I can not say enough about the wonders and magic of Mountain School! Our family attended with two…read morechildren across five years, ages 2-5, and experienced all the different and unique classes and AMAZING teachers. Mountain School helped me raise adventurous, confident risk-takers who are emotionally grounded and comfortable in various social settings. The school's nature-focused, child-led, and play-based philosophy follows the science that PLAY is our children's work and that there is no better place to learn than outside! The tire swing, zip line, canyon classroom, creek play, field trips, sensory activities, and materials are all favorites for our family, but more important is the carefully crafted curriculum that ties all of these pieces together. Each class, teacher, and school year is a little different because the teachers ebb and flow with the children's rhythms. Every piece of Mountain School is done with intention, integrity, and gratitude. Aside from my children's growth and experience, I was also a student in the community with Mountain School. The school philosophy that training parents in child development is education's most important job is the most valuable piece of the entire Mountain School experience. Learning from the fantastic, experienced, and loving teachers is the greatest gift you'll give yourself. I am the parent I am today because of what I learned at Mountain School!

Each teacher is as phenomenal as they are devoted. They truly stand out and we are so grateful for…read moreall they and the school have given our family. My child attended from ages 2-5, each year growing, exploring, and learning through first-hand experience and play. An amazing foundation as she started kindergarten. Founded in 1956, Mountain School is built on a wonderful, unique philosophy that training parents in understanding children is education's most important job. The school is a gift to parents as much as the children. With a Parent Board of Directors, there are many opportunities to get involved with an amazing community.

I can't recommend Grace Preschool more! My son has thrived there and I can't believe the growth…read moreI've seen in him since starting school here. The staff and teachers are all so warm and nurturing to the kids and parents. It's the perfect play-based environment and my son can't wait to attend school each day. What a gift to a tired mom!

Our family discovered Grace preschool in 2016 and we couldn't be happier. All 3 of my girls have…read moreattended and my youngest will be in pre-K there next year. They are all a bit shy, so it was very important to me to find a school where the teachers were nurturing and kind and would help them come out of their shell a bit. Grace was exactly what we were looking for. The classes are small, the teachers are amazing and the parent community is so nice. During the last year, the classes were smaller than normal and some of the instruction was on Zoom, so I got a little more insight into what goes on in the classroom than I have in previous years. I can't tell you how impressed I am! Every single activity the kids do is prepared with so much thought. The kids are having fun and learning so much in the process. My oldest two girls left pre-K well prepared for Kindergarten. The school is play based, but they ensure the kids learn everything they need to know for a successful start in elementary school. I can't recommend it enough!

All the teachers we've met are caring, patient, and kind to our child. The admins are attentive and…read moreget to know all the kids and parents. I cannot overstate how awesome it is that they have staff who prepare lunches so I don't have to. The campus itself is top-notch with playgrounds, grass, gym for poor weather days, etc. We're so grateful that we were recommended KK early on so our kid has only had positive experiences with "school"!

Both our children went to Kiddie Kampus 2x a week from ages 2 until they were 4 years old and…read moregraduated Kiddie Kampus. Given we drove 30-35 minutes by highway (one way) from Palo Alto, this tells you how much we loved this preschool. Our kids attended 3 half days at Bing Nursery (at Stanford) and 2 full days at Kiddie Kampus (in Los Gatos). The teachers are warm and caring and the children are kind and compassionate. It is play based and they also care about sun protection. The stories and games that are taught are wonderful and the imagination is allowed to grow. If I could give 10 stars I would. In the news these days, there are stories of how toddlers have drowned in San Jose at preschool, or even at summer camp at Harker School. And those stories remind me how lucky we were to send our kids to Kiddie Kampus and Bing Nursery. This is the place where teachers read stories, have playdo for children to develop small motor skills (needed for holding a pencil), have paints for painting, blocks for expanding the imagination and counting... this is where play happens not didactic teaching. When our oldest first started preschool at age 2, we were worried about her separation anxiety. She was a sensitive toddler and had never been away from family. Kiddie Kampus had an extra preschool teacher come in that day so they could devote full attention to our daughter if she had separation anxiety. When our daughter wasn't eating lunch the first week, I got a call asking if they could do something to help her eat more. When there were bad air quality or heat warning days, Kiddie Kampus would send out an email first thing in the morning letting parents know because of the weather advisory, the kids would be mostly indoors playing (in the cool gym not outside). If you're expecting your 2 or 3 year old to come out of preschool reading and writing, then you're looking for a didactic based preschool. Kiddie Kampus is very similar to Bing Nursery School as both are play based. This is how children at this age learn (through play) and Kiddie Kampus is all about play. Our children loved going to Kiddie Kampus, loved their teachers, who are not only professional but kind and warm hearted and loved their friends. It was a priviledge to send our kids to Kiddie Kampus - it played a huge developmental role in helping our children grow intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally.

