We recently had my daughter's 2nd birthday here. Naomi was a fantastic, attentive and sweet host. She made hand made clay Minnie Mouse's for our daughter's sensory bin. This space is truly magical. & your kids will love it! Support this local mom! There are stay and plays that you can attend on Friday! read more

See all

This place is a true little paradise for anyone who understands just how important sensory play is in a child's life. The cozy front and back yards are filled with thoughtfully designed sensory and tactile play areas that help children regulate their nervous systems while encouraging open-ended play, creativity, and imagination. Every little detail -- from the fragrant foam and sprigs of fresh rosemary in the mud kitchen to the handmade cinnamon-scented playdough -- speaks of genuine love and care for children. There's a sandbox, a fairy garden, real tools that little builders will love, and even a table tucked into the shade of a tree for anyone who wants to sit down and have a snack. Every other week, a musician comes to visit, hands out musical instruments to the children, and sings different songs with them. To say we loved this place would be an understatement. Three hours flew by in what felt like a single moment. Absolutely recommend! read more

If I could leave 6 stars, I absolutely would! We celebrated my daughter's third birthday here, and it was pure magic from start to finish. Naomi is truly an artisan when it comes to creating beautiful, imaginative spaces for young children. I was completely blown away by the setup, the activities, and the thoughtfulness that went into every detail--and all at such a reasonable price! I had asked for a Frozen theme without the overly commercial feel, and wow, did she deliver. The space was enchanting and perfectly tied into our theme in the most tasteful way. The mud kitchen, sensory station, painting area, customized scented play dough, potion making station, fairy garden, child-sized table with custom mushroom stools, teepee house... there was something special for every single child. Even my ten-year-old had a blast exploring the sensory play stations! What I loved most was how intimate and personal everything felt. Our guests couldn't stop talking about what a wonderful venue it was. Absolutely perfect for a three year old's birthday party. This day is something I will cherish in my heart forever. Thank you for making my girl's birthday so incredibly special and helping us create memories we'll never forget. read more

Play Matters Preschool - Custom scented play doh for goodie bags - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Citrus Heights, California

See all

For reference I have a 10 month old who is crawling and pulling herself up to stand. Play matters was a wonderful place for the baby. There were so many opportunities for baby to pull herself up and stand while participating in the play. She enjoyed the water table and the fairy garden most. The space is so planned out and is very special. We will be coming here for years to come. I forgot to mention we did the stay and play, which is just a lovely concept since we are not in daycare right now. read more

Play Matters Preschool - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Citrus Heights, California

See all

Love love love this space! The community was warm and welcoming. Naomi is a ray of light that created such a wonderful space. I was obsessing over all the details in her space! My two girls (1 +3) were so happy the entire time and never wanted to leave! I'm a WFH mom but will definitely be back when my schedule permits! read more

Play Matters Preschool - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Citrus Heights, California

Love this school and love the stay and play option too! Naomi has made such a beautiful space for children and families to play, enjoy and connect. She has a gift for connecting with and understanding little ones. Even though my little one only comes for the stay and play, he talks about her daily! The space is so settling for everyone and is a grate place to enjoy seeing your child get absorbed in play. And connect with other parents while you're at it! Couldn't recommend more read more

Naomi has watched me since I was a baby, and I can confirm that your child will be in the absolute best hands with her. She keeps all the toys and the play room very clean, is a very big believer in having outside time and early educational activities, and is very vigilant about the children under her cares safety. I loved when she watched me because I knew I'd be able to do another fun activity and express myself. She'll make your kids feel excited to come to daycare and they'll leave with all the tools they need to succeed wherever their education takes them! read more

See all

I enrolled my son 3 days a week this summer and he absolutely loved it! He looked forward to going every day and would come home so happy about his day and excited to go back. The space is adorable and it's clear that there has been so much care and thought that has gone into making it a beautiful and magical experience for the children. Naomi is so loving and kind, and also has so much wisdom when it comes to little ones and their developmental stages. I was so happy to find this program and can't wait to bring my younger daughter when she is old enough to attend! read more

I would highly recommend Play Matters Pre School to any parent seeking education, enrichment and nature. Naomi has been caring for infants and children for over 18 years and has been successfully running Play Matters Preschool for the past 11. Naomi has always had a passion for working in Early Childhood Education but she put her own Waldorf spin on it. My daughter is now 19 years old, Naomi cared for her and was able to watch her grow into the amazing young lady she is today. She also contributed and particiaped in her growth. They say it takes a village to raise a child and Naomi was apart of mine. If you are looking for a place for your child to be creative, have enrichment, be in nature! You will not be disappointed! read more

