We've been part of the Montessori of Oceanside family for the past six years, and it's truly been…read morean incredible experience for both of our children. Our son started at just 11 months old during the uncertainty of the pandemic, and our daughter joined even earlier at 3 months. From the very beginning, the school provided a sense of safety, warmth, and consistency that meant everything to our family. Over the years, the teachers and principals have become so much more than educators--they feel like extended family. They've supported our children through every stage of development, celebrating their growth and guiding them with patience, kindness, and genuine care. One of the things we loved when first choosing the school--and still appreciate today--is how engaging and thoughtful their programs are. From creative classroom activities to festive holiday celebrations (the parades are the cutest!), there's always something meaningful happening. The field trips are also a highlight, thoughtfully tied to what the children are learning, which makes education feel exciting and real. The staff consistently go above and beyond. They are nurturing, attentive, and deeply invested in each child's well-being and development. You can truly feel how much they care--not just about education, but about building confidence, independence, and a love for learning. We are so grateful for the role Montessori of Oceanside has played in our children's early years.

Both of my children have attended Montessori School of Oceanside since they were just 3 years old,…read moreand I can confidently say that this school has been one of the best decisions we've ever made for their education. My oldest recently graduated from the elementary program, and my youngest is currently attending elementary here -- and the growth, confidence, and academic foundation they've built over the years is nothing short of amazing. The Montessori approach has truly helped my kids develop into independent, curious, and respectful learners. We constantly hear from friends and family how advanced and well-rounded our kids are compared to their peers at other schools -- and we owe so much of that to MSO. What really makes this school stand out is the staff. Every teacher and staff that we've interacted with over the years has genuinely cared about our children's growth and well-being. It's clear they take pride in their work and absolutely love what they do -- and that positive energy is reflected in the school environment. Montessori School of Oceanside is more than just a school -- it's a community that supports and nurtures children to thrive. We are so grateful for the years we've spent here and highly recommend it to any family looking for a strong, supportive, and enriching educational experience.

As a mom who formerly enrolled her baby here, I wish I had more insight and had done more research…read moreprior to enrolling them here. I strongly encourage you to look up poinsettia kinder care on the California licensing website ccld.ca.gov. Don't just take my word for it, look at their evaluations from California licensing for yourself. They have TWO type A citations and SIX type B citations that they have been cited for. A type A citation is deemed as something that the state has deemed is an IMMEDIATE threat to your child's health and safety. Don't make the same mistake I did, save you and your child the heartache, and take them to a more reputable daycare.

We absolutely loved our experience at KinderCare. We saw our son blossom with sign language, new…read morewords, and he got to do so many fun art projects and interactive activities. The staff are excellent communicators and they genuinely care about the kids in their classes. We really appreciated the variety of food offered and the fact that we didn't have to pack any lunches or snacks for the day-just drop off and go! Also the app with pictures throughout the day helped us feel connected to our kiddo while we were at work. All in all we have nothing but great things to say about KinderCare Poinsettia. Mandy, Kayla and the staff there do a stellar job.

We absolutely love Pilgrim! I was going to send my 3 year old son somewhere else, but decided to…read morecheck out Pilgrim last minute before committing and I'm so glad we did! The entire staff are so calm and sweet, the playground is amazing, they have so many awesome toys, and offer art and activities for the kids everyday. They also make holidays so fun and special for the kids. I wish I would have sent my older son here too. There are so many preschools to choose from in Carlsbad, but this one is really centered around the kids and I am just so pleased with the entire experience. I will miss this sweet school when my son goes to TK next year.

We sent both of our children from the ages of 2 to 4 to Pilgrim and we cannot speak highly enough…read moreof the school. It is such a warm/homey environment, and the teachers are so incredibly loving and caring--Miss Katia, Miss Sarah, and Miss Karina have such special places in our hearts. The school is play-based so the kids have many opportunities to explore various activities at their own pace, to use their imaginations, to play outside for a significant amount of time each day. Though the school is at a church, there is no religious curriculum, which our family preferred. Our children loved the school and were always so happy at the end of the day. We can't recommend Pilgrim enough!

