It is with a heavy heart that I write this review, because I really wanted to like this place. I feel it is my duty to warn other parents that if they have an active child, this might not be the place for them. After looking for a local pre-school for my four year old son, I was thrilled that I had found taproot. I walked in and was greeted by one of the teacher's assistants who proceeded to give me a tour of the place. It' a spacious building with three split age groups and a large playground. One of the first things I noticed that struck me as odd was that all the children walked in to the classrooms from their lunch time with their hands behind their back (think cops style). I decided to look past it and tried not to let it bother me so much. Fast forward to the inside of the classroom, the children are sitting in circle time, silent, with their hands behind their backs again (this time it looks sad and the children look robotic). I decided to ask why they were doing that and the teacher said it was so that they wouldn't be distracted from the lesson- OK, sure, whatever works I guess. But there was not a single smile on the kids' faces, perhaps they were very focused. I am impressed with everything the TA is pitching me. She tells me that if my child stays through the pre-k and kinder program, that he would start first grade multiplying and dividing. I thought that was awesome! But wondered how hard they needed to drill these 4 and 5 year olds to teach them that. Naturally, as a parent, you want your children to excel and be the best, but sometimes you need to slow down and remember that they are just children, and are growing and learning every single day. I liked how nice the place looked- it looks like kindergarten, classrooms are clean, etc. I decide to sign him up and hope for the best. Come Monday, he starts. Of course he cried because he doesn't know anyone. I get a call from the head teacher, Elvia, towards lunch telling me he has stopped crying by the time I reached my car (supposedly). When I pick him up at the end of the day, I ask him how his day was, he responds by telling me "Not good mommy.". This made me sad, but I figured he was just getting used to it. I keep him there for a week, and every time his answer is disheartening. For the entire week, my poor child is having nightmares and not sleeping well. He cried all but one day that i dropped him off (that day it was a late drop for him and he went in distracted to a group activity). 3 out of the 5 days he was there, he came back in different clothes. When I asked why, they told me he wet his pants and in one single day, it was 3 different times. My child is fully potty trained, so I found this VERY bizarre. On Friday, the head teacher speaks with me again and lets me know that they are having problems with my son listening. I understand that it can be hard to adjust, but the school seems like it can be run in a military type fashion when they come to instilling order for the children. I agree to help follow through more at home (which I did the whole week- strict bed time, picking up toys, chores, etc). I pick him up at the end of the day, this time in different clothes. I ask one of the TA' s how his day was and if he had been doing any better. Her response is extremely lack luster and ill informed. She was very sluggish with her response and this frustrated me. I put him in the car and notice his shoes are on backwards. I get it, maybe he put them on wrong... why couldn't anyone have helped? There was snot on his face... not offering tissues either? Geeze. We get home and I start taking off his things to get him in the bath when I notice a bite mark near his elbow, and light bruises on his arms. I ask him what happened and he tells me "I was in time out mommy". AT THIS POINT I AM ENRAGED!!! Why on earth does my child have bruises on his arms? I understand he may try to resist being put in the time out chair, but to tighten your grip in that manner to the point where you can leave a mark is absurd. I quickly call and leave a message on their machine that he will not be returning. On Monday I get a call from the head teacher in which she asks me if her words of him having difficulty overwhelmed me. I told her no, but proceeded to explain my findings and the fact that there was no incident report in his cubby. She says none of the teachrs reported anything that day and that they didn't notice him crying or anything. I told her about the bruises on his arms and him being on time out and she started going on about trying to find out who bit him and whether or not he could provide a name so they could address it with the child. How about addressing the bruises? I fully understand that little boys can be active and playful, but my son is not violent and doesn't hurt other children. If he was having such trouble listening and was resistant to time outs, call me, don't force him in a chair to the point where you hurt him. Enough said. read more

When we were looking for daycares, we would become sick to our stomachs worrying about who we would be trusting to watch over our most precious thing; our son Brayden. As soon as we met the director/owner Nicole we immediately knew that Taproot Tots was a safe and caring place. In the 20 months since then, they have taken so much time to work with us and Brayden as he went through stages, illnesses, etc. They have consistently been patient, helpful and kind. Nicole has taught us so much. With the amount of time Brayden spends at Taproot Tots, together with Nicole and the other teachers we are raising Brayden. He comes home each day and amazes us with the amount of information and skills he has learned. Every day we are all writing on the slate of Brayden's development, formulating who he will become. We are so grateful to have Taproot Tots as part of this process and could not have asked for better people to participate in this most crucial of developmental phases. We really couldn't ask for a better daycare! read more

This review is long overdue. I cannot say enough how amazing Taproot is. Miss M is incredible, Elvia, and all the ladies who work here are just top-notch. Our son had such a wonderful experience in the short time he was enrolled. We could tell almost immediately how much he was learning while there. Often times he'd come home with an adorable piece of art he'd made that day (melted my heart!). Unfortunately, coronavirus started so we had to pull him out only 2 months into his enrollment, and then we moved across the country a few months later. We all miss this place so much and would still be there if things were different!! We're so grateful for what he did learn in such a short time. Just an amazing, amazing place. read more

This school was the best investment i made for my son. The teachers are great. The school is so cute and my son learned so much while he was here. I am so sad when we moved that we had to leave the school as we are now too far away. The growth you see in your child is worth it! read more

What a great preschool! I enrolled my son last year, and I can not believe the transformation! He went in, not very eager to learn, but now is so excited about recognizing all letters and putting them together to make words. The staff is incredible, always helpful and kind. The rooms are clean, and activities are always tailored to their learning styles. We will miss them so much! read more

I am proud to write that I have been a parent that has had three children over the last 13 years under the care of the Taproot Montessori Preschool in Jamul. I have my youngest child currently enrolled. I have also referred many happy parents to the program over the years and made lasting friendships with other families. My children have thrived under the teaching methods used at Taproot. The classroom time is organized based on a clear schedule and the children are taught to respect their abilities by making them participate as responsible citizens in the classroom. The "works" allow the children to have fun activities that also foster educational skills. There is music time and the teachers have the children up and moving around or singing along. The monthly calendars teach interesting subject manner and help give parents conversation pieces to help engage on what was learned each day. There is such a sense of pride coming from a child that comes home and shares an interesting fact they learned. All of my children have been excited to come to Taproot. I have experienced the Kindergarten program which exceeded my expectations providing my son a great learning environment to build his initial skills before entering the elementary school system. One item I have learned with all of my children is that they have learned to treat the classroom with an extreme respect because of their time at Taproot. My children are given extensive outlets outside the classroom to have additional activities, sports and play time. My older children have respect for the classroom as a learning environment, that the teachers have rules in place to help maximize what all children receive during instruction time, and they understand there are times for play and time to focus. The teachers at Taproot are genuine and care deeply about the children. I have always received a call or note if something negative has happened involving my child during the day. I appreciate the feedback about how I can help support the teachers when my children have gone through different phases of testing boundaries. I look at the teachers as partners and they provide a positive influence on my children. It has given me peace as a working parent to know when I drop my children off each day that the adults they were surrounded by were such wonderful people. I will make sure to emphasize, that you as a parent are responsible to understand the teaching method that a Montessori program emphasizes. As a parent we are all looking for the best option for our children and the parents need to understand and support the teaching program if they want to succeed. read more

I absolutely love this school! Best investment for my two year old... my daughter has been going here for the last 2.5 months. I have a newborn baby and went back to work so I know I needed to find a place that has extended hours for my daughter. I am a bedside nurse so I work twelve hour shifts. The hours are very good, and my husband can drop and pick up my toddler from 7-6 pm if needed.... they pretty much work with your schedule and are open to listening to what you want. The staff is wonderful, Mrs. Elivia is the director and has been my nephews preschool teacher in taproot when he was a kid and now he's in high school... she really loves the kids and knows each one individually. I have seen a huge difference in my daughter. She is so much more independent and wants to do allot of things on her own, she's talking allot more and is always singing educational songs! I look forward to this fall and I'm so happy to have found such a good place where I can leave my daughter safely. read more

I love this preschool. The director is very organized and hard working! I'm so happy I choose this preschool for my child!

My 15 month old son has been going here for 4 months now and I can't say enough great things about this school. From the day he started he has been reaching milestone after milestone. Within 2 months of going he started signing. He always claps and smiles when we pull up and if ever we surprise him early he is reading, playing, singing, dancing, or being held. My biggest concerns starting daycare where exposer to so many germs at such a young age and getting enough comfort and love. This school is very clean. He has not been sick at all aside from a runny nose. I can tell by the way he runs into the teachers arms that he feels safe and loved. The only issue I have had is when I pick my son up I wasn't getting much information about his day aside from naps and diaper changes. Although, after I mentioned that to the teacher they began to include a short summary of what he did. So if you need more than the standard info they are happy to accommodate. I would absolutely recommend Tap Root to a friend and plan on keeping my child here until he's ready for kindergarten. read more

