When I first saw this place, I was like oh it's just old school, California earthy. I liked earthy when I was young this will be great. Mistake number one on my part. I am sure this was a great place and idea in the 70s. I don't know the exact history, but it was probably more of a small neighborhood school for the neighborhood when it began. But truth be told, it isn't what it used to be. I don't know maybe it was always like this and nobody expected anything better or thought that they would need to evolve. We have evolved as parents, teachers and guardians of how to raise a healthy secure child and how to really help them thrive and feel safe in a pre-school/school environment. There are too many incidents to mention and too many red flags to mention of what my child witnessed and I myself witnessed and other parents witness but I didn't know any better. Your young child will not be in a physically safe environment in the outside area, there are hiding spots for children of all ages to wreak havoc and harm each other. Despite what you're told, the bigger kids are definitely mixed together with the younger kids without proper supervision and it's basically a free for all. "It's a kids will be kids and boys will be boys environment". That said, they also have them watch tv if they aren't allowed to nap. Yes they can tell your child they can't nap, there is not room for everyone. The teachers feed them candy without asking your permission and your child will be totally filthy when you get them, unless it's raining, then they have to block the whole dirt/Sand back off because it will be totally muddy with pools of water. The bathrooms are also a free for all. If your child is potty training, this is not the place you want them. Although the 2 tiny little potties and sinks are cute, they have zero privacy. Children are allowed to open the doors and crawl under the doors while other children are going potty. I saw this more than once and nobody did a thing. Things such as big boys were slamming the doors back and forth bothering a little girl who was going to the bathroom. My kid who was learning said that he didn't want to go at school because the big kids bothered him, so he was terrified. Maybe they get to eat a proper lunch without being harassed. The children with emotional or behavioral issues are not helped properly and are left to do as they please to the other children if they are not constantly supervised. Even during lunch or snack time. My child literally begged me not to take him to school on several occasions and I just thought he was being a toddler but now I know better. I have also witnessed children climbing the fence begging parents not to leave them. Again, I thought this was normal. It is not. He and his friends were being bullied and tormented by other older children and he was emotionally stressed, time has passed and he STILL talks about it. When I had to address an issue and asked to discuss it, I was heavily dismissed and ignored. Security-They leave signs for delivery people on the front latch gate to leave packages in the outdoor hallway. Which means if your child is hanging around alone someone could easily snatch them. Granted it has probably never happened but it's not actually secure. Anyone can walk in through the two old iron school gates and harm the kids if they wanted to. This place in theory could be great if it were updated, cleaned up, painted, managed and staffed properly and not a total fire hazard. If you let your child go and he or she thrived, great for you, but if your child showed or shows signs of being abnormally stressed, hopefully they will be able to express that to you and hopefully you listen to them. My son was sad and stressed after only a short few months and my heart broke. I felt like the worst parent ever for not noticing it wasn't his age but the environment I placed him in. PROS-great art projects and Ms. Lara One teacher Ms. Lara was always kind and gentle and basically had to protect some of the children and she knew it, but even she was afraid to have a voice. I felt like she was pretty intelligent and should probably be in a better place herself; but Ms. Frankie, Ms. Cathy and the other teacher(s) were not that smart and I am not even sure if they have degrees in child development, If they do, I am shocked and I didn't ask and that is my fault. Cons-Everything else Please do your research, there are much much much better/safer options for your child and you only have to pay as much as this place costs or a few hundred more for a quality education in the area. read more

This is one of the best places to send your pre-school child. This family-run business has been in business for over 30 years with two other locations--Encinitas and Vista. Kathy is the head cheese and has guided many children in this space many well-ahead of the game when entering kindergarten. I can honestly say is that the children are really loved and looked after here. She has had the same employees for many years as they also truly love the experience. The emphasis is on supporting the children as they explore art, learning and playing. There is none or only limited time on computers and the kids can even play in their bare feet. My child attended this awesome school for 2.5 years and she still maintains friendships that she established there. Just a note, the location has never been renovated so be prepared. read more

A Children's Garden - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Ms. Cathie is truly the best and her staff are wonderful. The preschool has a country feel with lots of love and nurturing. The art show at the end of the year is wonderful. The art projects the children create throughout the year is truly amazing. We have attended this school for almost four years and I have loved every minute. read more

I loved this preschool. I have tried others before but nothing compare with the love and care my son received there. My son is almost 7 years old and he still talks about how nice Mrs. Cathy was. read more

All three of my kids attended A Children's Garden in Encinitas, and I felt so grateful and lucky to have them there. Ms. Cathy is such an amazing, loving person and teacher. She truly cares for the kids as if they were her family. Her and her teachers went way above and beyond to make each child and parent have a truly meaningful experience- between holidays, birthdays, the art show, career day- the list goes on and on. Most of my nieces and nephews have attended ACG as well, and they all had wonderful experiences. I was shocked to read the negative comments about ACG. While everybody is entitled to their opinion and should be able to express it, that review was the exact opposite of experience from every single parent I have ever talked to from ACG. I understand having a few frustrating things to vent but that just seemed personal. I find it very immoral, unethical and unprofessional to make false claims on the internet. Mia you should've done your research, because I did, and I know for a fact that both teachers you personally mentioned, and slandered are very well educated in ECE, and both fantastic people as well. You however do not seem very well educated in early childhood development or behavior at all. You should really read up on it sometime, it would probably help you and your child in the future. As a parent and teacher, who is educated in ECE, I witnessed a very safe, and nurturing environment. I also witnessed teachers who knew that the children who attend school do most of their learning from each other. Teachers are there to help guide and support when necessary, but the goal is to help foster independence in our children. All of their interactions with each other, yes even negative ones, are helping them grow. We cannot put our children in bubbles and keep all negative things away from them. If you are a lawn mower parent you are taking away so many healthy learning opportunities from them. ACG allows kids to be kids, to make mistakes, to express themselves, to be themselves, to run and play and to (GASP) get dirty. Parents if you're complaining about your child's clothes being dirty when they get picked up seriously just get them a nanny. Kids need to be able to act, talk, think and behave like kids. And ACG provides them this. When you put your child in school, it is usually their first opportunity to be a part of a community. They learn about themselves, an others. THey learn to communicate and deal with different situations. It helps them to know they are not the center of the universe, but part of a big group of people, who are all equally important. The ACG community is a wonderful community. They cherish and nourish the individual child, but they also promote nurturing the community that the children are a part of. Also let me just put something our there for fellow parents, sometimes as parents we unkowingly project our worries, stresses and feelings onto our children. This happens often, and chances are they are taking cues from your behaviors, and think that this is how they should be feeling too. I've seen it happen time and time again. read more

I can not express the appreciation I have for this school and teachers. As a Mom working full time, I am pleased by the fact that my child is learning more that what she needs to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. I am comforted to know that if there was ever an emergency, she would be safe and cared for as the owner lives right next door and all of the staff genuinely care about the kids. Thank you ACG for taking care of my little one. read more

Absolutely loved this school! I wouldn't send my children anywhere else. My son went there from ages 2 through 5, and scored above grade level in Kindergarten. Ms. Cathy is very caring and loves all of the children she has there. The other teachers are just the same. Best preschool in the county! They learn a lot, but also spend time playing and being kids. I really can't say enough great things about this place! read more

I would give 100 stars if I could. My daughter is thriving here. They are flexible and friendly. My daughter comes home happy and exhausted every day and is learning so much. They truly go the extra mile to make the experience special. read more