It was the best decision we've made for our son. The teachers are amazing and he looks forward to…read moregoing to school every day.

We absolutely love Rose Blossom- my daughter went here for 2 years, and now my son attends. The…read moreteachers are thoughtful, intentional, creative and also consider each child's needs. As a local educator I have researched a lot of local preschools when we were first looking and Rose Blossom felt right- there is a wonderful balance of structure to the day as well as play based and child led activities. My kids are so happy when we pick them up, and my son- who has some special needs- has been taken care of in a loving way. We absolutely recommend Rose Blossom!

I can't say enough great things about Little Sprouts Preschool, Ms Michelle (think Wonder Woman…read moremeets Snow White), and her staff. We have a lot of experience with the daycares/preschools, especially those in Capitola, Aptos, Freedom areas and Little Sprouts is hands down the best in town. Ms Michelle and those she brings in are nurturing, present, creative, and earnestly care about and adjust for the individual child. We made the easy decision to keep our eldest in preschool instead of TK once we found exactly what we were missing in other schools. Thankful to have my youngest also enrolled for another year. Ms. Michelle is thoughtful when planning her classroom. From rotating stations to keep things interesting, bringing in as many lessons regarding the seasons and nature as possible; currently they have tad poles and baby chicks in the classroom, to working and communicating with the kiddos (and their parents) to keep a cohesive group dynamic.

My son attended Little Sprouts for three years and I am so sad to say goodbye! However, he is now…read moreemotionally, physically and academically prepared for kindergarten thanks to Ms. Michelle and her caring, fun learning environment. I especially love how Michelle teaches through talking about and observing nature and the changing of the seasons.

I went to Simcha when I was a toddler, and now my own children go there! My two year old has had a…read morewonderful year in the toddler class, and will be in the preschool class next year. My 4 year old will be in the TK/K class this coming year. The teachers are great, the outdoor spaces are wonderful, and the extended hours they offer are so helpful for many families. We've made great friends there, and are so thankful!

I cannot speak highly enough about my experience at Simcha. We've been attending for three years…read morenow - my older daughter attended pre-k and the kinder class, and my younger daughter started in the toddler class when she was two, then the preschool class, is currently in pre-k and will be in the TK/K class next year. Both of my girls have thrived at simcha, and we adore the community. Both our kids and us parents have made many amazing friends. The teachers are incredible, and we've really appreciated the play-based curriculum with tons of outdoor time. In TK/K, teacher Jan blends academic material with so much fun and creativity - the kids hardly know they're learning. My older daughter was extremely prepared for public 1st grade because of Jan's guidance and the small class size - she learned to read and write, gained strong math skills, and made special, lasting friendships. our younger daughter could have attended public TK but with Simcha's extended hours and unique program, it's worth the investment of an extra year. Highly highly recommend!

A wonderful school. My daughter had several delightful years there. Responsible and caring staff.read more

Can't thank this school enough. As a now grown student, I still look back on this schools'…read moreteachings and absolute life lessons that it has taught me. With patience, nurturing, and all around acceptance, Orchard raised me when one person couldn't do it alone. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I had never felt truer words that befit this schools benefits. It truly helped keep my childhood lively and adventurous, and to this day my thoughts linger on just how grateful I am. If I ever have a kid, I'll do my best to ensure they get to go to a school as fine as Orchard. Only shame is, they used to go from K-8, if I recall. But to know they're focusing their teachings on earlier ages is just as righteous to me.

Academics and teachers are top notch. Administration is good, can't imagine a school would be run…read moreany better. However, your experience here is very dependent on your situation going into the school. There is a lot of affluence here as you can imagine, and you'll be exposed to that as parents, and your kid will as well. For most of the parents and kids at the school, its a world they are comfortable with. For those not in that circle, you will quickly realize that it's not your circle...and your kid will too. Towards the end of our time here, our daughter was old enough to understand these things, and that was very disappointing to us. It's a private school with all that it entails; that needs to be understood before deciding on sending your child here. While a good school, it's not for everyone.

