Both of my daughters attended BEP, and choosing it was one of the best decisions we made. From the very first tour, the teachers were incredibly welcoming, friendly, and clearly experienced. I immediately felt confident that my child would be in good hands. My girls built strong friendships at BEP, learned to be inclusive, and were very well prepared for their next school. They are now in elementary school, but they still talk about their time at BEP and often say it was the best time of their lives. The friends they made there are still their best friends today. As a parent, I feel so lucky to have found BEP as my children's first community. It was a safe, fun, and engaging place, and I would highly recommend it to any family. read more

Five of our grandchildren have attended Beth Emek Preschool, and we can't say enough good things about the school! The play-based program is top-notch and the staff is exceptional, with very little turnover through the years (practically unheard of in early childhood circles!). The school is small (just two classrooms) and the environment is warm and friendly, with the children forming close personal relationships with their teachers and classmates. Families can choose for their child to attend two, three or five days a week. I personally love the 9:00a to 1:00p schedule, which allows the children to have lunch with their friends instead of rushing home after a short school day. If you know a child who is between two and five years old, do them (and yourself) a favor and check out Beth Emek Preschool! read more

Beth Emek Preschool - The children make a personal challah (egg bread) every Friday! - Preschools Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Went on a tour for this preschool and the staff is constantly on their phones. No one was watching the kids while using the bathrooms between the rooms. Do not recommend. I looked over at the staff the other day driving and saw them on their phones again with the kids outdoors. Do not recommend. And no they were not sending pictures of parents, they were texting messages to family or friends. They are not watching the kids. read more

My son has spent the last year at Beth Emek Preschool and it was the best experience I've had with a preschool in Pleasanton. After our preschool closed unexpectedly a month before school, I scrambled to find a new place for my son. We had a failed attempt at another school in town and after speaking with Kathi, we joined the family at Beth Emek. The teachers at Beth Emek set the tone for learning through curiosity, while being supported by an age appropriate curriculum. All of the teachers have been a part of the Beth Emek team for many years, both as parents and teachers and seem to genuinely love their time there. The children absolutely feel the warmth and joy, but they're also very matter of fact about rules and respect for others. It was a great balance of kindness and firmness for us. To the comment about phone usage. I find it very odd and potentially out of context based on my experience. During our time at Beth Emek, I did see the occasional phone used. But I saw it to take pictures of the kids, to do a quick Google translate to help a child who didn't speak English or to continue a conversation about a question the children had about whatever it was they were discussing. It was very much an organic part of the learning process and was rarely done. Lack of supervision, especially for personal phone use, would have been a red flag for me and I didn't see any of that during our time there. Lastly, we're not Jewish, nor are we affiliated with the congregation, but I found it to be a wonderful warm environment, eager to share, always willing to answer questions and always respectful of others both culturally and spiritually. read more

Wonderful Preschool! We love Beth Emek! The teachers are kind, patient, and truly care about the kids. The environment is safe, fun, and perfect for learning. My child has grown so much here--making friends, learning new things, and having a great time every day. The activities are creative, and the outdoor play area is fantastic. It feels like a warm, welcoming community. If you're looking for a great preschool, I highly recommend Beth Emek. read more

WE LOVE THIS PRESCHOOL!!! All three of our boys attended Beth Emek and absolutely thrived. The teachers are so warm and devoted to the kids in their care. They always go the extra mile, with creative and flexible education based on the needs of each class. Most preschools and childcare centers are unfortunately plagued by chronic turnover and under-experienced staff. The teachers here have been developing, building, and practicing the curriculum for years!! They all raised their own children in the community and are dear friends with each other, which creates such a close, happy vibe between that I know my children could feel! Side note for non-Jewish families, we are a family with one non-devout Jewish parent and one Catholic parent; we felt like the gentle exposure to Jewish culture (learning about traditional holidays and a Hebrew prayer before snack) was a nice way to introduce our kids to cultural diversity (the population at Beth Emek was also way more diverse than previous preschools we tried; last year they had 11 languages spoken in the classroom!). Lastly the option for a longer day (pick up at 1pm or 2:30; looks like a full day option til after 5pm coming soon!) gave our family some much needed support and flexibility that no other school has offered. We will miss being there now that our youngest is moving to elementary! read more

