PJCC is an amazing community to send your kids to in the peninsula. Teachers are so personable, warm, patient and attentive - our kid thrived across social, emotional and intellectual areas during his different milestones over the 3 year period at PJCC. The school facilities and activities (e.g. swimming, gardening) offered for kids are beyond par than what we have seen in other schools in the peninsula. Preschool Director Nicole, her admin team and the teachers did a fabulous job in how the school managed to navigate during covid period and they take safety very seriously. The school also offers plenty of opportunities for parents to be involved both with the school and the community- mystery reading, volunteering, informal family meetups. If you're in the peninsula area - PJCC preschool should be a no-brainer. read more

My eldest son has been attending PJCC since he was two years old, and it's been 1.5 years now. All his teachers are exceptionally patient, caring, and display remarkable creativity in their daily activities. I'm often impressed by the ingenuity and engagement of these activities. PJCC offers excellent enrichment classes such as music, PE, and gardening, along with ample outdoor time. Their outdoor facilities are outstanding as well. I am very happy they started infant and toddler program last year and I enrolled my younger son in their toddler problem. read more

My daughter started in the new toddler program this past Fall and we LOVE it! We started her earlier than we wanted (other in-home childcare fell through), and we are so glad we found this program--she was ready! We feel so safe with her there and it's been amazing to see all her growth through the support of the teachers and staff, and all the socializing she does with the other kids. PJCC also comes with an incredible community. There are lots of family events tied to the school and the larger PJCC. As new parents, we knew a lot of our social time would be spent with other kids parents---and we're big fans of the other kids' parents. Highly recommend PJCC preschool! read more

As parents of a 4 years old, we are upset with the school not respecting our child's medical privacy. Instead of asking the parent, they asked the child her medical condition. School would also research your background and said what they know about your work without you telling them. To lead to the result they desired, they would do above and feedback to their management is not welcome. read more

Pros The director Nicole is really a good person. She is very helpful Regular weekly Covid testing Cons 1. My child didn't want to go to school even after 4 months. When we changed the school, she was asking to go to the new school on weekends also. I think the teachers are not good. It was mentioned couple of times on Kaymbu app that my daughter went to pee at 6 pm when school was closed at 5 pm Two teachers gave different and opposite feedback about my daughter 2. It's very expensive (foster city costliest preschool) 3. You will pay one month additional fee. We gave one month notice and dropped my daughter in February but still pjcc forced us to pay June month fee. After we dropped our daughter, they enrolled another child who is also going to pay June month fee. Which is not only unethical but just cheating people. Why to charge June month fee when my child didn't attend the school. My child used to cry every day morning as she didn't like this school at all. We should have switched the school much earlier PJCC please be practical and ethical. If the child don't like the school, we need to change the school so please charge for the months the child come to school. read more

A friend recommended PJCC preschool to us and our son spent the past school year 2021-2022 in a 2-year-old classroom. We have had a really positive experience overall! Their play based curriculum and philosophy has really enabled him to enjoy himself and the teachers and staff are all incredible. He has made a lot of great friends and his language development has really taken off. He comes home singing songs he learned, and randomly says things like, "If you can hear me, put your hands together like a popsicle!" The teachers manage the classroom and speak in a way that is incredibly positive, fun, and conducive to preschoolers' development. The classroom environment is top notch and they have so much variety and fun activities like gardening, music, and PE class. In addition to his fantastic classroom teachers (Teacher Kari, Teacher Maricela, and Teacher Elyse), my son loved PE class and Teacher Mark. We are not a Jewish family, but we have really enjoyed being a part of this community and learning about Jewish culture and customs throughout the year. COVID-19 has not been easy for anyone to navigate, and overall, the school has really done a tremendous job this year keeping everyone safe with masks and weekly testing, and trying to keep up and evolve with changing health guidelines and policies. The preschool director, Nicole, and the admin team (Char, Renee, Lauren) are all very incredibly kind hearted and caring individuals. When we had a new baby in the class, the admin team pitched in to support a meal train. When we had a sick family member in the class, they pitched in with a "Get well soon" video. Throughout the year, whenever parents brought up concerns to the admin, Nicole always listened with empathy and responded to the best of the school's abilities. In a school with families coming from many different backgrounds and situations with different expectations, it can be hard to appease everyone. However, I felt that the admin team always took concerns seriously and addressed them the best they could. I highly recommend PJCC preschool for anyone looking for a fun, nurturing, and top-notch play based curriculum for their child. read more

