Your School La Petite Academy of St. Joseph, MO

La Petite Academy of St. Joseph

719 N. 36th Street
St. Joseph, MO 64506

Questions?:
877.861.5078877.861.5078 or Request a Call

Enrolled Parent?: Contact Us

Open: M-F, 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Ages: 6 Weeks - 12 Years

719 N. 36th Street St. Joseph, MO 64506

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Welcome to Our School

Welcome to La Petite Academy educational daycare in St. Joseph, MO, proudly serving local families since 1990. For more than three decades, our school has provided a safe, nurturing environment where children can grow, explore, and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Our Toddler and Preschool programs are designed to support each child’s development through engaging, age-appropriate activities that promote independence, confidence, and school readiness. We focus on developing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—within a secure, caring, and enriching classroom environment.

We’re committed to keeping families connected throughout the day with SproutAbout®, our exclusive family app that offers live-stream classroom viewing, photos, and real-time updates about your child’s experiences.

We invite you to schedule a tour today to see firsthand why La Petite Academy has been a trusted choice for early education in St. Joseph, MO for generations. We look forward to meeting your family!

Daycare and Early Education Programs

Infants

6 weeks - 1 year

We’ve created a comfortable, secure space for your baby to thrive and grow.

Toddlers

1 - 2 years old

This age group has all the space they need to move, explore, and grow through hands-on learning.

Two year old boy playing with a toy car at daycare

Twos

2 - 2.5 years old

This energetic group is always on the move as they achieve new abilities and experiences.

Young girl in mailman costume playing in classroom

Preschool

3 - 4 years old

Active little innovators use hands-on learning experiences to get ready for kindergarten.

Pre-K

4 - 5 years old

As they further build a foundation for kindergarten, children lay the groundwork for high-level skill development.

School-age child making heart shape with hands and smiling

Before & After School

5 – 12 years old

Fun, exciting, educational mornings and afternoons await your school-age student.

Summer Camp

Our full-day program is full of adventures, hands-on activities, outdoor playtime, and more.

Here's what people have to say

4.83 out of 5 stars

My son is happy and thriving. I highly recommend this school.

Enrolled Family

I love the school. It’s amazing my daughter loves going. Her teachers are awesome and treat her like their own.

Enrolled Family

My experience has been good. My child LOVES going everyday, she loves to be around her teachers and friends! Thank you for welcoming her with open arms and teaching her what she needs to know! We love our La Petite Family!

Enrolled Family

I have thus far loves this school/daycare program. The staff is so wonderful, everyone knows my child and greets or says goodbye by name. He has made a lot of social progress and I am so excited to continue there.

Enrolled Family

I love it, my daughter is really happy and loves her teachers and classmates. I feel so blessed that I can drop her off and not worry all day. The teachers are amazing and have really gotten to know the kids!

Enrolled Family

It has been amazing the director goes beyond to make sure all of the children are healthy safe and loved.

Enrolled Family

Open a window to your child's day.

SproutAbout^_®, our exclusive family app, provides free live streaming video of your child’s classroom to your mobile device.

Learn More

Proudly Accredited by NECPA

Our school is accredited by the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation, a nationally recognized organization that sets rigorous standards for excellence in early childhood education. This accreditation reflects our commitment to providing high-quality child care and early education in a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive every day.

Learn About Electives

For an additional fee, go beyond regular classroom learning experiences with our enhanced series of fun, interactive enrichment programs exploring a variety of activities. We offer:

Handwriting & Advanced Math, Music, Phonics, Soccer, Spanish, Yoga

Meet Our Staff

Heather Gillpatrick , Director

Education: A.A. in Early Childhood Education

Certifications: CPR & First Aid

I began my journey with La Petite Academy in 2012 and advanced to the Director role in 2026. Working with children and families is something I truly enjoy, and I am passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences while fostering a positive and caring school community. My goal is to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and encouraged as they grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Meet Our Staff

Ariana Beebe, Assistant Director

Education: A.A. in Early Childhood Education

Certifications: CPR & First Aid

I began my journey with La Petite Academy in 2018 and advanced to the Assistant Director role in 2026. In this position, I oversee curriculum, scheduling, and enrollment while helping support the daily success of our school. I am currently attending NCMC and working toward my Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. My favorite part of my role is collaborating one-on-one with teachers to develop creative ideas that help children learn, grow, and have fun.

young boy playing with colorful toys in a daycare classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tuition varies based on your child’s program and schedule. Our team is happy to answer your questions, share current tuition rates, and help you find the right option for your family.

Yes, child care assistance and subsidy programs may be available to help eligible families with the cost of care. Our team is happy to answer your questions, share information about the programs we accept, and help you understand the process.

Part-time enrollment and flexible care options may be available based on your child’s program and current availability. Our team is happy to help you explore scheduling options that work for your family. Contact us to learn more about part-time or drop-in care.

Each day at La Petite Academy is filled with opportunities for your child to learn, play, explore, and grow. Children explore learning centers, participate in small- and large-group activities, spend time outdoors, and enjoy plenty of opportunities for choice and play. Meals, snacks, and rest are also built into the day, creating a familiar routine that helps children feel comfortable while keeping each day fun and engaging. Daily activities are designed with your child’s age and developmental stage in mind.

Our teachers regularly observe your child’s development and use those insights to plan learning experiences that support their individual needs and growth. Each child has an individual portfolio that grows with them as they move from one age group to the next, capturing their learning, milestones, and accomplishments along the way. Teachers use developmental checklists, work samples, photos, and observations to understand how your child is progressing and identify opportunities to build new skills. Families stay connected every step of the way through SproutAbout updates, family-teacher conferences, and daily conversations with their child’s teachers.

Moving to a new classroom is an exciting milestone. Children gradually visit their new classroom, meet their teachers, and become familiar with new routines before the transition. Teachers work together to support continuity, while families receive regular updates throughout the process.

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