My kiddo tried Beth Emek out about a year and a half ago and we decided after three months to leave. The program was behind regarding its social/emotional support. For example we later learned they used time outs, which isn't something we do at home or support. Also, there was a good deal of children hitting other children that the program did not work to address. To be clear our kiddo wasn't hitting but was being hit. Our kid would come home saying things like, it's ok, I don't mind if I get hit. Ultimately "it's ok to be hit I just want to play" wasn't a lesson we wanted our kiddo to learn and we pulled her out. I did try addressing this with the head of the school on at least two occasions, but she was very dismissive. The message I received was that they wanted children to sort out situations themselves, which included a kiddo getting hit needing to figure out how to stop the hitting on their own. I don't agree this is appropriate when one child is being physically hit by another. It was clear from our discussions the situation wasn't going to improve. We moved to Gingerbread and had zero issues. Gingerbread has a zero tolerance policy on hitting, which was a better fit for us. I know of two other parents that pulled their children out of Beth Emek the same year as me. It's difficult to leave a bad review for a small school like this. You become friendly with the administrators and parents. Although it's difficult to leave this review, ultimately I felt guilty not providing potential parents with our perspective and experience. The plus side was the lovely cultural exchange. Our daughter loved Friday Challah with the Rabbi and the many Jewish celebrations. read more

How lucky we found the Beth Emek Preschool for our little son's first preschool. We love all the super friendly staff. The communications from the school are top-notch even though it's such a small setting school. My son learned good manners and to follow rules and orders, after attending this school. He wasn't an easy kiddo to manage at all, but I never heard about complaints or issues from his teachers here. He was having a lot of issues while he attended the summer camp at Gingerbread (the tolerance at Gingerbread seems to be low). I worried if he could fit in well at Beth Emek when he started in the fall. He adapted really well, and he is enjoying going to Beth Emek to see his teachers and friends. We commute from Dublin to here for 5 days/week, it's a long drive, but we feel it's totally worth it. I cannot describe how much my son and my whole family love this school. And the pricing is very reasonable compared to other schools. Highly recommend this school to everyone. read more

We've had a child at Beth Emek Preschool since 2014. Our oldest two boys are now in elementary school and our youngest son will be graduating preschool at the end of this year. Beth Emek Preschool and their loving, supportive, and highly experienced teachers are an extension of our family. We look forward to our daughter starting next year when she is old enough. The day has both free-choice and structured elements, but all are centered on play and developing the whole child. The teachers create their projects and lessons around books, seasons, Jewish holidays, and the interests of the children. My son loves crystals and potions, so Teacher Kathi (teacher and preschool director) ordered a book on crystals for the book corner. The school and the staff develop independence and confidence in the children, while still fostering love and support. My kids have all come out of preschool ready to conquer kindergarten academically, emotionally, and socially. I can't recommend our preschool enough- it has been such an an important and significant part of our family's life for the past six years. If you have preschool age kids in Pleasanton/ Livermore/ Dublin, definitely schedule a visit and a chat with our director. read more

Best. Preschool. Ever. There really is no place like Beth Emek Preschool. The teachers are phenomenal. Their personalities perfectly complement each other to create a warm, loving environment while still maintaining high expectations of learning and fun. The teachers get to know each of the students so well, and they really become family. My boys would come home everyday excited to share what they did and what they learned. The environment and dynamic of the preschool is one of a kind. We miss Beth Emek Preschool! read more

Beth Emek Preschool - Preschools Near Me - Pleasanton, California

I wanted to update my review to note how on top of covid guidelines and cleanliness Beth Emek Preschool has been. We have felt so safe and cared for and the kids are just as happy and learning as much as ever. They were able to open back up in July of 2020 after a brief closure at the beginning of the pandemic and they have remained open the entire time since. They have taken all the necessary precautions and taken all the steps to ensure our children are safe and happy. We are so lucky to have this gem of a preschool in Pleasanton! read more

