My family has been very happy with Monarch. We've had two different children attend over the past three years, and we'll be keeping our youngest enrolled as well. The staff does a wonderful job meeting each child's individual needs while creating a nurturing environment where kids can grow, build friendships, express their creativity, and simply enjoy being kids. I know there are some older negative reviews, and yes, there was some drama during a year when we weren't enrolled. We ultimately chose to come back, and things have never been better. Those reviews reflect the past, not the Monarch we know today. They're also developing a great supplemental program for charter school students, which I think is a fantastic way to serve more families. It's obvious the educators genuinely care about children and the community they've built. What really makes Monarch special, though, is the current community of families. The parents who have chosen to stay have helped create an incredibly positive, supportive environment where the focus is on the children's well-being, encouraging one another, and strengthening the school. That kind of community is rare, and it has made Monarch an even more special place. It's refreshing to be surrounded by families who choose positivity and invest their energy in helping children thrive. I highly recommend checking it out. read more

I'm writing this as a balanced review because our experience here truly had both positives and challenges. First, I want to say how much I love the concept of this preschool. The play-based, outdoor, nature-focused learning environment is really special, and I was genuinely excited when my daughter started in August 2025 in the Caterpillar class. In the beginning, things were great. Communication was strong, and I appreciated the regular updates and posts that helped me feel connected to her day. However, after Mrs. Sarah left, there was a noticeable shift. Communication became less consistent, and some concerns started to come up. There were a few instances where my daughter figured out how to get out of the play area, which was understandably concerning. I also occasionally picked her up with a very full diaper that hadn't been changed, which added to my discomfort. Over time, I began receiving more frequent calls or texts asking me to pick her up early. Mrs. Karen shared concerns about my daughter's behavior and recommended that we pursue an evaluation and consider one-on-one support. While that was difficult to hear, I truly can't fault them for it, if it weren't for this recommendation, I may not have gotten my daughter evaluated as early as I did. Because of that, she is now in a preschool where she is thriving and getting the support she needs. This program is very free-flowing, which can be wonderful for many children. However, if your child needs more structure, routine, or individualized attention, it may not be the best fit. My daughter, who is mildly autistic, found the environment overwhelming at times without that added support. Overall, I think this preschool can be an amazing place for children who are able to communicate clearly, are potty trained (even though its not required), and can follow basic group instructions. But based on our experience, it may not be the right environment for every child. I'm grateful for the role this school played in helping us better understand our daughter's needs, even though our journey here ultimately led us in a different direction. read more

From the moment our daughter started at Monarch as a toddler, the school has been nothing short of life-changing. She had a speech delay, and Monarch worked with us every step of the way, staying flexible and communicative so we never felt like we were asking for too much. That support, paired with their nurturing, nature-based environment, helped her grow and thrive in beautiful ways. We're endlessly grateful, and we hope other families facing similar challenges feel encouraged to reach out, because this school will meet you where you are and help your child shine. read more

Don't be fooled by their responses. Just like their social media they're trying to cover their tracks. You can see in their message back to me that not only are they trying to fool you into thinking Monarch is a campus, big enough where the kids were perfectly safe with the group of strangers let on with no warning to the parents. You can see in her message her dismissal of many parents concerns. Saying "I apologized profusely" then an excuse comes. Mom to mom. Parent to parent. I can't say this enough what they have pit my family and all the families that have spoken up through is not something you or your children should go through. read more

