When my daughter first arrived from Brazil, everything was new to her. She was adjusting to a new…read morecountry, a new language, and a completely different school environment. As a mom, it was an emotional time, and I was worried about how she would adapt. From the very beginning, everyone at Mission Viejo Montessori made us feel welcome. The teachers and staff were so kind, patient, loving, and understanding. They took the time to help my daughter feel safe and comfortable, and they supported us through every step of the transition. Their warmth and genuine care made a world of difference for our family. Today, seeing how happy, confident, and excited she is to go to school fills my heart with gratitude. I truly believe that the love and dedication of her teachers played a huge role in helping her feel at home. We will always be thankful for everything they have done for our daughter, and I wholeheartedly recommend Mission Viejo Montessori to any family looking for a caring and supportive school. A very special thank you to Mrs. Roohi and Mrs. Ghosh for your kindness, patience, and the love you have shown my daughter. Your support has meant more to our family than words can express, and we will always be grateful.

We have been at Mission Viejo Montessori for over a year now, and I truly cannot say enough amazing…read morethings about this school. I currently have both of my girls there (2 years old and 10 months old), and the staff has become like family to us. Before coming here, I had a terrible experience at another daycare, which left me extremely guarded about leaving my child with anyone. Mission Viejo Montessori completely changed that for me. I now feel more comfortable leaving my girls here than anywhere else. That peace of mind is priceless. They truly LOVE my girls. They tell them every day, and more importantly, you can see it in their actions. My daughters are genuinely cared for and adored. The teachers are patient, nurturing, and so attentive. It's clear this isn't just a job to them. Academically, I am blown away. My 2-year-old is learning something new every day. She knows her colors, can count to ten, is learning her shapes, and even talks about the weather. They are working alongside me with potty training and teaching her life skills like putting on her shoes and clothes. It's amazing to watch her confidence grow. I also love how much time they spend outside and how many hands-on activities they do. I receive so many pictures each day, which makes being away from them so much easier because I can see how happy and engaged they are. Mission Viejo Montessori is truly special. If you're looking for a place where your children will be loved, nurtured, and challenged academically, I cannot recommend them enough.

My wife and I couldn't be happier with our experience at Mission Montessori. Our son has been…read moreattending since he was just 6 months old, and it's been incredible to watch him grow through each stage from the infant room, to the toddler room, and now into the primary room. Our son's development has progressed tremendously, and we truly credit the school and the amazing teachers who have guided him along the way. Each classroom transition has been smooth and thoughtful, and every teacher he's had has played a meaningful role in his growth, both academically and socially. The staff at Mission Montessori have been exceptional. They are not only highly skilled, but also genuinely kind, patient, and understanding. It's clear that they care deeply about each child's development and well-being, and that shows in the way our son talks about his teachers and his day. Our son especially enjoys the soccer classes on Thursdays and the hands-on work activities that keep him engaged and excited to learn. It's been wonderful to see him develop independence, confidence, and a love for learning at such a young age. We are incredibly thankful that our son has the opportunity to attend Mission Montessori. We truly believe this school is giving him a strong foundation that will help him be successful for the rest of his life.

