Friends Nursery School

(58 reviews)

2.0 mi

Tiny Einstein is a wonderful place for your children! My son attended the center for all three…read moreyears, progressing from the youngest group to the graduation class, and we are absolutely delighted with our experience! Each group has a very well-structured daily routine, allowing children to both learn and play. They spend plenty of time outdoors on the playground and enjoy freshly prepared, healthy meals including soup, meat, vegetables, and side dishes. The educational program is designed to teach English while also preserving the Russian language. By the end of the program, my son knows all the Russian and English letters, can read simple words in both languages, counts to 100, understands instructions in English, and can formulate responses. At home, we only speak Russian, so all of his English knowledge was gained at the center. All of the teachers and staff are highly qualified, attentive, and kind educators. Wishing you continued success and prosperity

Our son has been attending Tiny Einstein for over a month, and it has been a truly wonderful…read moreexperience. From the very beginning, we've been impressed by the school's vibrant and nurturing environment--one that thoughtfully encourages exploration, curiosity, and creativity in young children. This is exactly what drew us to Tiny Einstein for our 2-year-old son. After spending his first two years at home with a loving and supportive nanny, our son needed extra care and support as he transitioned into a group preschool setting. Ms. Oksana and her team have been absolutely exceptional throughout this process. Their patient, warm, and attentive approach to onboarding--clearly shaped by decades of experience and deep expertise in early childhood education--made the transition feel reassuring and genuinely inspiring. We couldn't have asked for a better start to our son's preschool journey. We are incredibly grateful for the care and dedication of the Tiny Einstein team and feel so fortunate to be part of this wonderful community.

Petting Zoo at Tiny Einstein

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Building Kidz of Mountain View

4.5

(71 reviews)

4.8 mi

Certified professionals

Women-owned & operated

Safe, happy and communicative staff…read more My daughter was at BKMV for 7 months starting year 1. I have nothing but positive things to say about the staff at BKMV. 1. I haven't experienced the kind of empathy that BKMV teachers and admin staff extend to parents before. They are very understanding of a working parent's life, concerns and trepidations. Always have something positive to say at pick/drop-off, overshare the day's activities, lots of photos and have always had someone pick up the phone at the office if I had urgent questions. 2. The campus is well fenced with good security through access codes, kids are never alone. I felt very secure in the knowledge that my baby is safe and watched after, in a clean and maintained environment 3. Teachers are happy. And it makes a difference in how they work with children. All in all if I didn't have to move cities, I'd continue with them till my baby was ready for school.

My daughter went to BK for two years, starting at 9 months old. In our search, we were specifically…read morelooking for a center-based daycare, small class sizes, and a warm environment. Class size is small in the infant room but I did not pay enough attention to the older classes. My daughter's last class (started at 23 months but not sure of the age cutoff) had 24 students with 3 teachers at one point and I believe it's down to 18 students with 3 teachers now. My daughter was getting sick very often and I wish I'd been more mindful about class sizes in the older classes in choosing her daycare. However, I think this is the price you pay when going for a center vs. in-home daycare. When touring BK, I noticed the admin seemed to know some of their students by name. My daughter had serious stranger danger so, a caring environment was a must. I was blown away specifically by Ms. Maria. She works mornings in the baby room and is the first teacher on site. If dropping off your child before 8:00, children go to Ms. Maria's room. My daughter's transition to daycare went well because of Ms. Maria. And by "well," I mean she stopped crying at drop-offs after a few weeks. Considering her strong stranger danger at the time, this was HUGE. I cried in my car the first time my daughter reached for Ms. Maria. But, I knew my daughter was comfortable so I was also very, very grateful. Two things I wish I asked about during the tour: 1. Allergy procedures 2. Teacher turnover 1. My daughter had a mild reaction to dairy. This was a new allergy at the time and was not yet confirmed by a doctor until after her start. We did inform the center of her allergies regardless. The center confirmed that this was added to their allergy list. However, my daughter was given dairy two days in a row. The second time being more bothersome, warranting a call home. The admin response was to send our daughter to school with food from home on the days when dairy was being served. However, their menu does not list allergens within the foods so we were guessing which foods did and did not have dairy. We were wrong a few times so we asked about including allergens in the menu. This was the managers reply: " We understand that when it comes to food allergies, we must take all precautions to avoid allergic reactions to products. When ordering in bulk and when the products are unavailable, we sometimes have to source some products from local stores. This can make it challenging to list allergens on the menu ahead of time." We were also told per the manager, Raji, that they would "check if adding any information to the menu is possible." No information was added. 2. The teacher turnover rate seems pretty high. At least 10 of my daughter's past teachers no longer seem to work there. And changes happen without informing the families, nor are there introductions, so there's always new faces in the rooms. Not sure if this is the norm in other centers or if teachers are unhappy at BK. Pros: - a handful of caring teachers - extracurriculars: yoga, soccer, and music (all of which my daughter LOVED) - academics in the oldest class (my daughter wasn't in this class but I've met a couple students from this class. They were certainly kinder-ready) - app with photos/videos/summaries of what students are learning and doing -- though very inconsistent. I'm not sure how often summaries are sent but at least once a month (photos are shared daily)

