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September 2023 by Hortenssia Z.
I don't like to give bad reviews to small business owners but what happened to our boy on his last day of pre-school was unacceptable. I am a foster mom and had two boys that attended COLA, one of them graduated last year and the little one was still there. We see everybody at the school 3 days a week and bio mom takes him to class two days a week. This arrangement went on for an entire year. On 7/14, we dropped off our boy to his last day of pre-k. My husband picked him up early to bring him home and get him ready for his ceremony and at 11:47 I receive I text message from my husband asking if I noticed a scratch and bruise on his face. I had not noticed any scratches or bruises but I remember taking a video of him that morning eating breakfast and took pictures of him before he went to school and those injuries were not there. He came home with a very noticeable scratch on his lower lip, a scratch above his lip and a bruise on the other side of his face. By this I had already sent the director and the owner a text asking what had happened at school and why we weren't notified. I was very upset and asked to find out what had happened. When my husband was at the school the director told him that my boy said it happened at home but he told my husband it happened outside during one of the recess breaks. When I asked my boy, he said that a teacher was there, he cried and also a student was there. The owner responded to my text by saying "we will take it up with his mom thank you". That was not the answer I was expecting, I wanted an answer. My boy just came home with his face messed up on his final day. Any parent would be concerned and want answers right away. I called the bio mom and let her know what had happened, since we had already agreed to meet at the school at 1 I told her I would see her there and we could speak with the owner and try to find out what happened.During that exchange, the owner would not speak to my husband as well. I understand that bio-mom is the legal person that the owner has to notify and speak to but it is not up to the owner to deny speaking at all when it was obvious that the bio-mom wanted us there and had no issue with us hearing what had happened. Bio-mom consented to us being there so the owner had no right to deny us information or to make that decision for bio-mom. I believe that the owner only wanted to speak to bio-mom because she knows that she could easily intimidate, manipulate, or talk down to her which she can't get away with when speaking to us.From the point when the owner first arrived at the school, she was more concerned with ignoring us and being disrespectful then to actually show any concern about the boy. Not once did she look at him, ask about him, or inquire about what had happened. She was more upset about us "demanding" to know what happened than anything else. The owner further stated that the boy getting injured "did not matter" because it was the last day of school. Funny thing was that less than 48 hours before I was yelled at by a teacher during a field trip on a hot day because I was giving my hungry and thirsty boy water and food. A day later, the owner confronted me again about that same incident. Apparently giving water and food to a child does matter but a child getting hurt 48 hours later "does not matter".The owner of COLA and as such has to take ownership when things go wrong. She can't hide behind her bad attitude or want parents to wait over 72 hours later to have a meeting with her. Apparently, she had no time after the ceremony, or Saturday or Sunday to review the video of the incident. She has no people skills to say something to the effect that she is getting prepared for a graduation but will look into the incident immediately thereafter. She constantly escalated the issue instead of being professional. A simple demonstration that she cared about what had happened would have sufficed. She was more upset about us "demanding" to know what happened like this incident was something
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July 2023 by Pat Crosby
Just want to say thank you to everyone here at COLA. From Ms. Barbara, Ms. Iliana, Ms. Raquel, and Ms. Isis, (and everyone else) you all made us feel like family and kept our baby girl safe and happy. She loved her time there and we're greatful to of had the chance for her to learn and look up to such a strong group of women. Looking forward to bringing our youngest here as well. Take care.
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July 2023 by Pat C.
Amazing preschool. Safe, fun, and educating for your kids. My daughter just graduated. I was lucky enough to of brought our daughter here and once our youngest is of age I'm bringing her here too. The teachers looked after our kid as if she was one of their own.
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June 2023 by Alisa S.
COLA preschool has been part of our family since 2017 and I can't believe we are closing the chapter to toddler life. Grateful for all the memories shared here and for the love that this school has showered my children with over the years. COLA's staff and Ms. Barbara have been like family over the years and have given my kids unconditional love and support during our time here. The education COLA provides is top notch and fully prepared my kids to tackle grade school. Thank you COLA for the academic prep and care your staff have blessed our family with. We are so grateful and wish this school continued success! If you want a preschool that provides quality education and care, look no further!
