My Room To Grow

I think this is a fantastic pre-​school. My husband and I are just so impressed with what our son has learned in the past year that he’s been there. They are ALWAYS planning fun activities for the kids. He comes home singing new songs that he has learned and counting and singing abc’s (only 2 years old!). Before we found this school he was at a nightmare of a home daycare and I couldn’t be more thankful for the teachers at this school. They truly care for the children and go above and beyond!

Our kids just love coming to school knowing they will have a variety of activities to do throughout the day! I love knowing the teachers here love our kids and treat them as if they were their own. We have a 2 and 3 year old attending this school. They have learned so much both educationally as well as socially. I cannot say enough good things about the staff here. I would HIGHLY recommend this school to everyone!

Love, Love, Love this place:) We have been attending for about a year. There is not enough room to really type out all that I love. What I can say is the staff is outstanding and professional and really has a love for children. The children just love the staff! My daughter has grown so much over the year with the help of My Room to Grow Preschool. My daughter also named one of her dolls after her teacher. It’s not just a place for kids to just hang out. They are also learning age appropriate things in a safe and loving environment.

This is been the 2^nd time around that I’ve chosen this school for my child. My oldest one is 15 y.o. now — she went to this school when she was 4 y.o. After she graduated, in the first couple of years, during her pre-​school, kindergarten, and the 1^st grade in a regular public school, she kept asking me to bring her back to My Room to Grow as she was missing her teachers. Now, 11 years later, it’s her brother’s turn to go there and to have fun with all the activities and curriculum that been offered by Ms. Marina and the staff. I like that my son comes home excited and happy, and tells me about new things he learned over there.
As a parent, I truly appreciate the great level of responsiveness and communication that I’ve experienced when dealing with the teachers and Ms. Marina. And they take such a good care of my child! Many thanks to everyone who works there!
Olga L.

It’s interesting to me that someone would find that if a child comes down with an ear infection (not something that can be passed from child to child) it is the fault of the daycare. All daycare professionals I have ever known charge for days when children are sick, the only exception is when requested time off has been made (specified vacation); a policy that is in place at the preschool. If you don’t agree with the policy that you received during the interview process of the preschool, don’t sign the contract; it’s that simple.
I have sent two children to this preschool, both have flourished since attending and I have recommended it to numerous other families; all of which have also had wonderful experiences. The fees (all spelled out in the contract, including the rate schedule for days the center is closed) are more than reasonable. The food for the children is of excellent quality and extremely healthy. I have been to the preschool at different times on many days over the past several years; I have never seen any behavior that I would question about the staff, their treatment of the children nor their respect to parents and one another. Marina, the Director, has gone out of her way to ensure that our attendance is made possible, even under the most difficult of circumstances. All of the staff display true caring for each child, I have even called a few teachers to babysit my children when I needed help; the trust I have for the staff with my children surpassed my expectations.
I’m sorry to hear children had what parent’s perceive as a bad experience, but parents also need to remember that they set the tone for their child’s day. Rushing children in and out every time a child is dropped off or picked up, due to the fact that the parent is running late, impacts how a child starts off or ends their day. Preschools with high expectations for their staff and children’s learning and growth isn’t for everyone. My hope is that the reviews who did struggle with the excellent Director and staff at My Room To Grow were able to find a place that meets their child’s needs. As for my children and every parent I personally know at the preschool, I wouldn’t remove my child!

This is the worst daycare ever. My 2.5 year old daughter now has night terrors because of that place. She came home everyday starving and dehydrated. Within 3 weeks, she came down with 2 ear infections when she never had a single one before then. She had to be home an entire week because of it, and we weren’t refunded. I always paid two weeks in advance and one time there were two days that the center would be closed and nobody told me. They still let me pay for 10 days even though it was only going to be open for 8. Didn’t receive any notification until the week of. Kind of late by then, huh? Now let’s talk legality. You know that contract you fill out, sign, and return? Well they lost mine. All of her doctor info, allergies, parental contact info, and who was allowed to pick her up. Just gone. My mother went to pick her up, and they just let her take her with NO phone call to me even though they didn’t have proof that she was allowed to take her off the premises. We have different last names so basically anyone can walk in and take your kid if you claim to be a relative. On the subject of walking in, a few times when I came in without their knowledge, I overheard and witnessed the staff yelling at the kids extremely harshly. Especially the blonde girl with blue eyes and glasses. She’s a mean one. When I confronted them about all of the issues I was having with them, they played dumb. Marina has no sense of professionalism or organization. She told me that her staff comes first, then the kids. Uh, shouldn’t the kids that the parents are PAYING you to take care of come first? Thank goodness my daughter only had to be in there for 5 weeks. I pulled her out as soon as I could and opted for a baby sitter I trusted instead. Do NOT let your children go here.
Almost forgot to add that I only provided 24 diapers on her first day and they NEVER asked for a refill and she came home in the ones provided everyday except for one. I’m no mathematician but that comes out to about ONE diaper change a day when the contract clearly states SIX. That explains the horrible diaper rash she constantly had while attending.

