We absolutely love this school! They are so great with the kids and provide not only a great…read moreeducation, but a kind, safe and loving environment for the kids. One of my kids will be starting kindergarten soon and will be very well prepared. MSE has taught her to read, write, addition, subtraction, etc. She has an advanced understanding of science, biology, history, music, etc. The teachers we have had are all SO great. I can't say enough good things, I highly recommend!

Great school. Our daughter has learned and grown so much. We are so lucky to have this place!read more

LCVPK is the absolute best! Our 2-year-old son attended M-F/full-time and was in the Caterpillars…read moreclass with Ms. Jackie and Ms. Lani. Our son loved his teachers and would often continue repeating their names when he got home lol. This was our first daycare/school experience for him (he was previously at home with grandparents), so we were a little nervous how the transition would go. He took a few days to acclimate to the new environment (especially at drop-offs), but soon started to blossom and play/interact with the other kids and teachers, especially Ms. Lani who we appreciated would calm him in the mornings. We always felt our son was safe, well taken care of, and learned a lot from socializing with his peers. I loved that the school was located in a part of Carlsbad with such a quiet and calming atmosphere, tucked away from the busy road and next to lots of trees and greenery. The staff was always friendly (especially Ms. Jeanne and Ms. Erika) and supportive of one another. I'd often see them all pitch in (including the front desk staff) to watch/play with the children whenever needed and rotate around the day to the different classes. Our son especially loved the play area and fun outdoor activities, from bubbles to building blocks, and would usually come home with lots of sand in his shoes, which meant he had a fun time! I would have loved to receive more photo updates (maybe one a week), just to have photos of him playing throughout the day. I understand this is because the teachers spend most of their time with the children rather than taking/uploading photos, which is nice to know they're focusing on the children. The only reason we had to leave was because my husband got a new job in Orange County, so we had to move out of the area. I really felt like LCVPK was more like a mini-family away from home for our son. On his last day, his teacher and classmates even made him a glitter poster saying "We will miss you" and took lots of individual photos together, which was so sweet! I wish I could just transport LCVPK with us. If you're able to get a spot here, it's completely worth the wait!

La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten has truly been a second home for our family since my son…read morefirst started back in 2020, and as this is our last year here, I'm more emotional about it than I expected. Both of my kids have grown up at this school, and watching them thrive in such a warm, loving, and nurturing environment has meant the world to us. The teachers and staff aren't just educators -- they are genuinely caring people who know each child personally and make them feel seen, safe, and celebrated every single day. When I see my kids run up to their teachers and hug them because they've missed them, it warms my heart. Ms. Jackie has touched both of my kids' lives in such special ways. Ms. Julie prepared my son -- and is now preparing my daughter -- for kindergarten with so much patience, warmth, and dedication. My son is even coming back to read to his sister's class, and Ms. Julie couldn't be more excited to welcome him. Ms. Denise and Ms. Maize are both excellent, and my daughter still talks about them all the time! And then there's the joy of Ms. Mandy and her vibrant personality that lights up the room. All the ladies at the front desk (Janice, Erica, and Jeanne) greet us with the kindest smiles every morning -- they truly start our day off right. As I prepare myself for our last year here, I feel incredibly grateful. LCVPK has shaped my kids in the best possible ways, and it has shaped me as a parent, too. This school will always hold a very special place in our hearts. If you're looking for a preschool/kindergarten that feels like family, this is it. We were lucky to be part of this community, and we will miss it deeply.

So far we have loved the experience and I could not be happier at the school (and I have high…read morestandards and expectations). Each grade offers children to work at their own pace, and children can learn curriculum in reading/math up to two grades above each grade they're in without a competitive feel between the children. NO IPADS which is amazing since all public schools use that now as a learning tool and I'd rather my daughter not learn via tapping her finger on a screen. There is an intentional effort to have healthier food options at events, ordered school lunches, birthdays in class, aftercare snacks, but there is also no judgement amongst parents or between admin and parents. They offer extracurricular classes for kids in TK and beyond. My daughter does keyboard and dance once a week after school, and it's really nice, she just stays an extra half hour and I pick her up when it's done, and she LOVES them. The aftercare program has been amazing compared to the other Montessori we went to prior to ECDS. We absolutely love our teachers this year, along with the extracurricular teachers we've met. Ms. Hayes is the new principal but has worked at the school for over 10-15 years, and she is just wonderful, caring, dedicated, and knowledgeable. It's a really good feeling as a parent to have the principal and teachers open and welcoming of communication, and allowing us to be involved with our child's experience at school. Feel free to DM me on Yelp if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them!

