Our youngest child went here for the PACT program and it was a wonderful experience. The teachers were sweet and very attentive and had great interventions and teaching moments (for the kids and me!) throughout the day. Having had an older kid go through a different program I'm familiar with the stress that can sometimes accompany a co-op preschool but they made the experience pleasant, judgment free, and safe for everyone! I highly recommend the school! read more

Our daughter has been attending BCSO, in the PACT classroom for a year now and words cannot describe how much we love this school. First and foremost, the teachers are very caring and attentive, not only to children but to parents as well. Since it is a play-based school, different toys are provided each time we attend class. Hence, children have plenty of learning opportunities through play such as working on their fine motor skills, social skills, and exploring different ways of playing. Having a nurturing environment for our daughter to begin her education journey is very important to us. We are very grateful that we've found BCSO as they continue to exceed our expectations. Our daughter wakes up in the morning wanting to go to school and leaves school with a big smile on her face. She had made tremendous progress with her learning development as well. Lastly, we recently relocated to another city, but decided to have our daughter continue attending BCSO. This school is truly a gem! read more

Deciding on a school to have your child spend their time is one of the most stressful task for a parent to decide on. Not only are you deciding what they'll learn, but who you're handing your child over to. To give y'all a peace of mind, BCSO is top notch. We focused our search on play-based preschools, and was really impressed from our initial tour and meet with the director. At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, it was difficult to find in person learning, no kid can learn on zoom bro. But the director assured us of all the extra measures taken to ensure the kids will be safe. Our mind was at ease. Our kid loved her teachers and pretty much everything the school had to offer. As a parent, I felt a sense of relief getting to know the teachers and how experienced and nurturing they are with dealing with little ones. The schedule offerings are flexible to your needs and tuition is really on par with most preschools that I've seen. Our youngest is now attending and can already see the impact the school has made in my child's development. read more

We have loved being a part of this school and the community that accompanies it. The teachers are so committed and truly understand and care about each of their students as individuals. Our family considered TK, but ultimately decided that BSCO was a better fit for our child. Our decision was largely based on the fact that the student to teacher ratio is about 6:1 as opposed to a 12:1 student to adult ratio (generally with one teacher) in TK classrooms. Additionally the school offers flexible hours and is willing to make adjustments. Kids can attend from 8:45AM to 12PM, 1PM or 3:30PM. BCSO has been around for over 70 years! Why, because they're that good. The tuition is reasonable compared to other options, the teachers are incredibly committed and the activities/facilities are excellent (they put a lot of thought into varying the daily activities while keeping a set schedule that provides comfort and security for young children). The playground is large and there is so much room to run around, allowing kids to choose from a multitude of activities. The school is play-based, which makes 100% to me. Once they get into kindergarten there is a set academic curriculum to be followed and state expectations to be met- in the meantime, let's let kids choose what they want to explore and develop their innate interests with their peers, whilst being supported by their teachers. Speaking of, the teachers are well-educated, patient, hardworking and kind. I trusted them completely with my child's well-being and enjoyed our interactions at school events. They provided optional educational seminars for parents and a robust panel of parents and educators from different school districts and schools (both public and private) for a kindergarten information night. The school provides a library of books that you can check out about different subjects related to parenting. Safety is also key and taken seriously. I experienced it on a daily basis and was thankful for the vigilance and care. I cannot say enough good things about this longstanding school. read more

