Just started year 4, second child at Pac Heights Kidz, and we absolutely love it!…read more I don't think I've ever experienced more fear and anxiety in my life than dropping off my first child for his first day of preschool. He'd been nothing but glued to us for the first two years of his life, and now I'm handing him over to strangers? Doesn't feel right. There's no way they're going to be able to care for him and love him as much as we do! And... how are they going to get them to nap?? Welp, Nisha, Marinelle, and the whole team at Pac Heights Kidz come closer than I ever could have imagined. And they get them to nap. Not sure how, but they do. They are seasoned, professional, communicative, and incredibly loving childcare providers. From day one, they've made sure our whole family feels comfortable. They constantly communicate the events of the day through the app and regularly post pictures of your child so you can see their day and the smiles! It's great for a little break from work when you need a mental uplift. The first week is hard. There are tears. By the end of the second week, they're walking in on their own. No tears. Comfortable. My 3yo is in his second year now and loves his teachers. My 5yo, who just started kindergarten, misses his teachers and friends. He started at Pac Heights Kidz, went for two years, and then transitioned to Nature Kidz, their sister program. He genuinely looked forward to going to school! I cried at pickup on his last day because they've had such a positive and memorable impact on his life and mine. One of the best parts is seeing your child learn and grow. My oldest was extremely well prepared for kindergarten. He writes his name while holding his pencil correctly, knows all of his uppercase and lowercase letters, draws amazing pictures, knows the sounds of each letter, is starting to grasp early math, understands taking turns and sharing, and knows how to act appropriately in a classroom setting. They have an incredible emphasis on art, music, and dance. And more than anything, they focus on fun. When it comes time to start thinking about kindergarten, they'll hold your hand through that extremely confusing and important process. They've helped place their kids at many of the best schools in the city (public and private) and have incredible relationships with the leaders at those schools. I cannot recommend Pac Heights Kidz and Nature Kidz more highly. Our experience with them has been outstanding, and the care and love at the heart of their team permeates through every single person there. Dropping your child off for that first day can feel terrifying. Looking back four years later, I can't imagine having trusted anyone else with ours.

We LOVE Nature Kids program that lets kids learn outside all day. Our son, 3 now, has been with…read morethem for over a year and we can sense the deep enrichment he is getting, plus he is so excited to go to school everyday! This has been a fantastic program for our early childhood enrichment and we can't recommend them enough.

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

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

Little Bee is an incredible preschool, and I could not recommend it enough to prospective parents…read more Our son has attended the Funston (Presidio) location since he was 2 years old. Each class has 3 main teachers + floating teachers, who all care for the kids with kindness and empathy. The campus' location in the Presidio creates an idyllic and beautiful environment for the kids - they go outside to explore nature every morning and we get sent daily pictures and videos of their adventures. We love the Mandarin immersion aspect, and our son is fully bilingual thanks to the teachers' efforts. Sarra, the director of Little Bee, runs a tight and efficient ship. The involved PTA organizes many community events, such as monthly playdates, Easter Egg Hunts, an annual Camp Out, Pumpkin Picking, Santa's Brunch, parents' nights out and more across the Funston and Lombard locations. Beyond just a preschool, this is also a supportive, caring, welcoming community of families and we have met many wonderful friends through Little Bee.

Little Bee is an amazing preschool with a loving and supportive environment. The teachers truly…read morecare about each child, and our daughter thrived here both socially and academically. We couldn't be happier with our experience!

What an incredible preschool that shapes the young mind. Focused on social and emotional learning…read moreas well as the arts. Exceptional teachers with long tenure at the school. Incredible parent-coaching events. Our kids would not be the people they are if they had gone to another preschool. We love you LS!

We couldn't be happier with our experience at The Little School in San Francisco, especially in the…read moreTK program. From day one, it's been clear how thoughtful, nurturing, and intentional the environment is. The teachers are truly exceptional: warm, patient, and deeply attuned to each child. Our daughter feels seen and supported every day, and the staff does an incredible job balancing structure with play, curiosity, and creativity. She comes home excited to tell us what she learned, what she built, and who she played with, which says everything. The TK curriculum strikes a wonderful balance between academic readiness and social-emotional development. There's a real emphasis on kindness, independence, and confidence, not just letters and numbers. We've seen so much growth in her communication skills, problem-solving, and self-assurance in a short time. Communication with families is also excellent. We always feel informed and included, and it's clear that the school views parents as partners. The community itself is warm and welcoming so it truly feels like a place where children and families belong. We feel incredibly grateful to have found The Little School and would wholeheartedly recommend it to any family looking for a loving, engaging, and developmentally thoughtful TK experience in SF.

We had a great two years at Petite Explorer. Andy and Vickie have built an exceptional program…read morewith a caring staff of teachers.

Our daughter has attended PE for two years now (from age 2.5 and she is 4.5 now). We've had a…read morephenomenal experience. The entire staff is attentive and the teachers genuinely care about the kids while providing a stimulating environment. Our daughter has learned to read and write her name, all her letters, can count to 100+ but more importantly has learned social skills like being a caring friend, patience, and listening. Vicky who runs the school also knows all the children which shows how tight knit of an environment it is. Good student/teacher ratio (12 - 15 kids to 3 teachers in the two years we were there). Can't recommend enough!

