I love this place and so does my 20 month old. Every other…read morepreschool that I toured was chaotic and toys everywhere and kids screaming. I walk into my daughters room and there are framed family photos and thoughtfully placed out toys and projects for kids to play with. Clean environment and loving attention. Daily updates on a app are my favorite! Mrs Lupe and Mrs Taylor are great teachers! It's hard to get my daughter to leave everyday. She loves it!

Toured the school and have to say felt very warm and genuine in regards to the care the teachers…read morewere showing to their kids. Staff all had smiles on their faces and seemed happy to be there! Leaning towards enrolling my daughter!

Can't say enough good things about Aspirations! We have three kids, one has graduated from kinder…read moreand our other two kids still attend. From our time in the baby room, to basically having kids in every room, and almost every teacher, we have loved our time here. I've been a room parent, mystery reader, volunteered at their annual gala and attended their amazing kids art shows. The school and the teachers go above and beyond in everything they do. If your looking to find a caring, safe, creative and loving environment, this is your school.

We have thought a lot before writing this review which mostly reflects how we felt about…read moreAspirations at the end of our almost 5 years with the school. We ended up leaving because despite having had such a long time with the school, it became obvious to us at the end that we weren't valued as a family and that our little one wasn't truly seen as a whole person. We had one child start in the Bambini (baby) room just before COVID, went back after COVID and continued all the way through until starting Kindergarten. We had another child that spent a couple years here before just leaving this year. On a whole, Aspirations feels like a Instagram dreamspace - the Emilio Reggio style learning emphasizes the environment and it truly shows. As a parent, you know your child is surrounded by beauty. The art show feels special (although you eventually come to realize how much "teacher guidance" the final auction pieces actual reflect). The gala is also exciting and fun (when it happens). The playground is spacious and beautiful. Our years through Aspirations meant our kids have been in almost every room and in reflection there were great teachers and there were so-so ones and almost every year there was at least some unexpected teacher turn-over in the middle of the year. We ended up leaving because the first time we had any issues, we were surprised at the inflexibility of the administration and unwillingness to work with us. We requested that our little stay with friends in transitioning to a new class, shared the difficult family/life events that were affecting her and had the admin team tell us that they were not going allow her to change classes that despite the fact that the requested class was not yet being filled (they wanted to keep spots open for newer families/kids). Additionally, they weren't even willing to come up with a alternative plan (ie she could move to that class if someone transitioned out). The finality of "administrator knows best" was a slap in the face and made us finally look around and realize that this was one of the most expensive schools around, does not provide lunch, and its premium for the "extended care" (4-5pm where all extended care kids get placed with another teacher for that last hour, sometimes a different one daily) was not the standard everywhere.

This is one of the best places to send your pre-school child. This family-run business has been in…read morebusiness for over 30 years with two other locations--Encinitas and Vista. Kathy is the head cheese and has guided many children in this space many well-ahead of the game when entering kindergarten. I can honestly say is that the children are really loved and looked after here. She has had the same employees for many years as they also truly love the experience. The emphasis is on supporting the children as they explore art, learning and playing. There is none or only limited time on computers and the kids can even play in their bare feet. My child attended this awesome school for 2.5 years and she still maintains friendships that she established there. Just a note, the location has never been renovated so be prepared.

