SI School was a wonderful experience for my child, who attended for 2 years. My very active kid got…read morea lot of opportunities to be outside, go on hikes, and have lots of fun while learning, exploring the forest, visiting neighborhood gardens, going to the library, and even heading to the beach. My child would come home happy, tired, and full of stories. What really set this program apart for me is how personalized it felt. The teachers truly took the time to understand my child, their interests and strengths, and where they needed a little extra support. The program was also very academic and my child was ready for Kindergarten. The program put a huge emphasis on social and emotional development, helping the kids navigate friendships, communicate their feelings, practice patience, and learn how to work as part of a group. All of this while learning Spanish! Overall, I feel like my child truly thrived and I highly recommend this program for the active PreK and TK kids.

SI School is a true gem. Our youngest son joined SI School from another Spanish immersion program…read morefor his last year and a half of preschool. Giovanna and all of the warm, fun, and thoughtful teachers lead an incredible curriculum. We were fortunate to take part in the outdoor program, exploring nature in the Presidio and learning so much along the way! Giovanna also provides healthy meals and easily accommodated our vegetarian diet. All of the teachers are wonderful, and I can't recommend SI School enough!

My son has been going to this camp since he's 2.5 He…read moreabsolutely loves it. He's in nature all day and practices Spanish. If you are looking for a Spanish immersion camp for younger children- this one is an absolute gem.

Mi Escuelita is truly a hidden gem of a preschool and camp. My 3 year old and 5 year old often do…read morethe outdoor camps in Glen Park Canyon with Ines, and I can honestly say I have never seen bigger smiles, sweeter arts and crafts projects (making lanterns, Valentine heart "kiss" necklaces, pinecone turkeys), or more adventure stories (being brave crossing over a stream together and climbing mountains)! They adore being together and adventuring in the canyon and practicing their Spanish! Mi Escuelita is our go-to camp in the city now, and Ines is an inspiring educator who loves being creative with the kids. Highly recommend!

Our daughter has been attending the Sandmann Family Daycare since she was very young, and we…read morecouldn't be happier with our experience. She absolutely loves the program, the variety of engaging activities, and the healthy, nutritious meals provided each day. The daycare is always well-maintained, welcoming, and organized. Most importantly, the team is incredibly caring, attentive, and engaged with the children. They have played a meaningful role in helping our daughter reach important developmental milestones, build confidence, stay active and healthy, and thrive socially and emotionally. It truly feels like a home away from home. We are so grateful for the love, support, and dedication the Sandmann Family Daycare team provides every day and would highly recommend them to any family looking for a nurturing and enriching environment for their child.

this is simply the best place to send your kids. the staff…read moreis great, the kids are happy, 5 stars

As a new parent, we did not realize how much time you lose with you little ones, once they start…read moreschool. It really shows how important it is to trust where you send them, and we could not have picked a better place than The Serra Preschool. Marybeth and the whole staff are the most wonderful teachers, caring about our kids' growth and education more than I could have ever hoped. Not only do they care, they are amazingly good at what they do, too. Not a day goes by where I am not amazed by how much our kids have learned, and we owe a lot of that to the education they received at this school. Truly understanding the needs of every family, the staff identifies ares of strengths, and ones that need work, so that they can best prepare the students for the next steps of life. This is not just a school for your child, it's an opportunity!

We have had the most wonderful, loving, and inspiring experience at the Serra Preschool for our 3…read morelittle ones. We first arrived to Serra in 2020, having looked at a half-dozen schools in SF for our daughter. We were immediately drawn to the school's individualized, play-centered approach to help children to develop a love of learning. Since then, our focus on social emotional has proven to be a real differentiator when compared to other schools. The loving and approachable teachers not only teach our children with such care and empathy but also teach us parents how to navigate the stages (and challenges!) of early childhood. It is the happiest feeling when you find a preschool that is a real partner in helping to set the foundation for your child to be confident, resilient, problem-solvers in these critical first 5 years of life! Serra also introduces the kids to the Catholic faith in an age-appropriate, sweet, and non-overbearing way- which we have found to be so grounding in today's fast-moving, secular world. Not to mention, the parent community is incredibly warm, involved, and such a FUN group of SF families that have become some of our best friends in the city. Our oldest is now heading to our first choice school for Kindergarten, and Serra has been an instrumental part of her journey. Serra is just the best, and you couldn't pay us to send our kids anywhere else!

Such a wonderful French preschool for our son! Prior to A La Vanille, we toured other immersion…read more(Chinese and French) programs from San Mateo to South San Francisco, and were blown away by the nurturing to truly immersion experience that ALV provides. Our family doesn't speak French at home, so our son went in with barely any exposure, and 2 years later, he can understand (simple conversations), and sing dozens of songs, which he can fully translate to us. ALV does a great job teaching our son social skills. Our son went in a clingy 2 year old (yes, he was that child that would hold on for dear life while screaming bloody murder...and then 2 minutes after drop-off, we would receive a update and picture of our happily adjusted child), and 2 years later, he's confident, so happy, and excited to go back each day. On top of the learning and emotional support, the facilities are great; clean, well maintained, and safe. When the weather allows the kids eat their deliciously prepared meals outside. Our son might be a little spoiled with his lunches, I don't know if his future school lunches will live up to the home-made pesto, ratatouille, or his favorite broccoli soup (he truly loves it!). Also to note at this point, ALV has been VERY accommodating of our son's special dietary needs, we are so grateful that we never had to worry about any of his allergies. I am so happy our son has had language stimulation at such a critical point in his development, and a strong foundation moving forward for future language learning. I am so grateful to ALV for building this community where my child has thrived.

