I fell in love with this place the first time I saw it at their open house. Before the applications were due I visited 4 more parent participation schools but this was easily my favorite. First, this place simply looks great. There's an outside play area with a big variety of activities and ride-on toys. Inside there's a theme for each day ("fish!" "camping!" "trains!") and the toys and activities reflect that. Some toys are always accessible (kitchen, blocks, dolls, ride-on toys), but unlike another school my kids attended, they really take care to have different toys each time, to always have a sensory table, to always have an art project (or 3!), play doh, and when it's warm, a water table. Also, everything is in excellent condition. Beyond that, it's really well organized and run well. For instance, we had a parent meeting before the kids started school. At a certain other preschool it was just a feel good session ("your kids will be so different by summer"), at Mtn View Parent Ob there was an agenda and it even included a well-articulated emergency plan. This is something the other preschool didn't even address even though it was on the same campus as an adult education center and a high school - places that have the potential to go on lock down in an emergency. Most importantly, the level of care from the teacher is through the roof. At Mtn View Parent Ob there is a mommy meeting where the kids stay at the school while the parents walk to a nearby room and talk about parenting issues. Typically meetings begin after a month, but Teacher Mindy gauged our kids' separation readiness through questionnaires and as a result delayed beginning the meetings an extra week. Each class there was maybe one child who was upset while their parent was gone (and they were of course comforted by an aide or another parent). At our other preschool (Bright Beginnings - there I said it, and now that I said it, DON'T go there), the meetings started on the second day of class and it showed, because we always had at least 4 criers each class (not just fussing or looking sad, I mean full on screaming). (There is a long digression ahead but there's a reason.) At Bright Beginnings, which we attended at the same time as Mtn View Parent Ob, my twins were doing really well at separation, and then one day my daughter got upset when I was gone. They are supposed to get you if they're crying for 5 minutes. They didn't get me at all and I was gone for 20 minutes. Several moms took turns holding her, which was nice but um, THE AIDE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN ME. There were several kids crying that day (per usual) and because my daughter's a sobber not a screamer and was inside instead of by the gate where the parents leave, I think the aide didn't notice her once the screaming ended (and the other parents were retrieved). I mention all this in order to highlight how differently Mtn View Parent Ob and Bright Beginnings handled what happened next. I had a totally different child afterwards. My daughter didn't want me to leave her side FOR ONE SECOND for months when in public, not even at snack time at school when the kids sit together. At Bright Beginnings the teacher and aide seemed sad that the incident happened but that was about it. Meanwhile when I explained the situation to Teacher Mindy, she immediately said, "Here's what we're going to do," offered a plan to get my daughter more and more accustomed to separation again, and worked with us for several months to achieve results. The mommy meeting at Bright Beginnings had a remedial parenting tone to it with topics like "playing is good for kids." No, really? Meanwhile the meetings at Mtn View Parent Ob were very informative and great gab sessions with the other moms. I keep in touch with many of them still and have had many playdates with their kids. There was a sense of genuine sadness when the year ended. The only downside to this school that I can think of is that it only meets once a week. That's telling that the only bad thing is that my kids can't go more often! Here's my list of parent participation preschools ranked based on my first visit (Bright Beginnings would now be at the bottom of the list. And yes, there was a place that looked worse!) 1) MOUNTAIN VIEW PARENT OBSERVATION, MOUNTAIN VIEW 2) Preschool Family, Palo Alto 3) Los Altos Parent Preschool, Los Altos 4) Bright Beginnings, Sunnyvale 5) Sunnyvale Parent Preschool, Sunnyvale (Also , I later visited Mtn View Parent Nursery School which seems like an excellent parent participation school for older kids ready to be away from their parents for the morning. I have also visited 7 drop-off schools and Mtn View Parent Ob would be at the top of a combined list along with the drop-off school I chose, Milestones in Palo Alto. Hence, Mtn View Parent Ob is the best of the 13 schools I've visited.) read more

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We are so fortunate to have found MVPNS, not only as my daughter's school but as community for our family. We have been attending MVPNS for three years (shoutout Teacher Diane and Teacher Claire!) and find it to be so inclusive of cultures and traditions. It's been such a joy to learn from other parents. We absolutely love the outdoor component and appreciate all of the precautions taken during the pandemic! read more