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May 2023 by Leanna Eguiza
This is my second round at COLA and I will never choose another childcare/preschool facility. My eldest daughter who is now 10, went to COLA from 2015-2018 and I now have my 3 year old currently attending COLA. My daughters and I absolutely love this facility! Mrs. Barbara and her staff are so caring and loving towards the children and treat every single child with respect and dignity. This is not your typical daycare, this is a childcare that is ran like a school. The children are given weekly lesson plans and everyday they’re learning something new! Mrs. Barbara and her staff go above and beyond to make sure the children strive for their best and move up to the next level class. I can’t put into words how much I appreciate Mrs. Barbara and her staff for being so patient and caring towards my daughters. I will always appreciate COLA.
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May 2023 by Leanna E.
This is my second round at COLA and I will never choose another childcare/preschool facility. My eldest daughter who is now 10, went to COLA from 2015-2018 and I now have my 3 year old currently attending COLA. My daughters and I absolutely love this facility! Mrs. Barbara and her staff are so caring and loving towards the children and treat every single child with respect and dignity. This is not your typical daycare, this is a childcare that is ran like a school. The children are given weekly lesson plans and everyday they're learning something new! Mrs. Barbara and her staff go above and beyond to make sure the children strive for their best and move up to the next level class. I can't put into words how much I appreciate Mrs. Barbara and her staff for being so patient and caring towards my daughters. I will always appreciate COLA.
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January 2023 by April Hoffman
Our son has been at COLA for a little over a year now. We have been to a few other childcare facilities prior and were desperate for a place that would be patient, structured, kind, fun and welcoming.Our son is very vibrant, high energy, strong willed.. assertive, stubborn and outgoing child who really needed a place that would help meet his needs.We didn’t know exactly what that was until we ended up at COLA!The curriculum is absolutely fantastic, the teachers are beyond wonderful and kind and compassionate.The director treats the children as if they are her and own and the families as if they are her family.Our son refused to have anything to do with learning numbers, letters or even writing his name and we were becoming a little concerned about him transitioning to kindergarten. I was also concerned about having more curriculum than free play, I had no clue this hybrid was exactly what our child needed!He has been thriving since being here, I can not say enough positive things. The structure, the commitment to the children and their success. It was worth the waitlist, worth the price, worth all the struggles to get here!Our son looks forward to school and has learned so much and I have no concerns about him transitioning to kindergarten this year!We are so grateful for this program and we look forward to our daughter joining!I highly recommend.
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January 2023 by April H.
Our son has been at COLA for a little over a year now. We have been to a few other childcare facilities prior and were desperate for a place that would be patient, structured, kind, fun and welcoming.Our son is very vibrant, high energy, strong willed.. assertive, stubborn and outgoing child who really needed a place that would help meet his needs.We didn't know exactly what that was until we ended up at COLA!The curriculum is absolutely fantastic, the teachers are beyond wonderful and kind and compassionate.The director treats the children as if they are her and own and the families as if they are her family.Our son refused to have anything to do with learning numbers, letters or even writing his name and we were becoming a little concerned about him transitioning to kindergarten. I was also concerned about having more curriculum than free play, I had no clue this hybrid was exactly what our child needed!He has been thriving since being here, I can not say enough positive things. The structure, the commitment to the children and their success. It was worth the waitlist, worth the price, worth all the struggles to get here!Our son looks forward to school and has learned so much and I have no concerns about him transitioning to kindergarten this year!We are so grateful for this program and we look forward to our daughter joining!I highly recommend.
