Before we started here I mentioned to a parent I met at a playground where we were starting…read morepreschool. We were in southern CA at the time. He immediately knew the school and said it was the best preschool in California. Turns out he does education certification for the state and analyzes preschool effectiveness for students and communities. He had visited the MACooP on several occasions. This place is wonderful! Our child's teacher is incredible, super knowledgeable, up to date with best practices, so talented and very experienced. The amount they do with these kids every day is amazing, there is always something new to explore. Very glad we gave this a try even though I was very nervous about the time commitment for parents with all the extra meetings. It is intense for sure but that intensity also comes we a deep cultural value of taking care of each other. Everyday I see parents helping each other make it through, and not just the parents who are besties or belong to the same economic bracket. Everyone helps everyone.

The Co-Op is a magical place! We started looking at and applying to preschools before our son was…read moreeven born. I went on many tours and applied to many schools, but after a lot of debate, we chose the Co-Op. It was the best decision we could have made. Our son loves going to school! While many schools call themselves play-based, the Co-Op truly is. The kids get to come in and play for 2.5 hours, choosing their own adventure from a wide variety of options. They can choose to play indoors or outdoors, no matter what the weather. The teachers are incredibly caring and really value letting kids be kids for as long as possible. The director, Teacher Kristy, does such an incredible job of advocating for the kids and staying true to the principles of a play-based philosophy. While I had concerns about the level of parental commitment, it has been one of my favorite parts of the school. Getting to watch my son in the classroom and form a close-knit community with other parents has been such a gift. Now, I can't imaging going to a school where that wouldn't be part of the routine. The parental education classes have also been so helpful. You come together with with other parents to learn from each other and support each other in the journey of parenting.

This is my favorite place! I almost want to have another kid so I can keep going here with my…read morechildren. The teachers are fantastic: caring, compassionate, flexible and professional. The curriculum is engaging and the site is perfect for young children. There are lots of places to play outdoors and explore. Your children won't want to leave. The community of families makes me feel welcome and part of the team.

I fell in love with this place the first time I saw it at their open house. Before the applications…read morewere due I visited 4 more parent participation schools but this was easily my favorite. First, this place simply looks great. There's an outside play area with a big variety of activities and ride-on toys. Inside there's a theme for each day ("fish!" "camping!" "trains!") and the toys and activities reflect that. Some toys are always accessible (kitchen, blocks, dolls, ride-on toys), but unlike another school my kids attended, they really take care to have different toys each time, to always have a sensory table, to always have an art project (or 3!), play doh, and when it's warm, a water table. Also, everything is in excellent condition. Beyond that, it's really well organized and run well. For instance, we had a parent meeting before the kids started school. At a certain other preschool it was just a feel good session ("your kids will be so different by summer"), at Mtn View Parent Ob there was an agenda and it even included a well-articulated emergency plan. This is something the other preschool didn't even address even though it was on the same campus as an adult education center and a high school - places that have the potential to go on lock down in an emergency. Most importantly, the level of care from the teacher is through the roof. At Mtn View Parent Ob there is a mommy meeting where the kids stay at the school while the parents walk to a nearby room and talk about parenting issues. Typically meetings begin after a month, but Teacher Mindy gauged our kids' separation readiness through questionnaires and as a result delayed beginning the meetings an extra week. Each class there was maybe one child who was upset while their parent was gone (and they were of course comforted by an aide or another parent). At our other preschool (Bright Beginnings - there I said it, and now that I said it, DON'T go there), the meetings started on the second day of class and it showed, because we always had at least 4 criers each class (not just fussing or looking sad, I mean full on screaming). (There is a long digression ahead but there's a reason.) At Bright Beginnings, which we attended at the same time as Mtn View Parent Ob, my twins were doing really well at separation, and then one day my daughter got upset when I was gone. They are supposed to get you if they're crying for 5 minutes. They didn't get me at all and I was gone for 20 minutes. Several moms took turns holding her, which was nice but um, THE AIDE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN ME. There were several kids crying that day (per usual) and because my daughter's a sobber not a screamer and was inside instead of by the gate where the parents leave, I think the aide didn't notice her once the screaming ended (and the other parents were retrieved). I mention all this in order to highlight how differently Mtn View Parent Ob and Bright Beginnings handled what happened next. I had a totally different child afterwards. My daughter didn't want me to leave her side FOR ONE SECOND for months when in public, not even at snack time at school when the kids sit together. At Bright Beginnings the teacher and aide seemed sad that the incident happened but that was about it. Meanwhile when I explained the situation to Teacher Mindy, she immediately said, "Here's what we're going to do," offered a plan to get my daughter more and more accustomed to separation again, and worked with us for several months to achieve results. The mommy meeting at Bright Beginnings had a remedial parenting tone to it with topics like "playing is good for kids." No, really? Meanwhile the meetings at Mtn View Parent Ob were very informative and great gab sessions with the other moms. I keep in touch with many of them still and have had many playdates with their kids. There was a sense of genuine sadness when the year ended. The only downside to this school that I can think of is that it only meets once a week. That's telling that the only bad thing is that my kids can't go more often! Here's my list of parent participation preschools ranked based on my first visit (Bright Beginnings would now be at the bottom of the list. And yes, there was a place that looked worse!) 1) MOUNTAIN VIEW PARENT OBSERVATION, MOUNTAIN VIEW 2) Preschool Family, Palo Alto 3) Los Altos Parent Preschool, Los Altos 4) Bright Beginnings, Sunnyvale 5) Sunnyvale Parent Preschool, Sunnyvale (Also , I later visited Mtn View Parent Nursery School which seems like an excellent parent participation school for older kids ready to be away from their parents for the morning. I have also visited 7 drop-off schools and Mtn View Parent Ob would be at the top of a combined list along with the drop-off school I chose, Milestones in Palo Alto. Hence, Mtn View Parent Ob is the best of the 13 schools I've visited.)

