I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Valley Vista Preschool. Sending your children to preschool is such a big decision, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have found a place where we know they are genuinely loved, cared for, and supported every single day. The teachers and staff are exceptional. They are warm, patient, attentive, and truly invested in each child. You can tell this isn't just a job for them--they genuinely care about the kids and take the time to understand their individual personalities, strengths, and needs. What stands out most is the environment they have created. Our children are excited to go to school, they come home happy, and we have watched them grow tremendously both socially and academically. As parents, there is no better feeling than dropping your children off and knowing they are somewhere safe, nurturing, and filled with people who care about them. Valley Vista has become much more than a preschool to our family. It feels like a community, and the impact the teachers have had on our children is something we will always be grateful for. If you are a parent considering Valley Vista Preschool, I could not recommend it more highly. Five stars doesn't feel like enough. read more

Our family is incredibly disappointed by our experience with Valley Vista Preschool, and after everything that has happened, we cannot recommend this school to other parents. The final straw came when our child was expelled on his birthday--the same day we had brought cupcakes to school to celebrate with his classmates. Regardless of the circumstances, there is simply no compassionate or professional way to justify delivering that news to a young child on such a meaningful day. It was heartbreaking and is something no family should have to experience. What makes this even more frustrating is that the school had insisted we complete a comprehensive evaluation through UpLift Therapy. We spent $750 on an assessment, scheduled at the school's request, because we believed we were working collaboratively to support our child. Before that evaluation could even take place, Valley Vista expelled him. Looking back, it feels as though the evaluation was never truly about helping him, but simply about justifying a decision that had already been made. Throughout our time at Valley Vista, we consistently felt that our child was singled out and treated as though something was inherently wrong with him. He is a loving, bright, energetic little boy. Like many preschoolers, he had moments of conflict and frustration. We have never excused biting or any aggressive behavior, but context matters. Preschool-aged children are still learning emotional regulation, impulse control, and conflict resolution. That is precisely why parents enroll them in preschool. The school informed us that teachers witnessed the entire interaction leading up to the incident and were in the process of intervening. If staff observed the conflict escalating before it happened, it raises an important question: why wasn't it prevented? Supervising children and intervening before situations escalate is one of the primary responsibilities of preschool staff. Despite repeatedly asking for objective documentation regarding these incidents, we were never provided with anything beyond verbal descriptions. We also never observed this level of behavior in other environments, making it difficult to understand why our child was consistently portrayed as the problem. Unfortunately, we also found certain staff members to be cold, dismissive, and lacking the warmth, patience, and encouragement that young children deserve. Children are incredibly perceptive, and they know when they are not welcomed or embraced. What became increasingly clear is that Valley Vista seems to have very little tolerance for children who require patience, guidance, or individualized support. It felt as though the expectation was for children to behave like robots--quiet, compliant, and never impulsive--instead of recognizing that preschoolers are still developing emotionally and socially. The purpose of early childhood education is not simply to teach children who are already "easy"; it is to help all children learn, grow, and navigate challenges in a safe and supportive environment. From our experience, our child was treated differently from the beginning. Whether intentional or not, he appeared to be labeled rather than supported. That differential treatment left us questioning whether he was unfairly profiled. A preschool should focus on helping children succeed--not finding reasons to exclude them when they need guidance. We understand that every school has a responsibility to keep children safe, and we respect that. However, safety and compassion are not mutually exclusive. The way this situation was handled lacked empathy, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to helping a child through a developmentally appropriate challenge. For us, this experience revealed a school that seemed more interested in maintaining an image of perfect behavior than in fulfilling the mission of early childhood education. Families deserve to know that if their child experiences behavioral challenges, Valley Vista's response may be exclusion rather than partnership. We sincerely hope the school reflects on how it supports children who need additional patience and guidance. No four-year-old should leave preschool believing they are the problem--especially on their birthday. read more

Valley Vista Preschool - Valley Vista Parent Handbook showing contradictions - Elementary Schools Near Me - Montrose, California

Truly best facility and quality of care for the preschoolers- will continue to refer families to this great organization.