I found Naomi through instagram as a friend of a friend and it was love at first message. She's the warmest person and has a way of teaching and talking to you that feels like the best hug. When my son met her she was so genuine with him and the took to each other right way. He has a lot of energy and a little bit of a stutter and she had the most patience for him. Because Naomi has such a special relationship with her kiddos and the parents, that I know how much she loves my kiddos and I feel so safe having them with her. It truly is so hard to find someone that will love and guide your babies in a way you also agree with and I'm so happy that I found her! read more

Our experience with Naomi was deeply upsetting and I likely should have reported her much sooner but I'll never forget it. Nor has my son.. In March '24 we were joining play matters as she was returning from maternity leave. We bought and delivered bark for the yard. We went to open house. My son climbed the teepee she had there. Nothing said about safety then. My son used the outdoor bathroom. She threw his waste into the yard next to where kids play. Health issue. She seemed not to care when I asked where waste goes. We volunteered and were involved up till my son's first and only day there as a preschooler. I had brought him and hung out for 30 minutes. I asked him if he felt good.. he said he did. I told her I was just down the street and to call me if anything came up. I was assured that would happen. I came back 2 hours later intending to observe for about 40 minutes till school was done. The scene I showed up to is every parent's nightmare. My son had a huge swollen lip and a tooth knocked loose. He was trying to leave the gate to "find me" and a parent was holding the gate closed. He was seriously injured. And Naomi was sitting in the front yard reading a story to 2 kids. Lost that tooth! No phone call. I had only left him there for 2 hours. She again said she would call me and didn't. I text her later. She claimed anxiety was why she didn't call me. She very quickly tried to claim an inappropriate diagnosis of my son to cover her blatantly irresponsible caregiving. Everything I said was met with a long winded excuse. Kids get hurt- we all know- but to not call me then try to diagnose my brilliant, sweet and healthy son after 2 hours and a rough injury is insane. She was fully aware he was hurt. "We cleaned up the blood". There was quite a bit of it still on him. I saw in her licensing she had issues with another family and tried to diagnose that child when she lost that 2 year old. She had told other parents about that situation. I had suggested to her she needed training in professionalism at some point in our exchange. Stands true today. If something goes wrong on her watch she will blame your child instead of taking any accountability or even being honest about the situation. She claimed my son was fine and happily playing after injury while he was asking for me and trying to find me. My son said she was very bad and we never returned. I have screenshots of our conversation. It was deeply unprofessional. We've since been to very competent and loving care. My son has had no issues in others' care. read more

Play matters has been a fun and safe space for our boy to explore and play and learn how to grow along side his peers. Naomi is so knowledgeable of child development and takes the time to get to know each and every kid along with their unique needs and preferences. She truly cares for each "wildling" and loves on them as though they were her own. We couldn't ask for more from a first preschool experience. Our boy's love for nature and the outdoors has grown tremendously from the last year of play! read more

If you're looking for a place that fosters child-led play with minimal intervention, a warm caregiver, and the chance for little ones to get as much outdoor exploration as possible, this is the spot. The small parts, things to climb and balance on, detc has been so great for our child and she's only been here a few months. Thanks, Nay! read more

One of the best. If you want your child experience something new, send them to PLAY MATTERS . My daughter was 18 month when she attended and now she's 6/5, still wants to go back there. Miss Noemi makes especial exceptions for each kids. read more

Our son enrolled in Play Matters Preschool two days a week and it was such a wonderful decision for our family. As actively involved and invested parents, we were looking for something that supported what we were doing in the home while still allowing our child to grow as an individual and foster his unique individual needs. This is exactly the kind of place he needed with built-in safety features. Naomi's teaching style allows for children to learn and grow gently and organically and you will not find this kind of learning at many other facilities if any in this immediate area. What we love about Play Matters Preschool so far is that the children are Free To Learn. For the first several weeks we opted to stay with our son as he adjusted to the new environment which worked out very well for us. Whether we are with our son during the "co-op style preschool" or doing drop off two days a week, we feel comfortable and confident that he is well supported. He doesn't want to leave when we pick him up! Thank you for providing this amazing community. read more

