I am so grateful and thankful for Happy Times! It is such an incredible place. My son attended for two years, and it truly was such a valuable and wonderful experience. The children have so much fun but also are able to learn and grow with each other. I have no doubt my little one is ready for kindergarten. They have ponies and chickens, a garden, music, and more! I would highly recommend this fantastic place!! read more

Our daughter started here 2 years ago and loved it. Now she is 5 and must go to kindergarten. Before Happy Time Nursery we had her at a Montessori school and she was always reluctant to be dropped off. At Happy Time, always looked forward to The Big Teacher and staff. Kids can interact with live animals and play. We made several friends with other parents, just a nice group of people. Highly recommend. read more

Dear all the teachers at Happy Time Nursery School, I'm writing this letter to express my deepest gratitude for what you all have done for Andrew. It's only one week left for Andrew to enjoy at this awesome place. How grateful we are to all of you : pretty and cool Big Teacher , she always greets us like morning sunshine and says goodbye with loving words ,which makes Andrew feel so special and loved ; J P accompanies Andrew to do daily one- on- one projects , also teaches him manner like respect and gratitude, Andrew does have developed great interest in learning; Ms. Carolyn is always there for any problem that I have met. She is so kind , patient, and helpful, especially when Andrew needed progress reports while applying for schools in SG. I couldn't have done it without your help. With her guide , Andrew learned not to take things like acorns home from the nature. Ms. Colleen( maybe wrong spelling, just by Andrew's telling) is so caring and patient, the scene will impress me forever that Andrew kept picking the Halloween's goodie bags beside Ms. Colleen who was wearing a white costume, just like an angel. Andrew has become more and more confident, he often says I'm proud of myself, I'm so good!That's because you have been giving him millions of encouragement. Saying goodbye to Happy Time will be tough for our family. How I hope Alex will be two to go to Happy Time! Looking forward to next June! With heartfelt appreciation, Andrew's family read more

Happy Time Day Care is something special :) I couldn't finde better place for my kid. Pony, fresh air and perfect teachers

I have two graduates of Happy Time Nursery School. Both of my children started at the age of 2 1/2 and attended 3 years. They are now entering 1st grade and Kindergarten. Happy Time is truly that - a happy place to send your children. The environment bubbles over with the magical excitement of childhood. A love of learning is fostered through creative play, exploration, and the skilled guidance of Big Teacher (as we all lovingly call her) and her team of caring educators. My children benefitted from the small school size - just 26 kids with 4 amazing teachers, plus specialists who come in for Spanish, gymnastics, pony riding lessons, and music. In addition to the wonderful opportunities for play the children get one-on-one time to work on math, writing, and reading skills. My son entered Kindergarten extremely well prepared and had a very successful first year in elementary school. My daughter will be entering Kindergarten this Fall and I know she is going to have a great start because of Happy Time. In addition to all of the wonderful things above, the children get to help tend to the vegetable garden and occasionally have the opportunity to visit the chicken coop and bring home a prized egg. I loved seeing the preschoolers munching on garden fresh green beans and cucumbers on the car ride home! And, I cannot forget to mention "Tea Time". Imagine a very large oval dining table cut down to kid level with 26 tiny chairs all around. Insert the wee ones in the picture, one or two wearing a crown for doing something commendable that day (i.e. picking up toys with out being told, sharing with another, etc), and place a very Special Cup (real china tea cup/saucer) in front of another for doing a wonderful deed. Juice is poured and delightful little cookies are passed around. This sweet scene is the perfect time for a lesson in manners. We say, "Please and Thank You", "Yes" never yeah, "Sharing is Caring", "Be Kind and Loving". Manners and socialization are a wonderful part of Happy Time. My son (now almost 7) has received many compliments on his willingness to help an his patience with younger children. I give much of the credit to Happy Time because of the mixed age group and insistence that all children be kind and helpful to one another. Saying goodbye to the daily routine of Happy Time will be tough for our family. I am so grateful to Big Teacher, John Paul, Hyesuk, and others who have helped raise my children over the past 3 years. We love Happy Time and recommend it to everyone seeking a loving, encouraging, wonderful place to nurture their children and prepare them for a lifetime of learning. Call to set-up a tour. Don't be surprised if your search stops before you feel you have started - it really is that special. read more

When I first saw Happy Time 5 years ago, I knew this was the perfect place for my daughter to go to Nursery School. She is now going into 3rd grade and she still loves to go be there during the summer with her younger sister. To me, there is no better testament to a place then when an older child loves to go back. Both my girls thrived at Happy Time and loved every day they went. It is a loving environment for kids that fosters creativity and a love of learning. Our family is actually going through a tough week knowing that this is our last week there since my youngest daughter is starting Kindergarten. Leaving Big Teacher and John Paul feels like we are saying goodbye to a family member. It was truly the perfect place for my two girls to go to Nursery School. read more