Valley vista is an amazing facility! Warm and inviting environment and great teachers that are patient and kind. One thing that has stuck out to me is the willingness to listen and work with us as parents from the staff about personal issues or behaviors. Our little guy is a bit of a rambunctious one and everyone has accepted him for who he is all while taking the steps to guide him in his educational and social growth! Tyler is a fantastic director and I would recommend this school whole heartedly! read more

If I could give Valley Vista 10 out of 5 stars, I would do it. My daughter had the absolute best year of her life there! She not only learned invaluable social and emotional skills, but also has arrived at TK amazingly well equipped for her lessons. The teachers are kind, patient, knowledgable, and so supportive. I cannot say enough good things about Valley Vista. It is a magical place! read more

Valley Vista has been perfect for our 4 year old, she absolutely loves attending and seeing her "best friends!" every day. Ms Guinnett and Ms Erika have been great at balancing learning, fun and gently providing some much needed discipline for our energetic little girl. Been super happy with her social and academic growth thanks to their help. The school offers plenty of extra curricular activities and they take the kids on fun little nearby field trips too, love seeing the photos they send while I'm stuck at work. Thanks to Ms Tyler and the whole staff! read more

Valley Vista is truly the best preschool in La Crescenta-Montrose! We sent both of our boys there and loved it. The teachers are kind, caring, and passionate about what they do. One of the best offerings is the flexible drop-off/pick-up timing. As a working parent, this was REALLY helpful (we could drop off as early as 7am and pickup by 6pm). We looked at TK as an alternative but they only offered daycare from 8am-12pm. For hybrid workers, Valley Vista also has a couple of program options for 2 days/week (Tues/Thurs) or 3 days/week (Mon/Wed/Fri), which makes childcare a lot more affordable. We loved going to parent reading day, the adorable Christmas music show, and a cute little kickoff ceremony instead of graduation. read more

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Toured many schools in the area and Valley Vista stood out right off the bat. I was nervous putting my first child in school but when I heard they started a 2 year old program, I was excited to get him started. In just a few months, he's excelled a lot with his independence, social skills and speech. I love that they use a program that updates me with special moments. They are so easy to connect with and Ms. Tyler keeps parents updated with school updates and activities very regularly. He's particularly attached to his teacher and is excited to go to school. Lastly, they are open almost all of summer which isn't the case with many schools. I can't recommend VVS enough! read more

Valley Vista Preschool - Elementary Schools Near Me - Montrose, California

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Valley Vista is such a wonderful preschool with loving and caring teachers. My kids attended VVS and have such fond memories. From, spirit days, singing at the Christmas program, chasing the leprechaun, and celebrating all the fun learning activities Valley Vista has to offer. Ms. Tyler, the owner and director is absolutely wonderful. She alway makes herself available to answer any of your questions no matter how big or small. We highly recommend this preschool to all families! read more

We are now on our 3rd kid at Valley Vista, and all have thrived at this special school! The owner, teachers and staff are all strongly invested in making sure each child learns and grows in a supportive, caring environment. Our youngest has been our toughest kid, and the great folks at Valley Vista have handled his ups and downs with the utmost care and professionalism. If you are looking for a preschool with a focus on outdoor play, social & emotional learning, and excellent teachers - this is it! read more

Our Twins absolutely loved this preschool! They have a great program which is an equal amount of play and learning. They helped us build our community and our preschool friends are still our closest friends. The only downside is that they are still begging to go to Fun Fridays and they can't go because they are in first grade now. read more

Our family has been a part of VV for several years now. 2 out of 3 of my children have attended and it's been a wonderful place to make lasting memories. It was a great intro to "school" for my kids. My kids have had the same teachers and have been able to bond over the same projects and experiences which has helped in bringing them closer together. I love how friendly the staff is, how developmentally appropriate the activities have been for my kids, and how the school has spirit days to bring the whole school together. The staff is patient and nurturing, and they guide the kids with problem solving skills, empathy, and kindness. I am really going to miss the school and it will always hold a special place in our family's heart. read more

My heart belongs to valley vista! Both kids have attended and the staff are like family to us now. It doesn't feel like a daycare. It's like a home with teachers who really know your kids and care. The kids love being here, playing together, coming together for parades and spirit days, eating outside together, enjoying "fun in the sun"(summer water and sand play) and visiting the fire station each year. My favorite part is all the outside time the kids get. They're not cooped up inside a classroom all day like other daycares are. They're getting fresh air and sunshine. I'll be so sad when my youngest ages out. read more

