As a native Cantonese speaker, it is difficult to nurture the language and heritage in San Diego…read more We looked around and found CSSD when our child turned 4. Our hopes were (1) to connect with other Cantonese speakers in the community and foster a social/cultural context for using Cantonese, (2) foster Chinese literacy. Going on Year 3 with CSSD, Ms. Cassandra and her school team have been proactive in seeking family feedback and enhancing instruction. Every Saturday in Cantonese class, the children learn in a non-traditional format. Having learned from my own peers who went to Chinese school, we had been concerned about the lack of engagement and retaining learning via rigid instruction (e.g., sitting, listening, drilling). But here at CSSD, we deeply appreciate the interactive approach in instruction - weekly themes, hands-on activities such as calligraphy, cooking, projects, and using different media - music, videos, stories. Of course, weekly home practice is still a must and much appreciated. For those that don't speak Cantonese well, the teacher has been helpful by providing pronunciation recordings for supporting home practice. As the school year winds down, each class also prepares for and performs each May during the graduation ceremony. It is always amazing to witness their progress. CSSD also has many community events. Ms. Cassandra often informs families in community events, and we are really grateful for those opportunities. Last, we were invited to watch NeZha 2, which we thoroughly enjoyed. It is crucial that my child gets to experience the Chinese culture through popular media, as other children living in Chinese-speaking countries would experience. I highly recommend CSSD for their Mandarin and Cantonese programs!

This school provides a solid Chinese language education and is the only one to provide options in…read moreCantonese and Mandarin. The staff are warm and family.

I am so grateful and thankful for Happy Times! It is such an incredible place. My son attended for…read moretwo years, and it truly was such a valuable and wonderful experience. The children have so much fun but also are able to learn and grow with each other. I have no doubt my little one is ready for kindergarten. They have ponies and chickens, a garden, music, and more! I would highly recommend this fantastic place!!

Our daughter started here 2 years ago and loved it. Now she is 5 and must go to kindergarten…read more Before Happy Time Nursery we had her at a Montessori school and she was always reluctant to be dropped off. At Happy Time, always looked forward to The Big Teacher and staff. Kids can interact with live animals and play. We made several friends with other parents, just a nice group of people. Highly recommend.

My toddler son started going to Leport a few months ago, and we absolutely love it! He's gotten so…read moremuch more outgoing and talkative. The teachers and staff are lovely!

We have had a wonderful experience at LePort. Our child has participated in both the infant and…read moretoddler programs, and the growth we've seen has been incredible. At just two years old, she comes home each day with new skills and a strong sense of independence, ordering for herself at restaurants and helping wash dishes at home. She has been in Ms. Donna and Ms. Valerie's classroom, and we have nothing but positive things to say about both teachers. During her transition from the infant to toddler program, Ms. Sarah, the Head of School, provided daily updates and checked on her in the classroom each day, which made the transition feel thoughtful and supportive.

We have nothing but great things to say about his preschool! From the director to every teacher and…read morestaff member, everyone is truly amazing. They greet both me and my daughter each day with such warmth and kindness, and it makes a world of difference. The facility itself is beautiful. The classrooms are engaging and thoughtfully set up, and the outdoor aww is large, well-maintained, and has great play equipment. My daughter is so happy every day she attends and absolutely loves all the fun crafts and activities they do. The only small downside is the limited hours for the 2 year-old preschool program, which may not work for families needing longer days. That said, the director went above and beyond to try and accommodate our family's schedule, which we truly appreciate! We are so grateful to have found such a wonderful, caring school and highly recommend it

This is a great preschool. Our daughter who turned five during the school year had Mrs. Pallavi,…read moreand I can't stress enough what an amazing preschool teacher she is. The academic/creative/play balance was just right for us - the crafts she brought home regularly were awesome, Mrs. Pallavi had them working on their letters and numbers and a few more advanced things by the end of the year, and our daughter made and played with fun friends. Anne Marie and Barbara were always friendly faces (and helpful) greeting you whenever you arrived. Overall, it was the perfect first school experience for our daughter. She is without a doubt ready for kindergarten next year.

