Worst school ever! School owner feels so entitled and kept asking parents to park properly while…read moreshow no intention to improve the parking situation such as buying more slots. You can circle forever and cannot find a parking and be late for 2 min and get fine of $50! The job for teachers cannot be easier - they don't tell story and let kids listen to radio - they don't do white boarding and let kids watch screens lol We stayed for one year and due to poor planning we let kid attend summer school - there is no schedule or whatsoever - kid complained so bored it was $2600 (2 years ago summer tuition) per month for absolutely nothing. We could not escape faster and this is worst school we ever attended in Bay Area across private and public schools!

We've been so happy with Merry Moppet/ Belmont Oaks Academy! Our kids have been attending since…read morepreschool, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. The teachers are exceptional--dedicated, nurturing, and truly passionate about education. They have low turnover in teachers. It's actually pretty impressive. The leadership, including the owners and principal, demonstrates a remarkable commitment to creating a supportive and enriching environment. You can feel the support and care that permeates the school. In elementary, the curriculum is academically rigorous and continues to progress. So that maybe an important consideration for your kid. We appreciate the close-knit community; it feels like family. Our kids genuinely love going to school every day, and that says it all.

I strongly advise against this school based on our experience…read more The administration is more interested in controlling and punishing students rather than fostering an environment that encourages critical thinking, love of learning and a feeling of safety. The culture is antiquated as is the curriculum. Teachers are underwhelming. There is a stark lack of innovation and limited use of technology. A revolving door of teachers. With those who remained, issues loomed. The administration had no interest in hearing from parents. The science program is a disgrace. It lacks instruction and labs. I have attached a photo that is telling. The Spanish program is a joke. Social Studies was inconsistent. A new, inexperienced English teacher had no accountability. She humiliated more than one child by timing them when going to the restroom in front of the class. She demonstrated questionable rationality and a tenuous relationship with reality. At some point, we hired tutors to advance our child in certain areas which we likely would have done at any school, just as many students take math at RSM. We do that as well. The vice principal reprimanded my child when she heard this, claiming it was unfair. This was outrageous, but not out of character. Every opportunity they had to tear down a child, they took--and that treatment extended to parents. Additionally, the school actively discouraged transparency and honesty, instructing my child and myself to conceal a learning accommodation from other students and parents. We were told, "Do not tell anyone, and if it gets out, we will know it was you." This culture of fear, intimidation, and dishonesty are toxic. Stapled your paper incorrectly? That will be 10% off. Did not include your last name? Turn in the next day at penalty. Why not simply speak to the student and offer support if needed? Is this about learning or control? It is 100% about control and you control through fear. The anxiety our family experienced during our time at NDE was profound. If you're looking for a forward looking school that fosters critical thinking and helps develop confidence with supportive adults rooting for them, this is absolutely not the place. For some, this culture may be acceptable, but others, including myself, may consider it a form of emotional abuse on top of an antiquated mode of teaching and curriculum. This school has the potential to be a positive neighborhood institution, but it requires significant leadership change to transform.

It's very unfortunate for the community to have Dr. Jeremiassen as the principal of the school. Her…read moreonly conflict resolution methods are 1) sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happened, and 2) get rid of the people involved, be it students, teachers, or volunteers. (Yes! MANY times!) There is a typical oppressed atmosphere at the school: People are unhappy, but dare not say anything. Students jeer at the "fake smile" of the principal behind her back. How ironical it is for a Catholic/Christian school, and how unfortunate for everybody who had to go through this "educational experience". To be fair, Dr. Jeremiassen may have done some good things like modernizing the school's IT system, so she might be an Ok administrator, but lacks empathy, the basic nuance to handle problems appropriately, and the drive to try to fix problems at their root. She should never be a leader in any position.

