Ali Colorate Montessori isn't just a daycare--it's truly an extension of our family!…read more Our two daughters have been attending for a year now, and the experience has been nothing short of amazing. Before finding Ali Colorate, we were enrolled at a large, franchise-style daycare in the San Diego area for two years. Despite the high cost, we noticed our toddlers weren't getting the developmental and educational attention they needed, so we started looking for a better option. After touring several places that didn't meet our standards, we discovered Ali Colorate Montessori. Initially, I was hesitant about using an in-home daycare, but after meeting Ms. Janell, all my concerns disappeared. Her warmth, passion, and professionalism were immediately clear, and I knew we had finally found the right place for our children. Ms. Janell runs an organized, loving, and education-focused environment that goes far beyond basic childcare. She has a thoughtful curriculum with daily plans filled with enriching activities like yoga, cooking classes, art shows, and even holiday plays. Children wear uniforms, which helps ease their transition into a more formal school setting. Since enrolling, we've seen incredible growth in our daughters' learning, speech, and social development--far beyond what they experienced in their previous daycare, where playtime was the only focus. At Ali Colorate, the emphasis is on education, social skills, and community--and it shows. Our girls absolutely love Ms. Janell and her team. Morning drop-offs are filled with hugs and excitement--they run into her arms with joy! We feel confident every day knowing our children are safe, loved, and learning in an environment that feels like family. A huge bonus: Ali Colorate Montessori is part of the MCCYN military fee assistance program, making it even more accessible for military families. If you're searching for a nurturing, structured, and enriching environment for your children, stop looking. This is the place.

Our girls thrive with Ms Janell and team. They are loved, nurtured, and safe, and they love being…read moreat daycare so much they sometimes cry when they DON'T get to go to daycare with their friends (in a way that warms our hearts that they love where they spend time while we work). Ms Janell and team treat the children as if they can learn and so they do. We often get comments about how smart our girls are, and we always say it is their daycare that creates an amazing environment to learn. Our 3 year old knows ~1/3 of her letters and is so excited and proud of herself as she recognizes them and adores writing them for us. They constantly surprise us with what they know and understand, and love that we are gifting them with Spanish, which is something we never had. We adore the constant stream of photos we get to see how they are enjoying their days. It helps feel a connected to our sweet littles even when aren't with them, and it is fun that we know about what they did as we talk about their days in the evening. Also, the photos leave us so impressed by the level of concepts being introduced and soaked up by all the kids. They are great partners as we support our girls through these early years, and work with us when our kids have needed extra love and attention - our 3 year old has BIG feelings and our 1 year old refused to eat for a time. Potty training was (relatively) easy because they had been covering the concepts and even have potty buddies (in a beautiful and appropriate way). My contact list of daycares is 95+ and this is the third we were at. We wish we had found Ali Colórate from day 1 and simply cannot recommend it highly enough.

We sent our twins to Kindermission the year before T-K and it was such a special place for our…read morewhole family! The amount of time they got to free play outside was unmatched! It was the perfect blend of letting the littles be curious and explore while still have weekly themes (our kids especially loved space week, earth week and bug week). The entire staff is absolutely lovely and quick to respond. Would absolutely recommend!

We loved everything about Kinder Mission. Ms. Julia and Ms. Eva were always so wonderful and…read moresupportive of our daughter. Our daughter loved them and all of the teachers she had during her time there. She learned so much and she was set up for success for TK. The concerts and graduation ceremony were adorable and such nice events for the students and families. We truly felt sad to leave there and can't recommend Kinder Mission enough.

We worked with Whole Child to put together the coolest pirate themed birthday party for my 4 year…read moreold. The process was so seamless and owner was very responsive. The teacher that came out to entertain (Midori) was just fantastic with the kids. She came early for setup and brought all the supplies necessary to build floating pirate ships and a treasure hunt. She was so great with the kids, for the most part keeping eight , 4 year olds focused and entertained for an hour. A miracle! Such a fun experience. Would recommend Whole Child to anyone planning a birthday party and looking for great activities to keep the kids busy, entertained and learning!

I cannot tell you how much I recommend the Whole Child learning company. Our kiddos have done the…read moreafter school camps as well as summer camps and they loved every single one. Without a doubt the summer camp at kona kai was so incredible- I don't know how they did it but they even got some navy dolphins to come a do a private show for them.. truly incredible. Kristina and Richard (the owners) are truly amazing people and care deeply for each child and staff. 10/10!

