We were at Kensington for over a year and it was wonderful! The administration, teachers, and…read morefamilies make this place special and help shape our young ones. My child has developed long lasting positive habits and a love for learning that I attribute this school to. Montessori was excellent for our child. During one of the parent teacher conferences, one of the most influential pieces of guidance I received as a parent was given to us by Ms. Stacey. Her advice has shaped the growth of our child and was passed along to their following teachers. Safety is #1 at this school. It's a gift when you can drop off your child, and go about your day knowing they're developing, safe, and actually enjoy their experience. We like it so much that we requested to come back for the summer after our child has already graduated from the program!!

Kensington Montessori of Laguna Niguel has been an absolute blessing for our family. Our daughter…read morecurrently attends, and our son was here for 2.5 wonderful years before graduating to TK -- and we could not imagine a better early-childhood experience for both of them. It's rare to find a school that truly lives up to the Montessori philosophy, but Kensington is one of those special places that stands out from the crowd. While many schools simply use the "Montessori" name as a marketing label, this school genuinely embraces the principles: independence, hands-on learning, thoughtful redirection, and individualized attention. Ms. Stacy, Ms. Viviana, and Ms. Yulia are incredibly communicative, warm, and attentive -- the type of educators who not only know your child, but truly understand them. The community here is just as exceptional. The school regularly hosts interactive activities and parent gatherings that bring everyone together. Our kids were always excited to go to school each morning, and even after pickup they loved playing with friends on the playground. The moms have formed amazing friendships as well -- getting together both with and without the kids, which speaks to how strong and welcoming the parent community is. The location is another plus: a beautifully maintained, safe campus perched on a hill near the town center, with an adjoining church that has always been friendly and receptive. Kensington Montessori is one of those rare finds that exceeds expectations in every way. We're incredibly grateful for the loving foundation they've provided for both of our children. Highly, highly recommend.

Choosing a preschool is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a parent, and after having two…read morechildren attend Pacific Preschool's San Elijo Hills campus, I can honestly say it has been one of the best decisions we've made. Our oldest started at Pacific during COVID, which was an especially stressful time to be a new parent. I was also pregnant with our second son, so finding a preschool where we felt completely comfortable and supported meant everything. Even during such an uncertain season, the staff created a warm, consistent, and loving environment that gave us so much peace of mind. We always felt that our son was safe, cared for, and genuinely known by his teachers. Fast forward a few years, and now our youngest is enrolled at the same school. It's been so special returning as a family and seeing familiar faces. There's something incredibly comforting about a school where the teachers remember your family and truly invest in your children's growth over the years. One thing I've always appreciated is how closely the teachers partner with parents. They've helped us navigate everything from separation anxiety to developmental milestones with kindness, patience, and great communication. As working parents, having dependable childcare is important, but what we've found at Pacific Preschool is so much more than that. It's a place where our boys have been encouraged, celebrated, and loved. I'd also like to give a special thank you to Jessica, the director. Her leadership has helped create a culture that feels welcoming, organized, and genuinely family-centered. You can tell she cares deeply about both the children and the staff, and it shows in the positive atmosphere throughout the school. Watching our oldest successfully transition into elementary school with confidence, and now seeing our youngest thrive in the same nurturing environment, has only reinforced how grateful we are that we chose Pacific Preschool. If you're looking for a preschool where your child will be cared for by people who truly love what they do, I highly recommend the San Elijo Hills location.

I have been part of the Pacific Preschool family for 3 years now. My son attended two years in the…read morepreschool program and my daughter is currently in her second year of the preschool program. I have always had the best experience with the school and all of the staff members. It truly feels like a family there. The staff are always so welcoming when I drop my kids off for the day and when I pick them up. I regularly get updates from my child's teachers, and have even had other staff share special interactions that they have had with my child on given days. My son struggled a bit with impulse control and transitions in the classroom and, his teacher was very patient and offered so much support. I often had meetings with the director and teacher on ways that we could all work together to help my son be the most successful. He is now moving on to first grade and I'm so grateful for his time at Pacific because it really helped prepare him for elementary school. His teacher often reminded me that raising children takes a village and she always felt like a major part of mine. My daughter loves school and going everyday but drop offs can sometimes be hard for her. Saying goodbye to Mommy/Daddy can be challenging for kids but all of the teachers out on the play yard offer so much support to help comfort my daughter and the other kids that may have a difficult time separating from their parents. I know my kids are safe and in great hands when I leave them for the day.