We moved our child to Broadway Children's School for the 2023-2024 school year after having a "mixed bag" experience at another local preschool. From our first tour with school Director Diana, I had a great impression of the school. Diana was extremely kind and patient with all of my questions, even welcoming us back for a second tour with our child. I was waiting to write a review until we had more of a full-year's experience, and I have nothing but great things to say about everyone I've interacted with, from the teachers to the parents. It really is a community focused school--most of the teachers have landed at Broadway because their children attended school here. The deep history, love and care for the children absolutely shows in all aspects. STAFF Many other daycare/preschools have had a lot of turnover in these post-covid years, but the same cannot be said for Broadway. Staff stability was very important in my preschool search. Almost all of the staff are longtime members of the Broadway community, the most recent hire joined about 4 or so years ago. Beyond their long tenures, most of the staff has (or is pursuing) higher education in Child Development and Early Childhood Education. This is not merely a daycare. We love all of the teachers we've interacted with. FLEXIBILITY/VALUE The different schedule options that Broadway offers is a huge benefit--BCSO offers a variety of different schedules for families/what works best for the particular child. I could not believe when I checked the monthly costs. I feel that my child is receiving a higher level of learning at a lower cost, which is absolutely incredible. I also appreciate that BCSO is a non-profit, which adds to my impression that the children's wellbeing is truly the number one priority for the school. Overall I am beyond thrilled to have found such a great spot for my children to have their first school experiences and highly recommend Broadway to families who are looking for a school for their young children. read more

Researching and touring preschools is a daunting task. Luckily the first preschool we looked at was Broadway Children's School and we were sold the minute we walked through the magical yellow door. Our 16 and 12 year old boys are graduates of this preschool and now our third son is currently attending. Although we now live in Alameda we could not think of any better school than this one. The commute is worth it! The staff are so well trained and educated in early childhood education. They are a wealth of knowledge and skilled at caring for all children of all different temperaments. They are communicative and caring to even the parents. They have cared for my 3 children and feel like they are part of our family. Put this school on the top of your list! read more

If you're taking the time to read this review, you're probably in the situation we were in 2 years back, agonizing on where to send our child and absolutely paranoid about making the wrong choice. That was a tough spot to be in, which drove me to also read Yelp reviews to get confidence that Broadway Childrens School was right for our son. I'm happy to add to the 5 star reviews that confirm this is a special place with amazingly talented and dedicated people who will provide excellent care and support to your child. The teachers are devoted, caring, patient, kind, creative, and amazingly supportive. It feels like they're on your "parenting team" and will help you through any issues and concerns, always looking to leverage their many years of experience to help new parents like us. The experience was so great, we choose to keep our son in Broadway for 2 years even though we qualified for TK the second year just because we didn't want to miss out on another year of community, development, and fun at Broadway. I just can't speak highly enough about the staff and the environment and I'm so grateful that we made the choice we did to send our son here. If you have the option to send your children here, do it, you will not regret it. read more

My 3 year old has attended BCS for one year, and loves it. She adores her various teachers, she deeply appreciates the large collection of wooden toy vehicles, and she is always excited to play with the outdoor playground equipment. Parent volunteers and community fundraising events throughout the year help keep the cost of tuition affordable at this neighborhood institution that has been around for decades. read more

Broadway Children's School - Classic play structure, enjoyed by hundreds of kids over the years. - Preschools Near Me - Oakland, California

Our daughter currently attends Broadway Children's School and it has become a second home for our family. The teachers are smart & loving, and the community is EXCELLENT.  Our daughter has grown so much in the last year (made great friends and social/emotional development).  The school is play based and has kept its long history of nurturing children (I am also an alumni!) alive and well year after year.  There is a wonderful outdoor play area, so the students really get to enjoy outdoor play. Strong focus on play, and many well built (and loved!) toys - my daughter is in awe of their collection of wooden trucks and construction vehicles!  The heart of Broadway really lies in the teachers and director who work with families, building a loving nurturing environment and it's obvious fostering child development is top priority. Every day she runs out to us with new treasured art projects and drawings she is so proud of. We have toured many preschools in Oakland and the East Bay, and BCSO is top notch.  The instruction and activities vary day to day but there is always a wide mix of art, creative play, music, puzzles, storytime/ reading, singing, and movement everyday.  They also offer extended hours until 3pm. Our family is so happy to have found our community at Broadway. read more

Broadway Children's School is an amazing place. I knew from the first time I walked in their doors and met Diana, the director, that I wanted my daughter to go here. I remember asking Diana about whether they required kids to be fully potty trained before attending and she told me "No, we like to meet the kids wherever they're at." And that is really the underlying theme at Broadway, meeting kids where they're at and making them feel loved, cared for and seen. And let's not forget, providing them a place to play and have fun! I'll never forget picking my daughter up from her first day and her telling me "Mom, that was so fun! I want to go here every day!" And things haven't changed, she truly loves going to school, adores her teachers and has made so many friends. If you are looking for a wonderful preschool for your child, Broadway is the place. read more

