Miss Nicky's Preschool is pure magic. My daughter attended from age 2 to 5, blossoming from the Caterpillar Room (toddlers) to the Butterfly Room (Pre K) with ease, care, and support. Along the way she met every developmental milestone, thanks to Miss Nicky and her incredible teaching staff. The amount of sweat, love, and dedication Miss Nicky pours into her school is truly unmatched. The classrooms strike the perfect balance of play based exploration and academics, with literacy and math seamlessly woven into hands on games, centers, and creative projects. Summer camp is just as special, fun filled, imaginative, and full of joy. What made it most magical, though, was how much my daughter loved being there. She thrived because her teachers loved being with her. One memory she always cherishes is the day she got a splinter. Miss Nicky welcomed her into her office, gently removed it, and turned a "boo boo" moment into a memory of being cared for and safe. That's the kind of nurturing heart behind this school. As parents, my husband and I especially appreciated the sense of community Miss Nicky built. From family events to celebrations, she created opportunities not only for children to connect but for parents to form friendships that will last well beyond preschool years. What makes it even more special is that the building that houses this amazing school is the very same one where I attended preschool over 30 years ago. It has been beautifully updated and maintained with modern safety features, nestled in one of the most safe and beautiful neighborhoods in Marin. (I know! I am also a proud Terra Linda High School graduate.) Miss Nicky's Preschool is truly a gem, and when our journey came to an end I cried. My five year old held my hand and said, "Mom, it's ok, Miss Nicky said we can always come back and visit!" A true testament to how Miss Nicky and her teaching team foster social emotional growth, creating confident and compassionate kids. If you're wondering whether Miss Nicky's is the right place for your child the answer is yes. In a world that moves too fast, this school preserves the wonder and innocence of early childhood. It is safe, happy, creative, and filled with love. Miss Nicky's Preschool isn't just a school, it's a place where childhood magic is kept alive. read more

Excellent preschool! Loving teachers, great curriculum and facilities, fun spirit days. Great communication and very organized and well run. Highly recommend! read more

My daughter has attended Miss Nicky's Preschool since she was 2 years old. My daughter loves it there, as do I. She looks forward to going there daily (M-F), plus it's given her a daily routine. When we do drop off, she often peaks into Miss Nicky's office and says, "hi". Miss Nicky always upbeat and excited to interact with her. I always leave the school with a smile on my face. It feels good to leave your child at an establishment in which is full of respectful and caring people. The atmosphere is full of love, and it shows in my child's smile and actions towards the staff members and other students. Miss Nicky's staff have cared for my child for almost two years now, and I have been extremely satisfied with their services. I also love how detailed they are. Whenever I go in, the place is spotless. In addition, they are very meticulous about child reports, upcoming events and any pressing information pertaining to my child. They pay attention to every detail of their establishment as well as every detail of the children. The curriculum is age appropriate and my child is thriving. I have no doubt she will have the tools necessary to make the transition to kindergarten with ease. I always feel that my child is in good hands. The staff is extremely friendly, and they all care deeply for my little lady. I'm looking forward to my son joining his big sister in the new year as soon as he turns 2. read more

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Words can't begin to express what Miss Nicky & Miss Nicky's preschool mean to me they have been nothing but amazing my family and I. my daughter adores the teachers they are always doing project after project and fun outside time. More importantly during this crazy time they're extremely safe and cleanly which is so important to my family! Thank you for making a fun and safe environment for my daughter!! read more

Miss Nicky's Preschool - Preschools Near Me - San Rafael, California

I am a preschool photographer and have captured the kiddos and staff at this school for years. If I had a preschool aged child in the area, they would be at Miss Nicky's! I love the facilities, the staff, and the owner is awesome too. :) I highly recommend! read more