In love with this place since day 1. Our now three-year-old has been enrolled since she was two. We…read morebasically hit Covid as soon as she was 6 months old so not much socializing for either my daughter or myself before enrolling here. We were impressed with how easy Miss Julie made the transition for me as a mom dropping off my kiddo anywhere for the first time and for my daughter who hadn't even been exposed to English yet. Of course there was some crying the first days at drop off but BIG SMILES at pickup. We were so surprised that after a couple of days she didn't even say goodbye to us, she was ready to play and felt comfortable to go to the teachers. We did not get a physical tour before enrolling due to Covid, which I greatly appreciate, but we did jump on a video call and got to see the space and met the teachers which was more important to us than the space. We wanted to make sure we connected with the staff and that it was a similar dynamic to what happens at our house but with other kids, with the socializing factor. That is what we liked about UT, it's a home not a school, and I understand this might not work for every parent or every kid but we figured once kids transition to kindergarten they will have a more defined and strict learning structure, a playground, more rules, and sadly, a classroom. Because how amazing would it be for kids to learn outdoors constantly? We LOVE that our little one is playing/learning all day outdoors. We have since we enrolled, toured the school physically to check out an art mural in the works and my daughter loved showing me the space, every nook and corner and introducing me to her human and animal friends. I was there in the middle of the day and the backyard was pretty much shaded, in a good way, no harsh sun exposure but open to the elements. They have so many fun things and stuff to play with and an environment that supports creative play. We find this more meaningful than popping a bunch of plastic toys or slides everywhere. We can tell how big of an effort Miss Julie puts into her themed curriculum and disguising play and art with learning - my little one tells me what they read that day, what art they made, about yoga, about lunch, about her friends and about the interaction with the animals. I think interacting with the free roaming animals has made our little one more comfortable with them and more aware of her body and space, making sure she's gentle and careful around them. My daughter has thrived in this environment because it's all about having fun for her and she is given the space and the emotional support to be herself and be comfortable. We've made the best friends here, some we've been with for the entire year, some new ones but that's what's made it super fun too, to make new friends. As mentioned before, a year ago my daughter didn't speak a word of English and now she can pretty much communicate whatever she needs to say in English. This tells me that the teachers certainly have the patience and give as much attention to my daughter as she individually needs. As a mom, I've also thrived here, ha! Miss Julie has helped me navigate through all of our little one's stages and emotions. She is super communicative and direct which I love, because all the feedback and observations I can get, the better mom I can be to my three-nager. All I can say is a have the happiest kiddo, who's made a lot of friends, is super communicative about her needs, super secure about herself and I think a big part of this is because of the socializing environment we chose for her. We chose Urban Toddler and will be here until we transition to kindergarten. Thanks Miss Julie and team.

I'm so grateful for The Urban Toddler Art Program -- my kids absolutely love being there! The space…read moreis not only beautiful and functional, but also incredibly inspirational. The strong emphasis on art and free play creates the perfect environment for my 2-year-old daughter to thrive. She feels so comfortable and happy that she barely says goodbye to me at drop-off! I highly recommend The Urban Toddler Art Program to any parent looking for a nurturing, creative space where young children can grow, explore, and feel truly at home.

I saw another review that mentioned that the hardest part of moving from San Diego was leaving…read moreAspen Leaf - and I 100% agree. Our son is in the University Heights location and has been there for about six months. He literally dances with excitement when he sees the mural outside of school and smiles and giggles when he sees any of his teachers. He is always doing fun activities, and the staff are incredibly warm, kind, and thoughtful. I would highly recommend Aspen Leaf to any family who is lucky enough to grab a spot!

We absolutely loved our time at Aspen Leaf. My only wish is that my daughter could have continued…read moreher education there for longer. She was nurtured and loved by the staff and learned social skills and emotional health tools that will last a lifetime! I was in awe as my daughter would, at three and four years old, tell me how our behaviors impact other people's feelings, how she could make the world a better place, and how she could self-regulate by using deep breathing when she was frustrated. The staff and teachers were extremely professional and yet truly loved each of the children, as was evident from how tightly knit my daughter's little cohort became. I really can't say enough positive things about Aspen Leaf!

If I could give Lilac Sea Nursery School more than five stars, I would in a heartbeat. Our…read moreexperience here has been nothing short of amazing for our family. Both of our daughters have attended Lilac Sea, and seeing the pure joy on their faces at pickup every day is all the proof we need. This isn't just a "daycare" or a school; it's a place where childhood is truly honored. Why We Love It: The Outdoor Philosophy: In a world of screens and classrooms, the fact that the kids are outside all day is a breath of fresh air--literally. They aren't just playing; they are connecting with nature in a way that is rare to find. Canyon Adventures: The regular treks into the canyon have turned our girls into confident little explorers. They come home with dirty knees and full hearts, bursting with stories about their "expeditions." The Heart of the School: Mallory is a total gem. She is a deeply loving, patient, and amazing caretaker who truly sees each child. You can tell she pours her soul into creating a safe, magical space for them to flourish. If you are looking for a place where your children can get messy, have fun, and grow up surrounded by nature's beauty, look no further. We are so grateful to Mallory and Lilac Sea!

