The best child care center you will ever find. Excellent ratios. Intentional teachers. Caring families. Safe community. Inclusive. Mud pitts. Water play. Sand boxes. Playdough. All of these great things above for all 3 of my daughters ranging 2-13 years old. read more

Honestly, the best, most supportive, and caring school in our area. CEC's reputation is very good but the reality is the teachers and staff are even more wonderful than we could have imagine. Our daughter really learned how to thrive socially and emotionally while attending CEC. From the Otters to the Sea Lions to now the Flying Squirrels--she loves going to school every day. She went from a shy girl who only stayed home with her grandma or nanny to a little girl with friends she looks forward to seeing every day! She actually asks me if she can stay at school the latest possible. Her teachers are in tune with her every emotion and keep us up to date on everything that happened throughout the day. I highly recommend CEC to any family who can and wants to provide a magical experience for their kiddo's early years. We are sad to be graduating next year! read more

Child Educational Center - Preschools Near Me - La Canada Flintridge, California

This place is wonderful. My son has been going to another preschool for 3 years and they have complained to me that he doesn't always want to sit down during circle time, he runs around the classroom and takes off his shoes, he doesn't want to nap all the time, and he's just a little too active for their group. When I toured at CEC and told them about their complaints, they stared at me in disbelief. CEC reassured me that children at his age have a short attention span and everything is completely normal about him, which I totally agree. CEC is a place where kids can explore multiple things without having structure all the time. If they want to be inside the whole time they can. If they want to be outside the whole time and ride bikes and play in their sandbox they can. If they want to paint for 2 hours they can. The kids get to decide what they want to do and I totally agree with their methods. There are teachers at every station and inside and outside the classroom. My son loves to paint, be outside and he loves to be there more than his other preschool. As Mr Rogers has stated, kids learn through play and let them be children. Kids only have a few years to explore and learn through play and everyone that I seen at the preschool has been very happy. I wish I brought him there sooner! read more

This place is amazing. Our 2 son was and is enrolled in the program, and my 9 year old was just for one year from age 4 to 5. My older one was completely transformed, and he blossomed from a shy, reserved child. My younger son, who is enrolled currently has gained important motor skills and his language has also exploded! We love CEC and highly recommend them for quality, early education programs. read more

Our son was at the CEC from when he was two months old through till he was almost 6, and ready for kindergarten. Leaving the CEC, I suppose the biggest feeling I have is gratitude. I'm grateful to the teachers, administrators and staff of the CEC for their professionalism, wisdom, dedication and kindness. By so many people, and by every measure, our son has been lovingly taught and cared for. I'm grateful to have made friends with the other parents. They were role models for us, and true partners in making the CEC so exceptional. The children there are to a large extent free range, but within very structured environments evolving with their age. They learn how to solve, how to play, how to make friends, how to care. I've seen them learning how to learn. So I'm grateful to have watched the children grow, from babies to ready-for-kindergarteners, leaving the preschool yard so very bright, imaginative, and thoughtful. I cannot think of anything that would have been better for our son. read more

This place is like heaven for kids. A free and safe place to explore and learn while expertly trained staff observe and guide. I wish I had been to a school like this as a child. read more

My son went to the CEC from age five months to five years. It was such a wonderful place to start his education. The parent education meetings helped me learn how to nurture him at home as well as introducing me to other parents of kids my son's age. Several years later, we're still friends with many of the families we met there. The staff are warm and caring and the outdoor education component of the program is fantastic. I recommend the CEC to anyone with young children. read more

As a previous employee, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this school. I worked in the preschool and school age programs. I love the fact that the school is so open, loveing and caring. I have taken many philosophies from my many years working there. Yes there is not a lot of structure. Yes that may not work for every child. Yet many of the aspects ofbthe program can be utilized by all. Their anti-bias curriculum is amazing. Children do get dirty and messy from exploring, and they love it. Most of us can't do that as an adult. Why not let them have their fun. When the the teachers are introducing concepts, they ask the children questions so they can lead where the instruction will go. read more

Not only is the CEC a wonderful, magical place for young children, it also has an amazing after school program for older elementary students. Then CEC has been fulfilling the "promise of childhood" for over 40 years. Teachers understand the stages of emotional, intellectual and physical development in children; they are respectful of children and parents; and especially at this time, the Outdoor Classroom approach is a model for any early childhood center or school looking to make their programs and facility a safe site for all. I highly recommend the CEC to any family who would love to have their child(ren) experience high quality care. Visit the site: www.ceconline.org read more

