Our family has had a wonderful experience with our choice of Mills Montessori for our two-year-old…read more He started very shy and had only been cared for at home, so starting school was a big transition for him. His first two months were with Ms. Cali, who was absolutely amazing--so kind, patient, and nurturing. She took the time to make him feel comfortable, supported him through the transition, and helped him come out of his shell.He is now with Ms. Bella who has been just as excellent of a teacher and caregiver. We are so grateful for the care and attention he received during those first few months. It was clear from the beginning that both teachers truly cared about him and wanted him to feel safe, confident, and happy at school. Watching his growth and seeing how much he now enjoys going to school has been so special for our family. We are very happy with Mills Montessori and feel fortunate to have found such a caring environment for our son.

We have had a wonderful experience at Mills Montessori School. The teachers are caring, dedicated,…read moreand highly professional. The quality of education is excellent, and the staff provides wonderful attention and support to the children. My child has grown so much academically and personally during our time here. We have been at this school for 4 years, and we are very happy with our experience. I highly recommend Mills Montessori School to other families!

At Little Wonders, the teachers are warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely care about every child and…read morefamily who walks through the door. They create a space where children can explore, get messy, build confidence, and simply be kids. One of my favorite things about Little Wonders is the sense of connection. I've watched friendships grow not only among the children, but among the parents as well. Parenting can feel isolating at times, and having a community of people who are going through similar stages of life has been invaluable. The play-based philosophy is something I love. There is no pressure, no rush, and no expectation for children to be anything other than who they are. Instead, they are given the time, space, and support to learn through play, curiosity, and building relationships. For me, Little Wonders has become so much more than a children's program - it's a community that has brought joy, support, friendship, and wonderful memories!

Little Wonders is a parent-child development program in San Mateo where kids learn and discover…read moretheir potential as much as their parents do. We do not have family in the Bay Area but coming to class every week made us feel surrounded by non-judgemental family ready to support us in every challenge. To me, joining Little Wonders became an opportunity to consult with child development experts uniquely qualified to understand children and their needs and help parents develop tools to raise socially and emotionally competent kids. Thanks to teacher Lisa and teacher Suzanne, I learned that my two year old was not bossy or defiant, but rather she needed to assert herself in a world she had barely any control over through all the sensorial and physical changes she was going through. I also learned to strike a balance between a permissive approach and an authoritative one. I learned to replace all those "be careful" every time my hyperactive son was trying something new (and dangerous) for "what is your plan?". Looking back, Little Wonders has helped me become the more aware, empathetic parent that I am today thanks to all the fact-based guidance through all the parents discussions, play sessions and the strong sense of community. I still remember one moment that captured that community spirit: when our family came down with Covid and a family we met there brought food to our door. If you live in the Peninsula, I would highly recommend asking for a trial class.

OUTSTANDING EXPERIENCE AT FRIENDS TO PARENTS PRESCHOOL Five…read moreYears of Excellence EXCEPTIONAL STAFF AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT After five wonderful years at Friends to Parents preschool, I can confidently say this school has exceeded every expectation. The staff at Friends to Parents is truly amazing and extremely experienced. What sets them apart is their genuinely loving nature - I have never witnessed any staff member being rough with children or losing their patience. Every teacher and caregiver demonstrates remarkable emotional maturity and possesses a deep, comprehensive understanding of child development. The nurturing environment they create is extraordinary. The staff naturally knows how to guide children toward being responsible and caring for one another. This isn't just supervision - it's thoughtful mentorship that helps shape character and social skills that will benefit our children for years to come. CREATIVE PROGRAMMING AND ENRICHING ACTIVITIES The creative programming at Friends to Parents is absolutely outstanding. The school offers an abundance of crafts and hands-on projects that keep children engaged and excited about learning. The staff consistently develops fresh, creative ideas for activities that maintain children's motivation and interest throughout the school year. The outdoor facilities are equally impressive. Children can bike around the playground, tend to the school's vegetable patch (which teaches responsibility and connects them with nature), and enjoy well-maintained play structures. These diverse activity options ensure that every child can find something they enjoy while developing different skills. COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS Friends to Parents creates magical experiences through their amazing holiday celebrations. Their Halloween and Christmas parties are thoughtfully planned events that create lasting memories for the children. The end-of-year ceremony is particularly special - seeing all the children dressed up in their graduation regalia is both adorable and moving. These celebrations foster a real sense of community and mark important milestones in our children's development. STRONG PARENT COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT The parent community at Friends to Parents is remarkably supportive and engaged. Parents regularly organize events and provide ongoing support for teachers, creating a collaborative environment where everyone works together for the children's benefit. This sense of community extends beyond the classroom and creates lasting friendships among families. OUTSTANDING COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY The communication system at Friends to Parents is truly outstanding. Every month, the school publishes a detailed menu and comprehensive activity calendar so parents stay fully informed about their child's daily experiences. The staff puts considerable thought into communicating the curriculum and explaining how each activity is specifically relevant to the children's development. What I particularly appreciate is that children bring home all the work they complete in class every day. This daily sharing builds tremendous confidence in the children and instills genuine pride in their projects and accomplishments. It also gives parents wonderful insight into their child's daily learning experiences and provides natural opportunities for meaningful conversations about school. FINAL RECOMMENDATION Friends to Parents preschool has provided an exceptional foundation for our child's educational journey. The combination of experienced, loving staff, creative programming, strong community support, and outstanding communication makes this school truly special. After five years of experience, I wholeheartedly recommend Friends to Parents to any family seeking a nurturing, comprehensive preschool environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

