Preschools near Washington University or Olivette (St. Louis, University City: daycare, preschool, universities)

[tamarie83]

We are relocating to St. Louis in a couple of weeks. I posted a few weeks ago requesting information about summer preschool camps (thank you for the response!)

However, I am still looking for a preschool for the fall. St. Louis seems to have a long list of stellar private schools, and the choices are a bit overwhelming. We will be living in Olivette, but I will be attending Washington University. Ideal preschool would be within a 20 minute radius of the Danforth campus or Monsanto (if landmarks help!) but we are willing to drive a little further for a real gem.

My son will be 3 in May. The denominational affiliation (or lack thereof) matters less than a welcoming, nurturing environment. We are a multicultural family, and would highly value our child learning in a school that is respectful of diversity.

I would appreciate any suggestions!
Thank you in advance.

[wustu87]

Did you realize Wash U actually has its own preschool now on campus? I received a campus mailing about it a few months ago and wished they had something available like that when we could have used it years ago:

Nursery School - Washington University in St. Louis

In the Olivette area I know of two church based pre-schools. The larger of the two is Hamilton Preschool on Old Olive just west of Lindbergh:

Hamilton Preschool - Creve Coeur, St. Louis, Missouri

and the other is the smaller but very nurturing school at Immanuel Lutheran on Olive:

Immanuel Lutheran Church&School -Home Page

[stlma]

Wash U is also opening a new daycare (near Delmar and Skinker)....which may be of interest to you.
Here are the official details:
Washington University will open its Family Learning Center Sept. 7, 2010. Care at the center will be provided by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, which manages more than 700 child-care centers for universities, corporations, hospitals and government agencies. The contact person is caresslisa@wustl.edu

The center — which will be located on North Campus — will have space for 156 children of faculty, staff and students from the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years.

[zach_33]

I hear this place rocks. I am happy with my daycare, but if I were looking anew, this would be the first place I would check out, especially if I or my spouse worked for Wash U:

The University City Children’s Center
Location: North of the University City Loop
6646 Vernon Avenue, University City, MO, 63130,
Phone: (314) 726-0148
Website: http://www.uccc.org
Overview: This is a daycare center for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, located in University City, approximately 1 mile from the hilltop campus of Washington University. Although this center has been open since 1970, the center relocated to a brand new facility in September 2004. The building is owned by Washington University and several Washington University faculty sit on the center’s board of directors. Children over 2 years of age are typically able to immediately enroll in the program (no waiting period), though there is a waiting list for infants and the wait time varies considerably throughout the year. However, there are several spots reserved for Washington University students, faculty, and staff, and concessions are made for graduate students who wish to enroll their children in the program in that they may have to wait less time to enroll their child in the program than non-Washington University-affiliated parents.

[tamarie83]

Thank you so much for the responses so far! Do preschools in St. Louis generally have waitlists? Should I start calling now, or could I wait to visit and apply to the schools when we arrive at the end of April? The websites do not indicate deadlines except for the Washington University Nursery School, and it has already passed...

[ktCakes]

I have friends that have used University City CHildren's Center and they could not say enough great things about the community there. I would call now. I know the preschool my daughter attends in Shaw is already taking applications for next year.

[EAGCWE]

If you are not looking for a daycare/all day type preschool, you should take a look at First Congregational Preschool on Wydown in Clayton. It is next door to the Wash U campus and is a fantastic school. They start with 2 1/2 year olds and go up to the pre-K 5 year olds. There are several options with half-day 2, 3 and 5 day/week classes as well as an enrichment program offered 3 days per week which would extend the regular preschool class so that you have a full day program if you need it. We have sent two kids there and have been very happy with the school. It is a very loving, nurturing environment with a philosophy of kids learning through play. So while the kids are playing and having fun, they are exposed to various early math, reading and language, music and arts skills, as well as learning to navigate their first friendships, sharing, following directions, etc. Wonderful school!! Phone number is 314-721-7404