Monarch Preschool - First day preschool sadly the school is as not what I thought and for safety we left. - Preschools Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Our family began our journey at Monarch Preschool back in 2019 when our middle daughter was a Caterpillar. It was our home away from home, the spot where our girls found so much joy in visiting during various BBQs and festivals, and the place where we truly felt a sense of community. Our daughter was a late walker and struggled with many physical tasks, but the teachers provided her a safe space to gain the confidence she needed. This support helped her in so many areas, but also allowed us as parents to learn more than we ever imagined. The former director Vanessa co-led parenting classes and would always give us invaluable feedback on ways we could help our children thrive. We always left feeling- these are our people, and this is our tribe. Monarch Preschool *was* magic. In Fall 2024, our youngest daughter was old enough to join Caterpillar class. Our whole family was elated to go back to our favorite place and see all of our old climbing trees, the fabulous garden, and the blooming milkweed. At that time, we noticed many things had changed. The grass was very sparse and the garden was dead and filled with weeds, yet tuition was much higher. It felt a lot less magical. But our favorite teachers, Vanessa and Haley, were still there so we remained confident that our daughter would have a wonderful experience despite what we saw. Fast forward to January 2025, our daughter was having a great experience at Monarch. We weren't thrilled about the garbage snacks they were being fed (Saltines) but we were able to bring our own so we made do. A few weeks into January, parents received an email at 11pm on a Thursday night saying our beloved teachers, Vanessa and Haley, were no longer going to be there due to restructuring. These teachers were ripped away from their tiny Caterpillar class- no warning, no goodbye, zero closure. We were gutted. How do you explain this to 2 and 3 year olds who absolutely adore their teachers and how do you help them understand these amazing teachers didn't abandon them? There was a lot of confusion amongst parents and we all wanted to know why. We are believers in critical thinking in our family so we began to ask some big questions. We talked with other parents and realized we all shared the same concerns. The more we asked, the more we realized they were hiding things. Parents were pacified with cold, heartless emails from the board and still not given specific answers as to particular bylaws that had been violated. I was present on the day that a few parents approached the board about the bylaws, which was also the same time that 2 families were expelled from the preschool. 3 children were torn away from their friends and teachers, simply because their parents asked for transparency. Something that every single preschool--more specifically a community non-profit preschool-- should openly provide to those asking. So please please be aware what you are getting into prior to enrolling. Even though we are no longer enrolled, we still have growing concerns on how the school is currently being managed and how the board is continuing to be divisive and nepotistic in their leadership policies. And don't be fooled by a rebrand because they will still remain dishonorable in every way they can. read more

I'm a Monarch veteran of almost six years. My son went there for 3yrs and absolutely loved it. He came out well rounded, confident, and capable. My wife and I planned the Legacy fundraiser one year, and a silent auction another year, raising around $25,000 for the school, which actually paid for the Literacy Lab that currently sits in the back corner of the school yard. I've painted the building, pulled weeds, and even wrote a detailed marketing plan for the school when butterfly enrollments were low. Fast forward several years later and my daughter was in the Chrysalis class. We were sitting in the very same literacy lab that we helped build, asking for the 501(c)(3) Bylaws because we were suspicious the new administration was not following the non-profit rules. The Preschool Admin (who is now the President of the Board) promised to email them right away and didn't. When I showed up before school the next day to get them she was acting very suspicious, lied to me about "not knowing the filing system" and then changed her story to say "I'm not sure I have authority to show you the physical copies." Shocked at her obvious deception, I walked into the yard 10 mins before school started and asked the Director for the bylaws, and she also refused. A few other parents and I pressed them with questions and were told "maybe this isn't the right school for you." Needless to say, tensions were high. Some parents became upset, rightfully so. I was frustrated, confused, and pretty shocked with how we were being treated. Our family was single-handedly responsible for no less than SIX other current families deciding to enroll. Later that same day we received an email saying our daughter had been expelled from the school and was not welcome back, right before valentines day. They kicked out two other kids too whose parents were present and asking questions. We tried to talk to the admin and director but they refused, saying her expulsion was made after "thoughtful consideration." They cited the school handbook saying the Director can kick children out of their school because of "parent conduct." Sure I could have handled the situation a bit differently, but I never got angry, raised my voice, or threatened anyone. I simply asked questions and was told "you're just going to have to trust us." Right... So my daughter gets kicked out and they won't even have a meeting with us... The hardest part for me was a week or two after she was expelled, we were going around the dinner table and sharing things we are grateful for, and my daughter exclaimed "preschool!!" I had to fight back the tears. We hadn't told her yet because we were still hoping to remedy the situation and she would return. It pains me to write this as we really did love the place, well, what it used to be. It was once filled with magic, love, a thriving garden, and community. Now the garden is dead, the snacks, once fresh healthy foods, turned into cheap pretzels, saltines and graham crackers, and our little girl is without her school. read more