When I first saw this place, I was like oh it's just old school, California earthy. I liked earthy…read morewhen I was young this will be great. Mistake number one on my part. I am sure this was a great place and idea in the 70s. I don't know the exact history, but it was probably more of a small neighborhood school for the neighborhood when it began. But truth be told, it isn't what it used to be. I don't know maybe it was always like this and nobody expected anything better or thought that they would need to evolve. We have evolved as parents, teachers and guardians of how to raise a healthy secure child and how to really help them thrive and feel safe in a pre-school/school environment. There are too many incidents to mention and too many red flags to mention of what my child witnessed and I myself witnessed and other parents witness but I didn't know any better. Your young child will not be in a physically safe environment in the outside area, there are hiding spots for children of all ages to wreak havoc and harm each other. Despite what you're told, the bigger kids are definitely mixed together with the younger kids without proper supervision and it's basically a free for all. "It's a kids will be kids and boys will be boys environment". That said, they also have them watch tv if they aren't allowed to nap. Yes they can tell your child they can't nap, there is not room for everyone. The teachers feed them candy without asking your permission and your child will be totally filthy when you get them, unless it's raining, then they have to block the whole dirt/Sand back off because it will be totally muddy with pools of water. The bathrooms are also a free for all. If your child is potty training, this is not the place you want them. Although the 2 tiny little potties and sinks are cute, they have zero privacy. Children are allowed to open the doors and crawl under the doors while other children are going potty. I saw this more than once and nobody did a thing. Things such as big boys were slamming the doors back and forth bothering a little girl who was going to the bathroom. My kid who was learning said that he didn't want to go at school because the big kids bothered him, so he was terrified. Maybe they get to eat a proper lunch without being harassed. The children with emotional or behavioral issues are not helped properly and are left to do as they please to the other children if they are not constantly supervised. Even during lunch or snack time. My child literally begged me not to take him to school on several occasions and I just thought he was being a toddler but now I know better. I have also witnessed children climbing the fence begging parents not to leave them. Again, I thought this was normal. It is not. He and his friends were being bullied and tormented by other older children and he was emotionally stressed, time has passed and he STILL talks about it. When I had to address an issue and asked to discuss it, I was heavily dismissed and ignored. Security-They leave signs for delivery people on the front latch gate to leave packages in the outdoor hallway. Which means if your child is hanging around alone someone could easily snatch them. Granted it has probably never happened but it's not actually secure. Anyone can walk in through the two old iron school gates and harm the kids if they wanted to. This place in theory could be great if it were updated, cleaned up, painted, managed and staffed properly and not a total fire hazard. If you let your child go and he or she thrived, great for you, but if your child showed or shows signs of being abnormally stressed, hopefully they will be able to express that to you and hopefully you listen to them. My son was sad and stressed after only a short few months and my heart broke. I felt like the worst parent ever for not noticing it wasn't his age but the environment I placed him in. PROS-great art projects and Ms. Lara One teacher Ms. Lara was always kind and gentle and basically had to protect some of the children and she knew it, but even she was afraid to have a voice. I felt like she was pretty intelligent and should probably be in a better place herself; but Ms. Frankie, Ms. Cathy and the other teacher(s) were not that smart and I am not even sure if they have degrees in child development, If they do, I am shocked and I didn't ask and that is my fault. Cons-Everything else Please do your research, there are much much much better/safer options for your child and you only have to pay as much as this place costs or a few hundred more for a quality education in the area.

My daughter loves attending Mathnasium! The staff is warm, welcoming, and knows how to make math…read morefun. Her confidence in math has grown and it has been such a positive part of our weekly activities routine. Highly recommend!

Nate is super friendly and focuses on helping kids understand the concepts of math rather than…read morethrough rote memorization. Whether it's to challenge your children beyond school curriculum or just give them the extra confidence in math at school, I would recommend you give them a try! We just started and the kids love it so far!

I have to highly recommend Little Thinkers Preschool! I have had all three of my children go…read morethrough little thinkers and it's been a great foundation to their success in school. Mrs. Heather and her excellent team of teachers give love, care and great early education to all kiddos there. We were so lucky to be at Little Thinkers and can't imagine my kids starting their school journey anywhere else. Also the art work they bring home is the BEST!

We love Little Thinkers! Our oldest attended from 18 months-4 years and we now have our 2 younger…read morechildren there. Heather and the crew do an excellent job providing an entertaining program of arts and crafts and learning about a variety of topics, so the kiddos are always excited when they are dropped off and sad to leave. We have also appreciated the socialization aspect of getting our little ones together with other kids, and thankful that Little Thinkers provides a great environment for this at a very early age. This school has been an incredible blessing for us and we've happily referred them to all of our friends!