I can't say enough great things about Childtime of Laguna Niguel and the care they've provided for…read moremy 11-month-old daughter, Laylah. From day one, the staff has been incredibly warm, attentive, and genuinely caring. It gave me so much peace of mind knowing that Laylah is in a safe and nurturing environment every day. The teachers are very patient and engaged--they take the time to understand each child's needs and personality. I've seen so much growth in Laylah, both socially and developmentally, since she started attending. She's always happy when we drop her off and just as happy when wepick her up, which speaks volumes. The facility is clean, organized, and well-maintained, and communication from the staff has been excellent. They keep me updated on Laylah's day, which I really appreciate as a parent. I'm truly grateful for the love and care they show my daughter. I highly recommend Childtime of Laguna Niguel to any parent looking for a trustworthy and supportive daycare.

We are really happy with our experience with our son's care at ChildTime. As two full-time working…read moreparents, the proximity to home and drop-off/pick-up hours were a big initial consideration as we selected a facility for our (then) 4 month old son. The confidence, engagement, and genuine love and openness the caregivers had for the children upon our initial visits really came through to us as well. I didn't have those "first drop off" jitters with my baby on that first day, due to my confidence in the caregiving team, and that has continued for the past 2 years! We were so appreciative of Ms. Maty and Ms. Suhair in Infants, they gave him so much love and cuddles and attention to develop and grow! His experience in Toddlers was wonderful as well, with Ms Ursula and Ms Aalia's teaching. He's recently moved up to the next class and seems to come home with a new skill or trick daily, and is always happy. Some general highlights: - Food and diapers included- wow, this makes life easy for us all (no packing lunchboxes each night), and the food is nutritious and varied. He's become a great eater by watching his peers and digging in! - Sleep- I was worried about his naps at first with lights on (for safety) but he adapted early on and now is the BEST sleeper, even at the beach, airport etc. He gets good rest with lots of fun play to wear him down. - Learning plans- lesson plans are communicated, and any questions we have are always welcomed and discussed. The teachers are happy to give and take feedback, and report progress. Lots of book reading, and guided play. *He's known his ABC's since 16 months old, had Brown Bear and farm animals/sounds memorized, and at 2 years already had Polar Bear, colors, shapes and counting to 20 down cold. Not every kid is like this I'm sure, but he gets lots of learning and it shows.* He hates coloring but give it time, right? - Communication- the SproutAbout app is great for keeping up with him during the day, and sending quick questions or getting updates from teachers or the leadership team. They're very responsive. If we ever have questions, we ask and the team is very open and responsive. (When in doubt, ask!) - Play/mixed rooms- I read in other comments that it may feel a bit overwhelming with the bigger groups in the morning drop-offs... I can understand that, especially if a child has just moved up as our son has. However, it has helped him acclimate and grow, and we feel that his independent play with bigger groups has helped his development and confidence. - Conflicts/illness- they keep a close eye out for children showing symptoms of a cold, or fever to keep the other kids healthy, and promptly communicate if our son isn't well. He also had a bee sting recently and was immediately attended to (and we were called ASAP). They also take care to de-escalate conflicts with the kids in a firm yet gentle way to teach emotional regulation. - Special school events are planned, which is a nice way to meet other parents and give the children new opportunities to play and learn. We appreciate the learning and thoughtful care our son has received as he continues to grow. Thanks, team ChildTime! PS- no photos included out of privacy for our son and other families, but we get pictures of him daily.

This school is amazing. I have two of my boys attended here and my youngest daughter is starting…read moresoon. Tamara and Tia are super helpful and diligent. Teachers/Instructors are very nice as well. The school has many programs such as Art, Clay, Dance, Music, Sports etc. They have half/full day part/full time schedules with options to have extended care and pricing is better than anything I seen around here. Give it a shot and you'll like it.

