Our daughter attended Joan's daycare for ~ 2 years (5 months to 2.2 years). We appreciate her…read moreflexibility around the start dates as she opened up a spot for us ahead of schedule by a few months based on our request. She ensured our daughter was fed well - helping our little one gain weight. She tracks daily feeding time in a little notebook shared every day. It also contains occasional photos. She is happy to chat /provide suggestions where required (e.g., transition to solid foods etc.). During summer, she lets the kids play in her backyard. During winter, she plans for a mini Halloween event and a photo shoot. She is like a grandma to the kids in her daycare. Our daughter had a great time with the 3 dogs in her daycare. Our daughter misses Joan, the dogs, and all her daycare friends! Thank you Joan for all the help over the past 2 years.

My son was 8 months when he joined Joan's day care. She was like a grandma to him. We always…read morereferred to her as 'Joan ajji' which means granny in my native language. He was very happy and loved playing with Joan and his other toddler friends. He took some time to settle down, but once he settled he and Joan shared a special bond. She took care of him and I will always remain grateful for that. Thank you!

If you are looking for a home-based daycare in the Menlo Park area, I don't think you'll find a…read moremore loving, sweet place than Teddy Bears. We sent our toddler daughter and son here each for a year before they started preschool. We knew we could trust Gizela and her team whole-heartedly, since so many of our friends have also sent their children to Teddy Bears, and had rave reviews. The children's days are very well-structured, with plenty of time for outdoor play, reading, crafts, and music to name a few activities. We loved how much our children, both a bit shy, grew more confident socially and made friends. They even picked up a little bit of Spanish from their time at Teddy Bears. If there were any behavioral or health issues, or schedule changes, Gizela was quick to communicate that to us parents. We always felt like we were informed and in the loop. What we loved most about Teddy Bears is how much like a family it feels. Gizela works hard to create that family-like feeling, and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find such a loving daycare elsewhere. Our children adore Gizela and her team, always giving big hugs to say hello and good-bye. Now that we are moving on, we are sad to be saying good-bye, but are so grateful to have had two such wonderful years in daycare for our children.

I never imagined having such peace of mind dropping my baby off for the day as a first time parent…read more Our kiddo started with Gizela and the crew at 8 months old, and she's now a thriving 3-yr-old who is surrounded by friends and laughter every day. Gizela and her teachers effortlessly foster each child's individual needs and milestones (potty training, for one!). This is not simply childcare. This is a loving, friendly environment with activities and fun nonstop! They go above and beyond to make sure your child is loved and included. I'll never forget our daughter's first Halloween, and how guilty I felt for not dressing her up and taking pictures of her first thing in the morning before dropping her off. Not to worry, because we received several pictures throughout the day of her in several different costumes! It was exactly what *this* (gestures wildly) new mom needed to feel better after a hectic morning and busy workday. They had my back and I'll always appreciate them. Preschool is right around the corner and our daughter is well prepared. She's articulate, socialized, and she loves learning (in both English and Español). We never could have prepared her this well without Teddy Bears. We will always sing their praises! Thank you TBLC!

Our experience with this preschool was excellent. From the very first day, our son felt at home…read morethere, which gave us a huge sense of comfort and confidence. He genuinely loved going to school each day, and it was clear that the environment felt warm, safe, and welcoming to him. The staff was always friendly, caring, and attentive. Dinesh in particular is amazing. He brings so much wisdom and experience to his work with children and families. Beyond caring for the kids, he shared thoughtful guidance with us on parenting, including how to navigate sibling dynamics, which we found incredibly helpful. He has a very calming, grounding presence, and we especially appreciated that he was able to notice and point out things that were worth paying attention to. That combination of warmth, insight, and experience is rare. We're very grateful for the care and support our son received here, and we would wholeheartedly recommend this preschool to other families.

Our daughter attended Palo Alto Montessori from age two until she was nearly five. We are grateful…read morefor the nearly three years she spent there. Our daughter enjoyed and bloomed in the mixed-age classroom and made friends of all ages. The school's teachers, who are super observant and caring about the kids' experience at school, mentioned to us that our daughter played as a peer with kids her age, but showed a more nurturing side with younger kids. This was the kind of detail we may not have noticed ourselves, as she is an only child. She formed close friendships with both younger and older children, which we credit to the way the classroom brings ages together. At PAMS, our daughter was working on projects that matched where she was rather than a fixed pace for her age. Consequently, her language skills and reasoning grew noticeably during her time at the school. While fluent in English, she also started speaking a bit of Spanish!! She surprised us by counting numbers in Spanish at home, and mentioned her teacher (Ms. Isidra) taught them some Spanish words and numbers. Our parent-teacher conferences with Dinesh were direct, specific and grounded in examples. Dinesh came to the conferences with a lot of notes, guidance and book recommendations to share. Dinesh was also always generous with his time, often going over scheduled time to cover all the topics we wanted to. Dinesh's observations were detailed, and we relied on them as we chose our next school. We are especially thankful to Ms. Dayani, Monica and Isidra, as well as Tony and Monique for their patient and loving attention to every child. They have continuously educated kids on how to be independent and how to handle friendships and activities, and we saw the results outside school. Cynthia's weekly dance and gymnastics classes were a blast for all the kids as well. We will miss the school performances, International Day, Halloween and the other school celebrations. Our daughter was well cared for and well taught at PAMS, and we recommend the school to any family considering it.