Don't miss our Spring Saving offer!

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Practicing our Spanish.

Little Prodigy Preschool & Daycare Center

4.7

(56 reviews)

5.3 mi

As a parent of a 16-month-old, choosing a daycare was a big decision for me. I am so happy I found…read moreLittle Prodigy Preschool and Daycare. The teachers are loving, patient, and attentive, and they take wonderful care of my child. My little one feels comfortable there and is always happy when I drop off and pick up. It gives me great peace of mind knowing my child is in such a safe and nurturing environment. We've noticed positive changes in our child's confidence, social skills, and communication since enrolling here. The facility is clean, organized, and well-maintained, and the daily activities are both educational and fun. We also appreciate the regular updates and open communication from the staff, which helps us stay involved in our child's development. I highly recommend this place.

The Little Prodigy family is truly something special! Both of our girls started in the toddler…read moreprogram one started at 17 month and our younger one started there at 15 month. We've been with the school since 2023. Since the very beginning, the teachers showed so much care and love for our girl and like every new parent, we are nervous about our little nugget starting school and especially with the first couple of drop offs being rough, but the teachers knew exactly what to do and guided us along the way and made the transition very smooth. I've watched our older one growing from the baby room, moving up each year and then to preschool, every step along the way, the teachers are there to support and nurture, it's truly been a blessing journey. The school offers different programs for different age groups with very experienced teachers and they have a huge playground with a lot of outdoor activities for the kids. Also a safe dedicated gated area for the toddlers. Our younger one is now 5 months into the school and only the best experiences just like her older sister and we see the growth weekly. We're excited for the upcoming journey ahead. We highly recommend LPP and it will always be special to us

The Prodigy Castle is a fun area to learn and grow at Little Prodigy Preschool and Daycare Center.

Bunnies at the petting zoo!

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The Little Prodigy Preschool and Daycare Center has a newly renovated jungle gym with shaded areas.

Creative Imagination Schoolhouse

(12 reviews)

2.6 mi

Creative Imagination Schoolhouse has been a godsend for our son who is currently attending it and…read morehas been there for the past 5 months. Maricar is a true educator who deeply cares for the socio-emotional development of each child and has a deep understanding of child psychology. Maricar "got" our child just after his first week of school, she talked to us about his strengths and weaknesses and prepared different activities to help empowering him. In just a few months not only we saw improvements in many areas (fine motor skills, emotional regulation, communication skills etc) but most of all we saw him grow into a more independent and confident version of himself. As part of the Reggio-Emilia philosophy the learning environment is truly the third teacher: CIS offers amazing educational materials (Waldorf, Montessori, Spielgaben, Kimochis dolls..), a wonderful selection of books and the outdoor space provides many outlets for imaginative playing and gross motor activities. The level of communication is excellent: on a daily and a weekly basis Maricar takes the time to communicate how the child is doing, his progresses and challenges and shares pictures and reports of their activities at preschool. Maricar deeply cares for the emotional wellbeing of each child. Our son had to undergo a medical procedure he was anxious about and she spent a considerable amount of time talking to him and prepare him for it - and that support helped him tremendously during the procedure and healing process. During those five months we, as parents, learnt a lot about our child and how to help him flourish. It takes a village to raise a child and we feel very blessed to have CIS as part of ours.

