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Preschool in Goleta
updated: Jun 19, 2011, 1:43 PM

Our daughter is 19mths, and our absolutely fantastic daycare lady only takes children until they turn 2years old. So soon we need to find a great preschool to get her into this Fall.

Would like it to be close to where we live and work in Goleta, but that's not our highest priority. We are...uh..."late-in-life parents (yes, old , and never thought we would need this info, and then...surprise!!! :)

Our younger parental friends told us to start looking for this before she was born, but we didn't listen, now beginning to panic...Would love to hear what experienced Edhat parents recommend. Our priorities are:

1. Well supervised, low child/instructor ratio with excellent safety record

2. Full weekday care (wife and I both work 9-5, or at least 10-4:30)

3. Early childhood development training (playtime, art, socializing, speech, manners, diet, potty training...etc.)

4. Goleta location

Places People Are Talking About:

Cathedral Oaks Nursery School	Discoveries	Evergreen Learning Center
Goleta Valley Nursery School	Good Shepherd	Hope 4 Kids
Montessori Center	Rainbow School	San Marcos Parent/Child Workshop
Trinity Pre-school

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 184514	2011-06-19 02:07 PM
Montessori Center is a wonderful place, however, I believe they don't offer care after 2pm until the child is 3 y/o. They keep discussing adding it, so maybe give them a call and find out for sure.
COMMENT 184517P	2011-06-19 02:32 PM
We went to Cathedral Oaks Nursery School and loved it ... but that was over 15 years ago.
COMMENT 184520	2011-06-19 03:02 PM
Evergreen Learning Center in Goleta is fabulous! My kids hated to leave. They still ask if they can go back and they are in 4th and 5th grade.
CALI4NIADEE	2011-06-19 03:02 PM
My niece goes to Evergreen Learning Center on Brandon in Goleta. They have the qualities that you are looking for and the kids just love it there. When my daughter was in preschool I knew if she loved going and sometimes didn't want to come home so she could stay, it was a great place for her to be. Good luck in your search!
COMMENT 184532	2011-06-19 04:16 PM
Go visit 5 or 6 places. Then pick the one YOU feel the most comfortable in. Your child won't mind where s/he is placed!
COMMENT 184539	2011-06-19 05:03 PM
Starr King. Hands down, no comparison.
COMMENT 184558P	2011-06-19 06:54 PM
Thanks 539 that's great, but starr king only watch's kids until 12 o'clock and I need someone to watch my child all day long. Also, Star King wont take her untill she turns 2yrs-9mths, and thats 9mths without any childcare. Does look like a great program!
COMMENT 184561	2011-06-19 07:16 PM
Orfalea Children's center on UCSB's west campus is by far the best school. Take a tour and you'll see why.
COMMENT 184562P	2011-06-19 07:21 PM
My daughter went to Cathedral Oaks Nursery School, and it was great. But, last I knew they only take kids after they are potty trained or about 2.5 yrs at the earliest.
COMMENT 184567	2011-06-19 07:44 PM
We've had kids at Cathedral Oaks and Good Shepard. Both are outstanding in their own ways. Worth visiting both but I think they only take kids after they've been potty trained.
COMMENT 184577	2011-06-19 09:16 PM
Thats a lot of time in childcare for a young child, any chance either one of you parenting for part of the day? Your list of what you are looking for in a caregiver is really what parents should do...maybe you could reprioritize a little so that you dont need care for the majority of the day, and the majority of your young childs life.....
COMMENT 184578	2011-06-19 09:19 PM
Thats a lot of time in childcare for a young child, any chance of either one of you parenting for part of the day? Your list of what you are looking for in a caregiver is really what parents should do...maybe you could reprioritize a little so that you dont need care for the majority of the day, and the majority of your young childs life.....
COMMENT 184579P	2011-06-19 09:22 PM
I used a nanny who a child the same age as mine. She took my child to Rainbow School 2 days a week. I only worked part time but this option would work for full time without the child being in preschool all day. Of course when my child went to Montessori Center School at 3.5, he wanted to be the LAST child picked up from after school care.
COMMENT 184585P	2011-06-19 10:53 PM
Joyful: yes, perhaps, but not terribly worried about that. That would be a discussion for a different forum I guess. There are members in our own family who have said as much. ;) Thanks for the recommendations all, we will look into them!
COMMENT 184590	2011-06-20 12:01 AM
Discoveries Learning Center! Our children had a fabulous, nurturing experience there over many years and still go back to visit regularly.
COMMENT 184599	2011-06-20 06:26 AM