This used to be a gem of a preschool, because of amazing teachers and the great leadership of the previous director. Heartbreakingly, both have been driven out and this is no longer the amazing school that it was. We left Monarch a few months before the end of the school year, after it became clear that the current management is running the place into the ground. They fired multiple highly skilled and experienced teachers, literally overnight, due to personal vendettas. They then rapidly expelled students - preschool children - when their parents asked questions about the firings and sought organizational transparency. In mid-January we (parents of the youngest "Caterpillar" class) received an email at 11pm on a Thursday night stating that our teachers won't be coming back. Our kids were supposed to have school on the following Friday morning. Over the subsequent two months my 3 y/o had *three* new teachers, as his classmates dwindled down due to the expulsions and other families leaving as a result of all the drama and the drop in the quality of the program. My kid used to be excited about going to school and was in such an amazing mood at pickup. This all changed after his teachers were kicked out - he was no longer excited for school. At pick up he not infrequently looked indifferent about being there and at times looked disheveled. If they played with water, his old teachers would change him out of water soaked clothes when the water play finished. This was no longer the case. He came out soaked and looking clearly uncomfortable on multiple occasions at pick up. He then started doing things like pushing and hitting, which was never a thing for him previously and has resolved completely since we left the school. The "nutritious" snacks we paid a fee for had apparently also been reduced to saltines. The shadiness of this place on an organizational and leadership level is not something I fathomed possible in a preschool and not something I want my kid or myself to be around. The school director and school administrator - a mother and daughter team - have taken over the school and are running it as their own backyard preschool, seemingly solely for their own benefit. The admin's young daughter gets brought to the school daily and grandma babysits her while she's supposed to also be teaching the oldest "Butterfly" class. The kid is very young and has frequent meltdowns, which end up being tended to while the kids whose parents paid to be at the school sit around and wait. They bring their large family dog to the school who has free rein of the school yard, where the kids play. The dog pees/poos wherever he wants in the play yard. My kid came out of school one day with dog poo on his shoe, which is when I found out about the dog. The admin's husband roams around the school whenever he likes as well under the pretense of performing "maintenance". For at least the past two years, the school director and admin been rotating the role of president on the school's board of directors, while also being paid employees of the school. They have hand picked the other 1-2 board members who allow them to do things like awarding themselves raises (no other teacher/employee received a raise). The two of them have also held exclusive control of the school's finances and appear to, at best, be mismanaging the school's financial resources. It is my understanding that the school is now in financial trouble and they've had to let go of at least one of the teachers who was hired just a few months back. When I, myself, asked too many uncomfortable questions, the admin *threatened me with defamation* (by this point they had secured a lawyer on the school's dime to defend against legal action from the families they expelled). Other parents have been threatened with this as well. She also refused to speak with me in person whatsoever. The one thing that Monarch has going for it is at this point is that fact that the school admin is skilled at making polished Instagram reels, which portray a version of the school that's very different from reality. And while she's been trying to do damage control on here with replies to the negative reviews below, she's also attempted to have the reviews below removed from Yelp and blocked the parents from following Monarch's public profile on Instagram, both of which speak volumes. If you're looking for a preschool similar to what this place used to be, look at Hilltop, Sun N Fun, Sunshine and Little Folk House. read more

Sadly this small and lovely school has changed hands recently and is not the school my first 2 boys loved and was family. It used to be a strong community, ran by the community and a collaboration of parents, teachers and children. Sadly now it has turned a corner that without change back to its original culture will not have my youngest returning too. I'm heart broken. ​ read more

2 teachers were terminated, 2 families were expelled, and multiple families withdrew from the school. I think that tells you enough about the state of Monarch Preschool. There is no trust left with the administrators. read more

