Our daughter attended the summer camp at Little Garden Patch and loved it so much. Being around…read moreanimals all day, playing outside, and being in nature while learning is such a brilliant combination. She came home so happy and blissed out every day. Personally, I appreciate the super kind and peaceful energy that Linnaea and her family create for the children. They have all sorts of activities, so that each child will find something they enjoy. They can do lots of physical play, or go read a book in a quiet spot in the garden. We will have our daughter go back next school break. I highly recommend this sweet place.

My 5 year old son goes to this cute kids friendly farm every Tuesday for an after school program…read more We drive from Los Gatos for the experience. Linnaea is so calm and experienced. She talks to every child in a calm voice explaining things and teaching them about everything. The experiences are priceless! Growing tomatoes, feeding animals, making art and craft projects, having story time in a mini outdoor theater with popcorn and so much more. Kids climb on a tree to get to a tree house, swing on a rope, play on a play structure and there is a playroom for indoor play time when it rains or just to change the environment. This is a unique place where kids make friends and learn from kind Linnaea!

It was the best decision we've made for our son. The teachers are amazing and he looks forward to…read moregoing to school every day.

We absolutely love Rose Blossom- my daughter went here for 2 years, and now my son attends. The…read moreteachers are thoughtful, intentional, creative and also consider each child's needs. As a local educator I have researched a lot of local preschools when we were first looking and Rose Blossom felt right- there is a wonderful balance of structure to the day as well as play based and child led activities. My kids are so happy when we pick them up, and my son- who has some special needs- has been taken care of in a loving way. We absolutely recommend Rose Blossom!

Tara is a unique and magical educational experience in the redwood forests near Land of Medicine…read moreBuddha. Our daughters attend and are thriving in the elementary and preschool programs. The preschool program is located in the heart of Soquel. The teachers are terrific and the children and community wonderful. While in Soquel proper, they do make weekly trips up to the redwoods to play and explore. It's an excellent program filled with creative activities, traditional Montessori education, and play. The elementary program is located within the Land of Medicine Buddha, nestled amongst the redwoods, where the children hike, play in the stream, and count banana slugs while on their way to the playground. The class sizes are small which allow our daughter to receive more attention and tailored education than in a traditional public school. Montessori-style teaching meets the student at their current level of development for each subject, providing flexibility and ensuring a child is challenged and not left behind or left waiting for their classmates to catch up. The elementary school teachers are wonderful, highly experienced, and a positive influence on our daughter. Lastly, the school ethos of compassion, mindfulness, inclusion, and kindness instill important values in our children and foster a culture of like-minded parents and teachers who share these same values. PS - Refreshingly, there are no screens at Tara. The children learn through their senses and through physical objects, not by the glow of pixels and hum of electricity.

nestled among the redwoods, the school offers an education that is both intellectually rigorous and…read moredeeply humane. learning here is not just about absorbing information, but about cultivating attention, kindness, curiosity, and ethical relationship... to oneself, to others, and to the living world. the rhythm of the days feels intentional and spacious. mindfulness, compassion, and inquiry are embodied through routine, ritual, and relationship. children are supported in developing emotional literacy alongside academic skills, learning how to sit with difficulty, resolve conflict, and care for one another with sincerity and respect. the teachers are attentive, thoughtful, and deeply committed... not only to education, but to the inner lives of the students. there is a palpable sense that each child is seen as a whole person, with their own temperament, questions, and unfolding path. the connection to nature is not ornamental; the redwoods, trails, and open air are active participants in the learning process, grounding education in sensory experience and reverence for the natural world. i am grateful to have gone here and if i lived in santa cruz and i had children... they would absolutely go here.

Children's Enrichment Center (CEC) is a preschool located on the Twin Lakes Church campus. They…read moreserve children ages 2 through transitional kindergarten. CEC is a very academic preschool with a fun-loving and caring staff. Great remodeled facilities and playgrounds. Cannot say enough positive things about CEC.

This is a great school. My brother went there pre-5th. My oldest son goes there now and I plan to…read morehave our youngest boy go as well.

Academics and teachers are top notch. Administration is good, can't imagine a school would be run…read moreany better. However, your experience here is very dependent on your situation going into the school. There is a lot of affluence here as you can imagine, and you'll be exposed to that as parents, and your kid will as well. For most of the parents and kids at the school, its a world they are comfortable with. For those not in that circle, you will quickly realize that it's not your circle...and your kid will too. Towards the end of our time here, our daughter was old enough to understand these things, and that was very disappointing to us. It's a private school with all that it entails; that needs to be understood before deciding on sending your child here. While a good school, it's not for everyone.

