My child attended CiL for a little over a year before going to kindergarten and during a trying…read moretime for the site as there was not only Covid in full force, with a population not eligible for vaccines, but the nonprofit which runs the school was about to embark on a large renovation/building project at the site. We had a great experience with the teachers and really appreciated the safety focus they had for the kids. Though we didnt get to benefit from it, I really like the association with the Choice in Aging senior services next door and could see that being a real plus for everyone in the future when things calm down. They have moved the preschool to a different area of the site temporarily to prepare for a multiphase construction and it looks really nice. The site will benefit from wholesale renovation as it is aged. I went 4 stars because of things independent of the care of the kids, basically the administrative aspects (pricing, planning, communication, etc) were frustrating. I would not hesitate to send my child there again but be prepared to have some frustrating moments.

We really love this school. It's a real gem…read more We had our daughter in a different school and after a year, we decided to just look around to see what else was out there. We knew this was our school just when we visited. Our daughter loved it so much she cried when we left. The teachers, Ms. Jan, Ms. Christine, Ms. Sharyn, and Ms. Manya are all amazing and have been there forever. Many of the teachers have sent their own kids there. The classes are so calm and organized and our daughter is just thriving. She has learned so much - she's coming home singing songs in Spanish and talking about map activities they are doing. She loves to play circle time with her teddies. Ms. Gina, the director, is so on it and clearly loves the kids. She's very responsive and organized. They just moved into a brand new addition to the building which is beautiful. It is well-thought out and impressively organized. They are also really COVID conscious which I've super appreciated. We feel so grateful we found this place. It's made all of our lives so much better. Couldn't recommend more.

Our family has had such an amazing experience with Starlight Montessori. We have seen such amazing…read moregrowth in our daughter over the past year & 1/2. It's been a pleasure watching her blossom into this kind, creative and caring little soul. Miss Parisa deserves all the credit in the world. She's curated this perfect little preschool paradise, and the teachers around her are equally as patient, dedicated and insightful. The class sizes are just right- Each child receives plenty of individual attention, while having just enough other kids to learn and play alongside. We plan on sending our youngest when she's ready as well. What they've done here in Benicia is truly something special, you should definitely check them out.

Starlight preschool has been amazing! The teachers are so friendly and helpful. My son has really…read moreenjoyed going to preschool now that we started coming here. The atmosphere is refreshing and different from other places. Just visit to see how great they are with the children. Its normal to be a little worried having your child out during such crazy times but they have a cleaning crew that comes in to clean which I can tell makes a difference. I thought the smaller playground would be a negative but it seems to actually help the teachers see and interact with the children more. My son mentions the outdoor play as one of his favorite times. Very happy we found this place!

Our children have been attending for 4 years. We love the teachers and the attention and care they…read moregive to every child. Their community events are especially fun. Would recommend to anyone looking for daycare in this area

If you are looking for a daycare or PreK class, look no further. My son is in his final months of…read morePreK before embarking to Kindergarten in the Fall. He has loved his time at Stepping Stones since he was 2 years old. He has made great friends, learned so much & has a blast. All the teachers are amazing and so helpful. Ms. Francie and Ms. Lydia have been wonderful and are great communicators with updates and reminders. I also have a now 1st grader who attended for 2 years, and she loves picking up her little brother so she can go hug all the teachers & see what crafts are set up in the classrooms. PreK has special visits with the Carlton Senior Living next door, which my daughter loved participating in. The visits have continued with my sons class this year. We have never regretted our choice in sending our kids to Stepping Stones.

Honestly this is the best daycare/montessori in the TriVally area. We toured dozens of daycares and…read moreFountainhead was the cleanest and most organized. When we did the tour at Fountainhead, the kids were so calm and the environment was peaceful. My wife and I are so happy that our son loves this school. We are pretty protective parents...He was the youngest of his class (2.5yrs) and the older kids help him a lot. He started early this year and his language skills has improved so much. We enrolled him for 2027 and hope to enroll his little brother at 1.5 years. Highly recommend!

All of the teachers here are great! We chose this school specifically for their mandarin immersion…read moreprogram, but my child has thrived in all areas. The facilities are well maintained and conducive to their learning.

We spent three wonderful years at Guiding Light, enrolling my son starting at age 3, and it shaped…read morehis early childhood in the best possible way. The teachers are warm, attentive, and truly invested in each child as an individual, and the Montessori approach is carried out thoughtfully in a way that makes kids feel safe and excited to learn. We appreciated how present and communicative the staff were, with regular parent-teacher conferences that made us feel genuinely involved in his growth every step of the way. Our son adored his time there and his confidence blossomed in ways we are still grateful for. Any family looking for a nurturing, quality early education program in the area would be lucky to find Guiding Light.