This elementary school administration is completely in inept and lazy. If you have a child with any…read moresort of special needs, or he/she needs any special assistance at school, look elsewhere!!!!!! Apparently if your child doesn't fit into the perfect square box, or they may learn differently, you will be overlooked immediately. Discrimination at its finest. Fortunately I've heard the teachers are amazing. So that is their saving grace.

I have to highly recommend Little Thinkers Preschool! I have had all three of my children go…read morethrough little thinkers and it's been a great foundation to their success in school. Mrs. Heather and her excellent team of teachers give love, care and great early education to all kiddos there. We were so lucky to be at Little Thinkers and can't imagine my kids starting their school journey anywhere else. Also the art work they bring home is the BEST!

We love Little Thinkers! Our oldest attended from 18 months-4 years and we now have our 2 younger…read morechildren there. Heather and the crew do an excellent job providing an entertaining program of arts and crafts and learning about a variety of topics, so the kiddos are always excited when they are dropped off and sad to leave. We have also appreciated the socialization aspect of getting our little ones together with other kids, and thankful that Little Thinkers provides a great environment for this at a very early age. This school has been an incredible blessing for us and we've happily referred them to all of our friends!

My Daughter is 4 1/2 and started at this school with 23 months. She continues to attend the school…read moreand has turned into such a responsible, considerate, humble, focused, sweet and ultimately a very happy girl. I continue to be surprised at how much endless love, patience, guidance and support the teachers have for these children. The school is small but so vast in opportunities for a child to learn and develop. The teachers communicate with me daily and are VERY responsive since day 1 and always offered me a great deal of support from my separation anxiety! Communication is always taking place and everything they do is so consistent. From the moment I walked in I knew this was a home away from home and just the community I was looking for to raise my daughter. I highly recommend this school.

I love this small scale Montessori children's house. The space is cute and very organized and the…read morequality of teachers here are amazing. They are very experienced, knowledgable, patient and loving. They take only 12-14 kid total with age between 2- 6 years old. The school feels like a family compare to some other large Montessori schools in the area that is large, charges twice as much that felt like a money making corporate company with kids being shuffled around rooms like live stocks. Our son loves coming to school and had became so well behaved and communicative since coming here 5 month ago. We learn great tips from the teachers all the time and we have a peace of mind having our son learning here.

My son is thriving at Learning Tree! He started right when he turned 2 which can be a tough…read moretransition, but the staff are so caring and it's such a supportive environment that he was easily able to make the switch. I love how much time they spend outdoors, how much art the children do and how all age groups are able to play and interact. Their new director MsAllison has made so many positive changes since she took over and we can't wait to send our youngest there too when he's old enough!

We are so lucky to have found The Learning Tree Preschool in Cardiff. The teachers are caring,…read morequalified, and happy- and the students get lots of social learning and support. There is a true feeling of community and kindness. Always great communication with parents from staff. Amazing professionals giving their support in all the stages of preschool- they truly helped potty train my kid and has helped her learn to share and take turns. At the playground yesterday my 3 year old asked a kid on the swing if she could please use it when she was done. I was very proud and surprised because she didn't learn that from me. Hidden gem of a school :)

