Our family has such a special connection to Little Gators--my husband attended here, so it truly means a lot to us that our son now gets to be part of this community as well. The program and curriculum have been incredible. What stands out most is how the teachers really tailor their approach to each child. They understand what my son needs and support him in a way that feels thoughtful and intentional. We've seen so much growth, and it's been amazing to watch. I also love the little touches, like the "homework" he gets--it's fun, engaging, and something we genuinely enjoy doing together over the weekends. It's such a great way to stay involved and help him continue learning at home. Another highlight is the variety of activities and events. There's always something fun and meaningful happening, and it keeps both the kids and parents engaged. But truly, the best part about Little Gators is the community. The teachers go above and beyond to create a welcoming environment, not just for the kids, but for the parents too. We've met such wonderful families, and it really feels like we're all part of something special. Little Gators has become more than just a preschool for us--it's a family, and we're so grateful to be a part of it. read more

Little Gators Preschool - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

We moved to Cow Hollow when our daughter was 4 months old. We knew times were uncertain during Covid....thankfully we moved around the corner from Little Gators and thought we should check it out. From the very first meeting, we felt a special connection to Barb and Stella. We thought, wow, how lucky for us there's a spot! Each year brings more joy and love into our lives. This is our last and most epic year of all at Little Gators. Thank you to the Little Gators staff and much love to the Gators Community of families! read more

Little Gators has been and continues to be an incredible place for our daughters to learn and grow. They have also been paramount in helping us find our community here! I keep joking my they should start a K-12 because we love the families so much and will be devastated to not all be together forever (at drop off that is, we will be connected for many years). Our daughters love Gators. The teachers are amazing. Our girls love doing their letter worksheets, crafting, having parent readers, going on field trips, trick or treating, coming to Kite Day. They get exposure to their community, build their self confidence, and have remained polite, inclusive kids. They are so proud and so are we! The teachers at Gators were also immensely helpful in navigating the K-8 application process and we are deeply grateful to them for all of their guidance. I tell them all the time I need more kids to extend our time with them. Gators is magical and our family found a life long community of dear dear friends that feel like family through their doing. The community is supportive and fun and encouraging and joyful - just like the teachers. We feel incredibly lucky to have found Gators through a friend that sang their praises and they have exceeded every expectation since day one. Gators forever! read more

We are entering our fourth year at Gators (and about to send our second to the 2's) and cannot recommend the Gators preschool program highly enough. In addition to the wonderful things others have mentioned about being a part of the Gators family, I wanted to share some points that I wouldn't have thought about when evaluating preschools but now stand out to me about what makes Gators different: · The director, Barb, has been an educator for 40 years and is in the classroom teaching the children every day (not sitting in an office as an administrator). She has seen everything under the sun and is always on-call for guidance inside and outside of the classroom. She leads with love, patience, and kindness. · I cannot understate the closeness of this community - the families at Gators are incredibly close (many from the immediate neighborhood that walk to school together, but families from all over attend). The parents have become some of our best friends and we have found our "village" in Gators, which is especially wonderful not being from SF originally. · Gators values kindness, manners, and respect. The kids are incredibly well mannered and polite - it is Gators magic! · The hours are not full time, and the hours of the program increase as your child is developmentally ready for increased focused learning time. However, there are wonderful extracurriculars that we do as a class group during "off Gators" days/hours (Art Class, Nature Class, Adventure Camp, etc) which have been wonderful enhancements to the preschool experience that keep the kids more than sufficiently programmed. We love that when the kids are at Gators, they are getting true "school" - with curriculum, math, handwriting (and lots of fun, too) - its not daycare. Gators kids are incredibly well-prepared for Kindergarten and that is a reflection of the tried and true program they run. · Gators performs extremely well with Kindergarten admissions... it is pretty awesome to witness families consistently being placed with their top choice school. Would recommend Gators again and again! read more

Little Gators Preschool - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

We are finishing our third year at Gators, with two children currently enrolled (and another to join when she turns 2). Our experience has been phenomenal. The teachers - Barb, Stella, Soren and Gina - are true experts in early education. Not only are they excellent educators in the "academic" sense, they are character builders. They teach even the youngest children the social skills required to thrive in group settings (kindness, manners, attentiveness) while instilling every child with confidence (as Barb says, "we PUMP THEM UP!"). Both of my children adore every one of the teachers. When one of my daughters tried skiing for the first time, the first thing she said was that she wanted to tell her grandparents and Teacher Stella. When you see how the teachers interact with the kids, this is hardly surprising. They teach, literally, from the ground, sitting alongside the kids in everything they do, and they care deeply about each of them. When issues arise, Barb tackles them head on. She has the unique ability to be both "steel and velvet" - always direct and firm, but gentle and loving. She does not run the school from an office - she spends all of her time in the mix with the kids and always has a remarkable handle on what is going on with every child. Gators is SO MUCH FUN. Once the door opens in the morning, my kids can't get inside fast enough. The activities vary every day, and Barb's own "joie de vivre" manifests in endless surprises - popsicles / water play on hot days, Niners crafts for super bowl weekend, etc. Barb and Stella provide masterful counsel in the Kindergarten admissions process. I could say a lot here, but I think the best evidence is that every year we've been at Gators, every family in the "graduating" class has been accepted at their first choice school. Lastly, the Gators community is awesome. With a small school and lots of fun community social events (mom/dad night out, family picnics), it is very easy to get to know everyone. It is a fun-loving, close knit group and we have been fortunate to meet many of our closest friends at Gators. read more