I cannot give PNS enough praise. I simply love this place, what it stands for, and the people that…read moreare a part of it. I'll start by saying that I didn't consider myself a co-op person before I started PNS. I was skeptical about the jobs and participation, but very quickly I realized that, like most things in life, the time and effort I put in I got back tenfold. I sent both of my daughters here, so I have experience with both teachers in both classes, and can honestly say that PNS gave them the permission to be curious, it taught them to be creative, and that it's okay to get messy. PNS helped my girls become emotionally equipped to handle the next phases of life, and most importantly, it taught them to be kind and to treat people (and their ideas!) with respect. Logistics: Every day there are 2 story times. At each storytime the teachers sing songs, ask questions, and read 1-2 books. Once a week instead of a story time there is a music class that the kids all thoroughly enjoy. Snack is made by one of the parent volunteers, is (usually) organic, healthy, and always has a fruit or vegetable component. There is 1 work day a week, although there is a new program being piloted that is geared more toward working parents who still want the co-op/PNS style of nursery school - look on their website! **The hybrid program has less parent involvement to help reach a wider community of kids and parents - so if you love the idea of this place but didn't feel like it was in the cards for you because of your work situation - think again! ** Philosophy: PNS is completely play based and gives kids a magical place where they can simply be children. They can play in the dirt and mud and sand. They can get messy. My kid once (ha - everyday) ran around in her underwear during a rainstorm with just boots on (the working parents happily changed her into her dry clothes when it was time), and she LOVED it. I once got a photo of her where she had painted her arms bright pink with the biggest smile on her face. I got another photo playing dress up with a play ice cream cone stacked 8 high (with another giant smile). Videos of them singing their hearts out on the tire swing with their friends, creating entire worlds and games, etc. The only real rules are "keep it safe and keep it friendly" and it allowed my babies to try so many fun things and to be so creative. At home this translates to playing together and being super imaginative and creative as well, which is fun to see. They are never bored for long, and their little brains are always creating and imagining the next thing. In Teacher Theresa's mixed age class my little one learned how to use scissors, practiced writing her name/using a pencil every day, and there were always stations that worked on drawing/cutting/stacking and counting/etc. In teacher Amy's class, we learned fun songs (favorites include Mr. Alligator, Twinkle Twinkle Little Spaghetti, and 3 Little Hotdogs Frying in a Pan), did fun art projects daily/weekly. The mixed age class is taught by both Theresa and Amy, so they got to experience both teachers as well as our amazing assistant teachers, all of whom my children are obsessed with. I could talk about this place for eight pages. It's so incredible. But mostly, I feel like my children were loved here. Not only did I gain an incredible community of moms in the same stage of life as me, but my kids got an awesome nursery school time and got to experience what it is like to be loved on by every single adult in the space. My kids have special bonds with not only their teachers, but with other parents who know and love them. It is the most incredible, joyful experience to see others love your children, and I cannot recommend PNS enough. You will never regret sending your kids here, and you will gain friendships that will last a lifetime - I know mine will!