Is there a 6 star review option? Because I cannot recommend Calvary Nursery School highly enough…read more Our son is absolutely thriving this year in kindergarten in large part to the exceptional job that Calvary did to prepare him. In addition to being phenomenally prepared to start grade school, he loved the eye dropping rooftop playground and all of the friends he met there. I asked him this past weekend whether he misses Calvary because he is so happy at his new school. He responded that he still misses Calvary because of how much he loves his teachers and all of the friends that he made there. As an added bonus, my wife and I met some of our best friends through Calvary. Lastly, Stephanie and the other staff at Calvary provided the perfect level of support and guidance to help us find the best grade school for our son. One of the best decisions we made was to transfer him from another preschool to Calvary. If you are looking for high quality teachers, small class sizes, a parent community that is second to none and quality programming that will prepare your child for the next step in their educational journey, then look no further than Calvary.

Three reasons why Calvary is the best pre-school / pre-K in San Francisco: leadership, curriculum…read moreand parent community. The Director of the School, Deb Anaya, is truly a thought leader for her peers in the market. She's been at Calvary since 1999 and has not only created an amazing program that best prepares these kids for elementary school but also has attracted some of the best teachers in the area who truly care about the development of social life skills, creativity and the basic fundamentals that will guarantee your child is well prepared for kindergarten. We knew the program at Calvary was the best when we received the ultimate accolade from our daughters kindergarten teacher: "where did your child go to school, she's one of the best prepared kids for kinder in the class." Achievement unlocked We're repeat customers too! Our son will graduate this year and my youngest will go there next year. Should also note they are one of the more reasonably priced preschools in the City especially given the caliber of the school.

If you want your child to be taught holistically, and if your kid's overall development is more…read moreimportant to you than only achieving high test scores, then the Waldorf School is for you. The academics are excellent. It is amazing to see and hear 3 year olds tell coherent stories, thanks to the way that arts and literature are integrated into the curriculum. My daughter has been going to the pre-school program, kindergarten, and is now in first grade. I'm delighted to see how she and her school mates are developing intellectually and artistically. It is also reassuring to see Waldorf School 8th graders that are smart, well adjusted, and do community work. The school doesn't feel or look like a factory, but is a pleasant, inviting place of learning and playing. If you see the interiors of the kindergartens alone, you'll be in awe. Feel free to sign up for a tour. The school is a strong community that supports each family that is part of it. I work full-time and feel very connected to the other families and the faculty. I also love the fact that my child will have the same class teacher from first through at least fifth grade (There are also other subject teachers throughout those years.) The teacher will really get to know the students and can guide their development tailored to their individual needs. I wish I was in first grade again at that school!

This school played a very large part in destroying my life…read more I attended the waldorf grades school from k1-8th grade and transitioned to the waldorf high school after (all while paying full tuition). Due to some unfortunate events based on false allegations I was asked to leave the waldorf high school during my sophomore year. I lost all of my friends, everyone i had known for the past 15 years where ripped away from me. I remember crying in the principles office not being able to accept the words she uttered.. I remember my mom driving me home, it was silent in the car except for the sound of my tears dropping onto my northface. Since that day I was an outcast to the community I once called home. The waldorf school ruined my life, but everyday, I am healing from the wounds it left me.

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

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

My son started at Tinker when he was about 1.5 years old. He is now almost 5 and will start TK in…read morethe fall. I do not have enough wonderful things to say about Tinker. They are not just a preschool but a genuine community with deep roots to the local neighborhood. The teachers and leadership stay up to date on evolving philosophies around early childhood development, with a strong focus on raising happy, confident, and emotionally well-adjusted children. There's a deep respect for each child as an individual, along with an emphasis on social-emotional growth, independence, and curiosity. We feel incredibly grateful to have been part of this community and for my son to have this enriching early childhood experience.

Tinker Preschool has been a wonderful experience for our family. The teachers are exceptional:…read morewarm, caring, empathetic, and truly invested in each child. We also love how much time the kids spend outdoors. The focus on park time, exploration, and nature-based play is such a special part of the program. Tinker strikes a great balance between child-led exploration and structured learning, which has helped our daughter grow with both confidence and curiosity. The school also has a strong sense of community, with thoughtful parent involvement and a very supportive environment for families. Miranda and the Tinker team have been incredibly helpful throughout, especially during the stressful kindergarten application process. We're so grateful to be part of the Tinker community and would highly recommend it.

I could not be happier with this school. I have two children here and they are thriving. The…read morequality of teaching is exceptional, and the love and care they feel each day is palpable. I call it the "MCH effect": after going here for a few months, my children became happier, more confident and kinder humans. And the community of parents is supportive and wonderful.

Montessori Children's House is beyond impressive. The top 3 things that stand out are: the…read moreteachers, the community and the communication. The tenure of their head teachers is upward of 25 years. Their experience and commitment really shines through when dealing with tough toddler situations. They are absolute pros at what they do. With such patience and compassion too! The community is warm, inclusive, welcoming and FUN. Most bday parties include everyone. Lots of events of all kinds, including volunteer events. It's so great to meet parents who have similar interests and find ways that work for my schedule to participate - and genuinely enjoy doing so. The communication is something we were looking for specifically because it was lacking at the first preschool we attended. Between the app and the newsletters, I feel well informed but not inundated with info. The director is super professional and organized. The teachers are very open to 1:1 meetings outside of regular conferences. I feel super supported by the school as a parent and connected to what my child is doing on a daily basis.