My son thrives at Berkeley Hills Nursery School and we could not be happier! The teachers and the director have 10 - 20+ years of experience. I trust them 100% as experts in their field to help nurture and develop my son. My son does well at this small school, with an intimate group of friends. Because of the low student to teacher ratio, the teachers are very familiar with my son as a unique individual. The director, Kathleen, is top-notch, easy to work with, and very involved with the kids. Kathleen makes our parent "tasks" easy: applying was free and simple, enrollment steps were clear, and daily communication is concise (made even easier through an app). I like that teachers lead activities for the whole group of kids. The play-based activities get my son moving and learning. For example, recently the kiddos moved through an obstacle course that helped them with balance, and fine and gross motor skills. They also do art, yoga, and walks in the neighborhood. Lastly, we have a strong parent community, with adult and family social events. We are so happy to have found this gem in the hills! read more

My daughter started attending BHNS this August, and she absolutely loves it! We -- parents and grandparents alike -- couldn't be happier. The facilities are wonderful and offer so many engaging activities for the kids. The teachers are warm, dedicated, and truly caring; so far, we have nothing but amazing things to say about them. We're also very pleased with the parent community that's beginning to take shape. BHNS has been a fantastic experience for our family. read more

The teachers here are great - very attentive and supportive yet able to foster independence and imagination. Our son's language and social confidence has absolutely thrived here!! The staff to kiddo ratio is great, no concerns at all about 1-2 teachers watching 20-30 kids which was one of our big anxieties trying to find the right fit. Also the community events are great like garden planting/harvest with coffee and pastries for all, kids and parents alike. Not to mention the parents group chat that is always active with outside park play dates and birthdays and such. So lucky to have found this community! read more

What a gem. I'm so glad we found BHNS. It's a truly warm and caring place for littles to gain their footing and grow together. The vibes are great in Berkeley Hills and we are grateful for the great teachers and lovely environment. read more

We feel so lucky to have found BHNS! This lovely preschool has a staff that are truly passionate about early childhood learning through play and helping nurture a community amongst students and parents. The kids are outside for much of the day, make almost daily trips to the park next door, and given many options to explore different interests. My son is currently in the Red Room (the younger cohort) and we plan to continue next year to the Blue Room. read more

BHNS is a true hidden gem of a preschool! When I was initially looking for preschools, my priorities were a small play-based school, with great teachers, and no potty training required for the younger kiddos. BHNS fit the bill perfectly! My daughter is now in her second year at BHNS and loves it. The teachers are warm, caring, accommodating, and very experienced. The kids spend most of their time outdoors (weather permitting) where they have rotating toys and activities to play with. I've been pleasantly surprised with some of the hands-on things they do like helping to make easy snacks (eg. mini pizzas, apple muffins) or making their own play-doh. The school is also located right next to Grizzly Peak Park where the kids spend time as well. The older kids (4-5 year olds) go on multiple walks each week to neighboring parks, and occasionally have field trips to Tilden Park. Kathleen, the school director, is fantastic! She provides excellent communication to parents, knows the kids as well as the teachers do, fosters the overall school community, and ably and capably handles any issues thrown her way. read more

Our family is so grateful to have found Berkeley Hills Nursery School. We searched for a place that we could all feel at home, and we certainly found it. My daughter adores her teachers, fellow students, and the overall atmosphere of the school. She literally runs out the door every morning. BHNS has such a great balance of free play and more structured projects. I love getting the daily reports everyday where I can see all the fun activities my daughter enjoys: yoga, making pizza, learning Spanish, creating books, self-portraits, etc. The school's director, Kathleen, does an amazing job keeping everything running smoothly, and we always feel very updated on our daughter's progress. She has also made us feel very comfortable sending our daughter to school during COVID. The safety precautions they take are the best I've seen around for a preschool. The admissions process for the school was also quite low stress, which was a huge plus for our busy family. BHNS has become like a second home for us, even in just the last few months. We feel very much a part of a warm community, which is a huge plus for us as a family that is new to Berkeley. I'm so grateful we found this wonderful gem of a school for our daughter. read more

