We were the very first family to join this school when it first opened, and I'm so grateful that we…read morefound this place for our son. He had been to several schools before, but this was by far his favorite and also the school he stayed at the longest. He genuinely loved going to school, and I always felt comfortable and confident leaving him there. The teachers are so loving and caring, and they always kept us updated whenever anything happened during the day. They also provided nutritious meals and snacks, which was such a big plus for us as parents. The playground has shade coverings, so even on hot days, our son could play outside without getting too tired from the heat. I also loved how many photos and videos the teachers shared through the app. It really made us feel connected to his day even when we couldn't be there. The activities they did at school were another thing I really appreciated. Whenever he brought his projects home, I was often impressed by how creative and educational they were. You could really tell that a lot of thought went into the activities. Since the school is relatively new, all of the equipment and facilities are clean and modern, and everything is very well maintained. What meant the most to us were the little things that showed how much the teachers cared. For his birthday and on his last day, they prepared gifts and celebrations for him, and all of his teachers even wrote him personal letters. Those moments were so special to us. Our son is now moving on to a new school for TK, but I feel incredibly thankful that he got to spend his preschool years in a place where he was surrounded by so much love, attention, and care. I truly feel lucky that this was the place he got to call his school during such an important time in his life. Even now, whenever we drive past the school, he still remembers all of his teachers by name and says that he misses them. I think that says so much about how much he loved being there. We will always be grateful to the teachers and staff for everything they did for our son. I would absolutely recommend this school to other families! - Leo's family

Both of my children attended daycare at Three Little Owls. My son was in the infant room and my…read moredaughter in the preschool. We toured numerous daycare centers in Vista, and Three Little Owls was the obvious choice for a number of reasons. First, it was by far the cleanest daycare center we toured. The teachers and owners are extremely vigilant about daily cleaning and sanitizing. It was also opened more recently so all of the toys, supplies, and furniture are very new and clean. Next, they make all meals fresh for the students, daily. My son started at six months when he began solids and I was so impressed with the food they offered him. (They make the babies homemade bone broth puree!) my daughter also loved all of the homemade meals and snacks in the preschool. Lastly, the owners and teachers all truly love the students. My husband and I both work full time and leaving our babies everyday is hard. However, I always felt so confident that they were loved and cared for by every teacher at Three Little Owls. You don't find teachers that compassionate and invested in the children at every daycare. It is truly a special place. I highly recommend Three Little Owls to anyone looking for childcare. We are so grateful for all they have done for us.

We currently have both of our girls enrolled at ages 4.5 and 2.5 and the school facility and staff…read moreis great. They are attentive, thorough and the kids have engaging days. We're already seeing a significant step forward in their independence and some reading, art and math skills for our 4yr old. Ms. Alejandra's Hummingbirds classroom is well run with many helpful teachers and assistants and is always clean and tidy. Mr. Diaz's Owl class is the same and it seems they are always changing up the work the kids do which is great. Kudos to Sandrine and her staff, we highly endorse the school.

We have two girls that have been here. The staff is amazing and I would highly recommend this…read moreschool to anyone, and I have. My girls have made huge progress here and when around other kids you can definitely see a difference.

It has been remiss of me not to leave a review of this wonderful school after all the great years…read moreour family has spent here. My oldest son was just 18 months old when he first started in the baby room (he's 10 now). Until then, I had never trusted anyone other than family to care for him, so leaving him with new caregivers was incredibly difficult. Ms. Shirin helped make that transition so much easier. She carried him around lovingly, helped him adjust, and showed him so much kindness and patience. In truth, she treated all of the children with that same level of care. One of the things that initially made me choose KidsTown over other programs was the camera system throughout the school. Being able to see firsthand the excellent care the children were receiving gave me tremendous peace of mind. I also loved being able to check in and see my little guy enjoying his day and participating in activities. Before long, he was cleaning up toys at home while singing the "clean up" song he had learned at school! It quickly became clear that this was so much more than daycare--these children are truly learning and growing every day. As he moved into the Pre-K classroom, he began developing strong academic skills and a genuine love of learning. Every teacher he had helped nurture his strengths and encouraged his curiosity. He later moved into the kindergarten and elementary programs, where he continued to flourish with the benefit of close instruction and individualized attention. He has now successfully transitioned to public school, and I truly credit much of his academic success to the strong foundation he built at KTMS. Our second child now attends KTMS. He is autistic and has some additional needs, and the support he has received has been extraordinary. Ms. Karina and Ms. Suzie have been wonderful with him in the toddler classroom. Ms. Karina goes above and beyond every single day to support both him and our family. Before that, Ms. Mala was incredibly loving, patient, and attentive with him in the baby room. Since starting here, we have seen tremendous growth and progress. We could not ask for a more caring, attentive staff or a more positive environment. Supporting a child with extra needs truly takes a team, and at KTMS, we have found our village. While KTMS may not be the least expensive childcare option available, it has absolutely been one of the best investments we have made in our children's future. Mrs. Mahsa, along with her mother, are exceptional administrators. The school is consistently well-run, organized, and responsive. Whenever I had a question or concern, Mahsa was always accessible and proactive in finding solutions. Her years of experience with both children and running a successful school are evident in everything she does. We feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of the KTMS family for so many years, and I would wholeheartedly encourage any parent to consider it for their child.

