Just Like Mom Preschool

(43 reviews)

1.1 mi

23 years in business

Our daughter is thriving at Little Wonders. When she turned three we decided to enroll her in a…read moreschool that would foster more comprehensive education and development. We choose Little Wonders because we loved the Montesorri curriculum and Ms Galyna was such a warm and wonderful teacher. Since starting at Little Wonders our daughter has gone through extraordinary development , she can write her name, count to 60, her drawing skills are amazing and her vocabulary and imagination are blossoming. I cannot recommend Little Wonders enough - it is a great school.

Our son started at LWM "little school" when he was 3 years old. He loved every day there. Mr…read moreMichael and the teachers make learning fun with crafts, art, sensory, and outdoor play, and gardening. Montessori work and philosophy is strong and woven throughout. We have been amazed at his growth over the last year now that we are at the "Big kid" school. His excitement about school, his achievements in writing drawing, and his feelings toward his friends and teachers is amazing to watch. Ms Galyna organizes cooking, baking, and cultural activities throughout the year that enrich the kids experience at school and in the world. Her joy at watching the kids fall in love with learning and each other is wonderful to experience as a parent. We will forever be thankful we found the perfect place for him to thrive.

See all

Little Star Preschool Too

4.8

(54 reviews)

0.3 mi

Short story: Little Star Preschool Too is a fantastic choice because of the campus size, location,…read moreincluded meals, and most importantly, the teachers and educators who care so so much for your little ones! Long story: Little Star Preschool Too was my top choice from the beginning when I was touring preschools. I was delighted to see the campus (plenty of parking spots, quiet neighborhood, residential location and close to restaurants for afterschool pick up)! The preschool is large and has a huge yard for the children to play in during "recess" and at the end of the day. I think the actual amount of land they have for a school is impressive as the children are able to get their wiggles out without having to travel to a local park. While I was dazzled by the tour of the campus, I was absolutely amazed by the teachers and staff! They are all genuinely loving and greatly care about the well-being of the children! I am always greeted with a smile by each of the staff members during drop off. My child has so much fun playing with her peers and the large variety of toys, doing daily arts and crafts, eating their provided lunch and learning new subjects! She took a little bit of time to warm up to being in school and her teacher was so patient with her, spending extra time with her to help her transition. Other teachers and staff would step in to help out too if her teacher was not immediately available for help. Not only does the school teach "regular subjects" like letter recognition and counting, they also teach real life skills like what streetlights and stop signs are used for! (The school had a cute field trip around the neighborhood teaching the children about road safety). There are also a lot of extra features added to the curriculum to help enrich the children's education. There were dance performances, field trips, readings from books regarding different cultural festivals and traditions. The school is just so awesome and I am very happy with my choice. Thumbs up!

I chose Little Star Preschool for my toddler for many reasons:…read more- Full day care (dropoff as early as 7:30 a.m., though the school day starts shortly after 9 a.m.; pickup by 5:30 p.m.) and instruction is year-round. - Mid-year entry (my son started in January) - A large play yard and clean, bright indoor spaces - Meals and snacks are included (you send your kid with a lunchbox with sides, and they provide the main dish) Most importantly, my toddler is pretty shy around new people and slow to warm. I appreciated that Little Star Preschool encouraged multiple playdate visits before he officially started, so that he could get used to the space and staff. All of the teachers were kind, patient, and gentle with him as he transitioned from a small daycare to preschool. They allowed him time to adjust and let him just observe at first, as he preferred, while holding onto his stuffy. His language skills have really exploded (I love hearing him repeat, "Wake up, little bodies!") and I know he's cared for while learning and playing.

See all

The Growing Tree Childcare and Preschool

4.6

(33 reviews)

1.7 mi

Worst potential school. Weird? Not really. I made an appointment and they confirmed it. I showed up…read moreand no one let me in. I called and no one returned my call. I emailed and asked what happened. No one ever wrote back. Absolutely a no go and terrible thing to do. I get mistakes or accidents happen but get back to people.

