Both my children had been attending SHECC since they were 2 years old. My son recently graduated from the TK program here and I can't sing their praises enough! Ms. Nonny and Ms. Netali are both so nurturing and care deeply about each individual student. My son, who has some learning challenges, thrived in this class! We value social emotional development for the early years and they went above and beyond. My daughter still has another year here and I am excited to see her progress in Nonny and Natalie's class. read more

Shir Hadash Preschool - SHECC end of the year celebration - Preschools Near Me - Los Gatos, California

Angie and Ashorina are great teachers! My kid had a great first year of preschool in their Little Bears class right after covid. They are super creative, down to earth, and love the kids for who they are. I can also highly recommend Lorien who taught the TK class. She always knows exactly what to say when kids need help and has boundless energy and ideas for creating lots of special moments throughout the day. There's lots to learn from all of them! read more

Both of my children went to Shir Hadash for preschool. We have had the pleasure of being part of the Shir Hadash community for the last 3.5 years. From the 2 year old class to the junior kindergarten program this school is exceptional! The teachers are loving and engaging in their interactions with the children. The Reggio inspired curriculum was very important to our family. A sense of self, others, and the community outside of the walls of the school are taught saily My younger child started in the 2 year old class and finished his time at the school in the junior kindergarten class. With small class sizes and a focus on building self confidence and some simple life skills, I feel that he is ready to start kindergarten with all the tools he needs. The school itself is small, less than 100 children. One of the things I love about this school is how quickly I felt welcome by other parents I would see at drop off. There is a real sense of community that you just don't get at larger schools. read more

Shir Hadash Preschool - Preschools Near Me - Los Gatos, California

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My daughter just completed her journey at the ECC at Shir Hadash and I can't sing it's praises high enough. She had amazing teachers every year - each one knew her personality so well and was able to reach her in different ways. Janet, the director, has been amazing. She weathered the pandemic and the preschool growing and growing beautifully. My daughter is a stronger and more mature little lady after going through the preschool and TK at Shir Hadash. We will miss the community immensely. read more

Between our two kids, we've been at Shir Hadash for 7 years. The school is nothing short of spectacular. Secure, joyful, artsy, solid, spirited kids. For example, should a kid gets a bump or a scrape, several kids rush over and ask "I want to check in with you, are you ok, what can I do to make you feel better?" - then they'll follow through and do it. This school sets them up for an elementary school far better than any other we've attended in the past. Student teach ratio is phenomenal. We have always had the most incredible teachers. This year, our daughter in in JK which is totally PHENOMENAL (like her previous classes). Our daughter learns so much that she might as well skip kindergarten - hahaha. They go on regular field trips, and do Park days at Blossom hills right down the street every Thursday, in JK. It's a student-led class which is rare and which we LOVE, 4-5 year olds get so many choices at their disposal. Our daughter is currently doing art work with a glue gun (yes, in JK they are allowed to use them, with supervision, which I love and they take pride in the trust and independence they're given). We are so thrilled with what she's learning. Our only negative (and yes it's such a weak one!) Is that teachers Martina and Nonny Jk teachers don't do kindergarten! You are so far better doing this than set them up in a non Reggio based school. Regarding being labeled a "jewish preschool," I'd say about half aren't Jewish at all! While they do a small Shabbat tiny tots service on Friday mornings at the temple, we've noticed all non Jewish kids love love love the dance and sing and being on stage. Nothing really religious happens to confuse them with their affiliation, Christian or another religion. It's a great experience, and sets them up for Kindergarten differences so easily. Robin Adelman, the director, works tirelessly to ensure each child gets the same joyful experience. Robin is an absolute gem, I can't imagine this school being so ideal without her running the show. There is yoga, bucket drumming, soccer, tumbling, dance and cooking which are all incorporated into their their weekly schedules. Kids are offered nap with their blankies and lovies should their parents what them to rest/sleep from 1-3pm. Mid morning snack is always good and nutritious. There is a pizza day each week, but you can choose not to participate and stick with your own lunch. Everything is so flexible. Kids play so well together, no bullying, just absolute kindness. Before I discovered SH, we attended Explorer and found some disturbingly mean, exclusive children, :/ Finally, the class teachers summarize their weekly experiences with a thoughtful email over the weekend with pictures and cute stories. Something I appreciate and love since my daughter is one of "those kids" who share nothing with us. "Charley how was your day?! Good." The end. Sigh. There is nothing not to love about this preschool. I don't know of another school that prepares children for elementary school in such a fun way they don't even know they're learning! Life long friends is just a bonus. Also, the preschool doesn't advertise itself, it's truly a hidden gem, and a lot of parents want to keep it secret like we often do with fine restaurants I guess. I'm not one of them. This school should b acknowledged, as kids deserve the opportunity to thrive. read more