This is my favorite place! I almost want to have another kid so I can keep going here with my children. The teachers are fantastic: caring, compassionate, flexible and professional. The curriculum is engaging and the site is perfect for young children. There are lots of places to play outdoors and explore. Your children won't want to leave. The community of families makes me feel welcome and part of the team. read more

A fantastic co-op play-based preschool! MVPNS offers parent/child classes and 2's, 3's, 4's co-op classes. The teachers and the parent community are great! Watching our sons grow socially and emotionally, while learning "academic" skills through play has been so fulfilling. This is our 4th year at MVPNS and we love it! It is a fantastic parent participation preschool that focuses on learning through play. The children get to experience art, sensory play, gardening, STEM, creative play, circle time, and how to problem solve. As parents we learn how to foster independence in our child and work with other children as well. It is a great place to make new parent friends and get support during the toddler years. Our first son started in the Parent/Child class and graduated from the 4's class 2 years ago. He was socially ready and had key learning fundamentals in place thanks to MVPNS! Our 2nd son finished at MVPNS program last year and even though he is quite a different personality, is also thriving in Elementary School! Our 3rd son was in the Parent/Child program last year and is currently in the 2's class. We wanted to make sure that he received the same great opportunities as his older brothers. As a parent, MVPNS has provided me with a great parent community and many wonderful opportunities to connect with other parents in the area. We have made many wonderful friends at the school! read more

Mountain View Parent Nursery School - MVPNS 5k fundraiser! Best kid run in the bay! - Preschools Near Me - Los Altos, California

Due to the co-op model, the kid-to-adult ratio is FANTASTIC (2:1 in my kid's cohort). We joined MVPNS in 2021, and all activities have been outdoors as a Covid precautionary measure. There's a: -covered patio area for arts and crafts, play dough, etc; -a large covered sandbox area; -a mud kitchen with a cute log cabin; -and a TON of outdoor space to ride the swings, ride tricycles, run around, and play with various sports equipment and lawn activities that get rotated in and out. (Whenever I ask my kid what they did at preschool that day, the response is, "So many different things!" So many different things, indeed.) My kid's class has a wonderful main teacher and two amazing assistant teachers (along with a rotating schedule of parents that are assigned to one day/week...and Teacher Claire, who is the unflappable director of the school, often helps out as well), and our family appreciates the nurturing, kind, and fun atmosphere that ALL the staff and parents we've met at MVPNS creates for the kids. So grateful for this place, and I'm eager to see how the rest of the school year unfolds! read more

We are attending the 4/5s morning program and thoroughly enjoy it. The teachers are passionate and caring. The activities they set up each time are really fun, thoughtful and offer new challenges to my son. He is having the best time and looks forward to his time at school. The school is being careful about covid - this year the class is exclusively outdoors and everyone wears masks. We feel safe at school. The outdoor environment has everything children could need, from mud kitchen to monkey bars and a giant sand box. read more

Great teachers, great community, great site. Our kids love it. Lots of good indoor and outdoor activities. Safe environment, fantastic allergy policies. read more

I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review. MVPNS has been our home since 2014 and we graduated in 2018 (this Spring). A new school year has started for us at Elementary and yet we are all still missing our beloved MVPNS. Here's some of the most awesome things about MVPNS: - Atmosphere: is very kind and pleasant. Parents and Teachers that you may not know walk in and out of school with a smile. It's a very open and communicative community, very supportive. It's a very warm, safe, open-minded and caring environment for your child and you. - Friends: You make lifelong friendships here with fellow parents/families in your class and with your Teacher(s). - Accommodating: My child was diagnosed with autism and other schools could not allow our Behaviorial Therapist to accompany my child in class, but MVPNS allowed it (as long as school rules were adhered to, wasn't disruptive to class and it was ok with all other families in the class). I brought up the topic during our orientation meeting with other parents and also got their permission/support. I feel really blessed to have found such a supportive school and supportive families. Thank you! - Inclusive: This is a very thoughtful school where families of all backgrounds (e.g. single parent and etc) are made to feel welcomed at all school events, and no one is excluded. - Fun: What a fun school. We do so many field trips and you can see how the children really bond differently when they go on field trips together, outside of the school setting. - Growth: At this school not only does your child grow and become independent/confident, you also do too. The training that you will go through not only makes you a better parent, but I also feel it makes you a better person. Rather than instinctively saying "don't do this, don't do that", you gain the ability to naturally say "I see that this isn't working so well. Let's try this or what else do you think we can do?" It really does build a better relationship between you and your child. - Down by the Bay 5k! (downbythebay5k.org): I was one of the Co-Race Directors for this fun family friendly costume race for a few years. From organizing this event closely with fellow parents and the Director, I could see how dedicated this school is to our kids on every level, and how excited/proud the children were that their school was able to put on such an amazingly memorable/fun event. There's so much else that other parents have written in their reviews that I won't have time to mention as well, but we miss MVPNS now that we are in elementary school and cannot recommend it enough for families that want/are able to spend these precious years growing together with their child in this magical village that is MVPNS. Our endless love to everyone at MVPNS... thank you. read more