Growing Tree is a wonderful school. My daughter has been…read moreattending for almost three years now. Every teacher at the school is incredibly dedicated and professional. The school offers a variety of fun and engaging activities, including singing, dancing, and planting small plants. My daughter will be graduating from Growing Tree this August. I'm especially grateful for her teacher this past year -- Teacher Li. She is an experienced and caring educator who teaches the children many songs, dances, and even helps them perform in plays. Every week, my daughter comes home singing new songs and showing us new dances. Her crafting skills have improved a lot -- she brings home creative art projects every week. Her Mandarin has also improved significantly; she can now speak more fluently and even recognize some simple Chinese characters. We're truly thankful to Teacher Li and all the other teachers at Growing Tree for their care and dedication in teaching and nurturing our daughter.

My daughter

See all

Creative Montessori Preschool

(12 reviews)

1.3 mi

Locally owned & operated

This review has been a long time coming! My son graduated from Creative Montessori back in July…read more2016, and I still look back with so much appreciation for everything he learned there. My husband actually found the school through a friend, and I remember thinking, how could a 2 1/2-year-old possibly be independent or follow structure? But to my surprise, my son adapted so quickly -- it was amazing to see! In less than a month, he was fully potty trained, eating on his own with real utensils and dishes, putting things away, and following routines with confidence. The teachers were so loving, patient, and kind, and truly knew how to bring out the best in each child. The foundation he got at Creative Montessori carried through the years. He went on to do incredibly well in elementary and middle school, graduating at the top of his class with five awards, and now he's a freshman in high school taking four honors classes. I truly believe that his Montessori start gave him confidence, independence, and a lifelong love for learning. Another thing that stood out was how much care they put into the meals -- freshly cooked hot lunches with healthy servings of fruit every day. It felt like such a nurturing environment, not just academically but emotionally too. We also made lifelong friendships with other families during our time there, and it still warms my heart to think about those early years. If you're looking for a preschool that truly builds a strong foundation for both learning and character, I can't recommend Creative Montessori enough. The loving teachers, thoughtful structure, and caring environment gave my son such a beautiful start and for that, I'll always be grateful.

Ms Priscilla is such a truly wonderful teacher--patient, thoughtful, and incredibly supportive."read more

See all

Little People Preschool & TK

4.7

(39 reviews)

1.5 mi

Little People Preschool is a wonderful place where every child receives attention and care. The…read moreteachers truly know how to connect with each child, support their development, and encourage good discipline in a kind way. My son was always happy, engaged in fun and educational activities, and making progress every day. Another big plus is the healthy and nutritious meals provided, which gave me peace of mind as a parent. Thank you so much for creating such a warm and positive environment for children!

This review is long overdue, but I truly couldn't let more time pass without sharing how wonderful…read moreour experience was at Little People Preschool. My daughter attended over a year ago, and we still talk about the special memories made there. From the very first day, the staff made us feel welcome and at ease. The teachers are incredibly nurturing, patient, and truly understand early childhood development. They not only taught my child the basics--letters, numbers, shapes--but also encouraged kindness, independence, creativity, and confidence. The school is always clean, organized, and filled with fun, engaging materials. Every week brought exciting themes, hands-on activities, and adorable art projects that filled our walls at home. My child especially loved music time and outdoor play in the safe and spacious yard. Even after graduating, my child still asks to go back and visit. That says everything to me. Thank you, Little People Preschool, for giving our family such a positive start to our educational journey. If you're looking for a warm, enriching preschool in a caring environment, I highly recommend this gem of a school.

It's a beautiful Fall time !

Our young artist are in Fall mood

See all

Stratford School - San Francisco Parkside

(18 reviews)

0.1 mi

We are grateful for the education at Stratford. Through play, I've seen both of my kids grow and…read morelearn in ways I wouldn't have expected for 3 and 4 years old. Stratford helped send my daughter to kindergarten nearly reading and allowed for the academics in the classroom to be easy. I fully attribute this to Ms Nancy and Ms Yenis. They truly are gifted educators who know how to command a classroom with love and respect. My children have felt safe and supported with the two of them, and I couldn't recommend them enough to anyone looking for pre school and pre k programs!

