I always assumed my daughter would start school in TK, but when she turned 1.5, I kept hearing about programs for two‑year‑olds. I was hesitant--especially because of the cost--but decided to attend a community open house to learn more. That's where I first met Miss Emmy. Her warmth and genuine kindness immediately stood out. After talking it over, my husband and I visited HRNS. Initially we were hesitant about the co‑op commitments, but we instantly fell in love with the bright, welcoming campus. We had toured another school, but nothing compared to the warmth, openness, and sense of community we felt at HRNS. Meeting the teachers and seeing how the children were supported made it clear our daughter would be in good hands. Miss Emmy explained parent expectations honestly and clearly, and everything felt manageable within such a supportive environment. Even though we have someone who could watch our daughter at no cost, we choose HRNS every day because of the community we've found. The teachers and parents have embraced our daughter with patience, care, and encouragement. Watching her continuously grow into her own person has been a joy, and she genuinely looks forward to going to school and moving to the "next door" each year. We will be sad when her time at HRNS comes to an end, but incredibly grateful for the foundation the school has given her--and us. If you are considering HRNS, know that you've found a true gem in Pasadena, ready to welcome you and your child with open arms. read more

I cannot praise this school enough. We love HRNS. We have had two of our children attend over the course of the last four years. The love and care shown by the teachers and staff, the community that goes beyond what we could ever imagine, and the knowledge my children have acquired is unmatched. I was nervous about participating in the co-op setting, but afterward I realize what a privilege it is to be a part of this community and watch my children thrive and learn. They have grown leaps and bounds. I am so thankful for the TK program and Miss Julie and Miss Jenny. My children's confidence and skills were mastered through them and the school's play to learn strategies. My now first grader thrives at school because of what she has learned here. So thankful for HRNS. read more

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The affordability that the co-op structure allows led us to HRNS but now I could not imagine having sent our kiddo to any other kind of preschool. As a stay at home mom with only one kiddo, I had no issues with volunteering the required time at school, but seeing how many full time working parents make it work speaks to how awesome HRNS really is. As a parent I get to know all of the kids, their parents and the teachers, and same goes for our daughter. She's just as excited to see the other parents as she is to see the other kids. It's a really special thing that I just wasn't expecting. I love that the kids spend more time outside than inside, that they are allowed to be as wiggly, emotional, or silly as they need to be and that they are really celebrated and respected as their own little people. I'm grateful for the experience we've had at HRNS! read more

We have enrolled both of our kids into Hastings Ranch and it was the best decision we've made. I was hesitant with the volunteer requirements since we work full time. However, it's very flexible and doable. Volunteering/being at school quickly became one of my favorite things about HRNS - it truly feels like a family. You get to know the other families and the other parent volunteers treat your kids like their own. Compared to other schools HRNS is very affordable as well. We are eternally grateful for this community and can not say enough good things about HRNS. read more

Such a sweet little preschool! So grateful we found it! Happy kiddos, play-based, caring and educated teachers!

Our child has been attending Hastings Ranch Nursery School for three years now and it is a great community of parents, teachers, and friends. The co-op model ensures that other parents are getting to know your kid and watches out for them. Volunteering as a parent allows you to see how your kid is learning at school and all the fun friendships they've developed. It's amazing to see how the kids blossom into kind and confident little humans. Highly recommend that you take a tour! read more

The best part about this school is that the staff embraces each child uniquely instead of having the children all fit into one box. When children are in this 2-5 age group, every child is developing at a different pace so there isn't just one mold and this school really understands that. The staff made me feel at peace with relinquishing the care of my kid into their hands which was initially such a hard concept for me being a first time mom. The greatest part is that when parents volunteer in the classroom, we get to see the children develop socially and mentally. I was always worried about my child being able to use her words to set boundaries and say how things make her feel and the staff have really helped in guiding and prompting her when and how she can express herself. The fun part about this school is how the children learn through play which helps them to actually understand how things work as oppose to just memorization and regurgitation. At pickup my child always wants to stay longer and that makes me feel so happy to know that she loves this place as much as I do. read more

Happiest place on earth for children to learn how to be happy, deal with emotions, table manners, interest in learning each day. My child is 9.5 now and he still carries all the ways he learned at HRNS. Forever friendship with this school staff, children and parents we met. It's a gem for both children and family. read more

Hastings Ranch has been a wonderful experience for my son who attended all 3 years. He's an only child and he has really thrived here. They have helped him build up his social skills to the point where I am now very confident in him going off to a bigger class size in elementary. The teachers are amazing. They are strict enough to set boundaries but loving all at the same time. The director is always willing to listen to any concerns you have and work with you. I would recommend this school to any parent looking for a play base preschool where they can be a part of their child's preschool journey! read more

