Our son attended KidTime and we are so happy we found this school! I have chatted with so many…read moreparents and left so many rave reviews for the school online when parents shared they are looking for a preschool or a better fit for their child. We left a previous school and were looking for an environment where our son could thrive, and after touring with the director, Sydney, we knew we had found just the right fit. Our old preschool, a Montessori-style school, didn't do any TK curriculum, so we were worried he wouldn't be as prepared for Kindergarten. Our son missed the cutoff for public TK, so we knew we needed to find a better fit for him. Plus, our previous school wasn't accommodating for our active little dude. KidTime wasn't concerned at all when I mentioned our son wouldn't sit for circle time or stay focused during 'work time'. Instead of concern, we were met with open arms! The school meets the children where they're at! There's no need to hide any problems your child may be having. The school will not only work with you, but they will take the time and care to help your child and your family with any issues. There are no expectations for a child to meet a cookie-cutter mold. Your child will be embraced! The school is very inclusive! I was told, he sounds perfectly at his age level. This is truly refreshing to hear when you're leaving a school that isn't welcoming. The school has a massive backyard with a garden, chickens, and the biggest sandbox you've ever seen, with a water play area as well. There's plenty of shade and trees as well. The school will also apply sunscreen (they supply it, or you are welcome to bring your own). The school prepares fresh meals for the children, which after sending our son to school that didn't; this is such an amazing aspect! It saved our family so much time and hassle. Our son is a great eater, but for children who arent; it's so helpful to have the children all eating the same meal together. A lot of parents have said this helped their picky eaters embrace new foods. Plus, there's onsite water fountains, so we didn't even need to bring a water bottle. Again, you really appreciate this when you realize you don't need to wash a water bottle daily. The staff are so kind and warm! They do really fun activities with the children. Each week they cover a new theme and do activities related to the theme including STEM, art, math, etc. Our son learned about the earth's rotation and how time worked, learned his phonics, etc. Their teaching style is all play-based; at first, I didn't really know what that meant. I thought it was just open play, but it's not. They play a lot of games and do a lot of hands on learning, so they learn through play. It's truly wonderful! They also have a lot of community events, like a Thanksgiving meal where the children prepare all of the dishes, and families are welcome to come and eat together. Plus, they host Trick or Treating, a very lively Cinco de Mayo party, a family camping trip, and many more! Families are also welcome to come at pick up and play with their kids in the backyard! This is so different from a lot of other schools. This is so fun because you can see your child at play! You can join in and meet other families. We're happy our baby will go here as well, and this time for the full experience, as our son joined only joined for one year. They even welcome back alumni for their fun Cinco de Mayo party! Only downside, that they will openly tell you during your tour, children are allowed to be children...meaning they are allowed to get very messy! When I first toured with my baby, I didn't think this would be a good fit for him because he didn't like to be messy; but when he joined later, it wasn't a problem. Some kids do get wildly messy, but our child never did. Just know, that they use all washable materials, so any stain, I was easily able to get out. However, it's very possible, your child might be covered head to toe blue when you go to pick them up! I've seen a mini Smurf there at pickup!

Both my boys went to Kid Time over the past 4 years, and I could not recommend it more…read more We loved the inclusive and loving community -- every child is welcomed and celebrated for who they are. They offer a play-based approach to learning, and the teachers embrace messy, hands-on exploration, letting kids follow their curiosity while building real social and emotional skills along the way. It's clear the staff genuinely care about each child's growth, not just academically but as whole little people. Both of our sons thrived here, and we always felt supported as parents too!

Love love love this school. Our son continues to amaze us with what he's learning. Not only in the…read moreeducational sense but also in his social skills, manners and independence. The Montessori theory is great and Alice's is a clear step above the rest

This is a message of immense gratitude to Ms Teresa, Ms Kecia, Ms Michelle, Mr Allan, Ms Devie, Ms…read moreSara, Ms Sabrina, Ms Sam, and Ms Alice. My son is now six, and I'm a bit heartbroken that it's now time for him to move on to first grade. Yes, he did attend morning Zoom school for kindergarten at one of the public schools--and yes, Alice's did have compassion for the families by offering a special kindergarten afternoon daycare to help support during the pandemic. This was such a priceless gift to the families. My son has attended Alice's since he was two years old and in diapers. As a parent, I likely had all of the same interests and concerns as you currently have when looking for a preschool...and then some. I'm cautious and well-researched. Thanks to the glowing reviews for all three of the locations, I'm grateful to have found Alice's. All of the positive reviews are true. During non-pandemic operation, the school brings in guests like firemen and nurses, children learn tremendous social skills to take care of others and their environment, and the Montessori-style of teaching allows children to thrive. Thanks to their focus on phonics, my son is currently reading beyond first grade level. The teachers are natural educators and caretakers. To be honest, I would trust them to take care of my son over most of my family. Haha. I guess another way to put it is that they feel like the best of our chosen family. There were definitely tears from me, my husband, and the little guy at the thought of not seeing Alice's teachers on a daily basis. We hope to stay in touch with them for some time.