Our twin daughters have been attending Mariposa for several months, and we could not be more…read morepleased. From the excellent teachers and staff, to the expansive space and multiple playgrounds for the children, this really is a wonderful school. In particular, the teachers and administration are wonderful--we can clearly see that the Montessori program has benefitted our daughters' development...and they are genuinely excited to go to school each morning, which tells you everything! I would not hesitate to recommend Mariposa to any parents looking for schools near Los Gatos. And lastly, the location is fantastic...we're very grateful to have Mariposa in our area!

Our daughter started at Mariposa when she was just 18 months old, and the transition was incredibly…read moresmooth thanks to the care and warmth of the amazing teachers. While I won't name everyone individually, each teacher we've encountered has been caring, patient, and truly exceptional. We began in the toddler class and later moved up to the primary class, and the growth we've seen in our daughter has been remarkable. She's learned so much and gained so much confidence along the way. We're genuinely grateful to have found Mariposa--it's been such a wonderful part of our family's journey. We truly can't recommend it enough.

Our child absolutely loves Stratford Los Gatos Preschool, especially Room 2. The program offers a…read moreperfect balance of academics, science, arts and crafts, sports, and music, so the kids grow in every aspect. There are always engaging and creative activities, and our little one has made wonderful friends here. We also truly appreciate the warm and friendly parent community. It's easy to communicate and connect with other families. A special thank you to Ms. Sree and Miss Cyndi, who are incredibly caring, responsible, and organized. Every activity is thoughtfully planned and executed with love. We feel so lucky that our child was able to spend an entire preschool year in Room 2. Highly recommend to any family looking for a nurturing and well-rounded preschool experience!

Stratford: the most expensive way to get less education…read more Stratford operates like a corporation first and a school second. My daughter attended from age three through 4th grade. We chose to withdraw because the 5th-grade campus commute would have been unreasonable. We communicated this intention clearly and repeatedly, in person, to the principal (Preethi Chadha) and her 4th-grade teacher. Despite that, Stratford charged a 10% withdrawal fee on annual tuition, claiming notice was not submitted to the "corporate" office. At no point did anyone proactively flag this requirement, remind us, or make any effort to prevent the fee--after years of tuition and what we believed was a community relationship. The result felt less like a policy and more like a revenue mechanism. Moving to Los Gatos public schools was eye-opening: materially better support, stronger administration, and none of the "tuition-with-fees" experience. To be clear, our criticism is not of the teachers--we had several excellent educators doing their best. The issue is administrative and institutional. If you're considering Stratford, go in with clear eyes: their priorities are corporate first, families second.

We came here when our kid was ~2.5 and this place is a real sweet gem…read more Teacher Netali and Elaine are so calm and cool our kid loved going there. The following year it was even more relaxed and that environment can calm the kids. The kids go to yoga and music classes certain days of the week and they celebrate so many lovely topics during the week. We'll miss this place.

My family is entering our third year with kids at the APJCC preschool. We attribute so much of our…read moreolder daughter's growth to her years here. The teachers put a great emphasis on helping the kids learn to communicate kindly with each other while also maintaining their personal boundaries. Every day when my daughter walked into her classroom, her teachers made her feel special and wanted there, and she was always happy to go to school. I've been happy with the diversity of the students and teachers at the school as well. While the school does celebrate Shabbat with the kids by making challah each Friday in the classrooms and observes Jewish holidays, there are plenty of families and teachers at the preschool who don't observe these customs at home, and that only adds to the richness of the community.

