Ranked among the top 10 childcare centers in National City. Fewer than half of all centers in the city reach this level across our full 11-dimension scoring.
Best Curriculum
Earned the highest curriculum score in National City. This dimension evaluates structured learning, developmental programming, and how well daily activities prepare children for each stage.
Best K-Ready
Earned the highest kindergarten-readiness score in National City. This dimension reflects pre-literacy, pre-math, and school-readiness preparation reported by parents and visible in the curriculum.
Best Arts & Music
Earned the highest arts & music score in National City. This dimension reflects the depth and consistency of creative programming — visual arts, music, movement, and imaginative play.
Full Ranking Detail
PreschoolPre-KFaith-BasedFull DayPart Day
Little Lambs Preschool — National City is a licensed center-based provider serving ages 2–5 at 1200 East Eighth Street in National City, operated continuously since 2005 with an 80-child capacity. The program uses the A Beka Curriculum with a strong structured emphasis on phonics and numbers, preparing children for kindergarten entry. Operating year-round from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday–Friday from its location at Bethel Evangelical Church, it accommodates full-day and part-day schedules for working families. The center earned a DaycareCheck Grade A (100/100 composite score) and maintains excellent safety compliance overall; however, Type B citations during 2025 and 2023 CCLD inspections warrant a review of specifics with the licensing office before enrollment, and the faith-based Christian curriculum may not suit all families.
Safety5.0
Curriculum7.0
Art / Music5.0
Kindergarten readiness7.0
Teacher quality6.0
Compassion6.0
Management5.0
Culture6.0
Extracurriculars5.0
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 10 in National City
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Little Lambs Preschool — National City -->
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 10 in National City</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Ranked among the top 10 childcare centers in National City. Fewer than half of all centers in the city reach this level across our full 11-dimension scoring.</span>
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</a>
Best Curriculum
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Little Lambs Preschool — National City -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/san-diego/national-city/little-lambs-preschool-national-city/" 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;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-curriculum.jpg" alt="Best Curriculum - Little Lambs Preschool — National City - National City, CA" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Curriculum</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest curriculum score in National City. This dimension evaluates structured learning, developmental programming, and how well daily activities prepare children for each stage.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best K-Ready
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Little Lambs Preschool — National City -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/san-diego/national-city/little-lambs-preschool-national-city/" 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;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-kinder.jpg" alt="Best K-Ready - Little Lambs Preschool — National City - National City, CA" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best K-Ready</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest kindergarten-readiness score in National City. This dimension reflects pre-literacy, pre-math, and school-readiness preparation reported by parents and visible in the curriculum.</span>
</span>
</a>
Best Arts & Music
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Little Lambs Preschool — National City -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/san-diego/national-city/little-lambs-preschool-national-city/" 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;">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-arts.jpg" alt="Best Arts & Music - Little Lambs Preschool — National City - National City, CA" width="80" height="80" style="border-radius:8px;flex-shrink:0;" loading="lazy">
<span>
<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 National City. This dimension reflects the depth and consistency of creative programming — visual arts, music, movement, and imaginative play.</span>
</span>
</a>
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.
