Springfield Montessori is, hands down, the best option for children ages 2-5. From the moment you…read morewalk in, you feel the warm, loving, and nurturing environment that the school has cultivated. Each classroom is a well prepared environment. The educators are experienced and genuinely dedicated, guiding and leading not just in the classroom, but in every interaction throughout the day. What sets Springfield apart is that they don't take a one-size-fits-all approach -- it's one size fits MOST, meeting children where they are and helping them grow at their own pace. The administration team is outstanding and truly hands-on, involved in day-to-day operations and knowing each child by name. That level of personal attention is hard to find. With over 35 years of experience as a private Montessori preschool, Springfield has a track record that speaks for itself. I can't wait for my grandchildren to attend and have this same incredible academic experience as I've seen, firsthand, with so many children who have come through the doors. Highly recommend to any family looking for the best start for their little ones.

I really wanted to love this preschool, but unfortunately our experience with the admissions…read moreprocess was so poorly handled that I would not feel comfortable enrolling my child here. It started before we even toured. I spent some time trying to get in touch with someone and received no response. I was ultimately only able to connect with the school after a coworker, whose child currently attends, reached out on my behalf. Once we finally had a tour scheduled, the school canceled on us the day of the tour and rescheduled us for the following week -- despite the fact that we had taken time off work specifically to attend. When we finally toured, we actually liked the school and were excited enough that we planned to enroll our child. We discussed the schedule we needed and understood that the 7am-6pm option was available. We told the staff that we would immediately pay the deposit. She was fine with us leaving to go home to get our check and coming right back. We live 5 minutes down the road. We left to go home and get our check and returned immediately afterward to secure his spot. In that very short window, we were suddenly told the 7am-6pm schedule was full and that they could only hold 9am-3pm. If we needed care outside of those hours, we were told it would be an additional $30 per hour. I understand that preschool spots are limited and availability can change. What I cannot understand is how a family can be sitting in the school discussing enrollment and availability, leave specifically to retrieve payment, and return shortly afterward to find that the schedule they had just discussed is no longer available -- without any communication or acknowledgment of the "confusion". The entire experience left me with serious concerns about the admissions process and the emphasis on additional fees. When you're choosing a place to care for your young child, communication, transparency and trust matter enormously. If communication is this difficult and inconsistent before your child even starts, it is hard to feel confident about what communication will look like once your child is actually in their care. Afterward, I went back and read through Yelp reviews and was surprised to see other parents describing similar frustrations with the admissions process, including concerns about communication, transparency and cost. Obviously I can only speak to my own experience, but reading those accounts after what happened to us reinforced the concerns I already had. I understand the school has recently had a change in admissions leadership, so perhaps some of this is related to that transition. Regardless, families are making significant financial commitments and, more importantly, trusting a school with their children. They deserve clear information, empathy and consistent communication throughout that process. We genuinely wanted this school to work for our family. Instead, after time of unanswered outreach, a tour canceled the day of after we had taken off work, and then having the schedule we were prepared to pay for become unavailable in the short time it took us to retrieve our check, we walked away feeling that we could no longer trust the admissions process enough to enroll our son.

We spent three wonderful years at Guiding Light, enrolling my son starting at age 3, and it shaped…read morehis early childhood in the best possible way. The teachers are warm, attentive, and truly invested in each child as an individual, and the Montessori approach is carried out thoughtfully in a way that makes kids feel safe and excited to learn. We appreciated how present and communicative the staff were, with regular parent-teacher conferences that made us feel genuinely involved in his growth every step of the way. Our son adored his time there and his confidence blossomed in ways we are still grateful for. Any family looking for a nurturing, quality early education program in the area would be lucky to find Guiding Light.

