We have been at Mission Viejo Montessori for over a year now, and I truly cannot say enough amazing…read morethings about this school. I currently have both of my girls there (2 years old and 10 months old), and the staff has become like family to us. Before coming here, I had a terrible experience at another daycare, which left me extremely guarded about leaving my child with anyone. Mission Viejo Montessori completely changed that for me. I now feel more comfortable leaving my girls here than anywhere else. That peace of mind is priceless. They truly LOVE my girls. They tell them every day, and more importantly, you can see it in their actions. My daughters are genuinely cared for and adored. The teachers are patient, nurturing, and so attentive. It's clear this isn't just a job to them. Academically, I am blown away. My 2-year-old is learning something new every day. She knows her colors, can count to ten, is learning her shapes, and even talks about the weather. They are working alongside me with potty training and teaching her life skills like putting on her shoes and clothes. It's amazing to watch her confidence grow. I also love how much time they spend outside and how many hands-on activities they do. I receive so many pictures each day, which makes being away from them so much easier because I can see how happy and engaged they are. Mission Viejo Montessori is truly special. If you're looking for a place where your children will be loved, nurtured, and challenged academically, I cannot recommend them enough.

I enrolled my eldest when we first moved to the area He was…read more2.5 yo when he first attended and didn't know English, Ms Katy was so warm, informative and patient with him and he had the most wonderful experience with her! Then I also enrolled my younger boy at the infant class at 4 months of age. Giti was so warm and loving and treated him very gently and with lots of love and affection. Mirian the director is just amazing, the most charming and charismatic outside the box thinking teacher. She always has creative ways to contain the kids and problem-solve. Also we like the low teacher-to-kid ratio this facility has in all classes And ms Fafa is the most responsible teacher ever, my son can't stop mentioning her name at home. We love it

As a First 5 Orange County Commissioner, appointed by the OC Board of Supervisors three times to…read moreoversee county programming of children 0-5, I can tell you STAY AWAY. I can recommend other preschools: ENC, Community Seedlings Preschool, LePort Montessori, Guidepost Montessori, Newport Coast Child Development Preschool, any of the Head Starts or state preschools, ECLC (Irvine), dozens of other great schools. If it is Montessori you want, this is not a true Montessori school because they don't even practice what Maria Montessori taught. The owner clearly doesn't take discrimination or inclusion that seriously because she shows no effort to outreach or work with children with disabilities. To me this demonstrates that she clearly cannot handle anything that isn't exactly how she wants it to be. Her assertion that they were found to be in full compliance is not truthful or accurate, there was "no finding for further action," which is not a finding of full compliance, but I think this may be above her head. It was a her word against mine issue, where it could not be proved, not that it was found not to have happened. Remember OJ was found not guilty beyond reasonable doubt, he was not found innocent. The "scheduled meetings" were offered only AFTER my daughter was removed from the acceptance list, and put back on the waitlist, only to wait how long? For the owner to continue to string us along? No thank you. Why would we want to go to such a school when they have such discriminatory practices? There was NO meeting offered in order to process enrollment when we were told there was a spot for us, my daughter was removed from enrollment before we were even told of the decision that she could not enroll due to being disabled. It is all utterly disgusting. It actually was a blessing in disguise to be hurt in such an awful way, because I would only want my child to be somewhere where she is truly wanted and accepted, as in the programs she has attended (without any accommodations for her disabilities, by the way, so she would have thrived in a Montessori classroom). And we stopped communicating because there was no point. We didn't send our typical child there because we didn't want her polluted with the owner's promotion of her own caste system and eugenic philosophies. The owner can lie and spin all she wants, like with every excuse she has with every negative review! No one is so perfect that *every* complaint is not even an ounce their fault. The fact that not even once in any replies to negative reviews does she ever admit even a teeny tiny mistake or a misunderstanding, just plain and simple everyone else is the problem and she is perfect, should be a red flag to readers of these reviews. It shows that she just spins everything, or maybe she is just delusional and actually believes her alternate reality. There are multiple comments here dating back years that relay a very similar experience about discriminating against children who she thinks will not be picture perfect robots: Jennifer P.'s review from Apr 23, 2021 or Dara M. from Apr 28, 2016. Don't fall for the disproportionate number of reviews from people who have only written one review and it is about this place. I think most people can see what I'm talking about. The owner claims to have a faith in God, so it is between her and her maker how she treats and has treated the most vulnerable and fragile children with such utter disregard and in such an ugly way, like they are disposable, when they are deserving of nothing but acceptance and love. One has to ask, why would I stake my reputation to make these statements so publicly? I am more than open to discussing details further with anyone who wishes to reach out to me. ALL I am saying is do your homework. If you are a current parent, consider: are there any children with noticeable disabilities? Maybe you agree with the owner and don't want your child learning alongside a child with disabilities. I've heard it from a lot of people, so it doesn't shock me. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, and to raise their children how they see fit, but that doesn't mean that the owner doesn't discriminate and that we weren't handled in the most insensitive and cruel of ways.

