Six years, three kids, and endless gratitude!…read more We have been with Happy Minds Kids Academy for six years now, and we couldn't be more grateful for the love, support, and care they've provided our family. We first started when our oldest was two, right in the height of the pandemic and fresh off welcoming his younger brother. From day one, the team was an incredible support system for us. All three of our children have attended Happy Minds: both of our older boys went here before transitioning to public school, and our 3-year-old daughter is currently thriving here. A few things that make Happy Minds truly special: Inclusivity & Thoughtfulness: As a family with two dads, we have always felt deeply seen, respected, and celebrated, especially during holidays like Mother's Day and Father's Day. Genuine Partnership: When our middle son went through a tough phase with emotional regulation, the staff didn't just manage the situation, they partnered with us, worked on thoughtful strategies, and supported him through every rough moment with patience and grace. Lasting Relationships: The environment is so warm that even now, our school-aged boys love coming along for morning drop-offs just so they can pop in and visit their favorite former teachers! Happy Minds is far more than a childcare center; they are truly an extension of our family. We feel so blessed to have found them six years ago!

We have had such an outstanding experience with Happy Minds! Our family is so blessed to have found…read moresuch an amazing school for our children. The staff is caring, friendly, supportive, and has helped our children learn and grow so much. It is clear they truly care about the kids, and we always feel comfortable knowing our children are in a safe & fun filled environment. We highly recommend! 10/10 and above!!

LPPP in Mission Viejo was recommended to us by a friend who had her 3 children attend and are now…read morealumni. We did a walk-through of the school and didn't need to look anywhere else. Our son started with the Parent & Me classes. It was a great way to ease kids and parents into the world of play-based preschool. The Parent & Me classes are led by Teacher Jackie (all the teachers are amazing, btw) and she not only prepares your child for preschool by focusing on the child's well-being and social emotional skills but the parents as well on managing expectations around this age and how to help reinforce the lessons learned at LPPP by implementing them into your home. I can honestly say that attending these classes made me more comfortable when it came time to start the 3-year-old classes and initiate drop offs. Our son now attends the 3-year-old class and is really thriving. We watched our only child learn how to engage with other children and follow direction better. He's now formed friendships with his classmates. He loves learning about different cultures, exploring the sciences, and listening to stories but his favorite is still playtime. Parents also continue to be educated at monthly meetings in order to support their children inside and outside the classroom. LPPP is special in that it gives the parents opportunities to engage and contribute to the school. It has been such a blessing being there to watch my son learn and grow at LPPP. We've already signed him up for next year!

When I say this school is an OC hidden gem, it's an understatement! My daughter had the privilege…read moreof attending Lppp for the last two years and I'm beyond grateful. I have never met a group of teachers that  cared so much about each individual child's needs. Our first year there, my daughter was struggling with transitions especially during pick up time. Teacher Jackie went out of her way to come up with a plan to help my daughter. She would also walk with us to our car to help minimize any additional behaviors. I don't know many schools where the director of the school will walk you to your car to help with your child's transitions. Any emotional or behavioral concerns the teachers will come up with a game plan and implement it to help your child grow. The support they offer is unmatched. Also, every month is educationally play themed and so much fun for the kids. My daughter was excited everyday for school. She loved lppp so much. Everyday I dropped her off, I knew she was in good hands. They also had monthly parent night where all the parents would get together and teacher Jackie would go over topics to help us parents implement support strategies for our kids. When I say this school cares, I mean it. It was truly a magical two years that I am forever grateful for.

This is an amazing place to send your kiddos! My child started going when he was 18 months. Before…read morethis he was at an in home daycare and we felt like he was starting to fall behind with speech and walking. Within a few weeks, village turned things around. Ms Marieva, Estephanie, Naghma from the infant room made us feel comfortable during our first two tours and even had him join a circle time before we committed and a meet and greet before he started. The teachers are so loving, kind but also firm. Regardless of what time of day we stopped by, the kids were well tempered and the teachers were calm. They also had a lot of crafts and fun pictures to take home. He moved up to the 2-3 class and Ms Lauren and Monika made it a smooth transition for him! They have Montessori time each day to choose and complete activities, tons of art and time playing outside. The owners Sam and Nayna are the cherry on top. They know all the kids and parents, are never too busy to chat or ask questions and didn't pressure us at all when we were touring, they wanted to make sure it was a good fit both ways. They proactively communicate and plan fun events for the entire school. In fact, teachers on a daily basis were highly communicative letting us know if they didn't eat much (in the infant class), why they changed their clothes if dirty and if they seemed to feeling under the weather. Highly recommend this place, you will not regret it!!