We've been so happy here these past two years for our daughter, and will be sending our 2 year old son next year. Specifically, what I appreciate most about VV is the warm, patient staff, the comfortable environment, and the easy, open communication. This last piece especially- the director/owner Mrs. Tyler is really great about rapid turnaround time on voicemails and emails, yet I never see her on her phone or locked away in her office. It's clear she prioritizes being physically present and boots-on-the-ground with the kids, but manages to do the behind the scenes/office work in a timely manner as well. The parking lot is small, but there are street options if you're willing to walk an extra 30 yards or so. No biggie for us. I've really enjoyed meeting the other parents; they're a normal, down-to-earth bunch that seem to demographically represent the Montrose/La Cañada/N. Glendale/La Crescenta area pretty well. It's a nice mix of families from different backgrounds and cultures. I love that the library is next door and TJs is across the street, and in the moments I get paranoid it comforts me to know that the fire department is right behind them God forbid there's a big earthquake or something. While the facility itself has clearly been *loved* by generations of hard playing little kids (and shows it), everything (bathrooms, equipment, toys, etc.) always seems to be clean and well maintained. Three and four year olds don't care if the paint job needs a little freshening up, they'd much rather the money be spent on brand new bouncy balls and sand for the play area. Mrs. Anna Marie and Mrs. Jill have already connected so well with my daughter's class, I know walking out each morning that my little girl is in excellent hands. We're so happy to have VV in our community. read more

My daughter has been attending valley vista for the past six months. She loves it there! The teachers are so kind and caring. It is a play based school but they also have 20-30 min of calendar time where they learn days of the week, numbers and letters. She has grown so much and is excited to go to school every day. Pick and drop off is very easy. They offer a full time and part time program. They are flexible about adding hours if you need more coverage certain days. They also have a hot lunch option. read more

Both our sons love Valley Vista! VV is truly a special and safe place with the most patient, loving, and caring teachers. Every teacher here is so kind and they know all the student's name even if they are not in their particular class. Ms.Tyler, the owner and director is easy to get ahold of and alway makes herself available to answer any of your questions no matter how big or small. We have been extremely happy with our experience here and highly recommend this preschool to all families! read more

This school, Valley Vista, is an outstanding provider of early education and development. I have a daughter who is currently attending the school. This past year, I witnessed the staff completely immerse themselves with the students both in the classroom and outside during playground activities. The teachers assess the students throughout the school year and that empirical experience culminates with a teacher conference - very rewarding for us. There are school-wide activities throughout the year (e.g. Christmas performance at a local church, carnival, spirit days, parent's night out, etc...) that allow the families to meet, share, and establish friendships. The teachers follow curriculum. There are additional classes offered (M.E.T.S., Math, Drama) that are optional, but I recommend. The Director is engaged, approachable, and very kind. The whole staff emanates compassion, interest, and quality. My daughter is excited to go to school and proudly proclaims Valley Vista as her own. I could not ask for anything more. read more

I am a local to the Montrose/La Canada area. With so many schools to choose from, it was an overwhelming decision. From my first visit to the school, I appreciated the cleanliness and multiple classrooms and large play area. Valley Vista and Mrs. Shelley made the transition phenomenal. My daughter is in Mrs. Laura and Mrs Mays class; it was her first time away from a parent and they made the transition so much easier. It is now six months later and she is thriving and so much more socially interactive thanks to Valley Vista, their gentle staff and kind ways. I plan on sending my son there and have referred multiple friends there now. One year into valley vista, I love it more than ever and plan on keeping my daughter here. Great staff and facility! read more

I can definitely recommend Valley Vista. All of the teachers are open and welcoming. My daughter made leaps and bounds of improvement in her letters over the year. They also did a cool thing where my daughter wrote her name each month of the school year so I can see how much she improved. The staff and teachers are great. The kids and families are also local and friendly. read more

