PreschoolWise
  • Find preschools
  • Ages
  • Cost
  • TK
  • K Age
  • Free Pre‑K
  • States
PreschoolWise

Clear, independent answers to the questions parents actually ask about preschool and transitional kindergarten — grounded in your state's real rules.

Transitional KindergartenKindergarten ageWhat is pre-K?Preschool ageRedshirting kindergartenPreschool vs Pre‑KTK vs Preschool vs KCostFree preschoolHead StartEligibility checkerBrowse states

© 2026 PreschoolWise. Educational guidance, not legal or enrollment advice — always confirm with your school district.

Sitemap
Preschools/CA/Rancho Santa Margari/Saddleback Children's Center
Preschool / Day Care Center

Saddleback Children's Center

No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.

Ages
Ages 2–5
Teacher ratio
1:12 (CA min)

30322 Via Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margari, CA 92688

Visit website ↗(949) 858-0646Directions ↗Licensed for 120
Own this preschool? Claim your listing →

Licensing & safety record

Citations on file
1
Complaint visits
2
Last visit
11/3/2025
Total visits
7

Citations are part of routine licensing oversight and range from minor (Type B) to serious (Type A). A citation alone doesn't mean a program is unsafe — read the full reports for context.

Source: California Dept. of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (updated 2026-03-02). View official inspection reports →

About this preschool

Saddleback Children's Center is a Christian preschool serving the Rancho Santa Margarita community since 1983, with teachers certified by California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The center focuses on educational excellence, whole-child development, and outdoor learning experiences.

Philosophy
A family atmosphere with a focus on educational excellence and the beauty of God's creation. We promote development of the whole child—physically, socially, emotionally, creatively, intellectually and spiritually—in a warm, safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate program. Learning centers extend to our outdoor playground allowing children to dig in the sand and garden areas, take off their shoes for heightened sensory experiences, engage in water play freely, challenge gross motor skills, and intentionally explore art, music, and dramatic play. We relate the Christian message of faith, love and acceptance to children living in a changing world.
Ages served
2½-5 years of age
Outdoor
Outdoor playground with sand and garden areas, water play, sensory experiences, art, music, and dramatic play; demonstration site for the Outdoor Classroom Project
Religious
Christian preschool and ministry of Community Lutheran Church

Programs

  • •Pre-kindergarten
  • •Junior kindergarten
  • •Summer School

Highlights

  • ✓NAEYC accredited since 1992, renewed 5-year reaccreditation October 2024
  • ✓Teachers certified from California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
  • ✓Demonstration site for Outdoor Classroom Project since 2019
  • ✓Established since 1983

Not stated on their website: Tuition, Specific hours, Meals/snacks, Teacher-student ratio, Class sizes. Ask the preschool directly.

Summarized by AI from the preschool's own website (Jun 23, 2026). Not written or verified by PreschoolWise — confirm details directly with the program.

Parent reviews

No reviews yet. If your child has attended Saddleback Children's Center, your honest review helps other families.

Write a review of Saddleback Children's Center

Share your honest, first-hand experience. Reviews are checked before they appear. Be truthful and respectful — no defamatory or false claims.

Helpful guides for parents

What age does preschool start?Typical ages, readiness signs, and state cutoffs.Is my child ready for preschool?The readiness signs to look for.Preschool vs. daycareHow they differ and which fits your child.Preschool vs. pre-KWhat comes when, from ages 3 to 5.

Listing facts from public CA child-care licensing records. Reviews are the opinions of individual contributors, moderated before publishing; they are not endorsements by PreschoolWise. Always visit and verify a program directly before enrolling.