Our son bloomed during his time at Sunshine. Miss Ai-Ling and miss Jan were fantastic teachers. We saw so much progress both around language, social skills, counting. Unbelievable! Special mention to Miss Lana who demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his time at Sunshine. Unfortunately we had to pull him out because of the coronavirus outbreak. Hopefully we can send him back once things come down :) Highly recommend! read more

I came here for a tour of the preschool and was less than thrilled at what I saw and heard from the director's mouth. She was not a pleasant person to be around. I don't think she is a good saleswoman (someone said that in a review), and I did not see what I had hoped to see in a preschool. (loving atmosphere, caring teachers, happy students, cheerful staff) She is extremely cold and should not be working in a facility where there are small children. She has no caring nature to her and lacks people skills. (a smile would do wonders ya'know?) First off, when I came to the school, she showed me things that I think aren't really important until I've actually enrolled my child there. I was more excited in seeing the classroom and experiencing what the teachings had to offer. She was talking about fire drills/once a month and things that aren't really important until later. It may seem that she is trying to be thorough but I know it's b/c she was stalling for time to go to see the actual classroom and what they are teaching. When I got to the classroom, the children were DEAD SILENT. As a former teacher, I understand children do need quiet time to focus but these are 2-4 year olds!! The director tried to intimidate me by telling me that it was Montessori and that it was bilingual rather than immersion and that I was WRONG for thinking it was immersion. I informed her that the person who I spoke with on the phone told me it was immersion. I don't understand why she was trying to pick an argument over one word! When a couple parents came in about 15 later than 9am, she told me that these parents were 'late' and gave a very disapproving nod! (hello, there are some mornings where people have drs appointments, things come up when you have a small child!) I really wonder if she has had children but it doesn't seem like it! She was so cold to this one boy who forgot to wash his hands after using the restroom. He's 4! I would not want my child to be treated this way. She was also not that nice to my child who was kind of excited to be in the classroom and saying things. She kept telling him to be quiet :( I wasn't terribly impressed by the 2 teachers in the classroom. One didn't interact with the children at all and was only cutting papers. One student who was not sitting quietly (as I was told) was off to the side drawing lots and lots of birds for a good 20-25 minutes (entire time I was there) was not asked to join the activity until I asked the director why she wasn't invited to be mainstreamed with the rest of the children? I have a feeling my son would be that child to be put to the side and then, he would just draw tons and tons of jellyfish. The other teacher facilitating circle time seemed ok but not really excited or happy to be around the children. Her English was extremely difficult to understand but I guess that doesn't matter if you are trying to send your child here to learn Chinese/math. Overall, I would not choose to send my child to this preschool even though I am really looking for a Chinese/English bilingual or immersion preschool. I think this preschool works if your child can sit still for long periods of time and you don't mind such a distant/cold director. read more

While this school has all of the traditional Montessori materials, the instruction methods are more structured than the child-directed Montessori approach, which wasn't working for my daughter. The children here are taught reading, writing, math and Chinese. In six months, my daughter went from not coloring or writing letters at all to coloring in the lines, writing all of her letters neatly and speaking some Chinese. Socially, she blossomed as well. She absolutely loved this school and left it well-prepared for kindergarten. My only regret with sending my child to this school is that I didn't do it sooner. read more

My son has been going here for 3 yrs. and we love the school. He is in 4-5 yr room right now and its fairly academic, fun and the teachers encourage learning and questioning. Ms. Lana, the Director is amazing read more

Our daughter started Sunshine when she was just 2, and now she's turning 5 this year and will be graduating to start Transitional kindergarten in the Fall. We had wonderful experiences throughout the years and we're saddened that our 2nd daughter won't be going there (we recently moved away). The environment at Sunshine has always been very loving and caring. Every single personnel (from admin to the teacher's aide) makes me feel that my kid is always in good hands. My daughter has grown so much over the years and I credit her teachers (Ms. I-ling, Ms. Megan and prev. teacher, Ms. Yin Yin) for their hard work. If you have a toddler, you know they don't lie (or hide) their feelings. My daughter never hesitated to tell me how much she loved her teachers. Montessori method encourages children to be independent, and that method worked out very well for our (very independent) child. They nurtured and taught her how to be patient and independent at the same time and so much more! And now, she's ready to take on Kindergarten like a pro. Ms. Lana (the new director) has been so wonderful to work with. She's always professional and polite and really knows what she's doing. Both my kid and I enjoyed all the field trips that we took with the school over the years. I think it's a great way to show children what's outside of the classroom and experience it with their friends. My daughter made her first best-friends at this school and have so many memories to remember by. We'll miss this place immensely. I'd suggest all parents who are interested at Sunshine to visit the school and meet the teachers in person. read more