Our daughter has been attending Valley Vista for a few months and she is very happy there. The teachers and staff are kind and dedicated, communication is clear and transparent, and overall our experience has been excellent for her and for us as parents. She is learning a lot, her curiosity is stimulated every day and her social skills are developing quickly within a clear set of boundaries that allow her to explore and play. It's a great balance of caring teaching and traditional "academic" time learning letters and numbers that really works great for us. Highly recommend!!! read more

I was anxious about sending my daughter to the 3's program, she was 2yr9mo when she started. First day of school we agreed her dad drop her off and i was bracing for bad news, meltdowns, etc but nothing. She only cried when i picked her up and that was because she didnt want to leave. The teachers and assistants all have many years of experience (my girl''s teacher has been there for over 20yrs!) and you can tell they all love the kids and their job. Everyone seems very genuine, kind, amd attentive. I like how it feels very balanced there - good balance of structure vs play, discipline vs freedom, care/guidance vs independence. I also like how they try to provide healthy snacks. Everyday when i go pick my girl up all the kids look happy. The price is reasonable for the care provided and you also have option for hot lunch provided everyday for $100/mo. In demand school, signups start in march so check it out early. read more

This review is long overdue. My son attened this school for 2 years and absolutely loved it. The teachers and staff are top-notch and are so attentive and really take the time to get to know the parents. Honestly, I think I had a harder time saying goodbye than my son did :( I can't speak highly enough about this school- Ms. Shelley really has a great thing going at Valley Vista. My son really progressed during his time at VV and I really think it was due to his amazing teachers. The school is more of a community more than anything, which I loved. All of the teachers knew my son and I would get daily reports when picking him up afterschool about his day (without even asking!) and it just meant the world to me. We are off to LCE for kindergarden in the fall, but I know that my son wants to stop by (heck, I do too) and visit. Mrs Shelley: You and all the teachers at VV have become like family and from the bottom of my heart, thank you thank you :) read more

We really had a wonderful experience at VV!! I can't recommend their program enough, as it creates a great balance between learning and play time. I have seen amazing results in my child and feel she is well prepared for kindergarten. The staff is amazing and they really treat the kids and parents like family! I couldn't have asked for a better "first school experience" for my child. read more

Wow!. My children and I love it here. Valley Vista is a top notch school that provides a well balanced approach to daycare/preschool. Originally, my oldest was attending a different school. I am so glad I switched him. Additionally, this is my youngest son's second preschool. The one he was attending was not up to par with this one. I switched the youngest to Valley Vista as soon as he was potty trained and old enough. As a public school teacher, I wanted my children to attend a school that addresses the whole child. This is it! Tour another school and then come here! You'll see the difference. UPDATE--My son is extremely happy there. I gladly drive 15 miles opposite work direction to take him there. read more

My eldest daughter attended Robbins Nest which I liked, my middle daughter attended Valley Vista. I loved Valley Vista. I loved the staff. They are exceptional. You can tell they go to work because they love what they do. They are so positive in everything they do. My daughter learned so much in a year. My only regret was that I hadn't put her in sooner. She was one of the youngest in her Kindergarten class and she was totally ready after attending Valley Vista. My youngest son will be attending in the Fall. We are so excited for him to go to this great preschool. I highly recommend it. read more

It's a fantastic school! If you want to see your child develop quickly send them here. Prior to sending my son here he was at home with either myself or mom at all times, didn't go to daycare or have many opportunities for in depth social interactions with other children. We thought his vocabulary was pretty spectacular as it was, but after starting school he quickly added a ton of words to his vocabulary, and continues to do so. His ability to listen and follow directions has improved greatly, though he still can be a booger, but that's a 3yo for you. Everyday we are amazed at how much he has changed. All this great improvement is due to the wonderful staff. This isn't the type of school where the children just run a muck. The teachers have well established education plans which they work hard to develop into a fun and educational experience for the kids. They don't just make random art projects every day, the whole week can be dedicated to a certain theme. Right now in summer school each week is dedicated to a color, so the arts and crafts correlate to that color to help the kids really learn. When holidays roll around the teachers are prepared with fun activities for the kids such as hunting for gold and eggs for St. Paddy's day and Easter. And for all the mothers out there, they throw a mother's day presentation that will warm you heart and may bring a couple of tears to your eyes. But to experience this great event you must send your child here, no other school will compare. The teachers go that extra mile to make each child matter. At the end of the year his teachers put together a beautiful yearbook with a collection of pictures and crafts he had done throughout the year. Throughout the year they are always available to talk and they are actively engaged in your child and want to help them develop into a fantastic little individual. This is a fantastic school with a great foundation, you will not be disappointed if you send your kid(s) here. read more