Our daughter currently attends Broadway Children's School. It is a great community that delivers on their mission to provide an exciting and creative environment for child development. I can't say enough about the incredible staff who are not only teaching our kids but also helping the families that raise them become well-rounded educators. read more

This preschool is a dream. We've had our daughter in two other schools prior to finding this one, and couldn't imagine a better spot for her last year before K. I wish we would have found it earlier! The teachers and director are so kind, thoughtful, and engaged, and the school itself is just what I imagined a gentle and nurturing preschool experience to be. The children learn so much here, through play, by bonding with each other and their attentive caregivers, AND so do parents! There's an amazing parent education committee, lots of opportunities to be involved in the growth of the school, and lots of ways to meet other awesome families with similar values while feeling included in your child's school experience. Our daughter was pretty confident and independent starting the year, and has grown so much in terms of her friendships and emotional development, and I am confident these skills have set her up well for K. I've toured (and my daughter has attended) other preschools that might look fancier or more modern, but didn't have half the heart and strong foundation that beautiful Broadway does. If cost is an issue (isn't it always?) it's also quite affordable, and is an extraordinary value for the level of care and education they provide. As this year comes to a close, I am incredibly grateful to this magical little preschool for having such a big place in our hearts! read more

Wonderful school with well educated teachers. A community to help and enjoy raising your children. Been in Oakland for 60+ years. Use to be on Broadway in a Methodist Church that burned down July 4, 1983. It is in a charming Adams Street building. read more

I cannot rave enough about Broadway Childrens school, if I could give it more stars I would. Both our daughters have attended the school in the Sunshine room and Rainbow room - They were always happy to attend, learn and play. It has experienced nurturing, loving teachers, long standing traditions and involved families that complete the community feel, it has sweet old charm and new. The I would recommend this school to anyone I know, we were truly lucky to be a part of Broadway. read more

After a memorable two years at BCSO for my daughter, we are back at this charming yellow preschool with our second child five years later. In the time that has passed, there are a few new teachers and more of an incorporation of technology in communication, but the core of the school has remained the same with its focus on play-based instruction, teachers who have been teaching there for years, and a family-like atmosphere. The childcare and instruction is superb. There is an acute sensitivity to differences, and the school is open to working with all types of students. My daughter's friend in elementary school went to preschool with her at BCSO. This friend was autistic but in first grade tested out of the spectrum. I have no doubt that BCSO played a role in her development, as well as Cleveland Elementary's integrated program. My son loves this preschool. He takes his most treasured toys to show his teachers, whom he considers his friends. He is a late bloomer and didn't start to really talk until he was three, but ever since he started preschool, he has been talking non-stop. My daughter, on the other hand, was quite articulate and verbose but was very shy before she started preschool. After BCSO, she was confident, making friends left and right, and speaking up for herself. This preschool has a way with nurturing the children and instructing them according to their personality and learning styles in a natural and unforced manner. BCSO also has a PACT program (Parents and Children Together) for younger children, that I've heard such amazing things about. My friend who sent both her children to BCSO, even after they moved to Alameda, said she attended PACT twice and it saved her sanity with all the invaluable resources and support system. I highly recommend this preschool to parents who stay at home, work from home, or work part-time. Hours for kids are part-time (MWF 9-12) with extended hours going until 3 PM, I believe. For first year students, there is an option of going twice a week (TTh 9-12)- a good option for children who want to make a slower transition to schooling. read more

We didn't end up sending our kiddo to BCSO, but we had a great experience applying, touring the school, and withdrawing our application. Diana, the director, is very responsive and welcoming. The Facility is nice and the backyard area is so appealing that our kid didn't want to leave. It's very clear that the school puts a lot of effort into getting the kids comfortable with the teachers and school, and creating a sense of community. They also seem to take COVID measures seriously, which we appreciate. Lastly, the tuition is quite reasonable, particularly given the small class sizes. BSCO is a great preschool option! read more

