My child has been attending Little Tree since 2022 and has enjoyed playing and learning there every…read moreday. The classrooms are well-equipped with age-appropriate Montessori activities, keeping her engaged and offering practice in various subjects like English, Math, Chinese, Science, and Art. She loves her teachers and often talks about them at home. I can see they are doing an excellent job teaching her not just academics, but also good behavior and independence. The teachers organize a variety of well-planned activities and events throughout the year for both US and Chinese holidays. Our family enjoys participating in these events, and we appreciate the many photos and videos shared with parents afterward to capture the memories. Another great feature of Little Tree is the optional lunch program. For $6 a day, they provide a tasty, nutritious, and balanced meal, which is one less thing for me to worry about.

Stay away from little tree unless you want to get kicked out with only a weeks notice. Our…read moreexperience with Little Tree was extremely disappointing. Our 21-month-old daughter attended the program for only about 10 days in the toddler program that is intended for 18 months and older. She was also absent for an entire week due to a fever,so basically 5 days on, 5 days off, then 5 days on. She had very limited time to adjust to a brand-new environment, teachers, routines, and expectations. The behaviors described to us were that she is very active and curious, sometimes puts objects in her mouth, and may quickly move away from the group. The school itself acknowledged in writing that these behaviors can be common at her age. What was most concerning to us was how quickly this determination was made. At only 21 months old and after approximately 10 days of actual attendance, we did not feel she was given an adequate opportunity to adjust to the classroom environment. We also would have appreciated more collaboration with us regarding strategies that could have been tried before the decision was made to end her enrollment. Everyday after pick up we got nothing but good feedback from teachers. Then one day a email saying her last day is in a week. Again stay clear away from little tree if you have a baby who loves to explore their environment and have fun. This center should have never been approved for a 18 month toddler program. Evidently they are not equipped to handle young toddlers.

My third grade granddaughter has been there since preschool. The outdoor/gardening/cooking…read morecomponent is a great balance to the strong academics. Peaceful atmosphere, lots of beauty.

As someone who moved to the Bay Area about a decade ago, I've often missed the sense of Persian…read morecommunity I grew up with, attending "mehmoonis" (parties), hearing Iranian music fill our home, and being surrounded by our rich, beautiful culture. When it came time to find a preschool for my son, I dreamed of a place that could offer him that same warmth and connection, and Golestan has given us exactly that and more. The first time I stepped into Golestan's "hayaat" (yard), I was instantly transported to my grandpa's garden in Iran. The laughter, the trees, the care woven into every detail. It's such a lively, loving, and vibrant space where my son learns, plays, makes friends, and creates lasting memories. The teachers are absolute angels, deeply nurturing, creative, and so attuned to each child. From the thoughtfully designed classrooms to the fresh, nourishing food (with ingredients straight from their learning garden!), every aspect of Golestan reflects an intentional, heartful approach to education and community. I feel truly honored for my son to spend his days in such a magical and enriching environment, surrounded by love, culture, and curiosity, and I'm already dreaming of the day my daughter can join. Regardless of your background or heritage, Golestan is a place worth experiencing. I'm sure they'll woo you at "Salaam" :)

Our older daughter started at Little Lamb when she was 4yo and has really loved it. She was dealing…read morewith anxiety and selective mutism, and the Little Lamb teachers were very accommodating. Our therapist worked with them to train them with selective mutism techniques and they were kind and responsive to our daughter's issues. She adapted great and has graduated from their preschool program, and she still goes there for their afterschool program. The school is no longer in the home in Albany but in a dedicated school facility in El Cerrito. The school building has a lot of space and a wonderful outside area. We also send our younger daughter there starting at 18mo and she loves it.

My children attended Little Lamb and it was an incredible experience. The administrator and…read moreteachers are incredibly kind, attentive, supportive, and really care about each child's individual needs and what works with their personality. For example, my oldest child is very mature, and the teachers found ways to have her be their little 'helper' and help lead the yoga class which got her more engaged and challenged. The teachers are also really patient and nice, and my kids always remarked that they liked them. The activities they do at school are very creative and I loved seeing all the art work and crafts that they brought home. The lesson plans are very impressive with songs, art, science, play, and I really felt like my kids were getting a well-rounded experience where they were learning and also having fun. The school is also top-notch when it comes to health and safety -- from applying sunscreen and hats, to taking temperatures at the door and hand-washing, which was very important to me. My children also flourished in their Mandarin language skills which was absolutely amazing to see. We have graduated and gone on, but we loved our time at Little Lamb and couldn't have been happier.