Our son started with Beth Emek at 2 and will leave for Kindergarten this year. Beth Emek is divided into two classrooms: one for the younger kids and one for the older kids. Both classrooms have several areas set up for self-directed play (e.g. lego, magnets, drawing) along with a teacher-directed activity (e.g. painting, crafts). Most of the toys that the teachers setup are rotated daily so there is lots of variety in the kids' daily activities. The older kids have daily academics (e.g. practicing writing their names, learning the alphabet and counting). Both classrooms have daily story and circle time. When the weather is good, the kids are allowed to play outside after lunch. In addition, birthdays are celebrated and there is an opportunity for show-and-tell (called "VIP Day"). All of our son's teachers have been excellent and the kids, especially the younger ones, get lots of personal attention. When our son started, he was not potty-trained and the school helped to support him in his move from diapers. He was also very shy at the start and he spent a lot of time sitting on a teacher's lap. I would strongly recommend Beth Emek for anyone looking for part-time childcare! read more

Beth Emek preschool is such a wonderful place to send your child. All of the teachers are so warm and loving and always keep you informed about your child. They help your child grow and give them confidence to do anything by themselves. They will help with potty training! The classrooms are very clean. As a parent, I appreciate that they make sure each student washes their hands after potty and before snack/meal times. We are very lucky to be a part of this great community. read more

I'm really in love with this school. My son is in the middle of his first year here and I can honestly say I have no complaints at all. The school is impressively clean and tidy ALL the time. The women that run the school are seasoned pro's. In fact most of thier own children attended the school years ago. Everyone is very warm and personable. The vibe of the school is calm and orderly. But the most important part is that my son looks forward to going to school. read more

This is first year of our youngest daughter in Beth Emek, her older sibling went to BE for two years and absolutely loved it so we did not have any doubts where to enroll our youngest. Great combination of Jewish curriculum, diverse community feeling and highly professional teachers. read more

The end of our time at Beth Emek Preschool is sadly approaching so I wanted to update our review. At the end of almost 2.5 years for each of our two girls, we love it just as much as we did when we first started. The teachers are amazing--fun, understanding, communicative, helpful. The curriculum is perfect for preschoolers--it's activity based and fun so my daughter doesn't even realize she's learning but she is learning so much. And the community is just so warm and open--I've become close with other families at Beth Emek and feel so lucky to be part of such a great community. One other thing... I looked at three other preschools in Pleasanton last summer, because it would be easier for our family and our work schedules to have our daughter in a full-time program. But none of them even came close to the environment and teachers at Beth Emek and we decided to keep a nanny in place to keep our daughter at Beth Emek for her last year. If a part-time preschool works for your family, this is the place you want your child to be. read more

We absolutely love Beth Emek preschool. When our son was about 2.5 years old, he enrolled at Beth Emek, and, being near the age limit for enrollment, was one of the youngest children at this preschool. Like many children, our son had a lot of trouble adjusting when he first started, but the teachers were really incredibly caring and involved with our son, and worked with us to make sure our little guy was happy and adjusted well. He now loves his preschool and teachers and talks about it all the time. It is obvious to us that the teachers truly care about the kids and love what they do. They provide a warm, nurturing environment that allow the kids to learn through play. We have seen a lot of growth in our son since he started at Beth Emek, much of which is due to the guidance and affection he has received from the teachers at school. There are always multiple activities available at a given time allowing kids to chose what they want to do while also providing story time and circle time. Although it is a Jewish school, it was important to us that our son not be at any school that focused heavily on religion. Beth Emek certainly observes important Jewish holidays and provides education on Jewish history/ culture, but it is not the primary focus of the school and from our perspective, is focused on understanding cultural aspects and traditions. Many of the families at the preschool are not Jewish, and there is a very wonderful, diverse mixture of people from all walks of life. We wanted to share this information so that people do not look elsewhere if they are not Jewish. We whole heartedly endorse Beth Emerk and are looking forward to our youngest starting when she is old enough. read more

I feel so grateful for having enrolled my daughter in Beth Emek! It is an amazing and nurturing environment. The teachers are awesome. Most have been there for over a decade and you get the sense that they enjoy each other as much as the kids. They always make it a point to make each individual child feel noticed and included which is incredibly important. There are lots of cool activities and just enough structure for kids this age. The communication between the teachers and parents and also between parents is wonderful at Beth Emek. I am really happy that we chose Beth Emek Preschool! read more