My son loves his weekly session at The Coder School. He and a friend worked on a project where they…read morebuilt a Madden type football video game. The staff always welcomes parents to join in the last few minutes to see first hand what their kids have been working on...my son never wanted to leave! The staff and teachers are friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Imagine that, a business that actually values it's customers!

Our 9-years old son is thriving at the Coder School in Encinitas. Marcel, the owner, is very…read morehands-on and approachable, and makes sure that our requests and concerns are taken cared of quickly. Meanwhile his coach, Nigel, is very knowledgeable and communicates effectively with a good sense of humor. Our son is very happy and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning coding in a fun and safe environment.

My son's attendance here began when he was 2.5 years old (that's 30 months for the month-counters…read moreout there). The entire experience has been nothing short of fantastic since the first day I ever waved goodbye to my toddler, leaving him in the care and educational guidance of amazing teachers, interns, and classroom helpers/volunteers! On entering and exiting the adorable CDC of MCC you are always welcomed with warm greetings and sent home with generous well-wishes by the woman behind the front-desk, Mark or Linda! (directors of the center) This school, located on the MiraCosta college campus, is a laboratory school meaning that students of the college studying Child Development are allowed to learn from children at play via observation booths or hands-on activities within the various classrooms in the center. Parents, of course, sign a waiver consenting to allowing their child to be observed. I think this aspect of the school is wonderful! It's like educational mutualism: everybody benefits! It's also great because as a parent or relative, you can visit your child's respective classroom observation booth and watch your kiddo in their natural element without them even knowing you're there! Each classroom is comprised of children within the same age range and the ratio between child and teacher is adequate and comforting! Children engage in many different kinds of play and learning every day of the week, in fact, teachers often plan their days based on what they have seen their students finding the most interest in! While the classrooms have routines that they try to follow to create that sense of a schedule for the children, it is never 100% cookie-cutter final: the children too can help drive the direction in which the activities go! The actual classrooms themselves are spacious and feel organic! (I LOVE the use of natural light to brighten the learning space and the fact that the classrooms are not equipped with those cheap, plastic climb on toys you might find at any other preschool-like setting!) Instead the classes are furnished with wooden structures for climbing on, cozy reading areas, play-pretend nooks, various child-sized round tables for a variety of different activities, spots made with specific themes in mind: science, math, writing, nature, ect, a place for group-time/gathering, and a lovely outdoor place space! Don't forget the tiny toilets! I have enjoyed my son going here as much as I believe that he too really enjoys being enrolled at this great preschool! The tuition is quite reasonable! The center offers rates dependent on whether a parent is a MIraCosta student or simply a member of the general population. The lines of communication are always open between families and the staff of the CDC, whether you'd like to speak in person, over the phone, or through email! I love when the center has events that bring children, their families, and the center's staff together. We really make a unique community!

This place has a waiting list for a reason. My daughter has been attending full-time for nearly a…read moreyear now and I can say her experience and mine has been exceptional. The app is excellent. The teachers are always there to discuss how her day went and responsive if I have a question on the chat to them during the day. She loves all the outdoor time and has been making and maintaining close friendships since she arrived. The school let me throw a foam party for the kids for my daughter's birthday. The teachers organised it, notified the parents, managed clean up. Simply because they knew the kids would love it. They accomodate my requests for her food and keep special treats seperate as I am specific about what she eats. The teachers do things weekly not just for $$ but because the kids will adore it. It's all so very fun and wonderful, growing caterpillars, learning about dinosaurs and the world, planting things and trying science experiments. The experiences kids should have. We love, love, love El Camino and as she is going to Kinder soon we are sad to have to leave. I trust the teachers completely and have a happy daughter coming home everyday. Can't recommend highly enough.

We love El camino! We love their outdoor space especially, and my son was very prepped for kinder…read morewhen he started. They had a graduation ceremony or the pre-K kiddos and all of us (including teachers) were crying, the bond with the kids is so strong. The teachers are so great- and our kids enjoy going here very much.