Licensed for
190
children at one time. This is the state’s limit. It is not the number enrolled now.
Child care center and infant center
Bella Montessori
Lake Forest · 2 state licences
Not scored
Preschools aren’t tested, scored or ranked. Licensed since 2015. 1 serious violation across 8 state visits to its child care center licence.
Licensed since
2015
The state issued this child care center licence on November 5, 2015.
Type A findings
1
across 8 state visits to its child care center licence. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
Source: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing · licensing record synced August 13, 2026.
State licensing
What does the state record about Bella Montessori?
It holds two licences, a child care center for 150 children and an infant center for 40.
Child Care Center, licence 304371039
Licensed for 150 children since 2015. The state has 8 visits on file and 1 Type A finding.
Child Care Center
Active
First licensed November 5, 2015
Latest recorded visit: June 10, 2026
Licence number304371039
Type A findings
1
Across 8 state visits. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
Type B findings
1
Across 8 state visits. The state reports a total. It does not say which visit a finding came from.
2
Complaint visits
A complaint visit is an investigation. The record does not say what the state decided.
- Licensed capacityThe most allowed at once, not current openings or group size150 children
- State visits on file3 inspection visits, 3 other visits8
- Citation codes listedA code doesn’t say when a finding happened or whether it was corrected101226(c), 101238(g), 101212(d)(1)(D)
Visit dates and visit types, licence 304371039
Dates are listed as supplied by CCLD. Finding totals above are not attached to individual visits.
Complaint information date: May 4, 2023
Full state record for licence 304371039 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Infant Center, licence 304371040
Licensed for 40 children since 2015. The state has 5 visits on file and no Type A finding.
Infant Center
Active
First licensed November 5, 2015
Latest recorded visit: May 5, 2026
Licence number304371040
Type A findings
0
Across 5 state visits. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety.
Type B findings
0
Across 5 state visits. The state reports a total. It does not say which visit a finding came from.
2
Complaint visits
A complaint visit is an investigation. The record does not say what the state decided.
- Licensed capacity40 children
- State visits on file3 inspection visits, 0 other visits5
Visit dates and visit types, licence 304371040
Dates are listed as supplied by CCLD. Finding totals above are not attached to individual visits.
Complaint information date: July 16, 2025
Full state record for licence 304371040 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
AskWhen was your last state licensing visit, and what did it find?
A licensing record shows what state inspectors checked. It does not describe teaching or a child’s day. Source: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing · licensing record synced August 13, 2026. Check the state’s current inspection records ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Cost
We have no prices.
Ask for the weekly or monthly rate and what it includes.
AskWhat does a year cost in total, and when could our child start?
TK and kindergarten
When could free TK start instead?
The September after they turn 4. California’s public transitional kindergarten (TK) is free for children who turn 4 by September 1.
The 3 nearest public elementary schools with a TK class
1.3mi
Lake Forest Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified
Scope Score 80Solid · 70th percentile
1.4mi
Rancho Cañada Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified
Scope Score 81Strong · 75th percentile
1.6mi
Del Lago Elementary
Saddleback Valley Unified
Scope Score 72Developing · 29th percentile
See all 5 TK campuses in Lake Forest →
Each percentile compares a school with California schools at its own level. 75 is the typical California school. 100 is the best result in the state. Distance is a straight line. It is not an attendance boundary. Check TK and kindergarten entry with the district. Source: California Department of Education, state tests (CAASPP), spring 2026, and the state’s TK enrollment counts.
Next steps
How do I visit Bella Montessori, and what should I ask?
Call (949) 900-2420 and ask to visit during the day, while children are there.
- When was your last state licensing visit, and what did it find?
- The licences allow 190 children across two licences (150 child care, 40 infant). How many children share your child’s room, and with how many adults?
- Which ages do you take, and how does a new child settle in?
- What are the daily hours and closure dates, and is there care before or after?
- What does a year cost in total, and when could our child start?
- The state record shows 1 Type A finding. What changed afterwards?
- The state has 2 complaint visits on file. What were they about, and what did the state decide?
On a visit, watch how adults talk with children, how play and rest are set up, and how staff handle a hard morning.
Other licensed programs
Which other preschools are nearby?
These are the 5 nearest licensed programs. Open one to read its state record.
0.2mi
Not scoredFulbright Montessori Academy
Lake Forest · Child care center · Licensed for 135 children
1.0mi
Not scoredThe Goddard School
Lake Forest · Child care center and infant center · Licensed for 155 children
1.0mi
Not scoredHeritage Hill Kindercare
Lake Forest · Child care center · Licensed for 108 children
1.2mi
Not scoredGuidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch
Foothill Ranc · Child care center · Licensed for 92 children
1.2mi
Not scoredGuidepost Montessori Foothill Ranch
Foothill Ranc · Infant center · Licensed for 54 children
See all preschools in Lake Forest →
Distance is a straight line from Bella Montessori. Capacity is the most children the state allows at one time. Source: California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing.
Short answers to 6 common questions
Is it licensed?
Yes. It holds an active child care center licence, number 304371039, first issued November 5, 2015. It holds 2 licences in all. See the details ↓
Has the state found problems?
8 state visits on file for licence 304371039, with 1 Type A finding and 1 Type B finding across them. Type A means an immediate risk to health or safety. See the details ↓
How many children are there?
Up to 190 children at once under the licences. That’s the state’s maximum, not current enrollment; ask how many are enrolled and their ages. See the details ↓
What does it cost?
We have no source for its prices. Ask for the weekly or monthly rate and what it includes. See the details ↓
When could my child start free TK instead?
The September after they turn 4. TK is free at public elementary schools for children who turn 4 by September 1. 5 public and charter campuses in Lake Forest have a TK class. See the details ↓
How do I visit?
Call (949) 900-2420 and ask to visit during the day, while children are there. See the details ↓
Where these records come from
The inspection source covers child care centers, not family child care homes. Check each license’s sync date and the current state reports, then confirm routines and enrollment with the program.
Data source: California Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) · licensing record synced August 13, 2026
Inspection reports ↗ · Parent reviews on Winnie ↗ · Pre-K vs TK vs preschool in California: a 2026 parent’s guide · Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio