Del Mar Coastal Connections

Since 1970, Del Mar Hills Nursery School has been providing quality early childhood education in Del Mar, California. This traditional nursery school focuses on developing the whole child through purposeful play and a supportive learning environment. With a nearly perfect retention rate and multiple generations of families choosing their programs, Del Mar Hills has established itself as a community cornerstone for early education.

Del Mar Hills Nursery School addresses total development of the whole child – socially, emotionally, physically, creatively, and cognitively. Through play, children develop with pleasure and natural interest, in a balanced environment with appropriate structure and freedom that encourages independence while avoiding frustration within each child.

Established in 1970, Del Mar Hills Nursery School has maintained its traditional approach to early childhood education for over five decades. The school embraces timeless educational values while celebrating cultural holidays and finding wonder in seasonal changes. Their philosophy centers on the belief that play is the most important work for young children, allowing them to naturally develop across all developmental domains.

What makes Del Mar Hills special is their commitment to building partnerships with families. They welcome parent involvement in many ways, creating a community where children feel secure and valued. This approach has resulted in impressive loyalty, with a 99% return rate for families enrolling siblings and even former students returning as teachers. The school takes pride in maintaining long-lasting traditions while providing an environment where each child can thrive.

The Preschool Program at Del Mar Hills welcomes children from 2 years 6 months up to 4 years old. Each child participates in 1½ hours of age-specific group time daily, focusing on mastering skills across several developmental areas. The curriculum balances structured learning with exploratory play, recognizing that preschoolers learn through their own experiences, trial and error, and repetition.

Beyond their core group time, children enjoy daily access to a 30-minute Orff Schulwerk music program as well as activities in the Froebel Room, Art Studio, and Outdoor Learning Environment. This diverse approach ensures development across all domains as teachers create safe, supportive spaces for children to explore. The school recognizes that each child develops uniquely, with developmental milestones progressing at individual paces.

The school’s mission statement emphasizes providing a joyful, loving environment where children can develop through quality play experiences. Their well-trained teaching staff plans meaningful activities daily while working closely with families. Del Mar Hills prioritizes helping children feel safe and secure, building trusting relationships with peers and adults that support growth in all developmental areas.

Evidence of their successful approach can be seen in their remarkable retention rates. Families return year after year with siblings, and many former students have even returned to teach at the school. Some parents have been so impressed with the program that they’ve changed career paths to become teachers there themselves. These deep connections highlight the school’s lasting positive impact on the community.

Del Mar Hills Nursery School offers a welcoming facility that accommodates up to 60 children from ages 2½ to 6 years old. The school operates extended hours from 7am to 6pm, providing flexibility for working families. Their thoughtfully designed environment includes indoor classrooms for specialized activities and an Outdoor Learning Environment that encourages exploration and physical development.

For napping children, the school provides individual cots, with parents supplying a small blanket and purchasing a rest mat from the school. This system ensures each child has a comfortable, consistent space for rest time. Throughout the day, children are provided with nutritious snacks by the school, while parents send packed lunches for their children.

The school maintains a balanced approach to structure, with each age group receiving appropriate guidance and instruction while also having plenty of time for self-directed play and exploration. Their 60-child capacity allows for appropriate attention to each child while maintaining a lively community atmosphere. The facility includes specialized spaces like the Art Studio, Froebel Room, and music area to support their comprehensive curriculum.

Safety and security are priorities at Del Mar Hills, with clear policies about pick-up procedures, parking, and emergency plans. The school follows Community Care Licensing guidelines for area-wide emergencies and maintains appropriate safety standards throughout their facility. They’ve created an environment where children feel secure while having the freedom to grow and explore.

Enrollment at Del Mar Hills Nursery School requires children to be toilet learned before starting school. The school has a detailed toilet learning policy, with accommodations for nap-time pull-ups if needed. For children still working on toilet learning, the school offers options, including placing enrollment on hold until the child is ready or continuing to secure the child’s spot by paying tuition while completing the toilet learning process.

The enrollment process begins with parents visiting the school for a tour with the Director or Assistant Director to learn about the school’s philosophy and determine if it’s a good fit for their family. Once decided, parents complete an enrollment form and pay the enrollment fee, tuition deposit, and the rest of the registration fee. Current families have priority during re-enrollment in January, followed by past families mid-January and new families at the end of the month.

Tuition at Del Mar Hills is due on the first day the child attends school and on the first of each month thereafter. The non-refundable enrollment/re-enrollment fee is paid annually, while the tuition deposit is applied to the child’s last month of attendance. Additional fees include charges for extended hours ($10 per hour) and late pick-ups after 6pm ($10 for the first ten minutes plus $1 per minute thereafter).

Del Mar Hills values the partnership between parents and the school. They encourage parents to visit often with their child prior to starting and to stay involved throughout the year. The school also requests that parents provide professional behavioral assessments if deemed necessary by the administration, ensuring that each child receives appropriate support for their individual needs.

Follow Del Mar Hills Nursery School on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/delmarhillsnurseryschool for updates on school activities and enrollment information.