I Have nothing but good things to say about PJCC preschool. From the director Nicole to the teachers to the supporting team members they have done such an amazing Job to make the program nurturing and fun for kids. My son Jake started with them last summer. Summer was full of fun and everyday kids got to play outdoor to explored nature. Every week they have different themes and kids get to participate in different kinds of learning activities. Their focus is to help Kids learn through playing, cooking, reading and taking care of each others. Every day I get pictures of class room activity and the teachers are always there to answer questions. Teacher Julie and teacher Marothodi are awesome and they are so patient and caring. My son is learning happily at PJCC. read more

Our little son has stayed here for one and a half year and this is his first school ever also my first son stayed here for 2months because we joined late since we are moving from NYC. Also our first one has been in the treehouse now. All of our family members love PJCC preschool but very sad that we must say good to this school because they have decided to change it to a full time school only according to the state law due to the covid 19. Teachers, friends, acitivities, facilities.. I loved every thing here. I wanted my little one to stay here before he goes to Kindergarten but he cannot. Thank you, Teacher Gina and Narcy in room 5 for 3 to 4year old. We won't forget both of you! They are the best teachers who really love kids read more

I would HIGHLY recommend the PJCC Preschool for a number of reasons. When I first called them last year to try to get my son into their program, I was greeted by Renee. She took the time to answer all my questions and explained in detail about how the preschool worked. They have a lot of options to help fit your schedule. On the first day of class, there was music playing at the front gate, a bubble machine blowing bubbles, and all the staff and teachers greeted the parents and students with a warm and welcoming smile. The sense of community is like none I have ever seen here. I have watched my son grow not only in size but his speech and cognitive development has sky rocketed! Teacher Nancy and Teacher Jessica teach through play and art. My son turned 3 in January and he is constantly singing songs he learned in music class and recognizes all the letters in the alphabet. He really enjoys his weekly trip with his class to the farmers market, the justice garden, the library, P.E., music class, etc! I completely trust them with the safety and well being of my child. I can tell they honestly care about ALL the children. Sure, the PJCC is one of the most expensive preschools in the area HOWEVER, you get what you pay for.....and you really do get a lot for what you pay for here. read more

An update on 07/12/17.. I received a call from Stephanie Levin and based on that, I feel reassured that the team a) listens actively to customer feedback, and b) is committed to building a strong community, and not just focused on profits I have generally had good experience with PJCC in the past with their staff, and am changing my rating, chalking my specific experience around the cancellation request as an anomaly which the team will do better in future. I wish the PJCC team all the very best in building a strong community and school! read more

Pros: play-based, kind teachers, good outdoor areas Cons: pricey tuition, misses opportunity to reinforce any type of informal or formal learning at toddler level, extortionist withdrawal policy Some things you can only discover by experiencing them. After about three weeks, my child was miserable with the repeated rush hour commutes (PJCC has limited drop off times), so we decided to switch him to a different preschool closer to home. The other reviewers are right -- we missed the cancellation by a day or so and ended up paying TWO months of tuition (nearly $3400), not a cheap decision and not the usual policy for preschools. Another factor that we hadn't factored in our initial enrollment at PJCC: the number of Jewish holidays (when PJCC preschool is closed) add up to extra babysitting costs for working parents. In the end, PJCC was a poor fit for our family. We found a much better preschool at a better price with an integrated learning program, more flexible policies, optional extended summer session, and more personalized teacher attention. read more