What I love about this program is that it is a fully outdoor, playbased program. Miss Sarah and Miss Bekah are wonderful. The rest is really quite difficult to put into words as there is so much to say. There are many complaints about the garden (used to be flourishing and kids would pick the veggies for snack - it is now completely dead). You will find many complaints about the snacks (used to be freshly made every day..not just saltines, graham crackers and pretzels). People complain about the lack of/slow response from the admin and how she is rarely there. However, to me, the true red flag is the current status of the 501c3. This is a non profit preschool, meaning there is a non-profit board of directors, along with the school admin/director, and the teachers. It has come to the parents attention in the last few months that the board of directors (which is has been run by the mother/daughter director and admin of the school), has been operating outside of the bylaws and not following the rules. Parents have requested to meet with Alyssa about the potential bylaw violations and she declined. Parents have emailed in requesting certain documents like their Form 990 and she has ignored it all together. Recently over half of the school sent an email to Alyssa, Karen and the board requesting more information on the potential bylaw violations and it was completely ignored. Many parents have contacted the Monarch Preschool attorney and they have all been ignored. This school is lacking the transparency and the true checks and balances that the spirit of a non-profit demands. On top of that, Alyssa has made it clear to a group of parents that she wouldn't care if half of the school leaves if they don't like what's happening. Many of us feel like we are just dollar signs to the school, and not that we are truly cared about as a community. It's really sad and heartbreaking to see the school move in this direction. The Instagram certainly paints one picture, and I wish it was real. We are now at a new preschool, and it is so refreshing how open, honest and transparent they have been in such a short time...our new school reminds me so much of what the old Monarch used to be. read more

What once seemed like a dream preschool for our family turned into a nightmare. Under the current Director and Administrator this school has seen a steep decline. The yard is a mess, the snacks are sub-par and the admin rarely ever answers email nor is she in the office to answer questions. Our big issue came when they let go two adored teachers mid year. These were our son's teachers, who he loves! They ripped them away from the school for no good reason and without even a goodbye. How do I explain that to my 2 year old? That he won't ever see these two people who he trusted and loved, the first outside of our family, again? How is this putting the children first? After speaking to both sides, it is confirmed that this was a decision made purely from pettiness and jealousy. Once my husband and I talked to some other parents we realized that this school is a nonprofit and therefore has public bylaws. We wanted to dig a little deeper to make sure we fully understand how the school is supposed to run. We couldn't emotionally afford another incident like this to happen to either of our sons who attended the school. After asking the administrator for the bylaws, she lied and said she didn't know where they were and that she would send us a digital copy. She also repeatedly told us to trust her and if we didn't trust her then maybe this wasn't the school for us. She would rather lose families than be upfront and honest. She also scoffed and rolled her eyes at us multiple times. After this conversation, involving multiple families, we went home to receive an email a few hours later saying they are choosing to expel our sons from Monarch. They also sent the same email to another family. The only two families who had dads there... The amount of lies and deceit, as well as, the neglect for the school are staggering. They have more than proven to us that they do not put the children first and don't dare ask any questions or your children will also be ripped from their beloved teachers and friends. read more

I am reposting my original review because it was flagged as potentially being unreliable since I am not an active user of Yelp. I am just a parent trying to share our own personal experience with the school... Our daughter takes such ownership in her school and I can see how proud she is to show us around during family picnics. The moment our daughter toured Monarch, her eyes lit up. She is now in her 2nd school year and still looks forward to going to school every day. She is honestly disappointed when she doesn't have school. Since attending Monarch, she has gained many skills and confidence in herself and her ability to problem-solve and navigate day-to-day obstacles. Past and current staff have been nurturing and continue to make every effort to provide meaningful hands-on learning experiences. It is saddening to hear about the families that haven't had the same experience because Monarch has and continues to be such a magical and positive experience for our daughter and family. We are grateful for Monarch and the work and love that they pour into each and every day. Not only has it been great for our daughter, but it has truly been such a wonderful experience for us as a family to connect with others within this community. I know there has been a lot of recent negativity, but just know that there are many families, like ourselves, who have such positive things to say. When our 2nd is old enough, we will be enrolling her as well, if that provides any sort of reassurance about how our experience has been. If anyone is at all interested in this school, I highly recommend meeting the staff and touring the school yourself, so that you can make your own conclusion about the quality of the program and decide whether it is a good fit for you and your family. read more

Great school. They focus on learning from th world around us. Much better then conventional schools

Monarch Preschools nature-based learning has been a gift for our child and our family. Watching our child explore, grow, and thrive in an outdoor setting--building confidence, curiosity, and a deep connection to the world around them--has been incredible. The balance of play, creativity, and social-emotional learning has exceeded our expectations. We are beyond grateful for the love and dedication the staff pours into each day. Knowing our child is in a space that fosters joy, independence, and a love of learning brings us so much peace. Monarch has truly been a special part of our family's journey, and we couldn't recommend it more highly! read more

