We have been to multiple daycares before hilltop. They are the best as far as communication, and…read moreresponsiveness. They take the best care of our daughter. While she adapted she would cry but then quickly started running into her classroom to see her friends and teachers.

We currently have two kids in daycare / school at Hilltop. We call it school even with them being…read more10 months and 2.5 years because they learn so much! My husband and I both work full-time and need a safe and reliable place for ours kids to be during the day. For us, that is Hilltop. We have felt comfortable and confident in their abilities since day one and love that our children are able to learn and grow at Hilltop! It's the best!

The school has been absolutely amazing for the development of both of my children. When my oldest…read morestarted, he needed speech therapy. After he graduated from the program, we felt completely comfortable not continuing with therapy because of the level of care, support, and dedication he received from his teachers. They have helped him grow and learn everything he needed, and he has since developed a strong interest in math and all things science that the school offers. My youngest has been in the classroom for less than a year, and watching her development flourish has been incredible. The communication between parents and teachers is exceptional and has created such a strong relationship with the school. They stay in constant communication with us throughout the school day and even after school. I highly, highly, highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a place for their child--from infancy through 6 years old.

From the owner: At Chesterton Montessori School we help all children develop a positive attitude towards self and…read moretowards all facets of learning. Montessori techniques aid the child in creating a base for a lifetime of learning and achievement in social, emotional, and cognitive areas. This is accomplished in an environment designed to put your child at ease, thereby allowing your child the freedom to select with whom and with what to interact. Chesterton Montessori School and our families work cooperatively to achieve these goals. Our goal is to create a love for learning so that all children will learn to love. "Education should no longer be mostly imparting knowledge, but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentials."

To echo the other reviews .. this facility is NOT LICENSED by the state of Indiana. They are…read moreunlicensed but registered with no accreditations or PTQ level. The last state inspection showed 9 employees without background checks (the director said it was a mistake) but if you check Indiana website for the report you can see it. I paid a deposit under false pretenses and the director refuses to give it back because it was needed for "supplies" for my infant. As parents, we were told to supply everything. I'm very disappointed in the practices here and the fact that they aren't truthful. Huge red flags. Not to mention, the infant classroom I observed broke the ratio of 1:4 while I was there, they don't follow proper diapering procedures, and allow street shoes on the floors in the classroom where the children are constantly crawling and lying down (which made sense since almost all of them had runny noses and coughs). As a former childcare provider, I have high standards. After everything I uncovered I was very disappointed and uncomfortable sending my baby to this facility.

I needed daycare quickly when my mother was injured and since this daycare was the closest to my…read morejob and didn't have a waitlist (strange because every other daycare in Valparaiso has a long waitlist) we enrolled my 13 month old into the infant class. Immediately my daughter, who has never been around other children, is being sent home with notes saying she scratched this child or hurt that child. I was starting to become very unnerved when they sent me a letter saying if she hurts one more child she will be kicked out. Then they tell me they are moving her to the toddler class. Then they change her toddler teacher two more times. Then I get a note saying she injured an infant (this all happened in about 10 months). During the early morning they have 10 plus children all ages with one teacher until others arrive later. So my two year old was blamed for injuring an infant and I am told I am a bad parent. Enough said I had a conversation with them they didn't like so they kicked her out! They also stole all of her brand new school supplies and kept the $100 I just gave them to update their playground. To top it off one of the teachers constantly makes TikToks in the daycare with some of the children and is constantly on their phone (aka no is watching your child). They also would leave my daughter in a high chair for God only knows how long (so many stool stained pants to count). They lie when they say they are open till 6:00pm because they complained the one time my husband came after 5:00pm and they said they aren't open past then ever. They also complain if you bring your child in after 9:00am, which makes no sense when you are paying them for childcare. They have an app they never update. They would also say every day my child threw her food on the floor so she didn't eat. What an unorganized, unsafe, and careless place. I feel horrible for the children that still attend.

I love the Valparaiso YMCA and have since I was a teenager. I spent five of the seven days of the…read moreweek there. I am either taking yoga classes or on the track upstairs. We have a family plan and of the four of us on the plan I go enough for all of us. I just feel at home there. The classes are wonderful, the track is just amazing and when I have my headphones on, I can just zone out and spend as much time as I want on that track, the pools are amazing, I love the steam room, the whirlpool and the sauna and finally The staff is wonderful. The instructors who teach my yoga classes are amazing. The nurse downstairs has helped me with so many of my questions that I have really come to rely on her. Everyone at the front desk is so helpful and kind. And finally, I am getting every penny worth that I pay for my membership because I feel great. The time I spend at the Y makes me feel so much better every day. It's just a great place to be and you get to meet so many kind people while you're there.