Safari Kids has been our main daycare and safe place for our son since he was 1.5 years old, and…read morewe've been sending him there every day for full days for 3 years now. The teachers and caregivers at Safari Kids have taught him everything from good manners to geography and math, and have returned him well fed, rested and happy every single day, but what impresses me the most is how attentive they've been to my son's individual development, even though they have many kids to take care of. The Safari Kids team knows my son well and genuinely cares for his well-being and development, even as far as working with us parents to achieve any goals that can support good emotional regulation and behavior. Now he's started attending school in the school district and he does after school at the Treat Safari Kids. They pick him up and take him there which is a HUGE life saver for working parents like me. I can't thank Ms Autumn, Ms Noura, and all the staff at SK enough for all the hard work they put into taking fantastic care of my son. I highly recommend both the Oak Grove and Treat schools from my personal experience.

Our son attended Safari Kid from 18 months to 4 years, and our experience there was nothing short…read moreof exceptional. From the very first day, we knew we had found a place where our child would be loved, nurtured, and inspired to grow. He moved through three classrooms--18 months to 2 years, 2 to 3 years, and 3 to 4 years--and at every stage, the care, attention, and kindness he received truly exceeded our expectations. We are especially grateful for the incredible leadership of Ms. Autumn and Ms. Neha. Their warmth, dedication, and commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment shine through in everything they do. Ms. Neha, in particular, is one of the most caring and involved educators we've ever met. She takes the time to get to know every child--not just the ones in her own class--and her attention to detail is deeply meaningful. There were so many small yet impactful moments that showed how much she cares. I'll never forget when she told me she had warmed up my son's lunch one day just to help him eat a bit more. It may have been a small gesture, but it spoke volumes about the love and thoughtfulness she brings to her role. Another example was how she was always there in the early mornings during drop-off--her warm presence helped ease the transition and made our son feel so welcomed and comforted each day. He grew so attached to her, and knowing he was greeted every morning by someone who truly cared gave us such peace of mind. We were also lucky to have the support of other wonderful teachers during our time at Safari Kid. Ms. Lynda brought such kindness and consistency, and always treated our son with warmth and care. And Ms. Janna, who was with the school for a year, made a lasting impression with her genuine love for working with children. She was truly dedicated and so engaged--I often found her reading to our son during pick-up time, completely tuned in and present with him. It meant so much to see that level of commitment and connection. A heartfelt thank you as well to Ms. Moji, our son's teacher during his final year, who played such a big role in his early development. Her patience, kindness, and joyful spirit made every day something he looked forward to. He would come home excited to share what he had learned, and we could see how much he adored her and his classroom. As our son transitioned to public school for TK, we had hoped Safari Kid's Oakgrove location might offer an aftercare program--we would have sent him there in a heartbeat if it had been available at the time. While we ultimately found a wonderful aftercare solution elsewhere, it speaks to how much we valued our experience at Safari Kid that it remained our top choice. We are forever grateful for the incredible foundation Safari Kid has given our child. The love, guidance, and sense of community we experienced here made all the difference in his early years. If you're looking for a place where your little one will be truly cared for, supported, and celebrated, look no further--Safari Kid is a very special place.

Couldn't ask for a better preschool for our kids. The teacher/student ratio is excellent and the…read morestaff are the most loving and welcoming. We love the play based approach to learning and the school offers lots of flexibility in the day length. The teachers have been so receptive to our thoughts and work with our child's needs. We recommend MHC to all our friends.