I'm very sad to say this school is not what it once was. I'm afraid the current leadership is putting themselves above the children and families who go there. It's disappointing to say the least. read more

As a mom who had her heart set on Monarch Preschool since I was pregnant with my first son, writing this review is deeply disappointing. I had heard such amazing things from local families especially about the outdoor play space, the wonderful teachers, and the warm, connected community. For years, it was the preschool I was most excited about. We were thrilled when our son finally got in. But almost immediately, things started to unravel. In just the first week, the beloved teachers we'd heard so much about were suddenly let go overnight without warning. What followed was a wave of concerning information that started surfacing about the mom and daughter who run the school, details that completely changed our experience and view of the school. There were things like forgery of legal documents, questions about funds, things that are illegal and not in line with my moral compass. When the parents asked for clarity on all the issues they expelled a few kids (3-4 year olds!!) and then would take weeks to respond with statements that never actually answered any questions and just provided fluff that said nothing and refused to talk to any parents in person about it. For me, as a new parent at this school that was a major red flag and while I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt I had to become skeptical and start asking questions and decide what was best for our family with the information we were presented with. While I want to believe in the original vision of Monarch, I can no longer recommend this preschool to other families in good conscience. The community that once made it special is not what it used to be. Almost every family in my son's class (which was a full classroom) has chosen not to return next year and it's all for the same reasons. That says a lot. If you're considering Monarch, I strongly encourage you to do your research. Talk to current and former families. Ask questions. The only reason I gave them two stars instead of one is for the lovely two teachers in my son's class who had to step up during this time and who deserve better. I wish them nothing but the best and can only hope they are treated with respect. Thank you Ms. Bekah and Ms. Marilyn for being the reason we finished our few months there. We appreciate you both. This isn't easy to write, but I feel a responsibility to be honest with fellow moms in the Huntington Beach and wider Orange County community. We all want the best for our kids, and I hope this helps someone make a more informed decision. - A Heartbroken Mom read more

I'm heartbroken to give this preschool one star because it was once an absolute gem--a nurturing, play-based, nature-oriented school that truly fostered creativity in children. The lush garden where kids could pick and eat fresh veggies was a magical touch, and the school supported families with parenting classes and a strong sense of community. Unfortunately, since Karen and her daughter Alyssa took over, everything that made this place special has deteriorated. The garden is now a barren wasteland and the yard is completely open so anyone can walk in anytime. They have completely siphoned all that was special from this place like a parasite does to its host. They will sell you a dream but supply you with a nightmare. What's even more suspicious is that tuition has doubled since my child attended, yet the quality has drastically declined. Did I mention it's a non-profit? It's incredibly disappointing to see such a beautiful, supportive environment reduced to what it is now all because of an incompetent, negligent, and shady director and admin. I sincerely hope they find their way back to the way it was when Vanessa was the director. read more

What a wonderful place to be a child! The Monarch campus and community is uniquely welcoming, with a beautiful campus, loving and hardworking teachers and administrators, and an environment that allows kids to explore and thrive. Everyone we have met at the school has been warm and welcoming, especially the director Alyssa. You can tell they really care about the school and their students. read more

Its good there are changes being made. It's a shame that's it's only being done after several parents complained, children were expelled, and a petition was signed to remove Alyssa. The biggest concern is the amount of mistakes that have already been made and lack of communication between admin and parents. When I had informed the school we would be leaving (written in a positive light) I didn't even get a response from Alyssa. I had to keep checking, with my daughter's teachers since they were the only ones present during drop off or pick up, to make sure the information was received. And even after that I still received an invoice for the month she wasn't going to be attending anymore. When we had a situation where my daughter was having an allergic reaction to bug bites she was receiving at school (of course not easy to prevent since it's outdoors but I have never seen this happen to her and it hasn't happened since) I didn't feel they were wanting to work with me at first. We did finally figure something out (extra sprays in the yard and a care pack at school in case they noticed a bite) but it seemed like they were on the defense quite quickly when I asked how we could work together to figure this out. The main concern for me and advice to any parent looking at Monarch for their child, the leadership and decisions made throughout the last two years have been poor and subpar to what would be expected for the tuition price. Allowing strangers into the school during school hours while parents are told they can't even enter the gate is ridiculous. Only having the garden for a couple months of the year when you could totally plant year round and teach about how different vegetables thrive depending on the season. Claiming to be child led yet there's hesitation to move a child up if they seem to be needing more of a challenge or even avoid introducing new skills because the whole class isn't ready. When looking for a school, I was also looking to extend my village but was greatly disappointed. read more