As a parent, I am always trying to look out for my children and do what I think is best for them, sometimes I feel doubt or question my decisions. That being said my daughter attends Shir Hadash Preschool in the Little Bears class. Her teachers this year are Ashorina and Angie. Personally, I think they're fantastic, however, my daughter actually LOVES them. Everyday when i pick her up, she has nothing but wonderful things to say about them and how she loves them. I have seen such growth in her. She used to be shy and timid, doubtful of her abilities. Now she couldnt be more kind and patient with herself, understands that she is very capable of challenges, and she comes home saying things like : "I can do this, all i have to do is try." My daughter has expressed interest in art and Angie has taken the time and effort to foster that spark. Ashorina and Angie have help my daughter to make new friends, whereas before she stuck to them like glue. I adore this school, it has such a wonderful community, its small enough that everyone can get to know each other and look out for one another. I would highly, highly recommend this facility. read more

We are so happy we found Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center. We enrolled our son in the TK class with Ms. Martina and Ms. Nonny. We feel so lucky and fortunate that our son was able to play and learn in this developmentally enriching program. These teachers are amazing, hands down the best. I can't say enough positive things about this place. May son has grown in so many ways while in this program, his confidence, leadership and love for learning and school has just flourished. I love their flexible schedule, which allowed my son to stay longer on two days because he loved being at school. We feel he will be prepared emotionally and socially for his journey on to elementary school. The wonderful community of families has been an added bonus. read more

I feel so lucky to have found the Hummingbirds class at CSH ECC. Ms Martina and Ms Nonny did so much for my son's development. The classroom had a number of stations for the kids to explore as they wanted, which really spoke to my son's need to work with his hands. The hot glue station became his favorite. With their teaching style, he gained so much confidence to start writing his name, try new things, and not be afraid to make mistakes. They also helped him manage the big feelings he had when our family added a new sibling, along with the smaller but still significant feelings that came up day to day. He went from pushing his way to the front of the line to stopping and letting others go first. And parent/teacher conferences with Nonny and Martina were really collaborative, sharing our observations of my son and how all of us could work together to encourage certain behaviors and learning. They were really a joy to work with and learn from. read more

I'm just a grandma who picks up my little granddaughter from the Shir Hadash preschool, but I have to tell you that my heart swells every time I wander into that happy, happy place. It feels magical, every day. The teachers - Ms. Nonny, Ms. Martina, and everyone else I've had the pleasure of meeting - are loving, filled with joy and creative ideas. They plan the curriculum consciously. They pay close attention to every child and bring out the best in each, especially in terms of their social-emotional development. My granddaughter has made friendships that will last beyond preschool. As the parents (and grandparents) line up to pick up the kids at the end of each day, we chat, almost always sharing our delight with the school and its lovely influence on the development of the children. I wish all of life could be this sweet, this full of life, this enriching. read more

We simply ADORE Ms Nonny and Ms Netali! They are both incredibly loving, engaging, energetic, creative and attentive teachers and we have LOVED having them as TK teachers for our 5 year old! We truly cannot say enough positive things about them. The TK program is technically play-based but has lots of "sneaky" (read: FUN) ways of incorporating learning concepts into the curriculum, to ensure that the kids will be more than ready, emotionally, socially and intellectually, to be sent off to kindergarten once they finish the TK academic year. Oh and the outdoor play spaces are also amazing and were a huge selling point for us! read more

We moved our daughter to Shir Hadash Junior Kindergarten program from another school at the beginning of the year, and were quite nervous about it. In hindsight this is the best decision we ever made! Our daughter thrived under Miss Martina and Miss Nonny's care - they are warm, funny and highly professional. The Reggio approach is just amazing, encourages curiosity, creativity and independence in a truly unique way. The indoor/outdoor play areas are beautiful, allowing the kids imagination to run wild. The curriculum itself has many surprises: - Monthly field trips - the class and teachers visit the local library, hiking trails, parks - all using public transportation! An empowering experience that showed our daughter she can do anything really - Gym/drumming/soccer/dance/yoga classes on daily basis are included - Tinkering - all day and everyday. My daughter learned how to use a glow gun on her first week, and came back with 3d art every week that followed... On top of the amazing class, the school's community is beautiful, hosting multiple activities throughout the year. read more

