My child was SEVERELY traumatized by his experience at this school, it was an awful experience for…read moreus and it has created permanent damage to my child's feelings about school, his self confidence, and his desire to be around people in general. Truly horrific. I do not recommend this school in any way, especially if your child is neurodivergent or anxious. The teacher is not experienced with neurodivergent children and has no tools or availability to support unique brains. Please don't send your child here. Feel free to pm me if you would like more information.

It's a difficult thing to do, to review a school in which your family and friends are so invested…read more Ordinarily, when writing a 5-star review, I would simply tell you all the reasons for my 5 stars, followed by healthy encouragement to go there. However, with a school, and with its community, it's so much more intertwined with a greater sense of purpose. For this reason, I will be as intentional as possible about organizing my thoughts here. Let me begin with the heart of the school. "Miss Danielle," as the students have decided to call her, is NOT your everyday human. She is calm, steady, and thoughtful in her day to day routine, but exceeds all teacher expectations in her REMAINING calm, steady, and thoughtful when situations arise ranging from student conflict to global pandemic (and everything in between). She has that rare ability to connect with each individual student, and she meets them exactly where they are with genuine curiosity instead of expectations and demands. She is honest and forthcoming. There has never been a time when she was unable to address concerns, or meet to chat. It is abundantly clear that Danielle is 100% invested in MCM and in the kids themselves. The MCM schoolhouse itself is as precious a place as one could imagine. The children move through their work periods mostly indoors, but plenty of attention is paid to their entire surroundings, including the beautiful vegetable garden, play structure, and the rest of their outdoor spaces. The serene setting invites creativity and imagination, all of which is nourished by periods of free-play, and by more structured events like the Halloween Party, Spring Tea, and Family Campout. The yard also served as the backdrop for additional enrichments from parents and friends including art lessons, a study in mycology, a Valentine STEM project, needle felting, and more. So why would I hesitate to say "you should go here" when giving 5 stars? Montessori education is more than just a school of thought. Committing to a school like MCM means living, at least as best as is realistic, in a "Montessori way." (What does that even mean?!) Well, I feel as though any school should be an extension of your family's values, and learning about Montessori education and the science behind Maria Montessori's methods should be prioritized before considering a Montessori school. MCM is neither a place of pop culture and media saturation, nor is it a place of traditional academic rigor. It is a place where children learn to create their own "fun," and they build self-confidence in doing so. The children's academic success comes not from textbooks, but from curiosity born out of their free access to information. Every child and family is different, so I recommend taking that into consideration before choosing any school, but especially this one. This has been one crazy, unexpected year. I initially found MCM out of necessity when we realized online learning would not work for our family (thanks HughesNet!). I had met Danielle briefly once or twice before, but her reputation for excellence preceded these meetings. She has taken such a humble, gentle approach to opening a school amid wildfires, political strife, and COVID-19. It was abundantly clear after only a couple weeks that we had made an incredibly fruitful decision to enroll our daughter. This year I have watched all the children unfold into the best versions of themselves. They are artistic, musical, inquisitive and analytical. They are more self-assured, and they have learned to respect one another and value their individuality. I could not be more grateful to Danielle and to MCM for being our rock during this turbulent year. Do I recommend you enroll immediately? If this review resonates with you, then yes, I absolutely do. If I've left you with even more questions, well, I know someone who can provide you with all the answers! (Danielle) I do highly recommend making an appointment to visit either way because I think it will give you all the perspective you will need to make the best decision for your family.

My son is in his third and final year (Kndergarten) at Morningstar. I loved the culture of the…read moreschool the former teachers built, before summer 2024, and I love the progression into the school Morningstar has become under Ms. Gigi's ownership as well. The teachers bring their substantial training, experience, and unique gifts to a beautiful environment. Montessori builds independence, autonomy, and initiative as it guides children into becoming passionate, lifelong learners. I am so grateful I found Morningstar in 2022 and can't recommend it highly enough to parents who have high hopes for their child's early education. One benefit I particularly treasure is the opportunity for leadership my son is experiencing as a Montessori mentor. As the caboose to our family, it struck me that this is his big opportunity to be the oldest among his peers. As I see the pictures and videos the school provides daily, chat casually with the teachers at pickup, and observe in our home life, I am seeing my "baby" grow into a confident, thoughtful boy who can apply reason and empathy, modulate his responses, and make good choices in his daily life. Even though he's eligible for Kindergarten (and I am a big supporter of the WPUSD elementary he will attend next year), I keep him here for the low teacher/student ratio, the peacefulness and productivity of his work day, the laughter, fun, and joy that is so clearly enjoyed by the children and the teachers, and the warmth, love, and kindness that welcomes in the families in the mornings and tells them goodnight at the close of day. As Morningstar matures under Ms. Gigi's leadership, I highly recommend it to all families looking for childcare / school in Lincoln.

