We started at Seabird when our daughter just about turned three. We choose this school as when you…read morewalk in, it's like a hidden gem off Pacific street in chinatown. Beautiful playground and facility inside. They also accept ELFA which is nice. It is Close to Russian Hill and north beach and centrally located. She was on the verge of being potty trained and quickly became trained as soon after she started. The "Potty" area is nicely set up with a line of small potties and sinks behind them. That part of the school impressed me. The teachers are wonderful. Probably my only issue was two great teachers that we loved were not there anymore and we weren't sure where they went. Christina and Atalee were amazing. They do have new teachers that seem to be good. I think just communication in the transition of teachers would be helpful. Teacher Jennifer is wonderful as is Teacher Saddaf . The kids are learning alphabet and rudimentary reading, numbers and there is theme each of week like Colors or Dinosaurs or Trees. Very creative and our daughter comes home with artwork all the time that she did. I think Seabird is wonderful and our daughter has grown and matured at this school tremendously.

Can't explain how much this school helped my daughter transition from only being home cared by me…read moreto going to a preschool. Everyone was very welcoming. Her teachers very lovely people. They understood her personality made her feel safe. And help her master skills she needs to know by her age. Very active on the learning app they provide where they update pictures and activities my daughter did all day. Which soothed my mind from wondering if she was "ok or not" Never had any problems with drop off, they have a white zone which allows you to be able to drop off and pick her up. But teacher are willing to help to make pick up and drop off easier. I had nothing but the best experience with seabird preschool

The JCC Helen Diller Preschool has not only been a wonderful place for my daughter, but for our…read moreentire family, as well. We were drawn to the school for so many reasons and here are just some that really stand out for us... It's an Emilio Reggio school with a phenomenal teaching staff and the director works diligently alongside parent volunteers to be sure that the teachers are consistently feeling as supported and appreciated as they make our children feel every day. There is a full time garden teacher, music teacher and art teacher who all have great expertise in fostering curiosity and appreciation for the beautiful world of nature, music and art and work with the children and alongside the classroom teachers to bring these amazing components to the kids. The school community feels like a home away from home. There are numerous ways parents can volunteer (which is completely optional) and be involved in the school community. My daughter started school in the height of the pandemic and the staff really thought outside the box in how to keep that feeling of community going. Now that we're past that, events and opportunities to come together as a community abound and really make us feel like we're living in a small town. Children do not need to be potty trained (let's just say this was VERY important to us ). The teachers really meet the kids where they are and gently encourage them to step outside their comfort zone to grow. I have personally learned so much from watching the teachers respect an individual child's own comfort level in any situation and think outside the box to ensure each child feels respected to be who they are. Yet through creating a safe space and gently encouraging growth, I have seen the children blossom into confident individuals and take such pride in their own achievements. My daughter will say things like, "mommy, I'm so proud! I believed in myself and I did it!" Logistics perk: drive through drop offs. I had a newborn at home when my daughter started preschool and I'm sure that every parent can relate - the drive through drop offs without needing to get the baby out of the car saved my sanity . Almost 2 years later, I still find the drive through drop off option to be an incredible, time saving perk. I still love to walk my daughter into school or go into the classroom to pick her up, but having the drive through option has been a game changer . The Pre-K program really prepares students for elementary school and the director, Karla, works alongside families to provide resources and guidance as they navigate the process of transitioning to elementary school. It's a place that instills the start of a lifelong love of learning and discovery.

Our experience with this preschool has been exceptional. The teachers are not only highly skilled…read morebut also incredibly nurturing, creating a warm and supportive environment for our child. The sense of community among parents is remarkable, fostering a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere. The director's leadership is truly commendable; their dedication to creating a positive and enriching learning environment is evident in every aspect of the preschool. We feel fortunate to be part of such a wonderful educational community. It takes a village to raise a kid. we are so fortunate that JCC Helen Diller is our village especially when we see our daughter is thriving in such a loving community.

We've been at this preschool for a few years now with both of our kids and couldn't ask for a more…read morechild focused, play-based experience. The teachers and staff are knowledgeable, kind and tailor their approach to match each child's needs. The space is a true kid paradise with art, music, gardening, and so much more. It's a co-op, so parents/caregivers get a truly unique experience of working along side the teachers and staff and learning from them while they get to participate in this special period of their kid's life. And because the parents/caregivers put in so much work, I feel the prices are way below the average of SF. And the community is like no other. Others families are there to support with everything from carpooling, to extra child care, or even hand-me-downs of outgrown clothing! Without a doubt, I've made some of my closest friends from this school community.