I went in for a tour and as we were sitting and talking one of the teachers kicked off her shoes and left them by toy area. A child ~2 years old picked up her very dirty shoe and put it in his mouth! The lady that was giving us the tour then blamed the child instead of the teacher for leaving her shoes and not watching him!!! I turned to my husband and said "oh hell no" and got up and left. I wouldn't let my kid go to the CEC. Although I understand the philosophy of letting children make choices they take it too far at the CEC allowing children to compromise their safety. read more

Our family has just completed a wonderful five and a half years as part of the Infant Toddler and Preschool program of the CEC. I was shocked at some of the negative reviews here from people who only toured the program and have not experienced it. The CEC is a leading institution in early childhood education, where educators come from all of the country (even internationally) to study the CEC's outdoor classroom and ITPS program. In fact, some of the negatives pointed out by the other reviewers are the things we love most about the program. Yes, your child will get dirty, and when first joining any childcare setting with multiple children, they will get sick often. Those familiar with the hygiene hypothesis though, will know that this early exposure to harmful and harmless microbes will help and child's immune system develop appropriate response. After attending CEC for four years, my older child had perfect attendance in kindergarten and only missed one day of first grade. In addition to training the immune system, the purpose of having children play outdoors in the dirt (or getting dirty in the classroom with paint, clay, oobleck, and glue allows the children to develop a tactile and multi-sensory understanding of their environment. As for the cost, CEC may be more expensive than other childcare options, but you are paying for quality. Many of the Master Lead Teachers have MS degrees in early childhood education, and the turnover among staff is very low for a childcare center. Many of the teaching assistants have been with the program for more than a decade. You see this expertise and experience everyday in the classroom. I have become a much better parent by closely observing the caregivers and their loving and respectful interactions with children, and by modeling those same techniques at home. The caregivers teach children how to be empathetic, navigate conflict, stand up for themselves, take risks, and be a good friend. They also teach the children to love learning about their world, and to nurture and treasure nature. This arises through emergent curriculum, which some of the other reviews describe in detail. Finally, I wanted to mention the incredible parent community. Parents are welcome in the classroom at any time and you will inevitably spend a lot of time getting to know other parents at drop-off and pick-up. In addition, the CEC schedules parent meetings every other month, where the lead teachers share with families things happening in the classroom including emerging curriculum and social and emotional development. During the months without parent meetings, there are parent discussions, when parents from the sibling rooms (same age groups) can get together in a non-judgmental setting to discuss anything related to the children. These discussions are expertly facilitated by the lead teachers and offer parents a wonderful opportunity to share parenting tips and advice. Additionally there is a parent council that plans school wide community building activities, and room parents who plan social events for the smaller groups. We have made life-long friends as part of this amazing community. Keep in mind, these are some of the smartest people on the planet who are building the spacecraft exploring the solar system at JPL, and making breakthrough discoveries at Caltech. They are incredibly down to earth, and trying to figure out this whole parenting thing just as much as the non JPL/Caltech affiliated families like ours. Our sons' time at the CEC was a gift and a privilege, and although we won't miss the tuition payments, the tuition was an investment in our children that was worth every penny. Our boys have started school with an amazing toolkit of empathy, assertiveness and love of learning. We will be forever grateful to the CEC. read more

I attended CEC from age 2 until kindergarten (plus summers until I was about 7) and my parents and I have nothing but happy memories! I'm now in my 30s and have come to fully appreciate my experience. The CEC's emphasis on outdoor play and hands-on learning (arts and crafts, music, building blocks, cooking, etc.) is so rare. My mom still has the cook book! As an only child, I would have had a very lonely childhood if not for the CEC. In fact, one of my preschool classmates was a bridesmaid in my wedding a couple years ago. When I have children, I hope to send them to CEC. #flyingsquirrelsforever read more

The CEC is more than just a child care, it is about early childhood education starting from infants through pre-k. The philosophy and curriculum are VERY engaging. It is a place where children are treated with respect and love. I have had two children go through this program with great enthusium. Moveover, they were both well prepared for kindergarten -- academically, socially and emotionally. The highlight is the outdoor space! There is a seemlessness of the indoor and outdoor classroom learning. I can't say enough wonderful things about it. If you want to see for yourself, set up a tour to check it out. read more