Mountain View Parent Nursery School - Preschools Near Me - Los Altos, California

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My family had a wonderful experience at MVNPS. I have 2 daughters who each spent 3 years enjoying the teachers, beautiful yard, and all the thoughtfully created projects and traditions created by the teachers. Both my girls loved Teacher Diane and her endless commitment to creating a stimulating and interesting classroom and projects for the 2's classes. As well as Teacher Claire whose has an infectious joy and amazing ability to connect with children. She created such a safe and fun space for our daughters that they quickly lost their fear of separation and began their love of learning and trying new things. Teacher Cindys calm and nurturing spirit made my daughters class a wonderful place to explore new things. Teacher Rachel was so authentic and kind that my daughter trusted her immediately and she created a classroom that fostered by daughters self esteem and encouraged her to make friends. And Teacher Marie encouraged my daughter to ask questions and fostered her interest in science and her ability to figure out problems. Each teacher was so dedicated to their students that they would spend hours on the weekend preparing curriculum and new projects. The teachers recognize each child's individual strengths and encourage their self-esteem through age appropriate projects and play. They did art, played music, had projects that focused on gross motor and small motor skills, build social skills and learned coping skills. The teachers also love the school community and spend countless nights with the parents supporting them at the schools educational speaker nights, at school potlucks, fundraisers, and so much more. I cannot give enough praise for this amazing school that Teacher Claire has lead with wisdom, thoughtfulness, joy and endless passion. We will always remember our years at MVPNS with gratitude. read more

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A wonderful, enriching experience for both parent and child. We love the co-op model. You are right there in the classroom with your child, learning and growing with them. A really nurturing environment with a philosophy grounded in play and exploration. read more

This is our second year with MVPNS, and we have been impressed by the school for many reasons. The teachers are knowledgable, and they interact with children in warm, respectful ways. Projects include a delicate sense of the seasons and nature, which is inspiring and thoughtful. Parents work in a class once a week, and they get to see their children's growth. When I am at the school, I feel the warmth, energy, and passion from the wonderful teachers. Children's free play is protected and respected. Also, the school's Covid and food allergy protocols are topnotch. We feel very safe and grateful to send our children to MVPNS. read more

All three of my kids have attended MVPNS, with my oldest starting seven years ago. My youngest has one year left of preschool and I'm so grateful to have found this wonderful community. The teachers are so thoughtful, respectful of children's ideas, and dedicated to early childhood education. When I became a stay-at-home-mom with my first one, I was looking for a community of people who were like-minded in their focus on respectful, playful parenting. MVPNS was a perfect fit. My kids and I have made great friends in our years there. It works really well for my family that some days I get to drop the kids off and some days I stay at school with them as the "work parent" where I help with art projects, push kids on the swings, play in the sandbox, etc. I think it's very important for my children to learn to trust other adults and advocate for themselves in a safe environment before they get to elementary school. MVPNS provides that opportunity. During the last two years, I've been very impressed with how the school pivoted to keep the children safe during Covid (vaccinations for adults, masks for all over age 2, outdoor program, constant hand-washing, etc). read more

My daughter has had a great experience here! The teachers are wonderful, especially teacher Claire who has the uncanny ability to make every person in the room feel the most special, a talent I wish I had! They do require A LOT of parent participation and suck every last dime possible out of you for fundraising, but the high quality of early childghood education makes up for the vampire tendencies. read more

I am now attending MVPNS with my third and final child and it is as magical as it was with my first child. Teacher Claire and Teacher Wilma are so nurturing, yet allow our children to gain independence through creativity and exploration. Teacher Rachel, Teacher Marie, and Teacher Tim provide unique learning opportunities for our children and allow them to explore their areas of interest through emergent curriculum. We have explored space, prepared stone soup, hatched chickens, grown pumpkins in the garden, and dug for pirate treasure in the sandbox. What else can I say, but wonderful teachers, great community of parents, and thriving children! read more