We have found the "Happiest Place On Earth" and it isn't Disneyland. It is Happy Time Nursery School! Happy Time is that secret gem you have been searching for. Initially, we set out to find a school that engaged our 2 year old mentally and provided a safe environment to play and socialize with kids. Happy Time has not only exceeded those aspirations for our son, but they have become family! We have been so impressed with every teacher - they are warm and nurturing and understand each of the children in their class. The teachers are the heart of the school and truly the special ingredient that makes the school so dynamic. My son comes home each day glowing; telling me stories about what he talked about with his teachers and how special they made him feel. Some days he tells me stories about going out to the garden with John Paul to pick a cucumber from the vine. Always inserting a cute story that John Paul shared with him that made him laugh or made him remember their time together. Other days he will tell me about the fun he had riding the pony with Ms. Holly. He always has a smile on his face when I pick him up, and as parent there is nothing better than to see your child so happy, loved, and feeling so secure. There are no more than 25 children there on a daily basis with four regular teachers. Each child spends one-on-one time building their foundation of learning letters, numbers, and moving along at their individual pace. To see my son so excited about learning is a true testament to the school's ability to find that perfect balance of play and learning. In addition to the academic learning, the children learn about socialization and the importance of looking people in the eye when you speak to them, saying "please and thank you". Because the class is mixed ages (2 1/2 -6 years) the children have an opportunity to learn from the older kids and eventually develop into mentors for the younger kids. Each morning, Big Teacher greets every child as they enter school making them feel so special and loved. After you drop off your child for the day, it is hard to wipe the smile off your face. You feel so good and so grateful that you have found such an incredible, unique place for your child, spending his time growing up to be a caring, independent little person! I only wish I uncovered this gem earlier so I could have sent my older son to Happy Time. Happy Time is such a gift and you will be inspired in ways that are unimaginable! read more

Our 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 year old son adored Happy Time! He looked forward to school, loved being there and didn't want to leave. He became more independent, learned to share and play better with others, spent hours outside, rode horses, sang songs, enjoyed story time, brought home handmade art, along with fresh eggs from the Happy Time chickens, learned to say "thank you", "please", and more, received focused time with his letters and numbers - I could go on and on... Happy Time's teachers are experienced, loving, gentle and kind. Any child who has the chance to attend Happy Time will be magically touched forever and blessed with a strong foundation for life and school. We love Happy Time and highly recommend it! read more

When I first dropped off my 2.5 year old daughter at Happy Time, I think I had more separation anxiety than she did! But I shouldn't have worried. "Big Teacher" and her staff are some of the kindest and most caring education professionals I have ever met. They allowed us to acclimate my daughter to the school at her own pace and completely without stress. At first it may look like just a place to play--but it's so much more. There are no more than 26 children there on a daily basis with four regular teachers. The learning of letters and numbers is begun quite early, but at a completely individualized pace and in fun ways. I loved the specialized instructors that would come in for art, music, Spanish, gymnastics and pony rides (who wouldn't want to go to a school with ponies?!?). There are also chickens and a garden, so the children learn about where some of our food comes from. My daughter would regularly come home with a fresh egg, stalk of broccoli or other vegetable of which she would be so proud. On of my favorite teaching points, was that of manners and general socialization--saying "please" and "thank you", looking people in the eye when you speak, saying "yes" instead of "yeah". These skills were reinforced daily and especially during "tea time" at the end of the school day, where all the kids would sit around a large table for their "tea" (juice with a cookie). I found all of the teachers to be very easy to talk to, accessible and responsive. My daughter spent over three years at Happy Time and graduated just before she turned six. She is now in kindergarten. She was extremely well-prepared and is thriving in her new school, both academically and socially. I know this is in large part due to her enriching experiences at Happy Time. Although she loves her new school, she often asks to go back to Happy Time on days off - so she can be a "teacher's aide". I understand alumni often come back and there are even alumni who have their own kids who are attending Happy Time. Definitely a testament to the strong values there and the outstanding care and education. I wish I had gone to Happy Time! read more

Happy Time Nursery School delivers on the promise of an idyllic childhood learning experience, complete with pony rides, music, gymnastics, play time, garden time, harvesting eggs from chickens, one-on-one academic time, and much, much more. But most importantly, children are taught solid values and invaluable social skills. Our child has been attending for over a year and has always looked forward to going to Happy Time Nursery School. Big Teacher, John Paul, and the loving school staff make the school an exceptional place and memorable experience for the children. It is the best kept secret for moms who are in the know and live in Fairbanks Ranch and other Rancho Santa Fe neighborhoods. If you want to give your child an exceptional experience, look no further. I give Happy Time Nursery School my highest accolades. read more

