I have two sons, who are 12 months apart in age, and have been enrolled at Robin's Nest since December 1, 2012. Previously the boys were at a home daycare, and with the four year old soon to be heading to Kindergarten it was important to us that they be placed closer to home and in a preparatory environment. Robin's Nest did a fantastic job of getting us all acquainted with the school by inviting the kids and parents in to visit before their full-time status began. They have a large selection of toys, puzzles, dress-up, building items, and books. The list goes on and on. Parents do need to pack all lunches, as well as feed children breakfast before school. If pretzels or goldfish aren't preferred, you are able to provide something else for the kids' snack times. They have outdoor playtime from 8:30 - 9:30 A.M. and the boys love to get dropped off during this time. It allows them to start running around right away. The sign-in and pick-up process is straightforward and each child has a cubby of their own. No candy allowed in lunches and they are supportive teachers to parents too. As a single-mom I'm often running around and keeping tabs on every little thing. With the two boys always in tow, I found it relieving when the boys' teachers ask the kids to start cleaning up and collecting their things to help. It empowers the kids and helps mom or dad tremendously. My boys joined the three year old class and the four year old class. With the four year old heading of to Kindergarten, the school has done a great job talking about and preparing for that change. Key things loved by the boys include: Their friends! Share time (four year old class) Circle time Reading Free art or gifts and pieces for the home Exploring the alphabet Brian the Science guy (who brings hand sanitizer, Ball Pythons, and a slew of geckos and lizards and such) Happy Feet Soccer Joy of Dance Ballet Panda Bear Gymnastics Both of my boys nap daily, which Robin's Nest offers. I would highly recommend this school to any parent who works full-time and needs the year round support only a hands-on daycare could offer. The teachers have done a good job at alerting me to any great behavior, issues, special needs, or general information about the school programs and their monthly changes. They also offer a paid lunch day (you pay, they provide a main dish) and special appreciation days for Mother's/Father's Day. read more

My son who is now 14 went to Robin's Nest for all of preschool and still has fond memories of it. The teachers were wonderful and very detailed when communicating their observations of my son's activities and interactions for the day . All these cute thoughtful things that usually a mom notices but no one else unless they are very close to the child. Being a 9 to 5 working mom and already feeling guilty for not being with my first born during the day, these cute observations let me feel what my son experienced each day. It was amazing that the teachers were so caring to each individual child and NOTICED everything they did. Snacks and nap times were perfect and they were very accommodating with some special meals I had for him. Also, though we were late a few times picking my son up (we used to commute from the city), whatever teacher left to care for him, was never put out and still took the time to tell us about my son's day. We also met the founders Rob and Cindy a few times and they are the most caring couple I know and truly care about the parent's input. Anyway, happy fond memories. My son is still great friends with some of the kids from preschool to this day! read more

I sent my daughter here for five months starting at age 2.5. She did great and liked the school because it was the first daycare/school setting she had been in. She particularly liked the tasty snacks (she hadn't really had much juice or sugar at home up to this point) and one friend from the pre-kindergarten class (age 5) who was allowed to spend time in the younger class with her. She hated nap time because she no longer took naps. We decided to move her to another preschool because we wanted a place that was more proactive and thoughtful when it came to education, child development, and which had positive staff energy, and a better teacher/student ratio. There was a newly transitioned head of Robin's Nest at that time (2017), and she was very passionate and energetic but has now since moved on. read more

Robin's Nest has been fantastic. We started our little girl there when she was two and she has thrived. Good friends, good teachers, and is (usually) very happy to be going to school. It's not uncommon for her to ask on weekends if she's going to get to go to Robin's Nest that day. They have been great with her through the whole growing up process and don't freak out when there are bumps in the road (like all kids have). Our daughter had a tough time dealing with the transition from one class to the next class - they were patient, tolerant, totally open to meeting with us to discuss what could be done to help her in her specific situation, recommended some things we could do that could help, etc. A month or two passed and she's better than ever. Bottom line is that I feel like they are definitely interested in treating my daughter as an individual, not as something that needs to fit into a mold. I like in particular that Robin's Nest caters to working parents. With both my wife and I working, it's nice that extended care is not an add-on or afterthought, but a core aspect of what they do. Lots of other parents are in the same boat at Robin's Nest, and I like that since our daughter has long days at school (8:30am-5:30pm), at least she's spending the whole day with friends. The only challenge with Robin's nest is that since many of the parents are working parents, it can be challenging to schedule play dates and nurture friendships outside of school. But we've been able to find parents in the same situation as us and find the time to build those extra relationships for our daughter and it has worked out fine. Very pleased with some of the recent moves at Robin's nest, including more healthy snacks, digital communication with the parents, etc. Highly recommended! read more

Our child was adequately cared for. The teachers were generally kind and attentive. The kids have a lot of fun at play time. The playground is pretty big. Our daughter loved it. read more

My kid went to this daycare for less than 4 months and I cannot stress enough the damage this place caused. I think every parent out there needs to know that this place is very mediocre to say the least. They have no interest in nurturing kids. Every single day I got a note from the head teacher telling me how bad my son was, this soon escalated to daily calls, she would put him on the phone and make sure i talked to him and told him that he needed to behave. This level of torture made my son believe he was a bad boy and he soon internalized it and to this day he sometimes says he is a bad boy something we have had to fix with the help of a psychologist. The teachers are totally incapable of dealing with active kids they have no academic training and therefore are unable to solve certain situations. My kid arrived home with dirty underwear more than once and when we asked to please help him wipe she said that was not her job. The head teacher is a very dry, non-loving person who has no patience. The other teacher whose name i totally forgot had no tact and used to tell me every single day in front of my son all the bad things he had done. I would never recommend anyone this place. My kid is thriving now at a different school where teachers not only are incredibly loving but also have the academic preparation to help him grow and support him and empower him. Please if you love your child don't send him to Robin's nest. read more