My daughter has been a Valley Vista student for two years and we LOVE this school! It's the perfect balance of play, education, fun, etc. It is a home away from home, with incredible teachers, parents, and a wonderful, hands on director! All the teachers know the names of every single student. It's very personal, loving and caring......exactly what you would want for your young child. The grounds are kept very clean, the kids have MANY activities to participate in, and they do many beautiful projects that are lifetime memories for all. My son will attend in a few months and we are excited to stay as part of the Valley Vista family for at least a few more years!! read more

I've had both my kids at Valley Vista for the course of the last 3.5 years and counting- I cannot say enough good things about this gem of a school! I enrolled my older daughter there when she was 3 years old- the nurture, personalized attention, care, education and freedom to create, play and be a kid has absolutely been a key component to her love of learning and being socially and developmentally ready and thriving as she begins Elementary school as a kindergartner now. My younger daughter starting attending VV a year ago and has flourished in ways I cannot describe in words! Though her personality is very different then her sister, the staff and teachers at VV have provided her personalized attention and care that she needs to also thrive and LOVE being in school! It's truly like a home away from home environment. The facility is clean, brightly colored and decorated, reminders of all the love and attention the teachers and staff put into caring for our kids by all the great art work and projects that the children have done, displayed throughout! The director, Mrs. Shelley is AMAZING! She is very involved in the care and education of all the kids; she is generous with her time and is always willing to go the extra mile for the families in any way need be. She communicates effectively, she is flexible when needed and firm when it comes to the safety and well-being of the kids! The teachers are STELLAR!! Each of them brings something so special and unique in the way they care and teach the kids but collectively, they are a solid unit and all there for the same reason- for the love of kids and helping them become the best they can be! I would highly recommend this school- it's been one of our greatest joys in the last few years and I'm sad to see our time coming to a close there as my younger daughter will be ready to transition to elementary school soon. read more

It's been 1 year since my daughter started VV. I can't say enough about the teachers and staff members. They all work VERY hard to create a nurturing environment for every child. I have been to other day cares and this place just has that special vibe you want to feel. The curriculum, activites, and the play area is everything your little one needs and wants. The teachers are engaging and truly care about doing what's best for each individual child. I look forward to another year at VV. read more

There is so much to brag about my daughter's preschool, I don't know where to begin. : ) My daughter wasn't super sad but wasn't super happy at the previous school. I didn't want to move around my daughter but also felt something was just not right if we weren't super happy. I made visits to a few preschools and at VVS I saw whole bunch of these super happy children! I was explained about the school but I didn't even care much after I saw all those bright faces. I registered my daughter to VVS right away and that is one of the best things I did in my life. I am an educator myself and I value the child's happiness the most for good education, especially when it comes to younger children. At VVS, they have clean classrooms, an awesome playground, great programs, and loving teachers, but most importantly they have super happy children. Make a visit! You will know what I mean. : ) Within a month, three of my daughter's friends registered to VVS from seeing how happy she was. (We were all so lucky that year but usually there is a waitlist at VVS.) My daughter graduated two years ago, but our family still talk about those years. We still have a group of friends from VVS who all feel very fortunate to be VVS families. read more

cant say enough great things about this school, i was referred here and i couldnt be happier, all of the teachers here have a passion for teaching. the grounds are beautiful not to mention functional, we are so lucky our child gets to go here its truly a dream come true. cant wait for next year! read more

Valley Vista is amazing! I have one kid that just graduated and two more in line to join! The staff are amazing and make every family feel so welcome. My son has learned so much in the 2 years that he has attended this school. The school focuses on both the educational and social aspects that children need. He is more than ready for kindergarten! I have nothing but things to say about this school! read more

