Carmel Mountain Preschool established in 1983, is a private preschool. It offers an early literacy curriculum for preschool, as well as, an art studio, nature lab and tinkering. It is a coeducational school and enrolls more than 250 students. The schools program for 2-year-old children focuses on language development and includes daily activities, such as story times, art, and indoor and outdoor play. Components of its prekindergarten program include letter knowledge, print awareness, phonological awareness and oral language development. Its daily lessons for kindergarten-prep children incorporate mathematics, art, music, social studies and science. The school also organizes summer camp program with engaging activities and weekly field trips. Carmel Mountain Preschool serves organic food and uses all natural cleaners.
Hi there!
Rate this business!
First-classBetter than mostAbout what I expectedNot the worst...Disappointing
Click to Rate

Reviews

TH
Tyler H.

12/20/2016

Provided by YP.com

Dec 2019 UPDATE:
we now have 2 girls at CMP and everything has been amazing! This will be my oldest daughter's final year at CMP. CMP has always exceeded expectations and we love all the staff and teachers there. They are great!

===
December 2017 UPDATE:

Our daughter is in her second year at CMP and we love it! She started at 18 months and it has been such a wonderful environment for her to grow and learn. Over the summer, she transitioned to a new class. As with most toddlers, she was not excited about the new transition. However, her new teachers and other CMP staff made sure she felt loved and knew exactly how to help her with the transition!

The CMP grounds are amazing! Children have access to three different playgrounds, an art studio, organic garden and music garden. CMP does an amazing job of engaging families by offering family picnics, afternoon concerts for the whole family and holiday events, to name a few. Her class has a Shutterfly account so we can see updates throughout the day, including tons of wonderful photos! All of the staff are so kind and caring and love and embrace all of the children at CMP. We feel so comforted throughout the day knowing that our daughter is in such a warm and engaging environment. Our daughter has already learned so much at CMP and we are so happy that we will continue to be a part of this Community for the next 3 years!
====
Our daughter started at Carmel Mountain Preschool this fall when she turned 18 months (the minimum age). My wife had attended CMP in the 1980's when she was little, so she loved having our daughter share the same excellent facility that she had learned, played, and gained social skills at in the years before elementary school. Some of the original staff are still around making CMP great! 30 years later and they have now expanded their school footprint with multiple buildings, playgrounds, fields, and even solar panels! The class our daughter is in is taught by two loving, sweet and amazing women. We get e-mail updates regularly with photos and the school regularly hosts family interactive activities (concerts, picnics, school performances) so there is definitely a real effort by CMP to keep the parents involved. We will very likely have our daughter at CMP for all 4 years till she starts elementary school. Thanks Carmel Mountain Preschool for being a safe and amazing place for our daughter!

BE
Bengt-erik E.

12/17/2019

Provided by YP.com

The enjoyment and progress in development we see in our son is almost too hard do describe in words, but one thing for sure is that Carmel Mountain Preschool is a true treasure for anyone that will be lucky enough to get a spot. The amount of different and diverse learning your child can get from CMP is incomparable to any other preschool around. You cannot find any place where you have this outdoor possibilities as well as facilities for learning and play. Everyday you see new things in your child, new words, new behavior making it fun to see the progress your child do in social behavior and knowledge, all by having fun with great staff teaching and taking care of your child. Highly recommended for any parent, take a few hours to visit the place during open house to make your own opinion, which I'm sure will be all positive.

CH
Courtney H.

11/12/2016

Provided by YP.com

Carmel Mountain Preschool is such a fun and enriching environment for our daughters. I attended CMP in 1989 and 1990 so when it came time to find a preschool for our oldest, we knew we wanted her to go to CMP! Our oldest daughter is in her 4th year at CMP and our youngest daughter just started in August in the toddler classroom. We can honestly say that every teacher the girls have had has been so kind, caring and fun! With each year, it is so amazing to see how much the kids learn and grow because of the support and encouragement they receive from the CMP teachers. Each teacher brings her own unique activities, lessons and personality to the classroom. We also cherish the photos that the teachers share of the kids at school. It helps us connect with them when we are busy at work.