My son & I moved to Vista during the pandemic. He was 3 at the time, still in diapers. Due to my…read morework I was able to get him into Kid's Town a few months later. Ms. Karina was his first teacher and thank God for them - they helped me with potty training and getting him socialized and around other children. He moved from pre-primary to primary and the way they teach math and explore cultures, sciences, and multiple languages (basic exposure to colors/numbers) was great!! He thrived at Kid's Town for 3 years and we still stop by to visit now that he's at another school, but I have given many referrals to KTMS and have great experiences with the teachers and staff. Plus, a ton of lovely memories!!

I am extremely disappointed, hurt, and honestly heartbroken by our experience with Big Tree Little…read morePreschool. This is not a review I ever expected to have to write, especially because our son absolutely loved this school. Our son had just turned 3 while he was attending and this was his very first preschool experience. He attended three mornings a week for approximately two months and became very attached to his teachers. He was happy to go to school, talked about his teachers at home, and we genuinely loved seeing him become comfortable in a school environment. We also really liked the school and trusted that we had found a place where he would be supported. During the last week and a half, he began having some hitting behaviors. The school and I discussed this and a proactive behavior plan was created specifically to help him. I was also repeatedly reassured by his teachers that they understood he was new to preschool, that they were completely fine giving him time to adjust, and that everything was okay. Then, literally the next day, we were told by the director/owner that he could no longer attend and that an in-home daycare would be a better fit. I am devastated by how abruptly this happened. We had JUST discussed giving him time and putting a plan in place to help him. The plan was never even given the opportunity to be implemented or evaluated before he was removed. I reached out to the director asking her to reconsider and allow our son the opportunity to try the plan. I asked why the plan had not been implemented. I asked for documentation regarding the reasons for removing him, what specific behaviors had occurred, and the behavior records. My emails were ignored. What makes the situation even more upsetting is the timing. Shortly before he was removed, I had asked questions as his mother about toileting procedures and interactions with my child, including concerns he had communicated to me. I believe every parent has the right to ask questions about how their child is being cared for. I found the timing of the school's decision extremely concerning. The hardest part of all of this is that our 3-year-old doesn't understand why he can't go back to the school he loved or see the teachers he was so attached to. I have had to explain to my child that he won't be returning to a place he genuinely loved, and as his mother, that has been heartbreaking. I have saved the emails, messages, screenshots, and documentation surrounding this entire situation, including the communications regarding the behavior plan and the subsequent requests for information that went unanswered. I am sharing this review because I feel other parents deserve to know about our experience. I truly wish this had been handled differently. We were willing to work with the school. We were willing to give our son time. We were willing to follow the behavior plan. We believed we were partnering with the school to help our child. Instead, our son was removed before the plan was even given a chance, and our subsequent questions were left unanswered. For a child who had only just turned 3 and was experiencing preschool for the first time, I expected patience, communication, and a genuine opportunity to work through a behavioral adjustment. We did not feel that we received that. This experience has been incredibly painful for our family, and I hope the school takes a very serious look at how situations like this are handled in the future.

I work on the same campus as Big Tree Little Preschool and regularly recommend them to my friends,…read morefamily, and colleagues without any reservations. As a former nanny, I tend to think of pre-school as a place to "house" kids while their adults are working. Big tree little preschool is definitely an exception to this belief. Big Tree Little Preschool teachers are incredibly engaging and you can tell that they love what they are doing. They clearly enjoy engaging with the kids and helping them discover, play, and learn. Being a nature-based program the kids get to be kids - curious, loud, observant, messy, silly - all while leaning age appropriate life lessons and the skils they will need when they start school.

Bella Mente Academy may be a good fit for parents who prefer to take a quiet, hands-off…read moreapproach--those who don't ask questions and accept school decisions without much involvement. In those cases, families are treated warmly and respectfully on the surface. However, when a parent begins to raise concerns--even thoughtfully and professionally--the tone can shift quickly. The administration may start to view you not as a partner, but as a problem. Instead of open dialogue, the response often comes in the form of subtle retaliation, increased formality, or distancing behavior. Eventually, the pressure and lack of transparency can make a parent feel isolated and unsure, while the child--unfairly--is framed as the issue. From my experience, what seems to challenge the administration most are parents who: * Are observant * Ask questions * Understand how systems and accountability work * Expect clear communication, not vague policies These qualities appear to disrupt the comfort of those in leadership, and the reaction is often controlled but intentional. There is also a notable level of teachers turnover, which contributes to a sense of ongoing instability. If you're a parent who intends to advocate for your child, ask questions, or expect partnership, I encourage you to carefully consider not only the academic environment--but also the emotional and psychological safety the school provides. The experience can be deeply discouraging for engaged families when collaboration is replaced with control disguised as professionalism.