I've had both my children attend CIS and it has been one of the best decisions I've made. It's so…read morehard to find a place that you can trust with your children but after the first week at CIS, we knew we had found the one. Maricar is passionate about her role as an early childhood educator. We were sent weekly pictures and updates of what the children were learning. Maricar was always open to discuss the children's progress. She would bring to our attention any big accomplishments or areas of concern and was a real partner in our children's growth and education. Even when the kids were going through big changes at home, Maricar was extra loving and supportive, which made the transition much easier for the kids. They say it takes a village and we have been so blessed to have Maricar & CIS in ours. CIS is not a traditional academic learning environment. Maricar believes in allowing children to lead their learning and would create lessons with whatever the children were naturally interested in. It made for an environment that I believe will develop into a lifelong love of learning, which was my priority. If you're looking to have your kids learn to read by 3 and long division by 4, that may happen, but that isn't the focus at CIS. Play comes first! It isn't for everyone but it was perfect for us.

Building an animal habitat!

Construction play at the sensory table! Let's dig in the sand!

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Children's Learning Cottage

4.9

(24 reviews)

3.4 mi

I am so grateful that I came across Children's Learning Cottage (CLC). When our prior preschool…read moreclosed, that prior director told us that Ms. Adela had helped get their preschool established and was open to sharing advice and knowledge. I began my preschool search there and that's where it stopped :) My little guy cried on and off for over a month starting preschool at the prior school (his first time at school), so I was admittedly nervous to switch him as he just got settled. However, the yelp reviews for CLC on how Ms. Adela helps create a warm and stimulating environment for the kids so they want to be there were very accurate - my kiddo was so excited to start preschool and there were NO tears even on the first day (I was shocked!). CLC's teachers are top notch. They provide a variety of enrichment activities (cooking, sensory bins, obstacle courses, dance, yoga, crafting...) and send long updates at the end of the day explaining what activities they did and the benefits of the activities on child development (with the cutest photos!). The environment itself is magical, with a climbing wall, sensory swings, sensory bins, etc that the director/teachers rotate out every few weeks. They also have great opportunities for parents to get involved if that's what you're interested in. The tuition is fairly priced and their schedule is flexible with half and full days. I cannot speak highly enough about this preschool!

We started sending our 3 year old here about four months ago and we couldn't be happier with our…read moredecision. The teachers are so thoughtful, caring and experienced, which made for a super easy transition. I was worried about starting a new school because he had trialed another preschool that he didn't want to go back to after the week. But he immediately took to CLC-after his first day he told me "I love my new school". Honestly that alone is worth a five star review. Since then he has grown so much. Every day we get updates about their activities, from books they're reading to recipes they're making. The school is wonderful about communicating with parents-there's an app and Adela is very responsive if you need to text the school about something that can't wait. We've had a great experience here. Thanks so much CLC! Update*** I posted this review a year ago, so updating it since we now send our 2 year old here, too! Both my kids LOVE school. Shout out to Ms. Melissa, Ms. Suzie, Teacher M, and Ms. Nandini. They've treated our children like family and take such great care of all the kids here! And special thanks to Ms. Adela who is AMAZING at what she does. This school is so special. Glad we found it.

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The Wonder Years Preschool

4.2

(40 reviews)

3.4 mi

Both my kids went to TWY Preschool on Sterlin Ct. We are really sad that we won't be going there…read moreanymore because they have now graduated but it has been one of the best experiences for their childhood. The teachers are full of energy and are really good educators. Both the Directors of the school- Ms Lorena and Ms Chen Jin are very helpful and loving. I would highly recommend sending kids to this pre-school!

Simply the Best Day Care in and around Mountain View - great staff and excellent programs to keep…read morechildren engaged! Communication is super clear and kids are always the top priority here - the kids' beaming smiles say it all :)

Challenger Bullis carter school

Preschool playground

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Windsor Preschool

4.1

(28 reviews)

