My son went to Rising Star for Pre-K and Kindergarten and had Ms. Kim as his head teacher both…read moreyears. He needed more of a challenge than he was getting at his preschool. Rising Star was a breath of fresh air with all the individualized attention, care and love Ms. Kim, Ms. Jayita and Ms. Sarah provided to each child. I felt that Ms. Kim really saw and appreciated my son and shared insights with us that came from patiently trying to understand him and not punish him when challenges arose. My son is very interested teaching others about dinosaurs and she gave him opportunities to build on that interest and strength which further gave him confidence and pride in his work. It's a very structured environment, while still having the flexibility to meet students' interests and needs. Rising Star was a true blessing in our lives, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a great education for their child.

We love this preschool - its creative programming (academics, playtime, gardening), its beautiful…read morebuilding, and especially its dedicated staff and teachers. They also have regular fun holidays and special events that are meticulously planned and just so warm and quirky. Both of my kids attended Rising Star and we feel incredibly lucky to have done so.

A longer overdue review. Selecting preschool/daycare for our son was one of our toughest decisions…read moreat the time. We were not comfortable with other facilities, and were growing incredibly nervous. When visiting Small Size Big Mind, we were quickly impressed and relieved. The owner and staff immediately gave us comfort, confidence and relief and our son was enrolled until ready to start pre-k at a nearby school. We have fond memories and stopped by many times since, to donate, say hi, and reflect. An amazing experience that we'll always cherish.

In selecting a preschool for our son, my husband and I toured many facilities in Alameda. We found…read morea lot of them to be cookie cutter and lacking something special. The second we first toured SSBM2 we were in love. The campus offers a whimsical and creative atmosphere and our son instantly fell in love with all of the handmade playground and classroom features. It's clear a lot of thought and love went into the design. The owners and staff are also a continued selling point for us. All of the teachers seem to genuinely love what they do and consistently provide an engaging experience for the children. My son comes home every day talking about the new things he's learned and it's been amazing to watch how quickly he's grown intellectually, socially and emotionally since starting in July 2019. Overall we can't recommend this school enough!

Can't say enough about this place! All three of my kids have gone through the bridge view campus…read moreand it's incredible! They went on to kindergarten and were miles ahead of other kids and continue to show improvement that they learned from Small Size. The staff are like family and there's virtually no turnover! They care for the kids like they are their own. Not for one second have I ever felt that my kids weren't completely safe, cared for and taught values my family completely agree with! It's by far the best daycare and school you could ever choose for your kids and it's worth every penny!

We felt so lucky to get into SSBM! My son thrived at this preschool. The campus is a magical space…read moremade for imaginative littles. The curriculum is balanced with play and fun. The teachers are incredibly caring and dedicated. My son was excited to go every day and even ran into the play yard without barely looking back to wave goodbye. The school is also big on community. They hosted family happy hours where parents could mingle while the kids played in the play yard. We made friends and even forged some "emergency pick up" alliances! Which saved me twice when the bay bridge was gridlocked and I couldn't get back to the school in time. They also hosted pizza nights so that parents could go out on dates! My son HATES pizza but never wanted to miss a pizza night with teacher Tallulah & teacher Wyatt. He had a blast! We were sad to age out and leave! We love and miss you SSBM!

It is a great feeling as a parent to be able to work each day and leave your precious child with…read moresomeone you can trust to take the best care of your child. Our child, now nearly 2.5 years old, loves going to Yanyi Daycare & Preschool. The preschool has fantastic solid daily routine: healthy home cooked meals, nap time, circle time and time outdoors.

I am so grateful for this wonderful preschool! My daughter has been there for almost two years and…read moreshe has thrived in this loving and fun environment. Thank you, Yan Yi, for always ensuring that my daughter is safe, happy, well fed, and having fun with you every day.

Both my kids went to Alameda Park Academy. Unfortunately we had to move and change daycares but I…read morewould highly recommend this daycare/ preschool. Sandra the owner is very attentive and great with communication. She follows through on all requests. They provide all meals and even accommodated my request for vegetarian options both times The teachers are all very good, even at the old Otis location where my daughter went few years ago.My son recently went to the Park Avenue location and very easily adjusted to the teacher Helen. He was always happy to see her and stopped crying at drop off within couple of days. The teachers put in a lot of effort and are very friendly.