We just finished my son's first year at Parents Nursery School, and we truly couldn't be happier…read morewith our experience. From the very beginning, we felt welcomed, supported, and genuinely cared for. The teachers are experienced, thoughtful, and deeply invested in the children. My son loves all of them, especially Teacher Chris! I especially appreciated their healthy and respectful approach to conflict resolution. The play-based philosophy was absolutely the right fit for our son and gave him space to grow, explore, and feel confident. As a family new to the area without relatives nearby, this community meant so much to us. One of the most special parts of PNS is how deeply people know and care about your child. It never felt like a school where people barely know each other's names. It truly is a connected, supportive village. And the play yard is incredible. It's such a magical space for kids to explore, imagine, and just be children. We are so grateful for our first year at PNS and highly recommend it to any family looking for a warm, connected, play-based preschool community.

We are so lucky to have found Playschool! It was Feb 2021, after visiting many other preschools…read morethis one was recommended by our pediatrician. The moment I saw the happy, joyful children playing outside I knew this was the right place for us. My 3-year-old was a late talker and needed help coming out of his shell at school and lots of patience in separating and transitioning. He needed help building independence, learning to wear a mask (we were still in covid), speaking up when he needed something, answering questions, making friends, cleaning up, taking turns, the list goes on. If all of this came easily for your little one - you are lucky!! It did not for us. But we got the help and support we so desperately needed from Ms. Rose, Ms. Shawnta, Ms. Maria Elena, Ms. Cristina, Ms. Ferneyn and Ms. Susan!! They have each been instrumental in helping him love school, not just critical academic skills but tons of new experiences he wouldn't have had otherwise (see pictures :). In the beginning, my son was the child who wandered around during circle time, not participating and not listening. We started off with a behavioral therapist in the classroom always with the goal of no longer needing the aide. Everyone at Playschool was so supportive and caring throughout this whole journey and their feedback was key in adjusting as needed. I'm so happy and proud to say he doesn't have an aide in the classroom anymore, even doing two short presentations to class (that's HUGE for him!) and we have his nurturing teachers to thank for that. Lastly, the best part is you get a weekly newsletter loaded with fun pictures and a summary of what the kids did that week. We're excited to be graduating to kindergarten in the fall, but we're just a little sad to be leaving Playschool.

Our family loves Playschool! My oldest went there for 3 years until kindergarten (he was so…read moreready!), my middle son is there now, and my youngest will start this fall in the parent and me class. All the teachers are wonderful, the classrooms and play yard are great, and the park setting is so so nice. Can't recommend it enough!

GeoKids will always hold a special place in our hearts. From the moment we joined, it was clear…read morethat this wasn't just a preschool -- it was a warm, thoughtful community built around respect, curiosity, and real joy in learning. Their approach is so intentional and so child-centered. Everything is hands-on, play-based, and rooted in letting kids explore the world in their own meaningful ways. You can feel how much care went into creating that environment. The teachers are truly exceptional. They're kind, patient, reflective, and endlessly creative. They know how to support each child as an individual, and they build such trusting relationships with the kids. It's the kind of care you never forget. And the parent involvement makes it feel like one big extended family -- everyone invested, everyone connected. We truly enjoyed every hour we were able to spend in the classroom, watch Teddy with his friends and learn from the teachers. We also loved how thoughtful the curriculum was. Learning through play, open-ended art, social-emotional growth, conversations about identity and fairness -- it all felt so natural and so right. GeoKids somehow manages to be both cozy and incredibly intentional at the same time. It's been years since we moved on, and honestly, we still miss it -- the teachers, the families, the whole community. GeoKids gave our family a foundation we're still grateful for every single day. We will forever be grateful for our time there and for all the love and learning that shaped our child's earliest years. GeoKids is a rare gem, and everyone that gets a spot there, will feel blessed.