PJCC preschool quality has been deteriorating year after year. It is one of the most expensive pre-schools in Foster City/San Mateo area, yet the general attitude is "What can the parents do for PJCC pre-school?" vs. "What can we do better for the kids and the parents?". Non-stop requests to financial contributions, volunteer, and time contributions. After a few interactions you'll feel that you are working for pre-school, instead of being a customer. Overall, the school has gotten too big, impersonal, and corporate. Although there are many caring teachers and staff that has the right priorities, politics seem to trump shreds of caring that is left, and is the key driver for overall decision making. Kids are huffed and puffed over, but not in a genuine way, more like pawns in a bigger game. Bottom line: do your research before committing to this school. Many of the accolades are from the past and are due to skilled PR. (This review is for pre-school only. It is not in any way related to Wornick.) read more

After attending a horrible preschool for a few months, I switched my son to the PJCC last year in January. I knew this was a special place from our first day. The director was there at the front door to greet us, walked us to the classroom where the teacher was smiling with warmth and welcome, and the other parents came up and introduced themselves right away. I quickly discovered that this was far more than a preschool, this was a community. My son has thrived at the PJCC. He can be a challenging kid, and the teachers there have been there every step of the way. One of the reasons I picked this school is because they have an Occupational Therapist on staff who suggests techniques to the teachers so they can better re-direct the challenging kids. A year ago, sitting for 1/2 hour in circle time was an impossibility for my son; now he sits and listens with minimum fidgeting. I love that it is a play-based school. The teachers really pay attention to what the kids are interested in, and base a lot of their curriculum on that. There's a ton of outdoor time, P.E. class, music class, they go to a garden and a farmers market every week. I'm constantly astonished with how much he has learned that day. We've all made a lot of friends through the school, and I feel incredibly fortunate that we ended up here. It really has made a huge difference in our lives. read more

My family is starting our 8th year after 3 kids at the pjcc. We have had nothing but positive and loving experiences in our years there. From the warm and welcoming classrooms to the open parent community our children and both my husband and I have made lifelong friends! The teachers are caring, kind, compassionate, and love our children like their own. My older children love visiting the school when we pick up my youngest just so they may visit their past teachers. We love the play-based learning the school prides itself on. My children have thrived there and left the preschool kindergarten ready. The curriculum, music and PE program were lovely and the kids looked forward to attending. I know it's not the cheapest school on the peninsula but we believe you get what you pay for and in this case, worth it. When our last year there comes to an end it will be tough to leave but we will leave with amazing lifelong friends and memories. read more

My son started at the pjcc this year after moving from a wonderful school in San Francisco. I was concerned about his transition and that he wouldn't get the attention he needed but this couldn't be farther from the truth. I feel like his teachers and support staff know him and tend to his needs while he is there. The Administrator and other support staff are accessible and helpful when needed and the communication helps a working mom feel connected to the school even when I can't be there. I would recommend the pjcc for a family looking to be part of a nice community preschool with good values and curriculum of learning through playing and becoming empathetic social kids. read more

Great school and summer camps! My daughter went there for preschool for two years, and we were all very happy with the experience. She loved going to school, and she learned a lot from her knowledgeable and very caring teachers. The camps are so fun, and the best part: swimming lessons are included! We plan on sending her to the PJCC camp again this summer! read more

My several nephews had a good time in this school when they were young . So we decided to send my son there as well. He stayed in this school for a whole year including the afternoon enrichment programs. He loved it and was super happy there! When he first transferred from strafford located in palo alto, he had a hard time to fit in. Cried in the mornings when we left. Every time, his caring teachers always hugged him and comforted him with soft voices. With time passing by, he became one member of this big family. He learned a lot there, reading, writing, singing, dancing, caring others and Jewish cultures. We were amazed he grew every day. When his favorite teacher was ready to leave to have a baby, he held her hands tightly and didn't want her to leave which made every one in the classroom so touched. Also, he learned swimming there which was another bonus. read more

I am so so happy with this preschool. Here are a few things that I really like: teachers send out a weekly email update telling us what the kids did all day. This is cool because a 2-3y.o. can't really tell you what they did. Teachers upload photographs taken each day of the week with activities highlights. Parents are always involved and welcome, they come in to read a book or host a birthday. I get to bring my own food! I thought I'd hate than but I actually feel i have more control when I choose my own. Families come from so many backgrounds and their groups are inclusive, even of kids with special needs. And my child tells me every day how she wants to stay and play longer. read more

