Find a daycare in St Louis, MO

Find daycares in St Louis, MO

Find daycares in St Louis, MO

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Find daycares in St Louis, MO

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Top 10 daycares in St Louis, MO

Parents agree: these St Louis daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Little Precious Angels Childcare

Little Precious Angels Childcare

New on TrustedCare
11+ years in business
Serves St Louis, MO
At Little Precious Angels Childcare 2, we are a Missouri Accredited Facility, located in the heart of St. Louis, our focus is on nurturing your child's development with compassion and expertise. With a dedicated team of 12 skilled professionals, we provide exceptional daycare services that foster a safe, engaging, and educational environment. Our commitment to individualized care ensures your child thrives socially and academically, laying the foundation for a bright future. Trust us to be your partner in your child's early learning journey.
LifeWise STL

LifeWise STL

New on TrustedCare
123+ years in business
Serves St Louis, MO
Established in 1902 and located in St. Louis, Missouri, LifeWise STL is dedicated to transforming lives and promoting economic well-being. LifeWise STL offers a variety of high-impact, relationship-based programs aimed at overcoming systemic barriers to success. Their services include an Early Childhood Center, After School and Summer Camp programs, Teen Programs, Financial Stability Services, Health & Wellness Programs, Mental Health Support, and Senior Programs. With a history rooted in providing education and resources to the immigrant population, LifeWise STL continues to adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of their community.
Lions Pride Academy

Lions Pride Academy

New on TrustedCare
4+ years in business
Serves St Louis, MO
Lions Pride Academy, founded in 2021, is a premier home daycare located in St. Louis, MO, focusing on providing a comprehensive, balanced education to young children. Inspired by the Montessori method, the academy emphasizes hands-on learning, language development, and creativity. With a low staff-child ratio, each child receives personalized attention and instruction. By fostering an immersive language environment and using a unique SCALE curriculum covering sciences, culture, arts, languages, and ethics, Lions Pride Academy cultivates lifelong learners and independent thinkers.
Queen's Royal Treasures EDU-FIT Childcare & Learning Center

Queen's Royal Treasures EDU-FIT Childcare & Learning Center

New on TrustedCare
8+ years in business
Serves St Louis, MO
Welcome to Queen's Royal Treasures EDU-FIT Childcare & Learning Center, where we prioritize your child's growth and well-being. Located in St. Louis, MO, our intimate setting ensures personalized attention with a dedicated team of five caring professionals. We offer a nurturing daycare environment that blends education and fitness, fostering both mental and physical development. At Queen's Royal Treasures, we believe in creating a foundation where children can thrive, explore, and discover their royal potential. Join us in nurturing the future one child at a time.
Mary Margaret Daycare

Mary Margaret Daycare

New on TrustedCare
35+ years in business
Serves St Louis, MO
Welcome to Mary Margaret Daycare, where your child's growth and happiness are our top priorities. Located in the heart of St. Louis, our dedicated team of 10 passionate staff members provides nurturing and attentive daycare services designed to foster learning and development in a safe and caring environment. At Mary Margaret Daycare, we are committed to creating a welcoming space where every child can thrive, explore, and develop essential skills, all while building lasting friendships. Join us in nurturing the next generation with love and expertise.
Early Explorers Child Development Academy

Early Explorers Child Development Academy

New on TrustedCare
Serves St Louis, MO
Early Explorers Child Development Academy, located in Saint Louis, Missouri, delivers quality educational experiences for all children. As an early childhood education center, they provide developmentally-appropriate programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, aligning with the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. They focus on a two-generation approach, combining education and family engagement, to ensure children acquire kindergarten readiness. Their unique approach emphasizes self-esteem and empowerment through hands-on learning experiences that foster social-emotional, cognitive, language, and p
Kidz Learning Zone

Kidz Learning Zone

New on TrustedCare
Serves St Louis, MO
Kidz Learning Zone, founded in 2011, is a highly-regarded licensed childcare provider operating in Saint Louis, MO, and the surrounding areas. They offer a nurturing environment and a balanced learning approach, combining fun-filled, age-appropriate activities with academic learning for infants through school-age children. Their commitment to educational childcare and high standards, along with a personal touch, has earned them a strong reputation within their community.
Diave' Daye Child Development Center

Diave' Daye Child Development Center

New on TrustedCare
Serves St Louis, MO
Diave Daye Child Development Center, located in St. Louis, Missouri and its surrounding areas, is renowned for being one of the best childcare centers available. The center offers comprehensive care and learning opportunities for children of diverse ages - from infants to school-age children. Its interactive educational activities focus on promoting social, intellectual, and physical development, preparing children for school. The curriculum involves letter, number, color, and shape recognition, early literacy, math, science, and social studies. Daily routines encompass outdoor play, sensory exploration, imaginative play, storytime, music, an
Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center At United Hebrew

Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center At United Hebrew

New on TrustedCare
46+ years in business
Serves St Louis, MO
Founded in 1979, the Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center at United Hebrew is a highly-respected institution in St. Louis, MO, and surrounding areas. The Center provides a nurturing environment for children from infancy through pre-kindergarten. The institution offers preschool education, child care, and summer day camps designed to develop children's socialization, exploration, and creativity skills. The curriculum, integrating both Judaic and secular experiences, is designed to meet the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional needs of each child, acknowledging that every child learns and develops at their own pace.
Child Prep Developmental Center

Child Prep Developmental Center

New on TrustedCare
Serves St Louis, MO
Child Prep Developmental Center, founded in 1996, is a distinguished daycare and early learning facility in St. Louis, Missouri. The center offers care and educational experiences to infants through school-age children across the surrounding areas. Implementing the Abeka curriculum, the center supports exploration, growth, and discovery, tailoring its approach to cater to each child's unique needs.

Your Daycare questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on TrustedCare.

How much does daycare cost?

Daycare costs depend on the child’s age group, the type of daycare, and where you live. Infant daycare is typically the most expensive, ranging from $650 to $1,500 per month. Infant daycare requires higher ratios of caregivers to children, which increases costs. Babies require more individualized attention, including diaper changes, feedings, and naps. As the child ages and becomes more independent, this ratio decreases along with daycare costs.

Traditional daycare centers tend to charge higher rates than home-based family daycare centers or co-ops. However, they usually have lower child-to-caregiver ratios, offer a wider range of amenities and activities, and have stricter qualifications for staff. Church-based, YMCA, or other non-profit child care centers offer lower rates, while home-based daycare is typically the cheapest option due to the low overhead costs.

In urban areas with a higher cost of living, daycare costs tend to be higher to cover the cost of higher rent and teacher salaries. Suburban and rural daycare centers have lower overhead costs, which often translates to more affordable daycare.

Is daycare tax deductible?

No, you cannot directly deduct daycare expenses on your federal tax return. However, if you qualify, there's a tax credit designed to assist with daycare costs, known as the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit enables you to claim a percentage of your eligible childcare expenses. It ranges from 20% to 35% of allowable expenses, capping at $3,000 for one qualifying child and $6,000 for two or more qualifying children (applicable to the 2023 tax year). Consult a qualified tax professional to confirm if your eligibility.

Can a daycare charge you when they are closed?

Some daycares may charge a reduced fee or no fee at all during certain closures, while others may maintain regular charges. The terms in your daycare contract or agreement should outline whether or not you are charged when they are closed. It's common for daycares to have specific policies regarding fees during closures, such as holidays or other scheduled breaks.

If you're unsure, reach out to the daycare directly to clarify their billing practices during closures.

How do I look up daycare violations?

To look up daycare violations, start by contacting your state’s licensing agency for childcare facilities. You can usually find this information through your state’s Department of Health and Human Services online database.

Another option is to reach out to community resources such as local parenting groups, forums, or social media groups. Other parents may share their experiences or provide information about daycare violations in your area. Finally, consider a visit the daycare center directly and ask for information about any past violations. Daycare centers are often required to make this information accessible to parents.

How do I choose a daycare?

When picking a daycare, trust your instincts and choose a daycare that aligns with your child's needs, your values, and provides a safe and nurturing environment for their development. Follow these additional suggestions to find the best fit for you and your child:

  • Get recommendations from other parents, friends, and pediatricians to start your search.
  • Visit in person to make sure the spaces are clean, safe, and friendly.
  • Ask about caregiver qualifications, such as CPR training, early childhood education background, and experience with children of a similar age.
  • Understand the daycare's approach to early education, discipline, feeding, and soothing methods.
  • Choose a daycare that is licensed and accredited to meet government-set health and safety standards.
  • Check if parents are encouraged to participate in the program and if there are opportunities for parental engagement.
  • Contact current and former clients for feedback on their experiences with the daycare.
  • Consider making unannounced visits to get a true sense of the daycare's daily operations
  • Look for a daycare with a suitable curriculum, flexible schedules, and activities that fit your preferences.
  • Visit the daycare with your child and see how they react to the space, teachers, and other children.
  • Secure a spot on the waiting list as early as possible, especially for sought-after infant programs.

What questions should I ask when evaluating potential daycare centers?

Gather as much information as you can to find the daycare that best fits your family’s needs. Be prepared with a list of questions when visiting daycares, including:

  • Is your daycare licensed and accredited to meet safety standards?
  • Are teachers credentialed and trained in CPR/First Aid?
  • What are the class sizes and student-teacher ratios for each age group?
  • What are the daycare's hours of operation and rates?
  • How does the daycare handle discipline?
  • Will the daycare assist with potty training?
  • How much time do children spend in free-play and outdoors?
  • Are meals and snacks provided by the daycare?
  • How are food allergies handled by the daycare?
  • What enrichment programs and activities are available?

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