Broadway is a wonderful and safe place to nurture a budding young person. My son was in the thick of it with COVID shelter in place when we started the PACT program at Broadway. What a relief to have had such a supportive new community after having isolated so long during shelter in place. The teachers are warm and the daily activities are playful and predictable for the children. We always look forward to going to school and the friends we made are so generous and kind. Broadway gave us the confidence we needed to navigate venturing out after COVID hibernation! read more

Broadway Children's School is nothing short of amazing. We enrolled our daughter in the 3/4 year old class last year after a pretty extensive search to find the right school for our family. We appreciated the play-based approach that the school takes, and it's really proven to be a remarkable learning experience for our child. Over the past year and a half, our daughter has truly thrived under the care of Broadway's wonderful staff. She can be quite shy, and her teachers have really helped her to embrace her own voice and become more confident with her peers and with herself. All of the teachers are among the kindest people you'll ever meet. Each teacher really takes the time to get to know each child as a unique individual, and develops strong bonds with their students. Our child still talks often about her beloved teacher who retired after over 30 years of teaching at Broadway! And that is another wonderful point about the school-- several of the teachers have been teaching there for many years, often decades. Many have children who are alumni of the school as well. Their dedication creates a warm family atmosphere that welcomes all new families into the BCSO fold. While the school is definitely not a co-op, it has many of the benefits that people value in that structure. There is a very strong sense of community and teamwork at Broadway, and it's truly that community that fosters the welcoming spirit and makes Broadway feel like a family in many ways. We've been fortunate to be involved with several programs at the school. As long as you're interested in participating on some level, the school or board of trustees will always welcome your input and time! Being part of this wonderful school community has led to friendships not only for my daughter, but for our whole family. We've meet some truly great families here that will be friends for years to come. We keep crossing our fingers and wishing on stars that Broadway would extend their program to allow children to stay through elementary school... we just can't imagine a better experience than the one we've had at Broadway Children's School so far! read more

My daughter first started this preschool when she was 2yrs. old, they have a PACT (Parents and Children Together) program that is Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30. Tues. is drop off with rotating parent participation and Thurs. is a parent information class on topics like potty training, tantrums, sibling rivalry, the list goes on.... I was a bit skeptical at first because it was only four hours a weeks and two of those hours I was required to attend, but it was SOOOO worth it. She not only loved the teachers which settled my fears of entrusting other people, I also learned so much about raising a toddler. She is now in the the Rainbow room (Mon-Wed-Fri from 9-12pm with extended care offered till 3pm) and in her last year. I am so sad to leave this place (even for a year, till my son is old enough for PACT) She has thrived at BCSO, always talking about her teachers and what she learned. I really cannot say enough about this school, teachers are great and supportive and my daughter is learning. The fellow parents are welcoming and supportive as well, it has been an honor to be apart of such a strong and supportive community. read more

See all

My daughter tried 2 different preschools before we found the right fit at Broadway. She used to cry the night before school and cry the entire drive there, and home. And the entire time she'd be at preschool. But since coming to Broadway, she gets excited on school days. The model for the parents of the youngest kids staying in the classroom for as long as they'd like is the best one for our family. She saw that I trusted the teachers and other parents so when I started leaving it wasn't a big deal. And the parent group on Thursdays is such a great bonus. We get to learn together and also vent a little. Because, let's be honest...toddlers are tough!!! read more

Broadway Children's School ("Broadway") is a great pre-school. All three of our children (now aged 5-9) attended Broadway for three years each, i.e. the maximum, and they have each been profoundly, positively impacted by the teachers there. The teachers find the right balance in letting the children learn in a play based way with each other and also have the supportive, 1:1 interactions to further instruct the kids day to day on how to be good classroom community members with each other. Finally, Broadway prioritizes having a student composition that matches greater Oakland, and invests time and money to make that happen. The melting pot of Oakland is, thankfully, present at Broadway, making it a rich experience for children and parents. read more

