The Ross Preschool (TRP) is a place that any child and family is blessed to have in their memory…read morebook. I know I'm not alone when I say we were sold within the first seconds of entry when greeted by the incredibly dedicated and enthusiastic teachers and head of school, David Allen-Hughes. Not only is the school environment -both in and outside- truly magical and inviting, but it is also extremely clean and well cared for, updated with well-organized, child-accessible, and aesthetically pleasing everything (think beautiful natural wood and beyond!) David and staff are constantly mindful and proactive about improving their school, so it is ever-evolving with new and exciting teaching tools and beautifying additions (ie outdoor garden and climbing wall, sensory projects, water table exploration, interesting visitors and programs from the community, etc, etc). David and teachers communicate with parents thoughtfully, often, and well in advance, so you always feel in the know. My child feels loved and at home at TRP. His mind is inspired to think creatively and independently and he's given the tools and encouragement to thrive. He calls it his 'happy place.'

This preschool is truly one-of-a-kind. Our son attended for two years and had the most wonderful…read moreexperience in every way. The teaching staff is the best of the best, the play-based curriculum includes everything from art and music to math and science. The emphasis on social/emotional development is very strong and the sense of community among the families is wonderful!!

We are so lucky to be apart of the RCNS family. Our daughter attended two daycares prior to…read morestarting here and this has been by far our favorite program. We have really enjoyed meeting the other families and get together regularly outside of school. Michelle, June and Mimi are all such wonderful teachers. Our daughter has already learned so much from them and even asks to go to school each morning. We really appreciate the daily communication from they provide and feel more than comfortable with them caring for our daughter. We really feel so grateful to have found this program and I can't recommend it enough!!

I did a petting zoo event here today and I have to say I could not believe how well-mannered and…read morewell-behaved the kids were! This little nursery school is very clean while still being incredibly fun and interactive with plenty of outside play. Miss Michelle and Miss June are both GREAT with the kids- I was even taking mental notes on how to parent me own future children! You can tell that they keep the kids active, involved, and encourage creativity. The amount of parent communication and involvement in the school is also something that just warms my heart. I absolutely cannot wait to be a part of Miss Michelle's upcoming Wilderness Cubs nature learning program!!

We are in the middle of our 3rd year at SAPS and we've had a wonderful experience. Our son is…read moreincredibly happy and has grown so much in his confidence and preparedness for Kindergarten. He'a had a breadth of learning experiences and projects over his time at SAPS. His curiosity has been constantly sparked by his teachers. They've been supportive and kind as he's grown up there. SAPS is a large preschool with many teachers. I've genuinely appreciated how many staff members know and care for my son. It's given my son a chance to get to know many children at different ages as well. We chose SAPS because of the relaxed atmosphere and great hours for working parents. They went above and beyond what I expected and I am continually grateful we chose to send our son there.

We probably should have gone elsewhere, but we were desperate…read more For reference, we came in to SAPS at the Pre-K (Mighty Oaks) program, so this review is based off of being a new student in their self-contained pre-K program. First off, we had decided to do a week of summer camp prior to starting the school year so my son could get used to the new environment. Our first day, we were not greeted at all or told where we should go. We were lost and the campus is quite large for being a preschool. They house several different ages and so we didn't know where to go. When I picked him up from camp, nobody said bye. We could have been strangers taking a kid and no one would have known. This should have been a red flag to immediately apply elsewhere. But really, there was no where else accepting at the time, so there we went. I never really felt that magical connection we had with his prior preschool (the Pre-K there had run out of spots). Really, I feel a lot of guilt for not doing more research. Some parents I've read had done a year of Kindergarten (which my son age wise qualified for (barely being 5), but emotionally, he was not ready) at a private school and then re-did kindergarten at the public school at age 6. This is a path I only found out about today. Such is life! My son is chugging along, however, I know it's not the magical place of his old preschool. We'll get through it for the next 8 months, and take it with a grain of salt. It'll build resilience. The other students are nice enough and his two teachers are nice enough, but I don't honestly feel like anyone there LOVES their job. At least they don't convey that. It's not as "bubbly" and warm as our other school. My other son will for sure stay where we are at the other preschool for pre-K. But if I had to do it again, we'd go elsewhere. I hope I can help other parents out there. This just wasn't a great fit. I think you need to spend a day and meet the teachers before you enroll. Meet ALL the teachers as they do cover for other classes sometimes. We have our favorites (science for sure). For the price, it's ok, but the nearby (and I mean it's on the same street) private Kindergarten was actually CHEAPER! So that's on me for not even looking or thinking to do a year there instead. All in all it's a learning lesson. It has taught me to do more diligent research on any program my children do. And sometimes you might be better off just waiting.

