Ms. Laura Lina and her staff have become part of our family. Both of my daughters started attending this daycare since they were about 8 weeks old. We are going on almost 9 years now. My daughters were both full-time students prior to the start of elementary school and now as part-time students being picked up after-school. Laura loves and cares for my children. I know that they are safe when in the care of El Sol. My daughters have made many long-term friends while attending this daycare. Many we are still in contact with and many continue to attend El Sol. From the beginning, Laura and staff have fostered social and academic growth. Both of my daughters are now in advance classes in their Elementary school and I know El Sol played a huge part in their success. I have recommended and continue to recommend El Sol's services to other families.

My sons have been going here for over 2 years now. They have learned so much and it is really a family environment. I never have to worry about whether or not they are being taken care of. I trust them completely. The home cooked meals are provided as well.

Highly recommended! Safe, loving, clean, cheerful, warm environment with staff that truly cares for your children and love what they do. Home cooked warm healthy meals and snacks, which I love so this busy mommy did not need to stress over! Very organized learning school that teaches children the first steps into education and behavior. Children are well behaved and learn good manners. Hours are the best! Basically 7am -6pm and have resources to help with more hours if need be. My daughter attended this school from about 16 months until five years old. She loved all her teachers and little friends. She misses them and talks about visiting them. Mind you its been over a year, but we will be back for summer camp! We love you Miss Lina!!! Xoxo

Mrs. Lina has been taking care of my daughter who is 7 now since she was 17 mos. Mrs. Lina taught my daughter how to write and many social skills that helped her transition into kindergarten. Now that my daughter is in 2nd grade my daughter will attend for winter and summer breaks. Mrs. Lina is kind and treats all the kids with respect. Mrs. Lina is like family.

My son started daycare at El Sol when he was almost 2. My husband and I both work so we had relied on my mom for babysitting. My mom is the greatest, but my son had reached the point where he needed social interaction with kids his age and other children in general. We had the normal fears and concerns of leaving our child with "strangers" but Ms. Lina and her family became my son's inner circle quickly. He is now almost 3 1/2 and he loves El Sol. I know that because he tells me he likes his teachers and friends AND he says he wants to go to school when it is the weekend! He is now in preschool and continues to come home afterschool reciting his alphabet song, nursery rhymes, or counting his numbers beyond 20! His language skills have increased tremendously and I like that he is exposed to another language like Spanish. El Sol provides both a nurturing and academic environment that is inclusive of all nationalities and cultures.

My son and daughter attended El Sol for about two years and loved their time there. Laura (Ms. Lina) and her family have become like family to us. Since we moved back to Florida, I have visited several times and they have welcomed me into their home. I have seen several kids that started at El Sol as babies that are now in pre-k. If we were still living in the area, I'm certain my children would have stayed involved there. My son started out in pre-k at El Sol and then tested into the advanced class for kindergarten at Apperson Street thanks to the preperation he got. Even though we have been back in Florida for a few years, my kids still remember and ask about the staff at El Sol. Trusting someone with your children is a difficult thing, but I can whole-heartedly recommend El Sol as somewhere I never worried!

My son started with El Sol Montessori when he was six months old. I was referred by a friend. He is now four and a half. He has learned a lot while attending daycare there. I am very impressed with the education he is receiving. He will be more than prepared for kindergarten. He really enjoys learning and playing with his friends. In his words, "I like my school, it's fun." He really loves all the staff. The staff love the children. It is safe and clean. The kids are fed a healthy diet, they are taught to be respectful to others and themselves, they are taught manners, responsibility, how to be kind, caring, and so much more. The owner really cares about the children and the children's families. Laura (Mrs. Lina) goes above and beyond.
I have read the other reviews. I have never heard a child called anything other than by their name. My son has cried when I dropped him off. I also know it was to be expected (separation anxiety 15 months and at 2yrs. Old). It was never bad I could hear him stop crying once I shut the door. I have seen other little ones cry when their parents drop them off. Then stop once the door shuts, and turn around to smile and play as though nothing had just happened. Other parents have told me they witnessed my son do the same thing when I would leave (again when he was 15 months and 2 yrs. old). Believe me, when I returned to pick up my son he never wanted to come home. To this day he is never ready to leave. I spend 15-30 minutes trying to get him to leave and go home. He just can't get enough time with his friends and the staff.
I'm actually sad that my son will be starting kindergarten next year. I'm worried that he will really miss everyone there. We live in a different city and I drive out of my way to take him to El Sol. I don't mind driving out of my way because I have peace of mind. I know he is loved, safe, and happy there.

My daughter has been attending El Sol since she was five months old, she's now almost four. She is fine at drop off and pick up, and she enjoys her time there. The place is extremely clean and I know that she's well taken care of. The staff is bilingual in Spanish with one staff member speaking primarily Spanish.  My daughter is half Japanese and I have never heard any staff at El Sol call her by an inappropriate name (I understand Spanish so they couldn't hide much from me).  I even asked my daughter about it in a variety of ways to find out and she said no each time.  I also asked her about the chow mein name but she didn't know what I was talking about.  After reading the review by Nunya B., I needed to know as name calling would never be tolerated. I was concerned so I also spoke with the owner who is easily approachable. I'm sorry the previous parent had issues I'm sure it was hurtful, but I really appreciate the daycare and the staff, and I feel confident and comfortable leaving my child there.  

If you are looking for a smaller daycare that is clean, with excellent staff and who are willing to work with you, this is the place!

I have just herd about the comments that were made and am a tad bit shocked they would say Laura or her staff would ever speak about a kid in that way. My daughter has been with Laura and her staff since she was 2 and is now 7, she to needed time adjusting to not being with me the whole day but after a few days of being with Laura Martha and the rest of her staff was fine. She has excelled by attending El Sole when she went for her school interview she placed in the advanced class because of the work Laura has done with her. My daughter as well is mixed white/Mexican and has never been mistreated by them . Its been a blessing as I myself am not able to speak Spanish she has been around it and has picked up on her second language . They have toughed my daughter to be responsible in picking up after herself helping the younger kids that are at the day care and asking Laura and the staff if there is anything she can help out with, I must say I trust Laura and her whole staff with my daughter hole hearted I know they would not put her or any of the kids that are in there care in any danger and I know for a fact they would never call a kid out of there name or make racial comments about an of them. It is not a day care environment they make you feel as if your a part of the family willing  to go above and beyond to help you . I  a few years ago went threw cancer and Laura went out of her way to pick my daughter up and take her to school feed her breakfast and make sure she was ok with what was going on and would offer to take me to doctor apt anything needed a day care worker wouldn't do that a good hearted caring loving person would and that is what Laura and her staff are they are family.

Update: My son has been attending El Sol for over a year now, he is now 3 yrs. old and I just want to say how blessed I am to have found such a wonderful place for my little munchkin!  :-)

I visited and researched over 15 daycares and preschools in my city and surrounding areas before deciding to enroll my son at El Sol.  They are a very caring and nurturing school. I felt it was just right as soon as I walked in and met Laura Lina.  She was so knowledgeable about children.  My son started attending when he was 2 and he has learned so much since he began.  Everytime I drop him off, he gets happy and excited to see the care takers/ teachers as well as his little friends.  I highly recommend El Sol for parents who are looking for a more home feel daycare that truly cares about the children and their well being.  I feel at ease knowing that my son is at a good place!!!! :)