I can't say enough great things about Little Sprouts Preschool, Ms Michelle (think Wonder Woman meets Snow White), and her staff. We have a lot of experience with the daycares/preschools, especially those in Capitola, Aptos, Freedom areas and Little Sprouts is hands down the best in town. Ms Michelle and those she brings in are nurturing, present, creative, and earnestly care about and adjust for the individual child. We made the easy decision to keep our eldest in preschool instead of TK once we found exactly what we were missing in other schools. Thankful to have my youngest also enrolled for another year. Ms. Michelle is thoughtful when planning her classroom. From rotating stations to keep things interesting, bringing in as many lessons regarding the seasons and nature as possible; currently they have tad poles and baby chicks in the classroom, to working and communicating with the kiddos (and their parents) to keep a cohesive group dynamic. read more

My son attended Little Sprouts for three years and I am so sad to say goodbye! However, he is now emotionally, physically and academically prepared for kindergarten thanks to Ms. Michelle and her caring, fun learning environment. I especially love how Michelle teaches through talking about and observing nature and the changing of the seasons. read more

My daughter went to little sprouts preschool and loved it! Michelle runs a wonderful preschool where children thrive. My daughter loved all the projects that Miss Michelle did daily. She also loved gardening and playing outside-the fresh ocean air nearby- and healthy organic lunches! read more

My little girl began her preschool here at the age of 2. After my first time visit to check out the preschool, I knew this was the place. Michelle has been a godsend, a angel for our baby girl and I have not only seen her but all the children flourish and thrive during their years here in preparation for grade school. If there were more starts, I would give them! I am very confident in my recommendation for any parent who is looking for a safe, nurturing, and playful environment for their little ones to be cared for. :) read more

Our little sprout has grown so much over her first 6 months at Little Sprouts Preschool! She has become so engaged with her friends, is so observant of her surroundings and is always telling us about the new things she has learned. Miss Michelle is the sweetest, most caring teacher. She surrounds her students with a loving, safe, and magical world full of learning, cooperation, and wonder! We highly recommend Little Sprouts Preschool to all of our friends and neighbors! read more

Both my son and my daughter have attended Little Sprouts preschool over the past 6 years, and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the school, and Miss Michelle, who runs it. The children love the sense of community and warmth and fun, while they learn about science, nature, music, art, etc. I am often complimented on my children's compassion and respect for others, and a great deal of the credit for their foundational values and behavior goes to Michelle, who is the greatest example I can imagine for any child to look up to and learn from. read more

Little Sprouts School has given our daughter the most positive foundation we could ever ask for from which she has thrived and excelled! We started with Little Sprouts School when our daughter was under two years old and stayed with it through kindergarten. The strengths of the Little Sprouts program is in its productive structure and commitment to developing a child's entire spirit and skill set. Our daughter learned not only the necessary pre-academic skills for grade school, but also how to connect and communicate with other children and adults, performing as well as hands on arts, and a love for the natural world. I am most impressed with the literacy development and the STEM activities that Michelle has implemented for all of her students to engage in. We consider Michelle Cleland to be part of our family because she has nurtured and supported our daughter and given her the necessary skills, confidence and mindset to be successful in school and in life! Thank you Michelle and Little Sprouts School! read more

Finding Michelle was a true blessing for my family. We started our youngest at Little Sprouts as I returned to work when she was 19 months old. We had moved from Canada about a year and a half before and I had sincerely struggled finding what I considered to be a quality preschool program. I was so happy with Michelle's program that I also enrolled my then 4 year old. Not only did I see a connection between my children and Michelle, I felt that I also connected with her which gave me that piece of mind that all parents need when they entrust their children to the care of someone else. Michelle has helped us nurture our two children and shape their bubbly, creative and happy characters to where they are today. Her personality draws children to her and I am amazed at her calm and level demeanor when dealing with various situations that require different responses for different children. Her program has the kids learning about space, the environment, the ocean and much more not only through reading and drawing, but also through songs and creative play. I wanted a program that allowed my children to be just that, children, but also give them a solid foundation for when they started school. I have no doubt that I made the right and best choice for my children when I found Michelle. If it weren't for our move, I would have camped them both at Little Sprouts until it was absolutely mandatory that they start full time school. If you are able to get a spot, secure it and never let it go! read more

Little Sprouts is the best! We love Miss Michelle's preschool so much and truly appreciate all the love she pours into her program and the kind, sweet, and fun way she guides the children in various activities inside and out. Two of our boys attend Little Sprouts and we are so happy thad they are so happy going to school. The home based preschool has a wonderful vibe and areas inside and out for the kids to play and learn with both structured and free play time. There is also the addition of two wonderful helper teachers Miss Darrienne and Miss Kathleen. They both bring a wealth of love and nurturing to this sweet school. Miss Kathleen is known for her Waldorf inspired wool puppets, dolls, and figures which she uses to tell stories that inspire and delight. Truly magical all around and any child would be very lucky to be a part of this wonderful community school. read more

We brought our two little girls to Little Sprouts a year ago and it was the best decision! Miss Michelle is so amazing and has a huge heart and interest in each and every one of the kids. She is so communicative and supportive when it comes to the day-to-day happenings whether it be big or small. she feeds the kids healthy and organic foods. They even have their own garden which the kids take pride in planting and harvesting. Miss Michelle teaches so much through wonderful projects, puppet shows, and so much more. It comforts me to know my children are in great care each day and feel that our 5 year old will be so prepared for starting kinder this fall. I have seen such a growth in both girls in the last year as far as confidence, independence, writing skills, etc, and BEST of all- they are HAPPY! read more

Our little boy has been attending this preschool for about a year now, and it has been such a blessing.The proof is in the children- they adore their teachers and absolutely thrive. They are taught respect, manners, and above all love, always in a gently way. This school is wonderful! read more

My daughter has been attending Little Sprouts for an entire school year. After re-locating from the mid-west and attending a preschool in the city, we wanted to find a place that would give our daughter the smoothest transition possible. Little Sprouts was the first school we toured and Michelle was the first teacher we met, but we knew it was the right fit. Her loving and nurturing environment is amazing and puts us at ease leaving our daughter in her hands. She comes home singing songs about kindness, nature, and other things she learns at school. Her lessons are thematic and we are always fascinated by what she has learned each and every day. Though this school is more play-based, it is intricately woven with academic learning and my daughter is leaving with the skills necessary to enter kindergarten. read more

My son & daughter attended Little Sprouts from age 2 to "graduation". I hardly ever write reviews, but as a Mamma, my BIGGEST decision was choosing who would be a "second Mamma" to my babies. Michelle, or "Miss Sea Shell" as they nick named her cause, if you meet her, you will notice she kinda IS a magical mermaid Mamma, is in my opinion the BEST choice out there. She exudes love, patience, kindness, and is an expert with maintaining respectful boundaries. I am in awe of her. My children LOVE her and now in third and second grade, often express how much they wish to go back to preschool so they could spend more time with her. My kids effortlessly made the transition to kindergarten and were well prepared mentally and more importantly emotionally. They both know how to "use their words" better then most adults. The food is nourishing,organic, made from scratch by Michelle herself, often from vegetables grown in the garden that the kids attend to. Everyone wants to know what I did - my kids LOVE to eat healthy - kale, salad, veggies are favorites - I attribute it to Michelle training their taste buds. There is open space in the ocean air here to explore, play and get dirty. It's exactly the childhood I go to work for in order to give to my kids. Ask Michelle for my phone number - I am happy to talk with any family making this decision. read more