Dear readers, as an individual who attended this school in the past, I must honestly express that I…read morefind it to be an unsatisfactory investment for your child's education. My time at SCM was quite extensive, but I eventually transferred to another institution due to the persistent issue of bullying, which remained prevalent from 1st to 6th grade without any effective intervention from the school administration. During my time in 6th grade, I endured both physical and mental bullying to such an extent that it necessitated my admission to a Mental Health Hospital for various reasons. Shockingly, the three girls responsible for this reprehensible behavior faced no consequences, resulting in me missing out on my graduation day and celebration due to their actions. This unfortunate reality extended to my friend as well, as he was also targeted and compelled to switch schools. Moreover, it is important to note that I am autistic and suffer from a chronic illness that causes severe pain when walking or running. Regrettably, the school disregarded my condition and failed to provide any support or accommodation during times of autistic meltdowns. I found their indifference towards my physical and emotional struggles disheartening and disconcerting. When I requested alternative activities during physical education classes to alleviate my chronic pain, the school administration threatened to involve my parents, rather than understanding and addressing my health concerns with compassion and empathy. In terms of education, I observed a significant emphasis on the subjects in which students demonstrated proficiency, while minimal effort was made to help students struggling in other areas. This unbalanced approach hindered overall academic growth and development. In conclusion, my personal experience at this school was largely negative, and I believe there are superior educational establishments available. However, it is essential to recognize that individual experiences may vary, and some individuals might find benefit in this environment. Regardless, I urge prospective parents and students to exercise caution and carefully consider their options before making a decision.

We joined Little Learners about 6 months ago and our little one has been thriving! She looks…read moreforward to going to school and learning with her new friends. The teachers and staff are great, you can tell they really care and enjoy what they do.

Wonderful small class environment with loving caring teachers and staff. I feel very safe dropping…read moremy daughter off every morning. The teachers go above and beyond with art/craft projects, reading, diapers changes and are VERY good with communication with with the children and with us as parents. The app they use lets us know how shes doing, when her naps are, and they even take pictures everyday for us to see! Thank you so much little learners of aptos!

Children's Enrichment Center (CEC) is a preschool located on the Twin Lakes Church campus. They…read moreserve children ages 2 through transitional kindergarten. CEC is a very academic preschool with a fun-loving and caring staff. Great remodeled facilities and playgrounds. Cannot say enough positive things about CEC.

This is a great school. My brother went there pre-5th. My oldest son goes there now and I plan to…read morehave our youngest boy go as well.

Tara is a unique and magical educational experience in the redwood forests near Land of Medicine…read moreBuddha. Our daughters attend and are thriving in the elementary and preschool programs. The preschool program is located in the heart of Soquel. The teachers are terrific and the children and community wonderful. While in Soquel proper, they do make weekly trips up to the redwoods to play and explore. It's an excellent program filled with creative activities, traditional Montessori education, and play. The elementary program is located within the Land of Medicine Buddha, nestled amongst the redwoods, where the children hike, play in the stream, and count banana slugs while on their way to the playground. The class sizes are small which allow our daughter to receive more attention and tailored education than in a traditional public school. Montessori-style teaching meets the student at their current level of development for each subject, providing flexibility and ensuring a child is challenged and not left behind or left waiting for their classmates to catch up. The elementary school teachers are wonderful, highly experienced, and a positive influence on our daughter. Lastly, the school ethos of compassion, mindfulness, inclusion, and kindness instill important values in our children and foster a culture of like-minded parents and teachers who share these same values. PS - Refreshingly, there are no screens at Tara. The children learn through their senses and through physical objects, not by the glow of pixels and hum of electricity.

nestled among the redwoods, the school offers an education that is both intellectually rigorous and…read moredeeply humane. learning here is not just about absorbing information, but about cultivating attention, kindness, curiosity, and ethical relationship... to oneself, to others, and to the living world. the rhythm of the days feels intentional and spacious. mindfulness, compassion, and inquiry are embodied through routine, ritual, and relationship. children are supported in developing emotional literacy alongside academic skills, learning how to sit with difficulty, resolve conflict, and care for one another with sincerity and respect. the teachers are attentive, thoughtful, and deeply committed... not only to education, but to the inner lives of the students. there is a palpable sense that each child is seen as a whole person, with their own temperament, questions, and unfolding path. the connection to nature is not ornamental; the redwoods, trails, and open air are active participants in the learning process, grounding education in sensory experience and reverence for the natural world. i am grateful to have gone here and if i lived in santa cruz and i had children... they would absolutely go here.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about the Secret Garden Preschool (La Selva Beach) and how…read moreincredibly thankful we are to have spent the past few years here. My daughter started as a 2 year old and just finished as a 5 1/2 yr old in August. We toured a few different schools, but the Secret Garden came with great recommendations from close friends and we are so glad that we chose this preschool. From day one, we felt very comfortable and trusted each and every teacher and I always felt good leaving my daughter in the mornings and picking her up everyday, as a parent that really means so much. Maybe more important though - my daughter was always excited for school and had the best time and adored her teachers and friends. The director, Lisa, and all of the teachers are awesome and extremely communicative, organized, and responsive. It was reassuring to know that I could check in with the staff through the Pro Care app that they use. Our work schedules often changed and having the flexibility to request a drop-in and add days when needed was such a huge benefit. All of the teachers are extremely attentive and engaging and approach situations based on each individual child's needs or circumstance. The preschool has a dedicated teacher's aide, Bella, who cooks and provides healthy snacks and meals and the website shares menu updates regularly. The teachers of the younger classes at the time ( Monica and Glori) were so helpful as our daughter potty-trained and napped / stopped napping. Teacher Maria, Sharon, Monic, and Jasmine were excellent with the 3, 4 and 5 year old classes and really helped prepare the kids for kindergarten / TK - my daughter misses them all so much! The school's location in La Selva Beach is right next to a church, a play ground, fire station, and library - truly the perfect environment for little kids. The classrooms and outdoor spaces are safe, clean, and engaging for small children. If it was hot out, the staff was diligent with applying sunscreen and if I forgot to pack a jacket or water bottle, the school always helped with a spare. I always knew she was in good hands! The staff also organizes themed weeks and days, arts and crafts, performances, pot lucks and so many cute activities. I could keep going, but I am forever thankful for the staff and community at the Secret Garden Preschool, many of the friends and families we met there are now elementary school friends:) Watching our daughter learn and grow here has been the sweetest experience and our family really cannot thank or recommend the Secret Garden preschool enough!

We feel incredibly grateful to have found Secret Garden Preschool for our daughter. From the very…read morebeginning, the staff have been nothing short of wonderful: communicative, compassionate, and genuinely caring. One of the things that stood out immediately was how open and responsive the communication has been. Whether it's a quick update at pick-up, a thoughtful email, or sharing photos and stories from the day, the team makes a true effort to keep parents informed and involved. That kind of transparency builds trust, and we always feel like our daughter was in good hands. Our daughter attended here for the past 2+ years and now our "baby" who just turned two is headed to begin there shortly. The care and attention each child receives is heartfelt and intentional. The staff clearly know and understand the children as individuals. They are patient, nurturing, and create a space where kids feel seen, safe, and celebrated. It's clear that the emotional well-being of the children is just as important to them as their early learning and development. The environment at Secret Garden encourages curiosity, creativity, and connection with nature and one another. Our daughter often would come home happy, full of stories, and often humming songs she learned that day. We've seen her grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually in ways that are clearly supported by the thoughtful programming and gentle guidance of her teachers. As parents, we deeply appreciate how the school balances structure with freedom, play with purpose, and learning with love. The values they uphold empathy, kindness, inclusion show through in their daily practices. We can't thank the team at Secret Garden enough for creating such a beautiful first school experience for our child. It truly feels like an extension of our family, and we couldn't recommend it more highly.

They have let a 4th grade teacher who passed covid to all but 4 students of 26 kids remain on…read morestaff. She not only endangered lives of these children who hadn't even the chance to defend themselves, their siblings and parents were also infected. Some of these parents were front line workers that missed treating patients. This teacher has blood on her hands and at this point so does the school for allowing her to continue to teach and endanger children's lives everyday. The bullying too is rampant and that is the first reason we left. They allow bigger kids at the middle school to rule and are neglecting students academic and emotional needs.

Both my daughters went here. They loved it! People that complain about "bullying" should have a…read morecivil conversation with the parents of the "bully." Or you can send your child to a local public school, where they teach CRT, no prayers, no pledge of allegiance to our flag, etc. fights, AND bullying definitely occurs. This is a wonderful school.