If I could give 6 stars, I would! Like so many Bay Area families we have no family support…read morestructure here, so choosing a preschool became as much an exercise in researching early childhood education philosophies and the quality of the staff and facilities, as finding an environment that aligned to the type of community that we wanted to foster for our family. Who would become our adopted FR-AMILY, if you will. ;) RVNS is unparalleled in this respect imo. There is a true sense of inclusiveness and belonging, of high-touch/low-pressure engagement between the teachers and staff, the children, and the amazing families who enroll. RVNS has that special something that is so hard to put words to so I encourage you to schedule a tour and experience it for yourself. Just be forewarned...if your child is anything like mine you'll have a hard time getting them to leave after that tour! :) Also worth noting that during the Covid-19 era RVNS has masterfully embraced the heightened safety guidelines without losing any of their special sauce. They've made adjustments to their programs to allow for small pods, maximum time outdoors, and implemented new mask and cleaning protocols without in any way alarming the children. The level of thought, care and communication with parents has been top-notch, and we feel safe and comforted in these uncertain times.

We LOVE this school! Our son has spent the last three years there and we feel so lucky to be part…read moreof such a wonderful community. Not only are the teachers exceptional, but so are all the other families that attend. Our son has flourished at RVNS with their play-based approach and we feel confident that RVNS has given him the foundation to thrive next year in Kindergarden.

We enrolled our toddler in Miss Audrey's Montessori when she was 17 months, and we have had a…read morewonderful experience with the program! Miss Audrey is a gifted caregiver and educator; she has a beautiful understanding of toddlers, and how best to support them as their personalities and preferences start to emerge. She really celebrates and understands all children. We love that her program has different units of focus (sea life was a favorite!) and incorporates Montessori philosophies and "works" into its daily rhythm. It's a wonderful introduction to Montessori principles in practice. We are so grateful to Miss Audrey and she's unique in that she's able to balance effective communication with parents/caregivers while also providing exemplary care. We are so thankful that we found her!

We just wrapped up 2 amazing years with Miss Audrey. My daughter thrived at Miss Audrey's school…read more Audrey is so warm and loving with the children. Because of that, my daughter loved going to school and was happy to be there each day. On weekends, she would say she missed Audrey and her friends at school. It's the perfect place for little ones before they begin their journey into preschool.

I can't recommend CMLC enough. We have been with them for over 6 years and (2) kids. We feel…read morehonored to be part of the little community that is built around this school and will miss it dearly. The teachers go above and beyond in so many ways to engage our kids in new activities and help them grow. They also provide weekly photos, weekly summaries of activities, topics, challenges faced by our children as well as the class room as a whole. Not to mention the quarterly review letters, that call out our children's strengths, challenges and learning path ahead. Jackie is a 5 star administrator. She has been there every step of the way to build the CMLC community as well as keep us updated on current events effecting the school. She has provided in depth advice for both of our children to set them on the best path forward. THANK YOU!!!!

The teachers at this school are so loving, caring and amazing. They work really hard to nurture the…read morechildren, setting up many different types of activities and encouraging the kids to learn through play and exploration. Though the outdoor play space is small the kids do lots of climbing and heavy body work and they also supplement with nature walks. The inside classroom is truly beautiful and an inspiring place. My kids and I have been very happy with this program and I definitely recommend it.