Couldn't be more thankful and appreciative to this school, its director and all of the staff. Our…read moreson attends here. Before enrolling we found out he needed hearing aids and had a speech delay. The director and every single teacher made it such a priority to learn about and support his needs and to ease our worries. They have gone above and beyond ever since in countless ways. We warned them he would not sleep for a nap, which was our experience at a previous school. Every parent knows, your child is much happier and much kinder to you when they have napped and it's just healthier for them. They told us to not worry, and they would be there with him to comfort him to help him relax and sleep. Needless to say, they worked their magic and this boy finally naps at school!!!!. His entire mood and happiness has improved so much since attending here. Picking your child up at the end of the day and knowing they feel safe and loved and happy is the best thing! You will not find more patient, loving, and caring teachers anywhere else. I now recommend this place to everyone I talk to. They truly have been such a blessing. And the crazy thing is... They are so fairly priced!

We have had both of our sons attend and graduate from Woodrose Preschool over the past six years,…read moreand we have nothing but wonderful things to say about the school, its curriculum, and, most importantly, its teachers and staff - specifically Ms. Yoli, Ms. Esperanza, Ms. Marci, Ms Claudia.... (really all of them!) They genuinely care about each child and take the time to get to know them as individuals, allowing them to nurture and teach each child in a way that best supports their unique needs. The love they show the children is evident in the strong bonds they build. Our boys were so attached to their teachers that saying goodbye at graduation was incredibly emotional, which speaks volumes about the care, kindness, and dedication they experienced every day.My husband and I can't recommend the preschool enough!

They take such loving care of the little youngest ones. They genuinely love them. The bilingual…read moreeducation is a double plus. Good thing religion is NOT shoved down. Very attentive. Ms Esperanza, Ms Yoli and the Principal, and all other teachers, go far beyond expectations. Love them. Recommended

My daughter joined the Firetruck Room at OFS with Katie (her primary caregiver) and Maylis, and it…read morehas truly been a transformative experience for her -- and for us as a family. We came from a more traditional daycare setting where she stayed fairly quiet and reserved for nearly a year. Within just a few months at OFS, she was thriving. Now, after two wonderful years, she's graduating as a confident, empathetic, and wildly creative kid whose true personality was clearly nurtured and celebrated by every caregiver she encountered. One of the most impactful aspects of OFS is their primary caregiver model, which gave our daughter a deep sense of safety, stability, and trust. Their project-based curriculum, where kids vote on topics they want to learn about, empowered her to take ownership of her learning and develop a curiosity that astonishes us daily. She now teaches us about the world -- even how to take care of it! Sofia, her current primary caregiver, went above and beyond to support us with things like Kindergarten readiness. Through joyful play, she introduced foundational math and reading concepts that she now uses in everyday life. Her thoughtful assessment gave me clarity and made completing public school enrollment paperwork a breeze. Beyond the classroom, OFS fosters a strong sense of community. They host events that bring families and teachers together, and over our two years here, we've built lasting friendships and support systems that I know will extend beyond preschool. We are endlessly grateful to Katie, Sofia, Maylis, Judy and the entire OFS team. This school has been a foundational chapter in our daughter's life -- one filled with joy, growth, and love.

This is an overdue and very long but very well deserved review of the special place this is OFS…read moreWalnut Creek! We absolutely cannot say enough wonderful things about Old Firehouse School in Walnut Creek. We were on the waitlist for a little over a year and we are so glad we held out for our spot! It was beyond worth the wait! From the moment we first toured, we knew it was something special and that feeling has only deepened as our son continues to thrive at OFS. He is graduating from OFS this summer and will enter Kindergarten this Fall. One of the things that immediately stood out to us was the school's primary caregiver model. This was very important to us and to my knowledge OFS is the only preschool in the area with this special model. Each child is paired with a dedicated caregiver who truly gets to know them and builds a deep, nurturing bond over the years, not just with the child, but with the whole family. This consistency and emotional safety has made such a difference in our son's confidence, sense of security, and joy at school. It's clear the staff understands how essential these early relationships are for lifelong trust and emotional development. Our teacher, Maylis is a true gift! She is such a special person and is the epitome of a dedicated educator. In Maylis' care our son and his class have been encouraged to explore their own ideas and curiosities in collaborative, creative ways. The projects she has them participate in are so impressive. I don't know how she gets a classroom full of preschoolers to engage so deeply in each lesson with such passion, it is truly magical to see! Maylis has helped our son learn to stretch his thinking in beautiful, and creative, age-appropriate ways. Our son comes home full of questions, ideas, and stories from his day, proof of just how engaged he is. The rest of the staff at OFS Walnut Creek is equally as exceptional. The entire school environment is warm, joyful, and promotes independence while also encouraging classroom belonging and connection. We honestly wish every child had the chance to attend Old Firehouse Walnut Creek. We often say we'd send our son here through elementary and middle school if we could, that would be a dream! This school has given him the most magical, foundational start, and we're forever grateful and will be so sad to end our time at OFS this year. Thank you, OFS Walnut Creek!