We have thought a lot before writing this review which mostly reflects how we felt about…read moreAspirations at the end of our almost 5 years with the school. We ended up leaving because despite having had such a long time with the school, it became obvious to us at the end that we weren't valued as a family and that our little one wasn't truly seen as a whole person. We had one child start in the Bambini (baby) room just before COVID, went back after COVID and continued all the way through until starting Kindergarten. We had another child that spent a couple years here before just leaving this year. On a whole, Aspirations feels like a Instagram dreamspace - the Emilio Reggio style learning emphasizes the environment and it truly shows. As a parent, you know your child is surrounded by beauty. The art show feels special (although you eventually come to realize how much "teacher guidance" the final auction pieces actual reflect). The gala is also exciting and fun (when it happens). The playground is spacious and beautiful. Our years through Aspirations meant our kids have been in almost every room and in reflection there were great teachers and there were so-so ones and almost every year there was at least some unexpected teacher turn-over in the middle of the year. We ended up leaving because the first time we had any issues, we were surprised at the inflexibility of the administration and unwillingness to work with us. We requested that our little stay with friends in transitioning to a new class, shared the difficult family/life events that were affecting her and had the admin team tell us that they were not going allow her to change classes that despite the fact that the requested class was not yet being filled (they wanted to keep spots open for newer families/kids). Additionally, they weren't even willing to come up with a alternative plan (ie she could move to that class if someone transitioned out). The finality of "administrator knows best" was a slap in the face and made us finally look around and realize that this was one of the most expensive schools around, does not provide lunch, and its premium for the "extended care" (4-5pm where all extended care kids get placed with another teacher for that last hour, sometimes a different one daily) was not the standard everywhere.

I toured today with my 15 month old grandson and was in awe of the director, teachers & facility…read more Outdoor learning was as enriched as the classrooms with bridges, slides built into hills, riding toys, and of course art!

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.

Casa Montessori De Carlsbad felt like the right fit immediately just from our first visit, and now…read moremy daughter is starting her second year there this fall. The director and teachers are very warm and kind and the classrooms are so clean and thoughtfully arranged. As a former preschool teacher, I had a long list of things I was looking for in a preschool, and Casa Montessori fits them all: Clear communication on everything, carefully following all licensing requirements, a locked entrance for safety, cheerful and engaging classroom environments, a big outdoor area with opportunities to garden or build gross motor skills, and a warm, home-like environment. We truly appreciate the flexible scheduling; being able to choose half days and pick which days we wanted our daughter to attend was very important to us and not something that many schools in our area offer. I also appreciate how my daughter's belongings always come home with her and nothing has ever gotten lost, even though she is not great at keeping track of things. It's so nice to never need to buy replacement items for anything because everything comes home from school very organized and tidy. The teachers and director make learning a lot of fun and put so much time and care into making birthdays and other special holidays feel extra meaningful. We are grateful that our daughter is able to attend Casa Montessori de Carlsbad and recommend it to anyone who's looking for a high-quality and flexible Montessori school in north county San Diego.

With my background in developmental psychology, I'm definitely picky about early childhood…read moreeducation, and Casa Montessori has been an absolute perfect fit for my daughter! They do an amazing job with the Montessori approach, setting up activities that really encourage creativity, independence, and choice. I love how balanced it is, too--there's a great mix of classroom time, outdoor play, and art projects. The positive impact at home has been huge. My daughter is constantly coming back with new vocabulary and skills that motivate her to clean up after herself. The vibe there is so warm and sweet. Every afternoon, she loves saying goodbye to her teachers and the school bunny before we head home. They also go all out to make celebrations feel extra special. She absolutely loves being part of this community, and couldn't ask for more as a parent.

This is my child's third preschool (because of moving) and I can't recommend this place enough. The…read moreteachers are so loving and nurturing. They truly care about each child. My kid is always so happy when he gets to school and when i pick him up, he even asks if he can stay. I love that they get a lot of time outdoors with a lot of grass and a big playground. We are so grateful for this school and all the teachers!

Our family loves Lighthouse! The staff and teachers are incredible. They love all the kids so much…read moreand both of my children absolutely love going to school everyday! The school is safe and secure, with a beautiful grassy area and playground where the children love to play. The kids are so sweet and the teachers go above and beyond to create healthy friendships and foundations. Lighthouse does so many amazing and creative things with the kids and my children always come home happy! Lighthouse fosters a beautiful community, it feels like family

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.

We started at LCVPK in 2018 and have since sent all three of our kids, and we couldn't be happier!…read moreOf course, they've learned their colors, numbers, and how to be great listeners and students, but what truly sets this school apart is the incredible care and excellence of the teachers. Every classroom is filled with dedicated, nurturing educators, and Ms. Jackie has become like a second mom to my three boys. The peace of mind I feel each morning when I drop them off is absolutely priceless. All of my kids have loved going to school here and have been very well-prepared for Kindergarten. Jeanne in the front office is always kind and responsive to any questions I've had, which makes everything run so smoothly. LCVPK has been such a blessing to our family- warm, welcoming, and truly exceptional in every way!