My older son is about to start his second year at Broadway and it has been a transformative experience for him. He loves going to preschool now after having a shy start elsewhere, and speaks endlessly about his friends, teachers and activities they do there and is excited and happy at drop off and pick up. The community of families there are down to earth, sociable and open and teachers are very caring, respectful to the kids and communicative. read more

I feel like we hit the jackpot when we found Broadway almost 4 years ago. The staff are the most nurturing and warm people you can imagine, and most teachers here work/have worked at Broadway for decades which speaks volumes about the quality of the school. When we started dropping off our oldest daughter at school for the first time, she had separation issues for the first few weeks. The way the director and teachers handled it was more than incredible. They were gentle, reassuring, and always gave me a quick report of how long it took for her to stop crying each day. They also offered me tips on how best to support our daughter during this transition period. When our daughter went through insane "Threenager" phases, they offered me a book on three-year-olds and behavior changes that gave me huge insight on why she suddenly turned into a wild animal for weeks at a time and then went back to normal. When our second daughter started going to school at Broadway, the same happened- separation anxiety, a lot of comforting words from the teachers, and after a few weeks she came to love school so much that she talked about her teachers all the time. I can't say enough about how much our family loves this little yellow house and the people who we've met over the past 4 years here. The people you choose to be your children's first teachers are so vital to their sense of self and confidence, and we are so thankful that we found the kind of people who truly love shaping young minds. read more

Our daughter is finishing her third year at Broadway Children's School and we will be so sad to leave this wonderful and vibrant community. I can't articulate enough how caring, creative, resilient, and resourceful their teachers and staff have been during these past two plus years of Covid times. Their communication and protocol has been clear and organized during extremely confusing times, and a weekly testing option for families creates a lot of transparency and a greater feeling of safety. Our daughter has always been a tenderhearted kid who needs more support separating, and the teachers and staff have been both mindful of this and supportive in meeting her where she's at. She started in the PACT program which is a beautiful opportunity to see your kid transition into school, and it allowed us to connect closely with other parents. She has made wonderful friendships and we've seen her emotional growth blossom as she's gained more confidence. The play-based instruction is everything we were looking for and there is truly something for every child -- a range of art projects each day, blocks and building materials, book corners, dramatic play, and I love that they are immersed and they get dirty. There's an excavator in the backyard to dig in the mud and look for worms. :) The teachers and the director are invested in the work of children being children and the magical time that it is. We're so grateful to this school. read more

My son is currently enrolled in the PACT program. He is really thriving in this environment. The staffs are welcoming and expert in the child development. The pact involves parents participation and it really helped us to bond and create strong community. I am truely lucky and grateful for the experince at Broadway Children's School. read more

I've been apart of PACT (Parents and Children Together) 2 yr old program since September and it has been a great introduction to the preschool format. The choice play based structure includes art,music, story time and outdoor play. A well rounded program that has something for everyone. The staff has years of experience and are supportive and understanding of every child's different needs. My son loves the kitchen and dress up area as well as all the different toys that are constantly swapped out to keep him busy and interested. It a great community to be apart of and I look forward to what the next few years will bring at Broadway Children's School! read more

Our daughter started at BCS last fall and is in love with school. I'm worried that this will be the best she will experience during her education as the Oakland public school system will have a hard time topping this. BCS has been around forever. An older acquaintance was delighted to hear that our daughter was attending, as her kids went some 30+ years ago. As an early childhood educator herself, she could not help but rave about the school and the teachers. I think the teachers/staff are really what make this place special. Each one has a caring, nurturing presence about them, and its genuine, you can see that the kids really love the teachers. I can't recommend the school enough to any families looking for a play-based, nurturing part-time preschool near the Adams Point neighborhood. read more

Broadway is one of the best schools in Oakland! The teachers and staff are a rare group of genuine and caring people. After an exhaustive search, we decided upon BCSO and are now alumni with one child and starting again with our second. This is not day care/full time, but it is a wonderful start to your child's school years. BCSO prepares the children emotionally and socially for elementary school. read more

