I've loved my years at the co-op with my kids! We've had Teacher Gwyn, Teacher Samantha and Teacher Ramona. All have had differing teaching styles, but fits my kids and families needs. I have loved the way they've prepared my kids for the next level class and eventually kindergarten. I love the balance of being involved in my children's education without the commitment of homeschooling that I cannot do at this time. I appreciate their mindfulness approach to education and resources. read more

I have had both my kiddos go through this program, and it's been incredible. I couldn't imagine their early years without it. Both my children thrived in this preschool, and it's honestly been so helpful for me as a parent. We have met dear friends and really felt like we have been part of a community. I have also learned so much about early childhood development and been given so many tools that have helped me grow into my role as a mom. I love that the curriculum is play based and has a strong focus on social emotional development. It's also a very open minded, supportive and accepting community, which was very important to me when I was initially looking into schools. The teachers have been absolutely stellar, I learn so much from watching them and the way they lovingly and respectfully interact with each child. Parent involvement is essential in a co-op environment and you (or in some cases with full time working parents, another family member such as a grandparent, etc.) work in the school for several days through each month, which was a good fit for our family (I loved being there and wanted to be part of my kiddos early school experience) but it's of course not right for everyone's situation. That said, this program is wonderful for children with separation anxiety, as parents can stay as needed as their child transitions. (It's also great for families struggling with potty training, as it's not a requirement for enrollment.) This next year will be our 6th and final year, as our youngest will be graduating. I'll miss it tremendously, and I know my family (both my kiddos and I) will fondly carry the beautiful memories we made here for the rest of our lives. read more

My daughter attended the Co-op for 4 years. Starting at the toddler program and moving her way up to pre-k. I starting the school knowing it requires parent involvement and was super excited to be part of my daughter learning experience. The teachers were always so helpful to make sure I knew exactly what my roles and responsibilities were. I loved the way teachers spoke to children always with a gentle approach. Tricky emotions were handle with ease and I learned so much about speaking to children so children would listen. Activities were both fun and educational because children learn best through play. They allowed for a lot of outdoor play which I loved. Snack time was great because everyone took turns bringing in their favorite healthy snacks and my daughter had dietary restrictions and everyone was always so accommodating in making sure there was foods she could eat so she didn't feel left out. We were at the co-op during Covid 2020 and the teachers went out of their way to come visit each child at their home to do homeschooling classes so we didn't miss out on the fun. They always made sure to take proper precautions so everyone stayed safe. After returning to school after Covid they always informed families of Covid exposures and would restrict classes until it was safe. I knew the staff always had everyone's best interest at heart. This school will forever be my favorite place and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone who asks. Myself and my daughter have made so many great memories and friends at the Co-Op . If I could give it a 10 star I would. read more

Love this school!! Love the fact that I get to spend time integrating with my kids in their classrooms, with their friends and teachers. I especially love the fact that my youngest can be with me when I choose to help out in the class. No other preschool that I know of allows that. It's truly the best! read more

We are so happy to have had the privilege of being part of this cooperative preschool. My son has learned not only his abc's and 123's but he has also learned problem solving skills, socialization, kindness, compassion and so much more. read more

This school is amazing! Not only do my children get to learn but I get to be apart of it in a BIG way.

This is my 2nd year at the Coop. My son started in the middle of the year but he fit right in. I love not only do the kids learn in the classroom but the parents also learn. Teacher Samantha does an awesome job working with the children. She also helped me with my son on ways to have learn while playing. Being a full time working mother I still find the time to schedule my days to work in my sons classroom and I know he loves to see his mom involved with something he loves. Anybody looking for a Preschool this would be my top choice for you. read more

We couldn't have picked a better school to start our child's' early education. At the co-op, you learn just as much about parenting & your child, as your child learns about the world & the people in her world. The friendships we've made will be long lasting, & while the time spent at the co-op has been more work than a traditional preschool, it has been well worth it. For many hands lighten the load & there are many moments that we would have otherwise missed out on, had we chosen another school. read more

