I would give Sitterwise 10 stars if I could!…read more I contacted Sitterwise through their (really good) website a week before visiting SD, with a very specific babysitting ask. They confirmed a sitter quickly! But then it dawned on me that we had specific COVID safety requirements that I had forgotten to add to the form. Whoops... I emailed back and forth with Sarah at Sitterwise who was nothing but understanding and flexible throughout. She set us up with a great sitter who met all of our requirements, and we had a great night out. I so appreciated Sarah's understanding during this weird COVID time!

We have always had fantastic experiences using nanny services when traveling. Unfortunately, this…read morewas not the case with Sitterwise. It's honestly still upsetting over a week later, so I felt the need to share. We were traveling to Carlsbad for a wedding, and I contacted Sitterwise 5 days before the event to request a sitter for our two boys, ages 3 and 1.5. I filled out our family profile, made the request, and was told I would be matched with a sitter within 24 hours. The next day, about 30 hours later, I hadn't heard back and my request was still showing as "pending." I reached out to them again and soon after was matched with a sitter. I was initially a bit concerned reading the sitter's profile, which only stated her experience as a high school teacher and mother to a grown son, with no reference to taking care of babies and toddlers. The morning of the wedding, I texted our sitter to give her the heads up that our littlest had picked up a cold (no fever, but a cough/runny nose). Later that day, our sitter arrived and we spent about an hour introducing her to our kids, and despite a clingy baby, all seemed great. I prepared a bunch of notes for her on bedtime routines, dinner, etc., and we left. At 6 pm, just as we sat down to dinner at the wedding, I received a text from the sitter saying she needed me to call her. When she answered the phone, she was clearly very distraught. She said our youngest was crying for me and she was having a hard time handling our 3-year-old, who was hitting his brother and laughing, and from what it sounded like, generally acting like a 3-year-old. She said she couldn't complete the job and needed us to come back... A few things that I remember vividly from that call: "I'm really sorry, I'm only used to high school-aged kids" "I think your son and I just don't get along" "I called my husband and he said, 'you're the adult'" "I know I can't hit/spank him but I'm not sure how to get him to behave" Our minds were blown. We of course left the wedding immediately and raced back to the hotel. When we got to the room, the sitter was upset, both of our boys were upset, and she was running around grabbing random items like the couch accent pillows that she had "put on timeout." Hot tip: the kid doesn't care if you put the couch pillow that he threw on timeout... The sitter was crying and I was completely taken aback and just trying to calm her down and get her out of there. She started to say something like "you don't have to pay me" to which I interrupted and said of course we will pay you. I later found out that she took this as me saying we would pay for the FULL night we originally requested that would have ended at 11 pm, and this is what I was charged for when I checked the receipt (Sitterwise did later refund the extra 4.5 hours I was charged). She left, we were unable to attend 90% of the wedding, and the cherry on top was when she accidentally texted me instead of her boss, explaining that she left because the little one was sick...Clearly not being honest about why she was leaving early. Ultimately, I blamed Sitterwise for the awful sitter matching, not the sitter. Our sitter was super sweet, but she was obviously correct when she said she was only used to high school-aged kids, and I should have gone with my gut when I saw that her profile had no mention of caring for young kids. That fact was clear when I heard her through our baby monitor talking to my 3-year-old like he was 15 - repeatedly asking him what was wrong with the baby and why wouldn't he take the bottle, and asking him to help her. Hearing him very clearly confused and not sure what to do was pretty rough on my mama heart. In the past, nannies have come with age-appropriate toys and activities, she came with nothing. In the past, nannies have known how to appropriately handle a toddler outburst, she made it seem like our child was the devil. The first thing our son said to us when we came back to the hotel room was "she doesn't like me." Those words from a tiny 3-year-old should tell you all you need to know. I spoke to Sitterwise a few days after our experience and explained all of this to Stacy. While I appreciate that she refunded the extra hours I was charged, there was really no attempt to make this right, beyond promising a better pairing next time I'm in San Diego. It would have gone a long way for them to admit the sitter matching clearly wasn't right, or maybe waive some or all of their fees. Instead, I was simply told that she was an experienced sitter, that they'd follow up on the issue, and that they were sorry. Toddlers can be real a-holes sometimes, and mine are no exception to this fact. But, they are also well-behaved kids who have NEVER had an issue like this with a caregiver. As someone who spent 15 years as a nanny myself, this was very clearly an issue of a sitter inexperienced with this age group, and a business unwilling to own their mistake.

