Where do I even begin... and how can I put in to words how much we have loved our time at ICDC? My daughter joined ICDC at just 10 months old and she's been lucky enough to call ICDC her home away from home for the last 4 YEARS! My daughter was one of the luckiest kids to have been in all of the classrooms - Infant Room, Toddler Room, Pre-1, Pre-2 and Pre-3. We've been able to meet/experience all of wonderful teachers and staff who truly make the place special. And it's no wonder so much of the staff has dedicated 5,10...20 years of their careers to ICDC and teaching & caring for our future generations. They truly care about the kids social-emotional and educational development! They have lesson plans, help the children gain independence and have lots of hands on learning experiences inside the classroom and also with off site Field Trips. They even have a yoga instructor come in every Monday to do yoga session with each of the older classrooms!! How cute is that? ICDC is truly special in all that they do, they have little events like: Mother's Day Picnic, Donuts with Dad, Holiday Family Pajama Breakfast, Spirit Week and much much more! They really do a great job giving families the opportunity to be involved with the school and my biggest advice is to 100% participate in all that you can. Attend all the events, volunteer for teacher appreciation week, go to the fundraisers, attend back to school night, and build community within ICDC in any way that you can. Again, I can't say enough kind words to truly convey our experience with them these last 4 years, but the time has come for my daughter to start elementary school. I am so thankful for the foundation in education, confidence, kindness, and care that ICDC has given her. She walked into the center every day with a smile on her face, and that gave me so much peace as a parent. Choosing a daycare is one of the hardest decisions you'll make, but from my experience, choosing ICDC was the BEST decision I could have made. I trusted them with the care of my only child, and in return they gave me so much more than I ever expected... They gave her a safe place to grow, lifelong friendships, confidence, unforgettable memories, and a genuine love of learning. They also gave me the priceless gift of knowing my daughter was loved, supported, and cared for every single day. We will forever be grateful to be a part of the ICDC family, and although we're moving on to elementary school, I know this place will always hold a special place in our hearts. I hope that if you find this review and are lucky to also call ICDC home, that you will love it as much as we did! read more

Our family absolutely loves ICDC! After a disappointing experience at another nearby daycare, the staff truly listened to our concerns and understood what we needed. The teachers are wonderful, communication is excellent, and we really appreciate the student-to-teacher ratio. The program, resources, activities, and field trips are better than anything else we have seen. Most importantly, our son is happy and thriving there. It gives us so much peace of mind knowing he is cared for by people who truly know and value him. We are so grateful we found ICDC! read more

The care provided at Irvine Child Development center is unmatched. They enrich the children so beautifully with arts, learning, education, and the utmost care. My child has learned so much and developed at an appropriate level thanks to the leadership and skill of each teacher. read more

My three-year-old son started here a few months ago and we absolutely love it. I switched him from a Montessori because he was bored there and never wanted to go to school, and we couldn't be happier with Irvine Child Development Center. He has so much fun, always playing and exploring the big outside playground area, and engaging with teachers and other kids. He especially loves yoga class with Ms. Tania and the fun family style lunches they do every month. He even loves to write his name and practice letters while he's there. I haven't met a teacher or faculty member who isn't pleasant, fun and kind to the children- we adore Ms. Rosie, Ms. Cassie, and Ms. Jessica to name a few. I can't recommend Irvine Child Development Center more if you want a place that is fun, safe, nurturing, and where your child will learn and thrive. read more

Our family loves ICDC! Our child is truly loved and cared for and I appreciate how kind and attentive all the teachers are. Our child is always excited about going to class and sharing their day and has very enriching experiences. We could not be happier with the quality of care given and feel like our child is encouraged to express themselves while playing and learning in a fun and safe environment. read more

We have had such an amazing experience at ICDC! My younger kiddo is currently in the Toddler class, and his emotional-social development is moving along so well. He has opportunities to engage in all kinds of activities and to let his personality shine. The staff are really caring, and many of the staff who are caring for him are the same staff who cared for my daughter, who is 5.5 years older! The consistency in staff is really wonderful to see. My daughter is now in elementary school. She remained at ICDC through their entire program until she went on to Kindergarten, and I truly think part of the reason she did well is because of ICDC. She entered Kindergarten with such amazing social-emotional maturity, curiosity, and knowledge that after the initial few days of adjustment, she was off and running. I am so grateful for this program - they are open for many days of the year, have very flexible hours, and meet each child where they are at developmentally. They also seem to have better staff ratios than other programs I checked out in Irvine. read more

My child attended here and it was not a good experience. At first, it seems like a good place because it's clean, it's near the civic center, park, etc but the staff are unprofessional and there's extremely high turnover. The school is poorly managed with a lack of accountability if you have an issue. The teachers are unhappy and complacent and bicker amongst each other. The main reason i give this place a poor review is because i had a specific incident that occurred with my child that involved strange behavioral issues of another child. Management did little to nothing about it and even made excuses for the other child. And furthermore, the director even made me feel like i was overreacting. There is zero follow through on the so-called rules that are supposed to be put in place when there are problematic children. I am at a new school with my other child and now that i have a comparison, it is worlds apart. I've even expressed what would be done if the same issue occurred and this director was appalled at how the incident was handled. I would look elsewhere and get on a waitlist at a better school. Stay away from this place if you want an enriching experience for your child's first time at daycare or pre-school. read more