The CEC is a daycare/preschool for infants to preK kids. If you are lucky enough to get your child in here, you should count your blessings. The staff is exceptional and they CARE about your child. We've had 2 kids at the CEC and know plenty of other families that have done the same over the last 20 years. The don't skimp on staff - there are plenty of teachers even for the older kids. It's a play based learning environment with a very large outdoor area that is freely accessable by the kids during the day. The web site is www.ceconline.org. read more

My children take part in the CEC after-school program at La Canada Elementary. I have nothing but praise for the program. The people supervising the children are, across the board, the exact kind of people you want interacting with your children. They are kind, educated, and motivated people who take interest in the kids. Every time I have come to get them and have happened upon a conversation or interaction with staff, I am pleased with their attitude and demeanor. Even when they don't see a parent coming, which are the most telling moments, they speak to the children with respect. I am 100% confident that my children are being respected and nurtured at CEC. Also, if I forget to call and tell the staff that my child is home sick, they always call and check to be sure he/she is accounted for at home when the child doesn't arrive at CEC as expected. I love that! read more

Our oldest son attended the CEC for 2.5 years. It was a wonderful experience for him and he loves to come back to visit his teachers. He was more than prepared for Kindergarten and I believe the CEC fostered his love of learning. He still loves to garden, something that began at the CEC. When he first started, he was very attached and did not want to separate. The teachers encouraged me to stay with him as long as he needed. Most schools want the parents to leave their child at the door on day 1. I was able to stay for one month, taking little breaks or stepping outside, slowing and thoughtfully creating space between us. They supported us through the separation process and as a result, my son is trustful of other caring adults and I was able to relax knowing that they were meeting his needs 100%. My son learned how to express himself at the CEC. The teachers support the children and show them how to communicate their needs to the teachers and other children. He was supported in his attempts to make friends. Parents are welcome to call, visit, or have a chat with the teachers at anytime. Regular conferences are reassuring- the teachers truly know and appreciate your child. My second son is now at the CEC. We are again having a magical experience. I love to see how he is blossoming. He loves to be outside and the Outdoor Classroom is the best thing for him. Teachers from all over the country come to the CEC to learn about the Outdoor Classroom project and model their own schools after the CEC program. The teachers are loving, patient, professional, experienced and well educated- many with advanced degrees in Early Childhood Education. I will be sad to say good-bye when our time at the CEC has come to an end. The CEC's program is based on research. Children at this age need to play. It is how they learn. The teachers thoughtfully set the stage for successful play and exploration. Play at this age will create a foundation for success in the elementary school years- socially and academically. Children are able to learn independence because they feel supported by their teachers. Every day my son asks me, "Is today a CEC day?" and when I tell him yes, he says "yay!" It is such a wonderful and reassuring feeling for me to hear that! The CEC has been wonderful for my children. I feel safe leaving him in the care of the teachers. I know that he is cared for and any special needs that he may have will be met. Each day I pick him up, a teacher gives me a "report" on his day and it thrills me to hear that he made a "restaurant" in the sand, or stood up for himself, or spent time with a new child, or tried a new food. I am thankful everyday for the wonderful teachers who care for my son and want the best for him. read more

Parent with two children that enjoyed the priviledge of going to the CEC for early child education. Remarkable community of teachers, parents, and children. Strong pre-k foundation for any child. The CEC executes on all levels a philosophy anchored in child-centered learning similar in scope and background to the highly respected Pacific Oaks Preschool. The outdoor classroom concept is fully realized and is the highlight of the child experience. I suggested their school motto be "No Child Left Inside." Will definitely want to visit and inteview to be sure you are comfortable with their approach, but I would give the CEC my full endorsement without reservation for parents seeking a progressive approach to early childhood education. read more

This is an incredible daycare center for children. It is nurturing, play-based, and developmentally focused. Each child really is encouraged to grow and thrive each day. While this is not the center for everyone (not structured and academically oriented), for our family it is perfect. I know that children get the best possible care every day. The focus on being outdoors, getting dirty, exploring, learning to be independent, learning how to function in a group, all in a safe and stimulating environment? I don't think there is anything better out there. read more

I really appreciated how my child was cared for, and enjoyed some of the teachers, though some teachers thought it was their prerogative to "educate" me as how to best raise my child, which overstepped the line and was quite rude. I often left wondering who on earth they thought they were. Also, the place is EXPENSIVE, especially for how old the buildings are (and how little the teachers get paid; I was talking to one of the teachers, and she just made cents above $10.00 an hour! It made me wonder where all the money is going). Anyway, I think there are definite problems with this place, but my child was well cared for; however, I think I could have found good care elsewhere. read more