This place is terrific. The teachers are very caring, the kids are nice, the facility is great,…read moreand the activities they do are interesting, varied, creative and fun. We were sending our 4 year old to both this school and a much more expensive and "prestigious" pre-school and he liked this one much more! So now we just go here and are happy with it. Thanks, LMNO!

We love this preschool. My second child attends and I feel very lucky to have found this sweet…read moreschool. The space is great for young children with plenty of room to play indoors and outdoors. The teachers are so genuine and caring and really get to know and understand each child. They are happy working with children and the kids love them. The schedule is accommodating, there is parking, it is off the beaten path and you can hear the Seminary bells daily. I chose the school because the ratios do not exceed 7:1, the kids are engaged, it's super safe, teachers are helpful, transparent, honest, so kind and loving. They have 2,3,4 and some 5 year olds. It really is a gem.

My youngest daughter started at LMDC when she was just 3 months old and there is no one I would…read morehave trusted more with her care. Miss Ann has created a safe and nurturing environment that gives each child the structure and predictability they need. I appreciated that she has a dedicated area for babies, and that her nap schedule works well for both babies with 2-3 naps and toddlers with one nap. My oldest also had a wonderful experience and both kids transitioned seamlessly to preschool after graduating from LMDC. We live in Mill Valley and it was worth the daily trip over the hill for 4 years! We will always have a special place in our hearts for Miss Ann and LMDC.

We are forever grateful for Miss Ann and the LMDC staff!…read more Our daughter started daycare when she was one year old, and from the very beginning, we knew this was the right place for her. Miss Ann's experience is priceless. She's always giving us tips to support our daughter's development. LMDC has provided our Olympia with all the tools to become a curious, smart and loving little girl. We know she's ready to rock at preschool after 2 years thriving at LMDC. She can count, recognize colors and shapes, and cleans up after playing with her toys. Every night Olympia gives thanks for her teachers and her daycare friends. Our top priority when we were looking for daycare was to find a place where Olympia would feel loved, respected and challenged and LMDC definitely was and is that! The Medina Family, October 2022

Wilderness Cubs is absolutely amazing--one of the best decisions we've made for our daughter!…read more Living in Marin, we regularly take her hiking, so I was initially hesitant to sign her up. But once we did, we couldn't be happier. Wilderness Cubs isn't just about hiking and running around outside--it's a fully immersive educational experience. Our daughter gets the opportunity to learn about reptiles, amphibians, farm animals, insects, local plant life, and so much more, all while exploring and having fun with her friends. The live animal presentations are incredible, and the amount of information she retains and excitedly shares with us at home makes us feel so lucky to have found this program before she starts elementary school. In addition to hikes and animal visits, the children create nature-themed art projects, read books related to the day's lesson, and learn to identify local birds, animals and plants around Phoenix Lake. I love that now when we go hiking she's is the one telling us and her little sister what type of plant or bird we are looking at. If you'd like your little one to stay longer, there's also a fantastic afterschool program available. Wilderness Cubs has been such a wonderful experience that we're already planning to sign up our younger daughter as soon as she turns three!

Our 3yr old son attends Wilderness Cubs two days a week and he'd like to attend even more! He is…read moreabsolutely thriving being outside for the full class day. They spend their days hiking, learning about nature, interacting with animals, and do the cutest daily projects that are both educational, outdoorsy, and fun. Not to mention getting to hang out at one of the most beautiful trailheads in Marin. Teacher Lesley has created a fun, comfortable, and outdoorsy experience, and our son comes home covered in mud with the biggest smiles on his face every day. It's so fun to see how much our kiddos can learn and enjoy by just being in nature with the class!

