Ziggurat Child Development Center

After visiting Ziggurat Child Development Center I must agree with the previous reviews — The playgrounds are amazing! There are trees, huge sand areas, gardens for each class, fun tunnels & slides, tricycles to ride, and for the older kids a basketball court, soccer field, challenging climbing equipment and even a trickling stream the kids hunt for worms in.
Inside classrooms are spacious too, and with so many exciting activities you don’t have the biting or pushing issues.

If you want a school with:
(a) mature experienced educational professionals (not recent grads) who recognize how your child is a unique little individual (not a widget);
(b) multiple large shaded sensory-​based playgrounds designed to neurologically stimulate and creatively enrich the social play experience; and
© educational enrichment programs in every classroom designed to encourage your child’s cognitive brain development and curiosity to learn more — then you should check out the Ziggurat, run by CCLC in Aliso Viejo.
In this family’s opinion — We found an amazing *hidden jewel* as the CCLC at Ziggurat is one of the OC’s best kept secrets.
Our twins (now 4.5 years old) came to the Ziggurat at age 3 with unique needs. What amazed us was how the Ziggurat personnel adapted and supported us with unique solutions — understanding that each of our twins needed unique care as individuals.
Our boys started at Ziggurat after having spent their early years with a nanny. Socially, both kids were behind others their age and needed to learn how to engage others socially (use of words to meet needs, sharing, no biting, taking turns etc.). At first we noticed how happy our kids were — excited to go to school. Then, we noticed how our kids began to exhibit positive character traits — such as expressing empathy and interest in the feeling of others.
Watching how the staff maturely approached day-​to-​day interactions and behavior issues amongst the kids, we saw how our kids were learning more than just numbers and letters. There are no time outs. Instead, kids are encouraged to find ways to express their feelings in constructive ways. Kids learn the power of attention given to good behavior and are motivated by the individual engagement and attention staff provide. The staff take the time to work with the kids, talk with the kids — and the parents. It’s a real partnership that works.
We also appreciated how Ziggurat tailored their program to each child’s specific needs. One son was cognitively advanced (had been reading since age 2), but needed social emotional development outside of his books. The staff worked carefully to give our son the extra mental stimulation (e.g., allowed him to take advanced math classes with the 5 year olds, exposed him to science concepts with hands on lessons) while simultaneously and firmly guiding him on how to socially interact (sharing, stepping in someone else’s shoes etc.) and succeed (group participation dynamics) in the pre-​k structure.
Our other son, diagnosed with mild autism, had other needs. He was very shy, talked little, had plenty of ants in his pants and needed help with potty training. The school helped us to utilize its unique sensory-​based educational play environment and program in support of our son’s therapy goals and behavior therapy.
We could go on and on… but bottom line, Ziggurat is an excellent school that supports a child’s whole development.

My son has been attending this after school daycare since the beginning of the school year. They have a bus that picks up the kids from their elementary school which was really convenient. My son loves this place because they have tons of arts and crafts everyday and the playground is huge for the kids to run around. For the first hour and a half when they arrive at the center they have lunch and homework time before the kids are allowed to play. It is extremely convenient because they are open till 6pm.

I have a 6-​year-​old who goes to after school care there and a 1-​year-​old who has been there since 3 months old. It is clear that both of my kids are very happy and well taken care of at the Ziggurat. The 1-​yr-​old is always happy to see her friends and teachers, specifically Ms. Parisa, Ms. Ann, Ms. Ally and Ms. Angela when she was in the infant room. They are very organized and sterile, which was so comforting when i had to bring my baby in to start work again. When i come to get her at the end of the day, she is either being held or played with. She gets a lot of love and attention at the Ziggurat. My older daughter adores her teachers, Ms. Isabel and Ms. Kim. She is beginning her 2^nd school year and spent a few weeks of summer camp and always comes home with an art project, worn out from playing, and happy. There are fantastic field trips during the summer and lots of water days that my daughter really enjoyed. I have been very pleased with the care my daughters have received.

My son has been attending this school since July and has been having a blast! With the multiple play yards and water features, outside play has been one to write home about. Also, they offer a soccer program that comes to the school as well as individual learning experiences, my son does not have a chance to get bored. And to top it off, a great lunch menu for «warm lunch» daily as my son calls it. I wish I would have attended this place earlier. Not to mention the security. You are not going to find a more safe place. We can’t wait to start the next day of school!

We love this center. Our daughter has been in the infant room since March 2011 and it has been great experience. It has been more than we expected so far. The facility is large and well equipped. We visited many day cares, Montessori schools, and etc. and end up picking Ziggurat. It is over all very hard decision. They all have great sales points, but in the end, the only thing matters is how much your child is loved and well taking care of when you cannot do so. Miss Megan and Miss Angela are great. They are so loving and take very good care of all the babies in the infant room.

I had my daughter there back in 01/​2007and I took her out after 2 weeks! The 2 – 3 year old class had the worst teacher (she is very fake when your around, but once she thinks your gone the real «disgruntle underpaid teacher» comes out!!) I know this for a fact because I overheard her talking about me behind closed doors. I would show up unannounced throughout the days my daughter attended there and I brought things up to her attention that I didn’t agree with (i.e., children drinking from the water fountain unsupervised– which is located in the room) and she obviously didn’t like that. She wouldn’t notice me when I would stop by (they have windows in which parents can look into the rooms) and if and when she would notice me I could tell that she would stiffen up and «switch» into her fake teacher mode! PARENTS PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL! IF YOU DO ENROLL YOUR CHILD THERE BE SURE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPEN DOOR POLICY AND SHOW UP UN-​ANNOUNCED!!! HOPEFULLY MS. KAREN IS GONE BY NOW? IF NOT, I FEEL SORRY FOR THOSE KIDS IN HER CLASS!!!