My daughter has been going here since she was 1, and I've seen such amazing growth in her…read more Drop-offs were tough in the beginning, but the teachers were so patient and reassuring. They truly care about every child, and it shows! Most, if not all the teachers know the kids by name and are always so friendly. She's now 2.5 and loves "school". She comes home with the cutest artwork, and I love the monthly calendar that lets me know what they're learning each day. The teachers are always attentive and communicate so well, whether it's about her nap, meals, or how she did that day. Their flexible hours are also a huge help with my work schedule. My only tiny wish is to get photo updates during the day but when we meet with the teachers, they always have so many pictures from throughout the months, and I love getting to see those moments. It's really sweet to look back on everything they do. And honestly, I appreciate that the teachers stay hands-on and focused on the kids. I recommend this daycare to everyone!

We started in 2022 when my daughter was just over 2.5, and PCNS has become a 2nd home for us. The…read moreschool has a great playground (open to the public during non-school hours) and is housed in a unique and very cool old Quonset hut! There are bathrooms with tiny toilets & sinks (which my early-potty trainer loved), lots of great toys, an area for imaginative play, giant blocks for building forts, a swing in the middle of the room they pull out on rainy days, and an area for arts and crafts. They have tricycles, sand toys, a vegetable garden, swings, a giant play structure, a mud kitchen...the list goes on. The new Director has super creative ideas and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to kids this age. The Co-op structure is brilliant. It really is the answer to the 'village' we all need as parents, but no longer have. If you want a school where you get to know all the other families and their kids, and create lifelong friendships, this is the place for you. I've also learned a ton about my own kids (my 2nd just started at PCNS this fall) - how they operate in their first real social group, what their challenges are, etc. AND I have learned plenty about parenting, from watching how the teachers handle big feelings and tricky situations, to seeing my peer-parents with their own children. PCNS is a play-based school, and what the children really learn is how to interact with each other socially, and appropriately in a classroom. All of the PCNS Alumni that I know are now in Kindergarten and TK at local schools are thriving. It's a lovely school and an absolute gem in Pacifica.

There's life before PCNS and life after. My 4 years old previously was in a Montessori that was…read moregreat but the sense of community was not there. My little one is incredibly outgoing and needs plenty of outdoor time and play learning activities. There's no better spot if you as me than this coop. All of the teachers are amazing at what they do, they really make the little ones feel heard, held and nurtured, and there's is so much structure and involvement from all of the parents so it really makes it feel like a little village effort of raising healthy, happy kids. We also have a 1 year old and I can't wait until he gets to be at the coop too! This is a huge resource for Pacifica families!

This is the best place for kid, my are very exciting to go to after school every single day. They…read moretell me the teacher really nice, they do fun activities every single day. Also they help them with the homework. It is improve my kid grades.

Someone in another review put it well "this is not an honest business". I wish I had seen that…read moreburied review before I chose this program. It was based at a local middle school, so I figured it was legit. My daughter was enrolled for 3 days before we pulled her out of the program. On the surface, when we arrived, the program seemed lackluster - I wasn't provided the basic orientation information before our first day of camp, it wasn't clear what my kid would be doing or any of the basics of what to bring or expect. I'm used to peppy camp counselors with name tags and clipboards, helping to shepherd kids where they need to go, and helping the littles feel comfortable. There was none of this. It was held in the library of a middle school (I hope they went outside, but I'm not really sure), and seemed disorganized. But I figured that at worst, it would be a boring but benign 2 weeks of summer. My kid is pretty outgoing, so I figured, what's the worst that happens - it's located at public middle school, it's got to be legit, maybe just underfunded. At least they have field trips?... But then my daughter fell and hit her head and gashed her eye, and the staff did not call me. I didn't find out until pickup, and when I arrived, they told me that it was because they were not given the emergency numbers from the central office, and they were not able to reach the central office. I have worked with children in many places across my career - I have been a camp counselor, and this seemed absolutely implausibly unsafe. I immediately withdrew my kid from the program - called and left a voicemail that I was filing a complaint and initiated a refund through ActivityHero. But that's when the fun began. I didn't hear from anyone until the next morning/afternoon, and really not until I called back saying I was going to file a complaint with the City of Millbrae. But getting in touch with CAM EDU was surprisingly difficult. Firstly, there is no number for parents to reach staff at the summer camp where the kids are. I was only able to reach the phone number of a central hotline, which was rarely answered by a human--I got more response from chat bots/emails. Then, I realized that there are no academic staff listed on their website - the faces I recognized from the summer camp had titles like "Website developer", which made me pretty nervous - who is taking care of my child? The person who was alleged "camp director" isn't listed as staff on the website. And all staff on the website are listed without a last name, so there's no way to actually confirm their identity or role with the company. When I heard back from CAM EDU, I was put in touch with their General Manager/HR person, who is based abroad and has never seen their facility herself. However, she was very understanding, and provided an immediate full refund. But this still doesn't excuse an academic site where the administrators are not involved in the day-to-day programs. The entire company appears to be run through Google Voice phone numbers, and it gave the impression that there is in-fact no central office (the business address routes to a work/live loft in Millbrae), and does not follow basic safety protocol. There was no way I was going to let my kid go on a field trip with them. I now have more questions around the validity of the business, who the owners are, and who were the adults present. I strongly encourage other parents to do their own due diligence before sending their children to this camp.

