Saddleback Children’s Center

Recently enrolled my ²¹⁄₂ year old son in the jump start class and I am so happy. My son had attended the school next door since he was a infant and I was nervous about moving him, I have to say that Saddleback Children’s center was the best choice for my son. My son did not adjust well to his last school once he was moved up, so I was so nervous about changing schools. Since day one of being at SCC my son walked in and did not cry. His teacher as well as his aide are very loving and great with communication on how he is doing. The school staff is also very friendly. I love how my son goes to chapel and is now used to praying before meals. I also love how the school is so developmental. His art is all his own and he is able to explore and do so much sensory play. It is a great NAEYC school. The director is also so amazing. She wears many hats. She is both a Pre-​K teacher as well as the director. She is always thinking of new ways to improve and help the school. The school recently watched eggs turn into chicks and the school now has two chickens that are so cute. My son loves walking through the doors and saying hi to them. My husband also loves the family fell when you walk through the doors. My son never wants to leave school. He actually gets mad at me when i am picking him up. I can go on and on about this great school. I am sure if more parents knew about what a great school SCC was it would be full with a waiting list.

My daughter just completed her first year at SCC, and she loved every minute of it. She is actually begging to go back to school even though it is her summer vacation! She had a wonderfully engaging teacher, Miss Carla, and caring aides, Miss Valerie and Miss Diane, to guide her learning throughout the day. There was excellent communication from her teacher through weekly emails of lesson plans and monthly newsletters. There were multiple opportunities to volunteer in the classroom and attend field trips. In my visits to the classroom, I enjoyed watching all of the hands-​on learning that was taking place. Every child was active and enjoyed exploring areas of his/​her interest. I asked my daughter, and some of her favorite things to do at school this past year were to play in the mud kitchen on the playground (yes, she got a little dirty and loved it), play in the home living area in her classroom, and explore items on the science table in her classroom.
It should be mentioned that Miss Carla is also the director of the preschool and just completed her first year as a teaching director. She is well qualified and has a clear vision for the preschool. She has made many positive improvements to the school in just a year’s time. Previous negative reviews mention issues with a director who is no longer working at SCC. All is well at SCC. We had a great year and enjoyed interacting with other families and staff members on a daily basis. We couldn’t be happier with our choice in SCC, so much so that my son will be attending next year!

SCC was once a wonderful preschool. I have had two children attend this school for 2 – 3 years each, and would have recommended to anyone and everyone. Unfortunately, the things that attracted me to this once wonderful place changed last summer when the former director left and a new one was brought in. The once «family» feel of the school shifted quickly, as one by one all the seasoned long-​time teaching staff was let go, and new preschool rules and program changes rolled out fast & furious. The pastor of the affiliated church and the «preschool board» sent ambiguous & fabricated letters to the parents after there was parental dissent after a long-​time teacher was let go, even blaming it on the other teachers at the school! This past year the school was turned upside down. The director does not communicate, nor does she listen to the parents, who spend a lot of time and money volunteering and providing snacks and things for the classes. The teachers who we loved and are no longer at this school helped raise my children (who spent all day there while I worked). These people were family. I am very saddened to see what’s going on, and sadly there are a ton of other parents who feel the same way. There are still some wonderful teachers at the school who we love… but the overall structure and feel has definitely changed.

I am continually impressed by the dedication, love and care the children at SCC are given. The staff is amazing and makes my child enjoy learning each day. The focus of the school this year has become more Christ-​centered, focusing on learning about and sharing God’s love. The kids focus on bible stories and prayer and the pastor at the church is actively engaged in the life of the preschool and chapel. We are so pleased with our child’s education here, and recommend it frequently to friends.

We love SCC! This is our first year at the school and my girls love it! My expectations for a Lutheran school are extremely high, having a Lutheran pastor as a father and being raised in a similar environment. Both my girls are thriving and are extremely happy! Our new director is making some wonderful new changes that will very much benefit the children. Her dedication and passion for the kids is a great fit for this school.

This once great preschool with amazing teachers has been destroyed starting in September 2014 with the arrival of a new preschool director. Classrooms, daycare walls were ordered stripped bare by the director, teachers with over 20+ experience have been getting fired to bring in younger, inexperienced therefor cheaper salaried employees. Many families are pulling children out mid-​school year and they will not be recommending this school to friends and family in the future. It took 31 years for this fine church and school to build it’s reputation and one unprofessional rogue employee to destroy it in only 4 months. The teachers were so loved by the community and it is so sad to see them fired for fabricated reasons.

