Child's Play

The most magical preschool experience! After initially enrolling our child at one of the most sought-after preschools in Santa Barbara, we eventually realized that popularity doesn’t always equal the right fit. While things started off fine, after a couple years our child began to experience behavioral issues and expressed fear about going to school. It became clear he didn’t feel safe or supported in that environment, and as parents, it was incredibly difficult to watch. That’s when I visited Child’s Play, a place many of our friends had recommended—and the moment I walked through the gate, I knew it was different. The atmosphere is bright, joyful, and full of warmth. Donna, the heart and soul of the school, has created the kind of space I always hoped my child would be part of—where imagination is encouraged, feelings are respected, and every child is seen for who they are. Through play, she gently guides them to explore, connect, and grow in ways that feel natural and joyful. Donna is not just an educator—she’s a guide, a mentor, and a trusted support system for families. She has helped us navigate some challenging moments with wisdom and care. The community she’s built, from the teachers to the families, feels like an extension of our own family. Having experienced a more traditional preschool environment, I now fully understand how powerful the right approach can be. Child’s Play encourages art, creativity, self-led exploration, and genuine respect for others. It’s not just about preparing children for school—it’s about helping them become compassionate, curious, and confident little humans. I am forever grateful we found this magical place.

We love Child's Play preschool! My son has been there for two years, and he has grown so much in this time. He gets so much personalized attention and care--the teacher's truly care about the development of each child, and his social skills have improved greatly. The kids help cook healthy, delicious meals each morning, do amazing art projects, and spend a lot of time outdoors playing. I highly recommend this preschool.

My twins had a great experience at Child's Play during their time there. They continue to express their desire to go back to preschool there even now. The philosophy of the program is to create independent little people, and in the time there, my kids became adept at doing all sorts of things, like dressing themselves, etc. They also developed important social skills, participated in cooking projects, gardening projects. They would harvest foods from the garden they helped plant and then cook them into morning snacks that all the kids ate together. The staff is great as well, and I felt confident leaving my kids in their care. The house and grounds are also very magical looking, and encourage creativity. The artwork my kids created there was just phenomenal too. Fresh ideas and consistent friendly but firm interactions. There was not a wait list, which was great for us, because we needed something immediate. And most of the places without waitlists were pretty scary looking -- so I was very pleasantly surprised. The only reason my kids are no longer there is a logistical issue, which has nothing to do with the quality of the program and my overall satisfaction with it.

The best preschool classes in Santa Barbara County. Music, Dance, Gardening, Cooking, Art, Science, literature. A fantastic educational experience for children building a sense of community, discovering the world, creativity, and gaining the confidence and outlook on life to take with them into a great future.