Turtle Rock Preschool

Turtle Rock Preschool is a preschool in Irvine, CA. Founded in 1979, it operates as an independent, secular, year-round early childhood day school serving children from 8 weeks old through Kindergarten. The school enrolls approximately 195 full-time students across 11 classrooms, with a staff of 34 teachers and an average tenure of over 7 years. Operating hours run from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The curriculum is theme-based and draws from multiple early childhood models, particularly Reggio Emilia, balancing developmental principles with traditional academic instruction. The school has been continuously accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children since 1986 and holds affiliations with the Professional Association for Childhood Education, the California Association for the Education of Young Children, and the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education.

The campus features a natural playground designed by the Natural Playgrounds Company, completed in phases to transform play spaces for Nursery, Preschool, Junior Pre-Kindergarten, and Pre-Kindergarten. This outdoor area includes a hand pump with wood sluiceway, sand pits, a shallow stream, a water wall, a rock scramble, and a water patio with splash pads. Additional elements include a wood climbing wall, sunken fort, stage, whimsical playhouse, incline bridge, and willow tunnel. A stone labyrinth serves as a therapeutic play element, while teachers and students care for herb, vegetable, and wildflower gardens. Creative arts are encouraged through wood art panels and musical features such as a musical fence and pebble harp. The educational philosophy emphasizes curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning, viewing play as a primary method for developing conflict resolution, respect, independence, and self-confidence.

The school is located on Concordia in the quiet residential village of Turtle Rock in Irvine. It sits about a quarter mile from the Concordia West neighborhood and roughly three-tenths of a mile from Turtle Rock Elementary School. Turtle Rock Glen Park is also located about three-tenths of a mile away. Concordia University, Irvine, is situated about four-tenths of a mile from the campus, as is the French Hill peak.

Turtle Rock Preschool holds a rating of 4.40 based on customer reviews. It stands among the established early childhood providers in Orange County, having served the community for over 45 years with a focus on nurturing, inclusive learning environments and challenging academic programs.

Turtle Rock Preschool combines a long history of continuous accreditation with a distinctive nature-based outdoor program, offering a specific and local approach to early childhood education in Irvine.