This is an absolutely wonderful preschool! My almost 4-year old son loves his time with friends and teachers here. In my experience, the teachers are genuinely caring and respectful of each child's unique temperament. They took their time in getting to know my son's likes and discomforts. Nicky also creates the most amazing programs that are season specific, and all of them keep the kids and families engaged. And their summer program is exceptional! On top of all that, Nicky and all the staff have been very kind, gentle, considerate, and flexible to our needs. I highly, highly recommend this preschool. read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE Miss Nicky's! It is such a great, clean, and bright environment for children and a wonderful preschool. Miss Nicky and all the teachers are always so welcoming and have smiles on their faces. Miss Nicky and her teachers have great communication, which is really important to me. I loved reading the white board when I pick up my son and finding out what the class did during the day. The classrooms are decorated with wonderful artwork and it's fun bringing my son's artwork home and showcasing it on his bedroom wall. My son learned so much in his short time there and we were so sad to leave Miss Nicky's since we relocated for work. I would recommend this preschool to anyone! They're great! read more

Miss Nicky's Preschool - Ryu had a great 1st Day at Miss Nicky's! - Preschools Near Me - San Rafael, California

Cross-post for Miss Nicky Preschool and Toddler Center (159 Merrydale Rd, San Rafael, CA) Context: This is our first pre-school experience for first child (three year old) in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic(enrolled in Jan 2021). Our son is thriving and LOVES going to pre-school(MNP&TC campus). He raves about Miss Karina and his teacher Miss Mandy. While the pandemic/safety protocols have made it difficult to get a closer glimpse inside the walls, staff and Nicky are great at communicating our son's progress, development, and day-to-day details. Miss Nicky is super responsive and makes herself available in all phases from pre-enrollment to being a tenured student. It's worth noting that we started our son during one of the largest COVID surges and were admittedly anxious. Miss Nicky invested a material amount of time guiding us through the protocols staff takes in addition to her close tracking of state/county/officials and subject matter experts on operating safely during these times. Additionally, Nicky and some of her staff's children are enrolled at the campuses which I see as a positive. Thank you for creating an environment that brings so much joy and love to all those who are lucky enough to attend! Random side note: The outside area at MNPTC is awesome and spacious, I toured many different preschools in Marin and SF and this one stands out in particular. read more

Our son loves Miss Nicky's Preschool. His teachers are warm and amazing. Having recently moved to the area and going to a new school without knowing anyone, we were concerned how the transition would go for our little one. But the bright atmosphere and fun activities helped him adjust very quickly. He made new friends right away and was always excited to go to school. The Summer Camp activities are wonderful, 1 stop location for everything which is very convenient. They have helped prepare him for his transition into TK next year and as parents, we couldn't be happier. Highly recommend this wonderful pre-school. read more

We enrolled into Miss Nicky's Preschool looking forward to the program. In a short timeframe we realized MNP is all smoke and mirrors. Our son was enrolled a better part of a year so we endured the program for quite some time before calling it quits. The few good parts: MNP's outdoor play space is great, your child will be safe, it is clean and the teachers are nice. However every time you deal with Ms. Nicky you leave frustrated and wondering why you continue to work with a program that is unaccommodating and does not treat you as a client. MNP over engineers all activities but under performs on the essential basics - true care for your child, education and supporting working families. Concerns with had with MNP: * Our ongoing issue was that the director, Ms. Nicky, was unaccommodating and unwavering in procedures that are not supportive to working families. * Late fees - no grace period, increase each time, MNP doesn't follow their own procedures. This process was extremely confusing. * Registration Fees -"refundable" deposit of $250 paid once, fall registration fee of $200 annually and summer registration fee of $175 annually. * Parent Portal - not maintained for 9 months. Documents supposed to be posted on the portal could not be printed or emailed. * Ms. Nicky is MIA - the director will not be seen on any sort of regular basis. The only way to discuss our concerns was over the phone or email. * No Ins/Outs - PERIOD. Not even for doctors appointments. * Vacation - approx. 6 weeks of vacation and one week of teacher education. * Sunscreen - weekly consent form required after mid-August for common sense application. * PAPERWORK - too much!! * Disenrollment - final tuition calculated using an average, not actual number of days which had us paying a higher amount. Honestly we could have put up with many of our grievances had we seen our child grow in terms of education, social skills, or seen true care for our child. Unfortunately this was not the case at MNP. We left a great daycare where he grew so much and they showered him with love. With MNP, we typically only heard from the staff if there was a negative incident. I can't recall a time that we heard praise of our child until disenrolling. Ultimately MNP was unaccommodating, not reasonable, and a waste of our time, money and compassion. Preschool is the second most expensive bill we pay and to not be even treated as a client is a not a business that we could continue to support. read more

