MONARCH PRESCHOOL

Hours

Hours change without the licence record changing. Call before you plan a drop-off around these times.

Licensing visits on record

California records 2 routine inspection visits and 1 complaint visit to MONARCH PRESCHOOL.

1. August 28, 2024Most recent inspection visit
2. October 14, 2021Inspection visit

Amenities and accessibility

Reported on the provider's Google business listing, not verified by the state.

How the reviews split

The 3.0 average comes from 16 Google reviews. An average hides whether opinion is consistent or divided, so the spread is shown too.

• 5 star7
• 4 star0
• 3 star1
• 2 star2
• 1 star6

From Google

Recent parent reviews

• ★★★★★

  I’m writing this as a balanced review because our experience here truly had both positives and challenges. First, I want to say how much I love the concept of this preschool. The play-based, outdoor, nature-focused learning environment is really special, and I was genuinely excited when my daughter started in August 2025 in the Caterpillar class. In the beginning, things were great. Communication was strong, and I appreciated the regular updates and posts that helped me feel connected to her day. However, after Mrs. Sarah left, there was a noticeable shift. Communication became less consistent, and some concerns started to come up. There were a few instances where my daughter figured out how to get out of the play area, which was understandably concerning. I also occasionally picked her up with a very full diaper that hadn’t been changed, which added to my discomfort. Over time, I began receiving more frequent calls or texts asking me to pick her up early. Mrs. Karen shared concerns about my daughter’s behavior and recommended that we pursue an evaluation and consider one-on-one support. While that was difficult to hear, I truly can’t fault them for it, if it weren’t for this recommendation, I may not have gotten my daughter evaluated as early as I did. Because of that, she is now in a preschool where she is thriving and getting the support she needs. This program is very free-flowing, which can be wonderful for many children. However, if your child needs more structure, routine, or individualized attention, it may not be the best fit. My daughter, who is mildly autistic, found the environment overwhelming at times without that added support. Overall, I think this preschool can be an amazing place for children who are able to communicate clearly, are potty trained (even though its not required), and can follow basic group instructions. But based on our experience, it may not be the right environment for every child. I’m grateful for the role this school played in helping us better understand our daughter’s needs, even though our journey here ultimately led us in a different direction.

  Lyz CApr 9, 2026
• ★★★★★

  We moved from Germany to California at the beginning of 2024. We were worried our daughter would have trouble adjusting, as she didn't speak English. But the teachers were so dedicated and welcoming from the very beginning. Our daughter now speaks fluent English and developed such a strong character! Our story shows that you don't need a classroom or a desk to develop so positively. I'm sure this rapid development, both linguistically and personally, was only possible because of this uniquely personal and engaging atmosphere! Her teacher, Ms. Karen, knows every child in her class as if they were her own. I've never experienced anything like it! This place is so precious for every child!

  Selina RademacherMar 19, 2026
• ★★★★★

  This used to be a gem of a preschool, because of amazing teachers and the great leadership of the previous director. Heartbreakingly, both have been driven out and this is no longer the amazing school that it was. We left Monarch a few months before the end of the school year, after it became clear that the current management is running the place into the ground. They fired multiple highly skilled and experienced teachers, literally overnight, due to personal vendettas. They then rapidly expelled students - preschool children - when their parents asked questions about the firings and sought organizational transparency. In mid-January we (parents of the youngest “Caterpillar” class) received an email at 11pm on a Thursday night stating that our teachers won’t be coming back. Our kids were supposed to have school on the following Friday morning. Over the subsequent two months my 3 y/o had *three* new teachers, as his classmates dwindled down due to the expulsions and other families leaving as a result of all the drama and the drop in the quality of the program. My kid used to be excited about going to school and was in such an amazing mood at pickup. This all changed after his teachers were kicked out - he was no longer excited for school. At pick up he not infrequently looked indifferent about being there and at times looked disheveled. If they played with water, his old teachers would change him out of water soaked clothes when the water play finished. This was no longer the case. He came out soaked and looking clearly uncomfortable on multiple occasions at pick up. He then started doing things like pushing and hitting, which was never a thing for him previously and has resolved completely since we left the school. The “nutritious” snacks we paid a fee for had apparently also been reduced to saltines. The shadiness of this place on an organizational and leadership level is not something I fathomed possible in a preschool and not something I want my kid or myself to be around. The school director and school administrator - a mother and daughter team - have taken over the school and are running it as their own backyard preschool, seemingly solely for their own benefit. The admin’s young daughter gets brought to the school daily and grandma babysits her while she’s supposed to also be teaching the oldest “Butterfly” class. The kid is very young and has frequent meltdowns, which end up being tended to while the kids whose parents paid to be at the school sit around and wait. They bring their large family dog to the school who has free rein of the school yard, where the kids play. The dog pees/poos wherever he wants in the play yard. My kid came out of school one day with dog poo on his shoe, which is when I found out about the dog. The admin’s husband roams around the school whenever he likes as well under the pretense of performing “maintenance”. For at least the past two years, the school director and admin been rotating the role of president on the school’s board of directors, while also being paid employees of the school. This while also holding exclusive control of the school finances. When I asked too many questions, the admin *threatened me with defamation* and refused to speak to me in person. If you’re on Insta, know that the polished reels they post on there isn’t reality. If you’re looking for a preschool similar to what this place used to be, look at Hilltop, Sun N Fun, Sunshine and Little Folk House.

