Hastings Ranch Nursery School

Our son has had a wonderful experience at HRNS over the past two years. We have seen huge growth in his language skills, social skills and confidence. It was very important to us to find a play based school with a large outdoor play area, so we love that he is able to be outside daily, rain or shine! We enjoy the co-op element because we like participating in the day to day class room activities and he loves sharing his art projects, coloring and playing with us. The teachers are incredibly kind, patient and hands on with every student. We feel safe sending him to school knowing how many teachers, TA’s and parent volunteers have eyes on and happy hands to play with and supervise the children. We are very thankful to have found a wonderful community of parents, students and teachers at Hastings Ranch Nursery School.

Our family just joined Hastings last year and have enjoyed our experience as parents and as members of the co-op. Our toddlers teachers are so warm and engaging. The playground in Lower School is amazing with trees, sand, grass, and wooden play structures. The teachers are always providing activities, art, and things to do inside and outside for the kids. There is a real sense of ownership as a parent and volunteer with the co-op model. Getting to spend time with our toddler's classmates and teachers when volunteering is a joy that drew us to Hastings in the first place. It's led to alot of fun memories with our toddler during this new phase in their life.

My child has been going to HRNS for about two years now and she really loves it! We love it too, despite our initial hesitation regarding co-op requirements. The volunteer hours are easy to fulfill and have helped us get to know our child, her classmates, and other parents better. The staff is amazing and everyone gets to know the kids so well. It's really sweet! The school has wonderful outside areas, great classroom activities and options for play and learning (large equipment, bikes/trikes, dress up clothes, crafts, sand, sensory bins, etc.) They also have afterschool care including STEAM opportunities, and family friendly get togethers like park days, trunk or treat, and movie nights. It's been a wonderful experience and I recommend it highly!

I always assumed my daughter would start school in TK, but when she turned 1.5, I kept hearing about programs for two‑year‑olds. I was hesitant—especially because of the cost—but decided to attend a community preschool open house to learn more. That’s where I first met Miss Emmy. Her warmth and genuine kindness immediately stood out. After talking it over, my husband and I visited HRNS. Initially we were hesitant about the co‑op commitments, but we instantly fell in love with the bright, welcoming campus. We had toured another school, but nothing compared to the warmth, openness, and sense of community we felt at HRNS. Meeting the teachers and seeing how the children were supported made it clear our daughter would be in good hands. Miss Emmy explained parent expectations honestly and clearly, and everything felt manageable within such a supportive environment. Even though we have someone who could watch our daughter at no cost, we choose HRNS every day because of the community we’ve found. The teachers and parents have embraced our daughter with patience, care, and encouragement. Watching her continuously grow into her own person has been a joy, and she genuinely looks forward to going to school and moving to the “next door” each year. We will be sad when her time at HRNS comes to an end, but incredibly grateful for the foundation the school has given her—and us. If you are considering HRNS, know that you’ve found a true gem in Pasadena, ready to welcome you and your child with open arms.

OK… where should I start? We began looking for a preschool last year, and there were not many affordable options around Pasadena. Our pediatrician suggested that we check out several co-op schools, including HRNS. We decided to let our 2-year-old daughter try their summer program, and we never looked back. The location is great, and the lawn in front of the school is beautiful for kids to run around. They also separate the playground for younger kids (2 to 3 years old) and older kids (3 to 5 years old), so the little ones get their own dedicated outdoor space. What we love most about the school is the teachers and the strong sense of community. Both my wife and I are immigrants, and we speak a different language at home. We were a bit worried that our daughter would be unable to communicate and express her needs at school. Ms. Sarah and Ms. Jenny have been so patient. They gently guided her to speak for herself while encouraging her to join all the fun activities. Her progress has been beyond words. Speaking of the HRNS community, the required volunteer hours and the many events mean you get to know every child’s name and see your own child grow day by day. The families also become quite close. There are some limitations to the co-op model, such as classroom volunteer shifts (2 to 4 sessions every six weeks) and the school’s budget challenges. But if you can manage the volunteer hours, I highly recommend this school. It is a unique experience you truly cannot buy anywhere else.