We loved our two years at Irvine Community Nursery School! It's a truly special play-based, parent-participation program where kids get plenty of time to explore, interact, and develop social skills. Our daughter started at just 3 years old, freshly potty trained, and transitioned more easily than we expected. In the first year she enjoyed school, and in the second year she really blossomed--literally running towards the classroom in the mornings. Watching her grow into her own identity, separate from mom and dad, was amazing. As parents, we valued the chance to volunteer in class and see her development firsthand. We even took on the role of school webmasters in our second year. Juggling schedules wasn't always easy, but it was worth it. We left with not only wonderful memories, but friendships we hope will last. This program deserves all the recognition it can get! Families should be lining up for the chance to enroll. read more

Having my daughter starting preschool at ICNS was one of the best decisions we've made . I especially appreciate all the play-based learnings, multi-culture appreciation, fun activities such as the trike-a-thon, field trip to the zoo and pizza. Ms Donna and Bushra are dedicated, warm, and extremely knowledgeable in early childhood development. Parent participation can feel challenging at times but it also forces you to be involved with your child's school and it's 100% worth seeing your child looking so happy that you're part of their class! read more

Our daughter started at ICNS shortly after she turned 3 and it has been absolutely wonderful for her. I fell in love with the school and teachers instantly. My daughter loves being outside, and getting messy, and that is a big part of their day. Everything about the school is set up for young children to play, explore and learn new skills. Our child has grown both emotionally and socially since she began attending and we are very thankful for the community that the school provides. The teachers are incredible and you can tell they love what they do. Ms. Donna and Ms. Bushra get to know each child, and family, so well and it shows in each interaction they have. I have also learned a lot as a parent through watching the teachers and the days in which I volunteer. Since parents are involved in the school you really feel a sense of community and find that other parents sincerely care about the well being of your child. I feel confident each time I drop her off for her school day and she is always excited. She is about to return for her second year and has asked "when does school start" all summer long. We just had our second baby and we plan to send him to ICNS as well. read more

LOVE everything about this school, teachers, methods, games, kids, parents, events ... its been a great part of helping ryan grow up in the best way possible ... The only thing is that its only 3 hours a day and with a full time working mom like me it becomes challenging ... read more

Irvine Community Nursery Preschool was a monumental stepping stone for my son. He was able to play, explore and be his authentic self. This was his first exposure for preschool at the age of 3.5 and he loved every minute of it. Thank you to the teachers and other families for making it a beautiful growing experience for him. -Kasey Jones- read more

My kiddo attended Summer school and the parent and me classes. He definitely had lots of fun. There were plenty of activities for him to do. read more

This school was absolutely hands down the best thing to happen to my kiddo. We started in the parent and me class then moved up to the 2-day class. As a result, my child was incredibly prepared for kindergarten. Her current teacher said that she is one of the brightest and most mature in her class. That is all thanks to Ms Donna and her team at ICNS. Under their care, the kids learn how to communicate effectively and how to socialize with others. The diversity is amazing. As a woman and mother of color, it really warmed my heart to see so many different cultures represented and appreciated in the school. ICNS is amazing for the parents as well. As a co-op you are required to work in the classroom and attend meetings. As a first time parent, you learn age appropriate milestones and behaviors, how to handle difficult situations, how to communicate to toddlers, etc...you also make life long parent friends. It really is a community. Honestly, I MISS our ICNS days. We LOVE them. Ms Donna truly LOVES her kiddos...each and every one of them. She treats them as her own. read more

This co-op is a gem and everything we wanted in a preschool. It is play based, encourages open ended play, fosters creativity, and encourages cooperation. The teachers are warm and engaging at every turn. Many years later, our daughter still talks about the huge fort they built during Earth Day, pancake breakfast with dad, learning to cut vegetables to make salsa, the airport play area, the trike a thon - too many to name! She is now a very self motivated student in a highly academic program with great social skills and I think it's in no small part to the developmentally appropriate play based program that we chose when she was 3-4. Thank you ICNS!! read more

