Ranked among the top 3 childcare centers in Independence across all 11 quality dimensions — placing this center in the very top tier of local options.
Best K-Ready
Earned the highest kindergarten-readiness score in Independence. This dimension reflects pre-literacy, pre-math, and school-readiness preparation reported by parents and visible in the curriculum.
Best Arts & Music
Earned the highest arts & music score in Independence. This dimension reflects the depth and consistency of creative programming — visual arts, music, movement, and imaginative play.
Best Extracurriculars
Earned the highest extracurricular score in Independence. This dimension covers enrichment programs — languages, STEM, yoga, cooking, field trips, and other activities beyond the core curriculum.
Full Ranking Detail
childcare
The Nest Schools Independence is a play-based learning center in Independence, Ohio, serving infants through school-age children with age-based groupings (Hummingbirds through Parrots/Kindergarten) and extended hours from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. The center's research-backed Nest curriculum emphasizes health, social-emotional, and language development, with outdoor classrooms and interactive parent communication through daily reporting. Director Tammy Guinan holds a B.S. in Education with special education background, bringing professional expertise to the program. While the Winnie review base is limited to three reviews averaging 5.0 stars—praising staff care and engagement—the center holds only a Bronze SUTQ rating, and tuition pricing is not publicly available online.
Safety8.0
Curriculum8.0
Art / Music6.0
Infant care7.0
Kindergarten readiness7.0
Teacher quality8.0
Compassion8.0
Management7.0
Culture7.0
Extracurriculars8.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Play-based learning aligned with early childhood research; Nest Play Curriculum incorporates health/physical development, social-emotional learning, and language development, focusing on bringing out what is special and unique about each child.
Programs & activities: Age-grouped programs from Infants through School Age including Hummingbirds (Infants), Ducklings (Young Toddlers), Cardinals (Older Toddlers), Penguins (Preschool), Robins (Pre-K Year 1), Parrots (Pre-K Year 2), full-time private Kindergarten, Pelicans (Before & After Care), and Summer Camp.
What sets it apart: Director Tammy Guinan has Bachelor's in Education with special education background. Outdoor learning spaces rich with plants and natural elements. Daily reporting app and interactive classroom displays for parent communication. Hours 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 3 in Independence
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: The Nest Schools Independence -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/ohio/major-cities/independence/the-nest-schools-independence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/rank-3-city.jpg" alt="Top 3 in Independence - The Nest Schools Independence - Independence, OH" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 3 in Independence</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Ranked among the top 3 childcare centers in Independence across all 11 quality dimensions — placing this center in the very top tier of local options.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best K-Ready
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: The Nest Schools Independence -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/ohio/major-cities/independence/the-nest-schools-independence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-kinder.jpg" alt="Best K-Ready - The Nest Schools Independence - Independence, OH" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best K-Ready</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest kindergarten-readiness score in Independence. This dimension reflects pre-literacy, pre-math, and school-readiness preparation reported by parents and visible in the curriculum.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best Arts & Music
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: The Nest Schools Independence -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/ohio/major-cities/independence/the-nest-schools-independence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-arts.jpg" alt="Best Arts & Music - The Nest Schools Independence - Independence, OH" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Arts & Music</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest arts & music score in Independence. This dimension reflects the depth and consistency of creative programming — visual arts, music, movement, and imaginative play.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best Extracurriculars
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: The Nest Schools Independence -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/ohio/major-cities/independence/the-nest-schools-independence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-extra.jpg" alt="Best Extracurriculars - The Nest Schools Independence - Independence, OH" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Extracurriculars</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest extracurricular score in Independence. This dimension covers enrichment programs — languages, STEM, yoga, cooking, field trips, and other activities beyond the core curriculum.</span>
</span>
</a>
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.