We came here just for PreK instead of public TK. We were at a play based preschool and wanted…read moresomething with more structure for our active kid who was not participating in optional seated activities at play based school. Our son thrived there under direction of his wondering teacher Miss Yenis. The director Laysan and suppsotive Spanish and science teacher Ms Nancy and Music teachers were also amazing. Everyone was very professional, experienced, and dedicated. We are doing public for K, but if for some reason that didn't work out, I would absolutely consider Stratford as a top contender for private school as it is affordable and secular. Im glad we did my kiddo's younger years at a play based school but this last year at Stratford was just what he needed.

See all

The Storybook School

(7 reviews)

0.6 mi

The Storybook School is amazing, and I feel so lucky my son gets to attend here. He is in the…read moreMandarin class, and within a year, he is able to converse with my Chinese parents and can even recite Tang Shi poems (I'm a native speaker but my husband is not so we typically speak English at home.). In addition, I feel like the teachers really care about him. They are attentive, patient, and always happy to provide updates at pickup. The directors Jackie and Marianne are also so responsive and work with each individual family to best meet their needs. You can tell how much they care and love the school and the children. Perhaps what made me realize how special this school is was during COVID. While many of my friends experienced spotty communication and ambiguous support from their schools, TSS went above and beyond to support the entire community, from detailed cleaning protocols to remote learning curriculums to monthly at-home activities bags to renovating their entire space to accommodate and separate into smaller groups when it reopened. I am so grateful to TSS for providing my husband and I the peace of mind to send our child to such a wonderful learning environment during this uncertain time. And on top of that, it's been amazing to see how much our son has grown and flourished here!

My son was one of the first kids to go to TSS when it first opened. I wanted my son to continue…read moredeveloping his Mandarin skills in a loving and nurturing environment. TSS was just that! Jacquelyn and Marianne are so passionate and knowledgeable about early childhood education that I felt confident my son was under their care for the majority of the day. My son loved his time at TSS. He's in 2nd grade now and still talks about his school with the little girl on the swing (the TSS logo). Thank you TSS for giving my son an amazing introduction to school and a solid foundation for the rest of his life!

See all

The Maria Montessori School of The Golden Gate

4.4

(59 reviews)

0.7 mi

This is the most nurturing Montessori program in all of San Francisco. Tara, the owner is highly…read morecredentialed and incredible in creating a positive and supportive environment that empowers children to thrive and develop a love for learning, preparing them to excel once they enter elementary school . My daughters who are older now still love visiting Ms. Tara.

We just graduated the preschool. We spent two years with ms Tara in MMGG and we LOVED it. From the…read moretime we had the tour we knew this was the right place for us. Ms Tara is nice but also has authority and kids need that. Within couple of days our daughter was in love with the school and the teachers. She would ask when she is going back during the holidays (or camps). She grew up so much and learned so much in this school. You can see all the kids were thriving. I am attaching a picture from the graduation party in the park when Ms Tara showed up and all the kids run towards her and hugged her. If that's not proof of love I don't know what is. We will dearly miss all the friends we made there and the sweet teachers. Ms Jessica and Ms Tiffany have mad hair braiding skills. I will send my kid with half loose hair and she will come home with princess hair! Anyway, I cannot recommend enough this school. Your kid will be taken care of and thought some serious writing, reading and math skills. My daughter can add to 20! She is not even 5! We will be sending our second when the time comes as we know this will be the best place to her too!

Work time ;)

See all

Alpha Kids Academy

4.4

(20 reviews)

0.9 mi

We have absolutely loved our experience with the teachers and administration during our child's…read morelast year at Alpha kids Junipera Serra. I remember our child's first week, he was a bit scared but Ms. Susan took him under her wing and he was having fun in no time. The teacher (Ms. Rebeca) is fabulous! She has fun crafts and songs and every day of school he comes home happy. We've seen our little one grow socially and academically due to the great instruction and environment they have created. We would be happy to recommend Alpha kids to other parents.