Our daughter is 16 months and absolutely loves Alameda Park Academy. Sandra, the director, runs a…read morevery organized school and is super responsive. Everything is straight forward and I trust Sandra to provide the best care for my child with her keen judgment and retention of experienced teachers. Our daughter instantly bonded with one of the teachers (she loves all of them but especially Teacher Ling) and goes to her voluntarily and happily every morning, which warms my heart as a mother and leaves me guilt-free to work and enjoy my day without worrying about my child. Our daughter has never been bitten or injured by another child, which is a huge relief! Also, our daughter loves the food because she comes home with a full stomach everyday. I like how they serve breakfast snack, lunch and dinner so it makes it easy on the parents. The kids are happy here and I would recommend Alameda Park Academy to all families, especially if you have a child reaching milestones early on who could benefit from being in a mixed class with older kids rather than just peers. The kids learn quicker with the mixed ages with language, rules, etc. and it gives a chance for the older kids without siblings to take care of the younger ones too (great socialization!).

I can't say enough wonderful things about this Mandarin immersion daycare! All four of my kids have…read moreattended here over the years, starting from when they were infants, and it's truly been one of the best childcare experiences we've ever had. Teacher Rebecca and her wonderful assistants made us feel completely at ease. As any parent knows, it's hard to leave your baby in someone else's care -- but I quickly realized how lucky we were to have found this place. They are so warm, patient, and genuinely caring. They know each child so well and cater to their individual personalities. The program is such a great mix of Mandarin language exposure, play, and learning. My kids picked up so much Mandarin naturally through songs, stories, and daily routines. The teachers make learning fun and meaningful, and the kids truly love being there. My daughter transitioned to TK recently and had a hard time leaving Bay Farm Happy Bees. The daycare itself is clean, organized. The outdoor play area is huge -- with play cars, little houses, play kitchens, and lots of open space for the kids to run around and use their imaginations. Meals and snacks are healthy and home-cooked, which is such a plus. My kids always tell me about what they had for lunch and how yummy it was! Communication is great--we get regular updates about what the kids did, ate, and how they slept, plus photos and videos that absolutely make my day. It's so nice to see them smiling and having fun while at daycare. They also take the children on regular little outings to the nearby park and library, which gives them a chance to explore and learn outside the daycare, too. My daughter loved the circle reading time at the library! Most importantly, I've always had total peace of mind knowing my children are safe, loved, and cared for. That's something you just can't put a price on. Teacher Rebecca has become like family to us, and I'm so grateful for all the love and effort she's poured into helping my kids grow. If you're looking for a warm, safe, and enriching Mandarin immersion daycare with a very experienced childcare provider, where your child will be happy and thrive -- this is it.

My 2+ year-old toddler has been with Rebecca for more than a year now. He really started to thrive…read moreand progress when we placed him here. He has really developed a strong bond not only with the daycare staff and family, but also with the other children there. He is very secure and happy going there, and when we pick him up. Moreover, Rebecca is very communicative about his progress and whatever needs come up, so we feel really good about a solid caregiving partnership with her. We feel so fortunate to have found Happy Bees and cannot express enough what a wonderful, safe, and happy environment Rebecca has created for the children.

I am very happy to be writing this review for Ivette's Day Care in Alameda. I wholeheartedly…read morerecommend Ivette's daycare to any parents in the Alameda/Oakland area looking for high-quality childcare. I'm writing this review as my son is "graduating" from Ivette's and starting TK this week. Everyone comments on how ready he is to start school, and I know that is due in large part to the amazing foundation Ivette has given him! The daycare is located in her beautiful Alameda home, where the children's playroom is a bright sunroom overlooking her garden. Since the pandemic, Ivette has intentionally focused on having a smaller class size with a maximum of 6 children on any given day. This was great for us, as I really wanted to send my son to a smaller daycare where he would get more individualized attention (not to mention, less exposure to germs). Ivette's home is spotless -- the cleanliness, combined with the smaller class size, will keep your children healthy and I can attest that the kids here get sick far less often than at a traditional childcare center. One of my favorite things about her program is that the children spend plenty of time outdoors. Ivette takes them to nearby parks almost every day, which was very important to us--we wanted our son to have lots of opportunities to play outside rather than spending all day indoors. Ivette does art projects with the kids most days, so we have a beautiful collection of artwork that our son has made over the last few years. Ivette's curriculum teaches the children letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers and colors -- so my son could identify all the letters in the alphabet at just 2 1/2 years old! We are infinitely grateful for Ivette's warmth and consistency and for the nurturing, safe environment of her home daycare. I also appreciate her affordable rates and flexibility to accept part-time students. Our son has also made good friends with the other children and I anticipate that we will stay in touch for years to come! If you are a parent in Alameda, I recommend Ivette's daycare without reservation.

Finding a place you can truly trust is a daunting task, but Ivette made the transition so easy for…read moreour family. The environment is absolutely beautiful--it feels like a botanical garden, which makes drop-offs so peaceful. Max is always happy to attend, and he has been thriving since he started. The communication is top-notch, and it's clearly a clean, safe, and nurturing space where the staff genuinely cares. We feel incredibly lucky to have found this place and highly recommend it!"