As a First 5 Orange County Commissioner, appointed by the OC Board of Supervisors three times to…read moreoversee county programming of children 0-5, I can tell you STAY AWAY. I can recommend other preschools: ENC, Community Seedlings Preschool, LePort Montessori, Guidepost Montessori, Newport Coast Child Development Preschool, any of the Head Starts or state preschools, ECLC (Irvine), dozens of other great schools. If it is Montessori you want, this is not a true Montessori school because they don't even practice what Maria Montessori taught. The owner clearly doesn't take discrimination or inclusion that seriously because she shows no effort to outreach or work with children with disabilities. To me this demonstrates that she clearly cannot handle anything that isn't exactly how she wants it to be. Her assertion that they were found to be in full compliance is not truthful or accurate, there was "no finding for further action," which is not a finding of full compliance, but I think this may be above her head. It was a her word against mine issue, where it could not be proved, not that it was found not to have happened. Remember OJ was found not guilty beyond reasonable doubt, he was not found innocent. The "scheduled meetings" were offered only AFTER my daughter was removed from the acceptance list, and put back on the waitlist, only to wait how long? For the owner to continue to string us along? No thank you. Why would we want to go to such a school when they have such discriminatory practices? There was NO meeting offered in order to process enrollment when we were told there was a spot for us, my daughter was removed from enrollment before we were even told of the decision that she could not enroll due to being disabled. It is all utterly disgusting. It actually was a blessing in disguise to be hurt in such an awful way, because I would only want my child to be somewhere where she is truly wanted and accepted, as in the programs she has attended (without any accommodations for her disabilities, by the way, so she would have thrived in a Montessori classroom). And we stopped communicating because there was no point. We didn't send our typical child there because we didn't want her polluted with the owner's promotion of her own caste system and eugenic philosophies. The owner can lie and spin all she wants, like with every excuse she has with every negative review! No one is so perfect that *every* complaint is not even an ounce their fault. The fact that not even once in any replies to negative reviews does she ever admit even a teeny tiny mistake or a misunderstanding, just plain and simple everyone else is the problem and she is perfect, should be a red flag to readers of these reviews. It shows that she just spins everything, or maybe she is just delusional and actually believes her alternate reality. There are multiple comments here dating back years that relay a very similar experience about discriminating against children who she thinks will not be picture perfect robots: Jennifer P.'s review from Apr 23, 2021 or Dara M. from Apr 28, 2016. Don't fall for the disproportionate number of reviews from people who have only written one review and it is about this place. I think most people can see what I'm talking about. The owner claims to have a faith in God, so it is between her and her maker how she treats and has treated the most vulnerable and fragile children with such utter disregard and in such an ugly way, like they are disposable, when they are deserving of nothing but acceptance and love. One has to ask, why would I stake my reputation to make these statements so publicly? I am more than open to discussing details further with anyone who wishes to reach out to me. ALL I am saying is do your homework. If you are a current parent, consider: are there any children with noticeable disabilities? Maybe you agree with the owner and don't want your child learning alongside a child with disabilities. I've heard it from a lot of people, so it doesn't shock me. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, and to raise their children how they see fit, but that doesn't mean that the owner doesn't discriminate and that we weren't handled in the most insensitive and cruel of ways.

Our oldest attended VMC from 2 years to leaving for kindergarten today at 5.5, and our youngest…read more(almost 11 months old) is now following in her footsteps there. I cannot sing their praise enough. To echo what others have said in their reviews, what sets this school apart is how much they truly care for the kids and families who attend. It doesn't hurt that they're also very competitively priced, even compared to in home options. Their care was especially highlighted when I recently went through an unexpected challenging medical issue, and the director and her son were so loving, caring and understanding. They provided flexibility for the kids schedules which was so appreciated, checked in on me, and are overall just incredible humans. It's a family run business (hence director and her son). The director, Ms. Nayna, has years of Montessori teaching experience so she's able to jump in wherever is needed. She's lovingly firm, which is something I aspire to be (ha!). We've had a wonderful experience with all of the teachers we've had, and look forward to many more years there with our second daughter. Truly, cannot recommend them enough.