My family will be starting our second year at this co-op and I can't say enough great things about…read moreit! The teachers are exceptional, and I have learned so much about how to parent and understand early childhood because of the knowledge each staff member shares. I have also gained a lot through being a work day parent. It is very rewarding to be a part of the school in this way, and see first hand how play based learning works. We chose a co-op initially because it was more affordable, which it has been- but going into our second year I honestly just have fun being a part of Laurel Hill, and I like the people so much and I would hope every kid could go to a school this cool!

Easiest review I've ever written, if I could give 6 stars, I would. The educators and the school's…read moreapproach to social emotional development is beyond what I could've hoped for my kiddo. Not only is my son developing and flourishing, I am a better parent because of what I have learned. The element of being in the forest is so beautiful and unique. My kiddo was confused at first "how a school could be closed on the weekend if there are no doors" :), but I've grown to really adore the benefits of a fully outdoor school. From pointing out where sour grass is in abundance to spotting dark-eyed junkos, my son has a beautiful appreciation for the natural world around him that is not something that I would've instilled in him. They have a book station, a "mud" kitchen, and sometimes structured art activities (and I can't speak to what they do in the older classes yet), but I love that the majority of their play is imaginative. There is space to run, climb, and explore. The educators really follow the lead of the kids interests too and bring in books, conversation, art within that space. I am grateful to have stumbled upon such a magical, intentional place. It is a community that we are so glad to be a part of and couldn't imagine life without.

Our family couldn't be happier with Spire School, a fully outdoor forest preschool based in the…read morePresidio. Our son has been in pre-school for two years and we've loved the program's play-based, emergent curriculum deeply rooted in nature connection. Our son was timid and introverted when he started this program and it's amazing to see his physical and emotional confidence build through exploring in nature and experiencing the physical range of weather. What most struck me was the growth in the expansiveness of his imagination through the program which was an unexpected outcome. Watching his ability to play imaginatively within the constraints of the nature classrooms has been amazing to watch. I've also been so impressed by the quality of the educators at Spire. Teacher Kristyn, in particular, is so intentional about how she uses the outdoor environment to develop the various components of early childhood education. She's very clear how she uses various parts of the forest to work on fine or gross motor skills, for example, or how she engages the children in various play-based scenarios and activities to work on cognitive function or various interpersonal skills. The school is also very flexible, inclusive and supportive of families. The lack of rigidity in the school has been a huge plus for us. They are very supportive of each child's individuality and focus their time on adapting to each child's unique interests and needs. The school has a very low student to teacher ratio so the level of individualized support and the depth of relationships is wonderful. I feel very grateful to live in a place like San Francisco where the weather allows for a school like this. I figure my son has years of sitting inside at a desk so why not let him spend as much time outside in his early school years as possible. Nature is powerful and healing.

Terra has felt like San Francisco's best kept secret for our family. The biggest thing we noticed…read moreearly on was how much our son genuinely looks forward to going to school. He comes home excited to talk about what he learned, what he built, and what he explored that day, which gave us confidence that we made the right choice. We visited a few public and private schools with a strong Mandarin immersion program. What stood out with Terra over time was how balanced the learning feels, both inside and outside the classroom. Academically, he has grown steadily in both English and Mandarin, and at the same time we have seen real growth in confidence, independence, and how he works through challenges. The outdoor program has been especially meaningful for him. Spending time learning outside each week has clearly shaped how he approaches learning. He often comes home talking about things he created or discovered in nature, and those experiences seem to stick with him in a way that traditional classroom lessons sometimes do not. The small class size has made a big difference for our family. His teachers really know him as an individual, including both his strengths and the areas where he needs more guidance. That level of attention has helped him grow academically and emotionally without feeling pressured to fit into a single mold. We have also appreciated how involved the parent community is. It feels collaborative, and communication between families and the school is very open. The after-school enrichment classes like engineering, cooking, and art have been another highlight because they give him more ways to explore interests he might not otherwise try. Terra is a smaller school, but for us that has created a strong sense of connection and support. Most importantly, our son feels happy, challenged, and excited to learn, which is ultimately what we were hoping to find in a school.