Happy Time Nursery School is the best kept secret in Rancho Santa Fe, and arguably in all of San Diego. It is close to Fairbanks Ranch, the Covenant, the Crosby, and other Rancho Santa Fe neighborhoods. We researched and interviewed many, many preschools, including Del Mar Hills Nursery School, the Village Nursery School and La Jolla Country Day Preschool before deciding on Happy Time Nursery School. It is a small private preschool where there is everything a parent would ever want for their child. There is usually a waiting list, but all good preschools have such demand. We started our child shortly after age 3 and has always been happy to go to preschool there. What we like about the school is the emphasis on social values, manners, natural surroundings, one-on-one academic instruction, and loving care provided by Big Teacher and her staff. We give Mary Ann Tessary, Big Teacher, our highest praise. Her experience and love for the children is unparalleled. She is incredibly experienced and well-suited towards delivering a good experience for our child while at the same time providing guidance when needed on behavior. Staff turnover is very rare, so our child really bonded with the teachers at the school. John Paul is a good instructor and we have been pleased with the one-on-one academic instruction that our child receives. As a hands-on parent, I feel confident when I leave my child in her and her staff's care as I feel they do an outstanding job in helping to grow our child. Every teacher knows your child. And every day, I ask the teachers how my child behaved so that we can reinforce appropriate behavior at home. It feels like a true partnership between parents and preschool. We also liked the fact that our child spends time outdoors at play with other children, but also with chickens, horses and the garden where they learn about all kinds of vegetables and fruits of nature. It's the closest thing to have a private tutor. Additionally, our child got gymnastics, pony rides, sand box time, bikes, a huge variety of toys, music, Spanish language lessons and more as part of the normal week. For us, the deciding factor was that we really wanted the preschool experience to be filled with fond memories in a loving atmosphere with solid values (manners, respect, good behavior, thankfulness, and etc.). Children have the rest of their lives to spend in school. Why not make their preschool time, the one time in their lives where they can be children, the happiest time ever? Happy Time Nursery School has actually exceeded our expectations in every measure. We give it our highest recommendation. read more

My son is just about to finish his three years at Happy Times Nursery School and head off to kindergarten, so I felt it was a good time to write a review and let others know what a wonderful place this little school is. My son first started there when he was 2 1/2 years old and after three years with the Happy Times family, he is a well-rounded, happy little boy who is very well prepared for the next step. Happy Times is a play-based nursery school, which has been very well suited to my active little boy. The open plan setup of the classroom and outside play area allows a lot of room for, and encourages, creative play and the setup of this school is superior in this way to some of the more classroom-based schools in the area. The children also spend time every week doing gymnastics, music classes and taking pony riding lessons. The riding lessons, in particular, are a wonderful addition to the curriculum and really encourage self-confidence in the children. There is also a garden and a chicken coop and my son would often come home proudly holding an egg that had been collected that day or vegetables from the garden. None of this is to say, however, that academics is not important at Happy Times. Quite the contrary. The children work one-on-one or in very small groups on language and math skills. I think this approach is extremely effective. My older child attended a different preschool that has a reputation of being very academically focused (this was before I had discovered Happy Times) and my younger son is equally or better prepared academically for kindergarten due to the efforts of the Happy Time team. He actually amazes me with how much he is learning everyday. Another emphasis at Happy Times is manners and respect towards others. "Always be kind and loving" is a phrase my son uses regularly at home, and he learned it at Happy Times. The teachers spend a lot of time teaching the children what appropriate behavior is both in the classroom area and on the playground and this has really paid off for my son at school and at home. My son has not been the easiest preschooler. At about the age of 3 he hid a rough patch behavior-wise, and it was a bit of a long rough road for us. Big Teacher and the Happy Times team were instrumental in getting through that stage and working with us to teach him to control his feelings and actions. Never was my child judged, criticized, excluded or dismissed due to his behavior. Instead, the process became a collaborative effort where I would communicate with the teachers on a daily basis, providing reports back and forth, and working together on a cohesive and unified front to help my son learn the social skills he needed. The love and patience the teachers showed to my little boy was extraordinary and I will never be able to thank them enough for all that they have done for him. I'm happy to report he is a well-adjusted little boy who seems to have completely moved on from his horrible 3s and 4s. I attribute much of that transformation to the Happy Times teams efforts towards him. Happy Times is a wonderful place and I cannot recommend it enough. The teachers are experienced and loving and truly have each child's best interests at heart. The children are happy and enthusiastic every morning - they love going to school there. And they do a great job preparing children for kindergarten - I know many children who have gone there who are now in 1st, 2nd even up to 4th grade - all have done wonderfully when they reached elementary school. If you haven't taken a tour yet, do so. read more

My daughter is just completing her 3 years at Happy Time... I am so sad to leave, she has had such a wonderful time there! The teachers are so very kind and nurturing to each individual child. Each child is wonderful and unique and this is definitely recognized at Happy Time. The teachers are great about listening to the kids, teaching everyone to be kind and loving towards one another, and recognizing and celebrating all the little things that are so big to a child. I knew from the moment I stepped foot in the door that there was no better place for my daughter to learn and grow. My daughter has enjoyed every day of school always running to the door with a big smile on her face ready for another day of fun, whether it is gymnastics, pony rides, harvesting vegetables from the garden, music, Spanish or bringing home fresh chicken eggs... I feel so lucky that my daughter has been with Happy Time and I know my daughter and my entire famiy have benefitted from this wonderful nursery school experience. I am also confident that the individualized learning she has received at Happy Time has prepared her well for kindergarten. Thank you "Big Teacher" and everyone at Happy Time. read more