I would like to take some time to compliment the Director and the entire Staff. I contacted Marina (Director) at 6am and she made arrangements to meet with me the same morning knowing that i needed to find a preshool for my kids as soon as possible due to a move. The very first day the kids felt welcomed and was excited to return every day that followed. The children their are treated with care and love. I have witnessed the teachers taking care of each child and ensuring every children treats eachother with respect. Prior to my kids attending to My Roon To Grow, they would conisitently get sick at La Petite Academy but not once have they come home with a runny nose, cold or pink eye. I would highly recommend this preschool to anyone who is looking for a trustworthy, clean, safe and caring environment.

That review by Jessica makes me a little bit sad, because I know for a fact that My Room to Grow is none of the things that she described. This sounds like a person who was looking for something to be angry about. which I get. As a parent you want the best for your kids, so you are on the lookout for something to go wrong. At first, I WAS that parent, but it was the staff, and ESPECIALLY the Director, Marina, who taught me that I just needed to chill out and let my son figure it out.
My son started there when he was still in diapers (18 mos? maybe earlier) and left at 4 when it was time to go to Kindergarten. We were looking for a reasonably priced, non-​church affiliated preschool for him. Montessori was too piricey for us. This place was perfect. He could be there all day (until 6pm) if we needed, AND they fed him! All for one reasonable price. He cried the first day I dropped him off, and I will never forget standing outside the fence, watching one of the teachers take him by the hand and walk around with him, talking to him and calming him down. These teachers love these kids and treat them with respect. He used to go there every day with his favorite Mickey Mouse for nap time. One day, they couldn’t find Mickey at pick up time and I FREAKED OUT. About an hour later, one of the teachers (Kathy) called me to say that she had found Mickey and she would stay at the school as long as necessary if I wanted to come at get him (this was AFTER hours). Over the years, I found that as my son got older and changed teachers, each one was attentive, giving, SMART, and completely willing to speak with and address every parent concern. And believe me, I paid attention! Bonus: my son LEARNED a lot while he was there! He was the youngest kid in his Kindergarten class this year, but he was absolutely prepared for the environment and excelled in every way. I truly believe «My Room To Grow» helped to make that happen.
As for Marina-​the director. she is EXACTLY what you want in a preschool director. She is (excuse my language) «No Bullshit”-all the way. When I was nervous about my son going there, she assured me and made me believe we’d be fine. She doesn’t pull any puches when/​if it comes to kids who may be a «problem». She will let the parent know. She ALWAYS had a sympathetic ear if I had ANY kind of concern, but she stands up for, and believes in her teachers. Isn’t that what you want?
Let’s be clear. your child is not REQUIRED to go to preschool. As much as these people want to help your kids, it is still a BUSINESS. So if someone doesn’t get the attention they think they deserve when they decide to leave and go elsewhere, why should the preschool chase them and demand «why?».
I would choose the preschool again in a heartbeat. Great environment, excellent teachers, nutritious and good food for the kids, a great place to learn AND have fun. AFFORDABLE!!! Best place in Poway. :-)

Worst director I have ever met!!! I have never been treated so rudely before (by the director & owner Marina) and the communication is horrible! There were a number of reasons why we took my son out of the preschool. First, they turned his brand new back-​up shirt into a rag and ripped off the sleeves (and the director never apologized and in fact blamed it on me). Then they continued to mix up his sheets and blanket with other children’s sheets/​blankets (even though his name was on it). There were also numerous occasions where I witnessed children being left unattended. We were also not notified when pictures we ordered came in. I could go on and on about other problems but what shocked me the most was that when I gave our 2 week notice, the director never even bothered to ask why we were leaving (or that they are sorry to see my son leave) and in fact said «we have a child waiting for a spot so I will tell them it’s open». What kind of owner and director doesn’t want to know why they are losing a client!!! I would not recommend this place at all!!!

I love this preschool! I moved my son to this school when he was 23 months after various issues at the old school. He loved this school from the start. He is now 10 years old and still speaks highly of the school. My 8 year old went through the school and my 4 year old is in her last year there. It will be sad when she graduates this June.
The teachers here are awesome. They have all been around for several years if not as far back as to when my son was attending, which is unheard of in the preschool business!
They teach a pre-​k curriculum to the children so they are definitely ahead of the game when they start school. Even the kids as young as 18 months are reviewing their letters, colors, numbers. at their levels of course.
They bring extra programs (playball and yoga) into to the school if you are interested in them. They put on an annual holiday program, the graduating class has a zoo field trip, and graduating party at pump it up, and an actual graduation ceremony!
The love and attention put into everything that happens into this school makes it worth your money and time to check them out.