Locally owned. Restored & run with love.
Once upon a time, back in the 1980s, our owner herself attended preschool right at this very school (that’s her at the school on the slides, and next to the california raisin in room 3)! She had a wonderful experience here as a child, and had nothing but fond memories of her time here. She grew up, of course, and devoted her career to protecting and helping children heal from trauma as a clinical social worker. In early 2021, she toyed with the idea of expanding her private practice and began casually looking at available real estate. And then she saw it—her old preschool for sale! She visited and was overwhelmed with nostalgia… and sadness. Her beloved school had become run down and neglected, a shadow of what it once was. She knew right away she had to save it! With the help of our owner’s family and friends, Garden Grove came to be.
“our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”
-Walt Disney
Our school property has a rich history and has been a beloved part of the Sparta community for many decades. The original school was founded and built by Mrs. Dorothy Engle in the 1950s. After her, it was Children’s Garden from the late 1980s-2010s before it briefly changed hands and was then purchased by Chrissy for Garden Grove in 2022. Mrs. Engle and the wonderful staff who have taught here throughout the years have touched the lives of hundreds of children. We at Garden Grove hope to honor Mrs. Engle’s memory, and carry on her legacy of bringing quality early education to the children of our area, with a personal, nurturing touch. Chrissy is working on compiling a history of the school and property. If you have any pictures or stories you would like to share about you or your children’s time here, whether it was under Mrs. Engle’s care, or Children’s Garden, please reach out, we would love to hear from you!
