Both my son and daughter attended Torrance Montessori School…read more My son started first, from age 3-5. Then my daughter was there from 2-3. When we moved out of the area so that my son started kindergarten, that is when we unenrolled. I really like the balance between indoor/outdoor time and also between structured/open play. There is a lot of free open play built into the day's schedule which I like because the kids get to interact with each and build friendships. At the same time, there is also structure and routine. A typical day is as follows (this is when my children were enrolled so maybe this has changed a bit, you'll have to check with the school): before 9 am is open play. Lots of Montessori style toys and activities for kids to choose from. 9-11 am is academics with children being grouped by age. Their curriculum is age appropriate for that group. 11-1 pm is lunch and open play outside. The outside has plenty of space plus a playground plus flowers/plants and other items to play with. 1-2:30 pm is nap time for those who still nap. Nap is a separate building in the back away from the kids that no longer sleep so the kids can rest undisturbed. If they no longer nap, then there is an art/craft activity, spanish class, music class and/or another learning activity for those kids. 2:30-3:30 pm is open play and a snack break. I think they also offer extended care 3:30 pm - ? but I didn't have the kids in extended care, so I am not sure about the experience. I would imagine there is more open indoor/outdoor play. The teachers there have been there for many years. They are very sweet and caring but also have rules and safety expectations. They are attentive and they tune into what they see throughout the day. They will share important information or behaviors that they pick up on from your child and they will communicate. I also would go to them for advice if I was struggling with language or behaviors at home and they often would have very helpful tips to help me work on that and it often worked. This place is a very clean!! The kids are constantly washing their hands from the first moment they walk in the door and throughout the day. This place will be an amazing environment for your children. They will make strong friendships and also will be ready for elementary school. It is run by very great teachers, and it is affordable compared to all the other Montessori type schools in the area. I know because i looked into all of them and researched and compared. I was surprised that there are not a larger or students enrolled, but i think the reason is that Torrance Montessori is not an app-based school and/or a social media school. This school functions with good old fashion phone calls/and or speaking in person. My children both had a great experience here and they still have playdates with friends that they met here. I am glad I found this school when I did.

My daughter used to attend Torrance Montessori, and my son is currently enrolled there. Before…read morethis, my daughter went to another Montessori school, but dropoffs were always difficult. She would cry almost every morning. Even though she'd tell me she had a great day and enjoyed herself, the tears never really stopped, even after more than a year. That's when I decided to look for a new school. As soon as we found Torrance Montessori, everything changed. The dropoff tears stopped, which felt like such a relief. It truly felt like we had found the right place for her. When my son turned two, we enrolled him as well. While the school follows a Montessori approach, it also has a strong academic focus, which I've really appreciated. They offer both Spanish and Mandarin, and there's even a music class on Fridays. My daughter felt confident and well prepared going into Kindergarten, and my son, who is now four, can already write his name and count to 100. I'll admit, I don't spend much time doing extra teaching at home, so it's been impressive to see how much they've learned at school. The environment is safe, clean, and nurturing. Many of the teachers have been there for years, and it shows in how much they genuinely care about the students. If you're considering it, I'd definitely recommend taking a tour and seeing it for yourself. One last thing I want to add is that tuition was very reasonable and the lowest compared to other preschools. The hours are from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm with extended hours after.

There's nothing more comforting than your child WANTING to be somewhere you are not…read more From day 1 my daughter really enjoyed coming to PEM. The teachers, Ms.Maduka, Ms. Sharon, and Ms.Andrea in particular were a very important part in her development. The curriculum here is spot on and really enhances what your kid enjoys doing while also teaching them many other important subjects and ways to learn. If you are looking for a school that takes absolute care and dedication of your kid then look no further. I highly recommend this school to all. You will not be disappointed.

My daughter spent nearly two years at Pacific Explorer Montessori, and I'm so grateful for the…read moreexperience. From the very beginning, Mrs. Maduka created a warm and supportive environment where my daughter has truly thrived. She absolutely loves all her teachers, including Ms. Andrea, who introduced her to Spanish in such a fun and engaging way, and Ms. Sheron, who has also played a big role in her learning journey. My daughter has become more independent, confident, and curious, and has developed strong language, reading, and math skills. We've always felt at ease and fully recommend this school to any family looking for a supportive and enriching early education environment.

My baby daughter was in PICU & I was coming from the hospital to drop off my older daughter for a…read morefield trip at the school. I was 10 minutes late so the school gave away my daughter's spot away & also refused to return my trip money. I tried to explain that I was coming from the hospital but they still refused. They didn't want to 'disappoint the child' who they gave my daughter's spot to. They didn't care about disappointing my daughter, who had been looking forward to the trip all week. They then accused me of 'arguing with the teacher' & gave me a warning. The people who run this place are horrible & heartless. They will steal any money you pay them (this is only one of several instances). If you have any concerns about anything going on with your child, you are not 'allowed' to voice them or they will kick you out of the school. Bend over & take it. You have no voice as a parent. If you leave, they will keep any tuition money you've paid. Only if they kick you out will you get it back. I highly advise you send your kids elsewhere. They are a nightmare. Seriously, I'm warning you, DON'T go to this school. We then went over to Pine's Christian- night & day difference. They are wonderful. Highly, highly recommend you go there.