I enrolled my daughter at Mission Montessori starting in the infant room. The infant program is…read moreexcellent--the staff are caring, the environment is clean and safe, and the food quality is great. For families with easygoing children who follow routines well, I would rate this daycare 4.5 out of 5. However, I had a different experience during the toddler stage. This daycare works best for children who nap, eat, and follow a strict schedule. If your child is more energetic, doesn't nap, or is still learning social skills, the program may not be a good fit. The policies felt very rigid, and we were given only about two weeks to adjust or consider other options. "For families with more active or non-napping children, I would rate this daycare 1.5 out of 5. Don't be misled by how calm the kids appear during the tour."

This is an amazing place to send your kiddos! My child started going when he was 18 months. Before…read morethis he was at an in home daycare and we felt like he was starting to fall behind with speech and walking. Within a few weeks, village turned things around. Ms Marieva, Estephanie, Naghma from the infant room made us feel comfortable during our first two tours and even had him join a circle time before we committed and a meet and greet before he started. The teachers are so loving, kind but also firm. Regardless of what time of day we stopped by, the kids were well tempered and the teachers were calm. They also had a lot of crafts and fun pictures to take home. He moved up to the 2-3 class and Ms Lauren and Monika made it a smooth transition for him! They have Montessori time each day to choose and complete activities, tons of art and time playing outside. The owners Sam and Nayna are the cherry on top. They know all the kids and parents, are never too busy to chat or ask questions and didn't pressure us at all when we were touring, they wanted to make sure it was a good fit both ways. They proactively communicate and plan fun events for the entire school. In fact, teachers on a daily basis were highly communicative letting us know if they didn't eat much (in the infant class), why they changed their clothes if dirty and if they seemed to feeling under the weather. Highly recommend this place, you will not regret it!!

My dear son attended Village Montessori Center from the age of 2 through 5, and I couldn't be more…read moregrateful for the incredible experience he had during those important early years. From the very beginning, every teacher and staff member welcomed him with warmth, kindness, and genuine care. Over the years, he's grown in every way possible. Academically, he was gently and thoughtfully guided through foundational skills like writing, reading, and basic math, all while engaging in creative art projects and fun hands-on activities that made learning exciting (I'm also incredibly grateful for the support I received in those early years with milestones like potty training). But beyond academics, what I'm most thankful for is how much confidence he's gained. When he first started, he was quite shy. But through the loving support of his teachers and the nurturing environment at VMC, he's blossomed into a confident, social, and joyful little boy. Now that he's started kindergarten, he is not only well-prepared academically, but he's thriving and making friends easily and adjusting beautifully to a new classroom environment. I'd like to give a very special thank you to Ms. Nayna, whose patience and unwavering support made such a difference in my son's journey. She always went above and beyond--not only by treating every child with love and care, but also by taking extra care to check and make sure my son's allergies were avoided. Her attentiveness and kindness meant the world to us. Thank you to everyone at VMC for laying such a strong foundation and making his transition to kindergarten such a smooth and successful one. We will always look back on these years with deep appreciation and gratitude!

