All three of my children have gone to North City Preschool, and I can't say enough wonderful things about it. The school has the most beautiful outdoor area, it honestly feels like you're tucked away in the woods, and it gives the whole school such a calm, charming atmosphere. The teachers and staff are incredible. They are warm, nurturing, and genuinely invested in every child. My son absolutely loves preschool and his teacher; he's excited to go every single day! Over the years, we've made so many memories at chapel, performances, and family picnics. There's also such a strong sense of community among the families and staff. It really feels like everyone knows and supports one another. Even though we live in Scripps Ranch, it's absolutely worth the drive. North City Preschool is a true hidden gem, and we're so grateful to have been part of this amazing place for all three of our kids! read more

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We absolutely cannot say enough good things about this preschool. What a GEM! From the second we had our tour... I've never seen a school more magical for little ones. The homey details in each classroom. From built in tree houses, to dress up, to cozy nooks- this place is really the perfect environment for growing littles! Our daughter had struggled at her past preschool with emotional control. Coming to NCP has helped mold her in such a short period of time. The manner of their teachers is so different. Empathetic, kind, patient, FUN- truly I could go on and on. We wish we would have found them sooner! read more

My older son graduated from North City after going there for 3s and 4s. And now my younger son has been there for 2s, 3s and now 4s. We can't say enough positive things about the teachers and the school. It's clear the environment is so caring and the children are so happy in the beautiful natural environment. We are really happy with how quickly they made friends and the play-based learning they had that has set them up for TK/Kinder. read more

North City Preschool - A fun pumpkin patch the teacher set up for the kids for the Fall. - Preschools Near Me - Poway, California

Whole child philosophy! My grand girl loves it! Play and art focused! What every little kid needs!!! Look no further! This school is amazing and kind! read more

Our family discovered NCPS 5 years ago when we were looking for a school for our almost 2 year old coming out of the pandemic. It was highly regarded on local FB groups but there wasn't too much info otherwise. After touring multiple other schools, I knew this was the place for us as soon as I stepped foot on campus. NCPS is a magical and charming school nestled among nature. Our 6 year old spent 2 years here and is thriving in elementary school with the skills she learned here and our 3 year old is just growing in leaps and bounds in her second year here. The director and the teachers care for the kids like their own and it shows in and out of the classrooms. There are lots of options for part-time or full -time or even after school activities. My daughter loves participating in MyGym and Playball weekly after school on campus and is looking forward to future extra curriculars too. We would recommend this school to friends over and over again. read more

We cannot express our love and gratitude to NCP! It was our first year of sending both our boys (2.5 and 3.5) to preschool and we wanted to find the best fit which is what NCP was for us. The staff and teachers are incredible and make the parents and children feel so comfortable and loved. We love that it's rooted in Christian values and have seen so much growth amongst our kids. We can't recommend this school enough! read more

My daughter went to school here for preschool. We previously were at another preschool but we weren't happy with what she was learning and how the school was run. Our friends told us about North City Preschool so we checked it out. The school is nice and the teachers are the best. We ended up enrolling my daughter here and it was the best decision ever. It was better in quality, education, length of school, more days available to go to school, and the tuition was cheaper. It was a win all around. Our daughter thrived at this school and the teachers really did a great job of getting her ready for kindergarten. I would definitely recommend this school if you're in the area and are looking for an affordable preschool option for your kids. read more

Teachers are great, children are in a very safe environment . You can really trust them with your toddlers

I can't say enough good things about this preschool. 2 of my children have attended since they were two years old. The curriculum, staff and teachers are amazing and create the most supportive atmosphere for learning in young children. read more

My 4 year son LOVES preschool here!! His teacher Mrs W is so kind and patient. I know my son can be challenging with his short attention span and endless energy but Mrs W only has positive things to say about him. What a difference from our previous Christian preschool in PQ. Plus, the backyard area is huge and amazing!!!! read more

Sweet Little Christian Based Preschool that Cultivates Kindness We have been sending our children to NC since 2013. Our first child was gifted with a large vocabulary and I thought she needed an academically oriented preschool. After reading many books on child development and touring ALL of the preschools in the area; I surprised myself by choosing North City. You won't find the alphabet on the wall or math worksheets in your child's cubby. But, something drew me to Karen and North City. It has paid off. It is such a gentle introduction to school and socialization. Our oldest daughter is described as a great friend who has the tools to control her emotions. Our second child, is a rambunctious free-spirit who has achieved a balance in Mrs. Friesen's 3 year-old class. Jay Giedd, a neuroscientist at the University of California, San Diego, has spent his career studying how the human brain develops from birth through adolescence; he says most kids younger than 7 or 8 are better suited for active exploration than didactic explanation. "The trouble with over-structuring is that it discourages exploration," he says. The classrooms are independently decorated with original artwork from the students. The playground encourages physical activity. The fees are reasonable and they are fiscally responsible read more

My family absolutely LOVES this preschool. The staff is so easy to talk to and extremely caring. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better preschool. My son loved going to preschool from the start and missed school on weekends and vacations, even cried on the way home during Thanksgiving break. Seriously. I agree with their whole child philosophy and could see our child develop a love of learning while attending the NCP. read more