Our 2 year old really loves CPNS. So many good things about this place but what really stands out…read moreto me as a helicopter mom are these reasons below (yep, I'm that mom who toured 10 different places before making a choice for my kid): 1. Flexibility - they let me stay with my kid until we both were comfortable doing drop offs. This is huge as a parent because I couldn't imagine just dropping my 2 year old off without making sure he's okay. 2. The facilities and teachers are great. We love the HUGE open space and my kiddo especially loves the variety of things to explore and play with. 3. Teachers listen to your feedback and are warm. They recently added new schedules and classes available - it's diverse in terms of their offerings. 4. It's extremely affordable (monthly rates). You can't beat their pricing for the ROI you get. If you're looking for a solid co-op, I'd definitely encourage you to book take a tour before you make your decision. My second kid will definitely join CPNS when she's of age!

We have been a proud CPNS family for 2 years…read more My heart overflows with gratitude when I see the incredible parents in our community caring for every child in the class. It's such a beautiful thing to witness so many people truly getting to know your child, cheering them on, and making them feel loved and supported. And in return, we feel so fortunate to interact with their amazing children too--it's a joy that goes both ways! CPNS is more than just a school; it's a genuine caring community, a true gem that reminds us what humanity is all about. We have also fallen in love with the parent education classes, and we're so grateful for the support from our wonderful teachers. Honestly, we feel like students ourselves--learning, growing, and discovering how to be better parents every day.

My son (started at 2.5, now is 3) has loved every minute at PFBS, he asks to go every day! We…read moreappreciate and trust the teachers and he is cared for with love and affection. He thrives in the beautiful forest classroom. In just a few months has become deeply aware of his surroundings in nature and has developed a true curiosity for the ocean, animals, bugs and plants. Now that he is 3, we planned to send him to a traditional preschool full time, but because of his love for this special program, we are continuing part time at PFBS to foster his love for the outdoors.

My first experience with PFBS was during Covid, when we needed a summer day camp for our oldest…read more They basically just hung out at a local beach every day, exploring the length of it, nearby tidepools, discussing rocks, etc. She enjoyed herself despite the setting being fairly mundane. Now my Kindergarten student attends a weekly pod at the Coastside Moss Beach location and we are really happy to be sending her. The location--Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and the neighboring forest--is spectacular, and I am constantly being surprised at the random nature knowledge she casually spits out. They visit the tidepools whenever the tides allow, make secret hideouts in the trees, make dams in the sand, etc. I wish I could go to forest school!

We enrolled our 2 yr old (now 4 year old daughter back during the pandemic in 2021) We're…read moreincredibly grateful for your role in our daughter's preschool journey and helping her overcome her social anxiety. She went from crying non stop to eventually blooming into one of the loudest kids in the class. Ms Rachel - Your nurturing, kind, and patient approach has made you more than just a teacher; you're like a second mother to her! Your impressive educational background in early childhood education has undoubtedly contributed to our daughter's advanced skills in speaking and counting, well beyond her years. We feel as if our daughter is way ahead of the curve before kindergarten just at 3.5 years old! She was taught mandarin, how to count to 100, all shapes, letters, alphabet, simple addition and math, and so much more including music and nursery rhymes/songs as Ms Rachel plays piano and sings. But what sets you apart is your heart. You've created a warm, loving, and safe environment that has not only accelerated her learning but also helped her grow into a confident and caring individual. Thank you for being such a positive influence in our daughter's life. We feel fortunate to have you as her teacher. We will actually enroll our future children into her schools, we do not trust any other daycares!

When looking for a daycare as a parent for our daughter..the communication and instant connection…read morewe had with Mrs. Rachel was exactly what we were looking for! She is kind, patient, extremely caring, and oh so sweet! She welcomed our daughter as if she was her own! It only took our daughter one week to get adjusted to drop offs in the morning and now says 'byeeee mommy' and walks right into the house without crying! The growth and learning we have seen from our daughter does not go unnoticed! She has learned so much - she knows her letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and songs (she's now 2.5 years, started at 21 months). We cannot thank Mrs. Rachel and her team for all they have done for our daughter and the other students! We would highly recommend them to any parents looking for a fun, caring, and reliable day care!