After a lot of searching, we were so glad to find Beth Emek Preschool. My older daughter attended and now my younger two do. The staff here are all top notch and have been working together effectively for years. They have created a calm and welcoming environment and I can't say enough about the way they interact with the kids. It is a great place to learn to love school. I also really love their balance of learning and play. Kids are invited and encouraged to take part in learning, and are able to move at their own pace. A friend's child was learning sight words while my daughter was still working on her letters, and both got exactly what they needed when they needed it. And it didn't hurt my daughter's confidence or enthusiasm. We are not Jewish, but think it is great for our kids to learn about different cultures, religions, etc. I think my kids can better understand diversity and better appreciate differences by seeing a religion that we don't follow centered in small parts of the week. I highly recommend visiting and checking it out for yourself. read more

We commute from Livermore (Springtown) each day to take our youngest son to Beth Emek. He loves his teachers, who take the time to get to know him and challenge him (he's nearly reading!). Their careful assessments show the progress he has made. We have tried 5 other preschools, and this is by far the most nurturing and safe environment we've seen. We highly recommend Beth Emek! read more

This preschool is the best! I have been lucky enough to have all three of my kids attend here. The school is tight knit and the teachers absolutely love and care for each student. It is a very diverse and inclusive environment where families get to know both the staff and one another. We still have close family friendships formed when my oldest was in preschool. Equally important, my kids came out very well prepared for kindergarten. I cannot recommend this preschool enough and wholeheartedly suggest checking it out if you are looking for a place to send your little ones. read more

Our son has been attending Beth Emek Preschool for the last year and a half. We are thrilled with the curriculum, teachers and environment at Beth Emek! The children are treated as individuals and learn at their own pace. The younger kids are encouraged to play and experience their world. The older kids are encouraged to prepare for kindergarten, but still have the freedom to choose activies. A balanced approach to preschool, with plenty of playtime. The facility is just wonderful! New building, with lots of natural light and very clean. The outside playspace is huge! I am amazed at how each of the teachers knows everyone of the children, and can give specifics about their learning and playing habits. I've gotten so much great advice from them! Our son and our family have grown because of B.E. Preschool...I wish they offered Kindergarten! read more

We were so lucky a friend recommended Beth Emek to us! My daughter is enrolled in her second year and absolutely loves it. The teachers are so caring, experienced, and knowledgeable. My daughter has grown so much since last year, she has learned a lot through their play-based curriculum. They sing songs, do lots of art projects, stem activities, and have a great outdoor play area. The kids (and teachers) always seem so happy and engaged whenever I am there. I love the school community, it is not too big, so it's easy to get to know the other families and kids. We are not members of the congregation, but the values they teach at Beth Emek include kindness, self worth, and respecting one another and the world around us, which can apply to all kids! :) read more

After a long search in the tri-valley for a preschool that met our needs we finally found Beth Emek. It was very important for us to find a school with quality staff. We found people that loved to work there and loved to work with children. The curriculum is flexible per child which allows each one to explore their own learning paths. We also found Beth Emek to be flexible with their time schedule. *Note the full phone number is: 925-931-1055 ext. 21 read more

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this school. While I am Jewish, I am a very reform Jew and did not care at all about sending my kid to a religious school. However, I had heard great things about Beth Emek and decided to check it out. My daughter, who has many anxiety issues, immediately felt at ease upon visiting and I knew that this was the place for her. She spent 2 happy years at the school. I love the staff and the community. I was sad to move her to kindergarten! My youngest will be attending this school in the fall and I am happy to be part of the community again! read more

We have been so happy with Beth Emek Preschool. All the teachers are so kind and caring with the children. It is a play based school but there is a lot of learning that goes on here. My twins are going into their second year here and we are so excited for another year of learning, fun and friendship! Update 7/30/14 our twins are now graduates of Beth Emek Preschool. They are doing sight words, reading and writing. They so prepared for kindergarten. Thank you Beth Emek teachers! You are the best! read more