My daughter attended Village Montessori Center from 15 months old until she left for kindergarten…read moreat 5, so this school was a huge part of our lives for almost four years. Leaving was incredibly bittersweet. What always stood out to me was how genuinely loved and cared for she was. It's a small, family-owned school with very little staff turnover, and over the years her teachers really knew her. She learned so much there, but as a parent, knowing she was with people who truly cared about her meant everything. I have to shout out some of the amazing teachers who loved her through each stage. Her infant room was full of love with Ms. Marieva, Ms. Estephanie, and Ms. Naghma. Ms. Monika and Ms. Maria were absolutely wonderful during the toddler years. Ms. Nina is an amazing preschool teacher and has such a gift with kids, especially during those big-emotion preschool years. She gets silly with them and somehow knows exactly how to reach them. At one point, I noticed my daughter was skipping a few numbers when counting out loud. I tried correcting it at home and failed miserably. I mentioned it to Ms. Nina one morning, and by the next day she had fixed it. Ms. Shirin is incredibly kind and patient. One day she gave my daughter a tiny stuffed animal as a reward for having a good day. Years later, my daughter still treasures that little stuffy. It was such a small gesture, but it says a lot about the relationships these teachers build with the kids. And Ms. Roshani is an absolute gem. I was constantly impressed by how much she taught the kids. They learned about different countries and the United States, and somehow she even taught an entire class of preschoolers six different songs for their promotion ceremony! Watching them perform and seeing how much they had learned was such a special way to end our time there. The community was another unexpected gift. We became close with several families, and some of the parents I met there have become lifelong friends. Between that and the Halloween carnivals, holiday shows, art shows, and other little events over the years, we came away with so many great memories. After almost four years, Village Montessori really did feel like our little village. I'm so grateful my daughter got to spend such an important part of her childhood there, and I would absolutely recommend it to families looking for a smaller, loving Montessori where the teachers truly know and care about your child.

We've been going to Guidepost for the last year, and it has been a wonderful experience for our…read morefamily. My daughter started just before she turned 3, and honestly, if we had known about this school sooner, we probably would have enrolled her earlier since they accept children starting at 18 months. The teachers and staff are incredibly kind, warm, and truly passionate about what they do. Since joining Guidepost, my daughter has developed so many independent life skills, gained confidence, and grown tremendously both socially and academically. We love seeing how much pride she takes in doing things on her own and how excited she is to learn new things every day.

Absolutely love this school. It was so worth our time spent there!!! I wish we didn't have to move…read moredue to uncontrollable circumstances. I will forever miss the staff & I know our daughter will as well. She really grew independently & collectively together with her class. She asked many times at home to see & play with all her teachers and classmates. The staff was a huge support system for my daughter & I during our time there and I will forever be indebted. We will stop by to all community open events & hope she can return one day if the opportunity arises. With lots of love, The Donlevys

Our child was enrolled into Ms Arti and Ms Hasseini's classroom when she was 5. She had moved from…read moreanother Montessori school traumatized by a teachers old school strictness. We had known 2 families from different Montessori's that had moved their older kids 6 years ago because of similar experiences and they thrived here. We had a similar transition, it was seamless and a big relief for us. Both teachers are very nurturing, caring and assertive. She was happy, peaceful,excelled and was excited to go back to school. We couldn't be happier for her. Ms Prerna and Richa ensure a nurturing environment here. Staff takes every feedback seriously with good follow up on issues brought. I loved that they offered - learning the basics of 3 languages as part of their weekly curriculum. (Spanish mandarin and Hindi) - the kinder room got them on working on creative projects and presentations. - they had field trips to the park - their summer program was fun too ! They made smoothies, learnt about bugs, had a carnival, movie day etc - food is offered at a reasonable price. A menu on the offerings are given every month, u can choose what days food could be bought. Most of the food is bought from Costco, rice is made onsite and pizza is ordered from the plaza they are located For extra fees they exposed them to classes that saved us time on car rides! - yoga, teacher is excellent fun and loving - Bollywood dance class! - sports teacher that exposes them to different sports. As an occupational therapist I love their program and their environment. They celebrate the silliness and fun with gentle structured care that fosters both academic and social emotional growth. Inspired by Ms Arti and Ms Hasseini my child wants to be a teacher! That in itself is the highest praise. Highly recommend this school! Grateful for businesses like this that have the heart and skill set! Thank you Scholarshine! We are forever grateful.