We had two kiddos go to Miss Nicky's year round (caterpillars and butterflies) and they loved it. They were always happy to head off to school, adored their teachers and thrived during their time there. They often didn't want to leave :) I also enjoyed being involved as parent at MNP. My morning catch-ups with the teachers were always informative, the fellow parents friendly, and the family events always entertaining and community enhancing. As our children move upward, I know that MNP provided a good foundation for their love of learning and of school. read more

This review is long over due! My daughter attended MNP until she was ready for Kindergarten. I cannot say enough of how amazing her experience was. Till this day she still ask about her teachers, and Miss Nicky, herself. She loved it there. Had a great time everyday. They really do care about the kids, always doing fun activities, helping them grow and learn, showing them proper social manners and preparing them for the transition into kindergarten. My daughter participated in sports, gymnastics, art, and more while there. Our kids are so precious to us, send them where they will be treated well, and with love. read more

As our very first preschool experience, we could not be happier! Our son has changed and grown so much after just a few months. The teachers are wonderful, patient and genuinely care for all the kids. I have arrived early for pickup and observed them interacting and a classroom of 24 small children are all happily playing and busy doing a project. They have seasonal events, celebrate holidays and have monthly themes, always something fun going on over there. Cannot say enough good things about the staff and school, just super happy we found them :) read more

Miss Nicky's Preschool has an excellent program, and I've seen my toddler evolve so much during his time there. What these kind and caring teachers do there is priceless, from teaching them the basics of life and social skills to handling tantrums to potty training, they deserve our uttermost admiration and respect. [insert heart emoji here] read more

Our son enjoyed the love and care and nurturing he received at Miss Nicky's Preschool very much. We found all the teachers to be patient, kind and genuinely interested in the betterment of all the little ones, from our perspective. The events they put on at the school were fully of fun and intended to build-up the confidence of the children - they even had a graduation ceremony with an incredible amount of time, effort, thought and hard work that went into each of these events. I am amazed at how hard working the staff at MNP is and how much they aim to please. We met many other families and their children at MNP. We are grateful for the love, care and concern that our child received. A great starting place for children. Thank you. read more

My daughter has been going to Miss Nicky's Preschool since 2012. She started in the Caterpillar room for smaller kids and recently moved up to the Butterfly room when she turned 4. The school has a great outdoor space for them to run around and burn off energy as well as an area with play structures. My daughter has thrived in this envirnment. I am amazed at the amount of things she has learned since being at the school. Counting to 100, writing her name, months of the year, spanish, days of the week, as well as lots of activies for them to get involed in like soccer, gymnastics and storytime. During the summer months there are lots of class trips and outdoor activies to keep them interested and learning. Miss Nicky keeps the parents informed with monthly newsletters and a meassage board in the classrooms with what the kids did that day. My daughter always comes home with a smile on her face and tells me about her day. My daughter was really shy when she started miss nicky's and with the help of all the amazing teachers like Miss Karina, Miss Kayla, and Miss Jenny and of course Miss Nicky, she has blossomed into an amazing, outgoing little girl!! I can't say enough about the school, they are a wonderful bunch of teachers. read more

Our daughter has loved her time at Miss Nicky's Preschool. It's been about a year and she has had such a blast and has learned so much! The summer program is awesome as well. We are super excited for art projects and water fun days! The communication is amazing and we get great feedback about our daughters progress. We all love our kids so much and only want what's best for them! Thanks for everything MNP family! read more

My 3 year old corrected me on the first letter of carrot. That spells out 2 things to me (pun intended). 1) I am bad at spelling. 2) My child is learning (Bush pun intended). All kidding aside, great school with a wonderful staff. Terra Linda/Marinwood has a lot of great options when it comes to preschools. To me, this was the most rounded. Wondeful facility, skilled staff, organized, and very good instruction..especially grammer. read more