Exceptional school and programming. We could not be happier with the transparent communication, fabulous staff and overall philosophy! If you are looking for a loving, supportive environment for your little one to flourish- this is the place! read more

There are not enough good things to say about Monarch Preschool. In fact there's so much to say that I don't even know where to start. My older kid graduated this year and my son will be in his third year. This preschool is developmentally appropriate and the giant yard and loving teachers are a total gem. read more

As a first time mama, Behavior Analyst, CEO, special education teacher, and perfectionist it has been a challenging yet very informative experience finding just the right pre-school for our family. We are so grateful to have found a nature based, Reggio inspired, co-op right in Huntington Beach called the North Huntington Beach Nursery School. I will start off by saying that this type of experience is not for everyone. In fact, I understand that some parents once they fully understand the responsibilities that come along with this oasis decide it isn't for them. It is it different than anything I have ever experienced. The parents are essentially the teacher's aid. We are all trained in the philosophy of Reggio Inspired education, and we fulfill state mandated vaccine requirements as any other nursery school employee would be expected to do. Maia, our daughter has been in school for almost 2 weeks now and I have been anxiously awaiting to spend the day in the classroom so that I could see the inside of this world. In the mornings I pass by the classrooms, peeking in, seeing beautiful materials carefully placed in the center of the table, labeled, I'm sure for the adults however the writing is artfully done. The teacher barely looks up as I pass because she is present, in the moment, for the child, focused on the child. Today was the special day that I got to work in Maia's classroom. We arrived 30 minutes before all the other students along with the other working parents and their children. Maia, my invaluable assistant, helped me set up the paint station, place the gnomes in the sandbox, wash the apples, and make the popcorn. It was a lot of fun for the both of us to say the very least. The play yard happens to be a butterfly sanctuary. One of Maia's classmates pointed out the butterflies mating on the plant. The other parents and children came over in wonder and amazement to watch. The yard is a magical space. When I asked Maia where to get the water she led me over to the red working pump. We started our obstacle course in the blue canoe bum to bum. I was asked to stand by the best climbing tree I have ever seen as the girls mastered mother nature's jungle gym. We sang through closing circle sitting on a round of tree stumps. Some of the things that really left an impact on me were when I met two mothers working out in the yard (sitting on a bench or leaning against a tree). They were shadowing their child even though it wasn't their date to work. (We work approximately three days each month.) I asked about their presence and they explained that they just wanted to assure their child had a smooth transition. They both had explained that this day was much better than the previous. In all my 20 years of educational and clinical spaces I've never seen one that has graduated the feelings of the parent so gently. However I now realize that this is A process I would like to know much more about. We are still at the beginning of this process and have much to learn. However I am filled with much hope, optimism and excitement that this community has much to teach us. read more

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If you're looking for a preschool for your 2-3 year old this is a good one. They teach a lot of social and creative skills. The yard is also fun for the kids since they get to be creative and the teachers are also kind and friendly. However, if you are looking for a preschool for your 4-5 year old and they will be attending kindergarten the following year, I do not recommend this school at all. They do not teach academic skills, they only touch on them lightly. The children also have a lot of time to roam and play in the classroom and outside which I liked at first but this leaves your child unprepared for the reality of kindergarten. My child has had a hard time adjusting to kindergarten because of this. It has been hard to sit at a desk and catch up on what the other children have already learned in TK or elsewhere. (I realize that it is not only the preschools job to prepare children, but the overall environment is not helpful either, in my opinion) I am not trying to hurt the school in any way, I am simply trying to let other parents know what I wish I had realized sooner and perhaps the school will realized this and adjust for the older class. Lastly, I would not divulge personal information to the director Vanessa, or anyone else at the school as it will likely not stay personal. read more