I have no idea where to begin this review because there are SO many wonderful things about North City Preschool. This is my daughter's second year at the school and we continue to be amazed by the teachers, program and the Director every day. For starters, this is a play-based learning environment and it is exactly what every single preschooler should be doing at the young, sweet age from 2-5 years old. From hands-on, messy experiences inside and outside the classroom, children at the school learn through play, discovery, experimenting, art, music, movement, reading etc. etc. Each classroom is equipped with a patio as an extension of their classroom. This is one of the special features that drew me to the school! Children are given options during class time to be inside or outside on the patio learning through play while enjoying some fresh air! The teachers are incredible. They are all so sweet, loving and caring. They have (most) all been there for years, so they understand the culture and philosophy of the school and they work hard each day to offer the most fun, creative, and exciting hands-on learning opportunities. They also encourage children to use their words and they help them problem solve when there is a disagreement between friends. They truly focus on the development of the whole child. The Director, Ms. Karen, is nothing short of amazing. She has also been at the school for years and she is constantly around greeting children/families as they come on campus. My daughter LOVES her and can't get enough hugs from her. Karen is truly one-of-a-kind. She has the kids best interest in mind at ALL times. She keeps the staff focused and staying true to the school's philosophy and she is constantly thinking of ways to make the school better. Karen has come to the school multiple times on weekends to volunteer her time to beautify the campus. The school campus and outdoor play areas are large and beautiful- one of the main reasons that I chose this school. The play area is surrounded by a grove of eucalyptus trees and there are numerous planted flowers and large trees on campus that provide beauty and shade throughout the year. Another amazing quality that drew me to the school is the opportunities that are available during outside time. Children that don't feel like being physical (climbing, digging in sand, riding bikes etc) have some wonderful play-based, artsy options on the upper patio during outdoor play time. Thanks to their wonderful outdoor teacher, Ms. Tina, those options are always new, fun and different. If you are looking for a cookie cutter, brand new school with brand new furniture/classrooms then this is NOT the place for you. North City is truly an extension of home, as a preschool should be. The classrooms are dated, but that is exactly what makes them warm and inviting. There is no doubt that you will love this preschool but more importantly your child will LOVE this school. This is a place where you will want to stop and smell the roses, because if you don't, you will miss what is so incredibly wonderful about this school. read more

We love this preschool so much! The director Karen is amazing. She's so loving, patient, and understanding. The school is play based which is something that we were looking for for our son. They also teach about Jesus and attend chapel once a week which is so great for him as well. He always looks forward to going to school. There are so many people who want to send their kids here, so I highly recommend taking a tour as soon as possible to get your name on the waiting list. The outdoor playground is so beautifully landscaped and fun for the kids as well! My son's teachers are also so patient with him as well. I cannot day enough great things about this preschool. We love it! read more

I am so pleased with my experience at North City Preschool. My son is very shy and he feels so comfortable at this school. Best experience every and every teacher is Amazing! read more

We could not be happier with North City Preschool! Absolutely everyone who works there takes such a genuine interest in our kids and makes our family feel so welcome. The director of the school is so warm and helpful and made our transition to the school easy for us. The class structure is great and the kids are encouraged to learn thru play. They have really creative teachers who foster our kids imaginations and they use a wide variety of activities to teach them. We are so happy that we found this preschool! read more

Oh my goodness- I can't say enough AMAZING things about North City Preschool. First off, Karen (the director) is so amazing. She bends over backwards to make things work for people. She cares SO much about the kids. She knows all their names and the kids adore her. The staff esp my son's teacher Ms Cathy is so loving. All the kids rush to her in the morning (skip the hugs and kisses for Mom and dad at drop off). The school is play based and so many different activities for them to choose from (even outside. It's more than just a playground). They can ride bikes, art, sensory play. We love love love this school and the staff. Your child will feel so loved and you will feel so safe dropping them off here read more

If you're looking for a well-rounded preschool for your child, I highly recommend North City!!! Our son is currently at North City, and will be there for his pre-K year as well because we love it so much! My daughters had the privilege of attending North City Preschool several years ago and it gave them a fabulous school start! They are confident girls who love school and know they are valued. We've chosen North City Preschool for the first years of our children's school development because It is an amazing place where every child is treated as an individual, where learning is fostered through both structured and unstructured play, and where they learn about the fundamentals of Christianity, knowing they are loved by God. Every teacher has a relationship with all the students, the director is warm, friendly, and proactive, and the setting is quaint and beautiful! The class size is small and the individualized attention is phenomenal. read more

This preschool is phenomenal. The director Karen and the office manager Vickie treat you like you are family. It is a warm, loving, positive environment that feels like God's hand is blessing every day. The campus is beautiful. The teachers seem to genuinely love teaching and kids...even the teachers that have been there 10+ years don't look or act or teach like they are burnt out...but like they look forward to every day. I don't know how they do it but it is an environment that everyone wants to come to and to stay in. They don't do work sheets but instead teach through discovery and play. And yes...they are teaching not just playing! The way kids should be learning if you ask me! Oh, I just love it here. And if you are a nervous parent, they do everything they can to make you feel comfortable and to make the transition to preschool as easy as they can for both you and your child. My daughter went here 4 years ago and we are there again with our second child...and I swear it is only getting better. read more

I can't say enough good things about this school. My daughter went there and had the absolute best time everyday. She never wanted to leave. She loved her teacher so much, and she loved staying after school and playing with her friends finding "treasures" in the sand. Every teacher is so kind and caring. Karen and Vickie are so warm and engaging that I felt welcome and happy every day. The amount of choices they give the kids when it's time to play is endless. If they want to paint or read during outside time instead of running around then they can choose that. This preschool is truly amazing. Look no further if you want the best and most loving care for your child. read more

We love North City!! Our son was there for two years and now our daughter is there. The entire staff is fantastic!!!

I have found this preschool to be exactly what they advertise...a loving Christian environment that focuses on the development of the whole child - no only academic skills, but also their spiritual, emotional, social, and physical development. Academics are great, but teaching a child how to successfully build relationships with peers and adults is a life-long, necessary skill! I think the Director of the preschool is an excellent mentor for the teachers. I find the teachers to be welcome and loving. They desire to partner with the parents to help the child reach their maximum potential. read more