We absolutely love The Waves! I went on many school tours before deciding to send my daughter here, and I'm so glad I chose it. Miss Carey and Miss Natal are wonderful teachers--so caring, patient, and attentive. I love seeing how much my daughter is learning every day. The class sizes are great, and I love how the school looks and how everything flows. It's always very clean and well organized. The sensory activities and arts & crafts are amazing, and I really appreciate the creative activities they do every month for the kids. I also love that they consistently update parents with pictures and videos--it means so much to see what our kids are doing during the day. Most importantly, my daughter truly loves going to The Waves, and that says everything. read more

Disclaimer: Part of my wait in reviewing was in part of a fear in retaliation --in that our family can be smeared negatively in a reply by the director-- but ultimately, as a reader of this review, you can do with it what you will. This is just a summary of our experience. May yours be better if you choose to go with The Wave. Our son started at The Wave in June 2023 shortly after he turned 2. We previously had him enrolled in a daycare since he was 7 months as we are both working parents. This was our first experience with a preschool and we were enamored with its promise. The Red Room (2 year olds) was full of support: Miss Megan, Miss Debbie, Miss Sherrill. The after school and summer program was amazing: Miss Sharon --who helped us with napping and potty training advice --and Miss Kristi --who always loved on my son --were standouts. We were gracious when our son was bitten (teeth marks and bruise left on his hip) early on into enrollment, but it was because we are understanding that toddlers can be toddlers. We came to every event, supported the book orders, and were genuinely smitten and communicative with our teachers. Being a public school teacher myself, I try to be the parent I wish to have supporting me --one that works as a team in student-centered goals. In fall 2024, things started to go awry. The Yellow Room (3 year olds) had a teacher who left due to starting a family and the position was filled by someone who went to preschool and church at Beachpoint. She was co-partnered with another teacher whose demeanor is quite cold. The majority of the class were girls. As August turned into September, we started getting behavioral reports for our son. We met with the director, Mr. Gabe, and set goals. We were cooperative, but my husband did bring up the point that my son either never had problems prior to this school year's room assignment or were never notified. We believe the latter point struck a nerve with Mr. Gabe as the behavioral forms turned from one a week into one given every day or even multiple times a day. Things that ranged from throwing toys (which we held him accountable for --we are not delusional when it comes to parenting) to playing with the decor (they had used a salt and pepper shaker and turned them into some decorations) and running towards pumpkins. We were called for early pick ups (once we dropped him off at 10:20 after an appointment and were called back to pick him up at 10:57 am) which was a struggle for two working parents to arrange coverage and run to grab our son. We met again with Mr. Gabe and he gave us the opportunity to change rooms mid-October. Miss Bell was a blessing and for two weeks, our son was improving and Mr. Gabe said he "couldn't wait to partner with us." Then, at the end of October, he left us a voicemail to set up another meeting. Conveniently, the end of the month was when our tuition was already paid. He wanted to dismiss our son. Concurrently, Miss Vanessa at the front office had suggested we get our son assessed. I was unclear on what he needed an assessment for, but as a teacher and parent, I wanted to make sure I was cooperative and checked off the efforts. Fountain Valley School District was phenomenal (shout out to their school psych Mr. Justin) and was able to observe our son at The Wave. After much effort (we had to take work off to be on hand for the asssessments), our son did not qualify for autism nor speech delays. It was just further validation that our son was ...a 3 year old boy being a 3 year old boy. I waited almost a year to post this review because I wanted to be able to look back and fairly examine what we went through. I now have the hindsight to understand that I had "dream school" goggles on. I see more clearly now that the school really worked with families that had easy daughters or obedient sons. Mr. Gabe even said, per our dismissal, that his school follows the teachings of "Jesus who goes after every lost lamb" but that unfortunately his school didn't have resources that we needed. I bring this up because in the winter, we enrolled our son at another preschool, and he is THRIVING... and the school has no more resources than The Wave. What they do have are all experienced teachers of 15+years who have huge hearts and patience for littles. I was initially ashamed of being "kicked out" of The Wave, but when I shared everything that we went through, the new school's director just said... "Your son's been on this earth for what...3 years? He's a boy. He's a kid. He's learning!" We haven't had an issue and he'll attend TK there next year. To top it off, some of the Wave teachers still keep in touch with us and after his dismissal, a few dropped off gifts or attended his tball games (in the spring too). It's a conflict of interest as it's their work place, but I think they empathized for our experience and loved our son. It was a hard lesson to learn, but if you are a parent, don't be afraid of your intuition. read more