Dear readers, as an individual who attended this school in the past, I must honestly express that I…read morefind it to be an unsatisfactory investment for your child's education. My time at SCM was quite extensive, but I eventually transferred to another institution due to the persistent issue of bullying, which remained prevalent from 1st to 6th grade without any effective intervention from the school administration. During my time in 6th grade, I endured both physical and mental bullying to such an extent that it necessitated my admission to a Mental Health Hospital for various reasons. Shockingly, the three girls responsible for this reprehensible behavior faced no consequences, resulting in me missing out on my graduation day and celebration due to their actions. This unfortunate reality extended to my friend as well, as he was also targeted and compelled to switch schools. Moreover, it is important to note that I am autistic and suffer from a chronic illness that causes severe pain when walking or running. Regrettably, the school disregarded my condition and failed to provide any support or accommodation during times of autistic meltdowns. I found their indifference towards my physical and emotional struggles disheartening and disconcerting. When I requested alternative activities during physical education classes to alleviate my chronic pain, the school administration threatened to involve my parents, rather than understanding and addressing my health concerns with compassion and empathy. In terms of education, I observed a significant emphasis on the subjects in which students demonstrated proficiency, while minimal effort was made to help students struggling in other areas. This unbalanced approach hindered overall academic growth and development. In conclusion, my personal experience at this school was largely negative, and I believe there are superior educational establishments available. However, it is essential to recognize that individual experiences may vary, and some individuals might find benefit in this environment. Regardless, I urge prospective parents and students to exercise caution and carefully consider their options before making a decision.

I can't say enough great things about Little Sprouts Preschool, Ms Michelle (think Wonder Woman…read moremeets Snow White), and her staff. We have a lot of experience with the daycares/preschools, especially those in Capitola, Aptos, Freedom areas and Little Sprouts is hands down the best in town. Ms Michelle and those she brings in are nurturing, present, creative, and earnestly care about and adjust for the individual child. We made the easy decision to keep our eldest in preschool instead of TK once we found exactly what we were missing in other schools. Thankful to have my youngest also enrolled for another year. Ms. Michelle is thoughtful when planning her classroom. From rotating stations to keep things interesting, bringing in as many lessons regarding the seasons and nature as possible; currently they have tad poles and baby chicks in the classroom, to working and communicating with the kiddos (and their parents) to keep a cohesive group dynamic.

My son attended Little Sprouts for three years and I am so sad to say goodbye! However, he is now…read moreemotionally, physically and academically prepared for kindergarten thanks to Ms. Michelle and her caring, fun learning environment. I especially love how Michelle teaches through talking about and observing nature and the changing of the seasons.

Our daughter has been in Teresa's care for over a year now, and started when she was 6 months old…read more While it was so hard leaving my baby, I couldn't have been more at ease when I saw how loved she was every day at CCC. Theresa keeps me regularly updated all day via Brightwheel (which is amazing!), and always has new ways to keep the kids engaged, having fun, and learning. Teresa goes above and beyond to make each child feel loved and special, making her home feel as if it's their own. We feel so fortunate to be a part of the CCC family and appreciate Teresa's commitment to our daughter's growth. I wish I could give 1,000 stars!

I cannot say enough great things about Teresa and her care! I was so hesitant to trust anyone with…read moremy first born. The amount of love, support and growth we have experienced with her and our son is truly heart touching. I regret not starting years ago!! If you're *that* mom, like I was/am, just know your heart and baby will be happy here !!

Both my daughters attended Building Kidz and loved it! My youngest daughter will be moving on to TK…read moresoon, and we are fully confident that she is socially, academically, and emotionally prepared, largely thanks to Building Kidz and the wonderful teachers there. I would definitely recommend this pre-school!

Building Kidz is a fantastic school! The class sizes are small and the teachers are truly all…read moreexceptional. They care deeply for the kids and get to know each one personally. Our son started when he was 4 and our daughter when she was 18 months, and both are thriving there. They love the school so much that sometimes they forget to say goodbye to us when we drop them off! We are so grateful for the care Building Kidz has provided our babies for these couple of years. It is truly a gem of a school!

If ever there was a "Greatest Teacher in the World" award it would go to LYSA! She understands…read morekids, is a great communicator and handles all types of behaviors...no problem. She is organized, clean and has a great personality. And as a bonus... she can teach your child to read! We miss her greatly!

I just met Lysa,& it didn't take long for her caring nature to shine through& she has a kind heart&…read moreinfectious laugh,If I had children i would not hesitate to entrust her with them as a teacher & mentor,I look forward to developing a deeper friendship with her,she is one of a kind,Libby Stefano

Hands down the best experience for our toddler and our entire family. Between the nurturing…read moreteachers, the innovative curriculum, and the warm, inviting environment, we couldn't ask for a better place for our child to grow.

My daughter blossomed here. We decided to send her to preschool primarily as socialization as she…read moreis an only child and could be quite shy. She made so many new friends and found real confidence. The teachers were all wonderful, caring and set clear expectations which works for her. We feel very happy with our choice and love seeing her grow.