2.0 mi

Windsor has been an amazing school for our family. Every aspect of how the school is run is…read morethoughtful and intentional. From the day we went on the school tour, we knew - hoped - we had found something really special. Do they really do all that for the kids? Do they really take tiny kids on field trips? Yes, yes they do. They go on field trips about once a month - ballet school, Costco, a pizzeria, art museums, a doors and windows store, etc... And a fire truck, police car, and ambulance have visited the school! But beyond the highlights, it is the daily routines that have really shaped my kid. I can see how my son's social emotional skills have grown. From how comfortable he is with standing up to speak on "Share Days" (gets to bring a toy, loves it), to how he relates to other kids at the playground, to how confidently he interacts with my adult friends, it's amazing to watch my small person grow in these ways. When my son's teachers tell us about him, I feel that they are describing the same kid we know (strengths, weaknesses, quirks), which assures me that they know him very well and also that my son feels he can be himself at school. All the staff seems to know my kid (and indeed all the kids) by name. On academics, my son has learned letters, numbers, etc. but I especially appreciate Windsor's approach of expanding the children's worlds through curiosity. When they go on "architectural tours" around the school building, my toddler doesn't understand geometry or engineering, but he might start to observe details and get that it's someone's job to design buildings. A lot of planting of seeds and building foundational skills (pardon the pun) for the years of learning ahead. The quality of education and care at Windsor have been outstanding. Can't wait for our second kid to enroll!

Disclaimer: this is from the in-person tour (conducted outside) that I received…read more As I recently moved back from the Bay, and had two children who needed childcare, we were touring and interviewing schools and nannies. Windsor was on our list for our three year old. Pre tour - I felt the email that was written to inform parents of the in-person tour was well written, informative, and organized. In-person tour was a bit lacking. I arrived a couple minutes early and I came inside, and the director sort of shooed me out before he even introduced himself or before I could say anything. It was a weird first interaction, and then once the tour he started to put on a weird friendly facade. I have to admit the first interaction with him put a sour taste in my mouth. I asked more logistical questions (i.e. do you have early v. full day options, does your Sunnyvale location accept 18 months - the youngest age they accept kids, if a kid doesn't nap that day, how is that conducted, if the kid refuses to eat the meal prepped how is that dealt with, etc.), she seemed more frustrated at not being able to conduct her tour to talk about her nice MV campus that she built. If the staff members seem annoyed at questions from adults regarding their daycare and services, how much patience are children regarded with? This is just a question that comes to mind post touring. From touring multiple places, I am suggesting to parents to look into home-based daycares. They have a personal touch, and a lot more to lose if they are not meeting the needs and wants of children and parents.

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Mindful Montessori Mountain View

(5 reviews)

4.3 mi

I am a former student of Sajini's (Ms. Jini to me!) and cannot say enough about the positive impact…read moremy Montessori education and her instruction have had on my life. The Montessori curriculum is hands-on and individually paced for each student, which meant that I was constantly engaged and challenged to learn new material. The tactile lessons made abstract concepts, like math and pattern matching, concrete and easier to grasp. I learned independence, responsibility, and caring for others. I was encouraged to write, create, and explore concepts I wanted to learn. In short, Montessori taught me to love learning, which I still do today! When I eventually transitioned to a traditional-style learning environment, I was well advanced in math, reading, writing, geography, and critical thinking. Ms. Jini leads her classes with compassion, mindfulness, and a joy for learning. Her enthusiasm for new ideas and laughter are contagious! She used creative, immersive experiences to educate us about geography and current events. When I would struggle with a new concept, she patiently guided me through how to solve the problem on my own. When we were rowdy, she led us in meditation to recenter and calm ourselves. She engaged in difficult conversations, teaching us to be compassionate and self-aware in how we lead and engage others, especially those who look different from us. Those lessons stick with me today, and I cannot recommend her instruction highly enough!

From our initial tour in Sep 2021 to today, we have loved being part of the Mindful family…read more The teachers are very experienced. They nurture, love and respect each student, and are always ready to answer any questions we have. They offer advice and support to the child and parents even outside of the classroom (the lovely visual schedule we received from Sajini was one such example). I love the fact that the Mindful not only offers a Montessori environment where kids get to choose and enjoy many fun jobs (there are soooooooo many amazing and educational toys), grow independence and confidence, but also is knowledgeable and open to other, less rigid methods based on each child's characters and needs. Such an approach, combined with the teachers' patience and love, was hugely helpful when my son was going through a challenging phase. Mindful also invited other teachers to organize special activities such as clay, painting, language, culture. Such activities exposed kids to interesting concepts and learning opportunities while having fun. There is lots of singing at Mindful too. My son's favorite songs lately are the planet song, the continent song from Mindful + the Spanish counting song he learned from his big sister. Bonus points: they offer healthy snacks, and the birthday celebration is very special! I highly recommend Mindful Montessori. It's a gem where your child will feel loved, have fun and thrive!