We have been participating in the PACT program since October of last year and both my son and I love it! My son was 2 1/2 last Fall which made us ineligible for many co-op programs that required an age of 2 years 9 months so I'd all but given up on finding something for us when my new neighbor mention BCSO. And it was JUST what I'd been hoping to find. It's Tuesday and Thursdays morning from 9:30 - 11:30, with Thursday being the day the parent's have 'class." It's really a meeting with all the parents and the Director to discuss a child development topic. We also have a chance to get to know each other a bit which is really nice. As a mom of a toddler it's been SO valuable to share the 'war stories' of tantrums and the like. We also take turns working in the classroom, about 12 days a year, and we take turn bringing in snack. Personally I've loved working in the classroom because it's been fun, and I get to know the other children, parents and the teachers that my son is spending his time with. The schedule includes inside play time, circle time and snack and then outside playtime followed by story time. It's a pretty full morning for him and he's always so happy to be there. Indoor playtime includes art projects, dress up and imaginative play (kitchen and dollies) as well as blocks and cars and trains. My son looks forward to the outside time the most, with the trucks, more imaginative play space (there's a house) and sand and dirt of course! We've been so happy and gotten a lot from the program. And we plan to sign up for the Sunshine room which is for the 3 year olds. I'm sure it will continue to be a great experience. read more

Broadway Children's School is a gem and an Oakland Institution. Full disclosure, my wife and I both went to Broadway when we were toddlers (no we didn't date then) and now our son is in the two-year-old parent-child program. He is really thriving with the mix of indoor and outdoor free play and structured activities, and his teachers are the most warm and delightful people. My wife, who is a pediatric nurse practitioner, and spent some time working at Broadway as a classroom aide before we were married, says that Broadway has the best early child educators she's ever seen. I can say from experience that Broadway was and is a wonderful and loving place for little ones to thrive. read more

This school is amazing. All 3 of our children have (and some are still) attending. The teachers have so much experience, are so warm and inviting and fun! I love the program, I love the space, I love the teachers, staff and the community that this wonderful place fosters. We have been so lucky to attend. read more

Both of my kiddos love this school! PACT is a great program to introduce 2 year olds to a 'school routine', and it helps parents connect with other parents. The teachers are attentive and genuinely care about each child's needs. We couldn't ask for a better pre school! read more