Fleur De Lis is a magical wonderland. My two daughters are currently students at FDL and one of my…read morehappiest days was finding out my oldest got a spot in the Early Learners program. They both started in the EL class and my oldest, who we kept an extra year at FDL, rather than sending her to TK, is finishing up her last year. We've loved our entire FDL experience. The teachers and staff are like family. We love the play based learning and the huge outdoor play areas that encourage kids to explore. My kids have so much fun that they get upset when we pick them up early! FDL also creates a great community environment within the school and each classroom. I've been fortunate to be a room parent for both of my kids and there are many opportunities for parents to get involved in class (reading books, sharing family traditions and cultural holidays, class parties...). We've had fantastic teachers over the years. Ms. Autumn, Ms. Blanca and Ms. Sandra were perfect for the Early Learners class, so loving and nurturing with the 2 year olds. Ms. Kiara and Ms. Amber are great preschool teachers. In preschool, there are "jobs' assigned everyday and it's great to see the 3 year olds learning independence and responsibility through play. Ms. Tina, Ms. Sam, Ms. Sandy and Ms. Chelsea's Pre-K programs are fun and engaging - my oldest was reading by 4 years old. It's truly amazing. The playground has a nature lab, a garden, a "construction site," bicycle paths. The classrooms have a STEAM center, dramatic play, circle time. The kids that leave the Pre-K program are more than ready for Kindergarten...they could probably start first grade! Ms. Bev and Ms. Kira are so involved in the school's operations and truly care for each child and family. They are always open to questions and feedback and have been invaluable during this past pandemic year. While we are incredibly sad that Ms. Tina is leaving the Pre-K program, we know she will also be a great director. We love FDL and recommend the school to all parents.

Fleur de Lis School provided our son and our family the most incredible experience we could have…read moreever asked for. In our 2 years there, we watched our son grow immensely in his confidence, relationships, and overall love of learning. He was sad to leave school every day and excited to wake up and start the day with his amazing friends and teachers. The approach and philosophy that Fleur de Lis takes truly allows each child to blossom in their own unique and beautiful way and we not only got to experience this with our son, but saw it with his classmates as well. We saw our son make presentations to his class about a science or art project he did with us at home or proudly present his show and tell Spider-man toy to his classmates - we are so grateful to the entire Fleur de Lis community for encouraging this level of self-esteem and individuality.  The staff at Fleur de Lis is truly one of a kind -  the professional, yet individualized attention of Tina Smith and April Kozelh as directors is amazing. They know your child personally and do everything in their power to make your child's experience at Fleur de Lis enriching and creative. Our son still talks about Ms. Tina coming into their classroom and reading them special books (his favorite was about an owl in NYC) and Tina consistently shared specific memories of our son's social and emotional growth during his time there. The teachers we had at Fleur de Lis (Ms. Sandy, Ms. Chelsea, Ms. Amber, Ms. Kiara and Ms. Diana for Spanish) were incredible in every way - we appreciated the attention to the holistic needs of each child - the cognitive, physical, and emotional were all given attention and we saw our son blossom in each area. The day our son "graduated" Fleur de Lis School was a bittersweet one - we were thrilled to know he was ready for kindergarten, but also so sad to say goodbye to the daily moments of this special community. Our son couldn't stop hugging his amazing teacher Ms. Sandy at the singing show - clearly showing the same emotions we felt as parents.

Sarah is seriously incredible. Our children adore her. Her sense of humor is refreshingly dry and…read morewitty. She taught at Inspiring Early Childhood for years and recently left to open her own daycare. We (& every other family) miss her dearly. I'm a child development undergrad so I know quality when it comes to preschool teachers and she is cream of the crop. And she takes amazing pictures with her professional quality camera. Do not pass up the opportunity to bring your child here. You will not be disappointed. I guarantee it.

Our children had the gift of having Sarah as a teacher and caregiver when she worked at Inspiring…read moreEarly Childhood before she opened her own childcare center. She was empathic, patient, and loving. She always strived to exercise curiosity as she interacted with the children, giving her a chance to see things from their perspective and foster unique learning opportunities. She is a great communicator with kids and parents alike and we miss her dearly! If you're looking for childcare in Tierrasanta that truly allows children to learn by play and develop strong social-emotional skills, look no further! Highly recommend!!