My son Blake has been at taproot for over a year now and we couldn't be happier! The teachers are all great and care about our son so much. He has learned a lot and loves it so much that we even are keeping him in for summer. read more

If I could only can write pages about how good good this preschool is. I have been taking my kids to taproot since 2013 and I couldn't be happier than this. Everything is amazing here, the stuff is super sweet, the classes are made excellent to entertain yet to teach the kids. There is always activities so the kids never get bored. This is the last month for my daughter, but I will definitely come back for my other daughter soon. I will miss my taproot family ( Jamul Location )dearly read more

My son Ryan is just leaving Taproot after five years for first grade and we are grateful for the wonderful care, development and learning that took place. The teachers, school director and owner genuinely care about him and made a positive difference in his and our lives. I recommend them to anyone who is looking for a terrific partner to reinforce good values, caring discipline and a great learning environment. read more

when looking for a preschool for our son, my husband and I were anxious but nervous due to the fact our child was 4 years old and had never had a nanny, been to daycare, or been babysat or watched by anyone other then ourselves. Our fear was him being upset and wouldn't be able to adapt to the schools atmosphere or way of teaching. We were pleasantly surprised on how the staff took notice of our concerns and had compassion. Each and every teacher made our son feel so comfortable, safe and welcomed. From the get go he adapted and enjoyed every day of school. In his two years of attending taproot jamul, our son blossomed and exceeded academically. We highly recommend this school, from the teachers to the academics in our opinion is the best. We couldn't be more grateful. read more

As a former student and now parent of taproot I can tell you that this is the best school you could have your child in. Starting with the director Mrs. Elvia she truly cares about her students and wants the best for them. I'm constantly kept up to date with how or what my child did in school. My child is two and she's already making friends, knows the sounds of letters and in an extra program called wee dance. All the teachers are amazing and very attentive when it comes to watching the children. I recommend this school to everyone, you will know that your child is in good hands. read more

I would give fewer stars but that is not an option. After having my son attend taproot in Jamul for 6 weeks we realized that they just want little robots in their facility. They don't want kids playing together but rather have them sit and play alone on a mat. The director, who I assume has done this for at least a little while, couldn't even handle one active child ( I'll be honest, he can be disruptive) but that's what kids do and that is what they are there for, to help teach kids how to act in social settings. We can't teach that in a group setting since we don't have 30 kids at home. Plus the director knew that going in. We told her about his challenges and she assured us they could handle it. Also she said the only reason they would ask him to leave would be if he was hurting other kids, and if he was asked to leave we would have one months notice. They said he was pushing (I saw kids pushing almost every time I picked him up) and he would have to go in a week and a half. Thanks a lot Taproot! I will tell everyone I know (and even people I don't know) to never send your kids to Taproot or any other Montessori school for that matter. read more

Taproot is amazing!! I've experienced different daycare/preschool such as kindercare and la peitite and Taproot is off the charts in comparison. My 4 year daughter has been with Taproot for a year now and it amazes me how much she has learned in that time, she comes home everyday with new vocabulary and knowledge. Just the other day she asked " mom can I have some H2o to drink" my daughter can write her first and last name, reads sight words and word families, she loves going to school and has made several friends. I am so pleased with the school I've started my 2year old son in Aug and he loves it!! The teachers are engaged and caring. The director Elvia is wonderful and truly cares, I was lucky enough to have my son transition into the school small increments of time so he became familiar with the environment and with the teachers making his first day smooth. The teachers are warm and friendly to all children and parents and seem to really care for your child. Taproot is the best decision I have made for my children's educational and social success!! read more

We absolutely love this school!! My three kids have been going to Taproot since 2011 and we have been thrilled with the progress they have made while attending. My oldest started a private elementary school last fall and was so far ahead of her classmates academically and socially that they skipped her a grade. I know that we have Taproot to thank for her advancement. My two younger kids, age 4 1/2 and 3, are currently enrolled and they are excited to go to school everyday. My 3 years old can recognize numbers and knows some letter sounds. My 4 1/2 came home the other day and explained the three phases of water (solid, liquid and gas) to us. She is also reading and writing far above what I would have expected from a 4 year old. This school emphasizes not only learning but also personal responsibility, manners, independence, and respect for self/others all while having fun. The teachers at Taproot are so patient and kind! They treat the children and parents with respect. When discipline issues arise (which with three high-energy kids happens), they communicate the issues with us respectfully and with the goal of working together to resolve the problem. I cannot express how much we appreciate all that Taproot offers! I would recommend this school to anyone without reservation! read more