We love this school. But what matters most is that our daughter loves this school even more. She…read moreenjoyes coming in to play and learn. This place has been great for her development and growth. Thank you Miss. Geetha and everyone that consistently go out of your way to make this place great

The staff at sunflower are so welcoming, loving and accommodating. My son had such an amazing time…read morehere and learned so much.

I truly don't think there are enough words to describe how special Sunflower Montessori is to me. I…read morewas lucky enough to grow up there, starting in Ms. Lisa's preschool class and continuing into Ms. Angela's kindergarten class, and even at such a young age, I remember how incredibly warm, loving, and safe the environment felt. It wasn't just a school, it was a place where I felt deeply cared for, understood, and encouraged to be myself. The teachers at Sunflower Montessori are something truly rare. They lead with so much kindness, patience, and genuine love for every child. Looking back, I can confidently say I could not have been placed in better hands during those formative years of my life. What makes this place even more meaningful to me is that my relationship with Sunflower didn't end when I left as a student. I had the opportunity to come back and work there part-time, which only deepened my appreciation for everything they do. Seeing the environment from the other side, I was even more inspired by the dedication, thoughtfulness, and heart that goes into every single day. I went on to attend Chapman University, where I studied Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a themed inquiry in Law and Public Policy, and I truly believe the foundation I built at Sunflower helped shape who I am today. The confidence, curiosity, and sense of self I developed there has stayed with me throughout my life. To this day, Sunflower Montessori is still a huge part of my life. They have stayed connected with me through every stage, always checking in, always supporting me, and always celebrating my milestones. I make sure to keep them updated on all of my major accomplishments because their support means so much to me. They were even invested in my interview process as I worked toward landing my dream job, which speaks volumes about the kind of people they are. Sunflower Montessori is more than just a school, it has become family to me. These are people who I know will be there for me for the rest of my life. I could not have asked for a better start in life, and I will forever be grateful for the love, guidance, and foundation they gave me. If you're considering this school for your child, just know that you are placing them in the most caring, nurturing, and genuine environment possible.

My daughter has blossomed in the last two weeks since she's started attending preschool here!…read more We chose this school purely based on how my daughter's face lit up during the tours. We toured a few schools and she did not like any of them until we visited this school. Ms. Pei and Ms. Betty from the bilingual classroom were both so warm and welcoming, and made my daughter so excited about starting school from the first time we toured their class! Before starting school, she was so shy and timid and would often avoid playgrounds with too many people. She would hide when people say hi to her, and run away from kids who tried to play with her. Ever since she started school here, she suddenly became a social butterfly! And she would wake up every morning excited to go to school and play with her friends! We seriously are so happy and thankful for all the teachers here for caring for our daughter and helping her overcome her social anxiety!