Our son spent close to a year with Ana. We are so grateful to have had Ana be a part of our sons…read moreand our life. It is easy to see how much love Ana has for the children. We saw improvement in development steps right away, sharing, communicating, playing with others. Ana is great with communicating with the parents, and I always felt like I was leaving my son in great hands. We are sad that his time with Ana has come to an end, but know that other families will benefit from a truly caring provider.

Our son (age 2 1/2) has been at Ana's for around 1 year. When he first started, we had just moved…read moreto San Diego. Ana and Mirko's professionalism and kindness put us at ease. One of the biggest signs that a child care facility is great is how happy the children are. I can confidently say that our son has loved every minute his time at Ana & Mirko's. He comes home every day full of smiles and stories to tell and in the morning is excited to go back. One thing that we really liked about Ana's curriculum is that she focuses on a different theme / country each week - this means listening to different music, eating different foods, learning about different cultures, etc. Our son has learned so much from Ana & Mirko and we cannot recommend this place highly enough..

We love The Vine. My son started in full time daycare when he was almost 1 and now he's 2.5. During…read morethis time I completed my degree at USD and they helped a lot with my ability to do that. The teachers are really attentive and sweet with him. I feel like they really know him. I love their updates on Brightwheel. They take MCCYN which helps to lower the cost. They also serve food so I don't have to worry about packing lunch every day. Overall they provide a great service and I recommend them

Don't trust this place. HIGH TURNOVER RATE. They have new people come in and out. They lost my son,…read moreand was unaware that he was left by himself. They never took accountability and the surveillance video somehow disappeared. Go to a different daycare...don't trust the new reviews.

I recommend Maria's Daycare to parents out there who need daycare. Maria is a caring, loving and…read morededicated caregiver for babies and toddlers. She goes out of her way to make the kids feel comfortable and also her warm nurturing nature is so comforting for the little ones. She cooks good healthy food for the kids and sticks to a routine. Her daycare is clean and large for playtime and sleeping. Her helper Susy is a great help with a big heart and warmth that makes the kids feel at home. l only have positive comments for Maria and Susy and l am so relieved and blessed to be able to take my 2 yr old Granddaughter there where she is safe and loved. Thank you Maria and Susy for providing safety, love and a good healthy environment for our little ones.

Outstanding Daycare Experience Our son has been with Maria…read moreand Susy for almost half a year and we couldn't be happier with the exceptional care they provide. Genuine Care and Attention What sets Maria's daycare apart is the personal love and attention each child receives; you can tell Maria and Susy truly care for all the children. Excellent Communication Throughout the day, Maria sends updates along with pictures and videos of our child. As working parents, this connection to our child's day means the world to us and gives us such peace of mind. Welcoming Environment From day one, Maria and Susy have been incredibly welcoming and friendly. They create a warm, family-like atmosphere that makes both children and parents feel comfortable and valued. Nutritious, Fresh Meals Daily Maria prepares delicious, fresh food every single day. It's clear she puts thought and care into providing healthy, home-cooked meals and the kids love it. Great Facility The children have access to a large indoor playroom as well as a spacious backyard filled with toys and play equipment. There's plenty of room for kids to be active, explore, and play safely. Support for Parents As new parents, we've especially appreciated Maria's helpful advice and guidance. She's always willing to share her expertise and experience through the various stages of early parenthood. Maria and Susy have exceeded our expectations in every way. Our child is happy, well-cared for, and thriving in their care. We feel incredibly fortunate to have found such a wonderful place and would highly recommend them to any family looking for quality childcare.

Our daughter attended Pearl Montessori for close to two years, and is now moving on to her next…read moreadventure in TK. She had a wonderful experience at this school and really grew into her own. From language and building block topics (letters, numbers, speech) to potty training and social skills, she learned everything you would expect from a top flight school. Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed her time. The teachers were skilled, patient and definitely had the kids best interest at heart. We would 100% place her here if we had to choose again.

