Hollywood Learning Centers at First Presbyterian and St. James is one of the most decorated childcare programs in Hollywood, holding both Florida's Gold Seal Quality of Care Award and APPLE accreditation — distinctions earned by only a small percentage of Florida childcare providers. Founded in 1985 by Virginia Gray, the center has served the community for over 40 years using the Creative Curriculum, a research-based teaching approach that synthesizes best practices from Montessori and other evidence-based early childhood methods. The Wilson Street location serves children from infants through age 12 with VPK, preschool, and after-school programming in a nurturing Christian environment. Its dual accreditation and four-decade track record make it among the most credentialed smaller centers in the Hollywood area.
Safety8.0
Curriculum8.0
Art / Music7.0
Infant care7.0
Kindergarten readiness8.0
Teacher quality8.0
Compassion8.0
Management8.0
Culture8.0
Class sizes7.0
Extracurriculars7.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Emphasizes care, commitment to children, academic skills and character development in a safe, loving, Christian environment where children develop positive self-image, confidence, social skills, and a life-long love of learning.
Programs & activities: Preschool (ages 3-5), Early Learning Center/Daycare (ages 1-3), After School Program (K-5th grade), Summer Camp, VPK program.
What sets it apart: Gold Seal Quality of Care Award recipient, APPLE Accreditation (Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment), 4.5 out of 5 stars in Broward County Quality Rating System, Licensed by Broward County Childcare Licensing, School-age unit certified by APPLE. Founded in 1985 as a First Presbyterian Church ministry.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 100 in Florida
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 100 in Florida</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Among the top 100 childcare centers statewide — a distinction earned by fewer than 1% of licensed centers across Florida.</span>
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Top 10 in Hollywood
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 10 in Hollywood</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Ranked among the top 10 childcare centers in Hollywood. Fewer than half of all centers in the city reach this level across our full 11-dimension scoring.</span>
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Most Compassionate
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Most Compassionate</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest compassion score in Hollywood. This dimension captures the warmth, patience, and individual attention children receive day to day.</span>
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Best Infant Care
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Infant Care</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest infant care score in Hollywood. This dimension focuses on caregiver ratios, responsiveness, feeding and sleep routines, and parent feedback specific to infant rooms.</span>
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Best Management
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Management</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest management score in Hollywood. This dimension evaluates director responsiveness, communication, billing clarity, and how well the center is run.</span>
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Updated · July 2026
This recognition is awarded independently by Creative Minds Montessori based on publicly available parent reviews and public records. Centers do not pay for or request these rankings. Scores reflect editorial synthesis of verified parent experience — not center marketing materials. Rankings are updated periodically as new reviews are analyzed.