When we first moved to Cupertino in 2011, we visited five Montessori schools near our home to find a morning program with the right vibe. Some Montessori schools can be militant, and some didn't have the diversity we were looking for. (I didn't want my daughter to be the only girl in class, or to be the only white child in class.) We chose Sunshine Montessori because it seemed like the best fit. We have had our daughter there for 18 months and will keep her there until she starts kindergarten at the public school in the fall (so she will have been there Sept 2011 - August 2013). We speak only English, and we have her in the English only class. She goes five mornings per week, as we had enrolled her for the educational and social benefits, rather than treating it as a daycare. I get the sense that many others go part time as well, which is nice. My daughter loves going to this school. She has made great friends, and the teachers in her class (Ms. Bushra and Ms. Yin-Yin) are as sweet as they can be. They give her hugs when she arrives and ask about her weekend or her baby sister. They are also very strong at educating the children (she's learning to read and do math at barely 4 years old). They have regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss the child's progress, and various social activities like plays and parties. While I love the teachers in Room 1, I don't know anything about the other teachers. I have interacted with the director minimally, and can concur with some other reviews that she's not the nicest to adults. But I almost never have to interact with her unless my nanny happens to be 2 minutes late for the noon pickup, and my daughter never has to interact with her. So it seems like one of those things that doesn't matter in the big picture. We will be enrolling my younger daughter in the Sunshine Montessori morning program starting this summer when she is 2 1/2 and is fully potty trained. She has come along during the morning dropoff every day so she's used to the environment and the teachers. While the student body is still not as racially diverse as I had hoped, I see a lot of great points to the school, so overall, we have been very happy with Sunshine and plan to stay. read more

My son was here for a year. In the beginning the place was great. But later I had seen issues which I think were not working out well for my son and he started loosing confidence. There is this one person there who is very good when she is good, but there are times when she is not at her best and that is easily reflected when she talks to you or harshly to the students. When my son was full time she said that he was very smart, when later I planned to take him off before time, suddenly he became very weak academically according to this person (guess she did not like loosing one more kid in the middle of the term ?)...and please how weak ACADEMICALLY can one be in pre-school ? I have also noted that the management is very happy when you give them gift card for X'mas as opposed to gifts. I could not afford to give gift cards to all the teachers so went out shopping and got gifts for all the teachers, the teachers were very happy and thanked me...the so called management did not even look up when I gave her the gift and just asked me to leave it on the desk. I am not going to start cribbing here as what my opinion is need not be true with the others. As far as I know the place is not run by the owner and is owned by apple seed montosorri group. I would say the place is good (as all teachers are pretty good) but has definitely room for a lots and lots of improvement specially when it comes to the behavior from the management to the parents If the owner is reading this review, my recommendation is that a survey be taken from all parents (and maybe survey from the teachers also regarding the management) and the results go directly to the owner and not to the management located there. Best Regards, read more

OMG I just read review of NB and let me add I agree with her about the so called "Management". The director is extremely incompetent and downright mean to the kids and I will give examples below. The only reason I am not giving the school a single star is that the teachers are simply great and that is the only reason I sent my daughter there for a year and I am so glad that kindergarten is starting soon and she will be out of there. Incompetence - for three months in a row the director lost track of my monthly payment. I paid on time and the school withdrew the money on time and I was told they have no proof that I have paid. I showed her iPhone app - that see you withdrew the money. She tells me that this doesn't work - get a letter from bank!!!! I have a ten year old and who has gone to multiple schools/classes etc and this is the first time I had to deal with such incompetent accounting again and again. And Director doesn't apologize for it and requests a bank statement - she orders you like you are the one who made the mistake. Her attitude is the worst. This month again I had messed up accounting and she wouldn't even let me explain what I thought was wrong. Mean - if it is 100 degrees outside and you forgot to pack a bottle of water in the morning for your child, you can be sure your child wouldn't get a drop of water the whole day if she is around. The teachers would do their best to do it when director isn't around. Same for a cold day - if it gets colder than what you thought and your child doesn't have the right jacket, the director will make sure that your child doesn't get any jacket even if there are additional jackets just lying around in the room. I am in the process of reporting this to the owner personally and hope some action is taken. I like the idea of NB as well that a survey should be done. This would be totally wonderful school if the owner can get rid of the director. I will report back my experience with the owner. UPDATE: The owner called me back. She was very polite and gracious. She said she is aware of the director's "weakness" and has been coaching her. She apologized for director's behavior. Oh well - all that is nice but seriously after five years of coaching the director could have learned how to be professional. read more