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Los Altos - Mountain View Children's Corner

Locally owned & operated

My first impression was that this is a good place as it sits in a quiet neighborhood, the ratio is…read moregood, teachers look nice. But something happened in the tour changed my mind. During the tour of the 3-year-old class, I saw a teacher holding a cup of steaming hot tea without a lid, walking through a group of children and even hugging two of them. After entering the classroom, the teacher put the tea on a cabinet, which was fine. But a little later, she moved the hot tea to the table where the children were having snacks. I questioned the tour guide on the spot, and was told that the school provides complimentary drinks for teachers every day, and that this poses no safety risk since they've never had an incident where hot water was spilled on a child. This response shows that the school prioritizes not offending teachers over children's safety.

Just finished our first year at Children's Corner. We loved it for many reasons. As a parent with a…read morepandemic toddler, I was very nervous sending my son to school. But the school was great about enforcing their policy and teachers maintained a very clean environment. The teachers were loving, as were the substitutes. My son is trilingual and there were teachers that could communicate in all 3 languages. That was great. I love how each grade has its own play area. Mix up Fridays are fun so kids could explore other play areas. We looked forward to the activity of day table every morning. Each day was an amazing creation. For my 2 year old, I couldn't have chosen a better school. I toured all in the area and after careful evaluation we landed at this school for many reasons and very happy with that choice. We opted for 5, half days and it was perfect for my family and work/life balance.

We are an NAEYC Accredited Preschool

The Light Table is always a favorite!

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Soapy water fun!

Learning Links - Mountain View

4.4

(23 reviews)

3.0 mi

We recently explored daycare options for our toddler after our current daycare closure. While…read morelearning links Mountain View boasted positive reviews and a low teacher-to-child ratio, our trial class experience left us deeply concerned. The primary teacher in the "Yosemite" room seemed disengaged, spending most of the time taking pictures instead of interacting with the children. In stark contrast to other daycares, there was an absence of playful activities and a focus on fun. During the trial class, our toddler, excited by the toys on a table, pulled a chair to reach a truck. Instead of understanding his age-appropriate behavior, the teacher reacted harshly, suggesting a special education evaluation for not asking permission. This incident exemplifies the daycare's inability to handle typical toddler behavior and their concerning practice of labeling such actions as requiring special needs. Both teacher's lack of engagement and the enrollment coordinator's apparent disconnect with toddler development raised serious questions. Their approach seemed more suited to a high school environment than a nurturing daycare for young children. I don't think the enrollment coordinator has spent any time with a toddler or they are too afraid to ask questions from their own staff. If you're considering daycare options for a toddler (especially between 2.5 and 3.5 years old), I recommend looking elsewhere and encourage you to consult Facebook groups and other reviews for a more complete picture.

When we moved to this area of Mountain View we took our two year old son out of his original home…read moredaycare and were pretty sad as those ladies were awesome. But we knew it was time for him to "graduate" so he could be surrounded by kids his age (and even slightly older) and to have a more structured learning environment. At first it was rough on him, as it is for all kids, but once he adjusted we saw amazing progress. The teachers we had were excellent, especially in the beginning while the transition was taking place. It wasn't too long till he felt right at home and he made many friends - and so did we! Having other kids a few or several months older also helped him progress on the potty training front - again great patience by the teachers! Bottom line -we couldn't be happier with how comfortable he became with the other kids & teachers and with how much progress we saw him make. Eventually, a younger brother also came into the mix and we also discovered that the infant teachers are also amazing - talk about patience! It was really fun picking up both boys at the same time. The play area outside is really nice, we love that it's tucked right into Rengsttorf Park with plenty of and open air - as opposed to some other centers that are on busier streets with traffic etc. The administration is very friendly & communicative, they made us feel very appreciated not just as customers but as parents as well. If it weren't for our moving out of town I would not be writing this review in the past tense. Indeed, we are sad that our toddler son won't get to see so many of the friends he's made over the past couple years. I should also add, during the Covid & SIP chaos, they've tried their best to be transparent about what's going on, they've offered Zoom classes with the teachers and also helped us parents with reducing tuition during the closures. It's not easy to be a parent or a school administer during these times, but I've been very happy and impressed with how they've handled it. Certainly a lot better than some other schools we've heard about from other friends of ours. We'll miss this place and we can only hope we can find something just as welcoming and effective as Learning Links.