Although many, many parents and children love this school, it is not the perfect fit for every child. My daughter was lost in this huge environment. She started attending when she was a year old and was bitten every other time she was there until we called for an appointment with the director who apologized and said that they should have been shadowing the biter. Unfortunately we left her in this school. She enjoyed it mostly until she started being picked on by other girls when she was two. For six months she would sob herself to sleep, crying about the girls and asking why they were mean to her. The teachers told me her reaction was exaggerated and that the drama between the girls was normal. They insisted that everything was fine. After six months I couldn't take it any more and pulled her out. I put her in a very structured morning preschool for two days a week where the teachers worked directly with the children to develop respect for others. No mean-spirited behavior was tolerated. She thrived in this loving environment with ten children and two teachers. She began going to sleep happy at night. My second child did not go to the CEC and is in another very small preschool with enough structure to encourage healthy, positive relationships, but it also has all of the elements of the CEC, just smaller in scale. A friend had warned me about the CEC, but I listened to all of the people who loved it instead and regret this. Don't choose the CEC based on its reputation alone. Consider what kind of child you have. If you child is hearty and stalwart, he or she might love the CEC as so many do. But if your chlid has a sensitive heart, beware. P.S. I've had so many responses to this review that I wanted to add a few things. The preschool I put my daughter in after the CEC was a specialized language immersion preschool, and the very amazing teacher who taught there has moved on, so I would not necessarily recommend that program anymore. But the lesson there is to not only choose the right preschool but also a teacher who works well with and cares about your child. For some teachers, it is just a job. For others, it is a passion. I put my second child in the La Canada United Methodist Children's Center. He loved it there! We found that the pastor was lovely and always gave a gentle message of kindness and love during chapel several times a month. And the teachers were kind and loving. The school is small enough that it was not overly stimulating or chaotic. He loved it so much I had to wait for the teachers to lock up at night before I could get him to leave! For anyone who is turned off by the religious aspect of it, please don't discount the school outright. Interview the pastor and the teachers. Visit during chapel time so you get an idea of what is being presented. And good luck! Keep looking till you find the right situation for yourself and your family. read more

Our 2 sons both attended CEC for a couple of years, and we cannot say enough good things about it. Our oldest attended their after school program and summer camp, and our youngest was there from ages 1-3. The staff are amazing- so loving, patient and attentive to each child's developmental level. CEC has a very specific philosophy around it, and this progressive type of learning is something that I wish more preschools and daycares would adopt. We only left because we moved out of the area. We were so sad to leave, and I would highly recommend taking a tour and really getting a vibe for what they offer. Incredible place. read more

My daughter attended CEC for two years. The things we really liked: The outdoor space is incomparable. We wanted our child to have the opportunity to explore the outdoors and this place had a more extensive space than anywhere we've seen. Climbing structure, wooden playhouse, swings, slides, gardening areas, outdoor painting stations, blocks, large sandboxes (teachers dig trenches and make mud pits), tables for reading and coloring outside, plenty of space to run. The kids are encouraged to go outside - even if it's raining, if the kids want to go outside, the teachers take them. The preschool kids eat outside and explore insects. They could go inside and outside as they pleased. I also liked the sheer breadth of activities offered to the kids. In each classroom, there are instruments, multiple activities that develop small motor skills, etc. There are books, blocks, dramatic play areas, tons of stuff to do. It's child led, and the teachers track and adjust their rooms based on what the kids are interested in. I also really appreciated how welcome I, as a parent, always was in the yard and in the classroom. I could stay as long as I wanted/needed during drop offs. If I wanted to come and have lunch with my daughter, that was fine, I could just come on by - no appointment or notification needed. I thought the teachers were great about sharing anecdotes about my child's day. I always found the caregivers warm and friendly. What I didn't like is that in the two years she attended, I can't pinpoint one thing she learned there. I think there are a lot of kids that would actually benefit from a little more structure than they provide. I absolutely appreciate that allowing kids to explore what they're interested in lets them learn in a deeper, more organic way but sometimes the independence granted to the toddlers/preschoolers translated into chaos. There were plenty of kids that I saw acting out of line on a regular basis. Sometimes it was violent, sometimes it was verbal and sometimes it was just blatant disregard for the teachers' instruction. I know this might be normal for kids this age but I will say that it certainly seemed like like it happened more frequently here than other schools I have seen - I would have liked to see more control on the part of the teachers. There seems to be a lot of turnover with the floaters; there was always someone new in the yard. Lastly, we didn't have a great experience with the teacher/parent conferences. I can't remember ever hearing anything of substance. Twice it seemed like the teacher who met with us wasn't prepared at all. Basically she was meeting with us because she had to. Neutral information - it's messy here. Kids get muddy and colored from paint. I don't see this as a good or a bad thing, just a thing that is a reality here. Kids can walk around in their underwear or diaper. Again, good and bad. Your kids will come home with a ton of sand in their shoes and in their toes. Parents are required to volunteer a number of hours each year. read more