This school has been my second family these past 4 years. I love the co-op set up and working in the classroom directly with my kids. The teachers are all amazing and very well versed in the needs of these young learners. As a former teacher myself, I know the value of a play based learning and know the approach and method prepares students to enter elementary school. I love that the backyard is like a second classroom and it provides a whole new way for kids to learn and explore. My favorite thing about being at the co-op is the family we have there. Working in the classroom enables you to truly get to know every parent and every student and it provides a whole new level of involvement. I'd highly recommend this preschool to anyone who is willing and able to put in the time to help their kids flourish. read more

I am about to start my sons seconds year at the pleasant valley co op.The teachers are wonderful and the environment is so nurturing to my young childs needs.He has made many friends and through out the first year I saw the effects of my parenting.In some cases while attending toddler class I had witnessed direct examples of habits my son had picked up that I did not feel served his highest good so I made the appropriate changes and saw any bad behavior issues solved.If it was not for my close involvement in his early schooling I may have looked over these potential problems.My son is an only child and the co op has taught him the value of sharing in a community setting.I am proud to send my son here and tell all new parents looking for a good school to sign up before they end up on the waiting list! read more

What is sad is that I even have to give this school one star :/ I cannot in good faith recommend the school to anyone I know whether that be friends, family or otherwise. I started the year already feeling out of place and not really welcomed by our teacher nor the board as I had repeated "discussions"about my son (he is one of those children who simply will not sit still). The school did myself and my child many injustices throughout the school year which left us feeling very disappointed in the way the school is being ran. To be specific with some of the mess that happened this past year: I will start by saying that I see the president of the board and the director as being highly unprofessional and unapproachable, even going as far to participate in gossip and drama while voicing to the class to "comply with a grievance policy" if we had issues as parents. **I will side bar right here and note that it is 100% ok in my book to voice your distaste and talk among other mothers if you are unhappy about something. That's how you debrief and hopefully move on from what is bothering you. If it is something that venting won't resolve, THEN i believe approaching a board member or your specific teacher is necessary. To this I will add, that being approachable to voice your opinions and complaints matters and the current and previous president are in no way approachable.** Moving forward with my review, the director (who also happens to be the pre K teacher) made numerous diagnosis of the children that were highly inappropriate, as she is not credentialed to make these diagnosis's. This was an issue discussed in private among several of us mothers. After surmounting insults occurred regularly to many of our children for several months, these concerns and unhappiness eventually made their way to the president and Teacher Annie. Their response was that Annie was dealing with personal family health issues and as an educator it is her job to recommend. There was absolutely no responsibility taken. Yes, it may be your job to recommend, but the discussions had were beyond simple "recommendations." The concerns of us as parents did not weigh on her mind, and it was totally denied that she diagnosed anyone. Many of these parent discussions were also done in front of other parents, further making the discussions inappropriate and unprofessional. It was also well known that the board president allowed another mother from our class to come into a meeting where she verbally assaulted another mother who had accused her of "trying to take down Teacher Annie." Sound like nonsense? Well it was and yet they continued to allow this mom to yell and scream at this other mother without haste to stop the behavior. None of this behavior is appropriate and all of these events got back to our class the next day. The women allowed to enter the board meeting and scream at another mother was also the source of many scary events that would occur later that year leading up to the end of the school year. This women even had a confrontation with her husband, IN FRONT OF THE CLASS, in which she resorted to yelling and name calling very unfit for children ears, and YES this women is returning for the 2016-2017 school year! I will not subject my children to that kind of environment. In addition, we had an issue with a scabies outbreak which was initially attempted to be covered up, until the bug spread to the pre k class. The spread to the next class was also not disclosed to all of the parents in the school. Full disclosure and information was completely lacking putting many of our children at risk for infestation! There was also an incident in which chemical spraying had occurred during outside time WHERE OUR CHILDREN were playing! I am befuddled with the irresponsibility in addition to the catty behavior in this school. Those higher up (director and board members) took a mean girl approach and made it very apparent who was and was not a part of the "co op family." I don't find any part of the year we attended to have been handled appropriately and I truly feel that the children's best interests were not the priority of the director. I understand her mind may have been else where but its never ok when it begins to affect the students. I hope my review helps others when deciding on a preschool. There are many many other great preschools in camarillo and the surrounding areas of ventura county that will make you feel welcomed and your children safe and loved. As far as price goes, while the co op may be slightly less expensive, it is not match for the drama you will avoid by going to the school. For me the price of my child's health and overall well being is so much more important. PRESCHOOL PARENTS BE ADVISED! read more