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Building Kidz of Palo Alto

(70 reviews)

1.4 mi

Certified professionals

Women-owned & operated

We are so grateful for the incredible care our baby, received at Building Kidz Palo Alto. From day…read moreone, the infant teachers welcomed us with warmth, patience, and genuine love. They truly made us feel at ease and supported every step of the way. The team went above and beyond--providing daily updates, celebrating every little milestone, and treating my baby with so much care and attention. It was clear they saw him as more than just a baby in daycare--they treated him like family. My son has developed so much during his time here, and it's bittersweet to be saying goodbye as we prepare to move. We will always remember the loving foundation Building Kidz provided during such a special stage in his life. Thank you to the amazing infant room team for everything--you've left a lasting mark on our hearts.

We moved to Palo Alto for 2 months last spring and enrolled our 13m and 3.5y old sons at Building…read moreKidz. My 3.5 y old has been very happy in the school, since the very first day. He did tell us often that it was his favorite school. The teachers and staff are dedicated, warm and caring. They were always available to comunicate with us; and also worked hard to help our sons integrate with the classmates, despite our short stay. Both sons bonded well with the teachers; it has been hard to say good bye! When we left we got a card signed by all the teachers, the director and the assistant director. We are grateful to everyone for the wonderful care that our sons received, despite the short stay.

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Tikiland Daycare & Preschool

(26 reviews)

1.0 mi

So grateful we found Tikiland during our daycare search. Mrs. Pily & team are warm, caring,…read moreattentive, kind and supportive. Leaving your LO isn't easy, but TL feels safe comforting welcoming and full of heart. Here are some selling points- Why we Tikiland: *A+ comms w/ parents, super responsive to Qs. The teachers were BORN for this! *Big shaded yard w/ fun play structures (cars, playhouse, giant playground) for exploration and play *Curriculum is well rounded which helps Kids thrive socially & academically. *Bilingual program to help kids become multilingual *Fun holiday celebrations (VDay, may5, MDay, etc.) *Welcoming family community-never cliquey * The drop-in program has been a lifesaver, giving us time to reset/recharge. Very flexible-start w/ a few drop-in hrs & add more as needed TL is 5/5 quality child care program top to bottom TY for taking such good care of the kiddos! (Sharing a quick snap of one of my LOs--a tiny peek into how special this place is.)

Coming from a bilingual Spanish/English-speaking household, finding Tikiland was the perfect fit…read morefor my family. From the 1st moment I pulled up, the lush greenery set the tone for a welcoming, enriching space, where kids create/explore/thrive. The teachers are attentive/nurturing/trustworthy and truly invested in each child--you see it in the way they eagerly walk up each morning! Here are some of my kids' fave activities: - Story-based Arts & Crafts - Themed storytime w/ hands-on projects connected to what they read (one day, animal masks; another, a paper-plate whale reinforcing Spanish/English vocab; another, a decorated bear mask blending literacy & creativity). -STEM + hands-on discovery - Learning feels like play as they build, experiment w/ circuits, & explore STEM concepts ("We made it light up!" my son said about their snap circuit activity--so cool!!). - Outdoor exploration - Nature walks introduce plants/flowers/birds/ environmental awareness. - Gardening activities - Outdoor spaces turn into classrooms, where kids observe/engage/teach ("You have to be gentle, or the plants won't grow," my son reminds me--wise kiddo tbh). -Imaginative play + role-playing - The playhouse kitchen turns into a full-on restaurant (my daughter proudly declared herself both chef/boss when she runs the pretend lunch service @ TL), while the dollhouse encourages creative storytelling (she reenacts her gentle parenting skills back @ home lol). - Music & Movement - Days include dance/rhythm games/interactive songs (hand-clapping in Span/Eng performances of Los Pollitos Dicen & De Colores, & the highly competitive freeze dance which according to my son, demands absolute focus -don't interrupt when the music stops!!). W/ dedicated teachers/engaging activities/a vibrant outdoor setting- TL is where kids develop curiosity/confidence/love for learning in a nurturing bilingual environment. If you're looking for a place that truly understands childhood where education is joyful/immersive/hands-on Tikiland is IT!!