It is unfortunate that I have to write this review as I was excited to find this preschool and my son loved it there. However, as a parent, I believe other parents deserve to know what is capable of happening under care at this facility. My two year old son attended Naomi's preschool/daycare for a short two months. The first month was great. Even with 2 assistants quitting back to back (leaving me without care for a week), I was understanding because I know things can happen. The second month, more than one inexcusable occurrence left my son's well being at risk and all professionalism went out the door. At that point, I had no choice but to pull him. In the first occurrence, my son managed to wander off Naomi's property under the care of her and a mom that had been filling in due to the lack of assistants. Neither of them noticed my son was missing until he was returned by a neighbor several minutes later. He escaped the supervision of two adults because the gate wasn't properly latched and poor supervision. Basic safety requirements were not met. I was initially texted about the incident hours after the fact and then questioned about my son's hearing ability. She did report the incident as required by law. The following week, my son pooped out a 1" marble. When addressing Naomi, her only concern was to reiterate that they called them "fairy gems". She then asked me to keep him home since he could be a liability to her. At that point, I notified her my son would no longer attend her facility and that I'd retrieve his belongings the following week to which she stated she would leave his things outside to be picked up. Half of his belongings weren't present which caused me to make more than one trip due to a lack of maturity and professionalism to address me 'face to face' and allow me to thoroughly collect all his things myself. I'm heartbroken for my son since he doesn't understand why he can no longer attend but his well being was not priority there and will always be mine when searching for care. I hope this can help other's make an informed decision. read more

For any parent out there looking for someone who will care for their little ones just as much as them you came to the right place.

My daughter has been going to Naomi's preschool (Play Matters) for about a year and a half and it has been a wonderful experience for both of us. She is excited to go every day and it is sometimes difficult to pull her away at the end of the day, haha. They spend lots of time outside, either gardening and playing in the water in the spring and summer, or puddle jumping and mud-pie making in the wetter months. I have found Naomi to be caring and attentive when dealing with my daughter, and communicative, professional and upfront in all interactions with myself. Naomi is always available to parents if we have questions or concerns, and from talking to other parents at the school she has always been quick to resolve any issues or miscommunications that may have occurred. On a personal note, I would like to add that Naomi is a gifted caretaker and a patient teacher, but she is not a mind reader. How is she to know if a child has developmental or sensory disabilities if the parent doesn't disclose this information? Naomi can only be effective at her job if parents do THEIR job by giving her the tools and information to better care for their children. Being able to communicate honestly and proactively is a skill that not all parents apparently have, but nevertheless, it IS a skill that we should all hone if we want to raise considerate and responsible children. read more

Play Matters Preschool is amazing! The personalized attention that the children receive is wonderful. The multi-use toys, imaginative play, and the overall learning environment of the space was a favorite for our 3 1/2 year old daughter. Teacher Naomi far surpassed our expectations and quickly became a favorite with our child. Naomi creates a unique learning atmosphere for the children, fosters their individuality and creativity while providing a loving and nurturing space for the children. We are so fortunate to have Naomi in our lives and can't sing her enough praise. She is the perfect teacher combining an eagerness to learn while encouraging creativity which allows the perfect balance of structure and guidance to keep the little ones out of trouble. If you are considering Play Matters Preschool I would highly recommend you set up an interview and meet with Naomi immediately...you will be thrilled with your decision! read more

I met Naomi a few years ago in one of the Early Childhood Development classes and we clicked instantly! I am not surprised that she has opened her very own preschool, she is very focused on her goals, very driven and it shows in everything she does. At such a young age, she has so much experience in this field and she really spends time giving each child the individual attention and best learning experience needed for your child to grow. She is very neat, clean, outgoing, energetic, creative, and super sweet. If you are looking for a safe place for your child while you are at work, THIS IS THE PLACE. read more

This is one of the best home daycares I found in the sacramento county, and trust me I've seen a lot!! Clean, very nice toys, Naomi is super qualifed to care for the kids, flexible, nice and understanding. She will work with you to creat the schedule that will fit your child. Kids dont watch TV, they are always kept active, she takes them to the park and has lots of outside activities. Highly recommend read more

My child attended this preschool for over a year. We were blessed to have found it! Check it out! You won't regret it.