We love Robin's nest. My grandson has been going to Robin's Nest since Dec 2015. It's a fun and loving place and it did not take him long to adjust. Robin's Nest has improved greatly since the new director and the new teachers took over few months ago. They are much more organized and kids are having so much fun while learning, painting and playing. My grandson very often asks on weekend if he is going to school. Robin's Nest is a fun and nurturing place for my little one! read more

I would love to give them 5 stars but the only thing holding me back is the Director, Michele and the fact that when anyone tries to speak with her or the owners of the school about concerns, no one responds or cares... Michele has asked us to take our kid out on more than one occasion when we brought something that we thought needed changing or at the least considering! She is incompetent, phony, and non-communicative. The school is in a great location, their hours are good for working folk, most of the teachers are very dedicated, and we love the huge, shady playground at the end of the street, away from traffic, noise and pollution! Kathy, Lynn, Yvette and Kayleen really are great with the kids, are hard working and underpaid. They were way under-staffed for a while and made every excuse in the book that their 'numbers were fine", but that was a lie. Most of the parents were concerned for the safety of their kids because it was so chaotic. Luckily, they seem to have filled the vacancies and now things are back to status quo. Bottom line: If you want an old-fashioned, down to earth preschool for your kids, its good and some really great families are a part of it. Just don't expect any effective relationship with the director or the owners, so if you have any special needs or ever want to suggest anything that could improve the school- you'll get a brick wall! read more

This is for the San Anselmo center: I like my son's current teacher, Yvette. She has been great with him and is a truly wonderful and caring person. I know my son is safe there and will be treated with respect. However, I am genuinely concerned with the complete lack on nutritious options at this school, and the apparent lack of developmentally appropriate curriculum, especially in the arts. My son is constantly eating cake, ice cream, cookies, and marshmellows during school snack times. He refuses to eat the balanced and nutritious lunches I pack because he knows he will get calorie dense, tooth rotting nutritionally poor snacks later on (which of course he prefers over my lunches). The most nutritious food they have there is salsa for the tortilla chips. Seriously. I've seen their snack shelves. every single thing there is junk food. My other issue with this school is their "art". Preschoolers need lots of opportunities to explore materials freely and expereince process art. However, my son brings home pre-fab craft products that look exactly like his classmates' (even the teachers get confused which art is whose at the end of the day). My son is unique, and his art should look uniquely his! He loves the art he does at home, shows it to anyone who comes to visit, and proudly displays it around the house. However, he could care less about the things he brings from home, tosses it in the trash, steps all over it, and shows zero interest in it. That says alot to me about how vested he is in his art at school. If you just want a safe and caring holding pen, Robins Nest is a reasonably priced option. If you want a school that nourishes the developing mind and body, find another school. read more

Wonderful! We started our 2 year old there literally the month he turned 2 this year, needless to say he was the youngest in the whole school. The special love and attention he was given during his transition was amazing. Especially director Christina and teacher Gina were both very attentive and empathetic to his needs. Christina is very cheerful each morning when she greets the students. She is also very organized and professional and will personally call you to keep you informed about things that may have happened unexpectedly at school. i.e. last week she called my cell to let me know there power was out but all the kids were safe and playing in the school yard. I would definitely recommend this school to all of my friends. The staff is clearly wonderful and the hours are very conducive to a working parent's schedule. read more

My now 11 year old, 8 year old and my 3 year old have attended Robins Nest in San Anselmo. All of my children have wonderful and fun memories from Robins Nest ant its staff. Michelle is an amazing caregiver and the curriculum is great. My two oldest ones had it very easy once they entered Kindergarden due to the curriculum taught to them at Robins Nest. I support Robins Nest 100%, it's not only a school but a family. I love the huge playground, all the classes and all the teachers. What I love the most is that if you were to ask my children what memories they had of their preschool, they would tell you that they are very happy ones. I have never met a parent that had their children in Robins Nest and did not like Michelle, the school or the rest of the teachers. If I had any more kids, I would not consider another school. read more

My son has attended Robin's Nest for over two years. He thrives there. It's a warm, loving place where he is nurtured and I would completely recommend the school to any friend. As for these awful reviews, I can only guess that someone has an axe to grind. My son has never been punished, been fed sprinkles, and I have never seen the staff out smoking. Beware of hyperbole, that's all I can say. read more

Our daughter has been at RN for two years and we are grateful for the love and attention she receives there. Knowing how much care the staff puts into the children every day, the negative reviews are surprising at best. After all the research I did, I went with my gut and feel that this was the right choice for our daughter and our family. read more

My son went to Robin's Nest in San Anselmo for 3 1/2 years and LOVED it. He still goes there when his school closes for breaks (he is now in kindergerten). The teachers are loving and welcome him back with open arms. I have always felt that safety and love was their ultimate goal with my children.... my daughter is still there and has been for the last 2 years. She also loves it and her teachers. Thank goodness for Robin's Nest. Furthermore, my son was very ready for kindergarten, thanks to the teachers who gave him the skills necessary to move on (like learning the alphabet, promoting a lot of story time / book reading, etc). read more

Robin's Nest is awesome. They have so many great activities for the children and the director is so passionate about the kids. You can really tell the kids love the preschool. Both my kids love going there and it has greatly impacted their life in the most positive way. read more