We are so sad we couldn't follow this daycare to their new location. That really does say it all…read more Our son was just genuinely happy there. He'd come home talking about his teachers, Ms Laura and Ms Diana, and how much he loved going, which as a parent is truly the best thing you can hope for. The project-based learning kept him excited and engaged, and the Spanish immersion program has been such a gift. Watching him pick up the language so naturally has been incredible to witness. The community they built also meant a lot to us. They were intentional about bringing families together through school events, and it made the whole experience feel really special. You felt connected, not just like a family dropping their kid off. We're so grateful our son got to spend time there and would wholeheartedly recommend them to any family in their area.

Our daughter spent just over a year at A Step Ahead, and we saw her social skills, Spanish…read morecomprehension, and ability to focus flourish under Ms. Laura and Ms. Diana's care. It was clear that each day was filled with both learning and fun. As parents, we also appreciated their prompt communication, frequent photos, and reasonable prices for full time care. The facility was always tidy and clean, and they must do a great job getting the kids to wash their hands, as we had far fewer illnesses than at our prior in-home daycare. The community of families was also wonderful, and we made many new friends that we've continued meeting up with. We'd highly recommend A Step Ahead for anyone looking for a high quality Spanish and/or Montessori preschool in a small, close-knit setting.

as a cooperative preschool, the effort working in the classroom & school in is returned to your…read morechild threefold! play-based, reggio inspired, social-emotional learning / support are all core tenants. come for the amazing indoor and outdoor play areas, leave with community! also takes childcare subsidies (4C's, BANANAS, etc.) and has need-based scholarships available i have learned so much as a parent here too, not only from the wonderful example set by the teachers but from my fellow caregivers of tiny humans. it takes a village and KK is it!!! not just LGBTQIA+ welcoming but truly embracing (dragking story time!!!)

My children attended Kiddie Kampus and I am so grateful that this was the place of some of their…read morefirst learning experiences. I loved the careful thought and intention behind the play-based activities that really captured students' attention, fostered critical thinking, problem-solving and social skills in such fun and engaging ways. It's all set up in indoor and outdoor spaces that feel safe and welcoming. The social emotional skills, love of learning, and sweet friendships and relationships they've acquired here with their classmates, their loving and nurturing teachers, and other adults are priceless. I can also say that for myself as a parent! The community-building aspects of the school are unparalleled, and I feel so fortunate to have been surrounded by such supportive and kind people. I loved watching my children and their classmates learn and grow in such a joyous and magical place. It will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

My son went to Rising Star for Pre-K and Kindergarten and had Ms. Kim as his head teacher both…read moreyears. He needed more of a challenge than he was getting at his preschool. Rising Star was a breath of fresh air with all the individualized attention, care and love Ms. Kim, Ms. Jayita and Ms. Sarah provided to each child. I felt that Ms. Kim really saw and appreciated my son and shared insights with us that came from patiently trying to understand him and not punish him when challenges arose. My son is very interested teaching others about dinosaurs and she gave him opportunities to build on that interest and strength which further gave him confidence and pride in his work. It's a very structured environment, while still having the flexibility to meet students' interests and needs. Rising Star was a true blessing in our lives, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a great education for their child.

We love this preschool - its creative programming (academics, playtime, gardening), its beautiful…read morebuilding, and especially its dedicated staff and teachers. They also have regular fun holidays and special events that are meticulously planned and just so warm and quirky. Both of my kids attended Rising Star and we feel incredibly lucky to have done so.

My son went to preschool in the Yarok class and he loved it! Amanda the director is fantastic and…read moreis really involved. There were a few teacher changes but the last teacher he had was Ms Jeanine who is absolutely amazing! She really paid attention to his progress, promoted good behavior and was really good with his potty training. If we didn't move to elementary school we would definitely have kept him here. 5 stars!

This preschool is OPEN!! How can the closed notice be…read moreremoved? It is thriving!!! The very active parent board is driving changes in the yard. New teachers were recently hired. All classes are currently at capacity. Both my children attended this preschool. I am currently on the board.