Best preschool EVER. Both our kids loved it, didn't want to leave at the end of day. They learned a…read moreton about emotions, behaviors, socializing, collaborating, sharing meals together, interacting, creativity, curiosity and physically challenging themselves, all in a play-based setting. GeoKids started reading chapter books to them around age 4. This kicked off us doing the same at home and they loved it. I'm still marveling over how jaw-droppingly amazing their time was at GeoKids.

PreSchool Family is truly the BEST preschool in Palo Alto…read more When my son was 2 years old, I toured all of the parent participation preschools in the area. My husband and I chose PreSchool Family for several reasons - how engaged and warm the teachers seemed to be with the kids, the large and welcoming outdoor space, and the play-based curriculum that allows children to learn by exploring. We spent 6 wonderful years at PreSchool Family, with both my son and later my daughter going through the 2s, 3s, and 4s classes. In that time, I saw firsthand that my initial impressions were correct, and so much more... - The Teachers: In addition to being warm and engaged with the kids, the teachers are all highly skilled. They have higher education degrees in early childhood education, literacy, and more. Many of the teachers have been there for 10+ years. There is very little turnover - the teachers are there because they LOVE what they do. In addition to planning engaging and age-appropriate activities for the kids, they facilitate play, resolve conflicts, and are completely hands on during the morning classes. The teachers also teach the parents at night meetings (without children present) where instruction is discussion-based and focuses on child development, conflict resolution, healthy habits, etc. - The Space: The outdoor space is large, with plenty of room for the kids to run, ride tricycles, push doll strollers, launch stomp rockets, etc. Since the curriculum is play-based, the kids spend a significant portion of their time outside. There are two play structures in the 2s and 3s yard and one larger play structure in the 4s yard. There's nice shade from trees / shade structures and the teachers are great about helping the kids with weather-appropriate gear as needed. - Play-Based Curriculum: Numerous studies have shown that children do better in elementary school and beyond when they follow a play-based curriculum in preschool. Although there are no worksheets at PreSchool Family, the children are definitely learning! Many classes have a "manipulatives" table where the kids work on fine motor skills, an "art" table where art projects are done, and a "sensory" table where the kids explore their tactile senses with playdough, slime, etc. There are baking projects, music time, theatrical performances, treasure hunts, interactive space stations made of cardboard boxes, and so so much more. My children came home each day so excited by the activities they had done in school. - Parent Community: Because this is a parent-participation preschool, the parents really get to know each other. They work in the classroom one day each week and see each other at the night meetings approximately twice a month. The parent education meetings help to shape a common parenting philosophy among the adults, which builds trust and respect among all who are interacting with your children. Plus, the bonds you build are long-lasting. My children are now much older, but some of my best friends are other parents our time at PreSchool Family. I could go on and on, but I will leave it at that for now. If you're considering a parent-participation preschool, I HIGHLY recommend PreSchool Family. Your child will have the best possible experience while learning and growing, you will learn and grow so much in your parenting journey, and you will form friendships that will last so much longer than just the preschool years. Don't hesitate!

