Welcome
Welcome to Coastal Gan Preschool, Day Care, and Enrichment Center.
A Play-Based, Jewish-Inspired Preschool in Encinitas, CA
Now enrolling children ages 6 months to 5 years old
Where Childhood Is Respected, and Learning Is Magical
At Coastal Gan Preschool, we believe that childhood should be filled with wonder, discovery, and deep connection. Nestled in the heart of Encinitas, California, our Jewish, play-based preschool and infant-toddler daycare provides a nurturing, safe, and inspiring environment where children learn and grow at their own pace.
Our mixed-age program is designed for children ages 6 months to 5 years, blending the warmth of a home environment with the quality of a high-end early childhood center. We follow a child-led, RIE-inspired approach that values autonomy, outdoor exploration, and the powerful learning that comes through play.
Why Families Choose Coastal Gan
Small Group, Big Heart
We intentionally keep our program small to offer personalized care and maintain a low teacher-to-child ratio. Each child is seen, heard, and celebrated.
Outdoor, Nature-Rich Learning
Children spend most of their day outdoors—exploring, walking the neighborhood, playing with sand and water, and engaging with natural materials. We believe nature is the best classroom.
Mixed-Age Environment
Our family-style setup mirrors real life—where younger children learn from older ones and older children grow as leaders. It fosters empathy, collaboration, and confidence.
Respectful, Responsive Care
Infants are fed in arms, rocked to sleep, and cared for on their own rhythms. Toddlers and preschoolers are supported with potty training at your pace and your method.
Jewish Values & Traditions
Children experience Jewish life through hands-on exploration, storytelling, blessings, Hebrew language, and community celebrations. We warmly welcome families from all backgrounds.
Home-Cooked, Nutritious Meals
We serve three healthy, label-conscious, home-cooked meals daily: breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. We’re happy to accommodate dietary needs.
Screen-Free, Pressure-Free
No worksheets, no screens. All learning is joyfully self-chosen and deeply meaningful
Cloth Diapering? Absolutely.
We’re proud to support cloth diapering and work in partnership with each family’s preferences.
We Accept Subsidies
We accept CDA, YMCA, and military childcare assistance to help make high-quality care accessible.
Our Philosophy
We Believe:
- Children learn through play
- Children are inherently curious
- Children deserve a safe and enriching environment
- Children should feel heard and valued
- Every child is a full and complete human being, deserving of respect, dignity, and kindness
- Every child deserves the opportunity to receive a quality education
- Judaism is a rich and vibrant culture and should be nurtured.
At Coastal Gan our mission is:
- To care for and educate children in a stimulating, safe and loving environment.
- To fill each child’s day with creative learning experiences, enriched with Jewish values and traditions.
- To encourage the physical, intellectual, and emotional growth of each child
- To view each child as an individual and give him/her the necessary respect and attention needed to develop and grow.
- To work as a partnership with each child’s parents to create the optimum learning experience for the child.