We are so lucky to have found Nini! My daughter has been in her care since she was five months old…read more She's now two years old, and her newborn little sister will be attending Nini's next year! From the moment I first met Nini I was impressed by her passion for early childhood education. Nini provides a welcoming, stimulating environment for children that has a strong focus on bilingual French/English communication, social relationships, kindness, mindfulness, learning through play, and developmentally-driven activities. She is very aware of every child's unique needs and supports each one individually. I also really admire her ability to create a seemingly endless variety of learning activities and creative play on a daily basis. Milestones, birthdays, holidays are all celebrated in her class. She keeps her students busy every day with crafts/art, reading, exercise, music, and imaginative play. Additionally, her space is very clean and she is very aware of handwashing and hygiene habits. Even our pediatrician has remarked on how infrequently my daughter gets sick! If you are looking for exceptional care in Alameda that places a strong emphasis on education and development, I truly don't think you can do better than Nini.

Both our son and daughter were fortunate enough to have Ms. Nini as their preschool teacher from…read moreabout 2012 through 2016. I am deeply grateful that they both had her as their teacher at this important time in their early lives. Ms. Nini is an incredibly compassionate and nurturing educator while still maintaining order and a safe learning environment. I was always amazed to see how well she handled kids at all different levels of growth and maturity. And at the end of the day what matters the most is that both our kids adored her and even years after they left her would run to her for hugs whenever they saw her. And she probably taught us as much as she taught our kids. Whether it was helping us through milestones like potty training our giving us sound and relevant advice to reinforce good behavior, she might have taught us as much as our kids. :) We wholeheartedly recommend Ms. Nini to anyone looking for top notch, professional, and caring early childhood education.

Alameda Montessori Children's House (AMCH) is truly a special place, and I cannot recommend it…read morehighly enough. When our family was deciding where to enroll our son, we visited many preschools. While we appreciated something about each one, none felt quite like the right fit. Some classrooms were too large, some environments felt chaotic, some teachers seemed less engaged, and others felt more like daycare than a preschool with a thoughtful curriculum. Then we found AMCH, and it felt like a dream. From the moment we walked in, we noticed the difference. The classrooms were beautifully organized, warm, and child-friendly. There was a wonderful sense of calm throughout the school, and the teachers were welcoming, kind, engaged, and genuinely happy to be there. We immediately knew this was the environment we wanted for our son. Needless to say, we chose AMCH, and I could not be more grateful for the experience. Watching our son grow and thrive there was incredibly rewarding. The staff provided him with structure, encouragement, and, most importantly, so much love and care. What makes AMCH especially remarkable is its staff, in particular Xina Laoshi and Ms. King. This dynamic duo is truly exceptional. They provide a wonderful bilingual Montessori-style curriculum while creating a classroom environment that is calm, engaging, nurturing, and joyful. They have an incredible ability to connect with children and meet each child exactly where they are. They put so much thought and effort into getting to know each child as an individual. They truly learn who your child is--what motivates them, where they may need support, and how they can help them grow. You can see this firsthand during parent conferences. It is clear that they genuinely know your child, and their developmental assessments are incredibly comprehensive and thoughtful. They provide detailed insight into each area of development, which made us feel that our son was truly seen and understood. We saw the impact of that care even after our son graduated from AMCH and started elementary school. We were so proud to see how well prepared he was. He was thriving academically and transitioned successfully. The hardest part for him was leaving behind his beloved teachers and friends. Xina Laoshi was incredibly thoughtful during this transition. She welcomed him back in the afternoons with open arms so he could spend time with his old friends and even told us that he is always welcome to visit. That gesture meant so much to our family. She truly made us feel that we would always be part of the AMCH family. The communication from the school is also outstanding. We received weekly updates recapping what the children had been learning and what was planned for the following week, along with weekly photos that gave us a glimpse into our son's days--learning, exploring, playing, and having so much fun with his classmates. The amount of thought, time, and effort that goes into keeping families so informed is no small feat, and it truly does not go unnoticed. It is clear that these updates are created with genuine care and intention, and they gave us such a wonderful connection to our son's experience at school. As parents, it meant so much to feel included in his learning and to see all the little moments that made his days special. Another unexpected highlight was the food. The meals provided are fresh, healthy, and delicious. They gave our son opportunities to try foods he otherwise might not have been willing to eat, and we loved seeing him become more adventurous with what he ate. More than anything, what stands out about AMCH is the genuine care and love they give to every child. From the lead teachers and classroom helpers to the cook, Vincent, and everyone else who contributes to the school community, every person plays a part in creating such a warm and nurturing environment. They care not only about the children, but also about their siblings and families. You can feel that this is a community built around supporting the whole family. AMCH is so much more than a preschool. It is a place where children are nurtured, encouraged, respected, and genuinely loved. We feel incredibly fortunate that our son had the opportunity to spend his early years there. I cannot recommend Alameda Montessori Children's House enough. I sincerely hope other families have the opportunity to experience the warmth, care, and magic of this school. AMCH will always hold a very special place in our hearts--it is truly a gem.

