Hilltop Preschool
Hilltop Preschool is a licensed child care center in Poway, CA, licensed for up to 97 children and serving preschool-age children. It has held its California license since 2018. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 4 times and investigated 1 complaint, 0 of them substantiated. The state issued 7 citations, 1 of them Type A (the most serious), most often for building & playground safety (2 of 7). None came in the last 12 months. Measured by weighted citations per inspection, it is #17 of 20 centers in Poway and has more citations per inspection than 84% of California licensed centers.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Based on observation and interview of Director Martin the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that none of the children in the Ladybug classroom (2 yr olds), Dragonfly classroom (PreK) rooms and one out of 8 children in the Fireflies room were wearing masks. This poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Based on observation the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. Several mats in the toddler room, room #1, were torn exposing the foam. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that cleaning supplies including Clorox wipes and disinfectant spray were accessible to children in the Catepillar Class, Dragonfly Class and Ladybug Class. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. LPA's observed three tricycles on the playground missing foot pedals. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 6 out of 12 staff members were missing immunization records. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 4 out of 12 staff members are missing current mandated reporter certifcations. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review and interview with Director the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. The facility does not maintain documentation on the 15 minute checks on sleeping infants. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Complaint investigations
About this center
Other licenses at this address
Common questions
Does Hilltop Preschool take infants?
Not under this license, which covers preschool-age children. An infant center is licensed separately at the same address (listed below).
Has Hilltop Preschool had any serious violations?
California issued 1 Type A citation since 2021, its most serious category. The most recent was on Nov 10, 2021, for personal rights. Each citation is listed in full above.
Have there been complaints about Hilltop Preschool?
California investigated 1 complaint since 2021 and substantiated 0. Allegations are shown only for substantiated complaints.
How does Hilltop Preschool compare with other daycares in Poway?
It is #17 of 20 centers in Poway by weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 84% of California licensed centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Hilltop Preschool last inspected?
Dec 2, 2025. No citations were issued during that visit.
How much does Hilltop Preschool cost?
California does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Hilltop Preschool for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-time price at licensed centers in San Diego County, which includes Poway, was $1,013 a month for preschoolers (about $1,280 today) in the state’s 2021 Regional Market Rate Survey.
Who runs Hilltop Preschool?
The licensee is Buhgigi & Associates Incorporated, and the administrator listed with the state is Marla Martin.
Licensed centers nearby
12348b Casa Avenida, Poway · under 0.1 mi away · 48 spotsMore citations than mostSt. Michael's Preschool
15542 Pomerado Road, Poway · 0.2 mi away · 30 spotsNo citationsCountry Montessori School Of Poway
12642 Monte Vista Road, Poway · 0.3 mi away · 142 spotsAbout typicalBig Future Preschool
15010 Pomerado Road, Poway · 0.4 mi away · 65 spotsAbout typicalYMCA Teens In Motion: Rancho Bernardo High
13010 Paseo Lucido, San Diego · 0.5 mi away · 30 spotsNo citationsABC Children's Center At San Diego
12145 Alta Carmel Court #270, San Diego · 0.6 mi away · 82 spotsAmong the most cited
Citations are quoted from California Department of Social Services inspection and complaint reports. Type A citations are the state’s most serious category (an immediate risk to children’s health, safety or personal rights); Type B citations are a potential risk. A citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall. Complaint allegations appear here only when the state substantiated them.
To read the full state reports, search facility number 376701402 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 2, 2026.