I can't say enough about the program at Shir Hadash! My son has been there for more than a year now, and he loves it. He gets to work with many of the teachers, since he stays for the whole day, and I feel like each and every one of them know my child so well. The center director truly cares about each child and is always available when you need help. From traditional learning, to working with his friends through sticky situations, and even to potty training, this place has been so important to our family! read more

It wasn't until my twins' 2nd birthday was approaching that I started considering putting them in preschool at that age. They had a nanny up until that time, but it seemed like they were at the stage where daily interaction with other kids their age would be a good thing. So there I was in mid-December, looking for an all-day, 5 days a week program to place them in starting at the end of January. Sort of the other end of the spectrum from parents who start enrolling in preschool when they get the positive pregnancy test! Suffice it to say, there were not many preschools in my neighborhood that had availability for twins in the middle of the school year, but in hindsight, I am really glad that was the case; otherwise, I might not have given Shir Hadash a chance. We are not Jewish, and I was uncertain at first whether this preschool environment would be a good fit. But after touring the school, and meeting Robin - the director - and the teachers, I was won over. Yes, the Jewish traditions are woven into the classroom experience, but in such a way that is fun and accessible to everyone. The teachers are wonderful - calm and engaging and loving, and the whole atmosphere is great - so many things to engage the kids. My twins have been at Shir Hadash for 3 months now and they love it there. Their language has blossomed, their sensitivity to others is developing, and they are learning so much. I am so grateful to have found Shir Hadash! read more

My daughter loves it at the Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center! She gets so excited when I tell her it's a school day! The Reggio curriculum is very stimulating and she always has something new to tell me about when I pick her up at the end of the school day. The play area is amazing, it has a hill slide, climbing rocks and stepping logs. There is also a huge sandbox. I am very impressed with teachers and Robin the director. The teachers are very thoughtful about the curriculum and working with the children. The documentation is wonderful--they have pictures of what the children have been working on along with a written description and quotes from the children. It really illustrates what they've been doing in class. I love the low teacher/child ratio. The whole school is a warm, happy place. read more

As much as I loved this school in September, it is a drop in the bucket compared to how much I love it now. The teachers and director together have created a really special community of children and families. For my daughter's 4th birthday, I was invited to come in and do a cooking project (we made pancakes). The teacher had made her a crown of flowers. Then she read individual "wishes" that the other children in the class wished for her for her birthday and the coming year. They do this for every kid. Next week we are going "hiking" (i.e. wandering in the woods and eating bugs) at Sanborn. read more

We could not have asked for a better place for our daughter to be at, before she graduated to Kindergarten. We've been at this school from the time she was 2, through TK and this place is truly special. From the warmth of each teacher, to the enrichment activities and opportunities available in each class at each level, to the safety features, to the values taught, everything in this place is so much more than I could have asked for and we are lucky to have found it. I could not recommend this preschool any higher. read more

This is the second pre-school my son has gone to. I pulled him out of the first one not for a specific reason, but just I didn't feel great about dropping him off there every day. I have the opposite feeling here. He is now in his third and final year in the TK program and I am so thrilled that he is in a space where his entire personality is honored and challenged. He has grown from a very hesitant child to one who feels empowered to speak up and be a participant in all activities. My only wish is that we could take all the teachers with us into elementary school. They are truly magic. I wish every child could go to a school like this. read more

This is an amazing preschool. My son has been attending Shir Hadash since last September. In the beginning he experienced separation anxiety, but the Teachers did everything possible to get him excited about school, they brought books from the library specifically thinking about his interests, made projects based on his curiosity in collaboration with the rest of the class and helped him adjust pretty quickly. I know that they make every child feel special and unique by embracing their individual way of learning. Miss Martina and Miss Kim really care about all the children in their class, I don't have enough words to thank them for doing such a great job. The Center Director is always on top of things, very friendly and approachable, I wish I would have found out sooner about this preschool, since this will be my son's last year there. read more