I was thrilled to find a forest school like the ones I'd read about in Japan and around Europe…read moreright in South Park. When I scheduled a tour and saw the wild play space with a mud kitchen and rope swing, it felt like walking through a childhood dream. That was over 3 years ago, and since then both of my kids have attended Lilac Sea. Now they point out nasturtium, stinging nettle, and wild cucumber on neighborhood walks and teach us little blessings with hand motions at mealtime. They love taking friends and visitors on "insider" tours of the canyon where they play. I'm grateful to give my kids a childhood anchored in nature at a time when kids are spending more time than ever isolated indoors. It makes my day when I see pictures of their little group splashing in rainsuits on wet days or celebrating a birthday with a felt crown (hand-sewn by Mallory as a gift) and special candle.  Our oldest has transitioned to kindergarten, and I credit Lilac Sea for helping her develop the focus, creativity, and confidence that has her thriving in the classroom and beyond.

We went on a tour - it was great... until the we were getting ready to leave and my child wasn't…read moreready. When she didn't stop playing when I asked her to, Audrey's response shocked us! She aggressively grabbed my daughter by the arm. My daughter looked at her- shocked, tried to pull her arm away, then fell like a rag-doll onto ground. Audrey then pulled her up by her ONE arm, wrestling her onto her hip! She held her tight while reprimanding her in a VERY firm voice. My daughter reached out for us, shocked and terrified, just like her parents. Audrey didn't let her come me to me until she felt she was disciplined enough. (I WISH I would have taken my daughter and ran at that point! My weakness prevented me.) She then put her down on the ground and made her put away the toys. We left and my child, who is very outgoing and verbal, wouldn't talk or look at me for a good half hour. To some this might be nothing. We come from an attachment parenting style of care- a gentle style (we don't believe in spanking (it kills the grey matter in their brains) or yelling). My daughter had never been touched that aggressively before by anyone in her short little life and hasn't been touched like that since. Audrey was not only a stranger but held the role of teacher, a new concept for my daughter. As a result, my daughter has been scared of who/what teachers are and has a lot of anxiety about school in general. It was a traumatic event for all of us. It has been probably a year now since we went on that tour and my daughter (almost 4yo now) STILL occasionally asks me, "that lady who picked me up like that (then demonstrates a wrestling action) isn't gonna be there, right mom?" when talking about schools. Audrey maybe a sweet woman with an old-school approach to interacting with kids. It's an approach that doesn't work for my family, but may be ok with you. I'm just glad I got to see it! If that's what she does in front of parents... how does she discipline when she's alone with your kids. It scares me. I realize this review may have a very negative impact on her livelihood, and for that I'm sorry...I hesitated to write this for a long time because of that. But ultimately I feel it's my responsibility to warn other parents and look out for little ones who deserve to be treated with much more respect!

This is a lovely preschool. Audrey is a wonderful preschool teacher. She has years of experience…read moreworking with children and has set up a great preschool program. Children are kindergarten ready by the end of the program. I highly recommend her.

We had a great experience with Smartie Pants Daycare. We were referred by another parent and my…read moredaughter went there for about a year and a half when we moved out of the neighborhood. Ms Kinney was always attentive, loving and sweet with my daughter and so were the rest of her staff. We still go back on occasion and she's always welcomed with open arms and my daughter always looks forward to it and comes home happy. I'd definitely recommend this daycare!!!

Miss K and her team are the best. They potty trained my son and taught him a lot about socializing…read more We still drop off the kid from time to time even though he is now going into Kindergarten. Smartie Pants is a great value and great resource for all parents.

We love Adventures in Montessori! Both my boys went there and loved it so much. I would always…read morehighly recommend it. It prepares kids well for school. So loving and welcoming!

We're going to miss Adventures in Montessori. Our 4 1/2 year old attended AIM for the last 2 years…read moreand just graduated. We couldn't be more grateful for her time there. We watched her blossom leaps and bounds from the education she gained there. She constantly came home speaking and singing in Spanish, which was so amazing to hear and see. The environment and love they give to your child makes this community special and like a family. Ms Drea, Ms Aylette and Nana...we are so grateful to you for taking care of our little one. Heart!

I can't say enough about the school. Both my kids have attended. The owners and teachers are…read morecaring, knowledgeable and empathetic. Any negative comments/reviews regarding the wait list come from those that are out of touch with the high demand and limit space available. Absolutely recommend 100%!

In response to Howard, when we added our newborn to the list, we had no intention of enrolling him…read moreever at Hillcrest, as we are aware it starts at age 2 (our application indicated a requested start age of 1-1.5 years). Second, we have a few friends who attend NP and told us there was new enrollment in the class, even after Bridget told us our son was next after currently enrolled toddlers trying to add days. Third, I emailed Susana on 9/28 to check his status and she replied a month later (after this yelp review). I think Howard's intentions on his responses on Yelp are quite evident. His choice to write down my family's name, history and assumed "experience" instead of address the waitlist structure really makes me question his ability to lead an organization which cares for children. I never mentioned ALP summer camp because it had nothing to do with this location, and left my child's poor experience with summer camp off the other location's yelp as well. I wrote strictly about my experience with North Park, and I stand by it.