Living Word Early Learning Center

My daughter has been going here since she was an infant and the amount of love and support she’s received has been absolutely incredible! Steve and Lacey do an amazing job together, and the teachers here are the best of the best. My little girl has grown so much and is developing very well with the education she receives at this school, and I can’t imagine her attending anywhere else.

My daughter has been going to The Nest Schools in Vandalia for a little over one month now. We have had nothing less than the BEST experience here. We were able to get enrolled immediately, and it was the least expensive option we found in daycares in the area. From our first tour the team was so welcoming and understanding. This is the first daycare setting my daughter has been to and I am confident it will be the only one she ever goes to. Every inch of the building is practically spotless at all times of day, the food is all made in-house, and the security is top-notch. Steve and Lacey are quick to communicate anything in terms of office updates, putting together constant events, and promoting a comfortable environment. Miss Caitlin, Lexie, and all the other teachers welcome my daughter into the classroom with a giant hug every day. Since bringing my daughter here, she has grown tremendously. She is eating so many new foods, she is making leaps and bounds in milestone development, and she is making so many friends. Everyone here has made this transition so easy and cares so much about each and every child they watch after. You can really tell that everyone here loves the work they do. I am so glad we found The Nest. We love it here and will be recommending it to everyone we know. I would give them 10 stars if I could.

I searched on google for great schools for autistic kids in the area & this was one of 3 options very welcoming & a very thorough application process I left nothing out & felt welcomed after touring even brought my child to tour after & he seem comfortable. So we tried out 1 day. After the day concluded I was told that the school would not be a good fit for my son mostly because the class was too big & it was overstimulating for him. & his autistic habits. He’s very high functioning & listens to commands. But I felt as if no action was took to even try to work with my child. I’m very disappointed bc on the brochure they lead with the teachers being trained to work with all different types of children. I wouldn’t have went through the application process otherwise I’m very iffy with whom I have take care of my child. Outside of that very cleaning facility & if you have a typical child great fit. But honestly if your child is disabled in anyway it won’t be the best place. They even suggested other programs that could be a good fit for him but no further information was given. This was my last email to the secretary. No response was given.

My son and daughter have been at The Nest Vandalia for almost 2 years now and we have had nothing but a great experience. My son went through a behavioral period and for close to 2 months, the staff and management worked with us to find a solution and try different approaches to help him. I am very grateful for their patience because I know most places would have chose to end enrollment instead. While there have been periods of high turn over with the teachers, they do work hard to hire qualified replacements quickly. My kids have loved all of their teachers! The new management has really created a welcoming environment and I love how they are including parents in some of their new events.

The Nest is truly a school that my children want to go to—and that says everything! From day one, the staff has been incredibly caring, attentive, and hardworking. They genuinely strive to meet the unique needs of each child, and I can say with confidence that I trust them with my kids. As a parent to children who come from vulnerable backgrounds and carry trauma that can show up as behavioral challenges, finding the right environment was taxing however The Nest has exceeded every expectation. The patience, empathy, compassion, and commitment shown by the staff in understanding how to best care for my children has been nothing short of extraordinary. Each day, I receive multiple photos and a detailed report outlining what my kids ate, learned, did, and even when they were changed. The level of communication is unlike anything I’ve experienced at other schools—it’s clear that Mr. Steve and Miss Lacey lead with intentionality and heart. They’ve built a team of passionate, talented individuals, and I’ve been especially impressed by the number of male teachers and leaders. For the children I care for, who often haven’t had positive male role models, this representation is incredibly impactful. The diversity and quality of the staff are truly standout features. I’m so grateful to have found this gem of a school. The Nest is a nurturing, inspiring place, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Your children will thrive here—they’ll be better for it!