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    Creative Beginnings II - Pumpkin patch field trip!

    Creative Beginnings II

    4.5(11 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Certified professionals

    Our experience with Creative Beginnings and its director, Johna, was extremely disappointing and…read moredistressing. We enrolled our 2-year-old son for his first preschool experience after clearly explaining in advance that he is a slow-to-warm-up child and may need time to adjust. Before enrollment, we were reassured that this was normal, that children often cry at the beginning, and that the school had experience helping toddlers transition. Based on those assurances, we trusted this preschool with our child. Unfortunately, the reality was completely different. On the third day, our son had what appeared to be a very positive drop-off. He recognized the school, walked in on his own, and separated without crying. Less than an hour later, we were called and told he was "not ready for school," and we were asked to pick him up. We were then told he should probably not come back. His belongings had already been packed, which made it clear that they had already decided to remove him rather than give him a fair adjustment period. We found this deeply unreasonable. He is only 2 years old, and many toddlers need time, patience, and support to adjust to a new environment. Instead of offering a gradual transition plan, reassurance, or professional guidance, the response was abrupt dismissal and labeling. Our child was described in a way that suggested his behavior was outside normal expectations, even though he has regular pediatric visits and has never been diagnosed with any behavioral or developmental abnormality. What made this even worse was how cold and inconsistent the communication felt. Before enrollment, everything was positive and reassuring. Once he started, the tone changed completely. Rather than support, we were met with negativity, impatience, and a clear lack of willingness to work with a toddler who needed a slower transition. At pickup, our son appeared unusually distressed and fearful, much more than we had seen before. He was alone in a classroom with the director, with no other children present, crying intensely. When we asked for clarification about what had happened and whether there were cameras to review the situation, we were told there were no cameras inside the preschool. That left us with serious concerns and no transparency. In addition to all of this, we were also alarmed by the drop-off and pick-up safety around the school. We observed unsafe traffic conditions and no clear child safety signage or controlled traffic measures in the immediate area, which is unacceptable for a preschool where very young children are arriving and leaving with their families. Overall, this was a very painful experience for our family. Our son deserved patience, safety, and a chance to adjust. Instead, he was judged quickly, dismissed early, and left us with serious concerns about the professionalism, judgment, and support provided by this preschool. We would not recommend Creative Beginnings to families with young children who may need a warm, gradual transition into preschool, and we strongly encourage parents to ask detailed questions about how adjustment difficulties are actually handled before trusting this place with their child.

    My daughter and I enjoyed her time at Creative Beginnings! She always came home excited to…read moreshare/sing about all the things she learn in school, she loved her teachers (she still talks about them), and she loved having all the open space to play indoors or outdoors. My daughter had a blast on their water days, birthday celebrations, performance, trike event, and field trips. There was always something fun going on! I, as a parent, love that Faith and prayer are incorporated into their daily routines, teachers were quick to communicate with me for any questions or concerns, and I was assured from day one that my daughter was safe and happy with pictures and updates through the app. I also enjoyed their early and late start/end times of operation compared to other options in the area (even though we didn't always use them), autopay made payments easy, and their app was easy to use. Overall, we enjoyed our experience here and highly recommend it for your littles as well!

    Photos
    Creative Beginnings II - Creative Beginnings pre school

    Creative Beginnings pre school

    Creative Beginnings II - Birthday party fun!

    Birthday party fun!

    Creative Beginnings II - Easter egg hunt field trip!

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    Easter egg hunt field trip!

    Columbia Childrens Center - We have been providing high-quality early childhood education since 1992.

    Columbia Childrens Center

    5.0(8 reviews)
    4.8 mi

    I write this review from a unique perspective as I was actually a preschooler at this very…read morelocation. As a matter of fact, I was a part of their very first graduating class of 1993! It warms my heart to see that Columbia is still in operation after all these years. When I had attended, it was a brand new preschool and truly the best of its kind. The venue was a large room sectioned off into areas per age range. I recall the place always being immaculately clean and full of awesome, educational books and toys. The part I feel had impacted me the greatest was the wonderful, dynamic staff. I still remember my teachers by name, though I'm sure they have all moved on by now. Four year olds are total sponges when it comes to learning, and I feel that the Columbia staff did a commendable job at preparing me for kindergarten. My days were filled with educational activities which involved a good balance of learning, art, singing, and play. I recall entering kindergarten and being at the top of my class. I cannot comment on the preschool's structure as it is today, but can confidently admit that it was one of the best experiences of my early childhood years. When I have children of my own, I'd wholeheartedly enroll them here. Thanks for the memories, Columbia!