As an elementary educator with advanced degrees in child development, I had a clear picture of what I expected and was looking for in a preschool for my son. We researched and visited countless preschools in the area looking for the best early education experience we could afford knowing full well how a quality early education curriculum impacts life long development and later school success. It is always clear the children who had these experiences from those who did not by their command of oral expression and exposure to dealing with peers. As a teacher, I would much rather have a student who has been encouraged to problem solve and think critically over a child that has practiced hooked on phonic worksheets with perfect penmanship. The first must be developed while the later is much easier to teach. That being said, we decided upon the CEC and were very excited. Then I read the negative Yelp review here and panicked the night before his first day. My son is a sensitive little boy, this was his first experience away from home and I was worried he would feel lost in their large beautiful yard. I also know as a teacher that it is important to provide young children opportunities with guidance, not forced problem solving, to figure out how to remedy their peer relationships but this was my son and I would rather avoid the negative peer interactions I see too much of in elementary school. However, I have observed that the most successful children are not the ones that come to the teacher all the time to solve their problems but voice their frustrations in the moment and have a set of skills set in place to solve it themselves. These children have internalized self worth, negotiation skills, and resiliency. I see evidence of this everywhere I look at the CEC. I see children using complicated expressions and rich oral language modeled by highly educated teachers. The teachers talk to child the way we all should. A good teacher does not really teach but provides the tools for the journey so the child can discover for themselves. This is what I see each and every day I pick up my son. I get giddy and amazed when I walk on campus. I see shared inquiry, Blooms Taxonomy, graphing, story-telling, and problem solving. I see children wear the hat of a gardener, athlete, engineer, dancer, artist, creator, scientist, architect, chef, writer, and naturalist. They study and explore the rich environment that the CEC lays before them. Many days, I can see that my son is covered in learning from head to toe. They have sparked his fire for learning in school. I am not worried about my son being able to read at 3 and 4, but to inspire children to think, create, and facilitate their own learning; that is priceless. My sensitive son loves the CEC even on days when he has had to problem solve those pesky peer relationships. And, I don't just adore my son's teachers but deeply respect them. If you go to observe their exemparly learning environment, just stop, look and listen for a while. There are no worksheets, no dotted lines to trace, and no Basal Readers floating around. And don't be deceived and think you are just seeing play. There is so much more going on here, the evidence is everywhere. It is type of magic. The teachers and staff of the CEC create this magic from purposeful and strategic pedagogy. This is not a daycare, these are quality educators. When we pick up my son now, my husband and I like to sit and observe for a while and listen to all the amazing learning going on. The education experience the CEC provides really is something special. read more

