Yelm, WA

Bright Horizons at Saint Martin's University is a highly-regarded childcare center serving the broader Yelm area with a research-based curriculum focused on whole-child development. The center features state-certified teachers with early childhood education degrees, low teacher-to-child ratios, and comprehensive safety protocols including secure entry systems. Their World at Their Fingers curriculum emphasizes literacy, math, science, and social-emotional learning through hands-on activities. The facility includes age-appropriate classrooms, outdoor playgrounds, and nutritious meal programs. Parents consistently praise the professional staff, excellent communication, and the center's ability to prepare children for kindergarten readiness.

KinderCare Learning Center at Lacey serves families from Yelm with a comprehensive early childhood education program built on decades of research and development. The center offers age-specific learning environments with dedicated infant, toddler, preschool, and pre-K classrooms. Their curriculum focuses on academic foundations, social skills, and physical development through structured play and learning centers. Features include secure keypad entry, certified teachers with ongoing professional development, regular parent-teacher conferences, and transportation for school-age children. The center is known for its inclusive environment, diverse programming, and strong emphasis on literacy and STEM education from early ages.

Little Discoveries Montessori School provides authentic Montessori education to children from Yelm and surrounding communities. The school features AMI-trained Montessori guides who implement the traditional Montessori method with carefully designed learning materials and child-directed activities. The environment includes beautiful Montessori classrooms, peaceful outdoor spaces, and specialized materials for practical life, sensorial development, language, and mathematics. The school emphasizes independence, respect, and natural learning progression with mixed-age classrooms that allow for peer learning. Parents appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, individualized learning plans, and the school's commitment to developing confident, self-motivated learners with strong foundational academic skills.