The CMP grounds are amazing and there is really no comparison in San Diego. The toddler playground is so inviting and the recent upgrades give toddlers the opportunity to explore and create their own play environment. Our oldest daughter has also loved being able to move up to different playgrounds every year. She loves exploring the new equipment but also enjoys the free play in the mud kitchens! The art studio, nature lab, tinker lab, organic garden, and music garden are so wonderful. Family and friends are always amazed at the outdoor activities available to the kids. Both girls look forward to the days they get to explore these special places.

CMP does an amazing job of engaging families by offering family picnics, family yoga and hip hop, afternoon concerts and holiday events, to name a few. All of the staff are so kind and caring. They love and embrace all of the children at CMP. We feel so comforted throughout the day knowing that our daughters are in such a warm and engaging environment. We are so happy that we will continue to be a part of this Community for the next 4 years!

JN
J N.

11/04/2019

Provided by YP.com

This is the 3rd year we have been at this school. My older child, who is now in Kindergarten in the Poway school system, started at age 2.5. My younger son, age 4, is attending CMP right now. Our family has loved it from the very beginning. Each staff member knows who I am, my husband, grandfather and even my parents and brother from out of town. They really do take the time out to make sure that they interact with the families and get to know your child and your family. Both my kids love going to school and look forward to all the activities they get to do: from tinkering, to the nature lab, to music. The school really not only teaches you a lot academically for children, but life skills as well. We def recommend this school to anyone! Best investment into your childs future :)

DM
David M.

12/20/2018

Provided by YP.com

We are so happy with Carmel Mountain Preschool. It’s unlike other preschools we’ve experienced. They have created an indoor/outdoor learning environment where the kids can explore, learn and play. It’s a wonderful place where you wish you could be a kid again and spend your days painting in the art studio or building toys at tinker hollow or getting your hands dirty in the Glenn and learning about nature in the science lab. Our daughter loves her teacher who has created a loving and encouraging classroom. At the end of the day when we pick her up, she tells us all about the great things she got to build, create and experience that day. We couldn’t be happier seeing our daughter thrive at CMP.

BM
Brooke M.

12/20/2018

Provided by YP.com

Carmel Mountain Preschool is truly a special place. We have seen our daughter’s confidence grow over the two years she has been at CMP. She is learning to love school as a place where she can be herself, develop her curiosity and learn empathy. Ms. Michele is an exceptional teacher who has taught her strategies for expressing her emotions and asking for what she needs. She has also helped our daughter tap into a love of art and enabled her to express her creativity as she freely explores the classroom art supplies and the quaint hands-on art studio. We would highly recommend Carmel Mountain Preschool to any parent who wants their child to be recognized for their individual gifts!

JS
Jennifer S.

12/20/2018

Provided by YP.com

Quite simply, this is a phenomenal program. The quality of the teachers, administration and educational opportunities is second to none. In our 3rd consecutive year here, our kids love coming to school and frequently don't want to leave! We can't wait to continue watching our children thrive and grow into free-thinking and independent kids!

LR
Lisa R.

12/20/2018

Provided by YP.com

My family is one of the original Carmel Mountain Preschool families 35 years ago. While the school has grown and expanded it has never lost the feel of being like extended family. My sister and I both attended and now my son is a second generation enrollee.

CMP makes sure that the transition is comfortable for the parents as well as the child.The entire staff is skilled at comforting parents while gracefully guiding them in letting go and allowing the child to become independent.

It is not just daycare. Carmel Mountain Preschool focuses on each child’s physical, social, emotional and academic development. They provide exposure to art, music, tinkering activities that develop fine motor skills and plenty of physical outdoor fun playtime.

My son has absolutely fallen in love with every one of his teachers! They truly love and take care of him as if he were one of their own. It is a relief to go to work with my mind at ease knowing that my son is being well taken care of.

KS
Kierstin S.

12/19/2018

Provided by YP.com

CMP has been, and continues to be, a high quality choice for preschool. My cousins, who are now in their 30s attended, my nephew who is in his 20s attended and our now 4 year old has been a student there since he was 18 months old and we couldn't be happier.