I hope my words convey the deep respect I hold for Guiding Light Montessori and its exceptional…read morestaff, particularly Justine, the owner and Head Teacher, and her dedicated handyman, Hubby. Their unwavering commitment to creating a nurturing environment for children to flourish, grow, and gain confidence is truly commendable. Which brings you to my story. Earlier this year, I lost my adult son; he left behind my beautiful grandaughter, who now lives with my husband and me. Her world changed from one day to the next, and life as she knew it was different and absent. Being an only child who desperately needed structure and friends, we enrolled her at Guiding Light Montessori. It was a rough 1st week, and when I say rough, that is being softly put! Justine was a Godsend; she gently guided and helped my granddaughter feel safe, welcome, and loved! It didn't take long for that transition to happen because of Justine's genuine heart for the grace of children. These early experiences play a crucial role in shaping our children's self-confidence. My granddaughter has learned to trust that her feelings are respected, welcomed, and loved at Guiding Light Montessori. The education and daily experiences at Guiding Light are beyond measure. I do have to circle back to the tender care the children receive daily. Because of that, the children are open to receiving the teachings. My granddaughter comes home singing and sharing; she wants to do everything all by herself--a true reflection of a Montessori student. I am beyond grateful and feel completely blessed. Thank you, Justine, and every wonderful teacher who helps guide these little people. Your work is truly appreciated! With Sincere Gratatude, Jim and Michelle Service

Our child is now 4.5 years old and has attended Little Flowers Montessori since he was two. His…read moreexperience there has been wonderful, and we have seen tremendous growth at every stage. He began in the Lily class without speaking a word. His teachers, Ms. Karima and Ms. Veronica, were highly experienced, patient, attentive, and genuinely invested in his development. They also made potty training much easier through consistency, positive encouragement, and a simple daily log that kept us informed. Within just a few weeks, our child became more confident and independent. He then moved to the Jasmine class with Ms. Jessica, who provided a wide variety of engaging activities each day and demonstrated excellent teaching skills. At age three, he joined the Orchid class with Ms. Yuliana. Her morning and afternoon circle times encouraged the children to learn together, while the thoughtfully planned classroom "jobs" supported their cognitive and social development. During this time, we watched our child learn to draw, write, and share with others. At age four, he joined the Lavender class with Ms. Farzana and Ms. Hengameh. We have already seen significant progress in math, reading, and other areas. The school also provides meals, nap time, and outdoor play, creating a well-rounded daily routine. Ms. Melody, the school director, and Ms. Ana, the assistant director, work very hard to ensure every child is safe and well cared for. Their communication with parents is excellent, and we always feel informed about our child's progress. All the teachers take wonderful care of the children, and we love seeing our child come home happy every day. We highly recommend Little Flowers Montessori to parents looking for a safe, nurturing, and enriching school for their little ones.

I did some research on Montessori Preschools. And although I…read morechose one closer to me. I really believe in the Montessori method and the schools.

Blackhawk Montessori has been a fantastic choice for our family. Even though my son started less…read morethan a month ago, we are already seeing noticeable improvements in his progress. In just a short time, his color recognition and drawing and coloring skills have noticeably developed just to name one. The directors are remarkably personable, approachable, and deeply committed to the well-being and growth of the children. It is clear how much care and dedication they put into creating a nurturing educational environment, and we are excited to watch our son continue to thrive here.