Absolutely love this school. It was so worth our time spent there!!! I wish we didn't have to move…read moredue to uncontrollable circumstances. I will forever miss the staff & I know our daughter will as well. She really grew independently & collectively together with her class. She asked many times at home to see & play with all her teachers and classmates. The staff was a huge support system for my daughter & I during our time there and I will forever be indebted. We will stop by to all community open events & hope she can return one day if the opportunity arises. With lots of love, The Donlevys

My daughter attended for a year from Aug 2023 to Aug 2024…read more As many kids which only one parent speaks Spanish, my daughter understood Spanish but replied back in English. She was 4yo when we enrolled her at Guidepost Montessori at Alicia and within a little over a month she was already speaking so much in Spanish!!! I couldn't believe it. After a year she became amazingly bilingual in Spanish and English. Their Montessori program truly changed my daughter and she became very collaborative and self starter at home, and she continued her academics with numbers, letters etc. to be ready for Elementary School. We will miss the extremely dedicated team of professionals, that became like a family for all of us, and the parents community that revolved around the multiple school organized events. Having my daughter enrolled in Guidepost has been so worth it and my only regret is that we didn't do it before, we are no longer in SoCal as she would have taken preK/Kindergarten here for sure. I can't recommend Guidepost at Alicia enough. Thank you Miss Ivanna, Ariana, Brenda, Jenny, Angelica, Natalie....

A Truly Wonderful Montessori School -- Highly Recommended!…read more My daughter went to this Montessori school since she was an infant, progressing through the toddler and preschool classrooms, and we couldn't be more grateful for the experience she's had over the past three years. The growth we've seen in her socially, emotionally, and academically has been remarkable. The teachers, especially Ms. Shelby, Ms. Chloe, and Ms. Sal, have been nothing short of amazing. They create a warm, nurturing environment where the kids feel safe, encouraged, and excited to learn. My daughter absolutely adores them. One of the things we appreciate most is how the school follows a thoughtful Montessori curriculum that helps children learn independence, discipline, and responsibility through hands-on activities. They sing, explore new materials, and learn to manage things on their own all of which has supported our parenting at home, too. My daughter loves going to school every day and enjoys spending time with her friends and teachers. We truly miss this wonderful community created by Ms Richa and Ms Prerna and wholeheartedly recommend this Montessori school to any family with an infant or young child in Lake Forest. It has been such a positive and meaningful part of our daughter's early years.

I chose this Montessori over others because of the loving environment (not corporate as other…read moreMontessori's and the staff have been there for years if not decades). The cost was very reasonable as well! My daughter was in the infant room age 6 months to 2 years. They took all of my concerns seriously and fostered her learning as much as I could ask for. I'm very happy I sent her here :)

I truly don't think there are enough words to describe how special Sunflower Montessori is to me. I…read morewas lucky enough to grow up there, starting in Ms. Lisa's preschool class and continuing into Ms. Angela's kindergarten class, and even at such a young age, I remember how incredibly warm, loving, and safe the environment felt. It wasn't just a school, it was a place where I felt deeply cared for, understood, and encouraged to be myself. The teachers at Sunflower Montessori are something truly rare. They lead with so much kindness, patience, and genuine love for every child. Looking back, I can confidently say I could not have been placed in better hands during those formative years of my life. What makes this place even more meaningful to me is that my relationship with Sunflower didn't end when I left as a student. I had the opportunity to come back and work there part-time, which only deepened my appreciation for everything they do. Seeing the environment from the other side, I was even more inspired by the dedication, thoughtfulness, and heart that goes into every single day. I went on to attend Chapman University, where I studied Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a themed inquiry in Law and Public Policy, and I truly believe the foundation I built at Sunflower helped shape who I am today. The confidence, curiosity, and sense of self I developed there has stayed with me throughout my life. To this day, Sunflower Montessori is still a huge part of my life. They have stayed connected with me through every stage, always checking in, always supporting me, and always celebrating my milestones. I make sure to keep them updated on all of my major accomplishments because their support means so much to me. They were even invested in my interview process as I worked toward landing my dream job, which speaks volumes about the kind of people they are. Sunflower Montessori is more than just a school, it has become family to me. These are people who I know will be there for me for the rest of my life. I could not have asked for a better start in life, and I will forever be grateful for the love, guidance, and foundation they gave me. If you're considering this school for your child, just know that you are placing them in the most caring, nurturing, and genuine environment possible.