This school has truly been a life-changing experience for me. I can't even quantify how much this…read moreschool improved my parenting skills, relationship with my son, and confidence in parenting. The parent education classes are a wonderful way to meet other parents, talk about burning issues, realize that we are not alone in our parenting journeys (and struggles), connect with other parents and develop wonderful long-lasting friendships, and join this amazing community of like-minded adults that nurtures the whole family. At first, I was intimidated by the thought of the parent participation commitment of volunteering in the class each week because both my husband and I work full time. However, after discussing my desire to be very involved in my son's development, my management supported this, and we worked out a way to make it happen with my work schedule. I am so glad that I did. I never imagined how much I would absolutely love being in the classroom each week! It was such a joy to get to know all of my son's friends, and ultimately their families. But most importantly, it was the key to practicing and sharpening my skills to be a better parent that I learned in the parent education classes. PSF has large outdoor areas for the kids to play and run. The curriculum is structured for play-based learning, and the teachers are very knowledgeable about childhood development. The parent education classes teach parents/guardians about developmental milestones, behaviors typical to each age group, and strategies for developing a very strong bond with your child. With parent participation at PSF, I found there were two very important parts that makes it so successful. First was attending the parent education classes to learn about child development, the skills to be a better parent, and to connect with other parents. Second was to volunteer weekly to put those skills into practice in the classroom and shadow the teachers that have developed these skills over decades. I learned so much at PSF, and I can truly say that it has changed my life. I feel much more confident as a parent, and I feel that I now have a toolbox of skills to help me be a much better parent. I highly recommend PSF if you are looking to be involved in your child's development, want to be a better parent, or are looking for a wonderful community of support to help you on your parenting journey. Every single PSF teacher and staff member is an amazing part of this wonderful community, but a special thank you to Teacher Jenn, Teacher Marjan, and Teacher French.

Our daughter has had a wonderful experience at Little Oak Preschool, and we couldn't be more…read moregrateful for the impact that it's had on her growth. When she started, she was pretty shy and reserved. The teachers here drew her out of her shell. They made learning genuinely fun, and she became excited about all kinds of new things. Ms. Pam, Ms. Lisete, and Ms. Jozann get talked about constantly at our house. Our daughter comes home lit up about something new they did together almost every day. The staff also supported her through a big life transition: the arrival of her new sibling. They were incredibly attentive to the big emotions that came with that change, giving her patience, reassurance, and tools to navigate her feelings. We've also been impressed watching Ms. Linda lead the school since taking over from the previous owners last year. She's brought in wonderful teachers, built a genuinely engaging curriculum, and kept parents consistently informed -- it's clear she cares deeply about getting the details right. If you're looking for a preschool that combines real educational enthusiasm with this level of emotional attunement and strong leadership, I can't recommend Little Oak enough.

Little Oaks is a fantastic preschool. Bright and flower filled outdoor spaces, with clean and…read morebrightly lit indoor classrooms and very clean toilets for the little ones. The school management led by Ms. Linda Friedman is beyond excellent- she has a warm and welcoming vibe and truly listens to her customers' (read Parent's) needs. I love all the opportunities that the little ones are exposed to academically or in play. Weekly music and movement gives kids the opportunity to dabble in music from all over the world and helps broaden their (and my:)) cultural experiences. There's online food ordering services and even bubbles in the air (literally!) on a good outdoor day! The weekly newsletters are a great place to find out about all the goings-on at school and offer a peek into what's to come in the next month. I have to say, I'm so happy with my daughter's teachers here (we've tried several preschools before this one). They're extremely kind, patient and empathetic. My daughter looks forward to going to school because she likes to play with Ms.Jozann and Ms.Rosie (yea!:)) I'm very grateful to my daughter's teachers for all the time and opportunity they're able to give her as I've seen her blossom at Little Oaks. I highly recommend it.

The most magical place. My daughter (4 years old) currently attends Bing and I went there a million…read moreyears ago. Think butterflies and bunnies, paint and clay, natural materials and wafting laughter. It's a multi-acre campus with rolling hills designed to suit a child's line of sight, endless options for engagement and activities, lots of art and play, play, play. Teachers are like education fairies - knowledgable, kid-centric, know how to talk to a kid at their level. Community events are bucolic and laid back. Cannot say enough wonderful things about this very special and unique experience.

Cannot say enough good things about the school, the staff, and the administration. The parent…read morecurriculum is also so helpful.