As most parents at some point preschool is a must. Sometimes earlier then others. As a full time working mother, my husband and I decided to look for a part-time preschool. After researching 20 different preschools, Sunshine Montessori it was. A great way to explain the Director is a sells man. She told me everything I wanted to hear on my first visit, but from day one our experience was horrible. Off the bat, day one; after I dropped William off with the necessary necessities, when I picked William up I noticed his diaper was over filled. The diapers I gave them was never opened, the teacher, Mrs. Sunita never changed his diaper in the 5 hours that he was there. His class ranges from 2-4 year olds and has a 1:24 ratio. Long review short, she talks to adults as if your a child. At our last encounter, she yelled at me in front of 24 children. She is unprofessional and has no director/teacher skills. She has no communication with her teachers. During Parent-teacher conference, if you need to take your child with you due to no child care, there short-staffed and have to sit during the meeting. Mrs. Willow had my child sit during this meeting while she explained how noisy and inappropriate he is. Yes, my 2 year old! And these meetings are mandatory. If you have a problem with the school/director go to the owner Linda Brown, you can contact at the Apple Seed Montessori!! Taking my child out of this preschool was a blessing! read more

First of all, the management is poor and inflexible. Teachers are ok. The head of the school has no humane side. When you make a single mistake (for example when you are unaware of one of the multiple rules of the school) she shows you NO MERCY. If it were not for convenience, I would have chosen another school without hesitation. read more

Maybe the management has changed since a lot of these reviews were posted...My son has been going here for about 4 months, and I've already noticed such a positive change in him. Hi is 2 & 1/2 and had some issues with speech. All of the teachers are so friendly and take time to help him join in with songs and questions, instead of just skipping over him to make things go faster. He loves going to school! Also, the director/headmaster is very pleasant..The school must have had a turnover, because I have not met one mean or rude person. They communicate well with me regarding what My son did that day, they genuinely care for him, and it shows. The classrooms are very clean also. read more

It seems that all the recent reviews are filtered. 3 of my kids have gone/are going to Sunshine and we are very happy. The kids love their teachers, and I'm very happy with what they're leaning. Great, loving environment! The new director is fantastic as well, so older reviews are no longer accurate. read more

I am bit late to the Yelp review here - my son attempted this preschool a few years back. I think the reviews of the director Willow are spot on. She was not willing to listen to feedback. I stayed and listened to my son crying non-stop for an hour+ while he was not picked up, consoled or otherwise treated as the child that he was. He was 2+ at the time. We forfeited the deposit and move him to another place where he miraculously adjusted in less than 2 days with no crying. She did not care when I told her we were pulling out. The teacher did not like Willow either and felt that she had set up rules that were not going to work for the kids specially younger ones, but she had no power. The assitant could not communicate at all. Montessori or not this is not an appealing place - stay away and do not be lured by the AppleSeed brand. Run far far away read more

My son simply loves the school. Ms Busra and Ms Sally are very caring teachers. My son joined school when he was under 3 yrs and this is his first school. He had extreme separation anxiety plus he would not easily socialize with anyone. We were extremely worried when he began the school. However, the teachers were very patient and loving. In a short period of time, my son settled down in the school and looks forward to go to school every day. He loves Ms Busra and Ms Sally and unfailing gives them a hug everyday. Plus, he has made amazing progress academically and socially. The school management and director are also very friendly. Some negative comments on yelp may about previous management since I didn't experience any of that in the last 9 months. We are extremely impressed and satisfied with the school and staff. 5 star + read more

My daughter went to Sunshine from Aug 2009 to May 2012, so this review is not current. We had a very good experience at Sunshine. My daughter received a balanced environment and really thrived in the montessori based teaching that this school offers. She went from being a toddler who did not know all her colors to being an independent pre-schooler who loved to read, write and do math (numbers, addition). Beside this, she made great friends, loved to do all sorts of projects and activities at Sunshine. The teachers and staff are friendly. Its a bilingual school and there is option to pick classroom for your child (English, Mandarin). Kids at different levels get focused attention during small group activities (usually in the afternoon table-time). read more