We just finished 3 years at CEC one week ago, and we're missing everyone and everything about the program so much. When I first learned about the CEC, I was immediately impressed. After touring the school and seeing the outdoor classrooms in action on a typical weekday morning, my husband and I both wished *we* had the opportunity as children to attend a program like it. Since we began the program in the toddler years on an afternoon schedule (and my own schedule allowed it), I was able to stay with our son for the first 30 minutes of every day to help him transition. What I observed during that time was astounding. The way the teachers interacted with the children, the level of communication, patience and generosity in their exchanges and the types of interactions they facilitated and mediated between children is what kids learn from most while at the CEC. On their website, you'll find plenty of information about the philosophies of learning that the CEC upholds in every age group, every minute of the day. The emphasis on developing social and emotional intelligence is what drew us to the program and it was observable in every possible way. As a first-time parent I had much to learn, and those days in the yard were invaluable to me and to my relationship with my child. As we progressed through the program, we saw emergent curriculum in action, how the curiosity of the kids drove many projects forward under the guidance of their teachers. We were impressed by how students learned through construction and deconstruction, gardening, and having regular access to tactile crafting materials. Students in the preschool years come home with drawings, beaded necklaces and bracelets as well as "machines" and "tools" constructed from Popsicle sticks and tape. They aren't really ever coming home with craft projects where the children create uniform pieces of artwork. There are materials available like wood scraps, glue, paint and other supplies, and children are encouraged to invent and think through their individual creative and engineering decisions. Our top priority was finding a place where our child would be safe and cared for. CEC is a beautiful, secure facility filled with caring teachers who are really present and very accomplished as professionally trained caregivers and educators. My own professional work was possible because I knew my child was safe and benefitting incredibly from this learning environment, and what I learned from the CEC found its way into my own teaching of college-age students. Early childhood education, and the confidence a child gains during these years is not to be underestimated. It inspired me to hear teachers talking about Erickson's stages of psychosocial development, and how letting a child *do* as much as they can as early as possible really sets the tone for how much they believe they can achieve in life. Another thing that was very important to me was seeing how the subject of "discipline" was being handled. I had removed my son at 2 years of age from another preschool (while we were on the waiting list for CEC) because I was very uncomfortable with a teacher scolding my child during pickup, over 3 hours after whatever incident had occurred. This is just wrong. We don't believe in using time-outs and this is a dishearteningly common form of discipline. What I saw and what we learned from the CEC was life-changing! People misunderstand the idea of not using time-outs and think it means you'll be raising an unruly child. Quite the contrary. I observed at every stage how respectfully teachers spoke to the children, how things were explained so that kids could grasp what types of behaviors and actions are acceptable and which are not. Children don't need to be punished to understand this. They need to be taught with kindness. Small children are bound to hit and throw things out of frustration or simply experimenting with the limits of appropriate behavior. No amount of time-outs can teach a child what an adult can by modeling behavior, mediating difficult exchanges and showing patience and support during the process. My own son went from being sensitive and reactive to a highly articulate person who can convey his feelings and resolve conflicts with others without assistance. Meetings throughout the year kept us apprised of classroom activities, learning goals and the charting of our child's development. I had no idea that at the end of three years we'd receive a large binder filled with photos and clear narrative descriptions of our child's daily activity, observed advances in his abilities to problem-solve, socialize and bond with other students, and documentation of his developing handwriting and drawing ability. Our time at the CEC was extraordinary for our entire family, and I still feel the same amount of awe and enthusiasm today that I had after our very first visit. More to say but being cut off! read more

My son started at the CEC when he was 6 months old, and he just graduated after five happy years. The teachers are exceptional, and the teacher/child ratio is great. There is all-day supervised access to a large outdoor space that expert teachers enrich to meet the children's changing needs and interests. The children have a ball experimenting with sand, mud, water, plants, bugs, and other outdoor elements. All the while, teachers are carefully observing and thoughtfully supplementing the play, rather than dominating it. To the untrained eye, this can look like kids are just arguing and getting dirty. Instead, they are learning honest cooperation, developing gross and fine motor skills, discovering gravity, fluid dynamics, horticulture, entymology, gardening, math, democracy . . . the possibilities are endless under the guidance of these great teachers, and the lessons are deep and memorable. As one example, the children made their own compost, planted fruits and veggies, watered these plants, harvested them, planned a farmers' market for the parents, and "sold" their goods. All of this was child led, but supported and expanded upon by teachers. In the indoor classroom, the kids cooperatively built a puppet theater, created sock puppets, and put on puppet shows. This kind of thing happens all the time at the CEC! On the subject of discipline, the children learn to respect each other by being treated with respect by the teachers. They also learn it through direct experience coupled with teacher support. After all, it's impossible to have fun in a group setting without mutual respect. It does take some kids longer than others to perfect this, in large part because of how brain development affects impulse control. But when it sticks, it really sticks in a way that is meaningful to the child. Not just when an adult is around to give a time-out. read more

Our daughter had a wonderful experience at CEC for 1 year. What was great was the play area was expansive and had indoor and outdoor space. She enjoyed going to school. She learned to interact with other children and work issues out relatively independently and with some guidance from the instructors. Its primarily a place where the focus is guided play and independent exploration, rather than formal academics. This was well suited for our daughter, and our family. There are also multiple levels of teachers, so there are resources for planning teaching and engagement strategies for the children from a school perspective, and teachers had help and support. There were also many engaged families and opportunities to interact with the other families of the children outside of school. read more