My son (age 2) has been enrolled in Little Builders since he was 18 months and we continue to have…read morea positive experience at the school! It is a happy, safe place he loves to go to every day. All the teachers and staff are friendly and great with the kids. Highlights of the school include: Small teacher to student ratio; also the students form a tight bond with the small class. Great outdoor play space, lunch and snacks are provided and included with tuition. I'm also impressed with what my son has learned at age 2 has learned Spanish and knows all his colors and and animals and starting to learn numbers and letters in both English and Spanish.

We feel so lucky to have found Little Builders Daycare. Our daughter has been attending since she…read morewas 18 months old, and over the past 10 months, we've seen her grow and thrive in so many ways. Andy, Amy, Katelyn and Andrew do such a thoughtful job creating age-appropriate activities that keep the kids engaged, learning, and having fun. We're always impressed by the creativity they bring to each day (all of the art projects, sensory play, storytime and lots of music) . We love getting the daily photo updates. It's clear she feels safe, happy, and loved there, and we're so grateful to have this nurturing little gem in our neighborhood.

I cannot say more wonderful things about this bright horizons location! We had an amazing…read moreexperience here with back up care, the staff are incredibly caring and it shows. On our first day we felt immediately warmly welcomed, the staff are attentive and thoughtful - and that is reflected in all the details and extras write ups they provide everyday. The educators here are true professionals, they make sure the kids have a fun, educational, and safe learning experience, allowing them to explore their interests.

I brought my 16MO and 3YO to this location for 3 days of back up care and had a wonderful…read moreexperience. Emily, who works front of house, was professional, friendly, and communicative. The teachers were SO on top of things, communicated well with me during drop-offs and pick-ups, and demonstrated care for both me and my kids. I will put my kids back in this facility in a heartbeat. Bonus: low ratios, y'all! It's not a guarantee, but my 3yo was 4:1 and my 16MO was 3:1 or 4:1! Doesn't get better than that!

We found Sheila when we needed a month of daycare while our relative who was watching him went on…read morevacation. Sheila was able to accomadate us for the month. My son ended up going for almost 2 years! After just a month we saw how much my son loved it and was learning. He had just turned 2, we thought the transition would be hard but he loved it and he loved Sheila. She truly cares for the kids. The environment and activities were engaging. He often came home singing new songs, with new crafts/activities, and a larger Spanish vocabulary, it was great. Sheila even helped support us when he began potty training and really helped us getting it done. We left because my son got into a preschool program but he will often still ask about his little friends and if he is going to Sheilas. Being a first time mom finding a place we trusted was a priority, little learners checked all the boxes and we feel we got so lucky to have found it.

My kiddo recently went here for over 2.5 years. I have zero complaints. Sheila is so caring,…read morepassionate and kind. She does an excellent job getting the kids excited to learn new things. She is very hands-on. She has such a gentle approach to how she interacts with the kids in her care. She has a huge outdoor space for them as well as a lovely organized indoor space. My kiddo loved every moment with her. She cooked fresh delicious breakfast, snack, lunch and even a second snack. We never had to stress about preparing food ahead of time which made getting ready in the mornings so much easier. My kiddo still asks for her food! She was so good at teaching the kiddos to be calm and supportive ofeach other. She really prepares all the kids to be successful in their next chapters whether it be preschool or TK classes. She is phenomenal. She sees the beauty in all their different personalities and truly appreciates them. Go check her out. She genuinely loves the kids in her care. She is the real deal.

I'm not sure if there are words to encapsulate just how thankful I am to Alejandra and Kiddie…read moreCottage. As every parent knows, trusting someone else with your most precious asset is a hard decision, and there are many considerations to take into account. Before starting, we had a good feeling based on the rave reviews from other families who had worked with Ale when she was a nanny, but she has made this a truly special place for kids to grow and thrive. Kiddie Cottage provides enrichment throughout the day including story time, creative art projects, and music play. Ale has worked hard to create an inviting atmosphere: inside includes Montessori inspired toys and games, and outside is a dream with swings, climbing areas, and push cars. In addition, Kiddie Cottage provides healthy and balanced breakfast/lunch/snacks, which is a win for my baby in eating way more exciting food than she'd get at home, and for parents as a huge timesaver in the mornings! Updates and photos are provided through an app, and I trust them implicitly to provide the absolute best care for my child. Ale and Marina are both magical, and they're looking to hire more staff once the larger license is secured. My baby started around 7 months and was a classic pandemic child - high levels of separation anxiety, not much socialization outside of the home, and in need of a lot of care and attention. A home daycare has been the perfect fit for our family, given the close knit atmosphere and the exposure to different ages. It's been so rewarding to see her interact with others, try to keep up with the big kids, and explore new surroundings. Ale thoughtfully keeps us updated, accommodates special requests when possible, and truly feels like a member of our family. We couldn't be happier with Kiddie Cottage and highly recommend this daycare/preschool. Thank you endlessly Alejandra, for everything you do!