There just is no other school like Little Gators. We have three daughters, two of them currently enrolled at LG. While I had heard of the reputation this school had, nothing could have prepared me for truly what an amazing school and community this is. The teachers are special. They will love and support your children as much as you do. They really educate your kids. I am shocked at how much my 5 yr old knows. They come home with book reports to do and bags full of work and projects. What is even more amazing is how much these kids LOVE doing the work. The community is deep and ongoing. My best friends are those I met here. I feel that same connection with the teachers. I love the other children and we are constantly helping each other out and taking care of each other's families. It is also very fun :) Every year I have been at Gators, every child has been accepted to their top school. They seamlessly walk you through the process and support you every step of the way. There is no other school that has the reputation Gators does for the Kinder process. I might just keep having kids so I can stay a part of this community forever. read more

I truly believe we hit the preschool jackpot when our daughter got into Little Gators. We didn't even realize how lucky we were at the time, but I cannot imagine our family's life right now had we not found this incredible school and community. For starters, everyone there is truly full of so much love and have a passion for their careers! Barb has owned and personally ran this preschool for at least 30 years and she's still full of energy, love, creativity, and smiles every morning. She is not just the owner/operator, she personally teaches each child, cares about their wellbeing and development, and actually knows the parents! The teachers who support her are also incredible! My kids are always asking if Teachers Barb, Stella, and Soren can phaaaaleeeease come home with us and play! We currently have our daughter and son at Little Gators (and will send our third child when he's old enough). They come home every day so happy and fulfilled, bags packed with amazing projects, and stories about all of their adventures with friends. The balance of play and learning is ideal. My daughter knows a lot more than I ever anticipated she would at this age (almost 5), but it's clear she knows it because she wants to learn it since they make it fun! Now, my daughter is about to graduate and will be entering Kindergarten next year (at her top choice school, thanks to Little Gators). The reality of getting into private K-8 schools in SF is often not even on incoming parent's radar, but everyone should know how absolutely over-the-moon fantastic Barb is about helping you through the Kindergarten admissions process. She knows that ish like the back of her hand and it's hard not to think she's a wizard considering all of her students always get into their top choice schools (trust me, not an easy feat!). But, in all seriousness, her wizardry is teaching these kids to love learning, to be good humans, to be confident and self-assured in their own skin, to have good manners and respect for others, and guiding the parents to make the most of the admissions process through very hands-on advice. I could go on forever with more glowing things to say about Gators, but I'll end my longest-review-ever with this tidbit -- COMMUNITY! It's incredible at Gators. You will make life-long best friends here, you will actually want to go to the parent events, you will find yourself dying of laughter from the text chains among parents, you will get so much support from this group, and you will feel confident dropping your kid at a classmate's house. I am genuinely relieved I have two younger kids so I don't have to exit the Gator's community when my daughter graduates this month! read more

Our daughter has been going to Little Gators for the past year and it has been all that we could have wanted in a preschool. Barb, Sam, and Stella are so welcoming to the kids and parents. For the first month, our daughter was hesitant about going to school and now she waltzes right through the door - I think that is a testament to how warm the teachers are with the kids. Our daughter loves drawing and painting so she gets really excited to come home with her art projects, which always find their way on the mantel. Also, Barb and staff have also been super thoughtful about dealing with all the complications of Covid. I've been really impressed with how well they communicate and put the kids' safety first. We have also met some great friends through Little Gators, teacher Barb has built a community around the school that is very strong, they organize fun events and happy hours for the parents to get to know one another. We often meet parents of kids who went to Gators 10-15 years ago and they still rave about it - a decade from now we will be in that same camp! read more