We had a great experience at Keystone in our 3.5 years there and miss a lot of the engagement,…read moreeducation, and support. It felt like a real community. Our child was there from ~18mos old to 5 years old; from the thick of Covid in 2021 to August of 2025. She loved it and continues to talk about the teachers and staff. As she transitioned into Kindergarten, it's clear she and her keystone classmates are much further ahead academically and socially. We love the Montessori approach and Keystone seems to have a great facility and application of it.

Our family has been part of the Keystone community for nearly seven years, with both of our…read moredaughters attending from the time they were toddlers until moving on to Kindergarten. It's been such a positive experience for us. The teachers and staff are warm, supportive, and very thoughtful about meeting kids where they are. Both of our girls went through phases where drop-off was tough, and the staff worked closely with us to find approaches that made the transition smoother. Over time, they built such strong bonds with their teachers that school became a place they genuinely looked forward to. What we've especially appreciated is the calm, well-organized environment and the wide range of learning opportunities. Keystone offers a nice balance of Montessori learning, hands-on activities, and enrichment classes (Spanish, Mandarin, music, soccer, martial arts). Our daughters were able to try different things and discover what they enjoyed most. We've also seen them grow a lot socially, making friends, learning responsibility, and gaining confidence. Overall, Keystone has been a nurturing and engaging preschool that gave both of our children a strong foundation and a love for learning. We're grateful for the years we've spent there and highly recommend it to other families.

My daughter attended Montessori Family School for 3 years. While there were many things we loved…read moreabout the school, we, like many other families, were essentially forced out by the current Head of School, Alissa S. Enrolling your child at Montessori Family School (MFS) is a bit like gambling. If your child has any trouble listening, staying on task, following directions, or you as a parent are outspoken, like to stand up for yourself, or don't deal well with those who are patronizing and lack empathy, it is more like playing Russian roulette. What we loved about MFS were the families. The community was fantastic, and one of the things I miss most. I don't think I met any parents or children that I didn't appreciate and enjoy. I think this is rare; I can't say the same about her new school. On the other end of the spectrum, the school administration - specifically the Head of School, Alissa S., and the "learning specialist" Regina H. - were a nightmare. We, like most parents, were blindsided by them and how they presented our daughter as struggling, having problems, and needing help. Worried about our kids, we didn't realize until later that what they had done and said was inappropriate and unprofessional, and that they were the problem, not our kids. The sad part is that the voices of these families were rarely heard when they needed to be, and still aren't heard now. The number of positive Yelp reviews, many from hand-picked parents that were asked to serve on the school's Board of Directors, tell only the positive stories. While I do believe these accounts are sincere, they are only part of the full picture. The stories of those that were forced to leave the school, lost thousands of dollars in tuition, and were so upset with the situation that they were considering legal action, are mostly absent, and should not be forgotten. My daughter did well enough at MFS, but about half-way through our time at the school, we were told that she needed "outside support", which seems to be private school code for, "Your child is a burden to us. Go pay for an aide, tutoring, or something else." My daughter, who was later diagnosed with ADHD, and is also strong-willed, was more than the school could or wanted to support. While I understand and can accept that, the way this was handled was unprofessional and traumatizing. There was a complete lack of empathy from the individuals mentioned above. I found them to be very narrow-minded, opinionated and authoritarian, and it became clear that we would need to listen to them and do what they said, or we would be kicked out. I luckily realized this, and tread carefully for the rest of our time there - not directly or openly opposing or contradicting them. Other parents were not so fortunate. I personally know at least four families that had to switch schools in the middle of the year. One family had pre-paid their tuition for the year to obtain a discount, and it was not refunded. Two were speaking with lawyers. One was apparently threatened by lawyers from the school. For us, we were suddenly placed on "Academic Hold" in the middle of our third year, which basically meant they would not let us re-enroll. This was upsetting, and a complete shock, and came with no warning, nor had we even heard about such a thing before. We were left suddenly trying to figure out where we would attend school the next year, with only a few weeks left to tour and apply to private schools. We have since moved to public school. Despite the challenges inherent in the public school system, it has been a relief to leave behind the dysfunctional administration at MFS. Still, while her new teacher & the school staff are fantastic, I am far less impressed with the parents and other children in her class, compared to those who were at MFS. MFS has struggled with these issues for years now, and there seems to be little to no improvement. When I was first looking at MFS, I had heard some stories and I knew people that had withdrawn their kids, but I was more focused on what I saw on the surface and liked, and didn't pay as much attention to the warning signs myself. When you see something you like, you tend to ignore or minimize the negative. I don't regret our decision to attend MFS, but it would have been nice to have known a bit more and been a bit less naive. If you are considering MFS for your child, then it might be the perfect school for your family. But I write this because I could no longer stand by while a small number of families were treated so horribly. It is my belief that this situation only persists because those affected are few, they are afraid to speak up, or rather, don't feel like it will do any good. And so far, they have been right. Should the good experiences of a majority of families outweigh the mistreatment and hurt caused to a smaller number of families, which end up at other schools anyway? That is for you to decide.