Such a genuine family feel where your children will be loved and well taken care of. The teachers are dedicated and will take the time to answer all your questions. My child comes home messy, which is what we love. She engages in all the fun developmentally appropriate activities and enjoys going to school. The location is great since it's next to the park and police station. Great reassurance. We can't recommend this place enough!! read more

We switched my daughter to ICDC after having a challenging experience with another local preschool. It has been a wonderful environment for her. The teachers are patient, caring, and communicate very well with families. The school takes health and safety seriously (checking temperatures at the door, requiring masks for all adults entering, and keeping the school super clean). We have been very pleased with the school and our daughter loves it. read more

Simply a great childcare center. Don't hesitate to get on the waiting list very early... as in as soon as you know you will have a child. This will increase your chances of landing a spot. You won't regret it. read more

Long over-due but short review for this place. After our kiddo was born and ready for daycare, we searched and interviewed maybe 10 daycares near my wife's work. We really liked this place, but there was a waiting list and no spots open. We started off our journey at another place and within 2 weeks felt that it wasn't a great fit. We called ICDC and by some crazy chance a spot had opened up and we switched schools. Since then, we are so grateful to have found this place. We now have 2 kids that attend and they absolutely love it. They have such a good balance of learning, playing, and expressing themselves creatively. We were a big fan of the many different classrooms, their vast outside play areas, and their play-based learning philosophy. We were hesitant to start daycare/preschool with our kids, but ICDC has not only changed our view on early childhood education we recommend it to a lot of our friends and family. THANK YOU ICDC, Staff, and Teachers for creating such a wonderful program and environment for our kids! read more

My son has been attending ICDC since he was 12 weeks old. Naturally I was nervous about sending him at such a young age, but my fears were quickly put to rest. The entire staff, including the directors and all of the teachers, are caring, highly trained, loving, and focused on each child as an individual. The directors have been there for years - in fact, my now 23 year old sister attended ICDC as a toddler, and the directors were working there back then! My son flourished in the infant room and was cared for with so much love and attention. His teachers paid careful attention to his likes, dislikes, temperament, and milestones, and kept me constantly updated with specific details/suggestions (when I asked - I am a new mom!). The activities were age appropriate and creative (i.e. not just sitting in a bouncer or on the floor, like so many centers - instead, they cuddled, interacted, bounced, sang and read to even the youngest babies.) His transition to the toddler room was done with care and handled in a very gentle manner. His toddler room teachers also care for him with the same level of attention and love the infant room provided, and as he has progressed, the level of sensory activities and play-based education for the children has continued to progress at their level. The teachers are highly trained in child development but most importantly, you can tell they love their work and the children they care for. He loves attending ICDC and most of the time, doesn't want to leave when I pick him up! I was looking for a center that prioritized a caring and loving environment alongside a true focus on child development, and I found it in ICDC. One tip - the waiting lists can be extremely long at times (for good reason - it is known in Irvine as an amazing daycare) - so if you are considering care, call as early as possible for a tour. read more

I could not ask for a better daycare for my son. He heads into school each day skipping and singing. His teacher are so warm and friendly. I love the small ratios in the classroom. Very grateful for the wonderful environment the staff has created for the kids and families. read more

I placed my child in their Pre-2 program thinking how great this facility is. It got great reviews and it was recommended by my friends. It is a play-based school and supposedly a 1:6 ratio. This place has 2 directors. I thought it was great. Soon I discovered with 2 directors neither of them wants to be responsible when something goes wrong. One time the injury was so bad I had to rush her to Urgi-Kids to be treated. No phone call, nothing. I was NEVER informed about the injury until I picked her up at 6. I talked to the directors, they said they knew nothing because no one told them. I talked to the teachers, they said they knew nothing because no one told them how bad it was. I talked to the Room Mom and she tried to do something but was told that Room Mom's don't handle these situations. I had pictures and documentations about how bad the incident was and no one took responsibility. All I got was the cold shoulder & that it was my daughter's fault. The kid who plowed her over with the tricycle got no consequences. I was made to feel like this incident is isolated and that it only happened to me. Well a few months later, it happened to another mother and her son got it worse. He ended up with stitches in his head and she got the same treatment I did. She pulled her kid out immediately as well. How can a place that has a 1:6 ratio and yet no one knows what's happening? Well the truth is the 1:6 ratio is only during lunch time and nap time. After that the kids go outside and play and it's up to the teachers that CARE to supervise. Meanwhile, other teachers take this time to do other things (like decorating their classroom). Which means it's really a 1:20+ ratio on the playground. Now if ALL the teachers are always outside supervising the playground, then less accidents will happen. Kids need supervision. Accidents happen. But if kids knew there are adults watching them then less bullying and less accidents. In all honesty, there ARE teachers that really CARE at ICDC. There are actually quite a few of them. But for me the bottom line is responsibility. If the injury is severe, parents should get a phone call. In addition, I have to pack lunch every day because lunch is not included. Then there are those endless fund-raising activities. Financially, it's cheaper at other schools even though the tuition is higher. I'm not saying you shouldn't send your child here. I still have friends who have their kids at ICDC. It just comes down to how your child is handled by their teachers. Some teachers are good at supervising their kids. Some are not. Pray you get a good one. One last thing, the teacher tried to label my daughter as autistic. I said my pediatrician says she's not. But she said she's a teacher and knows more. So she started the paperwork process to IUSD to label my daughter. I spent $300 at an autistic specialist to determine the validity and that doctor said certain teachers will do that because they don't like the kid. He wrote a note to dispel any labeling of my daughter as autistic. My daughter was at ICDC for 9 months when I pulled her out. She's been in a Montessori since and she refuses to go back to ICDC. read more