Our daughter has attended Terra since April 2024, including Preschool, Kindergarten, and summer…read morecamps, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. We're really proud to be a Terra family. The school places a strong emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence, and it truly shows in the way the children learn and grow. The staff are incredibly dedicated and do an amazing job partnering with parents. They're committed to building an inclusive, supportive environment and are always willing to work with families through both school-related and personal challenges. What initially drew us to Terra was the language immersion program, along with the focus on experiential learning and community engagement. These elements have given our daughter opportunities to thrive, develop a sense of responsibility, and feel meaningfully connected to the work around her. We also love the small class sizes, which allow teachers to give each child individual attention and build strong one-on-one relationships with students. Our daughter's teacher sends out thoughtful weekly newsletters detailing what the class has been learning across subjects, which makes it easy for us to support her learning at home. The school also holds three parent-teacher conferences each year, giving us regular opportunities to check in on her progress and address any concerns along the way. One of the most special aspects of Terra is the close-knit community. The school year starts with a camping trip that brings families together in a fun, relaxed way, and throughout the year there's an active parent WhatsApp group that makes it easy to connect, plan playdates, and attend social gatherings. Terra truly feels like a community, not just a school, and we're so grateful to be part of it.

Our twins have been at RA for three magical years. It has been a joyful, nurturing place for our…read morefamily and we feel incredibly grateful that our children got to spend their preschool years here. We recommend RA wholeheartedly. The biggest change isn't just what our kids have learned, it's who they've become. They're confident, compassionate kids who love learning, and we know RA played an enormous role in that. Jiali is a loving director who is passionate about early childhood development, and also has extraordinary executive skills, so everything runs smoothly with the help of her, Jiawen, and their amazing staff. Academics. Our kids are speaking and reading Mandarin, and we have been impressed by their language development over the years. It's amazing to hear them chatting with each other in Mandarin, singing songs around the house, and translating words for family members. Jiali and her staff find creative ways of making learning fun, like learning about metamorphosis by showing an actual caterpillar transform into a butterfly. RA has also taught them English letters and math, and the kids will enter school a year ahead academically. We're so grateful they have such a strong foundation and have the confidence to excel in school. Responsibility. RA intentionally has times where the bigger kids interact with the smaller kids by helping them, fostering a care for others. Our kids have come home excited about what the "babies" did today and know several by name. RA has also taught our kids to clean up after themselves and did all the potty training (whenever friends ask us how we potty trained our twins, we shrug and say "preschool did it"). Communal care. RA has a low student-teacher ratio. Although each kid is assigned to a class with a teacher, all the teachers know all the kids' names. Over the years, our kids have come home with heartwarming stories of their interactions with all of the teachers. It's comforting that a collective group of caring adults is part of our village. Safety. Our kids have extremely severe food allergies and started at RA at an age where they were still putting things in their mouths and too young to clearly communicate whether they were feeling bad. We weren't sure they'd be able to go to any preschool safely and were prepared to homeschool. During our tour, Jiali patiently walked through every safety protocol and and answered every question we had. She did this while playing with our kids, making them giggle and relax in a new environment. We left feeling confident in her ability to keep our kids safe. In three years, we've had 0 incidents, which is incredible. RA is also a preschool that is great for parents: Schedule and logistics. RA's schedule is convenient for busy parents. Even during breaks, parents have the option of paying a daily rate for care. RA provides healthy food for the kids (morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack which is functionally an early dinner), saving parents a lot of time and energy. Communication. RA is great at communicating about illnesses, breaks, etc. It's easy to message them via the BrightWheel app or ask at pickup/drop off. RA sends monthly updates with pictures and videos, which is great because they're focusing on caring for the kids, but parents also get lovely updates to re-watch for years to come. Community. We've become good friends with other families, and we know those relationships will continue long after preschool. There's a WhatsApp group where parents share helpful information too. Peace of mind. More than anything, we're grateful for the love our children received every single day. Every teacher knew them, celebrated them, and cared for them as individuals. As parents, there is no greater gift than dropping your children off each morning knowing they're safe, loved, and excited to be there. We will always look back on our years at RA with gratitude.