I hope my words convey the deep respect I hold for Guiding Light Montessori and its exceptional…read morestaff, particularly Justine, the owner and Head Teacher, and her dedicated handyman, Hubby. Their unwavering commitment to creating a nurturing environment for children to flourish, grow, and gain confidence is truly commendable. Which brings you to my story. Earlier this year, I lost my adult son; he left behind my beautiful grandaughter, who now lives with my husband and me. Her world changed from one day to the next, and life as she knew it was different and absent. Being an only child who desperately needed structure and friends, we enrolled her at Guiding Light Montessori. It was a rough 1st week, and when I say rough, that is being softly put! Justine was a Godsend; she gently guided and helped my granddaughter feel safe, welcome, and loved! It didn't take long for that transition to happen because of Justine's genuine heart for the grace of children. These early experiences play a crucial role in shaping our children's self-confidence. My granddaughter has learned to trust that her feelings are respected, welcomed, and loved at Guiding Light Montessori. The education and daily experiences at Guiding Light are beyond measure. I do have to circle back to the tender care the children receive daily. Because of that, the children are open to receiving the teachings. My granddaughter comes home singing and sharing; she wants to do everything all by herself--a true reflection of a Montessori student. I am beyond grateful and feel completely blessed. Thank you, Justine, and every wonderful teacher who helps guide these little people. Your work is truly appreciated! With Sincere Gratatude, Jim and Michelle Service

Our son is now 3 and a student in ASW's pilot preschool program, and we just couldn't be happier…read morewith the management and staff at this school The class sizes are intimate, and the teachers truly love on our babies. As for the education -- our son is learning more at age three than I did in pre-K. The school excels at keeping parents informed through social media and other communication channels, responding promptly to inquiries, and accommodating the diverse needs of both parents and students. They also go out of their way to make both parents and little ones feel special.

Our son started at Small World at just five months old, and was there until his second birthday (we…read morewould have kept him there longer, as they offer childcare up to age 5, but ultimately it made logistical sense to move him to a daycare closer to our home). During our son's time at Small World, we found the staff - led by Haseena - to be warm, welcoming, kind and very accommodating. We needed part-time care and Haseena made that happen for us. All of the caretakers he had throughout his time there were loving and so sweet with him, and I always felt like he was in excellent hands. Leaving your little baby anywhere is difficult - but at Small World we always knew he'd be very well cared for. I absolutely recommend them for infant and toddler care, and beyond!

This message is you Sharon the owner. I've reached out to you several times to find a resolution…read moreover our daughter's situation regarding Ms. Julie whom no longer is with you. She was fired! Not for just our experience but for several other families with children with IEP and special needs. Now I don't know how the school treats students currently with specific needs, but I do know that me being public about our situation opened the doors of many families to come forward with their negative experience. I went as far the legal route and you and your team didn't even acknowledge the letter received that was required to be signed via delivery. Your generic message to everyone's negative review goes so far and shows sooooooo clearly of whom you are as an individual and what you care about regarding the appearance of your school. I haven't dropped my anger with what our daughter went through and hearing what other families endured makes me so upset. I'm a huge IEP advocate and what that specific teacher did and how the school treated the situation was completely unprofessional and heartless.

Thank you Empire for taking care of my little one! Shoutout to Ms. Lin, Ms. Rosalie, and Ms. Seema…read more Teachers here are kind and vigilant, facilities are clean, and there is a good mix of playing and learning in the curriculum. My child has grown to be independent, eager to learn, and considerate of others. By the end of our stay at Empire, he was well prepared for school. If my testament isn't enough, here is a message from his kindergarten teacher after the first week of school: "[Child's name] has been doing great in class the last three days- outstanding behavior on the carpet (listening, engaged, respectful), doing great work independently, and being kind to others. Keep it up!"

This Review is long overdue! We have been at PTL for over a year now and the teacher, staff, and…read moreparent community is incredible. We have two kiddos in the school and their personal and social development has thrived. They have made such wonderful friendships that span within and out of the classroom. The PTL parent community is welcoming and engaged in the community. Teachers in all of the classrooms are incredibly special - so much kindness, love, and compassion for our children. They are truly building a foundation for our children to thrive scholastically and socially. We looked at other facilities that are "less expensive" with subsidies etc. but we could not compare them to the quality and value gained from being a part of PTL. We are so grateful for this community :)

Our son loves it here. He plays all day and leaves with a smile, and talks about all of his friends…read moreand teachers. We love our wonderful staff at PTL!

We've been part of this school for two years, and from the very beginning, we knew we had found…read moresomething special. We've been with our teacher for two years and feel incredibly lucky. The teachers here are experienced, dedicated, and deeply committed The director is always present, kind, and attentive. Nothing goes unnoticed, and the children are always cared for. As parents in the LGBTQ community, we didn't expect to be embraced so openly, but this school and its families welcomed us with warmth, respect, and authenticity. That has meant more to us than words can express. What makes this place even more meaningful is how much they invite families to be part of it. Whether it's story time or the incredible Cultural Fair, pride, you're not just a spectator--you belong. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of this community.

We paid a $135 waitlist fee and were told we'd be contacted when enrollment opened. We never…read morereceived any updates or an enrollment packet, and months were wasted waiting to enroll our son in a Montessori program. Meanwhile, the school began openly enrolling students while we were left on the waitlist with no communication. The only time we heard anything was when we reached out ourselves, and even then the responses were vague and provided no real information. After multiple calls and emails requesting an explanation and a refund, we've received no response. This lack of transparency and follow-through is unacceptable. The experience left our family feeling uncomfortable with how we were treated and questioning how families are selected from the waitlist. We are still requesting a refund for a process that was never honored. Unethical and a scam business. Reported to the CA Dept of Social Services.