I was really looking forward to a positive experience here, but I cannot in good conscience…read morerecommend this place. Every time I picked my son up the lead teacher would have a problem with him. I can tell she just didn't like him and he was being treated differently by her. The assistant was nice and seemed caring towards him, but the lead teacher had a strong bias against him. I wonder why they accept 18 month olds when they expect them to behave like 2.5 year olds. I could tell my son was learning new things, yet the lead teacher would never say anything nice about him, she would only tell me negative things. He went from a very happy, curious boy to being very upset and rebellious. When raising those concerns to the director, she brushed us off and told us we could look for other schools. When we asked if he could be switched to another class that was also met with a no. I think due to their long wait list, they don't really care to work with parents or improve the child's experience.

My daughter has blossomed in the last two weeks since she's started attending preschool here!…read more We chose this school purely based on how my daughter's face lit up during the tours. We toured a few schools and she did not like any of them until we visited this school. Ms. Pei and Ms. Betty from the bilingual classroom were both so warm and welcoming, and made my daughter so excited about starting school from the first time we toured their class! Before starting school, she was so shy and timid and would often avoid playgrounds with too many people. She would hide when people say hi to her, and run away from kids who tried to play with her. Ever since she started school here, she suddenly became a social butterfly! And she would wake up every morning excited to go to school and play with her friends! We seriously are so happy and thankful for all the teachers here for caring for our daughter and helping her overcome her social anxiety!

We started sending our precious baby, M, here when she was 9 months old. She is now 14 months old…read more We chose LNMC because without exception, the staff are so warm, welcoming and thoroughly trained in authentic Montessori education. (Any school can use the Montessori name, so just because a school says they are "Montessori" does not mean they implement it correctly or to a quality standard.) if you want the true Montessori experience, you will definitely want to tour this school. Baby M lights up every morning when she sees her teachers, and even though she misses us when we leave, I always have *complete* confidence and peace of mind leaving her there because I know she is loved, and her physical, cognitive and emotional needs are more than met. Teachers are flexible and understanding and communicative about the many particular and constantly changing needs (feeding schedule, switching from bottle to cup, encouraging solids and naps, etc) of Baby M. In the infant room, they support and follow whatever daily schedule your child follows at home. M did have trouble napping in a classroom at first (because she just wants to keep playing with everyone) but she is napping well now. The school feels like a community. Even the teachers of the older kids know Baby M and always say hello to her (we typically have to stop a couple times on the way to her classroom in the morning because she is a very social baby and wants to give the other teachers morning hugs). The school also hosts various celebrations, such as "Muffins with Mom" for Mothers Day and "Donuts with Dad" for Fathers Day. For Muffins with Mom, I got to hang out one morning after drop off to eat muffins and fruit with M and the other mothers. It was lovely. They even set up a back drop for Mother's Day for us to take a picture together and regularly send kids home with product art on holidays. I am not the biggest fan of product art (vs process art) as a learning tool, but I admit I LOVE these keepsakes and will keep them forever. We also had the opportunity to volunteer at the Scholastic book fair and to purchase books for M's classroom. Ms. Athana and Ms. Danielle (administration) keep the school very secure, the children safe, help support teachers on the daily and in their professional growth, and are always approachable. They are so kind and patient with our "new parents sending our baby to preschool for the first time" and other ongoing questions/concerns. (We had raised concerns about M not napping, which they completely understood and helped us resolve.) Other notes: the classrooms are very clean, well-organized, full of cognitively stimulating materials (but not cluttered) and have beautiful natural light. There is a kindergarten classroom if you want the option for your child to go the Montessori kindergarten too. The front door can only be opened with your own personal code (love the security), and check in and check out are done using the Procare app (easy, convenient). You will get daily updates via the app about when your child is eating, sleeping, and when they've had diaper changes. Teachers will also occasionally send photos of what your child does during the day. It is a nice connection to have to them throughout my workday. Clearly, we (and Baby M!) love this school. I highly recommend a tour if any of these positives resonate with you. If you do so soon, Baby M will likely greet you at the door of the infant room .