Tikiland Daycare & Preschool Palo Alto Discover a CrEaTiVe Outdoors

Tikiland Daycare & Preschool Palo Alto

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Arts & Crafts Arts & Crafts: From grasping crayons to creating intricate designs, our art projects cater to all ages.

HeadsUp! Montessori Preschool

Certified professionals

A gem of a school! Amazing teachers, curriculum, and care. Chuck has really put so much thought…read moreinto the Monterssori curriculum and the head teachers are amazing

We had 2 kids start here in August 2023 - one in Room 5 (toddler room) and one in Room 4 (the…read moreMandarin room). My toddler then moved to Room 3 when he turned 3 years old. All of the teachers we've worked with have been great, really wonderful. We saw both of our children really flourish in this preschool - learning both life skills, academic skills, and confidence. I have found them to be very communicative and we experienced no major issues while here. It may be an issue for some parents that there's no lunch service provided, but my kids are picky eaters, so I'd have to send them with a lunch from home anyway. If I had to make the choice again of where to send my kids - I'd pick this place all over again. ** Bonus that it's right on Greer Park, so many of the families go straight over to the playground after pickup to let the kids play together.

BEST of Palo Alto, California Coffee near Friends Nursery School

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Avril J.

2 years ago

Enrolling our twin daughters in Friends Nursery School's 3-year-old program was a decision that paid off beautifully. What first drew us in was the school's incredible flexibility--offering both AM and PM slots, along with a variety of programs, which allowed us to tailor their learning experience to fit our busy schedule perfectly. But what truly makes Friends Nursery School stand out is the quality of teaching and the sheer warmth we've encountered. The teachers are nothing short of exceptional; their tenderness and dedication shine through, making every day a comfortable and enriching experience for our girls. The fun play integrated with thematic learning has been a huge hit! Our daughters come home buzzing with excitement, full of stories about their day's adventures. It's clear they're not just learning; they're having a blast doing it. Seeing our girls so happy and engaged is a testament to the wonderful environment Friends Nursery School has created. For parents considering a nurturing, flexible, and fun-filled educational setting for their little ones, look no further. Our family's experience has been nothing but positive, and we're excited to see our girls continue to thrive here. Highly recommended! read more

Bongga M.

18 years ago

My kids love, love love going to Friends. I love that my sons have a huge place to run around to their hearts' content, anytime they want (as opposed to some schools that schedule finite outdoor times). Their toy / game / puzzle collection is the most extensive that I've ever seen in a preschool. And the teachers are so gentle and caring, I know they're in good hands. This school has the most flexible parent participation requirements for any co-op preschool that I know. Parents can sign up to be a participating parent (1 day per week) and they get tuition credit for it. Or they can sign up to be substitute parents -- basically they are on call as substitutes for several days in the schoolyear. That's it! And their afternoon program has no parent participation requirement at all (parents are always welcome to drop by, of course, and many parents do volunteer for cooking projects and special projects over the year). There are also fundraising requirements, but again, there are so many ways to meet these requirements. read more

Victoria T.

18 years ago

Palo Alto Friends Nursery School is a warm, nurturing and fun environment for young children to learn and grow. The teachers have all been at the school for many years and they are 100 percent invested in helping every child develop and explore. The school has a play based approach to early childhood education, with a strong focus on building social skills and learning how to get along with others. It has an expansive outdoor area with large play structure, huge sand box and lots of art and getting messy. Our children have been in five different preschools due to moves and I love Palo Alto Friends Nursery School-- I highly recommend it! read more

Jennie G.

13 years ago

After moving from the east coast and leaving behind an amazing preschool that our two older children attended, we were thrilled to discover this hidden gem. Friends is a wonderful play-based nursery school with exceptional teachers who have been there forever. There are many options for various levels of parent involvement. My daughter currently attends the threes program and will continue to the fours next year. As a former elementary school teacher myself, I continue to be amazed by the school, staff, director, and developmentally appropriate program. This is a truly joyful place for children. read more

Charlotte M.

14 years ago

My daughter has now started kindergarten in public school. Friends Nursery School prepared her so well emotionally. She has been able to express to her peers and teachers her needs and frustrations in very appropriate way. Friends Nursery School with their focus on the social and emotional development of children prepared her for the hectic world of kindergarten. This is such a special preschool. read more

Carla J.