Today marks the last day our kids will attend Hickory Tree and words can't express the amount of…read moregratitude we have for this school and this staff in helping us develop our children. We had the greatest experience here for both our children as the staff has done a great job in fostering an environment for kids to grow, while also allowing them to be kids. I grew up in suburban America with great schools and a big community emphasis. Seeing my kids go through the program here reminded me a lot of my childhood. I read another review from a parent complaining about hickory having structure for the kids. The truth is, kids need structure. They need to learn manners and how to play with others. Michelle Obama said it best when she said her parents raised her to eventually be an an adult one day. I personally don't think I'm doing any favors to my kids if I'm not preparing them to be an adult in this world. In todays fast past environment, so often are values lost and forgotten that it was really nice for our family to be able to allow our kids to also have that for their early schooling. They allow kids to be kids while still learning boundaries along with curriculum to keep them ahead academically. Both our kids have really come into their own during their time there and we have hickory to thank for that. So Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Absolutely love this school. My oldest transferred here when his school closed and I wish we…read morestarted here originally. The staff are amazing and loving teachers. They truly love what they do and it shows. Been here now 2 years with my middle child now enrolled. My youngest will also be attending eventually. Couldn't recommend them enough.

So far this daycare has been great for my son. The teachers seem to be patient. When my son started…read morehe had Ms Alyssa and she was so caring. He is loving his teacher Ms Stacey. They are the best.

We love this school! Words truly cannot express how much South Bay Montessori has meant to our…read morefamily. Our daughter attended from age 2 to 5, and the time passed far too quickly!! Choosing South Bay Montessori was one of the best decisions we made as parents, and we feel incredibly grateful for the loving, clean and nurturing environment created by the teachers, staff, and director ( Ms. Evien ). From day one, we knew she was in exceptional hands. All the teachers ( special thanks to Ms. Luna, Ms. Heidy, and Ms. Angie ) at South Bay Montessori are truly priceless. Their love, dedication, and individualized attention helped our daughter grow not only academically but also emotionally. She gained knowledge, confidence, and independence while being surrounded by warmth and genuine care every day. As working parents, there was nothing more reassuring than knowing she was safe, happy, and well cared for every day. That peace of mind meant the world to us. The school is wonderfully organized and guided by a thoughtful educational approach that balances strong academics with kindness and support. The teachers, staff, and director go above and beyond to create a community that truly feels like an extension of family. South Bay Montessori is more than just a school -- it is a place where I see that all children are loved, respected, and encouraged to become their best selves. As our daughter graduated in 2025, saying goodbye was truly bittersweet. South Bay Montessori has played such an important role in our daughter's early years and has left a lasting impact on our family. We will always be deeply thankful for the love, guidance, and education she received at SB Montessori. South Bay Montessori will always hold a very special place in our hearts, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to any family looking for a truly exceptional Montessori experience.

My boys have been enrolled in daycare here for almost a year. They started at 18 months and have…read morebeen lovingly cared for by all the teachers and teacher's aides. I felt this was the right place for them because it met the criteria important to us: safe, clean, small class size, kind and caring staff, and exposure to educational and life skills. I appreciate the daily updates they provide regarding my boys' activities, this helps keep us informed about their needs. Note that siblings receive a discounted tuition rate, which is helpful!

Mariel has helped care for our daughter from 3 months to nearly 3 years old, and she's been an…read moreincredible--and truly irreplaceable--part of our lives. She's thoughtful, endlessly patient, and reliable--always creating a calm, engaging environment with meaningful activities and consistent care. We trust her completely and continue to feel so supported as first-time parents. As a mom herself, with prior teaching experience and specialized training, she understands kids deeply and strikes a great balance of structure, creativity, and kindness. Now that our daughter is starting school, there's no question--we'll go to Mariel first when we need care again, and we know we will. If you're looking for somewhere your child will be truly cared for, supported, and encouraged as they grow, look no further--you've found it.

Mariel at Bay Buddies has been so kind and great. From the moment I stepped into the daycare for a…read moretour, I noticed just how clean and baby friendly the space was from the main play area to the outdoor backyard that has a great children's play set. Mariel was very thorough in explaining to us the daily routine for the babies and all the things she does to keep them safe. The tuition price is very fair especially for the flexibility of the time and dates that our daughter attends and that was something that was very hard to find at other preschools/daycares. We feel very good about sending our daughter here, knowing that she is being cared for with love and thoughtfulness. Mariel's prior background in teaching is also a huge plus!

My kid loves it here. He was scared at first, like most kids on their first days, but now he always…read morewants to go to school! The teachers are doing something right if all the students and parents are smiling.

So happy we chose this school for our daughter! What a wonderful place for a toddler to start her…read morelearning journey. The teachers are loving , intelligent and most of all, genuinely interested in teaching. Love everything about the school