Let me start by saying I've worked in childcare most of my life, started when I was 12 and have…read morecontinued through adulthood! When it came to finding a school for my children I was beyond critical of every location I've visited. I not only have a check list of things I want for my children but I have to feel a trust and bond with the teachers and staff caring for my children. I have two children, in both of their locations. The teachers are beyond amazing! They have all been at these locations for year. That in itself speaks volumes! The amount of time put into the facility and activities for children is truly incredible. The community, communication and friendliness of these facilities is unmatched! You truly can't go wrong sending your children here! As sad as I am that my oldest is aging out and ready to go to kindergarten, I'm thrilled my youngest will soon be ready to go and enjoy this program!

We love Peppertree! We were so nervous to put our baby in daycare and our friend referred us to the…read morePeppertree Ranch House. As a mother and an educator, she is a highly trusted source. As soon as we toured the facility, we knew it was the right place for our family. Our son started in the infant room, advanced to the toddler room and then twos room. Every room and every teacher has made him and our family feel loved and cared for. Stephanie and Danna do an amazing job with coordinating everything. They go above and beyond to ensure that each child's individual needs are met. They have also provided much needed support with our toddler challenges. I am always so impressed how they are able to help locate missing items. Our son has learned so much since being at Peppertree and enjoys all the different activities. The school also hosts super fun events and activities for families to enjoy together. If you are looking for a great daycare/pre school, look no further!

Our daughter attended the infant program at this daycare and honestly I couldn't be happier that we…read moremade this choice despite some of the negative reviews here. As Louise said, the teachers here always spend all their time playing with the babies, helping them practicing crawling or walking and showing them many new activities that they would probably never experience otherwise. Most of the stuff our daughter was doing was well documented and we received new pictures of her very frequently which always made my day at work so much better. The teachers often prepared various new materials for babies to play with and it was always a lot of fun to observe how they reacted to the new sensory experiences. I also liked the design of the infant room that encouraged our girl to crawl and to stand up and cruise. I'm quite sure that if she didn't attend this daycare, these milestones would take her much longer to reach. As for the teachers, when I picked up our girl, I sometimes staid a little longer to play with her and what I observed was a loving environment where all babies were well cared of and if some of them was fussy the teachers always tried to comfort the baby the best they could. One thing I know for sure is that all babies there loved the teachers a lot (especially Ms. Kahea).

My son was here for just over a year transitioning from infant to toddler class. I liked how the…read moreschool updated the family with their apps in informing parents when they changed their diaper, what they ate, what time they took their nap, and had pictures every day of what the kids learned/did. Things I didn't like: Too big of a center to too many kids- My son had a runny nose every day for a year. The moment we took him out and brought him to another daycare he stopped getting sick. Very expensive in comparison to other daycares. They are a franchise so they are very well structured but lacks warmth. Talking to the teachers and staff, they are very professional but lacks sincerity. The moment I told them I'm taking my son out and gave them the 1 month notice I could tell the front staff attitude was different. Teachers are good however, but it seems like they don't get much say in how they want to teach their kids since it is a franchise.