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December 2022 by Pietra Theodoro Feitosa
Our experience was awefull with them, the relationship with the director didn't go well. She first welcomed us and sold the school very well, like Americans does best.Despite of the system seem to work, the kids seem ok and my child was enjoying.But when we were still getting the bonds stronger and we got late to pick up my child, just 4 minutes after the school closing time, the director just created an invoice and emailed us without any warning or consideration. We were on the opening week of our business and completely busy and she was aware of that. That situation took us to an argument and made us upset and she as well... she showed a reaction totally incompatible with the welcoming way she received us at first. We were very upset but let go for awhile until my child have an ear pain and I asked if they could give the over the counter pain medicine to her, prescribed from the doctor. She said she couldn't and made me go to the school and when I got there my child was napping and she ended up offering to give her to take later on, because we didn't want to wake her up.Everything went well on that day but on the next one, she did the most horrible thing, as was left the same pain medicine with a teacher, when was dropping my child off, to be given her just in case she was in pain. When daddy went to pick up our child for that day and asked about the medicine, the director goes: "I said to your wife I can't hold this medicine here!"(just reminding, was prescribed by the doctor and I even showed the prescription to her and asked if she wanted to keep for her records). So she and daddy started another argument and she ended up dismissing my child from the school, with a cold heart, without any humanity or compassion with us or to our child.
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December 2022 by Stephanie Garcia
Great early childhood learning academy the best one in San Diego County. My daughter tested high when she entered kindergarten and is doing really well. Thank you so much!
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October 2022 by Nizza O. P.
Our 3 year old daughter attended CoLA for approximately 10 months and we were so saddened to leave. They treated our family so well. Ms. Barbara and Ms. Isis (& Ms. Kim who is no longer there) were kind, welcoming, and flexible with our changing needs. We could tell that our baby was happy to be there and made many friends. She loved her teachers and would run to give them hugs in the morning. I felt that the space was safe with their locked front doors and gated play area. One of the differences I noticed from a previous school is that CoLA uses an app where parents can see when their child is checked in and out, what and if they eat that day, if they napped, and photos are uploaded throughout the day. They also have an affordable and optional hot meal program that you can add to the monthly tuition. I cannot recommend this school enough. Thank you for all that you do, CoLA. We miss you!!The Perez family.
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September 2021 by Celeste J.
Coming up on two years of being part of the COLA family! Our daughter has learned so much and truly loves going to school. We love sending her there!
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August 2021 by Michael M.
I have nothing but praises for C.O.L.A. They have helped my wife and I nurture and educate all three of my children for the past year and a half. I am so glad that we found this preschool academy! Their attentiveness for my children's individual needs has been a huge relief to both my wife and I. They're very responsive to any concerns and also promptly informed us of any issues with our children while in their care. The staff has truly earned my trust, admiration, and gratitude for the high quality of care that they provide to every child with the privilege of crossing their threshold. If you are still searching for quality care for your 4 and under child(ren), check out COLA! You will not be disappointed!
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March 2021 by Robert M.
This review is long overdue. My oldest son was a student here for pre-k about 5 years ago. At the time I didn't know just how good COLA was, but now that I have another child in pre-k, I'm able to compare them to the school my youngest is in now. Choosing COLA was by far the best decision we made for my son at the time. They truly set the foundation for my sons academic journey. They are not like some of these other "chain schools" that run their school like a daycare. They are very vested in our children's future and do everything they can to ensure they are successful!It's been 5 years since my son went there. We have moved out of state and we are still so grateful my son went here and had the opportunity to attend COLA. My youngest has been to two other schools and nothing compares to this place! I really wish my youngest was able to attend this school.Mrs. Barbara - you are wonderful and a great person! Thank you so much for caring for my son when he attended COLA and setting the foundation for him to succeed!
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December 2019 by Luis Limon
Our daughter has been going to this learning institution for six months now, and the amount of progress our baby girl has made is outstanding! This school has made our daughter a precocious person way ahead of her age group! Ms. Barbara runs a highly effective program with a highly efficient staff! I can’t say or show my appreciation enough for COLA! Thank you!!!!!
