We absolutely love this school! They are so great with the kids and provide not only a great…read moreeducation, but a kind, safe and loving environment for the kids. One of my kids will be starting kindergarten soon and will be very well prepared. MSE has taught her to read, write, addition, subtraction, etc. She has an advanced understanding of science, biology, history, music, etc. The teachers we have had are all SO great. I can't say enough good things, I highly recommend!

Great school. Our daughter has learned and grown so much. We are so lucky to have this place!read more

LCVPK is the absolute best! Our 2-year-old son attended M-F/full-time and was in the Caterpillars…read moreclass with Ms. Jackie and Ms. Lani. Our son loved his teachers and would often continue repeating their names when he got home lol. This was our first daycare/school experience for him (he was previously at home with grandparents), so we were a little nervous how the transition would go. He took a few days to acclimate to the new environment (especially at drop-offs), but soon started to blossom and play/interact with the other kids and teachers, especially Ms. Lani who we appreciated would calm him in the mornings. We always felt our son was safe, well taken care of, and learned a lot from socializing with his peers. I loved that the school was located in a part of Carlsbad with such a quiet and calming atmosphere, tucked away from the busy road and next to lots of trees and greenery. The staff was always friendly (especially Ms. Jeanne and Ms. Erika) and supportive of one another. I'd often see them all pitch in (including the front desk staff) to watch/play with the children whenever needed and rotate around the day to the different classes. Our son especially loved the play area and fun outdoor activities, from bubbles to building blocks, and would usually come home with lots of sand in his shoes, which meant he had a fun time! I would have loved to receive more photo updates (maybe one a week), just to have photos of him playing throughout the day. I understand this is because the teachers spend most of their time with the children rather than taking/uploading photos, which is nice to know they're focusing on the children. The only reason we had to leave was because my husband got a new job in Orange County, so we had to move out of the area. I really felt like LCVPK was more like a mini-family away from home for our son. On his last day, his teacher and classmates even made him a glitter poster saying "We will miss you" and took lots of individual photos together, which was so sweet! I wish I could just transport LCVPK with us. If you're able to get a spot here, it's completely worth the wait!

La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten has truly been a second home for our family since my son…read morefirst started back in 2020, and as this is our last year here, I'm more emotional about it than I expected. Both of my kids have grown up at this school, and watching them thrive in such a warm, loving, and nurturing environment has meant the world to us. The teachers and staff aren't just educators -- they are genuinely caring people who know each child personally and make them feel seen, safe, and celebrated every single day. When I see my kids run up to their teachers and hug them because they've missed them, it warms my heart. Ms. Jackie has touched both of my kids' lives in such special ways. Ms. Julie prepared my son -- and is now preparing my daughter -- for kindergarten with so much patience, warmth, and dedication. My son is even coming back to read to his sister's class, and Ms. Julie couldn't be more excited to welcome him. Ms. Denise and Ms. Maize are both excellent, and my daughter still talks about them all the time! And then there's the joy of Ms. Mandy and her vibrant personality that lights up the room. All the ladies at the front desk (Janice, Erica, and Jeanne) greet us with the kindest smiles every morning -- they truly start our day off right. As I prepare myself for our last year here, I feel incredibly grateful. LCVPK has shaped my kids in the best possible ways, and it has shaped me as a parent, too. This school will always hold a very special place in our hearts. If you're looking for a preschool/kindergarten that feels like family, this is it. We were lucky to be part of this community, and we will miss it deeply.

What can I say about this incredible place? Both of my kids attended The Academy, and we have loved…read moreevery single moment. It all started in the winter of 2022, when we found out we'd be moving back to California. I was frantically searching for a preschool and hitting walls at every turn. I knew I wanted a Montessori-inspired approach, and I needed a school with room for both of my children. When I reached out to The Academy, they responded quickly and were so accommodating of the fact that we couldn't do an in-person tour. Kristine, who was the interim director at the time and has since become the director, did our tour over FaceTime and the moment it ended, I just knew. And the best part? It ended up being right down the road from the house we bought. If that doesn't scream meant to be, I don't know what does. My oldest started in the preschool class and my youngest in the young toddlers class. By the time my oldest graduated, he was more than ready for kindergarten and now the time has come for my youngest to do the same. I won't pretend I'm not going to cry on her last day. This school has been so much more than a preschool. It's been a place where I knew, without a doubt, that my children would be loved, protected, and given every opportunity to flourish. Every teacher we had was wonderful. The admin team consistently goes above and beyond for their families. Our previous preschool was a completely different experience. The constant staff turnover at this other school, meant our kids rarely had the same teacher twice, and it showed. The stability and consistency at The Academy has made all the difference. If you're a parent searching for the right place for your little one, look no further. Truly. My kids already ask if they can come back to visit. That says it all. Thank you to Kristine, Mallorie, Maricel, and every teacher who made our time there so meaningful and special. You will never fully know how much you all mean to our family. We will miss you more than words can say.

