Located in Rancho Santa Fe, Happy Time Preschool has helped children throughout North County San Diego build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning since 1962.
Here, early childhood is structured but joyful, filled with kindness, and meaningful learning that prepares children not just for kindergarten—but for life.
Welcome to Happy Time Preschool, where children feel supported, capable, and excited to learn.
Every child deserves a joyful start to learning.
Choosing a preschool is one of the first major educational decisions you’ll make for your child. You’re not just looking for childcare—you’re looking for a place where your child feels safe, supported, and genuinely excited to learn.
At Happy Time Preschool, we intentionally build:
We don’t just prepare children academically. We prepare them behaviorally and emotionally to thrive in a classroom setting.
Children develop strong social skills, emotional awareness, and everyday etiquette that supports healthy friendships and classroom confidence.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL GROWTH
A love of learning built through thoughtful teaching, curiosity, and engaging hands-on experiences.
A love of learning
We intentionally teach the habits of successful students—listening, perseverance, participation, and independence.
CONFIDENT STUDENT SKILLS
We intentionally teach not just academics, but the behaviors and social-emotional skills that help children succeed in a classroom setting.
Through consistent routines, meaningful enrichment, and a warm, relationship-based environment, children build confidence, independence, and a true love of learning.
At Happy Time, children learn in a calm, consistent environment with caring teachers who truly know them.
the experience
Children at Happy Time don’t just learn in a classroom — they explore, care for animals, garden, ride ponies, and discover music and language through hands-on experiences.
Hands-on learning every day
Beyond the classroom
GARDENING
Hands-on learning as children plant, care for, and harvest from our garden.
ANIMAL CARE
Children learn empathy and responsibility through caring for animals.
PONY RIDING
Confidence, courage, and responsibility developed through weekly riding experiences.
MUSIC & LANGUAGE
Music and Spanish exposure build confidence, listening skills, and creativity.
"She has loved every minute at Happy Time. The teachers are incredibly kind and attentive.”
- Happy Time Parent
Serving Rancho Santa Fe Families Since 1962
For more than 60 years, Happy Time Preschool has supported generations of families with a commitment to nurturing the whole child.
Today, we are proud to welcome the children—and even grandchildren—of former Happy Time students. We proudly serve families from Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carmel Valley, and other North County San Diego communities.
Our program continues to reflect the same values it was founded on: kindness, confidence, meaningful learning, and a love of childhood.
