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The Carmel Mountain Preschool Story

Founded in 1983, Carmel Mountain Preschool is a local family-owned and operated private preschool and Summer Camp Program located in Rancho Penasquitos. Carmel Mountain Preschool is a warm, caring and fun atmosphere where children of Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Valley, Rancho Santa Fe, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Santaluz, 4S Ranch, and Scripps Ranch can develop a lifetime love of learning. Over four decades later, the preschool continues to produce Carmel Mountain Preschool graduates who go on to succeed both academically and personally.

Carmel Mountain Preschool is situated on a beautiful 3-acres, providing plenty of space for children to learn, discover, explore and grow at our three separate age-appropriate playgrounds, Art Studio, Science Lab, Outdoor Garden Classroom, Messy Art area and Soccer Field.

Carmel Mountain Preschool offers a well-rounded curriculum that exceeds state standards – it showcases a balance between superior academics and extraordinary fun. We believe that a child’s preschool years are among the most important years for literacy and development. Our curriculum is built around a wide variety of activities designed to enhance vocabulary, awareness of patterns and sounds in language, letter recognition, social intelligence, knowledge of printed materials, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, outdoor play and exploration of art and science. All of these factors, when combined, help your child attain higher academic achievement, and encourage social and emotional growth, which results in children who are confident learners and have higher self-esteem.

We also provide an outstanding Summer Camp Program which offers a variety of developmental and fun activities for preschool students in San Diego.

explore our programs

Our Young Toddler Program is for children 12-17 months old. This class supports your child’s eagerness for learning in a fun, creative, engaging environment.

Our Toddler Program supports your child’s eagerness for learning in a fun, creative, engaging environment. Our Toddler classroom has special furniture and safety measures to cater to your child’s size and building body awareness.

The 2-year old Program is engaging and exciting for the little ones. Their day consists of “Circle Time,” where the children learn Conscious Discipline rituals such as saying good morning to their friends, high fiving, or giving a hug to their neighbor. 

Our Three-year-old Program introduces children to cognitive, social and language arts skills to ensure a life-long love of learning.

Our Transitional Kindergaten facilitates and deepens a child’s existing social skills, empathy, sharing, cooperation and collaboration with peers while creating a life-long love of learning. This program ensures kindergarten preparedness.

Our Kindergarten Prep Program is specially designed for children who missed the Kindergarten cut-off date or for those who need an additional year before starting Kindergarten.

 

 

Our Kindergarten program offers a well-rounded curriculum that combines both academic learning and social-emotional development. Children engage in activities that prepare them for the structured learning environment of elementary school, with an emphasis on literacy, math, and critical thinking.

Come experience CMP’s Sizzling Summer Fun. We are year-around but our Summer is extra special! Through specialized instruction, hands-on activities, and on-site field trips, children will think, create, and explore the world around them. 


Our Spanish Immersion Pre-K class is designed for children ages 3-5, offering a mixed-age environment that fosters collaboration, independence, and language development.

This class is for children 12 months to 36 months. During your session, you and your child will enjoy music & movement, story time, natural play, and sensory play.

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