Melissa Garcia, Center Director
Ages: 6 weeks to 6 years
Open:
Welcome to Via Verde KinderCare
Welcome to Via Verde KinderCare! We are conveniently located near Interstate 10, in the beautiful city of San Dimas, California. Our center offers a safe and nurturing environment, where dedicated teachers work individually with each child to help them develop academic, emotional, social, and physical skills. We work hard to build confidence for life in our students. From the moment you walk into our center, it's our mission to make you feel welcomed and part of our KinderCare family!
Our classrooms are places to thrive!
In our safe and healthy classrooms, your child will be engaged in learning experiences that meet them where they are, both socially and academically. With fun daily activities, passionate teachers, and great friends, a lifetime of confidence starts here. Contact the center director to learn more about our child care options and schedule a tour!
Meet Melissa Garcia, Our Center Director
At KinderCare Since: 2009
Favorite Children's Book: Charlotte's Web
Meet Melissa Garcia! Melissa is the Center Director at Via Verde KinderCare in California. She attended Ellis University and the Center for Employment Training. She loves to watch children develop and grow. Melissa has been working with KinderCare for eleven years now, starting in 2009. Her favorite quote is "Follow your dreams." When she is not working, Melissa likes to go to the beach.
AMERICA’S MOST ACCREDITED
We’re so proud!
Nationally only 10% of daycares are accredited - nearly 100% of our learning centers are. That’s a big difference, and that means KinderCare kids are getting the very best. Here’s why.
SCHOOL-READY
What Learning Looks Like
Our talented early-childhood teachers set kids down the path toward becoming lifelong learners in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment.
Via Verde KinderCare Programs
Infant Programs (6 weeks–1 year)
Leaving your baby in someone else’s care is a big step. Everyone at our centers—most importantly, our naturally gifted infant teachers—will work with you to make sure the transition goes smoothly. When you step into our infant classroom, you’ll see how much we want your infant to feel safe, loved, and ready to explore their world.
Toddler Programs (1–2 Years)
Everything in our toddler classroom is designed for little explorers. That’s because a lot is going on at this age. When your child is wandering all over the place, that means they’re learning and discovering new things every day. We’ll help them explore their interests (and find new ones!) as they play and learn.
Discovery Preschool Programs (2–3 Years)
This age is filled with so much wonder and curiosity. That’s why we offer a ton of books and toys and bring artwork down to kids eye level. Children in discovery preschool also begin to learn how we all work together in a classroom. Simple math and science, pretend play, and group play help them get used to a more structured school setting.
Preschool Programs (3–4 Years)
This age is all about expression, when kids really start to form their own ideas about what they want to play and how they want to create. Every day in our preschool classroom, your child will explore science experiments, create artwork, and play pretend—all the skills needed for their big next step: kindergarten!
Prekindergarten Programs (4–5 Years)
When you walk into one of our pre-K classrooms, you’ll see artwork and writing displayed around the room. Labels are everywhere to help kids connect letters with words. You’ll also see pictures on the walls that reflect the families in our community. Your child will also deepen their knowledge in language, math, science, Spanish, and social skills.
School Break Programs (preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age)
Winter break, spring break, summer break—when school’s out (but you still need to work), you can count on KinderCare to provide a safe and supportive learning environment that’s focused on fun. We welcome children ages 5–12 during school break times and make sure they have a sensational, screen-free experience they won’t forget.
Learning Adventures - Enrichment Program
Cooking Academy™ (3 – 12 Years)
In Cooking Academy, kids learn new recipes from cultures around the world and develop a healthy relationship with food. They’ll whip up everything from Southwest rainbow lettuce wraps to pumpkin muffins, building their skills in STEM, communication, and more along the way. And yes—little chefs get to eat their culinary creations!
Music Explorers™ (2 – 4 Years)
KinderCare families are already giving a standing ovation to our newest Learning Adventures program: Music Explorers! Kids will learn to sing, move, listen, play instruments, and even create their own tunes. Our original curriculum blends math, science, social studies, literacy, and mindfulness (think yoga!) for a uniquely KinderCare way of learning the foundations of music.
Phonics Adventures® (2 – 4 Years)
Learning how to read is a whole lot of fun at KinderCare! We help kids grow to love books and words (and get ready for kindergarten) in our Phonics Adventures program. From discovering the basics of vowels to practicing poetry, kids learn all about letters and sounds in small-group lessons made just for their age group. (Bonus: Kids who attend our phonics program are more prepared than their peers for school—and we have the data to prove it.)
STEM Innovators (3-8 Years)
You’ve probably heard a lot about how important STEM education is for your child, but what does that really mean? Our STEM Innovators program takes kids’ natural ability to make sense of the world and applies it to robotics, chemistry, coding, geology, and more. While your child experiments, they’ll discover how to use technology to do amazing things!
Dance class
Our Teachers
We're the only company in early childhood education to select teachers based on natural talent. Being a great educator isn't enough though. KinderCare teachers are also amazing listeners, nurturers, boo-boo fixers, and smile-makers. Put more simply, we love our teachers and your child will, too.
Meet just a few of our amazing KinderCare teachers!
A KINDERCARE TEACHER WITH
An Artist's Heart
"My classroom is full of art!” says Mary Annthipie-Bane, an award-winning early childhood educator at KinderCare. Art and creative expression, she says, help children discover who they really are.
We put our best-in-class teachers in a best-in-class workplace. We're so proud to have been named one of Gallup's 37 winners of the Great Workplace Award. When you put great teachers in an engaging center, your children will experience an amazing place to learn and grow.
Family Stories
Don't take our word for it. Hear what our families have to say about our amazing center!