I can't say enough about what a wonderful preschool ALV is. It is such a thoughtful and caring…read moreprogram. You can really see it is a labor of love from Rosanna and all the teachers through the care that goes into every detail, from the garden to the homemade meals served daily. The structure and clear expectations are kind, age appropriate for the kids, and helped me as a parent have a great first experience with sending my child to school for the first time. I couldn't be more grateful to have found ALV.

We have spent 3 years at BCMS with our kid. We have loved the teachers, the admin personnel, and…read moreevery staff member we have interacted with. The school is a great year round, full day program which has been a lifesaver for us as working parents. They provide all meals (snacks & lunch) which have significantly reduced the mental load for me. I like they have 1 price and it includes everything so I don't have to think about what is included vs what is extra. We have enjoyed all the various activities they offer - Spanish, music (Miss Tessa is the best!), yoga, tennis, and so many other things that I am glad my kid has exposure to. My kid loves being there right when the school opens and has asked me many times not to come too early for pickup at the end of the day. He looks forward to going every Monday after the weekend. He has built a great connection with all 4 of the teachers in his class. As a parent who was learning all about K for the first time, the school was great about supporting us through the process. We have enjoyed our time there and would recommend the school to anyone who is looking for a great, well-rounded program that is full of SEL and a strong focus on academics.

I am writing a long-overdue review for Big City Montessori. Simply put, this program has been…read moreabsolutely amazing for our daughter, who is now graduating. BCMS offers an extremely thoughtful and enriching environment, with programs spanning from toddlers (starting around age 2) all the way through Kindergarten. During her time here, our daughter has developed a genuine love of learning. She has been an absolute sponge, absorbing all kinds of fascinating information. She comes home enthusiastically explaining musical concepts like legato and staccato, pointing out different countries on the map, and sharing detailed facts about blue morpho butterflies and caimans. While the emphasis of the program isn't on academics at all, she actually learned to read here. Fun fact: the founder of BCMS wrote a beautifully structured introduction to reading that our daughter absolutely loved, which naturally sparked her reading journey. The school stays true to Montessori principles by being genuinely child-led. It heavily emphasizes independence, self-motivation, conscientiousness, and social awareness. Our daughter has blossomed socially and is genuinely sad to be leaving. This deep affection for the school is common; alumni children have so many fond memories that they frequently return with excitement when picking up younger siblings or attending community events like movie nights. Finally, I want to gently address the structure of the school. BCMS is an environment with clear structure and expectations for the children. However, these expectations are highly reasonable (e.g., making a child responsible for bringing their own art folder to school) and completely developmentally appropriate. These boundaries exist to maintain a positive, safe environment that is conducive to learning for all the children. While no program is the perfect fit for every single child, this structure is exactly what fosters independence, self-advocacy, civility, and deep friendships. If you want to foster your child's love of learning while developing their independence, self-motivation, and respect for others, you owe it to yourself and your child to check out Big City Montessori.

FINALLY, we have found an amazing teacher and preschool learning…read moreenvironment for our daughter in El Sobrante. PROS: Kimba, the teacher, is educated and really engaged Field-trips in nature, museums and libraries (all included) She's learning Spanish Tiny class size Gorgeous learning studio in the hills Food is communal, and mostly provided Safety, Politeness and Leadership are taught with kindness Earth-friendly, Peaceful and Cross-cultural values are center-stage Work-trade and Sliding scale available, flexible options My daughter is excited about learning again ***plus: The teacher picks her up and drops her off at our house! (if you live near El Sobrante) CONS: Limited hours (best for SAHM/WAHM/Homeschoolers or to supplement other care) Kimba had a thriving program in SF, and (lucky us) she has moved to El Sobrante this year. She is licensed and can take a few new students in January 2013. Here are the links: www.AVENTURASProgram.com www.ConexionesPlaySchool.com

I would like to endorse Conexiones Instituto - a Spanish immersion preschool program. My daughter…read morehas been attending one day per week for 1.5 years. She had a little Spanish coming in but I have seen her comprehension increase by leaps and bounds. The other 4 days per week, she attends an English only preschool. The kids are exposed to art and the outdoors all in Spanish! They are taken on an adventure every week (to a park, museum, the beach). Other days, they spend at the director (Kimba)'s house doing art projects or exploring the oak woodland on her property. Kimba picks up and drops kids off at a few points between Berkeley and El Sobrante. So transportation is not an issue. Kimba is warm and loving, a native Spanish speaker, and has an outdoor education background. Highly recommend this Spanish immersion program!!! http://www.conexionesinstitute.com/aventuras/about/

Little Bee is an incredible preschool, and I could not recommend it enough to prospective parents…read more Our son has attended the Funston (Presidio) location since he was 2 years old. Each class has 3 main teachers + floating teachers, who all care for the kids with kindness and empathy. The campus' location in the Presidio creates an idyllic and beautiful environment for the kids - they go outside to explore nature every morning and we get sent daily pictures and videos of their adventures. We love the Mandarin immersion aspect, and our son is fully bilingual thanks to the teachers' efforts. Sarra, the director of Little Bee, runs a tight and efficient ship. The involved PTA organizes many community events, such as monthly playdates, Easter Egg Hunts, an annual Camp Out, Pumpkin Picking, Santa's Brunch, parents' nights out and more across the Funston and Lombard locations. Beyond just a preschool, this is also a supportive, caring, welcoming community of families and we have met many wonderful friends through Little Bee.

Little Bee is an amazing preschool with a loving and supportive environment. The teachers truly…read morecare about each child, and our daughter thrived here both socially and academically. We couldn't be happier with our experience!