This is my second review and now my 6th year at ICNS with my third child. This will be our final year at this school and I am just overcome with conflicting emotions. I'm sad. This school owns a part of my heart and my favorite years were spent here. Saying good-bye will be difficult. Proud, of both my soon to be graduating son, and myself. I have grown so much as a parent and definitely have honed those skills. It never gets easier, you get stronger, and ICNS has given me both the tools and the support. But mostly Gratitude. Gratitude to the teachers for their limitless patience, gratitude for the other families who have loved and treated my children as their own. ICNS is a place where our children are safe, both physically and expressively. It is a place where they are not judged by how they look, nor how they speak. The teachers foster and cultivate an environment of nurturing, enthusiasm and acceptance. If there is a negative, it would be that this school has stolen my heart so wholely that all other experiences pale in comparison. I love ICNS a bushel and a peck. read more

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This is our second year at ICNS and our family loves everything about this preschool! We have had such a pleasant experience being apart of this amazing community of parents and teachers who thrive to have the best possible experience for our children. We feel very comforted knowing that our daughter has a place to feel safe and loved while being at school. We are from out of town and the transition for our daughter from having so many family members and friends around to not knowing anybody was a bit hard at first until we joined ICNS. We have truly found a family away from home and now we have so many great friends we have met along the way during our journey at ICNS. Not to mention Mrs. Donna is absolutely wonderful with the children. She is very knowledgeable and resourceful. My daughter's personality has truly blossomed while being at ICNS and it is amazing to be apart of that experience first hand while working in the classroom. I am confident she will be well prepared when we transition into Kindergarten. read more

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I understand all the 5 stars as the teachers are great, and the mommy and me program is wonderful, however it kind of stops there. For the price it's good, but you have to keep in mind it's a co-op. This means 2.5 hour meetings once a month, 3 work days every 6 weeks (including brining snacks), and having a school job (running events, filing, pet care, supply inventory, etc.) If you miss ANY of those, or your kids are tardy or picked up late, on top of a bunch of other rules, you get charged fees. Worst of all, there is a mandatory fundraiser that you pay for, which negates the affordability of the school. Everything is a responsibility even if you enroll later or leave the school. Also, you need to keep in mind that this is a play based school. I observe children at many different preschools for special education assessments so I understand what different preschools are like. This school is more like a daycare than a school, in that they don't teach lessons. They have free play inside, free play outside, non-mandatory small group and 2 large groups (songs and storytime). For 1 year, this is fine, but any more then that, kids definitely need to learn more structure to prepare them for elementary school/kinder. Our daughter now attends the paid pre-school in her district and they follow standard common core. It's not that much more expensive either. Meaning she's taught to write letters, phonemic awareness, thematic units (space, countries, etc.). None of this is formally taught at this school. They attempt to have themes, but none of it is formally taught (e.g. parents may run a non-mandatory lesson on sticking letters on a paper). Again, it's what you want for your child as they're different approaches to education. The school is age-appropriate, however if you're looking for your child to learn to their potential, I would look into more structured programs. read more

ICNS has been such a great school for my kiddos! My son started at age 4 in the 3 day class and really thrived. His teachers were great at giving feedback, and being in the classroom on my working days allowed me to see how he was doing, and what he was learning. My daughter really loved seeing her brother go to school, so we started her at age 2 in the 2 day class. She absolutely loves it! I love being so involved in my kid's school. The teachers really care about the kids and want them to succeed and be ready for Kindergarten. I would recommend ICNS to any parent! read more

Irvine Community Nursery School - Halloween Costume Parade - Preschools Near Me - Irvine, California

The best play school for your child... The best starting of education, communication and social experience. Me and my kid experienced the best community there. So friendly and family like teachers and PTA. read more