My dear son attended Village Montessori Center from the age of 2 through 5, and I couldn't be more…read moregrateful for the incredible experience he had during those important early years. From the very beginning, every teacher and staff member welcomed him with warmth, kindness, and genuine care. Over the years, he's grown in every way possible. Academically, he was gently and thoughtfully guided through foundational skills like writing, reading, and basic math, all while engaging in creative art projects and fun hands-on activities that made learning exciting (I'm also incredibly grateful for the support I received in those early years with milestones like potty training). But beyond academics, what I'm most thankful for is how much confidence he's gained. When he first started, he was quite shy. But through the loving support of his teachers and the nurturing environment at VMC, he's blossomed into a confident, social, and joyful little boy. Now that he's started kindergarten, he is not only well-prepared academically, but he's thriving and making friends easily and adjusting beautifully to a new classroom environment. I'd like to give a very special thank you to Ms. Nayna, whose patience and unwavering support made such a difference in my son's journey. She always went above and beyond--not only by treating every child with love and care, but also by taking extra care to check and make sure my son's allergies were avoided. Her attentiveness and kindness meant the world to us. Thank you to everyone at VMC for laying such a strong foundation and making his transition to kindergarten such a smooth and successful one. We will always look back on these years with deep appreciation and gratitude!

As a First 5 Orange County Commissioner, appointed by the OC Board of Supervisors three times to…read moreoversee county programming of children 0-5, I can tell you STAY AWAY. I can recommend other preschools: ENC, Community Seedlings Preschool, LePort Montessori, Guidepost Montessori, Newport Coast Child Development Preschool, any of the Head Starts or state preschools, ECLC (Irvine), dozens of other great schools. If it is Montessori you want, this is not a true Montessori school because they don't even practice what Maria Montessori taught. The owner clearly doesn't take discrimination or inclusion that seriously because she shows no effort to outreach or work with children with disabilities. To me this demonstrates that she clearly cannot handle anything that isn't exactly how she wants it to be. Her assertion that they were found to be in full compliance is not truthful or accurate, there was "no finding for further action," which is not a finding of full compliance, but I think this may be above her head. It was a her word against mine issue, where it could not be proved, not that it was found not to have happened. Remember OJ was found not guilty beyond reasonable doubt, he was not found innocent. The "scheduled meetings" were offered only AFTER my daughter was removed from the acceptance list, and put back on the waitlist, only to wait how long? For the owner to continue to string us along? No thank you. Why would we want to go to such a school when they have such discriminatory practices? There was NO meeting offered in order to process enrollment when we were told there was a spot for us, my daughter was removed from enrollment before we were even told of the decision that she could not enroll due to being disabled. It is all utterly disgusting. It actually was a blessing in disguise to be hurt in such an awful way, because I would only want my child to be somewhere where she is truly wanted and accepted, as in the programs she has attended (without any accommodations for her disabilities, by the way, so she would have thrived in a Montessori classroom). And we stopped communicating because there was no point. We didn't send our typical child there because we didn't want her polluted with the owner's promotion of her own caste system and eugenic philosophies. The owner can lie and spin all she wants, like with every excuse she has with every negative review! No one is so perfect that *every* complaint is not even an ounce their fault. The fact that not even once in any replies to negative reviews does she ever admit even a teeny tiny mistake or a misunderstanding, just plain and simple everyone else is the problem and she is perfect, should be a red flag to readers of these reviews. It shows that she just spins everything, or maybe she is just delusional and actually believes her alternate reality. There are multiple comments here dating back years that relay a very similar experience about discriminating against children who she thinks will not be picture perfect robots: Jennifer P.'s review from Apr 23, 2021 or Dara M. from Apr 28, 2016. Don't fall for the disproportionate number of reviews from people who have only written one review and it is about this place. I think most people can see what I'm talking about. The owner claims to have a faith in God, so it is between her and her maker how she treats and has treated the most vulnerable and fragile children with such utter disregard and in such an ugly way, like they are disposable, when they are deserving of nothing but acceptance and love. One has to ask, why would I stake my reputation to make these statements so publicly? I am more than open to discussing details further with anyone who wishes to reach out to me. ALL I am saying is do your homework. If you are a current parent, consider: are there any children with noticeable disabilities? Maybe you agree with the owner and don't want your child learning alongside a child with disabilities. I've heard it from a lot of people, so it doesn't shock me. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, and to raise their children how they see fit, but that doesn't mean that the owner doesn't discriminate and that we weren't handled in the most insensitive and cruel of ways.

My wife and I couldn't be happier with our experience at Mission Montessori. Our son has been…read moreattending since he was just 6 months old, and it's been incredible to watch him grow through each stage from the infant room, to the toddler room, and now into the primary room. Our son's development has progressed tremendously, and we truly credit the school and the amazing teachers who have guided him along the way. Each classroom transition has been smooth and thoughtful, and every teacher he's had has played a meaningful role in his growth, both academically and socially. The staff at Mission Montessori have been exceptional. They are not only highly skilled, but also genuinely kind, patient, and understanding. It's clear that they care deeply about each child's development and well-being, and that shows in the way our son talks about his teachers and his day. Our son especially enjoys the soccer classes on Thursdays and the hands-on work activities that keep him engaged and excited to learn. It's been wonderful to see him develop independence, confidence, and a love for learning at such a young age. We are incredibly thankful that our son has the opportunity to attend Mission Montessori. We truly believe this school is giving him a strong foundation that will help him be successful for the rest of his life.

