Puddle Jumpers is the most gentle way to start your daycare preschool journey. The small classroom…read moresizes of 8 kids, the coop model where some of the time you are at school along with your kid helping care for them, has made a welcoming and positive foundation for what school is. My daughter is obsessed! She loves our teacher, Michele, the community, and the friends she has made a Puddle Jumpers. As a parent I value the connection to community, meeting other parents who live near by with young children, and time spent with my daughter is a social setting (I like being a fly on the wall and seeing the way she interacts with the other children and grownups). It is also unique in terms of coops in that it accepts children as young as 18 months, and it is completely parent run, so if there is literally something not working for the current group of families, we all meet and vote and change that policy. I feel so thankful that I haven't had the experience of being locked into a care model that I only later realized was somehow not the right fit, but felt forced to subscribe to the schools rules (potty training is a good example of this, there was so much flexibility in terms of how we as a group would take it on and each family can go about it at their own pace and way and pass on their preferences to the other parents)

An exceptionally loving and supportive and well-run community. Our family loves it. There's no…read morebetter co-op in San Francisco for kids age 18 months to 3 years.

Our son has had such a wonderful experience at this school! The teachers are incredibly sweet and…read morepatient. They manage to create a warm, nurturing environment while also teaching these young kids about boundaries, independence and introducing them to a more structured environment (since it's many 2/3 year olds first time in "school"). It's clear they genuinely care about each child's individual growth and happiness. Additionally, a majority of the teachers are sisters which makes APP feel like you are part of a giant family. Beyond the classroom, the community of parents is fantastic. Since it's more intimate than some larger programs you basically know every family. Can't recommend it enough!

Our daughter has been attending APP for a bit over a year now, and absolutely loves it. The…read moreteachers really focus on making sure our children develop their social-emotional sides, and are instilled with a love of learning. We've seen her natural curiosity flourish at APP, and she's been equipped with the skills she needs to make sense of her big feelings. We couldn't be happier with her growth, and are sure she's ready for the big step up to K. A couple things to mention: The school was honest with us up front that they are not a super-traditional "drill the kids with worksheets" type of program. That has been accurate; while they do have a curriculum that includes math/English/science skills, that isn't their focus. (That said, what they are doing seems to work - our daughter is on the verge of reading by herself at age 4, and has basic addition and subtraction down as well.) And unlike our previous daycare, their yearly schedule does include a fair number of holidays and breaks, meaning we sometimes have to solve childcare on days where work isn't closed but APP is. We think it's worth it - the breaks give the teachers a chance to sharpen their own skills, and probably also help with retention - but it's something a prospective family ought to know.

I wanted to come back and update my review now that my second son has also gone through My Little…read moreLearning Tree and is now in Kindergarten. His transition to elementary school was incredibly smooth, and I truly credit MLLT for preparing him so well, not just academically, but emotionally and in every way that matters. One of the things that stands out even more now, looking back, is the sense of community. During our time at MLLT, our family built such meaningful and lasting relationships, both for our kids and for us as parents. Those connections have continued well beyond our time at the school, which says so much about the kind of environment they've created. We feel very lucky to have been part of the MLLT community, and I'm even more grateful now having seen both of my children benefit from it in such a lasting way.

Finding a preschool is tough during COVID times without in-person tours. I wanted to give a glowing…read morerecommendation of My Little Learning Tree (MLLT). Highlights include 1. Conversation and Social skills for kids - in just half a year there, my son has gotten so much more expressive in language and able to identify his emotions. He is learning to navigate group dynamics and interactions with other kids. 2. Thoughtful COVID protocol - the director Corinna has been extremely cautious and we feel safe about sending our son there. You are only as good as your community and I feel confident that she understands all the risks at play. 3. Warmth of teachers - I toured five preschools in person pre-pandemic and what I looked most for is warmth of teachers and happiness of kids. Even though my son has the occasional age-appropriate tough drop offs, he always comes home happy with his day and loves his interactions with his teachers. 4. Great community - we just had a play date with the class together today and it reiterated what an amazing group of parents are at the school. As a bonus, food is included and he has already learned to spell his name and has amazing art projects including a book about planets and snow globe. We receive thoughtful updates, videos and photos at the end of each day.

Peter's Place Nursery School is a delightful school that feels both homey and invigorating. Aside…read morefrom the natural light that fills this homey space, the director and teachers exude warmth and joy. For this reason, I'm so honored to have joined the Peter's Place community as a teacher. This is a quality preschool, where all areas of child development are considered closely with curriculum planning, and where children learn to work through social challenges. If you are looking for a school where your children are truly cared about, respected, and encouraged to shine their light (Raffi), then you will find that at Peter's Place Nursery School.

I was really excited when I found this place, and felt their Mission and Philosophy valued…read morediversity, and the uniqueness of each child. However, I was saddened and disappointed with the interim Directors response once she heard that my son may have a possible disability. Unfortunately, I discovered this after paying the application fee. While taking a tour of school I asked if outside therapists are allowed on some days for a couple of days. She then proceeded to say that they previously had a child that would come in with a therapist and supervisor which they found to be disruptive. She then added that my son would need more attention and would take time away from the other students and would not be a good fit for their school. She suggested we instead check with the school District to see what they could offer. I explained he only had 1 therapist for a couple of hours, but dismissed it. I didn't have a problem with not allowing the therapist, as I understand that some schools are particular about allowing others into their premises, and that's okay. No problem. I understand. What I did have an issue with is that she made an assumption of my sons behavior based on a prior experience she had with another student and that I mentioned his therapist. She has never met my son, nor does she know his behavior, his condition or the exact purpose of the therapist. She assumed he would take away the teachers time based on an experience she had with another child without ever even meeting my son. It felt as if the issue was more about my son, rather than the therapist coming in. No two children are alike, and having a therapist does not always mean one will require more attention than one who doesn't. It's unfortunate these stereotypes still occur in SF.