We love our preschool! The teachers are wonderful and caring. The kids learn social skills and get to do hands on art and projects. My friend came here and exclaimed that she had never seen such a beautiful and wonderful preschool in all her years as a parent and a teacher. This place is a gem and a wonderful place for your child to grow and explore. read more

Our family has been with MVPNS for the 2021 school year. Despite the short amount of time, we already feel like we are part of a community that is accommodating, respectful, responsive, engaging, safe, fun, and communicative. We've been particularly impressed with Covid-19 safety protocols, digital check-in and check-out process, regular updates via email or Zoom call, and the variety of activities during the school time. The teachers are top-notch and truly care about the students and provide real-time feedback to parents/caregivers that is helpful and time. read more

My child has aged out of this preschool but she still longs to go back to visit it. Both she and I have really enjoyed the time at Parent Observation, this past school year. I've seen my child blossom and grow from a shy child that had a hard time separating, to one that is more interactive with other children and is okay when I leave her with a babysitter or childcare at the gym. This school fosters a very village approach with other parents helping out where needed and supporting children that are not their own. My child also learned to be potty trained by observing her fellow classmates and wanted to try too. I also enjoyed the times the parents got together to read articles and learn from the teacher and others. I received a few gems in knowing how to better parent my child too. Both my child and I wish we could spend another year at this school. read more

My son attends preschool at MVPNS and I can't say enough nice things about the program and the teachers (his teachers are Claire and Wilma). This is a very sweet and nurturing school that emphasizes play within an age-appropriate structure and allows kids to grow at their own pace. The school is also, bright, clean and interesting for small children. If you are considering a co-op preschool, this one is very special and I highly recommend it. Although the co-op does require quite a big time commitment, I have heard that the requirements at MVPNS are less than some of the other co-op schools in the area. Updated: We are now finishing our second round through MVPNS with my little one and it has gotten even better. Over our years here, we have been lucky enough to have Teachers Rachel, Marie, Tim and Mindy and have had a fantastic experience with each one. My whole family has benefitted from this program in immeasurable ways. Lifelong friendships, parenting support, and a wonderful school experience for both of my children. Lots of love for MVPNS! read more

I am so grateful for Parent Observation. Teacher Diane and teacher Mindy have taught me so much about how to parent my son effectively and positively. We've now done the two's program and the three's program, and if I ever have another child, I'm definitely going back. Each week, the kids have a chance to socialize, do artwork, sit in circle time, sit at snack time and listen to a story. They work on fine-motor and gross-motor coordination; they learn how to participate in a group and listen to instructions. They learn how to separate from their moms (or dads or grandparents etc.) in a safe and gentle way. Each week, the parents have a chance to connect with other parents, get really good information about parenting concepts, child development and behavior, and effective skills for raising stable, well-rounded children. Teachers Diane and Mindy are always happy to answer any specific questions about what is happening with individual kids as well. Whenever my son started doing things (or not doing things) that worried me, I could go to Diane or Mindy and get advice and information that was reassuring and helpful. The application process was clear and easy to complete, and the program is a spectacular value for the cost. read more

All four of my children have attended the Parent Observation program, and I've been blessed to have the director, Teacher Diane, as the teacher for all of my children. We are proud to be a part of such a wonderful program, and I can still see the amazing foundation and love for learning echo througout the academic lives of my children who have "graduated" from this program. The application process is straightforward, and parents are allowed to sit in on a class as a guest before they enroll if they just want to check it out. The playground and facilities are beautifully kept, and the opportunity to network with like minded parents is priceless. Parents are educated about the most modern developmental theories while their children receive a gentle introduction to the structure of a school session. I highly recommend this program! read more