My family and I LOVE Center of Gravity!!! It was a wonderful time of learning and growth for my…read moreson, as parents, and as a community. The teachers are so supportive and nurturing teaching the kids life long skills and beliefs in unique, innovative, and fun ways that have stayed put throughout the years. So much of who my kid is now is shaped by his early experiences with the COG teachers and staff (& families) and those abilities and skills are still very much a part of who he is! His commitment to caring for others, not because he should, but because that's his civic duty. His awareness for justice and injustice are due to the child-appropriate conversations that take place in class and followed up at home (with tons of resources from the school.) His ability to communicate, create, design, be an empath etc. are all things he learned at COG. We picked COG because of its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and its STEAM-focused and child-centered instruction. We stayed for it amazing community of parents and teachers. COG isn't like everywhere else, and its not for everyone. Families who choose COG and stay at COG are intentional about a space that matches their own beliefs and values. Ask about how they approach holidays, birthdays, current events, etc - it's truly unlike most places, and if it resonates with how you value those things, then COG is a place to consider. I feel like we've met lifelong friends because of the shared belief systems and values, which is an added benefit to being a COG alum. Do yourself a favor and attend a tour when researching preschools, and you will immediately "feel" the difference. Look at the walls and see the uniqueness of the activities, projects, and themes selected by the students through meticulous planning and coordination . Listen (truly) to what's being said by the kids as they engage with one another and in community. Spend a moment and put yourself in the mindset of a kid experiencing choice, exploration, and curiosity in TRUE fashion. Ask about the "dailies" which are an epic insight into what your kid does all day, similar to a "Day in the Life of a kid."

Both of our kids have gone through Center of Gravity, and we couldn't be happier with the…read moreexperience. From the very beginning, we felt totally at home. The teachers are warm, caring, and incredibly thoughtful. They truly know and value each child. The school is mission-driven in everything they do. Our kids came home every day excited to share what they were learning and doing, and as parents we receive a daily slide-deck of photos and notes on what the kids did that day. It's quite impressive! We've also really appreciated the parent education support, especially around the Kindergarten transition. It helped us feel informed and supported during a big change. Communication is another big strength. The monthly emails are clear and detailed, with updates on classroom activities, school-wide events, and helpful resources. Extras like art, music, Spanish, Capoeira, and nutritious meals (included) make the experience feel well-rounded and intentional. Center of Gravity is more than a preschool. It's a caring, connected community that has given our kids a wonderful start. We're so grateful to be part of it!

We love Safari Kid! A friend of mine recommended it to me when I was on the hunt of a daycare for…read moremy daughter who at the time was only 2. What I immediately loved was the flexibility in the schedule, and that's exactly what we did transitioning from only mornings to part-time , and she was ready to full time. It's been amazing to see her growing along with the school that helped tremendously with her social skills. She has had the chance to explore and express her creativity; she discovered she loves doing projects and they do a tons of them (super fun ideas I would have never thought about). The day is very well organized with circle time in the morning, potty, snack time, outdoor play, learning, lunch, nap, snack and outdoor time again. She is not even four, but in these two years she has learnt her ABC, numbers, shapes, colors and most importantly to be independent in so many ways (washing hands after potty, eating alone etc). The teachers are very caring and attentive, they immediately notice if something is wrong and promptly communicate with us. By now we built a very special bond with Miss Noura, Miss Lena and Miss Nina, but they are all very good. Last year was a very special year with a fun class, all the families got along really well and we almost saw each other every month with all the birthday parties! It was so fun and a way to connect outside school time! I also appreciate that on birthdays they make the kids feel seen and important, acknowledging it's their birthday with a little "happy birthday song"; it made such a huge impact on our daughter last year, she was so happy! I also love the events at school and the daily updates with pictures! I love to see what she does and gives me prompts to ask about her day. Honestly we like it so much that even if next year she will be of age for TK, we would prefer to keep her at Safari Kid. Last but not least, they really have few holidays and days off compared to other schools which honestly is a blessing when busy with work!

Literally saw people having intercourse in the playground the other night, good job on being next…read moreto a sports bar. Disgusting,