If you're seeking a preschool that has the most nurturing staff and fun environment, this is the…read moreplace to be! Faith-based values, academics and amazing school events are all icing on the cake! We have been a Marguerite Christian family for 6 years and counting. Have been blessed to be able to send our kids here from 3 years old to kindergarten. The only thing I would change is that they need to offer grades beyond kindergarten. Don't hesitate to schedule a tour and meet the sweet director and staff!

There are a lot of wonderful things about this school; I could go on and on, however there are a…read morefew that make it stick out from other schools that are really important to note: 1. Most of the staff has been there for many years. The teacher who taught my now 15-year old niece is still teaching. It says a lot about the positive and stable environment for both the students and staff. The director, Jynette and other staff stand outside each morning greeting families. All the teachers know students by name. 2. They do a great job of building a foundation for future academic success. All three of my kids went there. My oldest who is now 8 and middle child who is now 7 both entered the public school (after attending Kinder) more prepared than most other students. The TK teacher, Mrs. Roma is absolutely incredible. Your child will grow leaps and bounds in one year with her. My three year old currently goes there and has Mrs. Navarro who she adores. 3. The playground is huge and they do a great job of indoor/outdoor time. There are also additional classes that can be added including dance class, sports class, karate, etc providing a well-rounded education that goes beyond academics. They also attend chapel each week where they learn new bibe verses, sing and dance! 4. They do a great job of keeping things clean! Hand washing before and after meals, sanitizing tables, etc. I could not recommend this school more. We have always hoped they could extend to support grades past Kindergarten bc it is always so sad to leave such a great school!!

We are so grateful for the wonderful experience our son - Robin had at this school. Mrs. Anderson…read morehas been an absolutely amazing kindergarten teacher -- caring, patient, encouraging, and truly passionate about teaching. She made our son feel safe, loved, and excited to learn every single day. We have seen tremendous growth in his confidence, academics, and social skills this year. One thing that really stands out about this school is how genuine and personal the environment feels. It is incredible how the teachers and staff remember every child's name as well as the parents. From morning drop-off to pick-up, they always greet families with warmth and kindness, which makes everyone feel welcomed and valued. That level of care and attention truly means so much to parents. The entire school staff has been supportive and dedicated throughout the year. It is clear that the teachers genuinely care about each child's development and well-being, not just academically but emotionally too. Thank you, Mrs. Anderson and the entire school team, for making kindergarten such a memorable and meaningful experience for our family. We will always appreciate the love, dedication, and positivity you bring to your students every day.

Miss Basrur, Miss Dokovic, Miss Frost, Miss Anderson, Miss Izabel, and Miss Natalie have been such…read moreincredible teachers for our two kids who attend Stratford. The entire school staff are so dedicated to the kids and families at Stratford in helping them succeed and become leaders. We could not be happier with this amazing school community who values every child and family that walks through their doors!! We highly recommend this school and are so excited to be part of this wonderful community!!!

We absolutely love it here! Ms. Rosy and Mr. Mike take amazing care of our kiddos and my son is…read morealways happen when I pick him up.

Our daughter attended Creative Minds at the Irvine campus and had the opportunity to see the…read moreMission Viejo location for a few weeks. Even with different teachers and in a new building it felt right at home for her, which is to say it was welcoming, kind and safe. It was telling that she would come home each night full of stories about what she did during the day and be excited to go back the next day. Great place for young kids to blossom!

Marina View School has been an amazing experience for our family. Ms. Reshma is an outstanding…read moreowner and leader who has built a truly special program with an incredible team of teachers and staff. The level of care, communication, structure, and positivity throughout the school is exceptional. The teachers are patient, attentive, and passionate about what they do, and the overall environment feels welcoming, safe, and supportive. It is clear that a lot of thought and heart goes into every part of the program. We highly recommend Marina View School to any parents looking for a place where their child will be encouraged, cared for, and thrive. Five stars!

We had such a wonderful experience with Marina View Preschool. My son attended for about 2.5 years,…read moreand leaving was genuinely emotional for our family when we moved away. From the very beginning, the staff created a warm, nurturing environment where he felt safe, supported, and excited to learn. He truly loved going to school every day which, as a parent, says everything. The program is thoughtfully structured with engaging activities that promote both learning and social development, and we consistently saw him grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity. The teachers clearly care deeply about the children and go above and beyond to create meaningful experiences. Communication was always strong, and we felt like true partners in our child's development. If we hadn't moved, we would have absolutely stayed. I highly recommend Marina View to any family looking for a caring, enriching preschool environment.