I highly recommend this wonderful preschool! As a former teacher I fell in love the moment I started my tour. The staff is qualified and so loving. I feel 100% confident that my child is being cared for in the best way possible and that’s the best feeling ever as a parent. The school is accredited by NAEYC, the staff has a very low turn over rate and my child comes home happy everyday. Best preschool in South Orange County, hands down.

If you are looking for a clean preschool with a warm loving environment, with Christian
values, as well as academics, You found it.
My son has attended SCC for two years. He loves it. He launches himself out of the
car the minute we arrive.
We started in the Blue Room with Miss Karen and Miss Diane. It was a perfect fit.
He attended 2 days a week and could not wait for Tuesday and Thursday.
This year he attends 5 days a week and is in the Green Room with Miss Carla. She has enriched his life beyond measure. He is curious about everything. Science, nature, math, art, you name it. He has blossomed, and become more independent. He is more than ready for kindergarten. (He has expressed a desire to remain with Miss Carla). Unfortunately, they do not have K-​8, or we would stay without question.
I am so impressed with the curriculum they follow. The information is presented in a fun and informative way they understand. The children are taught to care for others and themselves.
The nucleus of the school is centered around the children and their interaction with the teachers and staff. The director seems to know all the children by name, and they in turn know her name. The childern wave hello to her as they pass on the way to their classrooms.
All classrooms are centered around a courtyard and have colored doors. The children love it. The courtyard creates a warm and safe feeling and gives the moms a chance to get to know one another.
I could go on forever. My son and I will miss SCC when we leave this year. We will come back for a visit.
I encourage you to come and take a tour of the school. You will be greeted with a smile. You will see a clean well maintained campus. Most importantly, you will see happy children.

The teachers at this school are great! I have two kids that attend preschool and stay for daycare. The teachers are very loving, but also hold a high standard for behavior. My kids spend a lot of time doing art and fun activities which has fostered their creativity. They’re also learning while having so much fun; I feel my son is ready for kindergarten next year. The most important thing — my kids love to go to school each morning!

We have been so pleased with our experience at Saddleback Children’s Center. My son has attended for two years and has grown so much both socially and academically. His class is always doing something fun, the teachers really know how to harness a child’s curiosity and use it to drive the lesson planning. Just last week they did a week long series on learning through Legos, which of course was a hit. They read Lego books, incorporated Legos into their math skills practice, science and even art. I appreciated that the staff was mature and experienced in working with children, and I never had to question the safety or quality of care my child was receiving. The turn over was minimal which made for a safe, nurturing and consistent environment. We will be attending private school in the Fall and I know my child is academically on a great path! Saddleback is great!!! I will forever be grateful for having such a great preschool option in our community.

My daughter attended SCC and we have nothing but great feedback regarding the school! She loved her teachers and going to her class. Her happiness was a huge indicator to us that this was the right place for her. The staff does an excellent job of communicating what the children will be learning so parents can support and continue helping them learn and develop at home. It’s a very nurturing, loving environment that provides excellent developmental opportunities for your child with a solid Christian foundation. My daughter loved seeing and learning from Pastor Marty when the children had chapel. The school offers wonderful language and sports enrichment programs and they are very open to parent involvement within the class. I highly recommend this preschool experience!

Saddleback Children’s Center is a top-​notch preschool and daycare, offering amazing programs for young kids to thrive in. We have had both of our children attend SCC and we couldn’t be more pleased with our experience. The teachers and staff are all remarkable. For me, the most important thing in a preschool was to foster the love of learning in my children in a caring and Christian environment that promoted great socialization skills. SCC surpassed my expectations both with this and with preparing my children academically for kindergarten.
I was so incredibly pleased when my son started kindergarten and was so much more advanced and prepared then most of the children in his class. My daughter is in her last year now and asks if she could please stay at SCC forever. She absolutely loves her teacher, Ms. Jodi, and squeals with delight every day that she knows it’s a school day. To me, that says it all.

I highly recommend this school. My daughter attended for two school years and two summers and we were delighted with her experience. She has grown both academically and emotionally, and she is definitely ready for kindergarten. During her first year, age 3 – 4, she was showered with love and exposed to the routine of being in school. She came home singing songs and telling me «Didja know, mom?» During our year in pre-​K, we were highly satisfied with the exposure to science and nature, exploration of various other cultures, completion of highly creative art projects, etc. All this, plus she received love and fun expressed on a daily basis. If you are looking for a preschool you should check this one out.