This school is a hidden gem and I cannot say enough wonderful things about it. Three of my four children have had the privilege of thriving here, and our family has made many amazing friendships here. The school feels like family and I know that my children had the best care while they were here. Having taught preschool for many years, I was very picky when it came to finding a preschool for my children. I wanted them to have a space where they could create, imagine, investigate and play, because children are natural learners when given the freedom to play. The teachers here are knowledgable, fun, and kind and there isn't a day that my daughter doesn't tell me that her teachers are "the best ever!" In short, this school is magical and I highly recommend it! read more

Irvine Community Nursery School - Preschools Near Me - Irvine, California

We attended the parent and me class, and we loved it. The teachers -- Ms. Donna, Ms. Tanya and Ms. Bushra -- are so welcoming and gentle, and know how to handle all types of personalities, from outgoing kids to reserved ones. The inside class area is quite varied, with different stations for kids to explore, such as a kitchen, a library nook with books, a sensory table, baby dolls to dress and snuggle, as well as tables with art projects to participate in (or not, depending on what your child wants to do that day). The outside play area is also nice, and they provide trikes to ride, cars to drive, balls, sand toys, etc. It's a nice school that focuses on play-based learning. read more

A wonderful school experience for both my son and me to grow and learn. In this unique setting, I have had the privilege to really be a part of my son's preschool experience. I knew that I didn't want to entirely outsource my child's education nor do I want to keep them at home all day without preschool so this was the best middle ground between the two. Without family nearby and little knowledge on child development, I was desperate to learn how to better approach parenting and child rearing. This school gave me a perfect opportunity to learn, take notes, and practice how to speak to other kids, how do resolve conflicts, how to manage a classroom of children, how to bake apple pies, how to engage in conversation with children, and so much more. Life is just a collection of experiences. Thank you ICNS for providing me all these new life experiences. read more

My son lovessss this school and his teachers mrs Donna and Mrs bushra they are wonderful and amazing with the kids.

We love ICNS! I really like the parental involvement and being able to be a part of my child's learning. I myself am learning as well along the way! There is a wide variety of activities for the kids to do each day at school. The community between the teachers, parents and children is great. Can't say enough about the teachers-they are awesome! My daughter started at 2 in the parent and me program and will attend preschool here (ages 3-4) for the next two years. I am planning to do the same for my second daughter once she is old enough. read more

Attending ICNS has been a wonderful and rewarding experience for our entire family. This is more than just a regular preschool. It promotes community, in addition to all the regular things you would expect in a place for your little ones. The teachers are outstanding people, incredibly patient and kind. You can feel how the teaching styles and the interactions with the children have been passed down and fine tuned over years of experience. The outdoor playground is big and spacious and there are endless activities, toys, and games for both inside and outside. Lastly, and definitely not least, when it comes to the financial side, you will not find better value anywhere, most definitely in Irvine, and probably all of Orange County. read more

My daughter attended ICNS for two years and it was the most wonderful experience we could have every hoped for. The teachers are very experienced, creative, and caring. The parent involvement aspect was awesome because we got to learn along with our kids. Pros: Play-based Very creative Nurturing environment Parent-participation Very organized Experienced top-notch teachers Cons: If you're looking for a full-time preschool, this one is only 2-3 days a week. I love this preschool and highly recommend it! read more

I absolutely love and miss ICNS so much. My daughter attended icns for two years of preschool. She is now in first grade and still talks about how much she misses miss Donna and the school. read more

I love how my kids thrive at this wonderful community nursery school. The teachers here are experienced and have taught for decades. They love their jobs and I arrive here with warm greetings every morning and my kids can't wait to come back here every time. The price is reasonable and you build a long term relationship with other kids and parents. It feels like a big family. I strongly recommend this nursery school to everyone. read more