Our family has been a part of this awesome school since 2013. Over the last 7 years, my three children have had the most wonderful and magical nursery school experience you could imagine. We have experienced parent-child classes as well as co-op classes, starting from when they were age 15 months through age 6. I can't believe I waited this long to finally write a Yelp review -- we are in our last precious year at this school with my youngest son in the 4/5s class! The top three words that come to mind when I think about the teachers, the curriculum and philosophy, and the community at this school are: compassionate, inspiring, and thoughtful. These three qualities are woven through every interaction, activity, meeting, field trip, and even email message! True character is often revealed through the most difficult challenges, and during 2020's COVID-19 pandemic, MVPNS navigated uncharted waters with grace and creativity. The school continued to provide connection and deliver play-based curriculum in a way that served children and their families. They gathered feedback and evolved their offerings to meet needs throughout the summer. This last year at MVPNS is starting out not looking like our other ones --previously full of mud kitchen play, sensory tubs, communal snack time, sand and water extravaganzas, collaborative mural paintings and more. But, we are still experiencing the warmth and care of our teachers toward our children, building connections within small groups of kids over Zoom, taking the best of the co-op traditions and re-formatting them to fit our current environment, and inspiring parents and kids to make meaningful connections with one another as we explore our world through play, art, literature, music, movement and nature at home. Our history with MVPNS has been amazing and we are pleased with how this new format is unfolding. Couldn't recommend this school more! read more

I'm back at MVPNS this year with my surprise third son! We are enjoying being in Teacher Diane's 2s AM coop class. We are in the new location and it is AMAZING! The space was custom built from the ground up and it is absolutely beautiful. Again, I am blown away by the dedication by the director and staff. We love MVPNS and are excited to spend the next 2 years here learning and growing in this wonderful environment! read more

We are very happy to have found MVPNS. Due to the Covid pandemic, we kept our toddler son home longer than originally planned, but we also wanted to introduce him to other kids in a fun, educational environment. MVPNS has been the perfect fit. Our son is in the parent/toddler class, which meets once a week for 2 hours. A parent attends the class with the child. There are more co-op options for older children. At school, there are different themed art projects, puzzle and play dough stations, sensory tables, and pretend play setups which change weekly, in addition to a large sand pit with vehicles, a variety of Cozy Coupes and other ride-on vehicles to choose from, a play kitchen and garage, and ample opportunities to run around and play ball, on the swings/slide, or on a tire jumperoo. Due to Covid, school is entirely outdoors this year, but there are also amazing indoor facilities with many more toys and activity areas for normal times. Teacher Diane is very caring and plans out a thoughtful curriculum based on the seasons and various holidays, and she leads the children and parents in song and dance at circle time and reads books during snack time. Every month there is a parent education meeting (over Zoom this year), where different topics such as toddler sleep or eating are discussed. The school is very health-conscious: adults are required to be vaccinated against Covid-19, TDap, MMR and to wear masks. Children over 2 are encouraged to wear masks, and class is conducted outdoors. We feel very safe in school. The parents are assigned jobs (such as supervising art projects, cleaning up the sand box area) several times each semester, but everyone chips in. We have made new friends with other parents in the class and arranged playdates outside of school. MVPNS is a very special, nurturing community for children and their families. Our son is always excited to go to school, and we only wish class met more than once a week! read more

Be aware that MVPNS is a play based preschool before enrolling. It means that your child can spend the entire time playing outside if he feels to without doing craft, math, or reading activities. I wish they had a more structured environment. Also as a parent, I felt sometimes lost when I was a work parent especially at the mud kitchen. The facility is nice when the weather is nice otherwise, be prepare to have art/craft/blocks activities under the patio, rain or shine. Teachers are nice and creative. read more