Play-based pre-school was what we were looking for. Also it is close to JPL since my husband and I both work there. It was fine at the beginning until I found a bite mark on my boy's face. He was under 1 1/2 years old, and he got bit by another baby during nap time. The bite was deep and almost bleeding. Obviously, there was no supervision around during nap time. It took him more than a month to heal. After I shared this story with my friends at work, I realized that not everybody likes this place. I remember after the bite incident, the director told me that she knew it is hard for a mother to see this happening, but she did not say anything that they did wrong. I was very disappointed about their reactions. Up to today, I am still regretting not reporting this incident. Because without supervision even during nap time, serious injuries can still happen when kids wake up and the situation could definitely be worse than just a bite on the face. Here is our advice to all the parents who read our review, when you feel like your school missed anything or did something wrong, do not hesitate to speak up. Take a stand! As parents, we are our children's advocates. It could not only help your own children but also other's. Let's help each other and make sure our kids live in a happy and safe environment. We really hope the CEC has read our review and makes a significant improvement on this issue! read more

We enrolled our 11 month-old infant here for approximately two months. We were very disappointed that our baby got hand-foot-mouth disease on his very first day! Following, he was sick every week, including having sand in his feces and really bad tummy issues. The teachers seem to care, but are trained to call and question the parent/s as to the child's recent health versus letting you know up front that your child is sick at daycare and needs to be picked up immediately. The communication was strange at best. Overall, the environment seems to be a better fit for older children and not for infants and young toddlers. There isn't much structure and planned activities for young toddlers - they just sort of wander around -even into the walk path and outdoor sand area where they are allowed to consume dirt and sand. We came to pickup our young toddler (who just transitioned from infant room to young toddler room) and could not locate him. He ended up being in with the next age group of older toddlers (none of the teachers were aware that he was in the other room). We felt nitpicked as parents - nearly every single day we were told what to feed our child, the need for weening from bottle because of risk of diabetes/obesity (some absurd things), etc. Mind you, we did everything asked of us and then some. Still, didn't seem enough for this facility. Our child was bitten by other children multiple times, including once in the face that lightly broke the skin. Once that started to become an issue, we pulled our child out. Again, not the most ideal place for infants and early toddlers if you have concerns regarding cleanliness, structure, communication that is not condescending to your parenting style. One of the very most expensive in pricing, too. We expected much more for the amount spent. read more

As a mother who had all 4 of her children attend the CEC it's interesting to read all the reviews. I honestly feel blessed that my children were able to experience this center. My children are independent and well rounded, and I believe the CEC had something to do with that. My children learned how to communicate and work through their problems without an adult stepping in and taking over the situation. My children got to be children which to me is what children should be doing. I was glad they were allowed to take their shoes off, get wet and muddy, and be able to come up with an idea and have a teacher be able to turn that idea in to a learning experience not just for them, but any other child interested. This program I believe is for those wanting to have their children experience the wonderment of being just that a child. The minute they leave the CEC they will have plenty of time for all the mandatory demands the world will have waiting for them. So if you want to give your child the ability to explore and find new ways of learning opposed to the teacher directed, keep your shoes on, and do what they are told when they are told environment this is the place for your children to grow into independent and very capable children. read more

I cannot say enough good things about the CEC. It is one of a kind child care center that takes advantage of the beautiful CA weather and allows the kids to freely play indoors and outdoors. The teachers are amazing and the sense of community the CEC has is a blessing. We have no family here and the CEC has become an extended family to us. I love that they allow me visit as often as I would like and allow me to take the time I need at drop off and pickup and get a sneak peek into my daughter's day. My daughter has bonded with the staff and children and their families and it is remarkable to see how comfortable and happy and how much she is thriving at the CEC. I love that the children all move together at year end to their new classroom and familiar teachers come along as well and new children and teachers are gradually introduced as they adjust to the new rooms as they grow. They are not forced by hitting milestones to advance and are allowed to grow at their own natural pace. The staff is calm and patient with the children and use consistent messaging that I find us using at home. We meet with the teachers to discuss our daughter's individual growth as well as have community meetings with all families and staff in her class to discuss what the children are learning in the classroom and at times for the parents to connect and share their thoughts on parenthood. I could go on for days how amazing the CEC is. I wish more centers like it existed across the nation. read more