Ranked among the top 10 childcare centers in Salinas. Fewer than half of all centers in the city reach this level across our full 11-dimension scoring.
Most Compassionate
Earned the highest compassion score in Salinas. This dimension captures how families describe staff empathy, how concerns are handled, and the emotional environment of the center.
Best Culture
Earned the highest culture score in Salinas. This dimension captures a sense of community, inclusivity, staff morale, and the feeling families describe when they walk through the door.
Best Extracurriculars
Earned the highest extracurricular score in Salinas. This dimension covers enrichment programs — languages, STEM, yoga, cooking, field trips, and other activities beyond the core curriculum.
Full Ranking Detail
childcarepreschoolcatholic
Madonna Del Sasso Preschool at 20 Santa Teresa Way in Salinas is a CCLD-licensed preschool (License #274404305, capacity 36) part of the broader Madonna Del Sasso School, serving ages 2 through Pre-K with 3-day and 5-day program options. The center's nearly 70-year Catholic educational tradition emphasizes whole-child development—spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical—and Niche reviews highlight strong community bonds and dedicated staff. A self-directed learning approach combined with teacher guidance prepares children for kindergarten through activities like art, cutting, and manipulative work, with before and after-school care available (7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. for an additional fee). Families should note that the center serves preschool ages only, no infant or toddler programs; a Type B citation from the October 2023 CCLD inspection warrants review of specific details.
Safety5.0
Curriculum6.0
Art / Music5.0
Infant care3.0
Kindergarten readiness6.0
Teacher quality6.0
Compassion7.0
Management6.0
Culture7.0
Extracurriculars6.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Program uses self-directed exploration and teacher-guided instruction. Develops listening, memorization, direction-following, motor skills, and personal responsibility while preparing students for kindergarten.
Programs & activities: Age-appropriate activities including coloring, painting, cutting, gluing, and manipulative work. Before and after-school care includes lunch, snacks, crafts, and indoor/outdoor play.
What sets it apart: Serves ages 2 years through Pre-K. Offers 3-day (MWF) and 5-day programs, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Extension services available 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. for additional fee.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 10 in Salinas
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 10 in Salinas</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Ranked among the top 10 childcare centers in Salinas. Fewer than half of all centers in the city reach this level across our full 11-dimension scoring.</span>
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Most Compassionate
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Madonna Del Sasso Preschool -->
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Most Compassionate</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest compassion score in Salinas. This dimension captures how families describe staff empathy, how concerns are handled, and the emotional environment of the center.</span>
</span>
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Best Culture
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Madonna Del Sasso Preschool -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/central-valley/salinas/madonna-del-sasso-preschool/" 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 Salinas. 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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</a>
Best Extracurriculars
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Madonna Del Sasso Preschool -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/central-valley/salinas/madonna-del-sasso-preschool/" 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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<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Extracurriculars</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest extracurricular score in Salinas. This dimension covers enrichment programs — languages, STEM, yoga, cooking, field trips, and other activities beyond the core curriculum.</span>
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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.