Alameda Montessori Children's House (AMCH) is truly a special place, and I cannot recommend it…read morehighly enough. When our family was deciding where to enroll our son, we visited many preschools. While we appreciated something about each one, none felt quite like the right fit. Some classrooms were too large, some environments felt chaotic, some teachers seemed less engaged, and others felt more like daycare than a preschool with a thoughtful curriculum. Then we found AMCH, and it felt like a dream. From the moment we walked in, we noticed the difference. The classrooms were beautifully organized, warm, and child-friendly. There was a wonderful sense of calm throughout the school, and the teachers were welcoming, kind, engaged, and genuinely happy to be there. We immediately knew this was the environment we wanted for our son. Needless to say, we chose AMCH, and I could not be more grateful for the experience. Watching our son grow and thrive there was incredibly rewarding. The staff provided him with structure, encouragement, and, most importantly, so much love and care. What makes AMCH especially remarkable is its staff, in particular Xina Laoshi and Ms. King. This dynamic duo is truly exceptional. They provide a wonderful bilingual Montessori-style curriculum while creating a classroom environment that is calm, engaging, nurturing, and joyful. They have an incredible ability to connect with children and meet each child exactly where they are. They put so much thought and effort into getting to know each child as an individual. They truly learn who your child is--what motivates them, where they may need support, and how they can help them grow. You can see this firsthand during parent conferences. It is clear that they genuinely know your child, and their developmental assessments are incredibly comprehensive and thoughtful. They provide detailed insight into each area of development, which made us feel that our son was truly seen and understood. We saw the impact of that care even after our son graduated from AMCH and started elementary school. We were so proud to see how well prepared he was. He was thriving academically and transitioned successfully. The hardest part for him was leaving behind his beloved teachers and friends. Xina Laoshi was incredibly thoughtful during this transition. She welcomed him back in the afternoons with open arms so he could spend time with his old friends and even told us that he is always welcome to visit. That gesture meant so much to our family. She truly made us feel that we would always be part of the AMCH family. The communication from the school is also outstanding. We received weekly updates recapping what the children had been learning and what was planned for the following week, along with weekly photos that gave us a glimpse into our son's days--learning, exploring, playing, and having so much fun with his classmates. The amount of thought, time, and effort that goes into keeping families so informed is no small feat, and it truly does not go unnoticed. It is clear that these updates are created with genuine care and intention, and they gave us such a wonderful connection to our son's experience at school. As parents, it meant so much to feel included in his learning and to see all the little moments that made his days special. Another unexpected highlight was the food. The meals provided are fresh, healthy, and delicious. They gave our son opportunities to try foods he otherwise might not have been willing to eat, and we loved seeing him become more adventurous with what he ate. More than anything, what stands out about AMCH is the genuine care and love they give to every child. From the lead teachers and classroom helpers to the cook, Vincent, and everyone else who contributes to the school community, every person plays a part in creating such a warm and nurturing environment. They care not only about the children, but also about their siblings and families. You can feel that this is a community built around supporting the whole family. AMCH is so much more than a preschool. It is a place where children are nurtured, encouraged, respected, and genuinely loved. We feel incredibly fortunate that our son had the opportunity to spend his early years there. I cannot recommend Alameda Montessori Children's House enough. I sincerely hope other families have the opportunity to experience the warmth, care, and magic of this school. AMCH will always hold a very special place in our hearts--it is truly a gem.

ACMH is an exceptional school led by Xi Laoshi, a dedicated and talented Montessori educator…read more Xi Laoshi has created a positive and loving environment where children learn how to respect themselves, one another, and their surroundings. All of the staff are extremely patient and skilled at helping children process their emotions. Guest teachers come regularly to teach mindfulness, art, and martial arts. The classroom is bright, inviting, and filled with a rotation of interesting activities, and the outdoor space is large and filled with vegetables and fruit trees that the children help plant, care for, and enjoy. Lisa NaiNai prepares the most delicious and nutritious lunch for the children with a menu sent out at the start of each week that would make any fan of Chinese/Taiwanese food want to partake. My daughter came home everyday excited to tell us about all of the interesting things she did that day and excited to show off her math and Mandarin reading and writing skills. We feel so lucky to have been a part of this community for the last 1.5 years and could not recommend it more highly for parents seeking a school where their children can thrive!

We started our little girl at Le Petit Z when she was two years old. We were referred to them by a…read moretrusted family friend. It was a big step for us and our kiddo was in a two-day nanny share before she started at LPZ. After a short walk through, we knew from Susie's warmth and calm that it would be a good choice. Mrs. Susie and her team are so lovely with the kids! The space is always super tidy and clean. The kids have a lot of freedom to play and socialize. There are plenty of toys, books, art, and zones that cycle by season. Susie and her team are communicative and organized. Drop-off in the mornings is quick and easy. Pick-up in the evening is the same or when we wanted to chat with staff for a few minutes they would always give us a minute. I recommend this provider for parents that are seeking good structure with freedom to play, socialize, and gain some independence.