Let's call it what it is, ALL childcare/ summer camp programs are an extraordinary expense. For my…read morefamily a completely necessary one. With that said, Footsteps, both the after school care programs (Cipriani) and summer camps (district wide) is GREAT. The program organizers and teachers like Kenzie, Chris, Jaime (everyone on the Footsteps team) really do go above & beyond. They have been consistently awesome since our little first joined their programs two years ago and going. Communication- the very best! Great connection with their students! Fun & engaging activities. Yes the cost aligns with all child care in the Bay Area yet I am so grateful the Footsteps team takes such good care in all the important ways for our little. Thank you for everything you do!

This is my 4th year with Footsteps at Shores ( I have a 1st grader and 3rd grader attending the…read moreprogram) and only had great things to say about the program. The snacks are always healthy and creative, kids have plenty of activities to engage in and staff are attentive, helpful and caring. Footsteps involves children in various language, sports and art activities which I appreciate very much. They also assist with taking kids to or from clubs that are located at Redwood Shores school campus. Footsteps also has coverage for days when school is not open, and their camps are very good. Additional bonus - Parent Night Out events that my kids always enjoy. I'd say its more of a kids night out as they get to eat, play, watch a movie and have other kinds of fun. Thank you, Footsteps!

Excellent preschool in the heart of Belmont. We love it here and feel like our child is getting the…read morebest preschool experience we could ever hope for. We feel so lucky to have found such a gem of a program. The teachers are SO caring and great with communication (they send daily pictures and videos and are responsive to messages), the curriculum is thoughtful, they have the best teacher to kid ratio of the preschools we looked at in the San Mateo/Belmont/San Carlos area, and we love how they do so many fun activities with the kids! Besides learning their colors & letters and going on fun field trips in the area, they focus on different subjects each week (insects, planets, emotions, vehicles, etc.). For example, during their insect section, they grew caterpillars into butterflies and got to release them in the school's garden (they have an onsite garden!) and during vehicle week, a backhoe came onsite and did a demonstration for the kids! Special guest instructors come to the class to expose the children to sports-related activities, juggling, cooking, and there is also a music teacher who does music class with the kids a couple times a month. The school throws fun events for families to enjoy with the kids, like Spring Fling (the kids were ecstatic about SF Bubble Man!). The classrooms are very clean and are attached to a play area dedicated to the preschool classrooms. The preschool rooms have dedicated restrooms within them. There is also access to a larger playground and field which is fun for kids and parents to spend time at after pickup. There is a dance school that operates in the same building complex and the preschool teachers help get students ready for dance (if they're enrolled with the dance school) and will walk the kids to the dance classes & bring them back to the preschool rooms afterwards. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided, and the school offers extended hours (730am-6pm), if needed, which is a huge plus for our family's schedule. Our child has been thriving in this preschool program and has blossomed so much since starting at BCLC.

I have to send a shout out to BCLC. I am enrolling my third child here, and they have always done…read moreand continue to do a stellar job. My kids have always loved it here. The teachers are patient, kind, and very experienced in dealing with the children. They have had the same staff for years. The director is very responsive. Their new protocols in light of Covid-19 are quite adequate and make me feel comfortable with having my child attend. They do crafts and projects, and have lots of enrichment activities for the kids. Unfortunately for safety, some of these are on hold for the moment due to Covid-19 but I'm sure they will be back when the time is appropriate. If you're looking for serious academics, perhaps this is not the place. They do story time, and they do projects with letters but they are not going to drill your child. It's preschool, I want my kids to enjoy themselves and interact with other children. They do talk about numbers, letters and phonics but they keep it fun and light, in an age appropriate manner.

All four of our daughters went to The Wonder Years over the course of six years and we had an…read moreamazing experience (even during covid). We still keep in touch with many of the teachers and friends we made while there. Most of the teachers have been there a very long time and really love and care for the kids. They do so many fun activities (endless art, multi-cultural holiday celebrations, themed weeks, etc.) and all the girls were well prepared for Kindergarten when they graduated. We cherished the time we spent there and the community we built - cannot say enough good things. I recommend TWY to everyone!

The teachers were really great with both of our kids. Very caring. The low score is because of the…read moreinteractions with management that we experienced and others we know experienced. Despite supporting them for months during Covid with know service, paying full tuition. After we returned we gave notice one day into the next month and they still forced us to pay the following month after that. I do not recommend.