I would give no star if I could. If you wanna use one word to describe this school, it is greedy. They split the time in a day into many many small pieces and they charge a lot for each of them. My friend and I sent our kids there for summer camp due to their 'name and reputation'. But when we get in we know it is wrong. Their reputation is just money and money. Their courses and activities are not different from other schools at all. All they care is money. They charge about 2k month and you can not drop off your kid before 9am. And they charge $1 a minute if you are late to pick up very strictly. I was late once due to really bad traffic which took me double time compared to normal. Nobody wants to be late and I kept apologizing to the staff in the office. I told her a friend is going to help pick up. But the friend is not on the authorization list so I tried to explain that to her. But the staff did not want to listen at all. What she said is 'I don't care who comes to pick up your kid. Just tell me when your friend will be here!'. That is when I was late for only 5min. How can a school make such statement!! They are responsible for each kid's safety. Even if the parents are late unexpectedly, they still take the responsibility. They can not just give the kid to anyone. What they mean is they just want the kids to be picked up, no matter who. So BE VERY VERY careful if you think of that school. I also heard that for their preschool, if you wanna leave, you have to notify them three months earlier. So be really carful about them!!! What they care and want is just money! Not your kids' safety, health and anything else. read more

My younger daughter is going to graduate from PJCC Preschool in two days. Both of my girls have had a wonderful experience and I could not recommend the school more. Kids are allowed to be kids while being exposed to so much: gardening, cooking, farmers markets, swimming, art, physical education, and much much more. The PJCC has become a home away from home for my family and we have made many friends. read more

Both of my children have been thriving at the PJCC preschool over the past several years and I could not be more thrilled with the program and our experience there as a family. We have been blessed to be a part of this amazing school and the phenomenal community of families built around it. The staff at the PJCC are not only highly-qualified experienced educators but they are continually working on implementing best practices and growing their skill set. The variety of learning opportunities they offer have been really helpful in supporting our children as they grow into Kindergarten-ready students. Their phenomenal teaching staff includes Teacher Mark, a physical education teacher that has created a program tailored specifically to pre-school aged children. My son loves Teacher Mark so much that he wanted to have Teacher Mark at his birthday party. We planned the entire party with Teacher Mark at the core and invited my son's entire PJCC class. Every family attended the party! It really spoke to how connected we all feel to this program and how much our children really adore their teachers and their classmates. In addition to Teacher Mark, there is a swimming program for the 4 year-olds, a music teacher and so many enrichment classes offered to meet the needs of any family. I know I am sounding a bit like I am giving a tour of the school, but I feel more personally connected than my words can describe. For me, I have found my friends and like-minded parents at the preschool with whom I can learn and grow. Together, our families are evolving and growing each year and we have found a connection that will last long beyond the preschool years. There are many programs in the bay area that can offer early care and after care, and play-based curriculum, but what sets the PJCC apart is their approach to building not only the basic academic skills your child needs to develop appropriately, but their commitment to helping every child learn to be a good friend and a good community member. They model this behavior in the classroom , in participating in social justice campaigns like the Justice Garden which grows food for the local shelters, and collecting diapers and wipes for local families in need, and through their "Ethical Start" program that teaches values and community responsibility. They have a parent volunteer program called Yad B'Yad ( hand in hand) by which families can support one another in times of need in providing meals, babysitting or just a helpful play date. These are at the core of what makes this preschool so much more than any other we looked at. The PJCC is about building a community where our children and our family as a whole can grow and learn and develop meaningful friendships. I am at the end of my 6+ years at the preschool as my youngest child is almost ready for Kindergarten and I look back at the years we have spent here with a confidence knowing that we made the right choice for our family in picking the PJCC. read more

My family has been at the PJCC preschool since 2006 and have loved it. We trust the staff and administration. Each teacher has created a loving, caring, learning environment. While expecting an education experience, it is equally important to me that my children have fun and wake-up each morning wanting to go to school. This is the case with both of my kids and the PJCC. Each day they are excited to go to school, excited about what they learn, and excited to see their friends and teachers. All of this would be a requirement of any school for me; however the icing on the cake is that they are also learning about their Jewish Heritage. What responsibilities we all have, how to be an honest and caring individual, how to treat people fairly as well as our customs and traditions. Having grown up in a 'Culturally Jewish' home, I never had that education. Seeing my kids being comfortable and proud of their Judaism is an amazing gift to me. read more