This is my first experience with preschool, and my son's first time being away from home. So this was a big deal, a lot bigger deal then I had ever imagined before. Our first tour of the school with Vanessa was awesome! And my son got right in and started checking everything out, making a mess and having fun. When Vanessa welcomed his free spirit and didn't say no, don't touch that, stay close, watch your kid, etc.... all words we had experienced at other tours, I knew we found the school for us! His first day he was so excited, and already loved his teaches! The teaches held an "open house" prior to school starting to meet all the kids and play with them. What an awesome concept. When it came time to say goodbye for a few hours the words didn't come out, and tears started to roll down my face- my son told me; "it's ok mama, Im good" words can not express how good he made me feel, he was already comfortable. My son loves his school, and teaches, what more can I ask for. read more

This school has been great for our son. All of the teachers are so caring and genuinely care about the growth and well-being of their students. The negative reviews you see from 2014 are NOT a reflection of the current school but rather the previous director. The current director, Vanessa, is fantastic! She is also one of the teachers this year and she is the main reason we chose this school. We look forward to getting updates and pictures from her everyday when our son's at school. We live down the street from another co-op but it's worth the extra 20 minute drive to come here! Also, other co-ops in the area start at 2 yrs 9 mo. This one starts at 2 years. The parent participation is not as demanding as we expected (we both work full time) but parents are welcome to contribute more if their schedule permits. Tuition is reasonably priced; it's worth every penny! Bring your kids! They'll love it! read more

Vanessa Collett the current director was just trained in our Parenting From The Heart curriculum. She will now add her expertise to her parent education at this preschool. Vanessa is an amazing woman who took our information and showed that she understands children and families at a very deep level. She is enthusiastic about being the director and loves the children she serves. This school will only get better with her wisdom and leadership. Parent participation in a preschool benefits the parents and the child! You will learn amazing skills that you can use for your entire parenting journey. I would highly recommend you give North Huntington Beach Community Nursery School a try. read more

My daughter only attended this preschool for a semester, but it was a wonderful experience. It's the stuff of a magical barefoot childhood. There is an organic garden where the kids can pick fresh mint to eat. She still talks about her friends and the celebrations she experienced during her time there. The class room is filled with open ended natural toys and play stations where the children can do activities that help cultivate their creativity. It's Reggio inspired, which is very play based and exactly what we were looking for. We decided not to continue for a few reasons. 1) Proximity to our house. We found it was a bit too far for us. I work from home and my husband works in the opposite direction. Our needs dictate that we need something closer to home. 2) I'm a working mom and there is a strong parent commitment. Since I run my own business, it's hard to devote extra time to working in a co-op. I found that my workload was too great to put in the time required. However, this was a wonderful introduction to preschool for my daughter and she thrived in that environment. A co-op is only as strong as the community and for a very short time, there was some disruption. But, that minor hiccup seems to have rectified itself. We still keep in touch with many friends from the school. We think about going back when/if my work situation changes. I would highly recommend the school. read more

I agree with another poster. If you are looking for a school for 2-3 year olds, this is great. But for 4-5, it does not prepare them for kindergarten. It's more of an expensive playground with supervision opposed to them actually learning important information for the following school year. read more

Our family has been a part of this community for 5 years now, and we HIGHLY RECOMMEND you visit to determine if this is a good fit for your child. If you want a more progressive philosophy, that focuses on Child Led Development rather than "teaching/programming children how-to-be", and you want your kids to play in a real school yard with gardens, trees, grass, sand and dirt - rather than plastic and synthetic "toys/structures", then THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU. And you may notice some very negative reviews back in 2014, regarding the previous Director. Our family was at the school through all the "drama", and while I don't personally believe it was quite as bad as you might be led to believe, there is no question that things under our new Director and Teachers is nothing short of AMAZING. Simply put, this school will very soon have a Waiting List to get in, as it should have had for decades now. So, don't wait to take a tour and get enrolled if you like what you see, otherwise you'll be waiting to get in. Michael J read more

I can not say enough about Monarch Preschool. It is a magical place for children to play, use their imaginations, learn social skills, and autonomy. My son has truly blossomed during his time at Monarch. Vanessa, Savannah, Dani, Anja, and Cassie have created a space where children feel safe, respected and heard. It is exactly what we were looking for in a preschool and I'm so grateful that we found it. read more

This school is such an amazing space. We love absolutely every aspect of it. From the gorgeous giant yard to the classrooms full of open ended toys to expand my children's minds. I couldn't ask for anything more. If you are looking for a play based co op preschool this is jt!!! read more

