Sunny Grove Preschool and Childcare, located in an office park suite on Sisk Rd in Modesto, serves infants through preschool age with a progressive Reggio Emilia-inspired, nature-centered curriculum rooted in HighScope research. Directed by an educator with a Master's degree in Early Education, the center organizes children across four classroom levels and emphasizes sensory play, social-emotional development, and STEM foundations, with daily meals and snacks included in tuition. Hours run Monday–Friday 7:00 AM–5:30 PM and new families receive a 10 percent tuition discount through October. As a newer operation still establishing its track record, the center lacks independent parent reviews; prospective families may want to visit in person to observe the learning environment firsthand.
Safety7.0
Curriculum8.0
Art / Music8.0
Infant care6.0
Kindergarten readiness7.0
Teacher quality7.0
Compassion7.0
Management7.0
Culture8.0
Extracurriculars7.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Nature-centered learning, Reggio Emilia-inspired with 100 languages of creative expression, and HighScope research-based curriculum with progress tracking. Non-religious and welcoming to all beliefs.
Programs & activities: Four classroom levels (Seedling 6 weeks-24mo, Sprout 2-3yr, Acorn 3-4yr, Pinecone 4-5yr) offering sensory play, social-emotional development, STEM foundations, language development, outdoor classroom components, and kindergarten readiness activities. Daily nutritious meals and snacks included.
What sets it apart: Directed by Elisha Hawkins (Master of Early Education). Hours Monday-Friday 7am-5:30pm. First five enrolled families receive 10% tuition discount through October 31. Individualized learning and development plans provided.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 3 in Modesto
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 3 in Modesto</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Ranked among the top 3 childcare centers in Modesto across all 11 quality dimensions — placing this center in the very top tier of local options.</span>
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Best Culture
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<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/central-valley/modesto/sunny-grove-preschool-and-childcare/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Culture</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest culture score in Modesto. This dimension captures a sense of community, inclusivity, staff morale, and the feeling families describe when they walk through the door.</span>
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Best Arts & Music
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Arts & Music</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest arts & music score in Modesto. This dimension reflects the depth and consistency of creative programming — visual arts, music, movement, and imaginative play.</span>
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Updated · July 2026
This recognition is awarded independently by Creative Minds Montessori based on publicly available parent reviews and public records. Centers do not pay for or request these rankings. Scores reflect editorial synthesis of verified parent experience — not center marketing materials. Rankings are updated periodically as new reviews are analyzed.