FIVE STARS! I cannot say enough good things about The Purposeful Preschool!!! I am a very critical…read moreperson who has to do a lot of research before I make any decision, especially the huge decision of who I would trust my 2 children and their early education with. After looking into many other preschools, my husband and I knew that Colleen was the best we could find. She follows the Reggio Emilia and Montessori model. If you don't know either of those, look them up! They're the best! There is so much respect for the child and his/her needs, emotions, interests, ect. The school is filled with lovely natrual materials and non-electronic toys to foster the children's creativity and curiosities. I knew i wanted inquiry-based learning, but PP is inquiry-based learning and more. Colleen really personalizes the lessons and materials for whatever the kids are really interested in or needing that week. For example, I mentioned to Colleen that my son was having tantrums and his emotions just seemed too big for him, and after trying everything I was at a loss to help him. The next preschool day, she had books and a game (which she ordered online) all dealing with a toddler's experience with big feelings. It brought tears to my eyes, because I knew that was exactly what he needed! This is one example out of many! She always goes the extra mile and you can tell she loves all her students and loves what she is doing. The preschool has an atmosphere of genuine respect and care for one another, which I know is because Colleen models that for them. There is never any shaming or punishment when they misbehave, but always an age-appropiate interaction to help uncover why the child is acting out and what are better options for them to choose instead. By witnessing Colleen's example, I have learned to be a better mother and my children have learned how to become more kind and compassionate little humans. That's worth more than anything can buy. Another example, there is a technique she uses for sharing and, since my kids started at the preschool, they have become excellent sharers to the point that other parents notice at the park and playdates and they ask me how I did it! A 2-year-old and 4-year-old who exemplify sharing to other children. She's a miracle-worker. I obviously love this Preschool for my children and it is very hard for me to be concise in this review because there are so so many things which I could rave about and keep writing for days. If you've made it this far in my review, just schedule a tour and meet with Colleen. I can guarantee that your child will be grateful you chose The Purposeful Preschool. My kids count down the days with excitement for every "Preschool Day". Seriously, give it a try.

Coming from a conventional preschool in a big city to a home-based preschool in Encinitas was truly…read moreblossoming for our daughter. We made a big move, worried about how she would transition and what a new area would bring. Stars aligned finding The Purposeful Preschool and we took the chance (confident of all aspects of the school but just apprehensive as parents with all the change). What we thought would be short-term is turning out to be the perfect fit! It's totally magical. Our daughter has grown leaps and bounds in confidence. She's worked personally with Ms. Colleen on communication, potty-training for naps, conquering fears, writing, letters and the list goes on. Ms. Colleen is attentive (we feel spoiled), so incredibly loving, creative, patient and really a joy to know (she's totally a friend to us as well - and a local reference). The group this school attracts is equally loving. Truly feel lucky for our daughter - only wishing we could hang with her there everyday too!

What can I say about this incredible place? Both of my kids attended The Academy, and we have loved…read moreevery single moment. It all started in the winter of 2022, when we found out we'd be moving back to California. I was frantically searching for a preschool and hitting walls at every turn. I knew I wanted a Montessori-inspired approach, and I needed a school with room for both of my children. When I reached out to The Academy, they responded quickly and were so accommodating of the fact that we couldn't do an in-person tour. Kristine, who was the interim director at the time and has since become the director, did our tour over FaceTime and the moment it ended, I just knew. And the best part? It ended up being right down the road from the house we bought. If that doesn't scream meant to be, I don't know what does. My oldest started in the preschool class and my youngest in the young toddlers class. By the time my oldest graduated, he was more than ready for kindergarten and now the time has come for my youngest to do the same. I won't pretend I'm not going to cry on her last day. This school has been so much more than a preschool. It's been a place where I knew, without a doubt, that my children would be loved, protected, and given every opportunity to flourish. Every teacher we had was wonderful. The admin team consistently goes above and beyond for their families. Our previous preschool was a completely different experience. The constant staff turnover at this other school, meant our kids rarely had the same teacher twice, and it showed. The stability and consistency at The Academy has made all the difference. If you're a parent searching for the right place for your little one, look no further. Truly. My kids already ask if they can come back to visit. That says it all. Thank you to Kristine, Mallorie, Maricel, and every teacher who made our time there so meaningful and special. You will never fully know how much you all mean to our family. We will miss you more than words can say.

We have had a very positive experience here! I have an older son so this is also my fourth…read morepreschool so I feel like I have something to compare it to. My daughter started at 18 months. The teachers in the toddler classroom are so sweet and patient - Miss Monica and Miss Jayme. They are willing to work with whatever schedule you'd like to ease the children into the classroom. They are also very good at helping the children transition as many times this is their first place away from home. They have part time or full time schedules available. There is also an app and there are constant updates parents receive including lunch time, nap time, diapers and play time with pictures. I also love that there is a drive through drop off and pick up where the children are brought into school or out to the car. I'm a working mom and responsible for all the drop offs and pick ups and since my son attends another school, we don't have to get out of the car so this makes things much easier. The school also hosts some parent classes for free if you're interested. Cost wise for full time, it is on the higher end from what I've seen but it's cheaper than having a nanny which is what we had previously. I also believe it is reflected in the quality of care so it is worth it to me. I am happy we found this school and my son will be attending as well starting in a couple of weeks.