Children’s Lighthouse Learning Center

In our search for a preschool there were many choices in the area we were looking. So my wife and I decided to give Lighthouse a look, and we took a tour. We could not be happier. I have waited months to write this review, because of the other reviews i have read. They could not be further from the truth. Its weird… it kind of sounds a lot like some former employees just trying to hurt this business. Our son has shown a great degree of growth ever since we enrolled him into this school. All the staff are great, friendly, and very professional. We want to personally say that our choice to enroll or child into this school was one of the best decisions we have ever made.

My husband and I loved this daycare when we first enrolled our young child part time (enrolled at 18 months) then full time in early 2015. However, after several months it seemed to us the staff became less attentive and more disorganized. Based on all the different and new staff members, and loss of staff we had come to know, the daycare center seemed to have a very high turnover rate. Class sizes seemed to grow and grow with classes now maxing out mandated maximum ratios and the classrooms appeared more chaotic. Whenever we would watch the in-​classroom cameras, the classes seemed very disorganized, with more self play and running around by the kids than group sitting and learning time. In addition, as the class sizes grew, the owner would bring all the children together by 4pm or so in one large play area as the different teachers went home. To us, this created a seemingly unsafe situation when you have young toddlers with sometimes rambunctious 4 year olds and only limited staff watching all of them. The owner would also take our child out of the room he was assigned to and which we paid for and place him in the infant room or up front at the desk to meet ratio. We decided to un-​enroll our child after he was seriously injured in the outdoor play area when a staff member was not watching him properly. Noone could tell us for sure, how he got injured. We were very vocal about all of our concerns and tried to give the center many 2^nd chances, but despite assurances there would be changes, nothing really changed to us. As with any facility, I suggest all parents considering a center for their children contact California Community Care Licensing which can provide inspection reports or ask the staff about their violations (which they have to disclose when asked) and make up their own mind and comfort level. For us, Children’s Lighthouse was no longer the right place.

I don’t normally write reviews but since infant and children are involved I feel I need too. My grandson started at this learning center at the beginning of 2015 by November of 2015 we took him out. When my daughter and I went on a tour of the facility we were extremely impressed, it was very clean, the Director and the staff were amazing and very welcoming. The best part was it wasn’t a «daycare» but a «learning center», and they were linked to PB&J monitoring systems, so we could check on my him several times a day if we wanted. My grandson was only 2 when he started and after several months he had learned so much. He was always doing some type of art project, activity or something. The classrooms were smaller then normal and we were told they did this to help teach the children and be able to give them more individual time. This was the motto of «Children’s Lighthouse». The center accommodated our request to move my grandsons napping mat from under the cubbies that were attached to the wall, just in case of an earthquake or something. I don’t feel any child should be sleeping under them. They agreed and moved him. After 4 months we began noticing changes, such as, the classrooms getting fuller. My grandson wasn’t doing as much art projects; circle time was more chaotic, etc. I had asked what was going on and I was told that the new Co-​Director was changing things and bringing more children in to increase the revenue. Honestly, this is when it went downhill, there were now strangers watching my grandson. We didn’t know if they were teachers, aids or subs, they hadn’t announced them or introduced them to the families. When I would pick him up some of the new staff members were extremely rude and didn’t want to help the parents to locate items, my grandson had misplaced his cup and they stood around not helping me to find it, I looked all over the classroom while they just stood there gossiping. The facility began shuffling the teachers around to different classrooms, which gave the kids no consistency. They moved my grandson up to the 3 – 4 year old room before he was ready, he was only 2y7m and not potty trained, I say that because we told that this room was for kids that were either being potty trained or already potty trained. One afternoon when we picked him up, his classroom was loaded with kids, and not with kids from his classroom, I’m talking with the older kids as well, (older kids meaning the kids that go there for the after school program), my grandson and another little girl, someone we knew, were crying in the corner because they were scared. My daughter immediately called the little girls mom and told her. We stayed with the little girl until her mother got there. When I asked why in the world was this room filled with older kids running around, I was told they do this now. They combine classrooms at 4pm when teachers start going home. This was not ok. Now, on to medical, my grandson has asthma so there are times when he would need to use a nebulizer 3 times a day (twice at the learning center). On several occasions we were told he received his treatment by the new Co-​Director and when we would get home the amount of vials of medicine was the same amount that we sent to the school that day, yep no breathing treatments were given, we called them out on this several times and nothing. The Co-​Director one day even told my daughter that she just gave him his treatment, when my daughter went to the classroom he was still napping, she lied. After we left the facility I asked for copies of the medical forms, because I was told someone had forged our signatures and the original Director’s signature and sure enough someone had. I can go on and on about different incidents, but bottom line is this, if you choose to send your child here, just be aware of the incidents that have occurred in the past. Also, please keep in mind the 5 star reviews where all written when the learning center first opened. There has not been a positive review since ³⁄₂₀₁₅.