Our son had a beautiful year at Miss Nickys's preschool. We moved to this area and we couldn't have been happier with our choice of school. Miss Nicky and all the great staff made the transition for our kid really smooth and fun. We love the school inside and out. The rooms are very spacious and bright with ample sunlight. Our son always enjoyed the many centers of fun things to do. They have a great outdoor space, kids have so much fun there running around, riding the litlle yellow bikes. Teachers are amazing and we love every one of them. Our 4 yr old has learnt so much at Miss Nicky's. His favorite things were story time with Scott the story teller, art center, spanish time, cooking(summer activity), pony ride and the list is endless. Miss Nicky is very thoughtful, she sends pictures that were taken during play or activities and those emails just brighten up our day! My kid was in the butterfly room with Miss Jenny and Miss Fatema, they are just so awesome. All the teachers are so energetic and lovely. We will be going back for my son to read books to the present bunch of preschoolers once he is fluent in it. Cant wait! read more

Great school, great staff, wonderful with children of all ages, attitude, abilities etc. Lot of extra curriculum activities. Huge playground. Easy to work with. Very supportive including ESL students. Highly recommended. read more

My daughter is on her second year at Miss Nicky's preschool and we could not be any more satisfied with our experience! It's a Wonderful feeling knowing that I could drop my daughter off In the morning and pick her up in the afternoon and we do not have to worry about her throughout the day, we know she is in good hands! They have a great curriculum and my daughter looks forward to days she is in school. The play yard is very safe and has plenty of activities to keep them entertained each day, I love the projects she brings home each week and I love hearing the praise each child receives from the teachers on their way out for the day. Miss Nickys preschool has exceeded my expectations and the knowledge my daughter has gained in these two years is outstanding! My only complaint is that Miss Nickys doesn't teach elementary school, junior high and high school, we will miss her! It will be a sad day when we will not be a part of Miss Nicky's preschool read more

I am a busy working mom who never has the time to write reviews or comments, however, when I feel something is so important to share, I make the time! Our son has been attending Miss Nicky's Preschool since Feb 2012, and he absolutely loves it! He can hardly wait to go to school each morning. With Miss Karina's incredible teaching capabilities, she has truly made an impact in his growth in all areas of academics as well as his social skills! I call Miss Karina his second mom, because I see how much she cares about my son. All the teachers are nurturing and wonderful. Every day my son comes home and says a new word or a new expression, which tells me he is constantly learning new things and growing. I remember being so worried and having such a difficult time finding a school that met my expectations. With a dynamic, caring, and creative director (Miss Nicky), this preschool has truly surpassed my expectations. My favorite part is how parent-friendly the teachers are! I feel welcomed anytime I visit during the day! This summer has been wonderful with all of the field trips and creative summer calendar activities! Thank you to all the teachers for taking great care of our son! read more

My son attended this preschool for close to 3 years. We loved every second of it! Amazing teachers, warm, loving environment, and always greeted with a smile. Wonderful curriculum and extra curricular activities. Definitely recommend for parents of little ones. We are so sad to be leaving, but ready for kindergarten! We will miss them greatly! read more

We absolutely love Miss Nicky's - our daughter LOVES going to school to see her friends - which includes the teachers and Miss Nicky herself! They really let children thrive, and move at their own pace, and focus on a nice combination of curriculum and play. They are very patient but exude warmth and a caring attitude, and it's a pleasure to leave our daughter there with such a great group of people. Miss Nicky's is a terrific environment for children and we feel so lucky we've discovered this gem of a preschool. Our daughter LOVES it there, and I'll bet your child will too! read more

I'm so happy my son is a part of Miss Nickys family. There's a reason this school has a wait list. First his teachers are amazing! They're patient, helpful and communicate very well with parents. I was nervous about potty training my son, all of the teachers were very encouraging. There's a chart to let you know how they did during the day and lots of positive reinforcement. Without Miss Nickys staff I would have felt lost. The curriculum is well balanced providing options that will excite your child whether they're an animal lover, future musician or athletic. Also, I was concerned over my sons speech development but was reassured by the staff that kids develop differently. And now that he is speaking more his vocabulary is impressive because of all the activities and positive encouragement vs. struck comparisons made by their teachers. Lastly, their are events to get to know other parents and participate in your child's development. Which really makes you feel part of a community as you watch your child grow with their friends. An amazing place that nurtures your child's growth, communicates daily activities with parents and encourages your child to try new things. I'm so happy to be a part of it all. read more