ACMH is an exceptional school led by Xi Laoshi, a dedicated and talented Montessori educator…read more Xi Laoshi has created a positive and loving environment where children learn how to respect themselves, one another, and their surroundings. All of the staff are extremely patient and skilled at helping children process their emotions. Guest teachers come regularly to teach mindfulness, art, and martial arts. The classroom is bright, inviting, and filled with a rotation of interesting activities, and the outdoor space is large and filled with vegetables and fruit trees that the children help plant, care for, and enjoy. Lisa NaiNai prepares the most delicious and nutritious lunch for the children with a menu sent out at the start of each week that would make any fan of Chinese/Taiwanese food want to partake. My daughter came home everyday excited to tell us about all of the interesting things she did that day and excited to show off her math and Mandarin reading and writing skills. We feel so lucky to have been a part of this community for the last 1.5 years and could not recommend it more highly for parents seeking a school where their children can thrive!

Our daughter has been going here for a few months and I'm so amazed at how quickly she is learning…read moreMandarin. We dont speak it at home so her only exposure is at school. She'll come home and teach us and sing songs to us. She loves going to the school. She even asks to go on the weekends. I love that WenLaoshi sends out weekly lesson plans. She provides pictures daily to show us what they are doing. And they send home their art projects. We've been to other preschools but this is the best by far. There is a lot of thought and effort put into each activity. Cannot recommend enough.

We feel so fortunate to have found Joyful Alameda Preschool for our daughter. She's been there for…read moreover a year now and it has been a real treat to see her grow in their care. Joyful Alameda preschool is highly organized, with snack and lessons plan sent out before the week starts. Teacher Wen spends a lot of time thinking of how to engage with the kids, and is always finding fun activities for them, whether it's exploring the visitor center at Crab Cove, doing yoga, or having Health Heros come teach the children about being healthy. Teacher Wen has a deep understanding of all the kids and is very tuned into their needs/moods. It's impressive watching her navigate hard drop-offs and meltdowns. What we love most about Joyful Alameda Preschool is that each day is designed with just the right amount of physical, mental, social activity and fun! They spend a ton of time outside on their community walks and park time, but also learn Chinese, work their fine motor skills through things like artwork, and life skills (like sharing and conflict resolution). Our daughter can now read a ton of characters, and is now teaching us Chinese too :*) 11/10 would recommend to anyone looking for a preschool. Joyful Alameda Preschool is a gem!

My son is in 2nd grade and on the younger side of the grade. We enrolled in LEAP last October and…read moreconsidered both reading and math but started with math first due to the time commitment. I've really enjoyed the structure of the classes - small groups with tutors but each student is working on their level at their pace. They get help if they ask and they can work independently if they understand for the practice/repetition. They also have a fun "rewards" system for the kids to redeem prizes. The room is always quiet despite so many kids and that's showing the kids are focused versus being rowdy. They also do parents night out and summer camps! The parking is easy if you park at the Alameda Landing area and you can shop at Safeway for groceries or at Target for fun funds. The other thing I can do is squeeze in a workout when the kids are at LEAP!

This is a great place for children. They do tutoring and movie nights for the children.read more