We've been with Richmond Academy for the past year and couldn't be happier with our experience! The…read moreteachers bring so much genuine joy to the classroom, creating a warm, supportive environment where the kids thrive. From a parent's perspective, they make day-to-day life so easy--drop-off and pick-up are seamless, the hours are convenient, and having all food provided is a massive bonus. Jiali has been wonderful to work with--always responsive, thoughtful, and communicative. We don't speak Mandarin at home, so we've been amazed by how much our son has picked up and how intentional the teachers are with individual language support. We can't recommend RA enough!

Our son attended NVNS for 2 years - it was an amazing first school experience! We loved that we…read more(as parents) could "work" one day a week as "teachers", it allowed us to bridge the gap from being home with us as his primary caregivers to starting school for the first time. It was a lovely progression. The school values lots of outdoor unstructured playtime (beginning each morning with an hour on the playground, canyon exploration & field days, lots of outdoor field trips), art/music, the swim program, & the fantastic community of parents & families. We will definitely be back when our younger daughter is ready for preschool!

We are so happy at NVNS! Our son loves going and has had such a great time over the last 2 years…read more We have seen other friends have a difficult time with preschool drop off. But at NVNS every teacher and parent teacher knows each student and it's easy to say "Go say hi to teacher ..., and our son will run to them at drop off". I love how many different hands-on and outdoor activities the kids get to do--hikes, gardening, music, playground activities, nature visits, and so much more. The teachers and parent teachers really care about all the kids, and it shows every day in the photos we get. Compared to other preschools we visited, NVNS stood out with the best teachers (and parent teachers) and the most engaging variety of activities for kids. The welcoming community of parents and teachers has made this such a positive experience for our whole family.

I have two kids at Russian Hill Academy - one is leaving for Kindergarten this fall 2026 (started…read moreat the tail-end of COVID) and the other just started last year in 2025. We had our son in the thick of COVID and were nervous about sending him to daycare. His interaction with people outside our home was limited, not to mention the fear of illness at the time. Jiali and her staff made sure we were totally comfortable with their practices, and they are super clean in general. It is a safe and clean space for kids to learn, explore, and remain healthy. When it came time to send our daughter to daycare, it was a no-brainer. We jumped at the available slot and she has been happy and thriving for the last 9 months. She is in her own class with kids in her age group and has made her own friends. The school does a good job of having the siblings find one another at select points in the day but she also has a strong independence which is important as we prepare for our son to leave RHA. If we could keep our son at RHA we 100% would but alas it is time for him to move on so we will hold onto the remaining time our daughter has there, dearly. The friends we've made will be with us for a lifetime, and we give so much credit to Jiali and her staff for all the heart (and sweat) they pour into creating a community for kids and parents alike.

We cannot say enough good things about Russian Hill Academy and the care we get with Jiali and her…read morestaff. Our daughter started at a year and a half and thrived around having children her age and older around. She always came home with new words and found her best friends at the daycare. She has since started kindergarten but misses the daycare and always wants to come in and give a hug to the teachers when we come to pick up my son. The children go to the playground, have a beautiful indoor area for play and learning. The food is home cooked by the staff (my children eat more vegetables there than I can introduce at home!). I love to see the combination of fun with education as well. Our son now attends and also started at the same age, he loves going in and is always excited to tell us about his day. The school is Mandarin immersion (we do not know/speak Mandarin at home) but both children love and speak the language well, always singing songs and teaching me words. My daughter has loved it so much that we continue to find opportunity to continue to learn Mandarin. They both are able to identify symbols and converse easily with the staff. The activities that are posted and shown to us through Brightwheel are always impressive with respect to the breadth of activities like learning about caterpillars and butterflies or doing motor coordination activities. The children are always enthusiastic about singing and dancing and my children's Mandarin proficiencies are demonstrated through the video as well. While we do not always get to communicate as thoroughly with some of the teachers, Jiali is always very responsive to questions and keeping us updated on our child's progress. We have not had issues despite not speaking Mandarin for our children and we have loved that another language is being developed with our children. The families in the community are also wonderful and we love attending the yearly event where the children learn dances and songs to present to the families. Jiali is second to none in expertise in care for children. I credit her for both of our children being potty trained at the daycare, and she had to use very different approaches for both of them which I know comes from her understanding there's different personalities and needs for children. She has the children's safety and growth both in mind. We moved away from the Russian Hill area but felt so strongly about our great care with Russian Hill Academy that we have continued to have our care with her despite moving further away.