moved to the Woodlands, pushing three hours is just too much of a commute. Otherwise, I would have stayed here the rest of my days, to be honest. Never have I met a more caring, loving, compassionate, and down-to-earth bunch of ladies (my former fellow employees). When we sign on to care for these children, we are caring for them with every ounce of love in our hearts, taking them in as if they were our own. At the end of the film 'Goodbye Mr. Chips,' a colleague of his asks Mr. Chips, a professor at an all boy's school, if he regrets never having children of his own. He replies with confusion, 'What are you talking about?' And continues by saying of course he had children. He had hundreds and hundreds of boys. I cried when I saw this film (and specifically this scene) because not only is it so poignant, but it perfectly showcases how I, and those at SLICC, feel about our students. I don't have children of my own flesh and blood, but I do have forty-ish beautiful children I cared for and loved with every fiber of my being. We DO sing, we DO read, and my children have requested specifics in each department. We sing old Scottish folk songs and classic children's tunes, we read ABC books and color books and and Jane Yolen's "Owl Moon." We practice our colors and shapes and try to remember as best we can that there are always nicer things to do than hit our friends. The employees are always there to help out when needed, and our children are ALWAYS number one. read more

Let me preface this by saying that my child has not and would never attend this place. So take this review with a pinch-of-salt as this experience is based only on my visit earlier today: St. Luke's practices a participatory parent program that seems to rely on the involvement of parents for the most basic maintenance of this facility. This does not appear to be working. As of 7/7/14 the place was rundown, damp, cracked ceilings, wires hanging down from horrible fluorescent strip lighting, filthy carpets, construction taking place outside (with the workmen just strolling into infant areas - have these men been vetted?!) and joyless, underpaid staff going through the motions. I left in disgust, and not because of the pink eye health notice on the door, but because any place that half-asses their way through infant care should be shut down. I left concerned for the safety of the babies we saw there. Any health and safety inspector would shut this place down and I find it abhorrent that a church-run place so lacking in basic sanitation, maintenance and safety could possess any current accreditation whatsoever. Finally, THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED when they should be keeping the public out. The building is basically a trailer at the back of the church so entering the outside door leads you directly into a room full of precious babies. How many Sandy Hooks need to happen before people start securing children?!! 3 of the four strip lights had a bulb out today, I asked one of the staff how long that had been the case and she said "not long, maybe 6 weeks... but the parents come in and change them every now and then" This is the problem with random, unscheduled and unsanctioned, ad hoc parental maintenance - you can't hold them accountable because this is work that must be done by professionals. The building would be condemned as an office let alone a place to house babies!! I'm in shock. I noticed the girls turning the few working lights out and blaring a lullaby at high volume as if to drown out the crying. This place is joyless, unsafe and filthy. Sending your child here would be tantamount to abuse. No exaggeration. And perhaps the most worrying thing about it is the young girls running it seem oblivious to it all. read more

Both my children attended St. Luke's Infant Child Care Center and they both had an amazing experience. I would highly recommend SLICC for the parent who isn't afraid to pick up their child covered in paint, some dirt and sand in their shoes! You may walk in and find huge sheets of paper taped to the ground and babies in diapers with paint brushes having a blast creating art! SLICC is great at exposing children to different kinds of sensory play, from making goop, to finger painting to getting their hands and faces dirty in the SLICC garden watering plants, picking vegetables and learning about nature. On nice days they will take the older kids out for picnics on the playground and allow for a lot of outside time which was very important to me having two very rambunctious boys. I love that the younger babies get stroller rides around Clarksville area as well. They love watching the people and cars go by, a great change of scenery that other places do not offer. The teachers at SLICC all appear to already have a degree in early child development, or are on their way to obtaining it. I took notice that the language they use with the children is always very positive and helpful especially for the toddlers who are learning the rules of the world and testing boundaries. Over my three and a half years there I never heard put down's, or negative language which as a school psychologist who often visits other centers have heard over and over again. Simple phrases that people don't realize can be damaging to a young child's development. All the toddler teachers are very knowledgeable on positive redirection and allowing the child to learn through positive role modeling rather than shamming. The director there allows parents to be very involved through a parent board. She is good about keeping parents updated about any teacher room changes or scheduled off days for teachers. She is always around to greet parent and answer any questions I like that SLICC has "Floaters" teachers who go around to each room to allow for bathroom breaks and step in if an extra hand is needed. It is not uncommon to see three adults to eight children in the infant room where extra hands can always be used. The floaters also step in when someone is out sick, and since the children are already familiar with them, it is not a hard transition for them. For the fellow who posted earlier I would just like to politely recommend to try to avoid being so focused on building appearances, but rather parent recommendations, and involvement, something SLICC has lots of. I don't disagree that SLICC is housed in an older building that could use a face lift, but by no means is it unsafe, you can check DFPS website for all it's passing scores. It is a smaller, more community based center, that is different from your larger chain centers that personally seem too sterile for me. SLICC does rely on parent volunteers and workdays, but those workdays are opportunities for parents to learn all the names of the children and other parents in their child's room. I love that when I pick up my son parents know me and my son by their first name. We are still very close to many families we met through SLICC after several years. SLICC holds several potluck dinners throughout the year so families can feel more connected with other parents and teachers as well which is why so many people feel that SLICC teachers, parents and children feel more like family rather than classmates. read more

First off I would like to say that I am floored by the person that wrote that nasty review. It would be like walking past a restaurant, checking out the menu , then going home and writing a review about how you thought the food would taste?! (but you don't actually know what you're talking about because you didn't eat there) The Building is old but hey, its in Clarksville..... of course its old. There is a huge difference in dirty/unsafe and just plain old.Good thing the reviewer didn't go in the bathroom....There is an art deco era light switch cover in there! My son spent his first 2.5 years at Slicc and I was a teacher at Slicc for 7 ( until last year) The building is clean and the teachers are loving and the director is wonderful The center is small and every teacher knows the name of every child enrolled. ( you wont find that true at a big center) The parents are awesome and Slicc seems to attract the type of people who want their baby/toddler cared for in this setting that is as close to "home" like as it can be. Also , daycare teachers are all underpaid. no matter what center or how new it is. If you find a place that has low turnover it is b/c that center is doing something right. Don't let the old building distract you from what is really important! read more

Let me start off by saying, I am a mother 3 children. So, I have some experience with looking for infant care and schools. We recently added a new addition to our family. So, we have started looking for infant care for our daughter. We have toured 5 infant care programs so far. St. Luke being one of them. I'm not here to bash anyone, but felt I needed to give my insight and opinion for other future parents. There is a few things I look at and also ask during a tour. I look at the teacher environment, the building cleaness and safety and ask many questions about curriculum and teacher experience. I'll just say this, I was not impressed with St.Luke. The building looked to be falling apart with huge cracks in the walls and ceilings. The building was very unclean. The grounds looked very unkept and unsafe. The director who took me on the tour was very nice. But when I asked questions about minimum standards. That all changed and she became very hesitant and standoffish. I politely said thanks for your time and cut my tour short. I just did not feel safe sending our daughter here. read more