When we were searching for preschool options for our son we knew CMP had to be on the list, but when we toured we fell in love with the campus, curriculum and staff. The campus feels tranquil, there is an outdoor music garden, art studio and tinkering space, a garden where the kids grow and eat fruits and vegetables, the playground equipment is well maintained, and the classrooms are kept fresh. They also do several family events during the year both in the classroom and up on their field. Some of our favorites are when Hullabaloo comes or Rhythm Child - my son really loves drumming! I also appreciate that they will often have a parent night with a talk from someone they have brought in to train the staff. We attended a conscious discipline last year and it was really helpful for our parenting, but to also learn what techniques the teachers are learning.


My son started going there at 18 months and only had about 10 words. Within 2 weeks he was up to 25 words and we have continued to see big jumps in his comprehension. I remember when we toured they emphasized that this was a true preschool setting and not just daycare. I was skeptical, but I have to say it really is true. He seems to have grasped things at a much earlier age than his older brother did who was in a true daycare setting until he was 3.


All of the teachers are awesome, very loving and caring. It really feels like a big family. My son looks forward to going to school every day and even asked if his teachers could come to his birthday party.

RG
Robin G.

12/19/2018

Provided by YP.com

I couldn’t be more delighted with Carmel Mountain Preschool! As both an elementary school teacher and a mom, I have high standards. CMP has met or exceeded every one of them. Each day, when I drop my daughters off at preschool, I know I am leaving them in the care of loving, knowledgeable staff who will value and respect them as individuals. The students have incredible opportunities: the outdoor art studio, the nature lab, Tinker Hollow, extensive playgrounds, fun family events, and so much more! Both of my daughters are learning so much, but most importantly, they love their friends, their teachers, and their preschool. 💕

CM
Colleen M.

12/18/2018

Provided by YP.com

This preschool is wonderful! What sets it apart from other schools and daycares is its facility and programs. There are specific art, science, and tinkering teachers who help students gain a love and appreciation for learning about the world around them in a very hands-on environment. Additionally, each teacher my son interacts with is kind, patient, communicative, and fun. The skills he is gaining in his 3-year-old class are amazing - he can use scissors to cut, use a pen to write his own name, and he is more self-sufficient because the school emphasizes independence. I've toured other schools in the area, and this one is absolutely the best!

BD
Brigitte D.

12/16/2018

Provided by YP.com

CMP not only stands for Carmel Mountain Preschool
But also for Children’s Magnificent Progress: Emotional maturity.

As the hands-on “Omi” (grandma) of Ashley & Natalie, 4 ½ year old twins,
I witness the excitement with which they eagerly go to their classrooms in the
mornings (should I admit run?) and return home with happy faces. Honestly, I can’t imagine a more all-encompassing preschool curriculum anywhere.

At CMP, in a loving environment with dedicated and experienced teachers, the kids explore their world amidst the inviting garden, learning about
plants and many creatures. At the quaint “Art Studio”, their creativity is encouraged using colors and plant materials. At the “Tinkering Workshop”
boys and girls apply their manual skills to build a bird house or a simple airplane with hammers and goggles.

The list of attractions goes on: Leading to the large playgrounds, various outdoors xylophones are ready to be examined. On the large grass area above, the kids get familiar with the lives of hens who boast their own hen house. The kids get to hand feed them and at times can observe how chicks emerge from eggs. A wonderful fact: Lots of outdoors time is emphasized.

Besides this wonderful world around them, the teachers instill the joy of learning in their students early on. The teaching is always engaging, be it letters, numbers, science projects, songs or helping to make applesauce or pizza. What might be even more important for our kids is being taught how to be aware of their emotions, good or bad, and how to handle these emotions. I am so glad how this life skill is addressed daily in the way their teachers communicate with the class.

THANK YOU for being Ashley’s & Natalie’s family away from home.

Brigitte D.

KH
Katharine H.

09/05/2016

Provided by YP.com

We have one graduate (first grader) and 2 currently enrolled. We can't say enough about this school. The teachers are professional and educated, the academics are wonderful and will prepare your child for elementary school. The facility is very clean and updated. I can't say enough great things about this school.

DT
Doug T.