My family will be starting our 5th consecutive year at the COOP. In my opinion, there is no better choice locally if you want to be very involved & in the know with your child and his/her classroom, have input into how the school is run & have a really strong community with the parents & teachers. All parents participate as teacher's assistants in the classroom, have a "job" throughout the year to keep the school running smoothly & participate in 2 school clean ups a year. The curriculum is child developmently appropriate, meaning they learn through play & socialization rather than being pushed into academics. Kids get gentle guidance with a choice in what activities they want to participate in, so they tend to really blossom. This would not be the best choice of school for families that need flexible schedule/days, that want a rigid academic approach and/or need a drop off school. But for those that want a hands on a approach and have flexible schedules to be able to be present in the classroom a few times a month, it is a little gem of a school! I felt compelled to post another review, as the most recent review was so incredibly negative. While I don't dismiss this review or their experience, and I feel badly that she had such a negative experience, I do believe that it was a highly unusual experience and set of circumstances. It was the first time in the 3 years that we had been at the school that I heard a negative word about it. I'm not a board member and was not present for any of the confrontations that allegedly occurred. Since I was not witness, I don't know the full story. I did hear about them, & as with any disagreement, there are always 2 sides. Honestly, there probably were mistakes that were made on all sides. One thing that I think is very important to note is the close knit nature of the community, it is more like a family than a typical school. It is truly run by the parents. There is no administrative staff, no custodial staff...there are three very involved, very passionate and very kind teachers and maybe 40 to 50 close families (approximately 60 student spots total in this little school) that do EVERYTHING, and they do it for love of the kids. I think that the perhaps there was "taking sides" that took place because of the friendships and loyalties. I don't say this as an excuse for anyone, but I think human emotion and reaction was partly to blame. I also heard a lot of regrets from many about how things were handled, I think that it was a big learning experience, and as unfortunate as it was, I do believe in the end it has helped shaped the school and leadership for the better. Regarding the accusation that the scabies outbreak was covered up, I do have personal insight into that incident as one of the only 3 families infected. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding when it was first reported that influenced when families were notified. It was human error, and the contact apologized humbly and profusely and felt really horrible, but genuinely, the school did everything else right in containing the spread (immediately disinfecting and laundering everything in the school), and then owned the misunderstanding and subsequent delay in letting parents know immediately. There absolutely wasn't a cover up, it was an unfortunate case human error. As for the pesticides being sprayed, well, that is an exposure risk for anyone living and working in an agriculture community. This school is right next to agriculture fields. The school does ask the land owners to notify the school when spraying is going to take place. But it doesn't always occur. That sucks, but the COOP does not have a crystal ball. I have lived next door to citrus orchards, the agriculture corporations are very frustrating to have as neighbors, I know how negligent they are in notifying neighbors of pesticide drops. I hope that sheds some light, this school is full of love and nurturing, don't dismiss it because of one bad review. Go check it out for yourself. read more

This is the school setting I wish I had found for my oldest child, but didn't exist where we were living at the time. Last year we moved to Camarillo and I was thrilled to find the CoOp for my younger daughter. It's a school unlike any other I've seen. The CoOp is a true work of love by the teachers and the parents. It's about teaching our children to be kind, helpful, and conscientious beings while still learning fundamentals like the ABC/123s, colors, etc. We as parents benefit from watching the teachers in action, learning how to better approach the difficult moments our kids face (learning to take turns, cleaning up toys, asking for what they want productively, etc). My daughter loves her school, her teacher and her friends, and especially loves when I'm a teacher-mommy in the classroom. I can't imagine a better way to spend these years with her before she goes of to elementary school. read more