As our daughter graduates after nearly 3 years at this preschool, I can't help but feel emotional…read morewriting this review. This place has truly become her second home, and we'll miss it dearly! The atmosphere is absolutely wonderful, and the teachers are not just talented but genuinely caring. They've created such a nurturing environment that makes learning fun and exciting for the kids. What makes this preschool stand out: - Outstanding and attentive staff who truly care about each child - Delicious home-style meals that kids actually enjoy - Daily outdoor activities and playtime - Engaging interactive lessons in two languages - Regular concerts and performances - Comprehensive curriculum including reading and writing - Warm, family-like atmosphere What impressed me most is how they balance education with fun - the children learn so much while truly enjoying their time here. The teachers have an amazing ability to make every day special and interesting for the kids. We're already missing this place! If you're searching for the perfect preschool for your little one, look no further. This is hands-down the best decision we made for our daughter's early education. Pro tip: Schedule a tour to see the magic yourself. You'll immediately understand why the kids love it here so much.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I am so happy that my daughter has been going to Musical Castle childcare and preschool for almost…read more3 years now! She absolutely loves incredibly caring teachers Anna, Augul and Mark led by amazing educator and owner Natasha. We had switched from neighborhood SF childcare to Musical castle in San Bruno and had reservations about much longer commute but it proved to be the best decision we could make for our daughter's childcare. She is getting bilingual education, learning to read and write in Russian and English. There is math, art projects, music and dance rehearsals several times a week. Daycare provides wonderful homemade meals, activities in the park and amazing costumed seasonal kids performances for the parents. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful that we were able to find the childcare place that goes above and beyond to provide kids with the best preparation for school and create happy childhood memories

Since pulling my son from Happy Halls, he shortly thereafter attended Stratford in San Bruno. This…read morewas THE best decision for him, as well as our family. My youngest son now is extremely happy to attend school, he has learned so much while there, the teachers are extremely genuine and caring, and I receive lots of updates (Happy Halls couldn't do). I today continue to receive lots of pictures (compared to the 3 that I received in 5 weeks at Happy Halls). I simply trust the school he attends now. My experience at Stratford is so different. At Happy Halls, leadership (Rachel) managed to proceed to tell me we simply will not provide more updates / pics of your son. Back then, he wasn't even 3 years old. How unsettling can this be for a parent! Comparing now to back then (over 2 year ago now), I'm so happy we switched out. Based on my experience with the teachers and the leadership team, I CANNOT recommend Happy Halls to any family. Please do your research before sending your child here.

First off, any 1 star reviews you see are from unrealistic parents. Happy Halls is a great school…read morewith a great staff. My kid has thrived since joining Happy Halls. He is happy, learns in a warm environment and makes great friends.

My experience at Wings Learning Center was extremely unprofessional and deeply disappointing…read more During my time there, my interactions with the program director were some of the most challenging I've encountered in any workplace. In my personal experience, her leadership style felt harsh, dismissive, and misaligned with what a supportive work environment should provide. I also found that the HR practices did not offer the support or fairness employees typically expect. When staff raised concerns, the environment often felt intimidating rather than collaborative, which made it difficult to feel safe speaking up. Like most work places always document everything. The leadership culture I encountered made it a difficult place to thrive.

This place is a life changer for our son who is on the Autism spectrum. He's been going to Wings…read moresince he was 6 years old and was non-verbal. He's 18 now and can communicate verbally. Wings team of Teachers, OT's, Speech Therapist and staff have seen to his special needs and have helped with his communication and focus and he has the ability to follow simple direction which has helped him at school and home. We've been very fortunate to have him attend Wings.