We are so happy to be at Miss Nicky's Preschool. Each day we are greeted with a warm hello before we start our day. My absolute favorite thing about this preschool is when the teachers write something amazing about my son each day in the sign out binder. Because of this community my son is always so excited to go to school and see his friends. He loves to play outside on the awesome structure. All activities are planned and the teachers really go above and beyond. I'm so impressed with Miss Nicky's organization and communication skills. Miss Nicky is always available and even emails me back on the weekends. You can tell this is a passion of hers. It's nice to see her around the school supporting her teachers. The kids just love her presence and she makes my son feel so special. We were new to the area and really wanted to connect with the families and make new friends. I appreciate the monthly reports which address what he has been doing, his strengths and what friends he has connected with. This gave us the tools to find an amazing community of fellow parents! I'm so excited to see my son grow and prosper at this amazing school. He will be Kindergarten ready! read more

Our son began attending Miss Nicky's Preschool at age 2 1/2 and is now 4. Our experience has been amazing! He has been excited to go to school everyday and it's sometimes hard to get him to leave when we come to pick him up, which has made us feel so reassured to know he's so happy. Recently, our son had a minor medical scare (he is 100% okay, thank goodness) and we were blown away with how the teachers and Miss Nicky handled the situation. Their concern for him, understanding and willingness to make sure they did what he needed was exceptional and we are so grateful. I have been lucky to have the opportunity to drive in field trips and help in the classroom and have loved the program from an educational and social perspective. We would gladly recommend Miss Nicky's to anyone who is looking for a wonderful play based preschool with teachers and a community that fully supports the growth and development of your child!! read more

Both of my children have attended miss Nickys preschool, they have the best most caring teachers that are really looking out for the kids and their best interests. They make the learning experience for the kids fun and motivating. I recommend her school to all of our friends in the area. read more

My son began Miss Nicky's Preschool in August 2012 and we all absolutely love it! The staff are kind, nurturing, highly skilled, and truly outstanding in all aspects. When I ask my son what his favorite part of the day is, he often replies "seeing Miss Karina". I am picky and was worried about my son's transition from an in-home daycare to preschool and I couldn't be more pleased with Miss Nicky's. He has truly flourished and is having such a well rounded experience. All of the staff go above and beyond in everything that they do. I also especially appreciate the fabulous indoor and outdoor areas, as well as the numerous and incredible opportunities for family engagement (e.g. potlucks, holiday show, etc.). He is smiling when I drop him off in the morning and he is smiling when I pick him up in the afternoon, all while leaning and growing socially and educationally. I couldn't ask for more. read more

My son has been at Miss Nicky's Preschool for almost 2 years and he LOVES it there. All of the teachers are super friendly, very helpful and great with the kids. He is learning so many things and loves going there everyday. The director is also super approachable and always super organized. They have fun and educational days as well as field trips and fun events at the school. We feel like family there! read more

Miss Nicky's Preschool has provided a fantastic learning environment for our 5 year old son. The very large classrooms and play yard offer our busy boy lots of room to explore and interact with his classmates. Miss Nicky and her staff of teachers are bright, energetic and very loving. The school offers a warm and happy place for our son to blossom socially and educationally. We would most definitely recommend Miss Nicky's to any parent looking for a preschool that goes the extra mile. read more

Our son has attended Miss Nicky's Preschool since his third birthday about two years ago and went through the Caterpillar and Butterfly classes. The teachers in both classes have been attentive, affectionate and engaged every step of the way. Nicky is very particular about the curriculum and the teachers she hires, which has meant an enriching environment packed with knowledgeable teachers and creativity. Our son is well prepared for kindergarten and already loves school, which is thanks to Nicky and her expert teachers. read more