I send both of my children to Valley Vista. My son just finished his kindergarten year very successfully and my daughter would be in 4year old side class next school year at Valley Vista. I love the school's philosophy and always make me smile whenever I see wonderful staffs and happy children at the school. The children learn so many things, (social skills, problem-solving, large and small motor skills. etc.) without any frustration. I would never worry about my children are not loving school, because they had a positive experience at their VERY FiRST SCHOOL.. My children are just so happy and they love Valley Vista School so much!! read more

Our son just started Valley Vista this week after our daughter graduated the week prior from there. We are so happy to have this school in our area and the teachers and staff are so great. My wife and I cannot be more happy and our kids love going there! No reservations about this school!! read more

I couldn't be happier with Valley Vista School. After several years at a loving but not all that engaging daycare, my daughter switched to Valley Vista and her whole demeanor shifted immediately. The teachers are all so smart and so great with kids, and they focus on education AND on variety and fun. The approach is progressive but not precious, thoughtful and sensitive but not overly indulgent or chaotic. It shows when you visit - the kids are engaged and enthusiastic but also well-behaved (particularly for preschool!). The music program is the best I've seen anywhere - hilarious, fun songs that the kids LOVE to sing, with great performances for the parents. My daughter had an amazing year at Valley Vista. She rarely had trouble saying goodbye to me in the morning, and she was always happy in the afternoon and never desperate to leave immediately. The head of the school, Shelley Bowers, is very friendly, low-key and extremely sensible about kids. Every time I asked for her help she was incredibly kind and never acted inconvenienced at all. Our teacher Mrs. Angie was incredible - so smart and great with kids, but still firm enough that they listened to her and also loved her very much. Mrs. Sue, her coteacher, was calm and warm and helpful. The overall mood in the school yard is upbeat and relaxed, and the kids ALWAYS seem very happy. I really can't recommend this school strongly enough. Oh, and did I mention that it's cheap compared to most preschools in the area? How do they do it? Valley Vista School is absolutely the best. Go visit and consider this school. I promise you will feel SO lucky and grateful to have sent your kids here. read more

This is an amazing place to send your children. My daughter just finished her final year at Valley Vista Preschool and it was a wonderful experience for us. The teachers and staff are everything you could hope for. The way they structure the learning activities and experiences leave you and your family with not only great memories, but they leave your child with a jump start in development that is outstanding. The school offers many different programs, the drama program is a must. Im excited to say that our son will be attending starting this year and I'm looking forward the whole experience all over again for him and our family. read more

This is an outstanding school!!! My daughter loves it here and learns so much. The teachers handle everything in an appropriate and caring manner. The quality of education is exceptional. They are fully prepping my child for kindergarten. I have nothing but good things to say about this school, the director and the teachers!! read more

Love, Love, Love Valley Vista! And so does my 3 year old! There are so many wonderful things about this school, it's hard for me to even begin. Our daughter started here at the beginning of this year and has loved every moment of it. She has learned so much and continues to thrive. It's pretty amazing to watch. The teachers are just wonderful and I trust them as if they were close family members. Mrs. Shelley is awesome- she is always so accommodating and has always made my family and I feel as though we are part of the Valley Vista family. My husband and I are very particular with how we raise our daughters and we love everything that the team at Valley Vista has done for our girl. She's constantly bringing home art that she's worked on and singing and dancing. Her vocabulary has taken off and she continues to impress me daily with all that she is able to articulate. She's so creative and just happy. My youngest will definitely be joining her sister there as soon as she's old enough and potty trained! We're incredibly grateful that she is in the hands of such an amazing team! read more

We love Valley Vista! My 8 year-old and 5 year-old have both gone through the programs and they are so ready for Kindergarten when they do. My local Elementary School has told me they don't worry about the kids in Kindergarten that attended preschool here. The curriculum is excellent and the teachers at Valley Vista are very thorough and disciplined about it. They make everyone feel welcome and work with you on your child care needs. My 2 year-old will definitely be attending next year too. read more

My daughter started in January this year and loves it. She looks forward to going there every time. The teachers are very caring. They put in a lot of thought and effort to make it a loving and playful experience for the children. The Director is extremely helpful and very straightforward. The school is very accommodating and flexible. read more