I was a preschool teacher for years. The happiest children are the ones who go home in the afternoon. It's just too much large group and not enough quiet loving care and guidance. But that's just my opinion, and I understand some families feel they cannot work around it.
COMMENT 184601	2011-06-20 06:35 AM
Circle of Friends Children's Center is a wonderful preschool!
MUSIC MAN	2011-06-20 07:02 AM
San Marcos Parent/Child Workshop is GREAT!! [At least it was 30 years ago.] Ya gotta put in some time, but it is WELL worth it. And you make some life-long friends with other parents in the bargain.
CEES	2011-06-20 07:33 AM
Discoveries Preschool on Hollister was excellent for our daughter. She had been in a couple different situations for childcare, and when she started at Discoveries at 2 years old, we felt relief and joy at finding a place she (and we) were completely happy. She "graduated" more than 5 years ago, but I hear the school is still a good place. Check out a few places and see if you can meet any of the other parents to be sure you fit with the other attendees. Good luck!
COMMENT 184632	2011-06-20 08:12 AM
First Presby Church Preschool @ State and Constance. A little out of the way for you, but, loving, nurturing, and caring teachers. Infants thru Pre K. Check them out!!
COMMENT 184639	2011-06-20 08:23 AM
Good Shepherd on Fairview Ave. Both of my kids have gone there and there were terrific! Very caring and controlled environment.
COMMENT 184664	2011-06-20 08:48 AM
Hope 4 Kids on La Cumbre. Visit the facility...it's great and the people have a great philosophy.
COMMENT 184666	2011-06-20 08:53 AM
Evergreen is the best by far. Loretta, who is the director, is a genuine and warm person who loves giving the gift of education and fun to the kids. My son, who is now at DP, took big leaps by being at that preschool. He was 18 months when he started there and learned to potty train, did amazing projects for his age, and the center taught him some great skills that helped him get to kindergarten. He continued to go to Evergreen after Kindergarten was out each day at noon since he had developed some great relationships with the teachers and faculty. Shannon who was his teacher is still there and loves her job. I would recommend that you ask for a tour of at least three facilities. We were older parents as well when we started. It was great to be able to talk and interact with the school before we signed my son up.
COMMENT 184672	2011-06-20 09:17 AM
By all means look around. Very important to have a wide variety of options. There is no cookie cutter solution to find what is best for you and your child. Take the time, it's worth it! My three kids went to Evergreen and each had wonderful experiences there and for different reasons. The staff is great and the inclusive environment is fantastic. Good luck!
COMMENT 184688	2011-06-20 09:49 AM
Trinity Pre-school on Cieneguitas, (154 and Foothill) is the most remarkable program and I'm so happy I've found them! They are christian caring, very diverse in their on-hands arts and crafts and music. My little 3 y/o boy loves to go and the curriculum is amazing. The staff is exceptional and they are full-time even through summer :)
COMMENT 184714	2011-06-20 10:43 AM
Beyond the excellent part-time programs of Starr King and San Marcos Parent-Child Workshop preschools sponsored by SB City College, I would highly recommend, Goleta Valley Nursery School (care until 1pm only) and consider a caregiver for the afternoon. Little Angels preschool, near La Cumbre, also has a good reputation, but not sure about their hours.
COMMENT 184749	2011-06-20 12:30 PM
Another recco for Discoveries. One boy just graduated, we'll send the other within the next year, we're thinking. Fits all the criteria you mention. Of course, it'd behoove you to check out all the other recommendations, but from a parent who's relationship with the school is current, I'd happily spotlight Discoveries.
COMMENT 184898	2011-06-20 08:48 PM
I love Loretta at Evergreen - I live in SB and had a great experience. I said be4 that my kids did not want to leave. seriously look into it - love her and the teachers
COMMENT 185065P	2011-06-21 12:28 PM
I strongly recommend Montessori Center on Fairview. As a previous poster has mentioned, they don't offer full day care for the littlest ones (must be 3 for care until 5:30) -- however, you might be able to find a fellow parent at the school who could be an afternoon nanny-type for a few hours. I've seen postings at the school when people need something like that. For example, my daughter attends MCS, and I'm looking to quit my part-time job. Maybe we could work something out? : )
COMMENT 199887	2011-08-03 08:13 PM
Precious Moments Day care is wonderful! They only have about 10 children and they provide a safe and loving environment! Silvia is amazing with the kids! My daughter asks for her when she isn't there!