7 years ago

Janet is an amazing director who truly believes in Friends Nursery school. The teachers are wonderful and loving

Friends Nursery School - preschools - Updated August 2026

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Our son Yunay has been attending Heffalump, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. He…read moregenuinely loves going to school, and seeing him so happy and excited every day means everything to us. Yunay had a very difficult experience at his previous daycare, so as parents, we were extremely nervous and hesitant about putting him into a new school. Choosing Heffalump turned out to be one of the best decisions we could have made for him. The teachers are absolutely wonderful--kind, attentive, patient, and genuinely caring. Teacher Meenakshi, Barbara, and Lucy are names we hear all the time at home because Yunay keeps talking about them! That alone tells us how comfortable, loved, and connected he feels at school. What I appreciate most is how approachable the teachers are. As a parent, you can bring up any question or concern without ever feeling judged or dismissed. They are always happy to listen, explain, reassure, and help ease a parent's anxiety. That level of understanding means so much, especially after having a difficult daycare experience in the past. The positive changes in Yunay have been beautiful to watch. He is learning new skills almost every day, becoming more confident, and even gaining weight--which, for us, is another wonderful sign that he is happy, comfortable, and thriving in his environment. The biggest change of all is that he now loves going to school. We are incredibly grateful to the entire Heffalump team for creating such a warm, safe, and nurturing environment for our little one. Seeing Yunay happy there gives us so much peace of mind. Highly recommend Heffalump to any parent looking for a place where their child will truly be cared for and encouraged to grow.

The play-based curriculum, caring teachers, and all the friendly families made the transition from…read morenanny to preschool seamless for us. The truly embody the sentiment, "Children blossom when they feel loved and secure." Our toddler has made so many friends, officially potty trained (thanks to the support of the teachers!), and her language and social skills have flourished. We're so grateful to have found this preschool!

Palo Alto Montessori School

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Parents - heads up that there is a LONG wait list for this center. I was told that parents are…read moreencouraged to apply at least 1 1/2 to 2 years in advance. Of course a lot of parents like myself will be blown away by the 4.9 star reviews and in Palo Alto, the stress around getting a spot at these type of centers is palpable. I reached out in May 2024 and sent in a $100 fee. I never received a call back nor a courtesy e-mail letting me know that no space is available over a two year time frame. There are children that need to get educated, waiting on the other end of that line, please at least be direct over the phone that it's basically impossible to get placed. Perhaps our application was simply forgotten - must be nice to have demand/supply dynamics work in your favor! Neutral stars because I don't like to knock on the educators themselves, but letting people know that the wait list is long to the point it feels impossible

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A beautiful school with a spacious outdoor play area and a clean, well-maintained interior. Offers…read morea wide variety of engaging activities for children--perfect for learning and fun!

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Edgewood House Preschool

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They have a new owner now, the facility is clean, the ratio of student teachers is just right. My…read morechild switched from a different school to this one as she would cry everyday refusing to go, wet her pants and refuse to eat her lunch. They told me to give it more time but after stopping by a few times unannounced I could tell some of the issues. The student size is so big, the teachers don't have time to tend to each kid, Lauren mentioned barely anyone spoke to her there. This new school, she does not cry when being dropped off and enjoys school, finishes her lunch and does not wet her pants. That's because the teacher cares about the student here and dedicates time and care. I am seeing how she will academically advance her as i have confidence in the teacher/staff.

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Country Day Little School

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Both of my children attended Country Day from ages three to five/six. The teachers at Country Day…read moreare loving, caring, and supportive. They are experienced professionals who understand and care about young children, and it shows in every interaction. The teacher turnover rate is low, most of the staff have been with the school for over five years. The school provides plenty of outdoor time. Children spend their mornings outside in the garden, and often go out again in the afternoon when the sun isn't too strong. The indoor environment is bright, airy, and thoughtfully arranged to support children's exploration and independence. Country Day provides lunch and snacks which is convenient for working parents. Teachers cook fresh, hot lunches every morning using organic ingredients in the on-site kitchen. Older children sometimes get involved in the preparation. Snacks are usually healthy cheese and fruit, which is a big benefit for young children!

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Tiny Einstein Child Development Center