I've been around Alpha Kids for almost 8 years and have watched both my nephew and niece graduate…read morefrom here. I was so satisfied on how they had grown and thrived at Alpha Kids that I decided to send my own child here. My son, who was 2 when he started, didn't really talk, only simple grunting, as expected for a two year old, but he has completely done a 180 and is now able to express in sentences what he wants after less than a year at this institution. He has grown both socially and academically in such a short amount of time. The teachers are so attentive to the children that I cannot thank them enough for what they do. My child loves coming everyday and never wants to go home. The community that Alpha Kids have built is undeniably strong and the love that the teachers have for the kids is amazing and cannot be more genuine. Every time I pick up my child, I would always get an update on how he was for the day. If I could give them more than 5 stars I would. Thank you Alpha Kids administration and teachers!

Toddler room

See all

Preschool room

Kids Kollege Preschool & Child Care Center

4.9

(19 reviews)

1.7 mi

My daughter attends Kids Kollege and absolutely loves the school. We were worried about how well…read moreshe would respond to the preschool, but those fears were quickly put to rest. The entire staff is amazing and they treat each child like their are family while investing in their safety, happiness, and growth. I can't ask for anything more. Music class always puts a smile on my daughter's face when we pick her up at the end Miss Sarah is a saint. She always makes the time for our daughter and any questions that we might have. Shout out to other teachers and staff too. It's really testament to the culture and values of the school. I strongly recommend Kids Kollege. We are expecting our second and mentally already preparing for him to attend the school.

My 2 kids had the pleasure of attending this amazing school over the span of the last 5 years and…read morehave since graduated, AND I cannot recommend it enough! I actually found this school via Yelp so it only makes sense to leave a Yelp review in return. We were lucky enough to experience the school pre-pandemic and get involved in their Parent Club where we could give feedback and organize family events for the kids. The Parent Club has since disbanded due to covid safety protocols, but hopefully it'll return in the future as I really enjoyed the community aspect of it. Speaking of the pandemic, the director, Kelsi, and her assistant, Sarah, have been so wonderful with handling the roller coaster that is covid. Partitions were put in place to separate the classes, and all staff are vaccinated/masked. I've never felt unsafe or worried about the spread of covid here, even in 2020 when there were so many unknowns. The teachers are all very friendly, caring, and patient. When it comes to curriculum, my kids learned their ABCs and counting, how to be respectful of others, nature, art. My kids always left the school day with a smile on their faces, which is so important to me. We miss you already, Kids Kollege!

Field Trip to the Academy of Sciences

Classroom

See all

MLK Peace Parade

Apple Tree Children Center

4.9

(99 reviews)

4.8 mi

Women-owned & operated

We feel incredibly fortunate to have had our daughter attend Apple Tree for a short but very…read moreimpactful six months before we moved out of San Francisco. It was, without a doubt, one of the best decisions we made for her early development and happiness. From day one, we had complete confidence in Jasmine and her dedicated team. They made a thoughtful effort to ensure our daughter felt welcome during her transition into daycare--bringing her favorite toys (baby dolls) to her at drop-off to help soothe her. By the third day, she was no longer crying at drop-off and quickly began looking forward to going to school. She regularly talks about her amazing teachers--Chloe, Toni, and Ruby--and all the friends she made in her classroom. One standout example of Apple Tree's incredible attention to detail: during her very first week, they surprised us by celebrating her 2nd birthday with a cake and singing, even though she was brand new. She was absolutely beaming in the photos they shared with us. The classroom activities were varied, thoughtful and based on monthly themes. We loved receiving weekly photo updates that showed all the fun and educational things she was doing. It was clear she was thriving in this environment. A unique and helpful perk of Apple Tree is the monthly Parent's Day--offering full-day weekend drop-in care. This gave us valuable time to recharge, knowing she was in a safe and familiar space where she was happy and well-cared for. We also really appreciated the flexibility Apple Tree provided with our variable weekly schedule, allowing for earlier drop-offs when needed. Since starting at Apple Tree, our daughter's confidence and independence have blossomed. The school gently encouraged her to do things on her own--like putting on her jacket and shoes--which built her self-esteem. We started potty training over spring break, and thanks to the attentive support from her teachers, she was fully potty trained within a month. There are so many more positive things we could say about Apple Tree. We are deeply grateful for the nurturing and joyful community they created, and we feel so lucky our daughter was a part of it, even for a short time. If you're considering enrolling your child here and have any hesitations, let this review be the encouragement you need--Apple Tree is truly a gem.