Broadway is a phenomenal place. I can say without hesitation that it is one of only a few preschools in the broader East Bay region that truly puts a child's needs above all (and the only other candidates are co-ops, that basically require every parent to work for 20+hrs/month until a child turns 5). Their philosophy is wholly play-based, part-time, and with strong parent/primary caregiver involvement. In retrospect, this seems so clearly aligned with my son's development, and it is no surprise that the school has been around for 60+ years doing things in this same way. Yet it is such a rarity nowadays due to a number of reasons: it's certainly difficult for working parents to spare the time (and cover childcare for the other days of the week), it requires an extraordinarily dedicated staff and low student:teacher ratio, and the radical benefits of this approach are sadly minimized in our modern day and age. On the final note, I am happy to note that childhood research is slowly catching up with what has seemed obvious to the best teachers basically forever: little kids thrive amidst structured free play, strong and safe relationships, and individualized attention. (For more on these topics, I'd strongly recommend the book "Brain Rules for Baby".) It's also becoming clearer that these factors have an especially dramatic impact on the very young - 1 to 3 yrs old, in particular - and the influence of a child's experience in these precious years can actually be measured even decades later. I didn't know all of this upfront - my wife and I both work, and like many parents, I was initially hoping some magical full-time program would be great for my son - but there is no doubt in my mind that the sacrifices we've made are 100% worth it, though I'm not sure we could have done it without the unique wisdom and community provided via Broadway. We began our experience with the school with the PACT program for 2-3yr olds, which runs 2x/week from 9:30-11:30, and every day there are three parent volunteers in addition to two teachers. On Thursdays, all the parents stay, half of which they spend in a parent education meeting where we explore topics like boundary-setting, positive discipline, the nature of childhood friendships, and more. Initially, I had all the same questions you probably have (e..g, what do you do on Mon/Wed/Fri? Why is it only 2 hours long?) In due course, both my role as a parent and the nature of my son's development became clearer to me, and I began to see that the structure was set-up with clear intent. In the first few months, the parents are encouraged to stay in the classroom even when they aren't required to, so as to give the child space to develop comfort and because separation anxiety hits all children differently. We never had the experience of my son crying all day or saying he was scared or didn't want to go to daycare - instead, we experienced a seamless transition as his comfort and independence grew, and even better, I got to witness his incredible journey! Amidst this, I also started noticing so much more about what the children were experiencing. Being around 14 other kids for 2 hours is really hard work for a 2yr old! They are navigating new rules of socialization, absorbing such an enormous amount of new information, and experiencing big and new emotions on a daily basis. They are really exhausted by the end, and are so grateful to have some one-on-one time for a while afterwards. There's no doubt that kids *can* adjust to a full-time daycare schedule, and *can* learn to live with minimal involvement from their parents, but if your primary question is figuring out what's ideal, a structure like Broadway's is so much more naturally aligned with the child. With that said, it's really hard to pull this off! As parents, we have to give up so much of our time, and at the school, they have to constantly fend off pressure to be something different. That's why you'll generally only find this sort of part-time structure, especially starting with 2yr olds, in what's known as a "co-op", which is primarily run by the parents. To manage this, the parents have obviously already come to terms with investing their time, and their only real focus is creating the best structure for their kids. It's little surprise that these places come to a similar conclusion in terms of set-up and class schedule. However, co-ops require substantial time from all parents until the kids graduate - usually around 5yrs old - while Broadway shifts to a 3x/week schedule for 3 and 4yr olds that is run entirely be the teachers. It may seem crazy if you aren't familiar yet, but having this kind of program available where you actually get some time back to yourself every week is pretty incredible! It's also in part why it is so rare and such a gem. It would be my pleasure to share my experience and recommendation further with anyone interested - feel free to reach out to me! read more

Our son has been at Broadway for two years now. It is a wonderful place filled love and years of experience guiding young children. We loved the parent participation class for 2 year olds, which included weekly parent education and discussion groups. He is now attending on his own in the three year old class. Broadway is play based and focuses on socialization and kindness. It offers our son everything he needs at his age and allows him to explore and develop his own personality, but also helps him to notice the feelings and needs of others. The teachers are experienced, caring, and enthusiastic. The children at Broadway are able to grow and learn in a loving, gentle environment. I feel so lucky to be able to drop my son off at a school where I know he will be treated with kindness and given attention that makes him feel seen and understood, while also encouraging him to be aware of others. read more

I am a forever fan of Broadway Children's School. My 2yo just went through the PACT program and I can't say enough good things about what this past school year has meant for my child and for me as a parent. Upon starting PACT, we entered a lovely and loving community of families, educators, and fellow parents. BCSO is nothing fancy, and I mean that in the best way. It's a humble little neighborhood school housed in a little yellow house, and many of its classroom toys are literally from the time BCSO opened in the early 1960s--like, indestructible solid wooden blocks and trucks, indestructible metal jack-in-the-boxes, handpainted vintage rubber animal figures... you get the idea. And guess what? The kids love those toys in 2019 exactly the way kids loved them 50 years ago. The teachers and staff take turns making homemade batches of this legendary classroom playdough that has perfect playdough consistency. It's also worth noting that many, many of the teachers and staff have been at BCSO for decades, and continue to volunteer or sub even after they retire. I originally found BCSO after much research into options for affordable, part-time school programs for an almost-2yo; I was especially interested in a co-op because they tend to be so much more affordable, and because I wanted to participate in the classroom and school community. BCSO was the only local option out there that fit the bill, since Skytown is closed! I'm writing this review for other parents who might be looking for something similar. BCSO has been a perfect environment for my kid to feel supported and nurtured in her entrance into the sometimes fraught world of school. I feel so grateful to have found this sweet school community. read more