Our son will be graduating from preschool at Little Gators in June and we're excited that our daughter will have the chance to start in the 2's class this fall. As we think back on our son's preschool years, we really can't express enough how much Little Gators has meant to our family and would offer the following to anyone considering a preschool: 1) The curriculum is an outstanding. After 3 years at Gators, we're confident that our son is ready to succeed at kindergarten and know that he had lot of fun in the process. 2) The Gators experience was extremely influential in helping our son come out his shell socially. Our son was quite shy around other children before he started attending Little Gators, and we've seen significant development (encouraged by the Gators teachers) during his time at Gators. 3) Barb, Sam and Stella really care about the children. They are like family and partner with you to make sure your child is excelling. They active participants in developing their students, doing so in a constructive manner. 4) The team's help with the kindergarten admissions process is second to none. Every year we've been at the school Little Gator students are accepted at great schools that their families are really excited about. When speaking to friends who do not attend Little Gators, when they hear our son is at Little Gators a consistent response is "I heard Barb is excellent at navigating the kindergarten placement process." 5) There is a real sense of community at the school. When our son sees another child around town with a Little Gators bag there is a sense of pride. The Little Gators teachers also set up (really fun!) community events (end of year parties, Dad's night out, etc.). Could go on for quite some time, but cannot give a more enthusiastic review of Little Gators. read more

Game Changing Preschool There is only one Little Gators. IYKYK. Our son is graduating this May as a gator and attending kindergarten at Cathedral School for Boys in the fall. To say Little Gators has been transformative for our son would be an understatement. We began last year after missing out on a normal preschool experience due to the pandemic and endless stops and starts with schools, some of which shut down completely. We've had a ringside seat to what works and what doesn't and thankfully found Barb, Stella and Soren who are the heart, soul and genius behind Little Gators. Our son has thrived there and has a solid foundation and love of learning that is so critical at this age and stage. As a graduate Professor I am passionate about education and deeply appreciate the expertise, energy and resilience required to wrangle and inspire little ones. On the daily. And they have so much fun, joy, and love packed in. Our son loves learning, feeling a part of this special community, and adores his teachers. Not only is Little Gators THE best learning foundation, they also guided, championed and supported each family through the insane kinder application process in SF. They personally advocated for our son, guided our family through all the nuance and details, and were transparent, kind,and so patient. We love Little Gators,so much so we drive from the Peninsula so our son can attend. Worth every mile and more. If you are looking for a preschool you must consider this one and find a way to get on their waitlist asap. No seriously, stop everything and call Barb. Today. read more

We currently have two kids at Little Gators and it has been such an incredible experience. The teachers (Barb, Stella, and Soren) are so warm and create such a special bond with the kids. They keep things fun, but also really focus on learning and preparing kids for the next step in their education. When it comes time to apply to Kindergarten, Gators kids are prepared. The parents are also prepared thanks to Barb's guidance. The community at Little Gators is equally incredible. We have met so many amazing families that I know will be lifelong friends. Our kids are always begging to have playdates with their classmates and we are always happy to hang out with the parents. Our daughter is graduating next week, but thankfully our son has two more years at Gators! read more

All 3 of my children have gone here and my oldest kids who are now in elementary STILL talk about how much they love Teachers Barb, Sam and Stella. My youngest is currently at Gators and comes home each day raving about all the fun art, movement, music, activities and cooking they do. She literally runs inside preschool without even saying goodbye she's so excited! Truly, it's a magical place. IMO, there are some special things that set Gators apart from other preschools. First, the director Barb is also the head teacher. This is really, really rare in preschools here--normally administration doesn't work with the kids and that results in a disconnect between parents/administration or teachers/administration. Not the case here! Barb is steering the ship. She works with each and every kid, knows every single one, all their strengths and challenges, and after 40+ years of experience, she knows her stuff. She helped guide my oldest into OT when it became clear he needed work on his pencil grip and has given such care and sound advice when we had questions or challenges with behaviors at home. Second, Barb's other teachers are fantastic and have been there as long as I can remember. Teacher turnover is a huge issue at other preschools but not here. Sam and Stella are very talented teachers, and some of the nicest people you'll ever meet and there every year welcoming the kids back with a smile. Veteran teachers make better educators. You get this at Gators. Third, Barb gets kids ready for Kindergarten and accepted to the Kindergarten programs they want. We've been through the K process twice, and all the kids in both classes got into their first choice--from Hamlin, Town, Convent/Stuart Hall, Cathedral, St. Vincent de Paul to Burke's, MCDS, Live Oak and many more. Barb has been doing this for years and knows the admissions process like the back of her hand. She will walk you through it and hold your hand every step of the way. Lastly, she knows the kids are smart and teaches them the academics they need for Kindergarten. PreK year she has all the kids writing their names legibly, drawing self-portraits, identifying the alphabet--in a way that kids from only play-based programs do not. There is still plenty of time for play, imagination and creative art at Gators as it's a fun program but I've seen my kids go into Kinder understanding how to succeed (we sit in seats, raise hands, write with pencils legibly) as compared to kids from some nearby play-based programs. Those kids have really struggled bc Kinder is the first time anyone has asked them to behave like a student, whereas Barb sets the expectation from the beginning that we sit and listen at story time, we include friends while playing, and so forth. Also they have an awesome backyard that's only for the preschool with play structures and toys and a clubhouse. Finally, the parent community is so nice and Barb hosts lots of parent social events so that families can meet each other and become friends. It's a wonderful preschool. Highly recommend. read more