I struggle to find all of the right words to express how amazing Kiddie Cottage is. Alejandra is…read moretruly one of a kind! Upon meeting her you can immediately tell she has a wealth of knowledge around childcare and child development. She made me feel so at ease leaving my little guy in her care. My son has learned and continues to learn so much from her and her team. If you're lucky enough to get a spot, don't hesitate! It's been the best decision we made for childcare!

Toddle is truly such a special preschool that sees and nurtures the whole child. Our son attended…read moreToddle for two years, and every single morning he walked into the classroom, he would absolutely beam - both from excitement to play with his teachers and friends, and also with pride knowing he was seen as an important part of the community. The school is intentionally small to maintain an amazing student teacher ratio, and the entire little school is thoughtfully designed for independent, creative, collaborative, open-ended play - with a beautiful outdoor space as well. Very Montessori in feel. The curriculum at Toddle is student-inspired, evolving based on the children's' interests (from anatomy to forests to outer space), and hands on. The lessons are creative and engaging - My son has brought home handmade treehouses, a paper model of the lungs (complete with straws to inflate), a miniature planet diagram, just to name a few. When the students were learning about forests, the teachers introduced this idea that the kids could earn a paper leaf for doing an act of kindness -- by the end of the quarter the ceiling was covered in leaves. It not only transformed the classroom into a beautiful forest to match the curriculum, but the students had a physical reminder of all the kindness they had showed to one another. Most importantly, to me, is how Toddle has bolstered my son's confidence through the respect, independence, healthy challenges, sense of community, and belonging the school offers. He is greeted with such warmth from the teachers each morning, the students are respectful to one other because that is the clear expectation, and my son takes pride in his daily jobs and responsibilities-- it's all added up to giving him an incredible baseline for his schooling for years to come. I can't say enough positive things about the Toddle ethos and approach to preschool education.

I can't say enough good things about Toddle. Both of my children have attended from the time they…read morewere 2 all the way until they graduated to TK/Kindergarten, and honestly, leaving this school feels like leaving family. It is definitely not your "standard" daycare setup--it's a deeply nurturing preschool that is 100% invested in making sure kids are emotionally and academically ready for the big transition to elementary school. What really sets them apart: - The Head Teacher is a "Child Whisperer": She is essentially a child psychologist in disguise. She has this amazing ability to understand each child's unique personality and meet them exactly where they are. - Incredible Hands-on Projects: They do the coolest activities I've ever seen. My favorites were when the kids made actual paper from wood chips and a project where every child picked their favorite food and the whole class learned how to cook it. - STEM & Music: They do a ton of anatomy lessons through play, and they even have a dedicated music teacher who comes in weekly. - Deep Parent Involvement: They hold regular family conferences to discuss how your child is doing both at school and at home. You never feel out of the loop. - The Community: Between the parent meet-and-greets and the sweet student gift exchanges at Christmas, we've made real friends here. If you are looking for a place that treats your child as an individual and makes learning feel like an adventure, Toddles is it. We're going to miss them so much!

Our daughter has been attending this daycare for almost two years since it first opened, and we…read morefeel so fortunate to have found Mojgan. She is not only responsible and compassionate but also listens to feedback and does her best to accommodate any concerns. The daycare has fantastic indoor and outdoor spaces. The backyard is shaded by large trees, providing excellent sun protection, and there's a huge variety of toys for the children to enjoy. We highly recommend Mojgan and Gabi! If we ever have a second child, we wouldn't hesitate for a second to send them here.

We couldn't be happier with our experience at Sequoia Tots Daycare! Our son absolutely thrived…read moreunder Mojgan's care, and it showed every single day when we picked him up--happy, engaged, and excited to tell us what he'd learned. Our son felt genuinely cared for, not just watched. The educational activities were thoughtfully planned and age-appropriate, giving him opportunities to explore, create, and grow. We saw real development in his social skills, curiosity, and confidence during his time there. Mojgan runs a program where children are truly seen and valued. If you're looking for a daycare that combines excellent care, enriching activities, and a warm family atmosphere, Sequoia Tots is the place. We're so grateful for the foundation it gave our son and would recommend it to any family without hesitation.

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.