Ranked among the top 3 childcare centers in Carrollton & Malvern across all 11 quality dimensions — placing this center in the very top tier of local options.
Best Teachers
Earned the highest teacher-quality score in Carrollton & Malvern. This dimension reflects staff credentials, tenure, warmth, and how consistently parents praise individual teachers.
Best Curriculum
Earned the highest curriculum score in Carrollton & Malvern. This dimension evaluates structured learning, developmental programming, and how well daily activities prepare children for each stage.
Best Infant Care
Earned the highest infant care score in Carrollton & Malvern. This dimension focuses on caregiver ratios, responsiveness, feeding and sleep routines, and parent feedback specific to infant rooms.
Best K-Ready
Earned the highest kindergarten-readiness score in Carrollton & Malvern. This dimension weighs literacy and numeracy foundations, school-transition preparation, and reported outcomes.
Best Management
Earned the highest management score in Carrollton & Malvern. This dimension evaluates director responsiveness, communication, billing clarity, and how well the center is run.
Best Culture
Earned the highest culture score in Carrollton & Malvern. This dimension captures a sense of community, inclusivity, staff morale, and the feeling families describe when they walk through the door.
Full Ranking Detail
childcare
The Growing Tree is an Ohio-licensed full-day childcare center at 701 Crest St in Carrollton, serving infants from 6 weeks through school-age children (up to 12 years). Located on the St. John's Villa campus, the center holds the highest Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) Gold rating and includes preschool instruction in tuition at no additional cost. It provides nutritional meals and snacks daily, operates 6:00 AM–6:00 PM on weekdays, and offers income-based tuition assistance and sibling discounts to support families. The faith-based curriculum emphasizes kindergarten readiness, with school-age children participating in The Giving Tree community service initiative.
Safety5.0
Curriculum8.0
Art / Music5.0
Infant care7.0
Kindergarten readiness7.0
Teacher quality8.0
Compassion6.0
Management8.0
Culture6.0
Extracurriculars6.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Faith-based, Christ-centered approach promoting spiritual, emotional and educational growth in a nurturing environment. No formal curriculum model (Montessori, Reggio, etc.) specified; preschool program includes kindergarten readiness.
Programs & activities: Infant & toddler care (6 weeks-3 yrs), preschool (3-5 yrs), before/after school programs (5-12 yrs), summer programs and school break care. School-age children take part in 'The Giving Tree' community service initiative (food pantry donations, Christmas gifts).
What sets it apart: Gold rating (highest) under Ohio's Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) program; licensed by Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Hours Mon-Fri 6:00 AM-6:00 PM. Nutritional meals and snacks provided daily; preschool instruction included in tuition; income-based tuition assistance and sibling discounts available.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 3 in Carrollton & Malvern
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Best Teachers
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Best Curriculum
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Best Infant Care
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Best K-Ready
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Best Management
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Best Culture
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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.