My daughter attended Blackhawk Montessori from February 2025 - August 2025. We had to choose a…read moreschool quickly due to a short-notice move, and I appreciated that this school was quieter than others we toured (my daughter was sensitive to loud noise) and that it was close to our rental. During the first month, the directors consistently told us at drop-off that she was doing well. However, about a month in, we received a note in her backpack from a classroom teacher indicating that she had been struggling with distraction and listening since the beginning. I wish we had been given more honest and timely feedback from the start from the directors, as that mismatch felt misleading. At a formal parent-teacher conference two months in, we were encouraged to have her assessed for support through SRVUSD, as they felt she wouldn't be successful in an academic environment without extra help. We took this seriously and ultimately enrolled her in TK in our school district starting August 2025, where she underwent a full 60-day assessment. The results showed no learning concerns, and her TK teachers report that she's doing very well and is easily redirected when distracted. We had similar positive feedback from the after-school childcare team. After this experience, I spoke with three other moms that were in my daughter's Blackhawk Montessori classroom and learned their children had also received feedback around concerns with focus, excessive talking, or other similar behaviors. I think the school has expectations that may not align with typical child development, which can lead to excessive negative attention. That said, there were aspects I appreciated: - I liked Ms. Tania, one of the two main teachers in my daughter's pre-K classroom. She seemed balanced and firm, while also kind. My daughter liked her. - The school offered several paid enrichment programs (gymnastics, singing, soccer, dance, etc.), which my daughter consistently looked forward to. - As a full-time working single mom, I appreciated the longer care hours offered. There were also significant concerns: - The concerns with transparency and unrealistic expectations/negative attention noted earlier in the review. - My daughter reported that the other main pre-K teacher was "mean," especially toward the end of her time there when that teacher ran the smaller second summer session. Even nearly five months after leaving Blackhawk Montessori, my daughter still mentions that teacher and says she never wants to return, which is upsetting. - In retrospect, the six-hour school day (before childcare) was too long for her. She's done much better with the 3.5-hour school days that SRVUSD offers for TK/K kids. Overall, I've learned that my child does best in a warmer, more teacher-led environment. While Blackhawk Montessori had some positives, it was not a good fit for her, and she has done significantly better in both the schools she attended before and after her time here.

Honestly this is the best daycare/montessori in the TriVally area. We toured dozens of daycares and…read moreFountainhead was the cleanest and most organized. When we did the tour at Fountainhead, the kids were so calm and the environment was peaceful. My wife and I are so happy that our son loves this school. We are pretty protective parents...He was the youngest of his class (2.5yrs) and the older kids help him a lot. He started early this year and his language skills has improved so much. We enrolled him for 2027 and hope to enroll his little brother at 1.5 years. Highly recommend!

I scheduled a school tour from 10:00 to 10:30 AM, and my confirmation email clearly stated that the…read moretour would last 30 minutes. Unfortunately, I arrived about 15 minutes late. I fully understand that being late was my responsibility and that the school may have had another appointment afterward. What disappointed me was how the situation was handled. The Site Director did not come out to greet me or speak with me in person. Instead, she only stuck her head out from inside and told me that I was late, the next family was arriving, and that I needed to come back another day. What confused me even more was that she said the tour was only 15 minutes, even though my confirmation email clearly stated that the scheduled tour would last 30 minutes (10:00-10:30 AM). I explained that I only have one day off from work and asked if I could at least spend a few minutes seeing the school since there was still time remaining in my scheduled appointment. Unfortunately, there was no apology, no empathy, and no willingness to accommodate even a brief visit. I respect the school's schedule, and I understand that arriving late has consequences. However, first impressions matter. As a parent looking for a preschool, I expected to be treated with courtesy and respect, even if I made a mistake. A little kindness and professionalism would have made a big difference. Because of this experience, I decided not to consider this school for my child.

Can't say enough good things about Marnie and Alamo Montessori School…read more My 20 month only son previously enrolled in another local daycare but he was unfortunately removed after 4-5 part time days because he was being "disruptive" and "wanted to be around the caretakers only." This is more than reasonable for a toddler experiencing his first daycare and time away from us in a foreign environment. Before we even enrolled, Marnie and Alamo Montessori School went out of their way to help our son dip his toes in with multiple 15 minute morning sessions to help him feel comfortable with being away and with his new environment. We eventually enrolled our son and while he hesitant initially, Marnie had a great plan in place to keep my son entertained and distracted. After only a couple of weeks, he now loves going and can't wait to get out of the car. Highly recommend Alamo Montessori School! Note: It's a bit hard to initially get ahold of Marnie as she's actively involved in the day care but we got a hold of her through her direct email.