*I am NOT a disgruntled employee. I had my children at the center for 5 months and am in no way related to anyone who ever worked there*
It’s bad when you do not know what to start with in a review… Maybe with some questions to those looking to send your kids here: Do you value your child’s safety, or do you just need a place to send them while you work? Do you value honesty from your caregivers, or do you accept everyone lies so you are comfortable with it? Do you want your child to eat right, or just glad you didn’t have to cook/​prepare their meals? Well, if it is the later on all the above, feel free to send your child to Children’s Lighthouse. However, if it is the former, STAY FAR AWAY!
I cannot count on my hands and feet the number of times I was lied to while my children attended this facility. From their schedule, to diet, or medication, and paperwork, it seemed like I was always getting a different story. Without going into too many specifics, I would rather my mother-​in-​law watch them (and we all know how much mother’s trust their mother-​in-​law).
For the amount of money this place charges, I would expect at least a safe environment for the children, but they could not even guarantee us that. While they may win you over with their passcode entry, and thumb print system to sign kids in and out, it does not matter how much security you have when there is NO ONE AT THE FRONT DESK. I watched people walk in the door behind families countless times, not to mention one time I watched a kids leave with the wrong family.
The only reason I am not giving a 1 star rating is because I have to give it to the teachers. They are tentative and loving, and my children miss them all. But when you fill a classroom completely to ratio (4:1 6 weeks — 18 months, and 6:1 until 3 years) how are they supposed to do anything but survive!?!
In a nutshell… Why send your kids to a zoo run by liars when you have so many other options in the area?
Did I say it already? Well then I’ll say it again… STAY FAR AWAY!

Lighthouse has been a huge life saver! I was able to set child care up in one day. Truly a blessing it has been since starting a new job. Forever grateful they pick my son up from school and bring him to the facility. Even though my sons school is a bit further than their normal route. My daughter seems to really like it as well. Great staff!!!

I was really excited when my son started at this school since it was fairly close to our home and the facility was beautiful. Unfortunately I am not as happy now that I have moved my child back over to Kinder Care. My son was constantly getting into trouble at this school for aggressive behavior (which he never had before) and I was called on a daily basis. Between my husband and I, we had to come pick him up several times and take him home which was not easy since I am working in Hemet and my husband only has a motorcycle which does not work with picking up a child. For the amount of times we had to pick him up, I was quite angry that I was even paying the school for their services since they were not being used half of the time. My son would come home and say that the kids and teacher were mean and he would cry every time we drove to/​by the school.
The school has cameras in which parents can log in to check on their child and the one day I logged in, I saw one of his teachers holding her legs on him trying to force him to nap.
Now that he is at Kinder Care, they have informed me that he shows no signs of aggression and I have not gotten a single call in regards to his behavior. They say that he plays well with other children and the teachers have no problems with him.
I hate not giving good reviews, but I was not very happy with the school. Of course, each to their own but for our family, the school was not a good fit.

My 3 year old son has been attending this school since they opened in September 2014 and we love it!
Before deciding to enroll my son in this school I toured several childcare centers in Murrieta and by far Children’s Lighthouse was the best for several reasons. First, I like how the center is ran like a school where my 3 year old is being challenged; ensuring that he will be prepared for pre-​k and Kindergarten. It’s awesome when my 3 year old comes home daily sharing the new things that he’s learned. It’s definitely a bonus that the school is a completely new facility; it’s always very clean and offers fun extras such as a splash pad for the kids to enjoy water play on warm days.
Also, my son is an extremely picky eater and the teachers are very helpful and accommodating in helping to encourage him to try new foods. Like many toddlers, my son tends to be a bit moody in the mornings, and the teachers are very sweet in making sure he feels comforted (which is very important to me).
The facility is in a great location. I don’t have to worry about traffic, busy parking lots, or people wandering near the school; it feels very safe. They are a peanut free school for those children with allergies. They have a diverse group of kids who attend, which is awesome! I could go on and on about the pros of this school. I can honestly say that I have no cons! My son’s enthusiasm to wake up and go to school ensures me that he loves this school as much as I do!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK CHILDREN’S LIGHTHOUSE!

I toured this center in November and have been impressed every day since.
My husband had been a stay at home dad for my son’s first 2 years and I November he started a new job that made it impossible for him to tour the daycare during the week. He wanted to tour it and when I explained that the separation from his son was going to be difficult on both my son and husband, the center’s wonderful director, Miss Jennifer, called the owner, Miss Millie, who agreed to give us a private tour on the weekend. When I told my husband he was ecstatic that he could see first hand where I was touring.
My son is as strong willed and stubborn as… me :-) He had a difficult time adjusting originally but the teachers all tried their best to calm him and offer suggestions to me so that drop off went smoothly. It took a month, but now my son is gleeful when we drive up, runs to hug his teacher when we walk on, and then turns to me and waves goodbye. The most comforting feeling in the world is knowing that at the end of the day he says «mama, fun at school» and tells me about the park and painting and snacks. And when I ask if he wants to come again tomorrow he lights up and shouts «Yes»!
I know he is safe and I appreciated that they have gone the extra mile, even to the point of calling me to share in small successes like my son napping for the first time there after he had refused the first few weeks. And his lack of sleep was increasing his monster-​esk attitude. Plus, the cameras allow my husband to see our son when he works long hours and doesn’t get to see him for days at a time.
I could not imagine anywhere else being as kind, thoughtful, and caring. They are truly amazing teachers who are helping to mold our little ones into the leaders of tomorrow through a well developed balance of curriculum and play. From my whole family… Thank you Children’s Lighthouse.