Little Gators is not only a top respected Pre-School in the Bay Area but also, a cherished community full of the BEST teachers and the most welcoming parents, creating an unmatched warm and rich learning environment. Both of our daughters attend Gators, having initially been referred to by many neighbors, and we recommend it to anyone who is fortunate enough to be accepted. First and foremost, the teachers (Barb, Stella, Sam) are EVERYTHING you would want for your child and family during the key Pre-School years - experienced, brilliant, supportive, personalized, communicative, kind and fun. Little Gators does an excellent job in teaching the kids how to learn, just as much as what to learn. We especially appreciate the structured curriculum while also allowing for creative exploration, and of course, play time right in the backyard. The daily worksheets, arts & crafts projects, creative activities, themed celebrations, etc., are all so intentional and rewarding, with fun and real educational progress witnessed every week. Our daughters continue to absolutely thrive, and they love to learn, because of Gators. They literally skip into school. It's also heartwarming to see how bonded the children truly become with each other, which also happens among the parents (e.g., inclusive weekend Birthday Parties, playdates, Parent's Night, Moms Night, Dads Night), delivering an authentically supportive and fun community. Having just finished the Kindergarten application process for our oldest daughter, we can also say that Little Gators teachers guide parents perfectly through the sometimes intimidating process - and they just get it done for you, more so than any other Pre-School in the city! The K-12 schools all want Gators kids because they see, every year, how wonderful Barb, Stella and Sam prepare them. Especially in our new world with hybrid virtual application process, Gators teachers are always up to speed with what the schools are looking for and what to emphasize during the application process. Little Gators is a truly a special place that shapes your educational growth positively forever (just run into any Gators alum and you'll hear it!) and I couldn't be more thankful for our family that we are a part of it. read more

Little Gators is a truly special place. The teachers are incredible; they are kind, patient, caring, and intuitive. There is a wonderful balance of social, physical, and academic development. I currently have two children at Little Gators and both come home daily gleaning with joy. Little Gators works hard to create and maintain a close knit community. I have found this community to become an extension of family. With that said, I whole heartedly recommend Little Gators for preschool. read more

My son graduates from little Gators in June. We will miss this community so much. My son has been at Gators for 3 years and he has thrived. He loves going to school and runs inside without even saying goodbye at drop off. He has grown emotionally and academically thanks to the loving approach that Teacher barb, Sam and Stella have. He comes home talking about the fun art projects to how much fun he had digging in the backyard. Recently on a warm day in SF they set up a water slide and the kids had the best time. The kids all get along and most meet up at the park after school and continue playing . Having come from the mid west, the kindergarten application process was more than overwhelming. What is so exceptional about gators is that the teachers really know their students and have such detail knowledge about the schools in the bay area. Because of this they know sometimes before you what is the best fit for your child . They help with every step of this crazy process. And schools know Gators kids have been exposed to outstanding curriculum. I could not have asked for a better experience for my son's first education chapter. We are lucky to be part of the gator community. read more

This year is my daughter's second year with Little Gators, and I feel I would be doing all other parents out there a disservice if I didn't share. This Preschool is amazing! We found Little Gators after an aweful and traumatic couple of days at another school here in the city, and were immidiately blown away by the warmth, wealth of experience and knowledge, and ability to work with every child as an individual regardless of class size. Barb, Gina and Sam are up to date on their research and are involved in everything the kids do every day. They manage to make every moment productive and exciting for my little girl, who has two work-from home parents and is not easily amused. My daughter comes home with new nursery rhymes, songs, poems, historical facts and social wisdom. The teachers managed to encourage our girl, who is the youngest in her Pre-K, to persevere through the tough parts of developing her dexterity and learning to write. When my husband and I were lost in the kindergarten application process, Barb and Gina were there with thorough and honest advise, keeping my child's best interest in mind. Beyond the priceless advice, we were reminded to just slow down and enjoy our child and her development at every stage. I wish every kid in San Francisco had an opportunity to get a big hug from their teacher every single time they say hello and goodbye. I wish all parents felt peace of mind leaving their precious babies at school. From stellar academics to a kind but firm guiding hand- Gators offers it all. I wanted to include a picture of a craft they made this Thanksgiving. My daughter's hand prints are on it. I will keep it for ever. Thank you, Barb, Gina and Sam for helping both my baby and me/my husband to make memories most cherishes. read more

Little Gators Preschool - My daughter's hand print on a craft they made at Little Gators. - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California