I can't express how much we have loved this Preschool for our children. We feel so lucky to have our girls be a part of such a wonderful community where the teachers(and director) genuinely care for the kids and support their growth in a warm, fun, engaging environment. From the moment we toured the school we were sold on BCS, and our sentiment has only gotten stronger from the 2 years we have been a part of the school. My husband and I cannot recommend this school highly enough!! read more

My daughter is 4 and has attended BCSO this year. I transferred her after having a bad experience with another preschool. I feel so lucky to have found this school. To say the teachers care is an understatement. They are truly present, engaged and pay attention to your child ... the way they are socially interacting, learning and playing. My daughter is so happy and looks forward to going there. They have activity tables with different themes each week (ie) bathing dolls w/ real water and soap, searching for gold in the sand, designing a plate, making stationary, cutting vegetables w/ supervision for soup and many other stimulating activities. They really encourage the kids to be welcoming and learn how to use their words to express how they are feeling and resolve any challenges that arise. Highly recommend it! I'm sending my younger daughter there next year. read more

I couldn't imagine a more magical and wonderful place for my children to attend their first years of school. Watching my kid's imagination, creative play, wonder, curiosity, and communication skills explode since beginning Broadway has been magical for me to pay witness to, and I owe much of it to Broadway's approach to early childhood education. Part of which, includes educating me as a parent. I know my kids but I can't say I knew as much as I do now (thanks to Broadway) about the intricacies of an emerging child's mind and how I could help nurture and support it in ways that I'm confident are developmentally appropriate. The teachers are extremely experienced - many of them having been at Broadway for multiple decades which is rare in the preschool field. And the Broadway community of parents and alumni is second to none. So far, best decision I've made for my kids. If you're exploring preschools, don't miss the opportunity to at least tour and see for yourself. read more

Since our son started in the PACT program in fall '17, we have grown to love and appreciate BCSO immensely. Here are just a few of the great things we find about Broadway: 1) a play-based approach to learning keeps the children activated and engaged, in a low pressure, safe and fun environment. 2) the school is small enough to foster a genuine sense of community. Parents are invested in the school's success 3) the staff are seasoned professionals who care deeply about the quality of the experience. We are so grateful to have such a skilled and passionate group of people running the school 4) the first year (PACT, or 'parents and children together') program, for 2 year olds, was a perfect 'soft start' to school as the commitment is just two days a week, for only two hours at a time. Our son is now in his second school year, in the 'sunshine room', which is 3 days a week, with possibility for extended care. It has been the perfect glide path that not all preschools can provide. 5) By involving parents, and providing a space for guided group discussions led by BCSO staff, the PACT program helps families come together, learn, and build community. Highly recommended! read more

After literally years of searching for a preschool and daycares that we accidentally saw BCSO walking past it since we live in the neighborhood. It is a gem of a preschool and unparalleled in my experience in terms of how wonderfully inclusive and warm an atmosphere it has been for children and even parents. My 4 year old who was not happy at daycares and caregivers we tried before, and was very shy is finally at ease and has learnt to thrive at her preschool on her own without me, all thanks to the attention, care and support of super amazing teachers (each one of them truly) at BCSO. BCSO as a preschool teaches so many valuable aspects to kids at such an early age such creating new friendships, learn to be themselves and express their ideas and emotions fully with confidence with their peers, to learn through play and share their love for each other as they grow in their early years together here. BCSO provides the play based learning that is great in building a strong foundation for wherever the kids may choose to go next in their life. Even though it is not a co-op, parents are included in many activities and events but entirely if they want to. These events have made me as a parent feel part of this wonderful BCSO community of parents and teachers, all of whom i have felt are also some of the best people i have ever met. There is a natural, no pretense environment of learning for kids and parents with the value of true nurturing at its core at BCSO and that is very hard to find at any other place. It has been a home like school away from home for my child. If you have not found the preschool(for age 2 to preK) you have been looking for your child, join BCSO and you will discover how valuable BCSO experience can be for your child and how your child can reach their true potential of being lovely little humans here. We have loved this preschool for our child so much that it will be hard to leave for all the good reasons, when it is time to move on to another school for kindergarten. read more