Any school can call themselves Montessori, but MFS is the real thing. Accredited by the American…read moreMontessori Society, it stays true to the Montessori philosophy of multi-age classrooms based on Montessorian development stages. The student-teacher ratio is low, and the teachers and staff are dedicated, hard-working, and nurturing. My kids are challenged, stimulated, and are learning at their own pace. An added bonus-- the music program is amazing! I visited several Montessori schools, but chose MFS (we started at the preschool campus) because it just like the Children's House I attended in early childhood. If you are interested in enrolling in a Montessori but are new to the pedagogy, you may want to visit the AMS website or pick-up a Parent's Guide to the Montessori Classroom or a similar book so you know what to expect.

Our son started at Orkidz about six months ago, when he was 14 months old, and we couldn't be…read morehappier! Beyond all the great things about the daycare - the beautiful classrooms, the great outdoor space, the fun activities, and the amazing homemade food- the most important thing is the truly wonderful teachers. They give so much care and love to our son and all the other kids. He absolutely loves his teacher and happily runs into daycare every morning. As first-time parents, we had a lot of worries about the transition from being together at home to his first daycare and I feel choosing Orkidz turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. It's such a great feeling to know he's somewhere he feels safe, happy, and loved. We couldn't recommend Orkidz more.

I waited a couple of months after starting daycare before posting a review, and now that our son…read morehas been at Orkidz for over two months, I truly can't say enough good things about it. There is a reason this place only has 5-star reviews! As a first-time mom, I was extremely anxious about leaving my son with caregivers outside of family. What I didn't expect was that the wonderful teachers at Orkidz would start to feel like extended family to our baby. Before enrolling, I had heard plenty of horror stories about daycares where staff seemed disengaged or unhappy in their jobs. That has absolutely not been our experience here. The women at Orkidz genuinely LOVE children, and it shows every single day in the warmth, patience, and care they bring to the classroom. We toured several daycares before Orkidz, but the moment we walked in for our tour with Ms. Sheila, we were sold because no other place could compare. We were amazed with the facility, their library, their beautiful outdoor space, and the impressive commercial-style kitchen where they make yummy food for the kids. As for our son, I had prepared myself for difficult drop-offs and lots of crying. Instead, after a brief moment of confusion on his very first day (not sadness or separation anxiety because the teachers got to distracting him right away!), he settled in and adjusted to daycare immediately. He loves being around his little friends, is excited to go every morning, and is all smiles every time we come back to pick him up. Our son loves all the teachers, his face lights up when he sees them every morning, and he is especially attached to his primary teacher, Ms. Azadeh. They also have fun and engaging classes and we absolutely love the daily updates and pictures! In just a couple of months, we've already seen our now toddler become more social, curious, and comfortable around other children and adults. He also eats so well there and they have a variety of homecooked meals that I could never replicate. If you see a spot open at Orkidz, consider yourself lucky and save the spot as soon as you can - you will not regret it!

My wife and I cannot speak highly enough of Albany Preschool. Our eldest attended for one year (the…read morefirst year she was eligible we applied too late and they were full), and my youngest attended for two years. APS utilizes a play-based learning model, which allows kids to self select activities, leading to more engagement and intrinsic motivation. There are very few required transitions, so kids can really focus on a sustained activity. My kids' consistent favorite was the sensory play in sand and water. The teachers are exceptional. They are loving, patient, responsive and supportive. Each teacher brings a different strength, while still maintaining consistency as a team. Personally, I believe the greatest selling point of APS is its community. It is a cooperative, so families contribute effort, which keeps costs lower. That effort ranges from making play dough, garden and maintenance projects, laundering towels, planning community events, etc. This shared responsibility for the school and students connected us with so many wonderful families. We built more community in 3 years at Albany Preschool than in the previous 10 years we have lived in our neighborhood. In a world of daycare as an industry, Albany Preschool is a rare gem. It is a space rebuilt every year by the imaginations of the kiddos and the commitment of the families and teachers.