"We love The Avenues Kindercare Its a cozy, safe, and nurturing environment. The provider is…read moreprofessional, flexible, and clearly passionate about working with children. I love receiving photos and updates throughout the day, which helps me feel totally connected. It is such a relief to have found a place where my child feels so loved . Our child has grown so much academically and socially since starting here. They offer fantastic, engaging activities, nutritious meals, and a well-thought-out curriculum . We've seen so much growth in milestones and independence."

3 years ago my daughter started at KinderCare The Avenues at age 2. She will graduate TK next…read moremonth. We love it there. At first I was apprehensive about her starting while not being potty trained, but I have no regrets. The team was so helpful and instrumental in supporting us through the process and have done so countless times with other kids. I particularly appreciated the very reasonable tuition, great teachers/director/staff, and the variety of activities. This place removes a lot of stress for working parents. They have very flexible hours as they are open year round between 6:30am-6pm and closed only about 10 days a year (ie just limited holidays) all for same tuition. Tuition includes two healthy snacks and lunch every day prepared by their on site chef. I feel they have done an excellent job preparing my daughter for kindergarten and being a partner in supporting my child's development these last few years.

My toddler, H, has been attending New Journey since April 2025. The school has three classes: 小班,…read more中班, and 大班. While they generally align with ages 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5, placement is based on each child's individual growth and developmental level rather than strictly by age -- which we truly appreciate. H started in 中班 and later moved up to 大班 while still age three. The transition felt completely appropriate -- he was able to do everything the other students could, and he will turn four while in 大班. One of our biggest challenges at H's previous daycare was naptime--he never napped there. If he didn't sleep, we were required to pick him up mid-day, regardless of work or meetings. As working parents, this was incredibly stressful. If you're researching schools, ask detailed questions about nap policies -- we learned that the hard way. To our total surprise (and delight), H started napping on Day 2 at New Journey. I had joked that if he ever napped at school, I'd write a Yelp review -- and here I am. It truly came down to patience and individualized attention. Shout-out to the amazing 中班 teachers, and especially Yan LS and Kaylee LS, for helping him settle during rest time that first week. Communication at New Journey has also been excellent. Whenever I've reached out with a question or concern, the responses have been thoughtful and professional -- never defensive or dismissive. Michelle LS, in particular, embodies what it means to be an educator first and foremost. Having experienced a different style of management before, we deeply value the professionalism and child-centered approach here. Update: Now that H is in 大班, he absolutely loves school -- especially singing and dancing. He adores his teachers and is constantly telling us what they taught him or said to him that day. It warms my heart to see how excited he is every morning. You can feel the warmth of this school in the small things, like the cheerful way the teachers greet students at the door. They also plan thoughtful events for families -- Christmas, Lunar New Year, and more -- and I truly appreciate the effort they make to include parents. That is no small feat. We are so grateful to have found New Journey. It has made such a positive difference for our family.

We absolutely love New Journey!…read more Our son started at age 2 after a year in an in-home Mandarin immersion daycare and has been at NJ for 6 months. We do not speak Mandarin at home, yet he is now confidently speaking and understanding basic Mandarin. The program keeps the kids active and engaged! They are at the park every morning, and every afternoon includes science experiments or art projects. (I have no idea how the teachers get all the little ones organized for games and projects but love seeing them lined up for soccer or crowding around a table to watch an experiment!) The holiday events bring the whole family together and create a real sense of community. The owner Michelle is responsive, organized, and genuinely knows every child and family. You can feel how much she cares and wants the kids to have a top notch educational and social experience. We are so grateful we found this school!

As parents, we care deeply about our children's safety, well-being, and education--and Nopa…read moreMontessori is one of the rare places that you can get all three! The teachers are incredibly caring, attentive, and deeply invested in each child's academic and social growth. I fully trust them to both care for and educate my children. In our four years here, there's been virtually no teacher turnover, which creates consistency and a strong sense of trust. Having experienced another Montessori school before, we truly appreciate how special this community is. It's a relatively new and small school, yet it already has strong placement into private elementary schools across SF/Marin--giving parents confidence that children are well prepared. Most importantly, our kids are happy, confident, and excited to go to school every day. We feel very grateful to be part of Nopa Montessori and highly recommend it!

Our daughter has attended NOPA Montessori for over a year, and we couldn't be happier. Every…read moreteacher and member of the staff cares deeply about the development and well-being of the children. I've enjoyed learning more about the Montessori approach to education. It's had a clearly positive impact on our daughter!

Fast fwd a few years. My son a graduate of SFMA is now…read moregiving back at the tender age of 12 to the young school children of SFMA. His joy for Math and Reading is clear and concise. The subjects are strengthened daily through practice and repetition on the daily. The ARTS are encouraged through creativity and movement. If you love San Francisco and are in search of a school for your littles, research no more, this **5 STAR*** review should have you visiting teacher Isabella and SUPERSTAR TEAM OF EDUCATORS pronto! Thanks for reading :)

My child went to SFMA from 2.5 years old at their location for the younger students until…read moregraduating to kindergarten. From start to finish, I loved watching my child grow from the curriculum they provided. I've been impressed with how structured their program is over the years, while providing a fun environment that my kid likes to tell me about. The teachers are also very sweet, and we've met some really lovely families. I would certainly recommend SFMA!