I am a parent of a child who attended Sunshine Montessori school. she has attended for the past year, and is now she is five years old. My daughter loved this school. She is well-prepared for kindergarten. She learned a lot and interacting with more kids as well as getting necessary structure and discipline. She got so attached with the teachers (MS.Bushra and MS.Yin Yan) She started crying her last day of the school. She really miss it. The children here are taught reading, writing and math .The teachers are excellent! They are supportive, caring and encourage students Everytime I pick up my daughter, I see every kids are doing something creative like puzzles, drawing, reading I am impressed with that. read more

Our daughter who is now 11 had attended Sunshine and now my son has been going there for more than 2 years. We had great experience with our daughter who was more than ready to go to KG by the time she finished her preschool at Sunshine. My son has been doing great too. We very much like teachers there, especially Ms Sunita, Ms Bushra and Ms Yinyin. There has been a noticeable improvement in the infrastructure after Appleseed took over. This school is a very good value for the money and we highly recommend it to others. Manish/Smita Agarwal read more

This review has been long due. My daughter was going to Sunshine for 3 years. She was in room#1 and I must say I was very happy with how Miss Bushra and Miss Sally took care of her. She was a little speech delayed when she joined but I was surprised how quickly she started talking fluently. She loved the school so much that when I went to pick her up at 5 PM ,she would complain why she couldn't stay longer. I think that speaks a lot. Also I must mention that the director Miss Lana had been very understanding and positive throughout. read more

We were very sad to have to leave this school because we moved and it became too inconvenient to my work commute. But we still visit occasionally because our daughter still misses her teachers and friends. And as others have said, Ms Lana is a great director (very caring and sweet to the children as well). read more

I sent my son when he was 3 yrs old. This was in 2009. The general staff is very friendly to kids. However, the director was always under stress and was regularly found shouting at others. She was also teaching the kids and doing other work at the same time. She would often interrupt the circle time and yell at other staff to get something done, and was very rude. I found that my son felt a sense of intimidation here. read more

Excellent place for preschool education. The school director loves to develop course material and challenge each student to the fullest extent of their potential. She could at times be rough, though. Teachers are very nice. Our kid loves it here. read more

I have to agree with the more recent reviews. I was apprehensive before putting my kid in this school after reading some of the older reviews on yelp. But we love it here. My daughter has been at sunshine for 1.5 years now and I see an amazing change with all her skills - academic, social, behavioral etc. A very well rounded curriculum that let's kids be kids and also learn while having fun! Ms.Bushra, Ms.Sally, Ms.Sunita, the director Ms.Lana are great people to interact with. They are very patient, loving and caring. Could not have wished for a better place for my kids to start their schooling. read more

My son attended Sunshine for almost 3 years. We have had great experience with the school administration and all the teachers. Ms Lana has been most helpful during all the times that we needed the school's support. Ms Bushra was always very caring and patient. Thank you Sunshine Montessori! read more

My son will graduate from Sunshine very soon. He had a wonderful experience here and truly loves both of his teachers Ms. Sally and Ms. Bushra. They taught him to be respectful and independent. It's indeed a pleasant environment and everyone is friendly. I love all the great activities the school and teachers organized. The director Ms. Lana is always helpful and patient. I am very satisfied with Sunshine and trust the teachers here. read more

My daughter has been in this school for about 1 1/2 yr and she really likes it. The school is like a big family and all teachers are very nice. They have very rich curriculum and my daughter has learned a great deal since she joined the school. My daughter's teacher Ms I-Ling and Ms. Cindy are very loving, caring, and great with children. My daughter is graduating from this school and we are going to miss this place a lot. read more

I just wanted to mention that Ms Sunita is unhelpful and at times uncaring. I am surprised she is around preschoolers who mostly need someone nurturing, caring and accommodating. read more

Sunshine Montessori is my son's first school. Although the school is little far from my home, we chose this school because of the recommendations from two friends whose kids attended the same school. Sunshine has very loving staff. I admire all the teachers. In the beginning as my son was going through separation anxiety Ms Bushra and Ms Sally picked him lovingly and engaged him. There was always the flexibility of leaving my kid for an extra hour or two whenever needed. When I started working and had to changed timing for my son to full time, Ms Lana was very accommodating and accepted my request to change the time. At home I hear my son counting or reciting his ABC's or humming songs that he learns in school. We are sad to be leaving this school only due to proximity reason. I wish we could have this school closer to our home. I will recommend Sunshine Montessori school to all the parents who want a loving environment for their little angels. read more