Like many parents, I read the reviews before enrolling my son at St. Anne's, and I'll admit, I was…read morehesitant. Some of the concerns raised gave me pause. But as we near the end of our third year (currently finishing 4th grade), I feel compelled to share our experience because I'm genuinely glad we chose this school. No school is perfect, and yes, we've had our challenges here and there. But overall, St. Anne's does an outstanding job across many levels. My son is not only thriving academically, he's also genuinely happy. The school strikes a wonderful balance between being firm and structured, while maintaining a warm, positive environment where kids are encouraged and challenged to grow. One of the highlights for us has been the next-level extracurricular offerings and the way St. Anne's integrates experiential learning in every grade level. These hands-on experiences really resonate with the kids and make learning more fun and meaningful. Our first year was a bit rocky, while St. Anne's is a private school and doesn't follow public school IEP protocols, the principal at the time (Mrs. Bournazian) went above and beyond to work with his teacher and me to put support systems in place to help him suceed. When she became Head of School, I was a little nervous that our dynamic might shift, but the transition has been seamless and honestly, the school has continued to flourish under her leadership. We still feel incredibly supported by both the administration and teachers. Speaking of teachers, we've been very fortunate. Each year, my son has had passionate, caring educators who are truly invested in their students' growth. I've heard some concerns among parents about staff turnover, but having experienced two other schools (one public and another well-known private school in OC), I can say this is fairly typical. Teachers move on for all kinds of reasons, what matters more is the consistency of care, and we've always felt that here. With the exception of one long term sub that was not ideal, we've had outstanding teachers from 2nd to 4th grade. The music program is beyond impressive, Mr. Yaple works wonderfully with kids of all ages. Same for the arts program, the school puts on a more professional production than some theater houses in LA. This is a school that provides the opportunity for all kinds of kids to thrive. Socially, like many schools, St. Anne's can feel a bit cliquey at times, but we've also met some truly amazing families, and my son has built wonderful friendships. All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend St. Anne's. I'm grateful we ignored the negative reviews and gave it a chance.

As a parent, I am extremely disappointed with our experience at St. Anne. I expected a school that…read morewould provide a supportive and positive environment for students, but instead I found poor communication, inconsistent treatment of students, and a lack of accountability when concerns were brought to the administration. Rather than working with families to resolve issues, it often felt like our concerns were dismissed. The school seems more focused on protecting its reputation than addressing real problems that affect students. Rules are not enforced fairly, and favoritism appears to play a role in how situations are handled. For the tuition families pay, I expected much better leadership, transparency, and care for students' well-being. I would not recommend this school to other parents unless meaningful changes are made. Every child deserves to feel supported, respected, and treated fairly, and unfortunately that was not our experience.

I truly don't think there are enough words to describe how special Sunflower Montessori is to me. I…read morewas lucky enough to grow up there, starting in Ms. Lisa's preschool class and continuing into Ms. Angela's kindergarten class, and even at such a young age, I remember how incredibly warm, loving, and safe the environment felt. It wasn't just a school, it was a place where I felt deeply cared for, understood, and encouraged to be myself. The teachers at Sunflower Montessori are something truly rare. They lead with so much kindness, patience, and genuine love for every child. Looking back, I can confidently say I could not have been placed in better hands during those formative years of my life. What makes this place even more meaningful to me is that my relationship with Sunflower didn't end when I left as a student. I had the opportunity to come back and work there part-time, which only deepened my appreciation for everything they do. Seeing the environment from the other side, I was even more inspired by the dedication, thoughtfulness, and heart that goes into every single day. I went on to attend Chapman University, where I studied Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a themed inquiry in Law and Public Policy, and I truly believe the foundation I built at Sunflower helped shape who I am today. The confidence, curiosity, and sense of self I developed there has stayed with me throughout my life. To this day, Sunflower Montessori is still a huge part of my life. They have stayed connected with me through every stage, always checking in, always supporting me, and always celebrating my milestones. I make sure to keep them updated on all of my major accomplishments because their support means so much to me. They were even invested in my interview process as I worked toward landing my dream job, which speaks volumes about the kind of people they are. Sunflower Montessori is more than just a school, it has become family to me. These are people who I know will be there for me for the rest of my life. I could not have asked for a better start in life, and I will forever be grateful for the love, guidance, and foundation they gave me. If you're considering this school for your child, just know that you are placing them in the most caring, nurturing, and genuine environment possible.

My 3 children attended Sunflower for pre-k through 1st grade. The teachers and staff are amazing…read more The facilities are efficient, clean and have easy access for drop off and pick up. Highly recommended for a great non public school education.

Highly recommend Goddard. My son is thriving in that school. This is not just a day care, they…read moreactually learn a lot and are well taken care of.

I loved coming here very much because I had a lot of nice teachers and friends. They were super…read morenice and friendly to me, good value, and I enjoyed kindergarten.