Good PRe-schools in Irvine (Walnut, San Marino: home, preschool, floor)

[manchul]

Hi,
We just recently moved to Irvine (OC, CA). We have a 17 month old baby and are looking for a good pre-school.

My in-laws visited Turtle Rock Preschool (TRP) and Kiddie Academy and they liked the former. They thought it was cleaner and the teachers more friendly and kids more responsive.

Doing a cursory search I found some negative reviews about TRP. I found some good reviews about LePort and Jenny Heart (but they accept kids 2 years and older)

I am looking for some recommendations for a good pre-school.

If you can provide me some leads, it will help me out a lot.

[Charles]

I think GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community (http://www.GreatSchools.net - broken link) now has preschool ratings.

[stylishmommy]

hi,
I am also moving to Irvine and very interested in an excellent pre-school. I heard there is a new book called mommytree that talks about the top preschools in OC but I really would like an insiders view as this is important!
Thanks!

[manchul]

Charles,
Thank you. I did refer to the 'GreatSchools' web-site and found some good references.

styllishmommy,
Thanks for the book. I will check it out. Here is a list of pre-schools that we are considering (in the order of preference). Please note that some of the 'pros' and 'cons' have been obtained from reviews posted on other web-sites...
1.) Turtle rock
Pros:
- Some good reviews by parents
- An 'A+' rating on BBB
Cons:
- The backyard seemed easily accessible from the road.
Our findings:
- We visited the facility personally and found it to be good
- The kitchen seemed to be clean and the kids were happy and playing
- They are re-vamping their look and replacing all the old furniture with brand new ones. They will have a new look when kids start their school next year (1/04)
- Teacher to student ratio also seemed to be proper (1 teacher : 4 kids)
2.) LePort Montessori
1055 San Marino
Irvine, CA 92614-0220
(949) 833-8474
Pros:
- The classroom size maybe big and clean
- An 'A+' rating on BBB
- We have not visited the facility yet. But it seems the one in Irvine opened recently and so may be newer
Cons:
- It seems the teachers can be a bit unfriendly
- Rigid drop-off and pick-up times
- can be expensive
Our findings:

- We called the school to pay them a visit on 12/23 at about 4:30 PM, but the teachers were outside playing with the kids. The teacher that I spoke to wasn't aware of the school address (we were driving around not being able to locate the place)

3.) Miss Jodi's Learning Garden
Address: 14988 Sand Canyon Rd., Irvine, CA 92618
Telephone: 949-857-0222
Web Address: Miss Jodi's Learning Garden - Home Page (http://www.missjodislearninggarden.com/content/default.aspx?store=irvine - broken link)
Pros:
- 2 good reviews (4.9/5.0) on 'mybusydays.com'
Cons:
- They may not be open full days
- It seems there is a dance school on the top floor and so it can get a bit noisy

4.) Jenny Hart Early Education Cent
Preschool · 17 students
4445 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 786-7392
- 5 star rating on greatschools.org

5.) Kindercare Learning Center
5396 Walnut Avenue
Irvine, CA 92604-2508
(949) 551-6808

6.) Montessori Schools of Irvine
12100 Yale Ct
Irvine, CA 92620
(714) 508-0400
- 4 star rating on greatschools.org
- need to find out if they accept 18 month old babies

7.) Village Montessori School of Irvine
private · PK-3 · 116 students
4552 Sandburg Way
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 786-7494
- 4 star rating on greatschools.org

8.) Kiddie Academy or Irvine
(949) 660-0005
16655 Noyes Ave, Irvine, CA 92606 map
Pros:
- 3 star rating (out of 5) on greatschools.org
Our Findings:
- My in-laws visited the place and found the facility be not as clean and appealing as the Turtle Rock Preschool.

9.) Tutor Time Child Care/Learning
12860 Central Park Ave
Irvine, CA 92602
(714) 389-9999


Please share your findings and preferences. Thank You.

[Charles]

We've been happy (especially the secularness) at Montesorris in California, Colorado and Alabama. At 18 months, be aware of the ratio of "students" to "professors". Right now, for example, our two year old has a total of three "students" in her "class" - and there are two "professors" so that is a good ratio.

[manchul]

Charles, Thanks for your feedback,

styllishmommy, One correction. Here is LePort's correct address (the address listed above is for older kids)
LePort Montessori
26 Lake Road
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 551-9020

[OC Investor2]

Manchul,
My 3 yo is in Jenny Hart. My 5 yo was there for 2 years. We have had great experiences with JHEC. Good program and great teachers. I would highly, highly reccomend it.

IIRC Kindercare is a franchise operation. I've heard mixed things about the one on Harvard in Irvine, but nothing about the Walnut location. Tutor Time on Harvardx has a good rep, but we found it was dependent on which classroom you were in.

[manchul]

Hi OC Investor2,
Thanks for your input.

You are right, JHEC has some great reviews. In fact, we are are trying to decide between Turtle Rock Preschool, LePort and JHEC (Miss Jodi's Learning Garden seems to have limited timings).

Do you know anything about TRP and LePort? If yes, can you please let me know.

Thank you.

[diggums]

Mariners Preschool in 92603. Our first kid went through there and now our second is. We wouldn't put him anywhere else based upon our experiences with our first.

And we are not religious at all. Some religion indoctrination but overall a very good environment and safe, clean, and loving.

[manchul]

Hi diggums,
Thanks for your feedback.