I cannot speak highly enough of Alamo Montessori and all that Marnie and her team have done for our…read morelittle boy. We enrolled our son at 18 months, the youngest age that AM accepts (which is lower relative to many Montessori programs in the area!) While I knew that it would be a big transition for him, I was comforted when Marnie asked us to come see the program in action and let him join in for two short visits prior to our first day. At the time, he was shy, attached, and was behind in his speech. Since then, he has grown into such a confident, personable, and intuitive little boy. I attribute so much of that to AM's approach to learning. They paint, do science experiments, read books, sing songs, and play outside every day. They let the child lead with their interests, but also expose them to experiences that I don't have the patience for (or the willingness to clean up!). He is constantly coming home with new skills, songs and words in his vocabulary. He gets so much focused attention and I can tell that he is incredibly well loved and cared for. We communicate and receive photos through an app, and there are twice yearly "parent teacher conferences" where we get an update on how he is doing. He has thrived under their care. I truly believe that placing him in Alamo Montessori has been one of the best things we have done for him. I am so grateful.

Our daughter attended here for a year and a half, starting on the baby side and graduating to the…read moretoddler school. We are so grateful to Miss Marzi and her staff for their amazing care of our little girl. We watched her blossom and learn so much. We highly recommend them.

I recommend this school because I saw how hard the teachers were working to help children i worked…read morethere for 9 months if I ever have a child, I want Ms.Tamiko to be his/her teacher, i want my child learn kindness from Ms.Zhaleh, Ms.Mahsa,Ms.Nikita, Ms.Rachel. Also the owners are really helpful and respectful they actually like a family.

My children attended DVMS years ago now (my son is a senior in high school and my daughter is in…read more6th grade). I cannot say enough about how well their experiences at DVMS prepared them educationally and socially/emotionally for continuing in school and for their lives in general. They had wonderful, caring, nurturing teachers who took the time to get to know them, provide engaging activities, and supported our family. I look back so fondly on their time here and still wish that DVMS extended beyond kindergarten! The community here is wonderful and supportive, and the teachers are passionate about their work and love the children. It is a testament to them that my daughter still asks to come visit and see her former teachers. Couldn't recommend this school enough!

My son went there for his first year of school (TK) and had an amazing time. DVMS is such a…read morenurturing and loving place for not only the children, but parents too. They are incredibly supportive and really care about the families. The teachers are also the absolute best! You can see how much they love the students and really pay attention to each of them individually. There's a reason they have been around for over 60 years. If you're looking for a school for your child during infant to 6 years old, DVMS is the one!

5 stars hands down! We are so lucky to have found this pre-school. The teachers & director are…read moreamazing & our son has advanced in just 4 months. His speech has improved as well as his ability to communicate with others without getting frustrated has been life changing. They even taught him to potty train within a week! What a bonus! The team are so welcoming & warm. I really feel we are blessed to have found them!

What an incredible Daycare! We have put two kids through saybrook and are soooo thankful we found…read morethem! Amazing loving approach, hands on, and have been very developmental for our kids learning. We started right when they opened back up during the Covid, and we felt so safe bringing our boys to the center. Soledad Peoples the director has been instrumental in our kids development, and we hope these friendships last a lifetime! 100% trust and support Saybrook learning center for your children's needs! 7:15am to 5:30pm, meals provided, with learning and fun guaranteed!

Our family has been incredibly pleased with Growing Light Montessori in Lafayette, and would highly…read morerecommend it! The teachers are extremely skilled, patient, and nurturing. Since our child started we've seen a dramatic increase in her social development, creativity, and engagement in group activities. Class sizes are small with multiple teachers, and allow for a level of personalized attention that you can directly observe during drop-offs and pickups. Our child even talks about her teachers and asks after them on weekends. Communication with parents is also great. The school keeps us informed with regular updates, progress reports, and pictures of the kids engaged in class activities. The communication is two ways as well, they always respond quickly to feedback or questions, and they're very accommodating to any life circumstances that may come up. The campus and classrooms are well organized, spacious, and have multiple outdoor play areas. The school also organizes regular social events, educational workshops, and seasonal celebrations for families. We can't recommend Growing Light highly enough. It's absolutely worth it, and we feel lucky to have joined!

Both our son and daughter attended this preschool, and we couldn't be happier. The staff is…read moreattentive, warm, patient, and always accessible--you can tell they truly care. The environment is nurturing and thoughtfully balanced between learning and play. Our kids came home happy, confident, and excited every day. We really have nothing but positive things to say. It's been a fantastic start to their learning journey.