
Where children blossom through play, exploration, and a holistic approach to early learning.
Carmel Mountain Preschool offers a nurturing, play-based educational environment for young children in San Diego. With a focus on holistic development, our dedicated staff provides a flexible, no-pressure curriculum that allows each child to thrive at their own pace. Our expansive campus features an organic garden, art studio, tinkering space, enchanted forest, and on-site animals, fostering a love for learning through outdoor exploration and hands-on activities. We prioritize safety, emotional growth, and community, creating a family-like atmosphere where children build confidence and social skills.
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Play-based, holistic early education for toddlers and preschoolers with flexible scheduling and individualized learning plans.
Outdoor-focused summer activities including gardening, arts, and animal interactions to keep children engaged and learning.
Interactive sessions for parents and young children to familiarize them with the school environment and build social skills.
Healthy, organic snacks provided daily to support children's nutrition and well-being.
Access to gardens, animals, and natural play areas that encourage physical activity and environmental connection.
Programs focused on helping children identify and express feelings, fostering emotional intelligence and resilience.
*No pressure, no frills, no rigid curriculum, no one-size-fits-all approach: Being parents at Carmel Mountain Preschool (CMP) has been a wonderful experience for the past four years. The holistic educational model, amenities, and most importantly, dedicated staff are second to none. The flexibility CMP offers to parents is paramount, and allows children of all backgrounds to seamlessly transition into a schooling environment and develop at their own pace in a safe space. Seeing our children blossom, grow and thrive as a result of the CMP family has been one of our greatest joys. It truly takes a village.
Carmel Mountain Preschool is genuinely the best decision we have made for our kids first school experience. Every staff member is caring and attentive, the teachers are amazing at bringing out the best in each child. The atmosphere feels like a school family. The facilities are beyond well rounded ranging from an organic garden, art studio, kitchen, tinkering, to an 'enchanted forest' and animals on site. Beyond the physical space and amazing staff, we are personally grateful for seeing our kids thrive and come out of their shells while cultivating a love for learning. Thank you CMP!
What can I say about CMP other than that it’s our home away from home! My daughter started there at 18 months old and absolutely thrived. Even through the inevitable hard drop-offs as we got used to the new environment, she always came home happy and excited to show us dances or tell us about her friends. Each day became easier, and now, in her second year of school, she loves every day. The teachers are so kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. At every pickup they share something fun the class did and point out moments that made them—and her—proud. As a family, we love getting involved and attending the school events. Every day at drop-off and pickup we walk the campus to say hi to the animals (chickens, bunnies, turtles, snakes, lizards, etc.) and stop at our favorite spot—the garden! Ms. Maile is amazing with the kids and has created a truly beautiful and delicious garden. She has even given us a few veggies to plant at home because my daughter loves it so much. Beyond the beauty of the campus, we love CMP’s learning style. My very cautious, clean, careful daughter has finally learned to get a little messy and to trust herself to be brave and try risky things. She learns from the other kids and from the “don’t intervene unless injury is imminent” philosophy that she can climb and run and doesn’t need to worry—she can trust her body. She’s also become so in tune with her feelings, regularly telling us, “I’m sad because…” or “I’m angry because…”—a huge development we credit to CMP’s approach. All in all, we love every aspect of CMP. There are endless activities and areas to play, learn, and explore, and so many wonderful people providing her with love, support, and guidance throughout the day. We can’t wait to send our littlest there soon!
CMP is such an awesome preschool. It has everything I was looking for in a school. It’s outdoor and play focused, they serve organic snacks, and all of the facilities and staff are wonderful. We started with the Parent and Me class with Ms Sylvia. It was so fun, my son loved it, and it was a great way to familiarize him with the school. At 18 months, he started twice a week in the toddler class with Ms Carolina and Ms Ruby. They are so amazing with all the kids. My son absolutely loves them. Ms Ariz is another toddler teacher my son loves. All in all, I can’t recommend this school and the teachers enough. 5 stars all around
We love CMP! I love that they spend so much time outside and have so many outdoor activities to rotate through. My daughter is very shy and I was so worried sending her to school for the first time at almost 3 years old and I could not be happier with the experience she’s having at this sweet preschool. My daughter is really coming out of her shell at school and outside of school and I really think we have CMP to thank for some of that progress. Her teachers Ms. Cassandra and Ms. Yui are both so patient and kind and I really hope my younger son gets them as teachers in a few years!
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