We had 2 kids go through the program. They really take great care of the preschoolers- physically…read moreand emotionally! The play based model and layout of the school really allows for growth, learning and creativity.

If I could give 100 stars I would! I second what all the reviews here say about this place. Amazing…read moredoesn't even begin to explain Cecy and the team at Tiny Footprints. My child attended from 18 months to 4 years old. I was incredibly apprehensive about starting due to separation anxiety, but they made him feel completely comfortable from day one.In addition to sending daily pictures and providing excellent communication, they truly support your child's growth. My kid is high energy and super active. Cecy met his energy with her own high energy--I truly don't know how she does it all! The learning program is fantastic. She met him exactly where he was at and used interactive games to teach. He was fully ready for TK when he left. They also do weekly library and park trips, plus walking trips to see the neighborhood.What makes Tiny Footprints truly special is the family atmosphere. All the kids become part of Cecy's family. The group of families is so tight-knit that they do playdates and movie nights on their own outside of school and "alumni" visit long after attending. Cecy also offers movie nights for the kids, after-hours care for date nights, and she even kept my son when I had a week-long work trip. We just moved away from the Bay Area last week, and leaving TF was so incredibly hard. We miss them so much already! If you want a safe, loving environment where your child will truly thrive, this is the place!

Our daughter attended Tiny Footprints for two years and it was absolutely amazing! From the daily…read morecheck ins, to the weekly field trips and holiday activities, our girl had a great time. Cecy and staff became family and if we could keep our toddler there until college we would lol.

At ECB, it is a very enriched and enriching environment. My son has attended Every Child Bay for a…read moreyear now. I love how he can explore at his own pace. My son is thriving in the ECB environment and I know the inclusive and individualized structure of the program is key to his development. Communication from the school is very good, I get updates during the school day through the Brightwheel app, with information and pictures with explanations and the newest developments with my child. The teachers each have unique strengths, and share with me from their different perspectives. If I ever have any questions, I can just come a little early at pick-up or drop-off, and the teachers make sure to take time with me. If we want to know more, there are many ways to communicate with the school beyond those quick moments. I am happy to see him growing surrounded by peers and teachers that help him develop

As a teacher at ECB, I have never felt more involved and supported with each child. I, along with…read moremy fellow teachers are extremely motivated to create a magical environment where learning meets play and both are completely inclusive as well as individualized to meet each child's goals. I love the environment that has been created at ECB, where the teachers and parents can express needs and wants that are listened to and respected. We put on numerous family events that everyone participates in and loves. This feels more than a preschool, it's a community. I couldn't recommend this ECB enough.

Absolutely amazing school with very creative and child friendly activities. We were lucky enough to…read morevisit during Messy Art day and were blown away. Our toddler was absolutely in love with all the activities and did not want to leave. The staff was so friendly and helpful despite the craziness. It was really a wonderful experience and we can't wait to come back.

When looking for a preschool for my then 3-year-old I needed a space where I knew he would feel…read moresafe away from home for the first time, where there was a community of grown ups looking out for him, and he was able to learn and grow socially. ECPC checked all of my preschool wishlist items. Even before school started, teachers and current families hosted new family playdates so the kids could get accustomed to the space, and we had a one-on-one teacher meeting; I always felt welcomed and included. The teachers take great care to curate open-ended experiences for the kids. There are outdoor and indoor play spaces to include sand and climbing play, art, games and imaginative play, building, reading, and more. Each space is set up to encourage discovery and self-expression. The kids are free to roam each space during play times, they are invited for snack mid-program, and gather for two group times. There is a deep sense of community not just for the kids, but for the grown ups, too. Every enrolled family has a family job and commits to 5-35 hours a month (depending on the role) to ensure the school runs smoothly for the current year and for future kids to enjoy. Families also commit to at least one participation shift a week to support the teachers in the different play spaces. The grown ups learn, too, as the teachers and members of the community share on early childhood development topics. The school has been around since 1940 and serves families in El Cerrito and nearby cities. There is an AM and a PM program (you can enroll in one or both) with a minimum of three days enrollment, plus an optional lunch program. Teachers can assist your littles with toileting as needed and will work with you if your kid is transitioning to potty use. I highly recommend ECPC for any family looking for a play-based parent cooperative for their 3-5 year olds!