My older son graduated from Beth Emek Preschool last year, and my younger son is in his first year now. It is a wonderful school - the teachers have found that magical balance between discipline and caring, the play activities are creative, the classrooms are clean and full of new things for the kids to experience, and each child is welcomed for who he or she is. The school provides a healthy snack for the kids each day, there is plenty of free play time for the kids to explore, and they learn to sit quietly for story time and songs. Everything is always clean, the rooms are large and full of light, and the playground is well cared for and large. When my older son got to kindy, he was more than prepared, and I think it really helped his transition. He arrived at Beth Emek needing to learn better how to control himself (like sitting quietly and listening), and how to peacefully play in a group where sharing, or taking turns, is part of the play. He learned both of these things in the one year he spent there, and I was pretty amazed by his progress - and so was he! My younger son was always with me for pick-up and drop-off before he started at BEP, and all the teachers got to know him so well that it was like he was already part of the family. He is loving his experience there, and gets upset on the days he's not in school. Now that it's my older son accompanying me for drop-offs, he is warmly greeted by all the teachers, and they're always asking him about his new school. I think BEP is a great environment, and I'd definitely recommend it. read more

We had to take a one year break from Beth Emek Preschool (our 2nd child moved into kindergarten and our 3rd was too young) but we are back. Occasionally, we will discuss relocating since neither of us have family close by, and believe or not, the idea of leaving Beth Emek Preschool before our youngest gets to finish his 3 years is a big deterrent. I doubt we'd be able to find another preschool where the feeling of community and caring is so strong. With each new review, we try to focus on a new thing, but reading through our old reviews, it always comes back to the teachers. They don't get paid enough, but working at the preschool is more than a job to them. There is hardly any turnover, and they like hanging out with each other outside of work too. That benefits the children because you don't see any sort of drama or politics amongst the staff. Plus, most of their children were former students at the preschool too. It's just a hard place to leave, I think. read more

This is a wonderful preschool! My son's teachers were Mel and Abra. They both are a perfect, rare example of professional educators. Ones who truly care about helping kids thrive and be who they are. This school is a warm, caring environment. It is a play based preschool, so there are tons of toys in the younger kids class, as well as art and sensory toys. The room is not huge, but it's very well organized, and always clean and inviting. Parent - teacher communication is great. The teachers will always find time answer questions, and discuss your child's progress with you. They never seem to be in a rush to go home, and will always take the time to help kids say their goodbyes and answer parents questions, even if it's way past pick up time. A few things for parents to consider: 1. It is a play based preschool, so if you expect that your kids would be able to write their name and memorize the ABC by the age of 3, it is not a school for you. I believe it is much more important to develop their young spirits at this age, and this is why I think it is a perfect fit for a 2-3 years old. I have no experience regarding K readiness at the older kids class, as my kid spent only 1 year at this school. 2. Working parents - please note that this is not a year round program. The school is closed for almost 4 weeks during the school year (thanksgiving week, 2 weeks on Christmas, spring break, and jewish holidays) The school closes June 1st, and reopens August. There is a Summer Fun program for 4 weeks from mid June to early July, but only for 3 days a week. Overall, This is a great school and we loved it! Highly recommended! read more

We are now in our second year at Beth Emek Preschool and it has been amazing to see our son's growth in this program. He came from a local daycare, where often at pick-up they would describe him as quiet and a kid that didn't really talk much. This was in sharp contrast to the kid we love and saw at home. We realized that he needed a more dynamic program and warm environment to help him as he grows, develops, and eventually prepares for elementary school. More than anything, we wanted to see him be the happy, comfortable kid we enjoy at home, in another environment with his peers and other adults. And we are thrilled to see that this has been accomplished at Beth Emek! The teachers at Beth Emek are phenomenal! The program is overseen by the Director, Mel McDonald, who manages to establish a program where most children want to stay when the school day ends and where you will find that families have been in attendance for many years, seeing all their children through this school. It is truly a testament to Mel and the teachers that the parents are happily involved and the children are so happy. Not to mention, many of the teachers have seen their own children through this program! I remember our tour and initial meeting at the school and how I was wondering how our son would respond to a new place. It blew us away when he asked us when he could go back. He's since completed two summer fun programs and is in his second year of school. I value the teacher's insight, experience, and devotion. Mel provides a supportive, balanced communication with parents. She made sure to reassure us of our son's adjustment, which was invaluable considering a change like this was truly a change for the whole family. I look at my son now and I'm so grateful that we made this choice. We have no doubt that our son is being wonderfully shaped, encouraged, and supported by the program and staff at Beth Emek. read more