As our family's four-year journey with Learning Pathways comes to an end, I honestly don't know how…read moreto put into words what this place has meant to us. Tomorrow, our littles will walk through these doors for the very last time before heading off to first grade, and somehow saying goodbye feels far harder than I ever imagined. What began as a search for a preschool became one of the greatest blessings our family has ever received. Learning Pathways didn't just help raise our children--it became part of our family's story. This is so much more than a preschool. It's a place where children are genuinely known, celebrated, challenged, encouraged, and loved. It's also a place where parents unexpectedly find their village. We didn't just enroll our children--we became part of a community of families who shared the same values, celebrated one another's children, supported each other through life's ups and downs, and built friendships that I know will last long after preschool has ended. We didn't just find a school; we found our tribe. What has always amazed me is how intentionally every part of Learning Pathways has been designed. They understand that preparing children for the future is about so much more than teaching letters and numbers. They nurture the whole child--academically, physically, socially, emotionally, and creatively. The academic foundation is exceptional. Their reading, math, and critical thinking curriculum prepared our children beyond what we ever expected. But that's only part of the story. Every week was filled with opportunities to discover new passions through music and movement, an incredible art program, hands-on science, Path to Fitness, yoga, cooking classes, drawing, and so many enriching experiences that inspired curiosity, confidence, creativity, and a genuine love of learning. Every activity had purpose. Every experience helped shape not only capable students, but kind, resilient, and compassionate little people. And then there are the teachers. It is impossible to write about Learning Pathways without talking about the extraordinary educators who make this place so special. Many of these teachers have been part of Learning Pathways for eight, ten, even fourteen years. In today's world, that is incredibly rare. It speaks volumes about the culture that has been created here. Happy, supported teachers create thriving classrooms, and you can feel that from the moment you walk through the doors. They are passionate about what they do, they hold themselves to a high standard, and they pour their hearts into every child who walks into their classroom. Our children were never just another name on a class roster. They were known. They were understood. They were celebrated. Every milestone mattered. Every challenge was met with patience. Every success was celebrated as if it were their own. As parents, there is no greater comfort than knowing your children are not only safe, but deeply loved while they're away from you. As parents, we trusted Learning Pathways with the two people we love most in this world. They didn't simply meet that responsibility--they honored it every single day. They believed in our children, encouraged them, challenged them, comforted them, and helped shape the wonderful little humans they are becoming. One day, our children may not remember every art project they created, every science experiment they explored, or every lesson they learned. But they will always remember how the people at Learning Pathways made them feel: safe, capable, confident, loved, and deeply believed in. Those are the gifts that last a lifetime. As we prepare to say goodbye, our hearts are filled with gratitude. It's bittersweet knowing this chapter is ending because places like Learning Pathways don't come around often. They have given our children an extraordinary beginning, but they've also given our family lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and a community that we will always carry with us. To every teacher, every staff member, and the incredible family behind Learning Pathways--thank you. Thank you for loving our children as if they were your own, for believing in them before they believed in themselves, and for giving them a foundation that reaches far beyond academics. Some schools teach children. Learning Pathways helps raise them. And for that, our family will be forever grateful.

Our family is delighted to have our daughter enrolled at Learning Pathways! We came in with high…read moreexpectations seeing the 4.9 average on Yelp, yet we continue to be amazed and impressed by this incredible preschool! Incredible instruction, thoughtfully organized, and a real gem of a school! We will be sending our other children here, but I still want to write a review of my experience about 6 months in. A C A D E M I C S We were looking for a place that centralized academics in their activities, but in a fun, age-appropriate, low-pressure way. I am pleased with the way Learning Pathways not only covers advanced topics for preschool age, but always maintains a fun and low-stress attitude for the children. Additionally, we are really pleased with the breadth of topics: our child has learned about gravity, reptiles, famous artists, acclaimed musicians, and various cultures (Black History Month, Diwali, etc). This is all on top of the critical English and math, of course. Moreover, we appreciate the 3 assessments Learning Pathways administers to each child throughout the school year (September, December, and one at the end of the year). The assessment shows us exactly what our child knows, is learning, and can learn. We also see concrete improvement in specific areas between her first and second assessment, too! O T H E R S U B J E C T S While academics are important to us, we also really appreciate the educational enrichment. Our daughter is consistently exposured to art and music, and she also participates in a wide variety of athletics/sports. Everything is so thoughtfully planned, and I appreciate how LP really makes things fun. T H E S T A F F Staff is attentive, caring, and organized. Communication has been exceptional around administrative things. O T H E R This school year (2025-2026), they relaxed their potty training policy while also encouraging independence with potty training. Our daughter made very quick progress in the first month and is now very independent in this area. Thank you! Moreover, there are a few fun performances for the parents around the holidays. So far, those have been for Halloween and Christmas. Thank you, Learning Pathways, for organizing such happy and adorable memories for us! "Goodness Snakes" came to her class this month, and my daughter really enjoyed being up close and even holding (!) some snakes in a safe setting! LP is super good about taking photos of the children. We get photos (and sometimes videos) daily, and they're always a delight. A R E A S T O I M P R O V E We are thrilled with nearly everything about LP, but there are a few areas I think that could be improved: -Please consider healthier snacks. There are some snacks with a high amount of added sugar (e.g. granola bars and dried fruit), and it'd be much more appreciated to only give crackers for meeting the "grains" category of food. -Additionally, please reconsider Swank's Farms for the pumpkin patch field trip. Not only is it about an hour from LP, but it did not rival any of the local pumpkin patches (e.g. in Santa Clara/San Jose area). Moreover, it was a little surprising that there were not any group activities. My husband took a day off for this field trip so we could become more acquainted with other LP families, yet the school did not even take a photo together. We were expecting some sort of organized activity or interaction between the families, but each family was really on their own (just physically in the same space).