My almost 3 year old has been attending Le Petit since she was 18 months old and has really…read moreblossomed here. The teachers are professional, kind, and most of all - LOVING. They are so amazing at what they do. I truly feel so spoiled my daughter has been taught, and nurtured, at this school during these precious years. There are only 12 children; it is a very intimate environment, which I love and appreciate a lot. It is evident my child is happier, smarter, and more socially intelligent because of her experience here. I'm getting emotional even writing this review because of how special they've made this phase of life. I'll be sad when this stage of her education continues to PreK, but for now I am soaking it in and feeling very grateful!

Our Three Years at YYY -- A Full Journey Review…read more This review reflects our complete experience watching our son grow from a shy two-year-old into a confident, bilingual kindergartener, all within the walls of YYY. Choosing the School When we began touring preschools in Alameda, YYY stood out immediately. We loved the structure -- the cleanliness, the balance of learning and play, and the Montessori-based approach. The fact that they conduct live scan background checks on all hires gave us added peace of mind. Our only hesitation was the bilingual curriculum. Neither my husband nor I speak Mandarin -- we're an English-only household -- and at two years old, our son wasn't talking much yet. We worried that introducing a second language might confuse him. Still, something about YYY felt right, and we decided to take the leap. Year One -- Group 1: Finding His Footing When our son started at YYY, he had just turned two. He was still in diapers, not very vocal, and still getting steady on his feet. The first three months were the hardest. Every morning brought tears -- he didn't want to be dropped off, and it was the first time he'd ever been away from home in a care setting. By month three, however, something shifted. The crying stopped, and in its place, we began to see a little boy growing more independent and comfortable each day. The first year, we measured success differently. It wasn't about academics -- it was about care. Were the kids safe? Were they being guided toward potty training? Were they learning to feed themselves, follow simple directions, and transition between routines? On every count, YYY delivered. Our son became especially fond of his teacher, Ms. Emily, and that bond told us everything we needed to know about the warmth in that classroom. Year Two -- Group 2: The Emotional Roller Coaster Around the time our son turned three, Ms. Emily pulled us aside with exciting news: he was ready to be potty-trained. We were thrilled. We reinforced the process at home, and within a short time, he was fully trained. Shortly after, he moved up to Group 2, where Mandarin learning began in earnest with Ms. Du and Ms. Chen. At three-and-a-half, a new challenge emerged. Our son was struggling to manage his emotions -- when he didn't get what he wanted, he had a hard time expressing himself, likely because he was still working on his verbal communication. We found ourselves questioning again: was the bilingual environment too much for him? Were we doing the right thing? But the teachers met him exactly where he was. They worked with him patiently -- teaching him to speak up, take a breath, drink some water, and step away to calm down. We mirrored these strategies at home, and gradually, the tantrums gave way to something better: self-regulation. The turning point came in October. The kids were asked to talk about their Halloween costumes in both Mandarin and English, and when we watched the video of our son confidently describing his costume in both languages, we were genuinely amazed. We checked in with Ms. Du, who reassured us: he understood Mandarin well -- he might not always speak it aloud, but he could follow along and even sing songs. That was enough for us to commit. We stayed, and we're so glad we did. By age four, our son was singing songs in Mandarin, making friends, managing his feelings, and coming home to tell us about his day. Year Three -- Group 3: Exponential Growth The final year at YYY brought it all together. The focus shifted toward English readiness for kindergarten, and the growth we witnessed was nothing short of remarkable. One of our most memorable moments came when the kids performed on stage at a church. Our son -- the same boy who once cried every morning at drop-off -- stood up there without a trace of stage fright, belting out a Mandarin song at the top of his lungs, complete with all the dance moves he'd learned from Ms. Pearlie, Ms. Du, and Ms. Chen. My husband and I looked at each other in disbelief, the proudest we'd ever been. The rest of the year unfolded in the same beautiful way: daily journal writing, reading his first books, learning to count, drawing, coloring, and deepening his bonds with every teacher and assistant in the school. The graduation performance was the crown jewel -- every child had memorized speeches in both English and Mandarin and performed choreographed dances with joy and confidence. Talking with the other parents that day, it was clear we all felt the same thing: these teachers had given our children something extraordinary. Not just academic skills, but a foundation -- emotionally, socially, and linguistically -- that will carry them far. We couldn't be more grateful for everything YYY gave our son, and our family.

Our son spend 3 year at Yu Ying Learning Center and beneficiate a lot from the highly trained and…read moreprofessional teachers staff. I would recommend for every family!!