Absolutely LOVE Play Matters Preschool! My 16 month old just adores Naomi and is always excited to spend his day here. Naomi provides a warm, fun, and creative learning environment that is filled with unique toys and books. Naomi also provides thoughtfully planned out activities, including arts and crafts. My little guy has grown so much by coming here! Not only is this a great learning environment, it's also a safe space where Naomi encourages the kids to be silly and use their imagination - it just warms my heart after a long day of work to find my son laughing and being silly with his little buddies. It's evident that Naomi truly loves what she does, and she's great at it. We highly recommend Play Matters Preschool! read more

My nephew Michael attended this school & it was great! We loved how Naomi instilled her teachings & support to expand their thinking and growth! That's what I loved the most, to teach them from a young age to interact & grow! I also love how she's organize, clean, energetic & great with kids! We love love love Naomi & her bond with her chiffon/students. read more

Play Matters Preschool - My nephew Michael when he attended Play matters - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Citrus Heights, California

Naomi is fantastic. She's a kind, gentle soul with an immeasurable love for children and her work. Our daughter Olivia loved her and enjoyed her time there immensely. Finding a daycare for your child can be difficult and at times stressful and I never once worried of her safety and care with Naomi. She is excellent at what she does. read more

Play Matters is very unique in that each individual child is known on a personal level and is treated like family! And Naomi is great very down to earth and relatable. And did I mention the toys are awesome and everything is very clean! In conclusion, I'm very happy I can leave my son with Some one I can trust. read more

I've had 3 child care experiences with my daughters...8 and 17months and this by far had been the best...Naomi has turned my lil shy 1yr old, who only new mommy, daddy,sister,and gran-gran, and anyone who spoke to her she would cry, into an out going,playful fearless lil girl...she comes homes with all types of new things pointing to her senses (nose,eyes,ears) art work, and her mannerism has changed so much she plays with others and shares, and encourages others to join her in play...the one thing I feared most with my youngest starting daycare was nap time, and the separation anxiety, Naomi assured us we would work together to make her transition as easy for her as possible and that's exactly what she has done for my lil girl, she enjoys going to "school" like her big sister we call it school bc that's what it is..the setting is very inviting for both my child and myself..it's clean, and cozy, and the children always look like there having so much fun...it's such a great feeling when you take your child somewhere and they are happy to be there thank you Naomi for being awesome we you and appreciate all of your hard work and dedication to mold our babies read more

Play Matters has been a HUGE blessing for my niece and best friend. For young children play is CRUCIAL to development and understanding of the world around them and Naomi and her assistants provide an environment that is exactly what kids need these days, especially with the over use of technology. Kids are free and encouraged to be kids! They're allowed to play in water, in dirty, play pretend outside with the world around them from making fairy gardens to other imaginative play with sticks, leaves and other natural object, and most important get dirty like kids should. Every morning I drop my niece off at Play Matters the room is beautiful made, the floors and tables are clean or set up for their first activity, and the room is often rearranged and structured to provide a new and fun learning environment. Since starting at Play Matters my niece's confidence has grow immensely in so many aspects from playing with other children, sharing, doing things like putting on her shoes or getting dressed by herself, using her words instead of whining or sounds, her self talk has exploded. My niece talks all the time at home, 3 months ago it was half the amount it is now and less intelligible. THANK YOU Naomi and Play Matter for creating such a fun, safe, and encouraging environment for the kids in your care, we are so grateful. read more

I couldn't recommend Play Matters more. Naomi & the assistants truly love and care for all the kids as if they were their own. I was a stay at home mom for two years before I went to work & needed daycare for my daughter so it's safe to say I was VERY picky and apprehensive about daycare in the first place. I felt like I wasn't going to be able to trust anyone with my daughter. Until I met Naomi and went on a tour of the preschool, my daughter was immediately comfortable and Naomi was insanely kind and informative. Enrolling my daughter in Play Matters is hands down one of the best decisions I've ever made! My daughter has grown and learned so much since starting and she truly learns something new each day. There's no other preschool I trust. The quality of care & eduction at Play Matters is unbeatable and I've seriously cried over feeling so lucky to have such attentive people looking out for my little one. In just a couple months my daughter went from knowing a few words and being very intimidated by other kids to forming full sentences and having little besties. She used to sit in silence when we went to the park and felt uncomfortable interacting with other kids and now she jumps right in & makes friends wherever we go. Naomi is more than just my daughters teacher, she's become part of my village and she personally connects with each family she works with. read more