My son started attending Pearl Montessori Daycare in January 2025, and he absolutely loved it from…read moreday one. He was with Ms. D, who quickly became one of his favorite people -- he mentioned her name at home all the time! When he first started, he was barely talking, and now he can't stop chatting and expressing himself. He recently graduated to a new school, and his new teacher immediately noticed how well-prepared he was. She even commented that she could tell his previous teacher had done an excellent job with circle time and early learning activities. I also appreciate how Ms. Kelly thoughtfully transformed the school this year to a more authentic Montessori environment -- updating the furniture, toys, and curriculum. The school organizes fun and engaging activities throughout the year, which my son always enjoyed. Another thing I truly value is the school's excellent communication. The teachers regularly share photos of the children's daily activities -- as a working parent, it always makes my day to see what my little one is doing while I'm on break. They are also very prompt and transparent when reporting any accidents, clearly explaining what happened, what steps were taken, and how my son was doing afterward. I also love that students wear uniforms, which gives a real sense of belonging and community. I've even met other Pearl parents outside of school (randomly like at the YMCA), and we all share the same sentiment -- Pearl Montessori is a wonderful place for our kids to grow. Even though we've graduated from Pearl, Ms. D and Ms. Kelly, as my son's very first teachers, will always hold a special place in his little heart (and ours).

Aspen Leaf Daycare in Downtown has been an absolute blessing. There are so many benefits to speak…read moreof including incredible teachers and staff with extensive degrees, experience and training; three quality meals served each day; very flexible drop off and pickup times; consistent availability; and options for discounts for federal and military parents. I can't speak highly enough about the great community, Parent Board, and tremendous learning environment that our kids get each and every day. A tour is your best bet to see for yourself! Overall, great value.

We decided to put our daughter in this school because she didn't seem to enjoy her previous school,…read more she'd always come home with anxiety and we weren't sure what to do so we took her out. Not long after we found Aspen Leaf. They build their relationship with your child from a place of love and opportunity; allowing the kids to be themselves as well as thrive and make friends. The teachers and everyone there is so caring and loving. The school itself is cute and cozy. We love getting pictures throughout the day. Our daughter always comes home with a lot of energy and is always excited go to school the next day. We are so glad that we listened her feelings and made the change. 10/10

We came to this daycare after a real struggle to "make it work" somewhere else. For two months it…read morewas square peg, round hole and an immense amount of distress. When we found Jeanet it took us five minutes of discussion after the tour to walk right back in and reserve our spot. Jeanet and her family were warm and welcoming while professional and immensely knowledgeable. My husband and I felt, and continue to feel, completely comfortable and at ease in all of our interactions. It is also evident that our daughter is THRIVING since this transition and it is such a profound relief to feel so secure and confident in the care she is receiving so we can be present while at work. Super Special Bonus Features: *The children's space is so well arranged, clean, and visually appealing. I appreciate the attention to detail and ultimately feel Jeanet operates on my wavelength. The outdoor space is absolutely ideal and I love the varied options of activities for children to pursue. * Jeanet uses an app called LearningGenie which alleviates so many communication gaps I've run into in other settings. I can easily check diapering, meals, and nap times while also accessing candid photos of my child's day. Makes planning for smooth evenings much easier and highlights potential issues (like a lack of poop) that otherwise get lost in the shuffle. * Jeanet and her husband are very open to feedback and suggestion. We are really hoping to find community and long term child care; our ideas to cultivate this as PLG expands were met with enthusiasm * Dietary considerations have been easily accommodated . * There was a Mother's Day tea and gifts for the moms, as well as adorable and sweet art projects on Father's Day. So thoughtful. * Open door policy that is actually open. * Inclusion! After attending my daughter's birthday we were invited to Jeanet's daughter's birthday where I was able to meet much of the extended family. It was really nice, in so many ways. We feel very blessed to have found Play Learn Grow! I hope anyone who read this far also finds child care that they feel GREAT about! Modern parenthood is tough, but the right team makes it easier.

My two sons went to Play Learn Grow Daycare while we were living in San Diego. Due to moving quite…read morefrequently in the past few years I've experienced a lot of different daycares and none gave me the sense of comfort that I had leaving my kids with Jeanet and Kimy. I really wish there were more people in the world like them!! They were so nice, patient, and calm and that passed down to the kids. All the children at the daycare were so pleasant with one another and played well together while developing their learning and social skills. Most of us parents would stand around waiting for our kids to be ready to leave because they were having such a good time there. Trusting your daycare provider is really the best thing you can ask for. Thank you for everything!

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!

Our daughter has been at KM for a year and so far the experience has been great! We love hearing…read morethe new German words she comes home with and the planned activities are always thoughtful and engaging. The staff is also always attentive and welcoming. Pricing is also reasonable for the quality of care.