Fun environment my kids love coming to school every day they learn new things they learn Hands and…read morethe teachers are wonderful the staff treats everyone like family

The Garden Preschool is a truly special place. The teachers are caring, attentive, and genuinely…read moreinvested in each child's growth. We especially love that our son is learning about his Jewish culture and celebrating holidays in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment. Our son LOVES going to school and comes home with sweet stories about his day. He loves learning and playing with his friends in the indoor/outdoor space. Communication with families is excellent, and it's clear how much intention goes into building a warm, welcoming community. We're so grateful to be part of this inclusive community!

We love this sweet little school. Our son started going right after turning two and being a shy boy…read morewe are grateful for the level of care and attention that is shown to him on a daily basis. We love the amount of time spent playing and doing activities outside and the focus on Jewish traditions and holidays. The staff is wonderful and the school director is inclusive and inviting. She even started a meal train for our family when my second son was born. Thank you Garden School for giving our little guy a place to shine.

When my daughter started here in August 2025 she was 18 months and I was a hot mess. We both cried…read moreeveryday for two weeks at most heck maybe even 3, but everyday dropping her off got easier and easier because of the staff. They treated my daughter like family immediately showed us both love and compassion and was gentle with our feelings. I love the app feature, I love getting pictures and videos of how her day is going. She is now aged 2 and she walks in/runs most days. Knows a majority of the staff by name. Is a helper, a team player, has learned her colors, counts and knows her ABCs. I chat with the staff, I walk in happy every morning and literally rarely check the app now cause I am just that damn comfortable with everyone at La Petite watching my daughter. Best decision ever

We had a wonderful experience with the infant program. The infant teachers are truly amazing. They…read moreare caring, attentive and patient. It was reassuring to know our child was in such capable and loving hands. I would highly recommend this daycare!

Star Montessori Academy School in Vista is truly a star in every way!…read more From the moment you walk in, you can feel the warmth, joy, and genuine care this place is built on. Miss Stephanie is hands down the best Spanish teacher ever! She makes learning a new language feel like an adventure filled with songs, smiles, and excitement. My kid comes home chattering away in Spanish like it's second nature! And huge shoutout to Pennie and Susan, who keep this school running like a well loved family. They manage everything with organization, kindness, and a calm confidence that instantly makes you feel safe and supported. You can tell they pour their hearts into making sure every child is learning, safe, and having fun every day. If you want a school that's nurturing, educational, joyful, and full of people who genuinely care, Star Montessori is the place. Five stars, easily, and I'd give more if I could!

We truly do not have enough good things to say about this program. Our son has been with Stars…read moresince he was two years old and is only transitioning away to begin TK where we will attend elementary school as he ages. The entire staff at the school treats our son and my husband and I like family. We have watched our son thrive with their approach and tenderness. It has blown us away how well they know him on a personal level and how much they adjust to his needs without us having to ask. We feel so lucky to have found this school when we needed the support most and we highly recommend this program for your little if you want to see them be loved, supported and grow in an environment full of care.

My little ones love LiL Busy Bodies. My wife and I feel it's a nurturing and safe environment and…read moreour kids love it! Your kids will too!!

Mrs. Allison watched my 11 year old son when he was 2-4. She was amazing with him! Always singing…read moreand doing fun hands on activities the kiddos love. He still had fond memories of her being his teacher.

Sanderling Waldorf School has done a major campus renovation so the school is looking beautiful…read more The Waldorf curriculum and approach are the only school I've found that is truly developmentally appropriate. The teachers are loving, they care deeply about the children, and understand how to meet the children with gentle, loving authority. The curriculum includes art, music, lots of games and movement, woodwork, knitting, 2 foreign languages, and of course all the traditional academic subjects. They learn their times tables by jumping rope, they learn languages through singing and stories, and botany on nature walks. They have been screen and tech free for over 100 years and Waldorf graduates go on to do well in High School, University and beyond. I should know, my daughter had a Waldorf education from Kindergarten through High School and is a successful working adult with a great circle of family and friends. Your child will love going to school and will grown into a resilient, confident, capable, kind and accomplished adult. Sanderling serves children from 15 months through to Grade 8, so call them to take a tour. You won't regret it!

Sanderling is a wonderful option in north county for a screen free approach to education. This…read moreschool has provided an anchor for our family and a community that provides a huge sense of support. Highly recommend!!