We love ICDC! Can't recommend enough. So much care and warmth from the teachers and management. They have made our sons transition into preschool such a positive experience. read more

This is my 1st Yelp review. I don't usually review any product, service or restaurant except this one. Because I really appreciate all the teachers in ICDC that bless our family to raise two bright and caring kids. I am not a big fan of Montessori or any academic based preschool. I believe in good discipline and hard working to raise a good kid. Kids should have enough time to play to get stronger and explore when they are young. I have two kids: one boy and one girl who spent most of their childhood at ICDC before they went to Kindergarten. The older one started in Toddler room because we could not get him a spot for Infant room earlier. My daughter was in since she was 5-month-old. I have to say it was the greatest decision I've ever made for both of them. While I was doing my tour before enrollment, as a 1st time parent, the rooms looked dark, old, a little crowded than those newly opened daycares. I was concerned until I saw the big playground. No other school has such a facilitated backyard as ICDC. I like the space and shade they created for Pre-schoolers. I like the isolated area for Infant and Toddler. YES, even infants have their own outdoor playground. They can crawl, play and eat snack outside. Sometimes, they even have their bottles staring at the sky or flowers. (Infant and Toddler Room are definitely the best of Orange Country) I've made my decision when the director told me they have tons of outdoor time. I figured out later the school have free-flow time every afternoon that kids can decide to go outside or in, even to other classrooms as long as they can keep a state-allowed ratio in each area. My 3 year old sometimes went to her brother's room to explore when they were both on the Big Yard. In the past two years, the Booster Club (PTA-like association) did such a great job to bring in the classes like Yoga, Music, or so. My daughter loves it and was trying to teach me at home. It was a little time-consuming to pack up bottles and lunch everyday, since they don't provide lunch. But the teacher quality, attentions and good habit the kids get from ICDC makes it worthy. Not to mention, Pre-4 is a very special classroom you definitely do not want your kids to miss. The teachers get your kids ready for Kindergarten. Pre-3 and -4 establish good reading habit and listening skills to make them shine throughout the elementary school. I have also made many parent friends at ICDC. We are still getting in touch after the kids graduated. Sometimes, we have our kids enrolled in the same activities, summer camp. We are still invited into each other's birthday parties. We are like families. I definitely recommended ICDC to all my friends. However, parents have to sign up early enough in order to get a spot starting from Infant or Toddler. I put my second one in before she was even a fatal. read more

My child went to ICDC until he was almost 4 years old and I can tell you that their infant and toddler programs are THE BEST in Orange County. The children are very loved, played with, hugged, kissed, kept on schedule for feeding an naps and these teachers know how to care for babies and you can tell that they love their work. It's truly a wonderful daycare. They have a long waiting list so if you're lucky enough to get in consider your child very safe and loved. read more

ICDC is a great child care center. Their staff is professional and welcoming. My 3.5 year old is enrolled in their part time program (Tues & Thurs) and can't wait to go to school. His Pre3 teachers: Ms. Heather, Ms.Dianne, & Ms. Yvonne are warm & nurturing. We highly recommend this facility for your child care need. read more

My daughter has been going to ICDC for 2 days a week for almost a year. She loves it! There are at least 3 teachers per class, 4 in her current classroom. They have extra programs for the kids going on - this year it's music class which she misses as it's on a day she's not there, and yoga which is a big hit. There are plenty of family events too, during the day like a special lunch the kids all help prepare, field trips and also opportunities to drop the kids off for a couple of hours of fun for the occasional parents night out! It's open until 6pm so you can use the hours to fit you. It was much more reasonable than our nearest Montessori. I am a stay at home mom and wanted my daughter to go for social and school prep reasons and I'm pleased with what she does day-to-day. All the staff are friendly and all the kids seem happy whenever I'm there. I have a younger son and will definitely enroll him there in future if I can! read more