A lot of reviews here mention the rudeness of the staff and the preferencial treatment they give…read morecertain parents and students. I had first hand experience with this. I attended their open house to see if the school would be a good fit for my son. We entered through the back gate and from the start I noticed I was being looked over. I figured it was because I looked somewhat sloppy carrying my infant in the carrier and haven't had the chance to change in order to make it on time. I was wrong. This was during the pandemic when masks were required indoors. All parents arrived with masks, but upon seeing the staff not wearing them, they also removed them. I attended with my toddler and infant who cannot be vaccinated, so we were also wearing masks and we did not remove them. Quickly, we became the only people wearing masks. When I asked if masks would be worn indoors, I was told no. Again, this was during a time when wearing masks was the safety guidance. I told the staff that I wasn't sure this would be the best fit, and she told me there were plenty of other preschools for my child. That's it. In no more than five minutes, I was bullied, made to feel uncomfortable, and told to leave. I left fuming. I could not believe she would 1. violate safety guidelines. 2. jeopardize the safety of my children. 3. tell me to go somewhere else rather than explain her reasoning. Also, this was done in plain view of other parents quickly setting the tone for the rest of the tour and establishing the type of treatment that is acceptable at this school. Obviously, I left. Looking back, she did me a favor as this is not the kind of environment I would want for my child. I have no doubt that what other parents have said in their posts is honest as the bullying behavior by the staff was in plain view with me. I am left feeling sad about what children are learning at this school about the treatment of others, and about their role in a community. This school is a detriment to all of Lincoln.

We are so incredibly grateful to have found Turkey Creek Montessori school--it's truly been the…read morebest experience for our family. From the very beginning, we felt welcomed, supported, and confident that our son was in the right place. Ms. Amanda and Ms. Emma have created a nurturing, thoughtful, and engaging environment where each child is supported as an individual. Our son absolutely adores them and genuinely loves going to school every day. Ms. Amanda's depth of experience is truly remarkable--22 years in education, a BA in Child Development, an MA in Education, a Montessori credential for ages 3-6, and she's even a certified Positive Discipline coach. Her knowledge, paired with her warmth and intentionality, is reflected in everything she does. She meets each child where they are and helps them grow. We couldn't ask for a better start to our son's education. We only wish we could stay here forever! My husband and I highly recommend Turkey Creek Montessori.

As an educator, I was quite particular about where to send my kids to preschool and Turkey Creek…read morewas the third preschool my older son attended. The first was more of a daycare than anything else and the second one had questionable approaches to managing the behavior of little ones. The third time is a charm because we've loved our time at Turkey Creek Montessori! When our second son was ready for preschool, we went straight back to that teal door. Both boys grew so much academically and emotionally under Ms. Amanda's guidance. I love that she supported them in their interests and in the way they like to learn. There is so much research and thought that is put into everything the kids do. This isn't a daycare, it's a quality educational program. We're going to miss this wonderful school as our little guy moves on to the same "big kid school" his older brother attends.

My son has really enjoyed his 3 years at Sherwood. His teacher, Sheng (same for 3 years) has been…read morewonderful. It's a small, caring, community and my son looks forward to school each day. Traditional school models are not a good fit for him, and he enjoys the work at your own pace Montessori method. He is able to quickly do his work then earn free time and help others.

Wonderful learning environment and community. So greatful my son has this experience!read more

My daughter, who is 9 now, went to Montessori Manor for 3 yrs. during COVID. Ms. Leslie Dillon, the…read moreDirector has run this school very effectively helping the kids and the community of El Dorado Hills. She is one of the greatest teachers I have experienced in my life knowing how well my daughter has progressed after she left the school. She has learnt to be independent while excelling at her studies at Lake Forest Elem. and thanks to Ms. Leslie and her awesome staff for everything. Now I have a 4 yrs. old son who is in his second year at the school enjoys every bit of his time and experience with the staff and his friends and has made tremendous progress just this past year. My wife and I have high regards and respect for what Ms Leslie and her staff has done for both our children. Hope you find this review helpful and do let us know if you have any questions.

Montessori Manor has been wonderful for our son in his first year of half-day preschool. He…read moreabsolutely loves all of his teachers and talks about them constantly. The Montessori program with its hands-on approach has been so good for him. His fine motor coordination skills have improved so much, and he's singing all the time now. The calm, prepared environment immediately put him at ease, and we've watched his confidence, focus, and independence grow every day. We especially appreciate Miss Leslie's leadership. As the director, she's created such an amazing program--her experience and passion shine through in how she trains the teachers and connects with every child. We're so happy he'll be returning next year for full-day. We're truly grateful for such a nurturing start to his education--highly recommend!