My 3 children attended Sunflower for pre-k through 1st grade. The teachers and staff are amazing…read more The facilities are efficient, clean and have easy access for drop off and pick up. Highly recommended for a great non public school education.

I couldn't be happier with our decision to send our daughter here. From day one, this school has…read morefelt like an extension of our home. The teachers are incredibly loving and patient, giving the perfect balance of structure and routine while still making the environment feel warm and nurturing. It's been amazing to watch our daughter's love for learning grow every single day. ​One of our favorite things about the school is the diversity. The community is made up of families from so many different cultures, which makes it a truly special place to grow up. Both the Director Ms. Athana and Assistant Director Ms. Danielle are very attentive, easy to communicate with, and always open to discussing any concerns. It's clear the teachers stay true to the Montessori philosophy. My experience with the two teachers (Ms. Elena and Ms. Maggy) over these 2 years and the teaching assistants (Ms. Tatum, Ms. Alexa, Ms.Blanca, Ms. Tracy) who are just as supportive and loving, has been exceptional. It is definetly worth every penny spent. I highly recommend this school to any family looking for a nurturing, safe, authentic Montessori environment.

Went for a tour yesterday a hard No for me. I did a research had my husband scheduled a tour for…read moreus. The school overall is very average (this is my 7th schools) nothing to Wow about. The head of the school was not genuine in my opinion, introduce herself greet my husband but completely ignored me and my baby and my husband felt the same. It makes me question, if this is the way she treated me how is my baby going to be treated behind my back. Teachers and the kids are more diverse comparing to other schools I look at but that is the only thing that answered my need. The playground was backed to the public walk way which is another No. No option of hot lunch provided. They do offer a lot of discount...to me that's not a plus that's a concern...

Our Family's True Home Away from Home…read more We've had both of our children attending Robinhood Montessori since they were each ~2 years old--our son (now 5) for three years and our daughter (now 2) for the past 6 months. What a blessing it's been! From the moment they walk in, the environment feels truly special: spotlessly clean, beautifully prepared with authentic Montessori materials, and filled with a calm, respectful energy that honors Dr. Maria Montessori's original philosophy. The teachers are incredibly loving and attentive--they genuinely care about each child as an individual. They guide with patience, encourage independence, and foster that deep respect for the child's natural development that Maria Montessori envisioned. There's no rushing, no forced group activities that don't fit; instead, the children are free to explore at their own pace, building confidence, concentration, and a real love of learning. We've seen our son blossom into a thoughtful, capable little boy who takes pride in his work, and our daughter is already showing the same joyful curiosity. We've visited at least three other Montessori programs in our area, and none come close. This school truly embodies the founder's principles--mixed-age classrooms, hands-on materials, freedom within limits, and a focus on the whole child--without any shortcuts. A huge part of what makes this place exceptional is the team of caring teachers and leaders. They are warm, approachable, and deeply invested in every family. They've taken the time to understand our children's unique personalities and our family's needs, offering thoughtful advice, flexibility when life gets busy, and genuine support beyond just the classroom. Whether it's a quick chat about progress, help with transitions, or simply making us feel heard and valued, they go above and beyond. It's rare to find leaders who feel like extended family. If you're looking for a Montessori that truly lives up to its name--one that's nurturing, authentic, and transformative for your children--this is it. We couldn't recommend it more highly. Our kids thrive here, and so does our peace of mind as parents. Thank you for everything you do!

If you want the real authentic Montessori experience in professional and caring environment that…read morefeels like family, this is the place for you. I have no reservations about recommending RHM, the teachers and the director Mrs Klymko who is special - passionate, talented and deeply experienced.

Both are kids have been here. This place is god send. The owners are the best and the teachers are…read moreso great. Especially Ms Zinat In infant room. Our kids are happy here and always excited to go. Our lives would be different without them! Love them and lucky to have found them.

This place has been such a blessing to our family. We had our daughter there since she was 2 years…read moreold up until she transitioned to Kindergarten. They treated our child like their own and were so kind to her and our family. They also prepped her well for Kindergarten which made the transition for our daughter extremely smooth. I can't recommend this place enough. If you have doubts, don't, they will take great care of your little ones.