Co-op preschools in general are magical places! The families that want to be actively involved in their children's education are drawn to them and make them better each year. ICNS's playground looks out over the pond at Heritage park and is so much fun. The Director has been around forever and really loves, supports and believes in the program. The children are free to participate in all sorts of fun toys and activities throughout the school. Each day there are a few parents that oversee different stations. The stations change from painting, coloring etc, to play dough or goo, to helping cook snack, matching games and the list goes on. Because you are participating you get to know all of the kids, parents, and teachers really well. Most people think it could be too overwhelming but it's really not! I'm a mother of 4 ( ages 7, 5, 2, and 7 mos.) with my 2nd child going through the program and my 3rd about to enter. When you have a desire to be a part of an amazing program that will shape your children in a positive way for the rest of their life, any "burden" becomes pure joy as you watch and grow with them. read more

I can not say enough great things about this preschool. This is a developmentally appropriate school that allows children to play, explore, and learn in a safe and nurturing environment. The director and teachers are fun, creative and have an expertise like non other. I am grateful that we fell upon this hidden gem that gave my kids a great foundation. read more

My son's year at ICNS has been one of my favorite and most memorable experiences as a parent. The school and Ms. Donna create an inviting and unique learning experience for both kids and parents. Highly recommend! read more

I love this school because it has great teachers. As senior mothers and professionals, they turn my kid into a ready-to-learn boy. And I love this school because we, as grown-ups and parents, can learn and grow with other parents by co-operating and being a model for our children. read more

ICNS is a great place for your kids to learn to love school, develop friendships and learn to play with others.

What an amazing place to create memories with your child. I brought my first child here for 3 years and my second child's been here for 4 years. It's a play based education which makes it super fun for kids. They sure squeeze academics in a fun way. Here are some of my observations about this school: 1. I noticed teachers are always actively researching new project ideas. Sharing their creativity with students and parents. 2. No teacher turn overs. Same teachers for a long term. 3. Amazing grown-up to student ratio. There's always 2 teachers and 4 working parents. 1 grown-up to 4 student ratio. read more

We Absolutely LOVE the ICNS Family. It truly is a family. It is the perfect environment for children to explore, learn, and grow in. The Teachers are awesome and really invest themselves into the children. Love how parents take part in and are involved with the children's development. It has such thriving atmosphere! read more

I love this co-op preschool & will miss it next year, when my youngest starts kinder. We've spent 5 years here & have created such great memories. This is truly Irvine's hidden gem. Yes, the parents do have to volunteer a certain number of days per year, but its one of my favorite parts of this preschool. You get to know each child & their family & create an awesome little community for growing minds. read more

This is a wonderful co-op preschool with caring educators. Parent involvement is required and is truly what makes this school so special. My son has attended for 3 years and we're sad to put this chapter behind us. We have wonderful memories from ICNS! read more

We love ICNS! They provide such a warm and fun environment. The play based approach here helps kids develop a love of learning. My son has so much fun and learns new things every day. I love to hear him coming home and talking about new concepts. He was also very shy when we started and had a lot of anxiety about being dropped off. The teachers and volunteer parents have been so kind and patient with him. I'm so happy we've found a school that is such a great fit for our family! read more

Excellent co-op preschool with amazing teachers! My children loved to go to school each day. So happy to have found this gem!

This school is a hidden gem. Its philosophy towards learning is focused on play (a notion which has sadly become a rare commodity). The idea being that by cultivating a love for learning through exploration and hands on play, you are impressing upon young minds an innate desire and affinity for learning. The school's director, Ms. Donna has been at the helm for over 30 years and you will be hard pressed to find an instructor who is more gentle, patient, engaged, thoughtful and skilled as she. She recognizes the impact these formative years will have on young fragile minds as they develop into adults who will affect our world, for better or for worse. She is joined by two other phenomenal long-term highly skilled teachers who share her philosophy for teaching. What truly makes ICNS unique is the parent community and classroom involvement. I feel completely a part of my daughter's ongoing social and academic development. The transition from being at home to a school atmosphere has been virtually seamless. I couldn't possibly esteem and endorse this school any higher. read more

My grandson loves the school because of the interaction with so many kids his age. Wonderful teachers and my grandson looks forward to attending school each day. read more