I'm a very critical parent, and have some pretty high demands for a preschool, since I'm a stay at home parent and don't need childcare. All three of our children have attended Beth Emek, and there is no finer facility. It's immaculate, warm, stimulating and bright, and at the end of the day, the children are in no hurry to leave. They are in class from 9AM to 1PM, so they have lunch at school, and it makes transition to Kindergarten so easy, as it will be a shorter day than they are accustomed to. Children and parents are treated with respect and care, and you NEVER find kids wandering with runny noses, or dirty hands. NEVER! How fortunate are our children that they have ALL had the privelege to attend. And did I mention that the staff are all overqualified, all mothers, and all smitten with their students? You simply can't find better. read more

We love this school the teachers are very welcoming and excellent educators. Every day there is a different ludic activity where they learn a lot. I just have to thank these dear teachers for caring for my son for the sweet experience and for providing us with such learning read more

This is our third and last year at Beth Emek preschool. I'm so glad I found it. We're still loving it. School is clean, teachers are caring. It's a smaller preschool, but that's part of the reason that I liked it so much. Your kids aren't going to get lost here, they'll get loved. read more

Great School! Kids are happy and loved at school. Staffs are wonderful. Great community. Safe environment. Stimulating and fun activities. What else would you hope for from your preschool....!? read more

My kids have been going to Beth Emek for the last 1 1/2 years. We couldn't be happier with our experience. The teachers are wonderful. The relationships our family has made are incredible. My kids are happy, safe and learning a great deal. read more

We absolutely love Beth Emek Preschool. Our daughter started when she was 3 and our son started when he was 2.5 and we wouldn't go anywhere else. The teachers are wonderful, the facility is clean and organized. There is a perfect balance - just the right amount of free play and structured activity, indoor play and outdoor play. Every child is valued and recognized for what makes them unique. We could not ask for anything more because this preschool has it all! read more

This will be my final time updating my review, as my youngest son will soon be ending his time at Beth Emek Preschool and moving on to kindergarten. After six years between my two kids, it will be hard to say goodbye! This year I have watched my son flourish as he discovers the joy of words. As the kids approach kindergarten, the teachers in the older class work with each child at his/her pace to start recognizing and writing the letters, and going so far as sight words for the kids who are interested. My son has loved this introduction to letters and words, and I am sure he will be one of the most prepared kids in his kindergarten class. In addition, he continues to love all of the opportunities for free play, the daily stories and songs, and the celebration of the Jewish holidays. The teachers are excited to see him each day, and their warmth and enthusiasm is contagious. No matter what your family's religious or cultural background is, you will feel at home at Beth Emek. While many families are Jewish, many are not. Beth Emek has several children whose native language is not English, and it's incredibly impressive to see the patience and guidance provided to these children as their English improves. Families who choose Beth Emek seem to be very down-to-earth, and many choose to stick around after preschool each day to socialize and play. Beth Emek is a very warm community where everyone is welcome. read more

I am saying farewell to Beth Emek preschool after 9 years this week! All three of my kids went to this preschool and words are not enough to describe this special place. It offers a beautiful, warm and loving environment, with fabulous teachers and a wonderful consistent program. My kids gained a rich jewish foundation as well as strong social skills, and most importantly, had so much fun and never wanted the school day to be over. I recommend this wonderful school with all my heart! read more

We loved our 2 years at BEP. It's so hard to find a truly play based preschool but this one is phenomenal.

My son has just finished two years at Beth Emek Preschool. We are sad to leave but it's time for kindergarten. Thankfully we will be back in a year for our daughter's turn. The teachers and staff at Beth Emek are AMAZING! They are kind, patient, so dedicated to the kids and are so hands-on. The teachers felt like part of our family. We chose this school because of the safety, cleanliness and reviews. They are also academic while being play based. My son is more than ready for kindergarten as he is reading books and adding numbers. He also has made some wonderful friends. Beth Emek is a Jewish preschool but they are welcoming of any backgrounds. My family is Catholic and we love learning about the Jewish faith in an age appropriate way for our son. read more