Our daughter just graduated from the Terrific Toddlers program with Teacher Wendy, and we couldn't…read morehave asked for a better introduction to school. When we started, Aaliyah was shy and had a hard time with circle time. For the first few months, she would have a meltdown almost every class because she knew circle time meant we would be leaving soon. Wendy never rushed or pressured her. She has such a natural gift for working with young children, gently encouraging them at their own pace. Week by week, Aaliyah became more comfortable. Before long, she was joining in the songs, helping with the parachute, and eventually dancing in the middle of the circle with the other children. Watching her confidence grow over the course of the year was incredibly rewarding. Every class offered something new to explore. There were crafts like painting and coloring, dress-up and imaginative play, sensory activities, and plenty of time outdoors. The outdoor space is wonderful, with two separate playgrounds for different ages, plus tricycles, a sandbox, water play, bubbles, and so many opportunities for little ones to learn through play. One of the things that makes LGPNS so special is its cooperative preschool model. Parents are actively involved in the classroom alongside an experienced teacher, creating an exceptionally high adult-to-child ratio. It meant every child received lots of attention, and it also gave us parents the chance to really get to know one another. Our class was small enough that we formed genuine friendships, and I'm confident many of those relationships will continue long after preschool. Wendy is everything you hope for in a first teacher--warm, patient, enthusiastic, and incredibly knowledgeable about child development. It's easy to see why families speak so highly of her. LGPNS gave our daughter a joyful first school experience and helped her develop confidence, independence, and a love of learning. It also gave our family a wonderful community. We are so grateful for this past year and would wholeheartedly recommend the Terrific Toddlers program to any family looking for a nurturing first preschool experience.

We attended this amazing school for our PreK experience. We were very fortunate to have a choice…read morebetween attending a public school TK program or a private preschool. We chose Los Gatos Parent Nursery School (aka LGPNS) and it was a great fit for our 5-year-old. I have an elementary school teacher credential and I personally feel my child is going to be 100% prepared for kindergarten after attending LGPNS. The school philosophy emphasizes social-emotional skills, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and play-based, child-directed experiences. Academic skills and school readiness are embedded in their thoughtful curriculum. At the PreK class, this means that during circle time, children raise their hand to speak, practice listening to one friend at a time, and work on sitting still, all while doing literacy development through books and rhymes. They develop fine motor schools during art as they practice pencil grip and use scissors. They get early math skills throughout the day by counting, estimating, comparing and making graphs. There is a daily science center as well. There is plenty of time for outdoor, child-directed free-play too! At this time, children work on gross motor skills at the play structure, bike path, and gymnastics mats. They get wonderful sensory development at the sand box, mud kitchen and water table. Throughout the day, they get lots of support in social emotional skills like self-regulation and navigating peer relationships. Children are guided to solve their own challenges with adult support. Children own the process as much as possible, in an age-appropriate way. The facility is bright, clean, and well-stocked with everything from toys and art supplies to books and science materials. The teachers at the school are well-educated, have years of teaching experience, and have been at the school for a long time. Our bi-racial family has always felt welcome and included at the school, and we love how being at a co-op gives us the chance to meet other parents and build community. The adult-child ratios are great too! This is because parents work in the classroom once a week. I get so much value out of my classroom shifts. It helps me understand my child better when I seem them in different contexts. The teacher is always there to offer observations and advice if I ask. I feel I get to grow and improve as a parent and I can support my child better as a result of being at a co-op. Thank you LGPNS!