    We couldn't be happier as the parents of a thriving 20 month old who absolutely loves his teachers…read moreand the daily activities at this wonderful center! Structure, education, socialization and the highest level of care. Look no further and reach out today!

    Photos
    Columbia Childrens Center - Childcare & Preschool 18 months thru 5 years

    Childcare & Preschool 18 months thru 5 years

    Columbia Childrens Center - Many, many moons ago

    Many, many moons ago

    Columbia Childrens Center - Circa 1993

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    Circa 1993

    Valley Christian Academy - Vca teacher response to her own nieces outcry of abuse..

    Valley Christian Academy

    3.6(13 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    Overall a great curriculum and liked how children were challenged to reach their highest potential…read more I think this school was way better than public school and gave my grandson a good spiritual and intellectual start in life. On the other hand, my grandson had one teacher who was completely inexperienced and not a good teacher at all. she did not return to teach the next year stating that teaching was not for her.

    I will never recover from the trauma and abuse I endured at Valley Christian Academy. As an adult,…read moreI have been diagnosed with C-PTSD in relation to my experiences there. I left after Junior High without a will to continue living. I only remember bits and pieces of 5th grade. In 6th grade, we were taken to Ironwood Christian Camp for a week to be 'broken and reshapen in the image of God like Adam at an age we need it most,' where I was physically, spiritually, and emotionally abused by the adults responsible for my safety. We had to swim in a lake we were told "natoriously gives rashes to whoever showers last." Then, I was TOLD to shower last by Cindy Mudgett. The next morning, Ms Mudgett woke me up cheerfully telling me it was time to hike to Soldier Mountian. (Previous to the trip, we were told this hike is extreme, and optional.) I told her no. I told her I had a horrible rash between my legs and on my skin and that it hurt to walk. She smiled so sadistically I will never forget it, and she said "too bad, get up you have 5 minutes." while threatening to grab my blankets. I proceeded to hike for hours without any food or water. My whole class was crying because the hike was so hard, and we were only 11 or 12 years old. We were told the point was to feel 'God help you get to the top.' Cindy Mudgett still works at the school. I have plenty of memories of Joel preaching/shouting to us as children in chapel to what can be summerized as "why white male superiority is important: God says so." I felt empowered to leave a review after seeing some of the other ones left here. I am so heartbroken knowing my parents paid tens of thousands of dollars throughout the years for my education of memorizing Bible verses and having things like 'damnation' be my volcabulary words. If you love your children, do not send them to Valley Christan Academy. They will attempt to break the personaility out of them.

    Little Bits Preschool - Fun in the sun!

    Little Bits Preschool

    3.6(8 reviews)
    12.1 mi

    Worst school worst staff they abuse your children just to keep collecting your money while they…read moretorment and call your kids horrible names pull their hair make them feel unworthy when really the staff is truly the problem not the children and Miranda is the worst of all at protecting her children she does protect them this is the worst Abusive school ever mentally and physically damaging on the children they need to be continued reporting to licensing they fired they own staff for speaking on the horrible things they do to children after they are dropped off . Do not give your money here unless you want your child to be physically and emotionally beaten ....

    We moved our son into Little Bits Nipomo from another awesome preschool in Avila when he was just…read moreover a year. We were nervous about the transition but the LB teachers made it so easy, so smooth, and assured us every step of the way with photos and updates. Our son has grown so much and I know it has a lot to do with the love, attention, and care he gets at daycare, too. My favorite thing about the toddler class is the amount of projects and activities they have the kids engaged in! The weekly themes change throughout the year, there seem to be daily projects that get the kids curious and learning something new in an interesting way, and an abundance of little "celebrations" which are so fun to watch and participate in occasionally. No regrets at all transitioning to Little Bits. Thank you to the teachers and staff running that place - it really is a gift to us parents!

    Photos
    Little Bits Preschool
    Little Bits Preschool
    Little Bits Preschool

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    Upward Bound - elementaryschools - Updated May 2026

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