We started sending our precious baby, M, here when she was 9 months old. She is now 14 months old…read more We chose LNMC because without exception, the staff are so warm, welcoming and thoroughly trained in authentic Montessori education. (Any school can use the Montessori name, so just because a school says they are "Montessori" does not mean they implement it correctly or to a quality standard.) if you want the true Montessori experience, you will definitely want to tour this school. Baby M lights up every morning when she sees her teachers, and even though she misses us when we leave, I always have *complete* confidence and peace of mind leaving her there because I know she is loved, and her physical, cognitive and emotional needs are more than met. Teachers are flexible and understanding and communicative about the many particular and constantly changing needs (feeding schedule, switching from bottle to cup, encouraging solids and naps, etc) of Baby M. In the infant room, they support and follow whatever daily schedule your child follows at home. M did have trouble napping in a classroom at first (because she just wants to keep playing with everyone) but she is napping well now. The school feels like a community. Even the teachers of the older kids know Baby M and always say hello to her (we typically have to stop a couple times on the way to her classroom in the morning because she is a very social baby and wants to give the other teachers morning hugs). The school also hosts various celebrations, such as "Muffins with Mom" for Mothers Day and "Donuts with Dad" for Fathers Day. For Muffins with Mom, I got to hang out one morning after drop off to eat muffins and fruit with M and the other mothers. It was lovely. They even set up a back drop for Mother's Day for us to take a picture together and regularly send kids home with product art on holidays. I am not the biggest fan of product art (vs process art) as a learning tool, but I admit I LOVE these keepsakes and will keep them forever. We also had the opportunity to volunteer at the Scholastic book fair and to purchase books for M's classroom. Ms. Athana and Ms. Danielle (administration) keep the school very secure, the children safe, help support teachers on the daily and in their professional growth, and are always approachable. They are so kind and patient with our "new parents sending our baby to preschool for the first time" and other ongoing questions/concerns. (We had raised concerns about M not napping, which they completely understood and helped us resolve.) Other notes: the classrooms are very clean, well-organized, full of cognitively stimulating materials (but not cluttered) and have beautiful natural light. There is a kindergarten classroom if you want the option for your child to go the Montessori kindergarten too. The front door can only be opened with your own personal code (love the security), and check in and check out are done using the Procare app (easy, convenient). You will get daily updates via the app about when your child is eating, sleeping, and when they've had diaper changes. Teachers will also occasionally send photos of what your child does during the day. It is a nice connection to have to them throughout my workday. Clearly, we (and Baby M!) love this school. I highly recommend a tour if any of these positives resonate with you. If you do so soon, Baby M will likely greet you at the door of the infant room .

After more than six years at Robin Hood Montessori, it's hard to put into words what this school…read morehas meant to our family. My daughter started in the baby room, and this week she is finishing the summer program before beginning first grade. She leaves Robin Hood not only academically ready, but with the confidence, curiosity, kindness, and independence to step into an entirely new chapter. Words can barely express the gratitude I feel for the teachers and staff who have helped shape the little girl she is today. Shyla has grown into someone who demonstrates leadership, responsibility, kindness, and respect--not only at school, but in the way she supports her teammates, listens to her coaches, and treats the people around her. She is carrying the roots of Robin Hood with her. She isn't leaving the best parts behind; she is carrying them forward. To me, the purpose of education isn't simply to keep children in a classroom. It is to send them into the world a little more capable, a little more curious, and a little more themselves. Robin Hood has done exactly that for our daughter. Thank you to every teacher who ever knelt beside her, encouraged her curiosity, comforted her, challenged her, and helped her grow. Thank you to every friend who made her feel like she belonged. And thank you for every morning we walked her through those doors trusting Robin Hood to help us shape our daughter into the wonderful little person she is becoming. We will always be grateful for these six extraordinary years.

We had both of our kids at Robinhood Montessori for more than two years before deciding to leave…read more It wasn't a decision we made lightly, and we really tried to make it work. Our biggest issue was how rigid their Montessori approach was. It may work for some kids, but it wasn't a good fit for ours. When issues came up, we often felt our kids or our family were blamed rather than the school recognizing that their approach might not work for every child. We also found the director very judgmental. When we decided to leave, she made a big deal about our decision and basically told us we were choosing a lower-quality education for our kids. That interaction really confirmed that leaving was the right decision for us. There were things we liked about the school, which is why we stayed for more than two years, but I wish there had been more flexibility and a better relationship with parents.

Both are kids have been here. This place is god send. The owners are the best and the teachers are…read moreso great. Especially Ms Zinat In infant room. Our kids are happy here and always excited to go. Our lives would be different without them! Love them and lucky to have found them.

This place has been such a blessing to our family. We had our daughter there since she was 2 years…read moreold up until she transitioned to Kindergarten. They treated our child like their own and were so kind to her and our family. They also prepped her well for Kindergarten which made the transition for our daughter extremely smooth. I can't recommend this place enough. If you have doubts, don't, they will take great care of your little ones.