Our child loved it at Berkeley Hills Nursery School. We were short term visitors (for part of this summer), yet the teachers and current parents at the school made us feel like we were already a part of the family. At the end of our visit, our child said "I like this summer camp. I want to go there everyday". We wish we can find a nearby Regio-school in our home city. read more

My son attended BHNS for nearly an entire calendar year. I can't imagine a better preschool. The teachers are extremely personable, down-to-earth, and easy to communicate with. Pictures of my kid at school as well as an outline of what was done that day was shared through an app every single day without fail. Any time I had a question, information to share or a concern, the director was incredibly prompt in her replies. I knew my kid was in the care of adults who really knew us as a family and truly care. The school is nestled in the Berkeley Hills, as the name suggests. The area is super quiet and is a perfect sanctuary for the kids. One of the school's entrances is right in a cute little park that the school uses as a bonus space. It's great for a little extra socializing after school, even I made a friend at BHNS! The school is strongly play-based but is not lacking in curriculum at all. My son didn't have any writing or letters when he started and now I'm confident that he has a strong foundation going into kindergarten. The Covid precautions are also spectacular. Testing 2x a month and masks all the time. I really felt my kid was safe there on every possible level. I just can't recommend this school enough, and I can't wait to send my younger child there! read more

Our daughter is in her second year at Berkeley Hills Nursery School, and we feel so grateful she has been able to have such a wonderful preschool experience. In our mind, the quality of the teachers makes BHNS stand apart. The teachers treat the children with kindness, fairness, and do so much to help the children learn to interact with each other in socially-appropriate ways. The teachers are all consistent in their guidance, and as a result the cohort of children understands expectations and thrives at the school. There are so many fun activities for the children that span a diversity of subjects, from sensory art projects to science explorations to walking trips around the neighborhood for the older children. Our daughter has relished her time at BHNS from the very beginning, and somewhat to our (selfish) chagrin, weekends are sometimes met with disappointment because preschool days are so beloved. The facilities at BHNS are idyllic; the school has expansive outdoor play areas in the front and back, with many fun options for gross and fine motor exploration. There are three rooms inside with school, giving the children ample space. The views of San Francisco Bay and the city add to the somewhat magical, treehouse feeling of the space. Additionally, the back of the school is connected to a city park (with appropriate security for student safety) which allows children to play together after pickup, enhancing the sense of community. Our daughter couldn't be happier in preschool, and we are so glad to have found BHNS! read more

My daughter has attended play-based Berkeley Hills Nursery School since September. She loves her teachers and her classmates. Their current group is small due to Covid. The kids are able to spend the majority of their day outside. My daughter is clearly energized from her time at the school each day.  She comes home with stories of the other children, games she's learned, and art she's working on. She's also learning how to take turns, how to share, etc. I also really appreciate the daily notes parents get about the things the kids did each day. (Pictures too!) The teachers are so caring and kind with each kiddo. And bonus: they provide healthy snacks and support with potty-training if needed. We plan on sending my son to BHNS when he is old enough as well. read more

We moved to the Bay Area this summer, so finding a good match for our soon to be 3 year-old was a definite concern of mine. I was so pleased to find Berkeley Hills - and even happier that they were glad to accept my two year-old to the program (pre-potty training and all!). Well, six months in and I feel like we have found a surrogate extended family down here. The teachers are insightful, well-versed in child development, and most importantly LOVE our child. He is greeted with hugs and enthusiasm when we arrive every morning. The day is filled with regularly scheduled activities like circle time, stories, and lunch, as well as creative activities the teachers (and even parents) come up with to support whatever the kids are currently interested in. When I come to pick up my child in the afternoon, at least one of the teachers will tell me about something specific he did that day. They clearly love the kids, and the kids love them right back! Other things I love about Berkeley Hills: parent involvement is welcomed and encouraged, but not to an extent that demands too much of mom and dad's precious time. The community of parents is wonderful and quite social. The days/hours are flexible if you sometimes need a little extra time. Honestly, I just can't say enough positive things about the school. If you are looking for a supportive, close-knit community for your child, check it out! read more