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I wanted to take a moment to recognize the whole staff at Via Verde KinderCare in San Dimas, CA. We have been part of the KinderCare family for a little over a year and we couldn't be happier with the level of care our child has received the entire time. All the teachers there, Ms. Elena, Ms. Adriana, Ms. Amber, Ms. Elissa, and Ms. Angel have all built a caring relationship with our family. Christi, the Center Director is always available for us if there is a concern and Nichole always offers us her smile and dedicated assistance. I'm so proud to say that my daughter attends this KinderCare center. She is very happy here and learns something new every day. Thank you for a great year!
”Carla C. - KinderCare Parent
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My daughter is two-and-a-half and has been enrolled in KinderCare since she turned two. She is at the Via Verde location in San Dimas, CA, and I cannot recommend this place more strongly. The staff is AMAZING! Ms. Christie, the director, sets the tone for the whole place- which is warm, welcoming, and well-structured. My daughter feels comfortable with all staff members, and loves her teacher, Ms. Lydia. All staff is amazing- Ms. Nicole, the assistant director and Ms. Alicia, who takes care of my daughter in the morning before school. I visited numerous schools and this is the only center I felt comfortable leaving my child at. It really is like a second family to her. We recently just changed her days from 3 to 5 days a week because she loves it so much and is learning a lot. Best child care center ever!
”Dawn P. - KinderCare Parent
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My 5 month old son Is currently on the wait list for Via Verde KinderCare and I am so grateful we found this center. I was determined to find a home daycare, thinking it was the only way he would get real hands on care, attention, and love... then I walked in to the Via Verde center and met their staff. I was blown away by the friendliness and professionalism of each and every person I came in contact with. The entryway is secure, well supervised, and I was greeted every time I arrived. The infant room is filled with color, texture, and musical stimulation. Ms. Elena and Ms. Tracy are so enthusiastic about teaching the babies and nurturing language, social, and motor development. I quickly learned there are so many benefits to choosing a daycare center with skilled staff over a home daycare.
”Cameron Z. - KinderCare Parent
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My three year old granddaughter has been attending KinderCare San Dimas since she was eighteen months old. We looked into other day cares closer to her home in Los Alamitos and found KinderCare San Dimas far exceeds the other day cares in performance, results and quality of teachers. I am very happy with this school and continue to recommend KinderCare San Dimas on Via Verde to other mothers. Thank you!
”Marion S. - KinderCare Parent
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Dear KinderCare Staff and Teachers at Via Verde San Dimas,
Thanks for all you do to make KinderCare a fun and educational place for our boys to spend their day! It has been comforting knowing our boys are in good hands while we work. With heart felt appreciation, the S. family.”Jeannette and Brett S. - KinderCare Parent
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We just want to send you a heartfelt thank you to everyone that has taught, nurtured and loved our Maiya these last few years. As a new parent it was really hard to leave Maiya in the care of someone else, but every time we have left her at KinderCare we rest assured knowing that she is happy and learning. Maiya loves going to school and learning and she always tells us that she loves her friends and teachers at school. KinderCare Via Verde has become almost like a second home to us and we thank each and every one of you for all you do every day! Thank you for giving such loving care to our first baby Maiya. Sincerely, Abel & Julian G.
”Abel & Julian G. - KinderCare Parent
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Dearest KinderCare Staff,
As you know Arianna will be going to Kindergarten in the fall and sadly she will no longer attend with all you lovely ladies. I want to truly thank all of you for all that you do, not only just in my daughter's education and care, but for also helping me reach my goals. Without you ladies it wouldn't be possible. May God bless you all in everything you do. It saddens me to say goodbye, geez I am crying right now… I can't imagine what it will be like when Arianna goes to Kindergarten or even walks down the aisle one day (okay I'm getting ahead of myself). Thank you again and you all will truly be missed. Thank you for touching our lives for the last four-and-a-half years.
We love you all! Shannon, Fidel & Arianna”Shannon and Fidel C. - KinderCare Parent
Who Are KinderCare Families?
They hail from hundreds of cities across the country from countless backgrounds, and proudly represent every walk in life. What our families have in common, though, is the want to give their children the best start in life. We are so proud to be their partner in parenting.
Hear from just a few of our amazing KinderCare families.
A Globe-Trotting Family Finds A
Home in Houston
Four young children, four different passports, two languages, two full-time jobs…oh, and a few triathlons thrown in for good measure. Meet the globe-trotting Colettas—a family on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accreditations does KinderCare have?
We are your trusted caregiver. Our centers are state-licensed and regularly inspected to make sure everything meets or exceeds standards, including child-to-teacher ratios and safe facilities. Our centers aren’t just licensed—most are accredited, too! Find out more.
Do you offer part-time schedules at Via Verde KinderCare?
Everybody’s schedule is different. We’re happy to offer quality, affordable part-time and full-time childcare. Drop-in care may also be available. Reach out to your Center Director to learn more.
How does naptime work at Via Verde KinderCare?
Our teachers meet every child’s needs during naptime. Our teachers know how to get babies to nap. In fact, they are pros at getting children of any age to nap. Visit our article on "10 Ways We Help Kids Get a Great Daycare Nap" to learn more.
Do you support alternative diets?
We strive to be as inclusive as possible. To that point, we provide a vegetarian option at mealtime, take care to not serve common allergens and can adapt menus based on your child’s food sensitivities. If your child has additional needs, we’ll work with you to figure out a plan.
Are meals included in tuition? Can I choose to send my child with lunch?
We provide nutritious meals and snacks developed by a registered dietician to meet the needs of rapidly growing bodies and minds. If your child has special dietary requirements and you would prefer to bring in their lunch, please make arrangements with the center director.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
Every child begins toilet learning at a different age. Until your child shows an interest in toilet learning, we’ll provide diaper changes on an as-needed basis. When your child shows an interest, we'll discuss how to work together to encourage toilet learning.