Parent co-op is not for every parent, but if this is what you are considering, I have no doubt that regardless of your evaluation criteria, MVPNS will come out quite well, not the best, but definitely above average. I visited pretty much all the parent coops in the west valley including Los Altos Parent Nursery, Cupertino co-op, and the highly acclaimed Los Gatos-Saratoga Parent Observatory (where I even enrolled for a summer session), and after careful considerations, I enrolled my child with both LAPP and MVPNS at the same time, and having attended the two schools concurrently for 3 months, I went with LAPP. However, I was generally satisfied with my MVPNS experience, although LAPP went the extra miles for me, which I will elaborate on further reviews. Before the school year starts, MVPNS organized four parent meetings throughout the summer to prepare the child for their first year at the school. The first meeting was a standard orientation powwow you'd expect at any preschool. First of all, I was surprised to find quite a few MVPNS alumni from years ago sending their children back to the school they've so fondly adored since childhood. That to me is a strong vote of confidence. The second meeting was more personal. Teacher Claire took her own time to meet with each of the parent for 30 minutes to learn about her new students. She took very detailed and organized notes on the special qualities of the child, which was nice. But during the school year, I did not see these notes being put to use, probably because teacher Claire was overwhelmed with the impending big move of MVPNS, which is very stressful for the school. The third meeting was actually a mock class held 2 weeks prior to the first school session. New students and their parents were invited to the campus to play and dine for 2 hours, during which the teachers lovingly introduced the thoughtfully laid out playground to the inquisitive children. We even had a story time at the end of the session. My daughter didn't want to leave at the end of the mock class session. The last meeting was held a week before the school started and parents of the same class gathered to discuss the class in excruciating details, from allergy-free snack menu to fire drill. One downside of MVPNS is, if you are looking for even a tiny bit of structure, you will be disappointed. It is pretty much free play for 2 and half hours straight, some of the kids could be doing swing throughout the entire time and the school can't care less, not because the staff are careless, but because that is their philosophical belief. They believe that the child will eventually blend in. Some may, some may not. Some children need a bit more discipline and structure and some can deal with chaos better than others. I would like a middle ground and that is why I went with LAPP which is more Montessori, and the daily activities are more structured. Another downside is particular to the year 2014-15 and 2015-16. The school is losing its site and it must move, amidst a merger with Parent Ops. But the move turned out to be extremely expensive - so expensive that the extra $200K raised proved to be not nearly enough. As a result, the move that was scheduled for 2014-15 has to be pushed out to the next year, adding even more uncertainty since the fund raising goal has yet to be met. It is a shame that MVPNS is caught up in such a construction boom in which every contractor quote comes in way higher than expectation. I hope they are going to resolve this soon. read more

I had a wonderful experience with the enrollment process, as well as the year my son and I spent in the class. I am new to the area and have met tons of wonderful moms and kids, as well as received guidance from the teacher and more experienced moms. The day is filled with art projects, outside/indoor play, snack, song and story-time. The admit process is quite simple. Call the number online and leave a message. Someone got back to me quickly and sent me an enrollment package. I was put on the waiting list but got in after a few months. I believe there are open houses to attend before you commit, but not a 100% on that. Recently a mom viewed our class before she committed to the program. I went to an open house after committing but enrolled based on many recommendations from local mothers. This is an especially wonderful program if you stay home with your children and you want them to learn some socialization skills before they being preschool. read more

The application process of Parent Observation is misleading, and the program's contact is unresponsive. I attempted to contact them three times requesting information before I was mailed an "application". Apparently, this "application" commits you to a payment of $250, before you have any information about the teachers, the philosophy of the program, or knowing if you will be accepted. This program does not have a website (I offered to help them with one but was ignored). Because of the trouble I'd encountered obtaining information, I decided to find an alternative school. However, when I contacted the director to let her know (in early spring), I was told that the application deposit is non-refundable. She did not seem to care that I never would have committed my daughter to a school without seeing it first or having some minimal amount of information about it. She said herself that I am not the first person to have this experience. So proceed with caution when considering whether to "apply". read more

Our child just completed a second year at MVPNS, and it was worth every minute of our commute up from San Jose, as well as the time commitments of being involved in a Parent Participation school. We also kept him in the Summer program three days a week for the season between his two years there, and will be taking him there for that program again. Our kid is a real outdoor oriented one, and MVPNS's playground was what tipped us toward this preschool when we were making our original decision. Once we got to know the program and the teachers, that aspect of the school was just one of many strengths: - High level of expertise from all the staff, balanced by a real personal touch. - Many excellent field trips and other extracurricular activities, including several parent-only activities. - When inevitable conflicts arose between the kids, the teachers responded quickly and effectively to concerns. - The way all the projects are structured the kids are eased into things that they aren't necessarily comfortable with going in. Our son wasn't interested in art projects initially, as well as was very uncomfortable speaking in front of groups. We watched the program here gradually make him comfortable with both of these things. - Very physically safe environment in terms of gates and play structures. - Over the two years we've been there a great community has developed among the parents. Thanks to MVPNS our son is going into kindergarten thinking that school days are the best days of the week. read more

This is such a terrific place--I can't imagine a better preschool for a child. The teachers are incredibly warm, experienced and well-versed in child development. Best of all is how the parent education classes and experience working in the classroom help you grow as a parent. I've made some lifelong friends here, improved my parenting skills and gotten my child off to a great start due to their excellent program. read more