Waves & Woodlands is truly a gem. Our children are deeply known as individuals, respected,…read morenurtured, and inspired. The program is rooted in nature-based learning, using our local natural spaces as the classroom and curriculum. Our son learns through hands-on exploration, imaginative play, and real-world experiences, developing curiosity, problem-solving skills, and a genuine connection to the environment. Rain or shine, the kids are outside discovering the seasons, observing plants and animals, building with natural materials, and learning to take thoughtful risks. It has fostered resilience, creativity, and confidence in a way that I truly believe can't be replicated indoors. The teachers' balance of gentle structure and child-led exploration allows our son to learn at his own pace and challenge himself, while still feeling supported and guided. The teachers are absolutely exceptional--patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about childhood education and nature-based learning. They skillfully scaffold learning moments that emerge organically from the children's interests, helping them build academic curiosity, peer cooperation, and respect for one another and the natural world. Communication with families is thoughtful and consistent, and it's clear that the teachers view parents as true partners in their child's growth. The daily pictures and description we receive tell the story of the day through our child's eyes, and serve as a foundation for dinnertime discussion. Since joining Waves & Woodlands we've seen remarkable growth in our son's independence, creativity, and social-emotional skills. This program has given our son a strong foundation academically, socially, and environmentally. The dirtier the clothes, the bigger the smiles at "adventure school"! We feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a special community and recommend Waves & Woodlands without hesitation.

Ms. Jenn and Ms. Nikki are some of the most loving and wonderful people I've ever met. The love…read morethey provide my son is amazing and I'm so grateful to have found them. In the last few months my son has learned letters, numbers, and most importantly how to play with others. He loves being outside and begs to go to school every day. He is learning so much about the world around him and so am I! These teachers genuinely care. He adores them and trusts them. I can't imagine a better environment for him to grow in.

My son is thriving at Learning Tree! He started right when he turned 2 which can be a tough…read moretransition, but the staff are so caring and it's such a supportive environment that he was easily able to make the switch. I love how much time they spend outdoors, how much art the children do and how all age groups are able to play and interact. Their new director MsAllison has made so many positive changes since she took over and we can't wait to send our youngest there too when he's old enough!

We love the learning tree! I was referred here by a coworker whose two boys went here and we…read moreabsolutely love it. Our son loves the teachers and his classmates. It is play based and the cutest artwork comes home. Miss Mery has helped our son along so much and has taught him to count in Spanish. Also Miss Amanda has been a great resource to our family. Even the teacher aides especially Miss Hannah and Miss Araceli have been wonderful. Our son has even formed bonds with the other teachers that teach in different classrooms which makes transitioning to the next class a breeze. Thank you Miss G!! Thank you everyone at The Learning Tree! We love you!

Although my kids no longer attend this school, I continue to recommend it to my friends and family…read more They are currently expanding, and it's exciting to see the growth! This school gave my children the strong foundation they needed to excel in their next steps. A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Ban and Mr. Jay for being so wonderful!

We've been part of the school for over 4 years, with our oldest starting at 2 yo in Ms Shubra's…read moreclass and then onto Ms. Sharee's class in Room 2. Our younger daughter also followed suit. We can't recommend this school enough - both our kids have loved their time at CMS and we are sad to leave. Room 2 with Ms. Sharee has been the best experience - the teachers are so kind and patient, truly caring for each kid. It's amazing how good they are at knowing every child, even those not in their own classrooms! Our kids look forward to going to school and our daughter pretends to be the teachers all the time when she's home. If we had the option of staying past Kindergarten, we would (seriously, we've asked Ms. Ban multiple times).

LCVPK is an excellent preschool and kindergarten! All the teachers and staff are very well…read morequalified and they really care about the kids and the families. In addition, we appreciated the flexibility and the easy communication with everyone at the school. Our daughter attended for three years, in butterflies, ladybugs, and kindergarten. It was so nice to see her grow and expand her knowledge throughout the three years. The kindergarten program is one of a kind, with a great teacher who invests a lot of time and thought into the kids' education and daily activities.

La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten has truly been a second home for our family since my son…read morefirst started back in 2020, and as this is our last year here, I'm more emotional about it than I expected. Both of my kids have grown up at this school, and watching them thrive in such a warm, loving, and nurturing environment has meant the world to us. The teachers and staff aren't just educators -- they are genuinely caring people who know each child personally and make them feel seen, safe, and celebrated every single day. When I see my kids run up to their teachers and hug them because they've missed them, it warms my heart. Ms. Jackie has touched both of my kids' lives in such special ways. Ms. Julie prepared my son -- and is now preparing my daughter -- for kindergarten with so much patience, warmth, and dedication. My son is even coming back to read to his sister's class, and Ms. Julie couldn't be more excited to welcome him. Ms. Denise and Ms. Maize are both excellent, and my daughter still talks about them all the time! And then there's the joy of Ms. Mandy and her vibrant personality that lights up the room. All the ladies at the front desk (Janice, Erica, and Jeanne) greet us with the kindest smiles every morning -- they truly start our day off right. As I prepare myself for our last year here, I feel incredibly grateful. LCVPK has shaped my kids in the best possible ways, and it has shaped me as a parent, too. This school will always hold a very special place in our hearts. If you're looking for a preschool/kindergarten that feels like family, this is it. We were lucky to be part of this community, and we will miss it deeply.