My daughter has attended Shir Hadash preschool for two and a half years. She will be "graduating" and moving on to Kindergarten at the end of this year but I couldn't let the time pass without writing a review here on Yelp. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this place. The classrooms and outdoor play areas are purposefully filled with natural elements and materials that inspire inquisitive play and opportunities for learning. The director, Robin, is a very seasoned and caring administrator who greets every single child and parent by name every day and her door is, literally, ALWAYS OPEN. There are many opportunities to be active in the parent community or classroom but also understanding that it just isn't possible for some. There are also many fun "extracurriculars" for the children (dance, soccer, martial arts, yoga) and a number of family events each year. Beyond anything else is the outstanding quality of the teachers at SHECC. My daughter's teachers are honestly among the warmest, most intuitive and caring people I have ever met. They truly appreciate each child in their care and have helped my daughter tremendously during major life transitions (for a four year old :) such as adapting to her father's increased work travel and the arrival of a new baby in the family. They provide never ending, in depth learning and always stress the importance of the "sense of community" in the class with an emphasis on treating classmates with respect and kindness. They also cultivate self reliance in the children while still warmly addressing their emotional needs. My daughter has developed strong friendships through school and so have I. BOTH of us will miss Ms. Veronica and Ms. Martina very much. FYI- we are not Jewish and have always felt very warmly received and included at Shir Hadash. The community there is extremely welcoming and respectful of all religious backgrounds and we have enjoyed the opportunity to learn about others faiths. read more

My daughters (2 1/2 & 3 1/2) absolutely LOVE this school! Everyday when they wake up they ask me if they can go to school! Robin is a fantastic director and you can tell she really cares for each and every student. The teachers are terrific and the updates we get about each day illustrate how much time they spend with the kids actually listening to them. The facility is beautiful and the outside play area is great. We are not Jewish and have been welcome with open arms - it has truly been a great experience for our entire family. read more

My son attends the Bumble Bee (2 year old) class at Shir Hadash ECC. I spent a lot of time visiting other schools and interviewing staff, and I am so glad to have chosen the right place for me and my family. The teachers (Angie and Sylvia) are very warm, loving, and willing to cooperate and work together with me about everything from how to handle crying to what foods to eat and how. The open communication and down-to-earth approach at Shir Hadash are very refreshing in the local preschool landscape that can be very strict and rule-based from what I have seen. At Shir Hadash I feel my individual concerns are addressed and I feel confident that my son is well cared for and thriving. My son has become more confident, more social, and interactive with his peers since starting school only one month ago. I would be happy to connect with any parent who would like to hear more (I was there!!). read more

I can only say one word about this school : support, support, support ! I was a stay at home mom for six years and I was in transition to go back to work this past year until now. My 2 year old loves school and her teachers Angie and Silvia not only are affectionate but also great listeners. Robin, the director, is so great! She always fulfills my needs in relation to child care. I come with my 6 year old and she is always welcomed and made to feel part of the school. The outdoor area is so fantastic, Nature is in every part. The curriculum is also great and she has been learning a lot. The are so many extra curricular activities includes yoga, music, ballet and more...and I don't have to worry about running around with her after school to others places. My transition to go back to work was smooth because of the support of this great school! I highly recommend ! Some people drive from far away to attend this school because it's so good! I feel like they are my family and they want the best for my kid! read more

My son spent three years at Shir Hadash pre-school starting at age two including summers. He graduated in June of 2015. My experience was so amazing that I cried when we had our last day there. From the start the teachers were very warm and nurtuting always gave individual attention to my son based on his needs. The community is very warm and welcoming and my family has made so many strong friendships while at the school. The school spends a lot of time on social and emotional development and now that my son is in kindergarten I know just how important and and valuable these skills are. We just had our first parent-teacher conference at his kindergarten and it was glowing. Especially the social and emotional review, which is the most important for a child to be open to learning. His academic report was strong as well. I can't say enough about Robin, the Director of the school. She is extremely knowledgeable, knows every child personally and her door is always open for any concerns or advice or just an ear to listen. The teachers are absolutely amazing. They are warm and creative and offer many varied opportunities for children to learn through play. The outside yard does not have your typical jungle gym but a more natural environment that fosters opportunities for children to be creative, use their imaginations and of course run around have fun. My son had a wonderful experience and was very sad to leave the school, but the testament of his experience is how well he was prepared for Kindergarten. I strongly recommend the school! read more