For any parents in the community looking at preschool options, I wanted to share a very heartfelt…read morerecommendation for Miss Nicky's program. Our family came to the school after a preschool experience that really was not the right fit for our son, so I do not say this lightly: the difference was immediate and incredible. Miss Nicky was so supportive, thoughtful, and personally invested in helping him transition. She was caring, attentive, and made him feel welcome from the very beginning. The teachers and staff did the same, and what stood out most was how naturally they modeled kindness for the children. It was not just something they talked about -- the kids picked up on it and showed that same kindness to him. He was able to make friends very quickly, which meant the world to us. One of the things I especially appreciate is the year-round program. For parents who are always trying to figure out summer camps, activities, or expensive extracurricular options, their summer program is truly amazing. It is creative, energetic, organized, and such a great value. The kids get so much variety -- field trips, costumes, outdoor water play, activities that get out all their energy -- and they have so much fun that they often do not want to leave school. The planning and effort from the administrative staff really shows. During the academic year, I have also been so grateful for the focus on social-emotional learning. At this age, tantrums and big feelings are very real, and this program does such a wonderful job helping kids learn how to understand their emotions, express themselves, and self-regulate. I have personally seen such a positive change in my son. He can now confidently tell other kids and grownups how he feels, and when something does not go his way, he is much more able to use coping tools instead of reacting like the world is ending. That is not an accident -- it is clearly part of Miss Nicky's philosophy. She truly wants to help kids grow into kind, confident, emotionally aware little people. Lastly, the teachers and staff are just incredibly caring and communicative. In other full-day preschool settings, we have experienced staff turnover, substitutes, rotating coverage, or situations where the person at pickup could not really tell us how the day went. That has not been our experience here at all. The teachers are open, attentive, and communicative, and the entire staff seems aware of what is going on with each child. Even teachers from the other classroom know the kids personally and build relationships with them. I cannot say enough good things about Miss Nicky, the administrative staff, and the teachers in both classrooms. This program has been such a positive, nurturing, and joyful place for our son, and I would highly recommend it to any family looking for a preschool where their child will be truly cared for, supported, and helped to grow.

Miss Nicky's Preschool is pure magic. My daughter attended from age 2 to 5, blossoming from the…read moreCaterpillar Room (toddlers) to the Butterfly Room (Pre K) with ease, care, and support. Along the way she met every developmental milestone, thanks to Miss Nicky and her incredible teaching staff. The amount of sweat, love, and dedication Miss Nicky pours into her school is truly unmatched. The classrooms strike the perfect balance of play based exploration and academics, with literacy and math seamlessly woven into hands on games, centers, and creative projects. Summer camp is just as special, fun filled, imaginative, and full of joy. What made it most magical, though, was how much my daughter loved being there. She thrived because her teachers loved being with her. One memory she always cherishes is the day she got a splinter. Miss Nicky welcomed her into her office, gently removed it, and turned a "boo boo" moment into a memory of being cared for and safe. That's the kind of nurturing heart behind this school. As parents, my husband and I especially appreciated the sense of community Miss Nicky built. From family events to celebrations, she created opportunities not only for children to connect but for parents to form friendships that will last well beyond preschool years. What makes it even more special is that the building that houses this amazing school is the very same one where I attended preschool over 30 years ago. It has been beautifully updated and maintained with modern safety features, nestled in one of the most safe and beautiful neighborhoods in Marin. (I know! I am also a proud Terra Linda High School graduate.) Miss Nicky's Preschool is truly a gem, and when our journey came to an end I cried. My five year old held my hand and said, "Mom, it's ok, Miss Nicky said we can always come back and visit!" A true testament to how Miss Nicky and her teaching team foster social emotional growth, creating confident and compassionate kids. If you're wondering whether Miss Nicky's is the right place for your child the answer is yes. In a world that moves too fast, this school preserves the wonder and innocence of early childhood. It is safe, happy, creative, and filled with love. Miss Nicky's Preschool isn't just a school, it's a place where childhood magic is kept alive.