I'm a big fan! My son is finishing his first year at upper school and he has loved it. They always have so many different toys and activities to explore (and learn from). It amazed me how quickly he picked up learning his letters, spelling his name, and he definitely developed an interest in drama from the drama teacher. I have a younger son too and I continually choose to pay for a babysitter to watch him while I fulfill my volunteering days at the school. It would be less expensive to buy out my volunteering days than to pay the babysitter, but my older son loves when I come and I love it too. I recommend co-op preschool in general and HRNS very specifically. read more

After an extensive search and touring for a preschool (we visited over 4 preschools and researched many more) we found this Gem. It's a wonderful friendly approachable environment, the teachers, TAs, and staff are knowledgeable and wonderful. It is a co-op so parent Involvement is a requirement, I was new to the co-op dynamic but have absolutely fallen in love with it. We have been welcomed, guided and accepted by everyone. It's a well structured play-based school, that also offers additional extracurricular activities such as computer class, languages, music, dance among others. My kiddo Loves it here, she never wants to leave at pick up time and even ask to go during vacation/days off. We love HRNS and feel blessed to have found them. read more

Hastings Ranch Nursery School (HRNS) is an absolute GEM! I was not familiar with the "co-op" philosophy before enrolling my child here, but now that I know about it, I don't know why anyone would want their child going to any other type of preschool. HRNS has been in business for over 50 years and has a wonderful reputation in the community. There are many times when we're out and about wearing our school t-shirts and someone stops us to ask about our school. It's truly a joy to tell people about this place! There is simply not enough room on this web site for me to describe the wonderful, highly trained staff here. These people love my child unconditionally and have taught ME so many valuable lessons about relating to my child. I feel like they're my teachers as well as my child's. If you are looking for a play-based, cooperative preschool to send your child (ages 2-5), then look no further than HRNS. It really is the most wonderful place for children AND their parents!! read more

Great co-op school! We moved to the area after the school year had started and were welcomed with open arms which made moving less traumatic for our son. If you are looking for a warm, nurturing, communal environment that has an enriched (not cookie cutter) curriculum this is the school for you. Our son thrived and really connected with the kids as well as the staff and parent volunteers. The 4 instead of 5 star was simply a scheduling/pricing thing about the afternoon program...but I hear there have been changes...to bad we are off to kindergarten. *reminder It is a co-op and you only get out what you put in. read more

Our family is very happy here. Our little one is thriving and is sad when we don't have school for a couple days. She is learning so much yet feels like she is playing. She thinks school is, in her words, "super awesome!" We love all the Teachers, TAs and the rest of staff. We honestly feel like part of a family! It is a co-op, so there is parent participation, and although that can be tricky to arrange for two working parents, it is a total blessing to be a part of our little one's school experience. The shear excitement she has when mommy or daddy are doing something for her school makes the trickiness completely worth it! All in all, our family's school experience at Hastings Ranch has been fantastic. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great nursery school! read more

We have had our children attending HRNS for the last three years and still have at least one more year for our youngest! We have loved our experience. The teachers and staff are amazing! We have been so pleased at how their developmental approach has allowed our children to progress at their own pace and their excitement about learning is awesome! The school's approach is phenomenal and they expose the children to science, math, art and fine motor skill development. I cannot recommend this preschool highly enough! read more

Went to several daycares and preschools in the Pasadena area for my son Charlie, and this was by far the best. Charlie loves the people there and I really feel comfortable at this place with him, nothing but the best for my boy and this is it read more

Our family so loved being a part of this school for over 4 years! We loved the co-op philosophy of parent involvement in the classroom and the play-based learning structure really seemed to be the best fit for both of our children. Even when my husband was diagnosed with Cancer and our family was going through a very tough season, the entire staff stepped forward to love on our kids and support me more than I ever could have asked for. This is definitely not just a school. You become part of a very special family when your child attends HRNS. To this day my kids both still call Miss Penny their favorite teacher of all time and miss all of the field trips, stone soup celebrations, ice castle days, and Coach Andy sports time. read more

We couldn't have asked for a better environment for our daughter. It's play based learning and so much of it is student led. The adult to child ratio is 1:4, which is amazing. The teachers and staff are approachable and believe in what they're doing. There is a lot of parent involvement because it's a co-op, but if you can do that, then it's a great place to be. read more

I have my third child going through Hastings Ranch Nursery School and couldn't be happier! My oldest children are in private school and are excelling. They were very prepared for kindergarden. HRNS has an amazing, dedicated staff and great indoor and outdoor spaces. For my family, it is the perfect balance of developmental play based learning with enough structure. read more