My 3 year old twins currently attend MVPNS and we are thrilled with the program. The teachers are amazing...warm, loving, nurturing, with real insight into preschoolers' social, emotional, and cognitive development. The activities are always fun, creative, and educational with an emphasis on free play and independent learning, though there is also structured, teacher-directed learning as well. The school is clean, safe, and an inviting place to run around and play inside and out. This is a parent co-op, which does come with many of the responsibilities that you typically see in parent participation programs, but it's definitely doable, in my opinion. The parental involvement has also given me the opportunity to meet other amazing parents and definitely builds a sense of community within MVPNS. read more

Parent Observation is such a wonderful program! I attended the 2's program with both of my children and currently have the younger one in the 3's. Every day there are multiple projects and activities around a central theme. The children are free to engage in any of the activities, or play on the playground. They are encouraged but never forced to try the projects. After the playtime comes circle time (music), followed by snack. Then the teacher and the parents (except for the work parents) go to a classroom to discuss issues related to this age group. Teacher Diane is knowledgeable and caring. She gets to know not only the children, but the entire family. The class sessions she leads every week are always informative and helpful. I have learned a lot not just from Diane, but from the other parents who attend. It is easy to communicate with the teachers by email or phone. Tours of the program can be scheduled at your convenience, and there is a yearly open house. The application is clear and straightforward, with no surprises. I enjoyed this program so much with my first child that there was no question about the second one attending. I made sure there her other activities were scheduled around this day, so that we could continue to attend. read more

Here's my input on their Saturday preschool program only. Since I'm a working mom I cannot attend a parent participation program during the weekday but this Summer they've decided to start a Saturday morning program and I instantly enrolled my 3 yr old and he had a great time. Teacher Gayle is wonderful - very patient, creative, personal, a good listener, and attentive. They have a very cute outdoor area that is well shaded - has a vegetable/flower garden, theatre/stage area, large snack tables, hilly grass area under a giant shaded tree, swings and play structures, a large wooden shed full of trikes and outdoor toys. They have the best sand play ever - largest I've seen at a preschool, covered with canopy, well placed faucets for instant canal/river making with plenty of boats to float and tunnels to build, and a large log cabin play house with door/windows/kitchen in the same sand box. We've attended the Saturday preschool at Sunnyvale (Bright Beginnings) before where they require one parent/caregiver to be there for every class. However at MVPNS I was surprised that you don't need to be there every week - just need to be there the first class and then sign up for a few more the rest of the session. Though I did attend all the classes this summer but this option was great for me where on one morning I had a previous volunteer commitment to a neighborhood event and I was able to drop my son off and return when my volunteer task is done. The Saturday class schedule is 9am - 12 noon and starts with indoor play time with various craft/activity stations, then circle time, and then follow by outdoor snack time (school provides healthy snacks - mostly fresh fruits and string cheese). Afterward there's a long period of outdoor play which the kids love where kids can choose what's available on the playground as well as a couple of activity stations (shaving cream, painting, wash the babies, sand and seashells bin, etc). Teacher Gayle often takes that opportunity to catch up with each parent and interact individually with the kids. The class wraps up with a song and story time under the big tree. The only thing I didn't like is the number of forms they need filled out to enroll. However I won't take a star from their rating for that since it is not their rule but the state/legal requirement, which I think more and more preschools are now also requiring. Now I make a habit of scanning all my forms before turning in so if another place ask for these information (most of them use the same standardized forms) I can easily reference. We're planning to sign up for another session this Fall (thank goodness we don't need to fill out any more forms) so hope to meet more families there. read more

My son is in his 2nd year at MVPNS and we couldn't be happier. The teachers are nurturing, hands on, and loving. My son loves going to school and on the weekend he is bummed that there's no school today! The curriculum is play based, kids are learning while they play, the best way for little ones to learn. Teacher Marie is his teacher this year, and the slightly more structured class is getting him ready for his transition into Kindergarten, which I am so thankful for. Teacher Rachel, Danielle, Wilma and Teacher Claire are all amazing and born to be preschool teachers! I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a tight knit community of involved parents! read more