1. The membership is expensive 2. They've removed membership…read moreperks while maintaining the same fees. 3. I clearly go in there to lift and use the sauna. Was told crocs aren't allowed after my 3rd visit. Even though they give you a superior platform to lift on, you can't wear crocs... lmfao. 4. The staff aren't really vibing there, the atmosphere of the building 2/10. Using the 2 passes and I'll probably never be returning after that. Can't emphasize that enough, someone who doesn't lift... enforcing a rule for lifting... on lifters. Not my kinda place

I grew up going to this Montessori school and the best part about this school above all others is…read morethat it instilled a desire to learn. To put an inquisitive spirit into a child is a very difficult task and this facet alone makes this school an excellent place to develop a child's intelligence and their love of learning.

Absolutely love, love, love this school. I was extremely hesitant to send my two year old to…read more'school' and finally felt at ease after meeting the school's owner. I had looked at 6 other nursery schools in the area... She spent 2 hours with me on my initial tour and made me feel at ease. (leaving your child with new people is a big deal!) I knew then it was the right place for my child. Since August I have not been disappointed with the amount of communication, learning and engagement that I see every single week from Chesterton Montessori. I also know how much my child LOVES going to school and what wonderful teachers there are in the classroom. We have seen so many positive changes at home with language, independence and being helpful. The school also hosts many events outside of normal school hours that we love to participate in. I think all the other parents in this school would echo my sentiments and I'm so happy with my decision to be a part of this school.

A beautiful and welcoming school - perfect way to start learning with great loving teachers!…read more Couldn't be happier!

From the owner: Montessori Academy of Valparaiso provides Montessori-trained and -certified teachers for toddler,…read morepreschool, kindergarten, before school, and after school care to the Valparaiso, IN, area.

St. Paul is such a great school! My kids love it here! The staff and teachers are so dedicated to…read morethe students. They have high expectations for their students because they know the children will rise to them. I appreciate the high academic standards and feel my kids are challenged to be the best they can be both academically and socially. There is just as much character building going on here as there is book learning. We love the sense of community at this school and really look at St. Paul as our extended family. My kids feel safe, secure, and well loved! There is a healthy parent involvement with plenty of opportunities for volunteering. The curriculum is challenging yet balanced with art, music, library, gym, and there are plenty of extra curricular activities and sports that are offered. I highly recommend St. Paul!

WE LOVE My School! They became like family to us. Our daughter started there at 3.5 yrs old and was…read morethere until kindergarten. She had 4 AMAZING teachers while she was there and all of the staff were so friendly, caring, and truly made me feel at ease with sending my daughter to daycare. She also is Type 1 Diabetic, so finding a place where we felt comfortable and that our daughter would be taken care of was our top priority! They had great communication and always made each day fun and enjoyable for our daughter. Monica was the first one I met and aside from the teachers, she was ALWAYS making sure my daughter's needs were met. She runs that ship each day and her staff and all of the parents, and the children are an extension of her family. Miss Casey also holds a super special place in our hearts too! Can't say enough good things about My School.

Loved working here. Most of my co workers were amazing. The parents were amazing and my director…read moreand owner have been in my life for a long time.

Duneland Family YMCA child care is one of the best childcare programs we've been a part of! We've…read morebeen with the Duneland YMCA for almost 6 years (since we moved to the area), with our fourth child getting ready to start soon. It's great to know my children are being loved and cared for while I'm away at work - the teachers truly treat them as their own. My 3 year old loves going to "school" and seeing all her friends! Aside from updating books and educational toys, there have been many updates to the facility in the past few years including new paint and rearranging classrooms to improve functionality. The facility is clean and the teachers really take pride in their classrooms! My daughter is offered breakfast, hot lunch (contracted with Third Coast Spice in Chesterton) , and several healthy snacks everyday. The hours are also very convenient, opening at 5:45 am until 6:30 pm. Whether I have an early morning meeting or a late evening errand, I've got flexibility with childcare. In the summer they offer several field trips, get swimming lessons at the Y, take walks, visit the library, get to play at the new splash pad across the parking lot and the highlight of each week is when the Kona Ice truck comes! All year long the kids also get to learn about being healthy when the YMCA fitness instructors come over to "play" with them - doing yoga, dance and music in motion. They also do special events throughout the year, including donuts with dad, muffins with mom, a fall harvest bash for the entire community, a thanksgiving celebration and a Christmas program! One of the best parts about the Y...several of the teachers have been there since before we started going there. It builds a strong sense of security for both myself and my children knowing they will build long lasting relationships with and grow to love their teachers.

I am so in love with this child care program. My daughters began the childcare/preschool program…read moreat 14 months old and have been there for almost 2 years. The program includes swim lessons in the summer, the Muzzy program to teach the children Spanish, organic local meals for lunch, a music program, and actually curriculum. There is a new splash pad right acrossed the street that they use in the summer and a fenced in playground that is only accessible by the children and staff of this program. This is not just a daycare- it's school. My girls love it and love their teachers. Each and every teacher has made them feel welcome, valued, and have provided them with tools to help them grow. They knew the ABCs and 18 months and at 2.5 years old they were reciting the pledge of allegiance! As a parent- I feel that they are safe, the school is locked and has a camera system to make sure to only allow the correct people in the facility. The school communicates daily with me via paper and conversation on their progress - they also help with potty training!! Highly recommended- very happy mom.