10/08/2016

Provided by YP.com

All three of my children have attended and we could not be happier with the experience. The teachers, the staff, the day to day, the extracurricular activities all have been beyond our hopes and expectations. They create a fun, happy and safe learning environment for the students and families!

Review Image
LS
Lyudmila S.

12/11/2018

Provided by YP.com

I visited several schools for my three year old before I finally found Carmel Mountain Preschool and instantly fell in love with it. My number one priority was finding a school that does a lot of outdoor education. CMP is definitely great at it with their amazing nature lab, art studio and tinkering classes. My son absolutely loves it and I’m amazed by the quality of projects teachers put together with our kids. There are non stop activities. They even bake in class, have field trip visits and celebrate all the major holidays by including parents in the celebration. I highly recommend this school to everyone who is seeking a good quality place for their child. Also, their hours are perfect for parents who work full time!Thank

JW
Joseph W.

12/05/2018

Provided by YP.com

Our son has been a student at CMP for almost a year now and he loves it! Each morning our son asks, “what are we doing today?”. As soon as we tell him he gets to go to school he gets the biggest smile on his face and he can’t wait to go. All of the teachers and staff are engaged and show a unified front. Every single staff member is genuinely happy and kind. My days are worry free knowing our son is in good hands. Our son is comfortable, learning, and having fun which puts my mind at ease. His teachers are excellent communicators and keep us apprised of our sons progress. We feel like part of a community and we could not have asked for anything better. We are grateful every day we are part of CMP!

SB
Sara B.

12/04/2018

Provided by YP.com

My daughter has been attending Carmel Mountain Preschool for 3 years now and we (and she) have been so happy there. The teachers are phenomenal - I feel like they really know my daughters individual personality and tweak things to what will suit her best. Their outdoor spaces and activities such as nature lab, art studio and tinkering add such value on top of their great play-based curriculum. I can't recommend the CMP enough!

ED
Erika D.

11/07/2018

Provided by YP.com

We are so happy to have our kids at Carmel Mountain Preschool! Our son is in his 3rd year and our daughter is in her 1st year and they both love it. The teachers and staff feel like family and all of them know your child. Our son is very active and needed a highly stimulating preschool where he wouldn't be in a classroom all day long. He loves Tinker Hollow where he gets to build with tools. He loves The Glenn where he learns about nature and gets to touch insects and take care of the garden. And then there's the art studio where he gets to do so many fun crafts. All 3 of these places are outdoors! The 3 playgrounds are amazing. The school encourages multidimensional play where the kids can get dirty and stimulate their senses. Our son is always singing songs from school and he shocked me when he was counting by tens in a song. He also surprised me with knowing all the months of the year from a song! Both songs involved hand and body motions which I know helped him stay interested. He wants nothing to do with the alphabet at home but at school he happily learns and can write his name. I could go on and on. What I love most are the amazing teachers who genuinely love our kids and see the best in them. I feel at ease knowing they are so well taken care of. We look forward to sending our 3rd child there when he's ready!

TW
Tanya W.

11/05/2018

Provided by YP.com

Our son has been a student at CMP since summer 2018 and he absolutely LOVES it! He was previously at a chain daycare center and what a difference it is between there and CMP! He was picking up bad habits such as not sharing, hitting, and throwing tantrums which was so not like him. He would come home upset and not tell us why. That was our main reason for seeking something different. Within a few short weeks at CMP our son was thriving! Learning manners, coming home happy, never crying at drop off, and he actually asks to stay longer at school even after he is there 8 hours per day! He constantly talks about his adventures at school, his friends, and his teachers. We could not recommend CMP more highly!

Review ImageReview Image
JP
Jeneva P.

09/20/2016

Provided by YP.com

This is our daughters second year at CMP and we continue to be impressed with the high-quality care and education she is receiving. She has started in the pre-K program and learns something new everyday. I love that she is learning great pre-academic skills while continuing to play and develop strong social relationships. She adores her teachers and all of the staff there and she is always happy to go to school each day. I cannot recommend CMP enough!

More Business Info

Hours
Regular Hours
Mon - Fri:
Payment method
no credit cards
Neighborhoods
Rancho Penasquitos, Northeastern San Diego
Category
Preschools & Kindergarten