We are ending our 2nd year at Parent Observation with Teacher Mindy and it was a wonderful experience. Teacher Mindy's great advice and support has helped and is continuing to help me learn how to guide my spirited son! He enjoys going to school and there is always something new to do each week with the art project outdoors and the activities inside. I love that each week has a different theme with a lot of thought and care going into each one. I also enjoy the other parents (mostly moms though there is a dad or two) that I have met through the program. It's also a fun break for me to chat with the other parents or caregivers and bond. I wish I did this program with my daughter. Don't miss out on your chance! read more

I love this school. My son went to MVPNS last year and we both loved this place and the teachers. My son's teacher was teacher Cindy. she is such a great and patient teacher. My son loves her and I am happy that he had such a great teacher as his first teacher. We also love teacher Claire and we don't know how to thank her for managing this preschool and make this preschool an unforgettable place for kids. We moved from Mountain View and can not go there anymore but we are always thankful. read more

We love Teacher Diane and Parent Observation! What a wonderful program and facilities. This pre-school was highly recommended to us, I quote "The facilities are the Rolls Royce of pre-schools" Beautiful place, clean, well organized with multiple projects and activities that the kids may participate in. We have had such a wonderful year. I attended the 2s program with my son. He loved going to class and participating in the multiple projects and activities. His favourite thing to do is play outside. I loved that the kids are allowed to participate in outdoor play even when it is raining or cold. My son is an outdoor kind of person and the previous pre-school we attended did not allow playing outside if it was cold or raining, which made some of the kids very upset and over-active. I totally agree with the previous post, Teacher Diane and Teacher Mindi are very knowledgeable and caring. I felt I was part of a big family. I've learned loads from Teacher Diane and other parents. The enrollment process was very clear and easy. read more

This is my fifth and final year at Parent Observation and I am so sad to be leaving the program. My son was a 'hair puller' and during the 3's program Diane worked with us to get the behavior to stop in two classes! My son would not separate well and Diane cured that too! The crafts and activities are all top notch and we still have many of our treasures my son made and new ones my daughter has made in the last three years. It has been a gift to watch Julia blossom with her class the past 3 years. She is excited to see her school friends and loves going to Teacher Diane's. We were fortunate enough to do several years of summer camp and got to know Mindy too. She has an amazing energy and way with the kids (both those she knows and those she is just meeting) The field trips and visitor days are a treat for everyone. Other parent day is also a big event in our house. The kids get so excited to take their dad to school! The amount of time and energy both teachers put into the program outside of the regular school schedule is unbelievable and a real testament to how much they love and care about what they are doing. The child development information is invaluable. The topics are specific to the age range, the materials are current and helpful and the conversations with fellow parents is rewarding... I can't tell you how many times I have said "you mean that happens in your house too??" I will miss my weekly visits with Diane but know that I have made a lifelong friend during my time in her school. read more

I have been observing a child for the past two months at this school, and I can't even tell you how great of a school this is. This is a play based/parent involvement/fantastic adult to child ratio (1:3 I believe) preschool, where the curriculum is based on the children's interests. Not to mention, the classroom door is open, so children can choose to be indoors or outdoors throughout the day. This school has moved to Oak Ave., right next door to Mountain View High School, where they are currently building up a brand new center which meets all standards for the ECERS (Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale). Their new school should be open in a couple of weeks. If you have young children, sign them up here! It's a fantastic environment for everyone to be! The teachers are remarkable! read more

my son (2 yo) and i just finished the 18 month program with teacher diane. we really enjoyed this parent participation program and will be doing another year in the 2s program starting the fall. initially, i signed up so that we could get out of the house and just have another activity but now my son loves going to school and looks forward to every tuesday afternoon. we initially wanted the am class but even when granted the opportunity to move to the am, we decided to stay in the pm since we have made some friends. the work parent requirement is about once every few months and is not that bad. the campus is perfect for the little ones and clean. when i visited parent obs, i knew this was a great environment for my son and i. we have also made some good friends in our class and look forward to making new ones. both mindy and diane are organized and have been doing this for some time - you can tell they got their process down. looking forward to seeing the new campus in a few years (by foothill covenant church). read more

Parent Observation is an amazing gem. The Teachers (who are also the 'administration' and 'support staff' and 'cleaning crew' and everything else inbetween) are like family -- think of your favorite Aunt or Sister or Best Friend combined with the most Magical Teacher you ever had. The other 5 star reviews give a crystal clear picture of what we've experienced with our children, and we're in negotiations about having at least one more child just so we can get back in again -- and we've already been here 8 years with all 4 of our children! read more