The staff is great, they’re always on top of it. The teachers are warm. We feel very comfortable taking our son there. Though at the beginning he had a tough time going to «school» every day («I miss mommy and daddy — yes we’re that cool (JK!)), now he can’t get enough of it.
I like how the staff is always coming up with cool days («Polar Express» day), makes me want to come in my pajamas, too. (Kidding, again.)
This place rocks. Send your kids there and you won’t regret it.
And as Sam mentioned, the building/​facilities are contemporary, nice and new. Big bonus there.

Sorry for the the length of this review, but sending your child to daycare for the first time can be a very difficult transition that every parent must go through.
My 2 and ½ year old son has been attending Childrens Lighthouse for 3 months now. We enrolled him close to their grand opening and were immediately impressed by the facilities. Compared to the other daycare centers, Childrens Lighthouse feels contemporary, clean, and well designed to accommodate a large number of children without being cramped. It was by far the best facility we had toured. You can tell that lots of thought was given to the design of the indoor spaces and large indoor open play areas, which were airy and well light with natural sunlight and decorated to gave a warm, friendly, welcoming and playful atmosphere. Separate large rooms for each age group ensures less distraction and more focus on learning and interacting with kids of my sons age.
The outside facilities equal the inside in terms of design and expanse. Sand play yards, water splash features for hot day (my son LOVES this!), grassy lawns and the largest tot lots with shade structures (multiple) of all of the 5 different daycare centers that we toured. Kids can ride their tricycles around a huge yard and never seem to get bored. Saftey for the location is top notch. Biometric checkin (fingerprint confirmation) for pickup/​dropoff, individual key coded entry pass codes for the parents and webcams to watch your kids play all day ensure the safety of the kids inside.
Set away from the main street nearby and completely fenced in, you simply can’t compare the facilities to anything remotely else in the area. The school is incredible.
But even more important to us as parents were the staff, teachers and curriculum that our son would be exposed to. The center is family owned You will not find a nicer, more genuine hard working family who cares for the children’s well being. We see Millie (the mom) and Rachel (the daughter) everyday when we drop off and pick up our son. The owners (Lees) are driven to ensure the success of every aspect of their daycare and it reflects in the incredibly warm, competent and caring teachers and staff that they have chosen to hire. My son was out sick for a week and they called just to find out how he was doing and to make sure he was ok. They probably have over 70 kids enrolled, but still found time to check in on my son. Extremely thoughtful.
It did take them a few months to enroll enough children to implement their regimens and work out the «kinks» of scheduling, which we had fully expected. I understand Tim B. review of Childrens Lighthouse if he were to tour in October. When we toured, the location was in the final stages of being completed as well. I myself have owned 4 business and when it comes to construction and tenent improvements and dealing with subcontractors, unorganized chaos usually seems like the norm. That was 3 months ago and everything is in order and extremely well organized.
They now have the right amount of kids enrolled per age group to provide stimulation and social interaction amongst the kids, which was my primary goal in enrolling him in daycare. The teachers and staff are excellent at communicating daily updates on the progress of my son (did he sleep? did he eat lunch? etc) and his social interactions with other kids.
Even with all those important aspects (staff, curriculum, facilities, organization) of what I determined to be priorities at a daycare, the most important thing, and the thing that makes me and my wife the happiest is that my son loves it there. The owners, staff and teachers are always so welcoming everyday and my son feeds off of their energy and excitement. He is truly happy there.
I can’t wait to send my 9 month old there. It’s been nothing but a extremely positive experience.
Also, they potty trained my son, so bonus points for that as well!
Thanks Millie and Rachel and everyone at Childrens Lighthouse. You guys are simply doing an amazing job.

Really had high hopes for this Preschool due to its location but after visiting I would probably never send my son here. Upon walking in noticed how very unorganized they are, If you are not ready to be open wait a little and have everthing ready to go. Another thing that bothered us a little was how unexperienced the teachers seemed. Not something I want when leaving my young son. Maybe when they establish themselves I will give them another go.

Where do I start? Well First off the School is Absolutely gorgeous and brand new! I love it! I knew this was the place for my baby the moment I walked in! The Owner and all of the Staff are absolutely AMAZING! So Warm, and Friendly! I Feel So Comfortable at work every day knowing my son is in wonderful hands! What a relief to a mothers heart! My son absolutely Adores the school and everyone in it friends teachers etc… I highly recommend this place for you and your babies! :) YAYYY Children’s Lighthouse !