  Mira DJul 10, 2025
• ★★★★★

  Unfortunately, many of the concerns mentioned in other reviews align with our family’s experience. What makes this so disappointing is that the school has a strong foundation and the potential to become what it once was: a nurturing and community-focused environment. Over the past school year, we witnessed significant turnover, including the departure of trusted teachers and several families. In my child’s class alone, about half of the children we started the year with had left by spring or chose not to return. Each of these decisions appeared to be connected to ongoing concerns with school leadership. The campus, especially the outdoor areas, has declined significantly. A former teacher who visited was visibly emotional after seeing how much had changed. Communication from the administration was inconsistent throughout the year. For several months, it was extremely difficult to reach anyone in the office or get timely responses. We enrolled our child because of two incredible teachers we believed in. While their replacements were warm and capable, the unexpected change affected the continuity and overall experience we hoped for. We also recently learned that an outside group had been allowed on campus without prior communication to families. Discovering this was a turning point and confirmed our decision not to return. Trust and transparency are essential in an early education setting, and unfortunately, those were missing in our experience. We sincerely hope the school can return to a place where families feel involved and heard, where teachers are supported, and where children thrive in a safe and well-cared-for environment. The potential is still there, but it will require meaningful changes in leadership and approach.

  Taylor KernJul 4, 2025
• ★★★★★

  As a mom who had her heart set on Monarch Preschool since I was pregnant with my first son, writing this review is deeply disappointing. I had heard such amazing things from local families especially about the outdoor play space, the wonderful teachers, and the warm, connected community. For years, it was the preschool I was most excited about. We were thrilled when our son finally got in. But almost immediately, things started to unravel. In just the first week, the beloved teachers we’d heard so much about were suddenly let go overnight without warning. What followed was a wave of concerning information that started surfacing about the mom and daughter who run the school, details that completely changed our experience and view of the school. There were things mentioned like forgery of legal documents, questions about funds, things that are illegal and not in line with my moral compass. When the parents asked for clarity on all the issues they expelled kids (these are 3-4 year olds), and would take weeks to respond with statements that never actually answered any questions and just provided fluff that said nothing and refused to talk to any parents in person about it. For me, as a new parent at this school that was a major red flag and while I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt I had to become skeptical and start asking questions and decide what was best for our family with the information we were presented with. While I want to believe in the original vision of Monarch, I can no longer recommend this preschool to other families in good conscience. The community that once made it special is not what it used to be. Almost every family in my son’s class (which was a full classroom) has chosen not to return next year, and it’s all for the same reasons. That says a lot. If you’re considering Monarch, I strongly encourage you to do your research. Talk to current and former families. Ask questions. The only reason I gave them two stars instead of one is for the lovely two teachers in my son’s class who had to step up during this time and who deserve better. I truly wish them the best and hope they are treated with respect. Thank you Ms. Bekah and Ms. Marilyn for being the reason we finished our few months there. We appreciate you both. This isn’t easy to write, but I feel a responsibility to be honest with fellow moms in the Huntington Beach and wider Orange County community. We all want the best for our kids, and I hope this helps someone make a more informed decision.

  Zoe KernJul 3, 2025
• ★★★★★

  Our family began our journey at Monarch preschool back in 2019 when our middle daughter was a Caterpillar. It was our home away from home, the spot where our girls found so much joy in visiting during various bbqs and festivals, and the place where we truly felt a sense of community. Our daughter was a late walker and struggled with many physical tasks, but the teachers provided her a safe space to gain the confidence she needed. This support helped her in so many areas, but also allowed us as parents to learn more than we ever imagined. The former director Vanessa co-led parenting classes and would always give us feedback on ways we could help our children thrive. We always left feeling- these are our people, and this is our tribe. Monarch Preschool *was* magic. In Fall 2024, our youngest daughter was old enough to join Caterpillar class. Our whole family was elated to go back to our favorite place and see all of our old climbing trees, the fabulous garden, and the blooming milkweed. At that time, we noticed many things had changed. The grass was very sparse and the garden was dead and filled with weeds, yet tuition was much higher. It felt a lot less magical. But our favorite teachers, Vanessa and Haley, were still there so we remained confident that our daughter would have a wonderful experience despite what we saw. Fast forward to January 2025, our daughter was having a great experience at Monarch. We weren’t thrilled about the garbage snacks they were being fed (Saltines) but we were able to bring our own so we made do. A few weeks into January, parents received an email at 11pm on a Thursday night saying our beloved teachers, Vanessa and Haley, were no longer going to be there due to restructuring. These teachers were ripped away from their tiny Caterpillar class- no warning, no goodbye, zero closure. We were gutted. How do you explain this to 2 and 3 year olds who absolutely adore their teachers and how do you help them understand these amazing teachers didn’t abandon them? There was a lot of confusion amongst parents and we all wanted to know why. We are believers in critical thinking in our family so we began to ask some big questions. We talked with other parents and realized we all had the same concerns. The more we asked, the more we knew they were hiding things. Parents were pacified with cold, heartless emails from the board and still not given specific answers as to particular bylaws that had been violated. I was present on the day that a few parents approached the board about the bylaws, which was also the same time that 2 families were expelled from the preschool. 3 children were torn away from their friends and teachers, simply because their parents asked for transparency. Something that every single preschool—more specifically a community non-profit preschool— should openly provide to those asking. So please please be aware what you are getting into prior to enrolling. Even though we are no longer enrolled, we still have growing concerns on how the school is currently being managed and how the board is continuing to be divisive and nepotistic in their leadership policies. And don’t be fooled by a rebrand because they will still remain dishonorable in every way they can.

  Claire KonishiMar 18, 2025

Reviews shown verbatim as published on Google Maps.