Over the course of 7 years, all three of my children attended the Wave. I am so appreciative that they were all about to experience passionate teachers who not only had play-based developmentally age-appropriate lessons, but a variety of enrichment opportunities that helped them develop academically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. I am grateful for their support in potty-training, introducing a variety of well-balanced meals, and for weekly chapels full of songs and relevant bible stories. The community is supportive, generous, and inclusive. read more

We tried another preschool before coming here when our daughter was 3 years old. We changed schools because we knew our daughter well, and she was NOT happy at the prior school. I also picked her up one day and heard a teacher screaming at one of the kids to stop crying and this did not sit well with me. This school was in Lake Forest, near our residence. We came to The Wave (yes, a little bit of a drive for us) because my sister had her son there and spoke very highly of it. A simple review on Yelp will not do this place justice, my daughter is now 5 years old and headed to Kindergarten and we are sad to leave The Wave family. THE GREATEST, MOST INCREDIBLY KIND AND WARM staff. Mr. Gabe, Ms. Danielle, Ms. Sharon, Ms. Kristi, Ms. Daniella, Ms. Vanessa and all the others have treated my daughter and our family so well in our time here. Our daughter has thrived, grown academically, and has learned great social skills at The Wave. They put on the sweetest Christimas performance for families every year, they have a great outdoor playground with several support staff to safely watch the kids. My favorite thing about The Wave has been the secure and safe feeling after drop off each morning. Our daughter gets excited to go to school, runs into her teacher's arms for a big hug, and we feel good at work all day knowing that our daughter is in great hands. I would run, not walk, to put your kid's name on the waiting list. I promise, you will not regret taking your kids to The Wave!! We are forever thankful and will be back with our youngest in a few years!! read more

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Wave Preschool. I like the small class size and all staffs are nice. My kid loves to go to school and like all the activities they had done in school. Highly Recommend!! read more

We had such a wonderful experience with Valley Day Preschool! They're education program is phenomenal! Their team in amazing! They're Super sweet and kind. They make preschool fun for kids. Miss Jennifer was so sweet and patient with my little girl who used to cry every single morning at preschool. I saw Miss Jennifer doing her class with my girl in her arms a couple times. My daughter was treated with love and kindness and that makes me really happy. Unfortunately for personal reasons we're leaving Valley Day but we will keep you guys in our heart forever!!! read more

The wave is such an amazing preschool, our daughter loves all of the teachers and they have done such an amazing job making her feel comfortable during her transition into school! Nothing but great things to say and so fortunate to have such an amazing Christian preschool we can trust read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE The Wave, can't say enough great things about this little school! The staff treat the children like family, they are kind, patient, loving, communicative and have prepared our kids for the next stages of their education. The art and activities they plan are amazing and they constantly get the most out of their classrooms. The class sizes are small, there are lots of aids, the campus is so clean and safe, it really is a blessing. We tried other preschools before finding The Wave and we knew immediately this was the one. read more

The hours in here say open until 6 pm but the lady picking up the phone say they only open until 5pm. Asking her about tuition fee, she said she is new so she doesn't really know much. It is 3:40 pm and she said other people in the management already went home !??? Already do not want to start anything here with the person picking up the phone cannot really help with anything. read more

Best preschool in OC. My daughter loves the teachers and staffs there. She is so happy to go to school everyday. Highly Recommend!

LOVE Valley Day! It's more than preschool and day care. It's a place where I feel my kids are safe and cared for, a place where the staff truly loves their students, and a place that my kids love attending. read more

My children were at 3 different preschools over the years and by far Valley Day was the best school. I love that they have chapel 2 times a week and the staff is amazing! Mrs Campbell is an amazing teacher! read more

My kids have been going to Valley Day for years. We love the teachers and the staff is amazing! My son really gets alot out of it and has made some really great friends. read more

I have been for awhile and still am interning here on site twice a week and I have never felt so welcome. the staff here is amazing and so patient and the kids are awesome. never had a problem! read more

BEST. SCHOOL. EVER! Can't imagine a more loving and caring staff.

The staff at Valley Day are the most caring, loving, kind and fun people around. Children are so happy and excited when they are there! I fully recommend this wonderful preschool as well as the after school program to ANYONE! You will not find a better place for your child. read more

this school is the best! the classes are small so focus is on the students. the teachers are patient and amazing. love the staff. my son is thriving and can't wait to go to school every morning! read more