We have been sending our daughter to Apple Tree for the past year and a half, since she was a baby,…read moreon the recommendation of a friend. Now as a toddler, she loves to tell us about her friends and teachers there. Jasmine and the team are very warm, experienced and communicative, and all the kids look delighted to see them each day at dropoff. They plan an amazing range of activities, usually with a fun "theme" of the week, and we've noticed at home that she picks up practical skills like tidying and putting on clothes. We also appreciate that they have a large outdoor space, and provide meals for the kids. We are very grateful and would highly recommend!

See all

SOMA Daycare & Preschool

4.9

(59 reviews)

5.2 mi

We sent both of our sons to SOMA over the course of four years. Our older son was there for three…read moreyears, and our younger son for one. We would have happily kept sending our younger son there longer, but we moved to Berkeley. We had such a wonderful experience at SOMA. Over the years, we built really close relationships with the teachers--so much so that on our son's last day, all of us were tearing up. It really felt like saying goodbye to people who had become part of our family's daily life. Our kids loved the teachers, the activities, and all the little "firsts" they experienced there. They learned how to try new things, make friends, share, work through conflicts, and grow in so many ways. The teachers were also amazing partners for us as parents, helping us guide the kids through changes, transitions, and the normal ups and downs of family life. Communication was another thing we really appreciated. Between Brightwheel updates, photos, messages, and seeing the teachers every day at drop-off and pick-up, we always felt connected and supported. It truly felt like we had partners helping us through some of the most important years of our kids' lives. SOMA set the bar so high that when our older son started kindergarten, it was a real adjustment. No daily pictures? No regular drop-off and pick-up chats with teachers? No easy messaging? We had gotten spoiled. And when we moved to Berkeley, it was hard to find another preschool that matched the warmth, care, and community we had at SOMA. We're so grateful our kids got to spend those four years there. We'll really miss SOMA and the wonderful teachers who made such a lasting impact on our family.

SOMA has been an incredibly special place for our family and, most importantly, for our son . We…read morejoined the SOMA community after moving to San Francisco from Houston, and it was a year filled with big changes and emotions for our little one. From day one, the teachers at SOMA welcomed him with open arms, creating a warm, nurturing, and joyful environment where he could truly thrive. The care, empathy, and intention the staff brings to each child is remarkable. The teachers took the time to understand our son as an individual--his personality, his sensitivities, his interests--and supported him through his transitions with patience and love. Under their guidance, we saw him blossom socially, emotionally, and intellectually. He is always full of stories about his teachers and friends. SOMA is more than just a preschool--it's a place that values connection, creativity, and growth. We're so grateful to the entire team for such a strong and loving foundation. While we're sad to be leaving due to a move, SOMA will always have a very special place in our hearts.

Teacher Ngoc teaching kids about sea animals.