I chose Miss Nicky's Preschool for the most part because of the 5 Star reviews on Yelp. My daughter attended 2 years in Miss Nicky's Preschool. The first 16 months went just fine and then month by month I got more annoyed. My daughter sprained her ankle at Miss Nicky's. At the time that happened I did not get a call from the preschool to notify me of the incident. When my husband picked her up in the evening on that day he was greeted by the teacher on duty with "if my daughter was an actress she could have won an academy award for Drama". Seriously! Since when it is okay for teachers to make fun of children's pain? I had to request the incident report three times before I got one. (Miss Nicky in general is quite selective on her email responses). I would have surely taken my daughter out of this preschool had it not been the month before graduation. This preschool has a very high turnover in teachers. Our daughter had at least 3 different head teachers during her time in the Butterfly Room. Another 3 more teachers left over the summer. So it should not surprise me that the teachers don't get to know the children well enough to know, when a child is seriously hurt or just "looking for attention". I recommend all parents to thoroughly check the dates for the school calendar, in particular for the summer break. Last year Miss Nicky's preschool ended one week prior to the Dixie School District, which caused us having to enroll our daughter for Miss Nicky's Summer Camp as no other options were available at that time AND pay unnecessarily for 3 full days of Teacher Development in between End of the School year and beginning of summer camp. I could go on, but I'll stop here. If I had to choose a Preschool again, I would not chose Miss Nicky's. read more

We love miss Nicky's !!!! All the teachers are so loving and welcoming. My daughter has flourished since her arrival at this amazing school. I feel so at ease when I drop her off knowing she is so safe and cared for. She talks about her teachers all the time at home and says they are so sweet. They keep the kids so busy through out the day. I love reading the board that they post up of every thing they did that day. I especially love all the art work my daughter comes home with. I also got to help in art class one day and it was so great to meet the other children, they where all so polite and kind. This school really welcomes parent involvement. Also we have met such great families through Miss Nicky's the kind you call a friend. read more

I had the opportunity to visit Miss Nick's preschool around 1 year back. I was looking for day care for my 2 year old son. The main person ( Nick I suppose), talked to me regarding school visit. She said that it is important to bring the child in as she wants to evaluate the child personality. I said the child is just 2 years old and there is no point is getting the child. In the end, on her insistence, I took my son to the preschool. I did not like their attitude towards children and I wonder what they would like to see in the 2 year of children. I lost respect for her and their preschool. read more

Miss Nicky's has been terrific for our daughter- they are very parent friendly, great with kids and provide tons of fantastic activities for their little toddlers! Our transition from staying at home to full-day preschool/daycare has been seamless, mostly because she loves Miss Nicky's so much! I would highly recommend to any parent to go and take a tour- meet the staff and you'll love the place! read more

If this experience is any indication, my daughter will be a lifetime learner. My child adored this preschool and cried if we tried to keep her home. She loved the teachers, could not be separated from her classmates and blossomed from a toddler to a little girl before our eyes. A terrific preschool for working parents; everything is taken care of and special events are planned with great care to maximize precious moments that don't come easy to those of us with demanding jobs outside the home. Hats off to this caring and adorable preschool. We loved it! read more

My son has learned numbers, letters and started speaking many sentences in English. Thanks to all the teachers of Miss Nicky and Miss Kareena specifically. read more

I could not find enough words of gratitude for Miss Nicky and her excellent staff members. My daughter Cristina began at this amazing preschool last August, in the Butterfly class, and since then we have seen her flourish in every possible way. Cristina has been excited to go to school every single day and we were amazed at the variety of programs and activities she has been exposed to. Miss Karen and Mr Kyle have been more than teachers to her...they have nurtured her passions and supported her in becoming a responsible, caring and kind 5 year old. My husband and I both appreciated the message on the Board that talked about their day and their activities, so that it was easy for us to spark conversations around her day and know more from her. We loved that they also offer a variety of Sports program in within their schedule, so it was easy for my daughter to do extra curricular activities that did not require extra time and planning on our side. She truly enjoyed every minute of it and is clearly sad about not seeing her friends and teachers. We could not be more satisfied with Miss Nicky's preschool and we highly recommend it to all of our friends and family members. read more