We have had a very positive experience here! I have an older son so this is also my fourth…read morepreschool so I feel like I have something to compare it to. My daughter started at 18 months. The teachers in the toddler classroom are so sweet and patient - Miss Monica and Miss Jayme. They are willing to work with whatever schedule you'd like to ease the children into the classroom. They are also very good at helping the children transition as many times this is their first place away from home. They have part time or full time schedules available. There is also an app and there are constant updates parents receive including lunch time, nap time, diapers and play time with pictures. I also love that there is a drive through drop off and pick up where the children are brought into school or out to the car. I'm a working mom and responsible for all the drop offs and pick ups and since my son attends another school, we don't have to get out of the car so this makes things much easier. The school also hosts some parent classes for free if you're interested. Cost wise for full time, it is on the higher end from what I've seen but it's cheaper than having a nanny which is what we had previously. I also believe it is reflected in the quality of care so it is worth it to me. I am happy we found this school and my son will be attending as well starting in a couple of weeks.

My son is thriving at Learning Tree! He started right when he turned 2 which can be a tough…read moretransition, but the staff are so caring and it's such a supportive environment that he was easily able to make the switch. I love how much time they spend outdoors, how much art the children do and how all age groups are able to play and interact. Their new director MsAllison has made so many positive changes since she took over and we can't wait to send our youngest there too when he's old enough!

We are so lucky to have found The Learning Tree Preschool in Cardiff. The teachers are caring,…read morequalified, and happy- and the students get lots of social learning and support. There is a true feeling of community and kindness. Always great communication with parents from staff. Amazing professionals giving their support in all the stages of preschool- they truly helped potty train my kid and has helped her learn to share and take turns. At the playground yesterday my 3 year old asked a kid on the swing if she could please use it when she was done. I was very proud and surprised because she didn't learn that from me. Hidden gem of a school :)

My husband and i searched high and low for daycares in the area at an affordable price. Leucadia…read morechildrens school has kids on the waitlist for a reason. My daughter has only been in daycare for a month and a half, but i can already see my daughter's improvement with her speech, coordination and overall senses. She is so bubbly and always looks forward to daycare - she sometimes doesnt even greet me goodbye because she is so excited to see her friends! Alicia and her staff do such a great job making both my daughter and parents at ease! I am so comfortable with all of them, it feels as if i have known everyone for years! They are always responsive with texting updates, they give us newsletters for weekly curriculums and also gives us things that shes worked on at the end of the week. never have i ever had my child feel left out or out of place. This is a great school, filled with great teachers and its such a great location! I cant be more pleased! Thanks alicia and the team! My family loves you!!!

Leucadia Children's School this red school house is located in an artsy section of town on the 101…read more(literally off of the Coaster tracks), literally in a red house. The school is run by a young mom who's family has been running the school for years. The school is curriculum based, and has literacy and basic arithmetic elements as part of the curriculum (as far as I could tell from the tour). Tuition is on the higher end. $1010 per month for full time, for a 4 year old. Other than being relatively close to the beach, this school was only average in my book. Nice staff, though. And cool location.

We have had the BEST experience at Coast Kids. The teachers lead with their hearts and are…read moreincredible educators both academically and with personal growth. Our daughter feels right at home and we don't have to worry about her at all. I love how welcoming the staff is to parents, and there are easy lines of communication. We aren't a religious family, but still feel welcome. I highly recommend Coast Kids!

Love Coast Kids! My grandson went there 2 years ago and is now in elementary school. We just…read morestarted my 4 yr old granddaughter a month or so ago and she loves it. Right up until the morning of her first day she adamantly told us she was NOT going to school! After her first day there she was completely changed. The teachers are so caring and loving.