Our daughter has gone to this school for over a year now (she just turned 3). We have had her in every program: summer session twice, lower school (before potty training), upper school (with classrooms that the kids can roam between), and the afternoon "Stay and Play" part, where the kids get involved in more focused science, cooking, dance, computers, etc.. That program is expanding to add music and athletics. How did we get to Hastings? We were touring many schools in the area and when we saw how happy the kids in this school were, and we simply abandoned our deposits at two other schools and enrolled her. And, she loves it. Kids can run around (and cycle) in the shady playgrounds while learning the tools of socialization and cooperation first hand there. (Oh yeah - the teachers are great - acting a guides through the challenges of good and fun behavior. The school is a crafty user of "Play-based learning" where daily art and science projects (all voluntary, taken-up at the whim of these young minds) either attracts or does not attract the kids to participate. But, it seems, that when the first kid's project works, the rest want to make theirs too! The part that we first failed to appreciate is how great a co-op school such this one really is. It is the parents spending time in the classroom and in helping with the school that makes every day for the kids much more interesting. To be part of this school, parents must spend many hours in the classroom helping the kids and teachers succeed in their "play" projects. Everyone comes out the better for it. read more

We found Hastings Ranch from close friends of ours who LOVED and RAVED about the family they had at Hastings Ranch. We started up here in August 2 days a week and really love it. It is a Co-op so involvement is often requested. I love being a part of my child's education and being able to learn who his teachers are and how and who and what is going on in my sons life , a luxury most schools do not offer. The staff and teachers truly love kids and the STEAM learning family style love at the school is felt. It is a community more so than just a school. Our son has had some speech issues and has been met with nothing but care and compassion to both our son and I in addressing these issues. The level of education in my eyes is the best for a 2,3 or 4 year old to get used to the school atmosphere and learn but yet be the kids they need to be. We love Hastings Ranch! read more

HRNS is a played based preschool where parents get to participate in their child's school life. Just what I was looking for. I LOVE it here but more importantly my son LOVES it here!! The teachers are amazing!! They're caring and nurturing the office staff are open and warm... what more can you ask for?? read more

Hastings Ranch Nursery School is absolutely the most amazing school. HRNS has a wonderful 60 year history of good parents getting together because they care about their children's education. HRNS is play based, developmentally appropriate but not oblivious to all the changes in education! My daughter loves her teachers (this is her third year and will be in their Pre-K program this Fall) and has grown so much. Potty training was a breeze thanks to the teachers in Purple Door! Upper School Teachers give her so many different opportunities to play and learn and grow. These teachers are amazing. Carrots in the spaghetti sauce - they are learning so much and they think they are "just" playing. I am thrilled with their Stay and Play STEAM program as well. The exposure to foreign language, science, etc is amazing. Being a co-op, it is wonderful to be able to be in the classroom and share in her learning. Some days I think I learn as much as she does - watching great modeling by teachers and awesome support form fellow parents make me a better parent! My daughter is happy, confident, and loves school. I couldn't ask for anything more. read more

My daughter goes there now and my older one recently graduated. The best thing about the school are the teachers and the way they engage with the children. My children love all the teachers there and have built very special relationships with them. My older one is always asking to go back to visit. All the fun art, science and math projects help them become life long learners through play. They learn so much and they think they are playing! I've also met so many great parents here. It is truly a special place and I am sure I will miss it. I feel truly blessed to have found this school and I will never forget the days I got to spend there with my kids!! read more

I have a Masters in Early Childhood and looked at numerous preschools for my twin boys. Hastings Ranch Nursery School is by far the best preschool I have ever encountered. The adult to child ratios are unheard of. Most days my boys have five adults in their class of 15 to 16 children. The children here are so happy and are truly loved by the parents and staff alike. Each day new opportunities to learn are made available. I love being able to interact so openly with my boys teachers and to also be a part of their learning experience. In short, I would highly recommend HRNS to any parent. read more

Hastings Ranch truly is a family of families. We all work together to achieve what is best for our children. My child has flourished since he began and I attribute that to caring, loving, and dedicated teachers. As a family we have made life long friends and we have become better parents from all that we have learned. HRNS' philosophy of learning through play and building life long learners has proven to be the right fit for our family. My son has the skills for kinder and has developed a love for learning. Thank you HRNS! read more

Both of our kids go to school at HRNS and it has been a fantastic experience. Excellent staff--they really connect with the kids and are very knowledgable. We especially love the 2 yr. old teacher, Ms. Minnette. She can handle your toddler on their worst day with a genuine smile. This is a co-op, so all parents are required to be involved at the school--it's not for you if you need to drop and run. But it's a great place to get to know other families and be a part of your kids first school experience. read more