My son has been at the PJCC preschool for over 2 1/2 years, and we have found a wonderful community there. The teachers are kind, caring, and incredibly skilled in relating to children and making them feel valued and understood. I'm continuously impressed by the level of open communication between parents and staff, and I appreciate getting thoughtful feedback about how my son is doing each day. The PJCC preschool is well-known for being a welcoming "family". Stephanie Levin (the Director) knows every child (and parent!) by name, and goes out of her way to check in with families and connect with them. Teachers are so skilled at discovering the best parts of each child and learn quickly how to reach them in a way that is unique to that child's personality and needs. My son has grown so much academically and socially while at the PJCC, and I credit the talented staff there for guiding him so well. When you walk through the gate, it's clear how much affection and appreciation each teacher has for the children. Kids are eager to greet their teachers and friends. They rush to show their parents what they've accomplished at the end of the day. And in our case, they don't want to leave! My son likes to stick around and run on the soccer field or play in the front office after school....he enjoys being there so much! Families are provided with many opportunities to connect and participate, including extracurricular activities, family picnics, story-times, Shabbat dinners, and family playdates. We've made lifelong friends there! We are especially grateful that our son is receiving such a well-rounded Jewish education at the PJCC. Judaic culture and values are taught in their play-based curriculum, and my son has been so proud to share what he's learned with us. I trust the PJCC completely, and am grateful that they give 100% of themselves to the kids in their care every day. I really believe that a preschool can be judged by what it sounds like before and after school. It makes my morning to hear children playing, families greeting each other, kids running to hug their teachers and show off their classrooms, and administrators asking thoughtful questions and checking in with parents. We feel so lucky to be part of this warm and caring community, and will be so sad to leave when my son goes off to Kindergarten next year. read more

Both of our children have attended the PJCC Preschool and it has been a wonderful experience for both our kids and for us as a family. We have developed a wonderful community of friends through each of our children's classrooms. The teachers and staff are very attentive and caring. Our kids look forward to going to school every day! We also love the daily report about what our kids have done. The extended care program is fabulous too. read more

My son has attended the PJCC Preschool for 2 years (as well as Camp Keff in the summer). I can only say how incredibly fortunate we are to be a part of such a fantastic program. It is everything I could ask for and more: a warm, caring, and stimulating environment, with excellent and dedicated staff, and a wonderful community. I couldn't say enough nice things about the preschool and our experiences in the last years. My son has thrived and blossomed there; and we have made friendships that will last a lifetime. To paraphrase their recent education for Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, they're making the world a better place. Run don't walk. read more

We had a bad experience in this school. Our son is a late-talking kids. The teacher seemed to have no patience to take care of such a kid. We dropped out because of the teacher, very cold. read more

This preschool is more than just a place for children to have magical days of fun and play. It is also an incredible community for families, and a bastion of incredible learning opportunities for parents. Through seminars sponsored by Parents' Place, we have received really helpful advice about all matters parenting-related, from sibling rivalry to personality/temperament types, potty-training and discipline beyond bribery. Most of all, my two boys have had loving, highly skilled teachers who have helped them grow and develop in a nurturing, safe and truly magical environment. The teacher conferences show how committed the teachers are to understanding each child's learning style, social skills, and gross/fine motor strengths & weaknesses, which is pretty incredible for 3-4 year olds! In our younger son's 2-year old class this year, the teachers created an incredible learning environment that felt like a curated discovery museum exhibit each day-- filled with wonder, organized by theme, and beautifully orchestrated to allow for exploration and focused play. Our older son learned to love art, and our younger son now sings songs from school every night, showing an amazing early appreciation for music. The P.E. program is phenomenal, as is the music program. The Jewish content is also wonderful- but by no means are all the kids Jewish. We have met such lovely families through each of our children's classes, and created friendships that we cherish. We could not be more thrilled with this idyllic preschool environment! read more