Absolute most wonderful teachers and staff, and such a special place. Both my boys went there…read more(newer Olivenhain location) and I can't recommend it enough.

Love this school. They take such good care of kids and meet kids where they are. They value play…read moreand understand that drive problem solving and long term success.

When I first saw this place, I was like oh it's just old school, California earthy. I liked earthy…read morewhen I was young this will be great. Mistake number one on my part. I am sure this was a great place and idea in the 70s. I don't know the exact history, but it was probably more of a small neighborhood school for the neighborhood when it began. But truth be told, it isn't what it used to be. I don't know maybe it was always like this and nobody expected anything better or thought that they would need to evolve. We have evolved as parents, teachers and guardians of how to raise a healthy secure child and how to really help them thrive and feel safe in a pre-school/school environment. There are too many incidents to mention and too many red flags to mention of what my child witnessed and I myself witnessed and other parents witness but I didn't know any better. Your young child will not be in a physically safe environment in the outside area, there are hiding spots for children of all ages to wreak havoc and harm each other. Despite what you're told, the bigger kids are definitely mixed together with the younger kids without proper supervision and it's basically a free for all. "It's a kids will be kids and boys will be boys environment". That said, they also have them watch tv if they aren't allowed to nap. Yes they can tell your child they can't nap, there is not room for everyone. The teachers feed them candy without asking your permission and your child will be totally filthy when you get them, unless it's raining, then they have to block the whole dirt/Sand back off because it will be totally muddy with pools of water. The bathrooms are also a free for all. If your child is potty training, this is not the place you want them. Although the 2 tiny little potties and sinks are cute, they have zero privacy. Children are allowed to open the doors and crawl under the doors while other children are going potty. I saw this more than once and nobody did a thing. Things such as big boys were slamming the doors back and forth bothering a little girl who was going to the bathroom. My kid who was learning said that he didn't want to go at school because the big kids bothered him, so he was terrified. Maybe they get to eat a proper lunch without being harassed. The children with emotional or behavioral issues are not helped properly and are left to do as they please to the other children if they are not constantly supervised. Even during lunch or snack time. My child literally begged me not to take him to school on several occasions and I just thought he was being a toddler but now I know better. I have also witnessed children climbing the fence begging parents not to leave them. Again, I thought this was normal. It is not. He and his friends were being bullied and tormented by other older children and he was emotionally stressed, time has passed and he STILL talks about it. When I had to address an issue and asked to discuss it, I was heavily dismissed and ignored. Security-They leave signs for delivery people on the front latch gate to leave packages in the outdoor hallway. Which means if your child is hanging around alone someone could easily snatch them. Granted it has probably never happened but it's not actually secure. Anyone can walk in through the two old iron school gates and harm the kids if they wanted to. This place in theory could be great if it were updated, cleaned up, painted, managed and staffed properly and not a total fire hazard. If you let your child go and he or she thrived, great for you, but if your child showed or shows signs of being abnormally stressed, hopefully they will be able to express that to you and hopefully you listen to them. My son was sad and stressed after only a short few months and my heart broke. I felt like the worst parent ever for not noticing it wasn't his age but the environment I placed him in. PROS-great art projects and Ms. Lara One teacher Ms. Lara was always kind and gentle and basically had to protect some of the children and she knew it, but even she was afraid to have a voice. I felt like she was pretty intelligent and should probably be in a better place herself; but Ms. Frankie, Ms. Cathy and the other teacher(s) were not that smart and I am not even sure if they have degrees in child development, If they do, I am shocked and I didn't ask and that is my fault. Cons-Everything else Please do your research, there are much much much better/safer options for your child and you only have to pay as much as this place costs or a few hundred more for a quality education in the area.

This is one of the best places to send your pre-school child. This family-run business has been in…read morebusiness for over 30 years with two other locations--Encinitas and Vista. Kathy is the head cheese and has guided many children in this space many well-ahead of the game when entering kindergarten. I can honestly say is that the children are really loved and looked after here. She has had the same employees for many years as they also truly love the experience. The emphasis is on supporting the children as they explore art, learning and playing. There is none or only limited time on computers and the kids can even play in their bare feet. My child attended this awesome school for 2.5 years and she still maintains friendships that she established there. Just a note, the location has never been renovated so be prepared.