My wife found the school (name soon to be simplified to "The Monarch School") and our middle son fell in love with the free play yard where the teachers allow the kids to explore and learn in nature. There is volunteer time required in and outside the classroom (it's a coop after all) but it truly helps foster the sense of community they're trying to build. The old regime associated with prior bad press is long gone and Vanessa and her team of tireless staff do an amazing job with the kids. Highly recommend for the outdoorsy preschooler in your life. read more

I've been coming to NHBCNS for many years. I sent my first 2 babies here and they loved the school and teachers in 2011-2015. Now my 3rd baby is attending. There is so much goodness in this school. So far all my kids run to the school and anxiously wait for the door to open. They run inside and immediately begin to play, forgetting that I am there. The open yard, the loving teachers. I wish I could come and play. They are free to explore and climb and just be...kids. I will also be sending my 4th baby when he is old enough. read more

Our son has been attending here for the past two years and LOVES it. The teachers are amazing, patient and very caring. Everything is natural in the classroom and crafts are done to their perfection never by following an example. The outside play area is even more amazing! Garden with fruits/veggies for them to munch on, tons of fun areas for creative play, and tricycles. On hot days they get the water hoses out for them to have fun with making puddles or just splashing. The school allows you to work your day with a baby in arms under 1 which is great! The working parent schedules are flexible and the party events they host are a lot of fun! It's a great school with a lot of fun families that make each of our children's experience one to remember. read more

We've had our daughter at NHBCNS for 3 yrs and absolutely LOVE everything about it! The staff is amazing, truly cares about creating a near-perfect learning environment, and have knowledge and professionalism in providing an individualized program that allows children to learn while playing and engaging in a non-forced academic environment. I love that they have an outdoor play area with a garden, animals, and "old school" toys (paint, monkey bars, slides, see-saw, etc). Additionally, as it is a co-op school, there is strong sense of community among the families. There are numerous activities throughout the year in which families get to participate, raise funds, and do this while having fun and getting to know each other better. Overall, I highly recommend doing a tour, and seeing if it's the right fit for your child and your family! read more

We chose to leave NHB because of the lack of professionalism from the director. This school is a co-op meaning a parent ran school. We are the employers, thus the director and teachers our employees. It is so dysfunctional, and most of the time full of drama from the gossiping of the director (who is a walking contradiction of what she says NHB represents) The ONLY reason we stayed as long as we did was because of one teacher (whom I believe was the heart, love and light of the children) Jalene. After seeing and witnessing her being treated so poorly by the director we couldn't stand to rough out another year, leaving behind Jalene and all the love, support and advise you search for at an early childhood school. Now it will be a mediocre day care ran by half wits who have been blinded by the woman destroying what would and could be an amazing school. Run as fast as you can away from NHB, look at schools like Hilltop and Waldorf School of Orange County. read more

This is by far my favorite preschool! My daughter loves this place more than anything. The teachers are great and the atmosphere is even better. Nothing better for a 2 year old than to run around in a garden learning about nature and all the fundamentals of growing up. You cant thank just one person you have to thank them all! read more

I have a three-year-old that attends here and she loves it. We Love the teachers and the way they are with the kids. The classrooms are great but the playground is what sold us on enrolling Lennon here. Lush with gardens, fruit trees, old school water pumps, and it's a butterfly sanctuary. So the kids learn about all the insects, gardening, and Lennon loves climbing the loquat tree. It's an amazing community to be a part of. All the parents and staff are super creative and we come together to better the school for future generations. It will be hard to leave when my daughter is to old to attend. read more

What a Gift NHBCNS is to our family. Our child is thriving and the community of like minded parents have taught us so much. The commitment for working parents is quite a lot, however we have found that it is an investment that we are willing to make because the environment is so tremendous. read more

My 2 daughters attended this school from 1998 and 2000. The teacher at the time was Miss Victoria. She was a phenomenal influence on my parenting approach and my kids' early childhood experience-both at school and home. I would love to reach her and tell her how much of a positive effect she had on our family. If anyone knows her, of her or about her please forward this review to her or send me her contact info. I cannot remember her last name! erg. It was just always...Miss Victoria! Thank you Christine read more