As a parent, there is nothing more important than knowing your child is safe, loved, and genuinely…read morecared for. I can honestly say this school has exceeded every expectation I had. From the moment you walk through the front doors each morning, you're greeted with smiling faces and a warm "good morning." They know every child by name and make each family feel welcome. It's such a wonderful way to start the day and immediately gives you peace of mind. The teachers are truly incredible. They are patient, loving, attentive, and take the time to get to know each child as an individual. I've never felt like my son is just another student in a classroom. They celebrate his personality, encourage his growth, and genuinely care about his happiness and development. I also really appreciate their student to teacher ratio. There are more teachers in the classrooms than I've seen at many other childcare centers, which means the children receive so much individual attention and gives me peace of mind. My son started in the First Steps classroom and has now moved into the Young Toddlers classroom, so we've had the opportunity to experience three different classrooms and many different teachers. One thing that has remained consistent throughout every transition is the genuine love and care the staff has for the children. Even teachers he no longer has still stop to say hello, give him high fives, and ask how he's doing. Seeing that they continue to care about him long after he's left their classroom speaks volumes about the kind of people they are. It never feels like they're simply doing a job, they truly build relationships with the children and their families. One of my favorite things about the school is how much they do to keep learning fun and engaging. As a STEM school, they incorporate hands on learning while also offering so many exciting activities throughout the year. My son looks forward to Music Mondays with Matt, art days, water play days, pizza Fridays, and the creative themes they change throughout the week. Over the summer they had a train come to the school and the kids got to ride on it, my son loved that! They even had an outdoor Robo Dance Party that came to the school. They are always thinking of the next fun thing they can bring to the school and it's truly amazing! They even have Soccer Shots as an added option for kiddos. They also host so many family events and holiday celebrations, including Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparents Day, Aunt & Uncle Day, and more. They truly make families feel like they're part of the school community. Safety has always been a top priority for me, and this school takes it seriously. The secure entry with double doors and coded access, along with locked and alarmed outdoor gates, gives me confidence every day that my son is in a safe environment. The playground is always clean, well-maintained, and a place where the kids can play safely. The communication is another huge reason we love this school. Through their app, I receive updates throughout the day with photos, what my son has eaten, diaper changes, water refills, nap times, and more. It makes such a difference knowing exactly how his day is going while I'm at work. I am so grateful that my son gets to grow up surrounded by teachers and staff who love him so well. If you're looking for a school where your child will have lots of fun, learn new curriculum each day, be safe, encouraged, celebrated, and genuinely loved, I cannot recommend this school enough. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of this amazing community!!!

My daughter has been at this school for the 3.5 years now and we absolutely love it! It exceeded…read moreour expectations with an amazing curriculum full of fun learning activities, wonderful admin staff greeting you at the door and helping each parent along when needed. The teachers are all truly amazing they really pay attention to each kids needs and just so engaged and loving. It truly has been a community for us with so many events for kids and parents throughout the year. The facility is very safe, clean, and organized. I absolutely love the app to use for all the reminders and pictures of what's going on and what she ate or if she napped. The communication is very open and ongoing of what's going on. The owners Millie and Ash are very present at the events hanging out with the kids you can feel the love and commitment they have for the school and the kiddos. I recommend Goddard to friends and family I can't thank their team enough for how much they have taught my daughter to be confident and grow along with learning social skills for making friends. She is so happy to go each day to see her teachers and classmates and comes back with so many stories about fun activities she learned from!

My two boys began attending this school in Sept 2023 and it has been a tremendous place of…read morecommunity, support and kindness from how the staff have cared for my kids to how they helped shape them into independent learners :) We experienced Toddler room, CH4 and CH5 throughout our 3yrs here. Thanks Ms. Dee Dee, Ms. Kate, Ms. Brittany, Ms. Eva and Ms. Lekha especially, for all of the love you showed to our family and to the school community overall!

Excellent preschool - we enrolled both of our children here, and we couldn't be happier with our…read moredecision. We recently completed our family's journey at Guidepost after about five years there, and we can confidently say it was one of the best investments we made in their education. From the caring guides and dedicated staff to the engaging, nurturing, and enriching environment. The guides do an exceptional job of fostering independence, curiosity, and confidence while instilling the values of grace and courtesy. We truly enjoyed partnering with our children's guides over the years, and we're incredibly grateful for the care, dedication, and support they provided.