See all

Holistic Seedlings

(13 reviews)

5.5 mi

Massiva, Younes and their family are such warm and supportive caregivers and I am so grateful that…read morethey founded Holistic Seedlings and I feel so blessed that we were fortunate enough to find them online and for our son Camden to be accepted into their program. What Massiva offers at Holistic Seedlings is truly unique. It is clear that running her daycare, in the way in which she does, is both her passion and purpose in life. She an exceptional cook and with her holistic nutrition knowledge she makes the most delicious and nourishing food from scratch for all the children every day. (Breakfast, lunch and snacks). She often shares homemade snacks, dates or freshly baked sourdough loaves with the parents as well! She takes the children to their community garden every week to teach them about where their food comes from, how to tend to the plants and how to harvest and enjoy whatever is in season. Her eldest sons host and teach soccer every Friday afternoon. Their support and influence has had a remarkable impact on my son, who loves soccer and basketball and clearly looks up to the older boys and enjoys playing with them. It warms my heart to see Camden so well taken care of. Massiva and her husband Younes, provide such a warm and loving environment at their home. I trust them wholeheartedly and I honestly could not imagine what I would do without their holistic support. My husband and I felt instantly at ease with them, in contrast to other daycares we visited that just cannot compare. An added bonus is that Massiva an excellent and creative photographer! The regular photos she sends parents through the daycare app are an absolute gift and treasure for us to have. We can see all the wonderful activities she has created for the children and get to witness all of the joy that radiates from their smiling and excited faces. I also keep each of these high quality photos as a document of my son's growth and development. I also so appreciate the bi-monthly mother meetings that Massiva hosts to bring the mums together over a delicious homemade meal to discuss important topics related to our children and how best we can support them and align in our approach. Most importantly it's been an incredible blessing to find someone like Massiva that shares so many of my own concerns and values regarding nutrition and a blend of both traditional and modern, holistic approach to childcare. Her care is not only consistent with our approach at home but supports, amplifies and exceeds any expectations we could have for Camden's health, happiness and wellbeing.

We've had our little one at the holistic seedlings wonderschool for just about six months now from…read morethe age of 11 months. From the moment we met Massiva, we were assured our son would be well taken care of. We have had no problems at all, a testament to how Massiva keeps the kids safe and happy (what more can you ask for?) She fills his tummy with nutritious (and delicious!) food, helped us put him on a regular nap schedule, and she regularly updates us with pics and videos on how much fun he's having throughout the day (indoors and outdoors). Definitely the best option you will find with a home day care in SF.

See all

Cool Valley Kids

(4 reviews)

2.0 mi

We had a fantastic experience sending our kid here between the ages of 1.5 and 2.5. Every day, he…read morehad a smile on his face when we dropped him off and a smile on his face when we picked him up. It was wonderful to see how much he flourished and developed here. The staff are very responsive and truly love the children in their care.

We've had such a great experience at Cool Valley Kids! Eli is incredibly warm and caring, and it's…read moreobvious how much attention she gives to each child's individual needs. Stacey and Vika do an amazing job with the food and are always so communicative, which we really appreciate. Stacey also creates opportunities to connect with the wider parent community. It's no pressure, but really valuable if that's something you're interested in. We love getting the daily updates, photos, and videos to see what the kids are up to. It's a bit more expensive than some other options that we looked at, but having meals provided, the overall quality of care, and the super convenient location right off the N line make it totally worth it. Our daughter comes home happy and tired every day, and it's clear she enjoys her time there. I whole heartedly recommend Cool Valley Kids for anyone in the market for a new daycare.

Lots of opportunities for imaginative play

Nap room

Main play room

See all

Building Kidz of Daly City

4.8

(16 reviews)

3.7 mi

Women-owned & operated

Inquired for daycare services and was routed to so many different locations when I was referred to…read morethe pacifica location and was told by the regional manager there was spaces for my child. Upon arrival for my tour that was not the case... they took a $25 waitlist fee and the rates provided to me over email were not the rates provided to me upon my visit. Also when I did visit the facility the care takers or teachers looked as if there were in some sort of tension or disagreement. All in all it didn't seem like a peaceful environment I would want my child to be admitted to. Unfortunately building kids isn't for me and the can keep my $25 waitlist fee I guess.

We could not love BK more! The teachers are kind, caring, and nurturing, and you can tell they love…read morewhat they do. Parents are kept in the loop and there are regular updates in the school app. Plus the staff plans fun, themed days for the kids.