We sent our child to Berkeley Hills Nursery School and couldn't be more thrilled with the overall experience. After trying several preschools in the area and being quite disappointed, Berkeley Hills was like a breath of fresh air. Our younger son will be starting this fall and we are so happy! The environment is warm and cozy - and the teachers are excellent. Do yourself a favor and take a tour - you won't be disappointed! read more

This school is everything we could hope for! My son LOVES it! When we visited the campus, we knew this was "the one." It's a small campus with beautiful outdoor spaces with really fun play structures. The inside classrooms have plenty of toys well organized and a very fun and happy atmosphere. The teachers are experienced, smart, and warm. The director is wonderful, so responsive and communicative. She responds thoughtfully to emails, calls, etc. in a timely manner and I feel like we have a great relationship. When Covid hit and shut everything down, we found BHNS to be in line with our response of being extra cautious and protecting our kids and community. Upon reopening, they are everything we could have asked for. Weather permitting (which is all the time in the Bay Area) they are playing in their beautiful outdoor play areas, everyone is wearing a mask, teachers are vaccinated, and it's a small cohort. Even with all these "restrictions" in place, my son has thrived and grown so much there. He LOVES going to school and is disappointed when the weekend rolls around. He has made dear friends and has gained a lot of confidence in art and trying new things. It's truly a second home for him. The program is play based, keeping it very fun and imaginative, and the approach they take to discipline, praise, learning all aligns with our wishes for our son. Pandemic or not, I can't more highly recommend Berkeley Hills Nursery School. We feel lucky to have found it. read more

Amazing school. Fantastic teachers. My kids love going to school each day. Can't imagine sending my kids anywhere else. Great facilities, mission driven, experienced, thoughtful faculty. read more

I chose to send my son to BHNS for 3 main reasons: 1) It's play based. I visited preschools where I was told they would teach my son to read and I just wanted my kid to play for goodness sake! And, in case you're wondering, the teachers are very good at teaching through play. My son surprised me yesterday by using a calendar. 2) The people working at BHNS seemed (and have proved) to be able to handle, well, whatever. If my child managed a fantastic fall on the playground and broke a bone and I was 40 minutes away, I would have complete confidence that the situation was being handled as well (or better) as it would have been had it happened on my watch. 3) Popsicles in the park. This school has a parent community that does things like meet in the park next to the school to eat popsicles. That's awesome. I love popsicles and I love talking to other parents. read more

BHNS is a wonderful school. My 4 year old son is in his 2nd year here - he loves it and we have seen him thrive there, and we think they are doing a great job at getting him ready for Kindergarten next year. The teachers and staff are amazing, they are nurturing and very focused on each child's development. The school itself is always clean and has two great outdoor play areas that the kids love. Lots of schools talk about community, but the BHNS community is truly tight-knit. It is small and inclusive, people are very involved in the school and we have made some truly good friends. Would highly recommend BHNS to other families in the East Bay. We will be enrolling our younger son at Berkeley Hills when he's old enough! read more

BHNS was the perfect Goldilocks school for my bright but sensitive oldest son. Small classes with wonderful, creative, proactive teachers, a beautiful facility (it's like a magical treehouse, up a long flight of wooden stairs with a multi-level playground for the older class built into the hillside in the back) - it strikes the perfect balance of play and exploration. The teachers find ways to incorporate concepts that children will need for kindergarten into organic, developmentally appropriate, play-based strategies. There's also a lovely parent community, and though my oldest "graduated" two years ago, we're still close with many of the other families we met there. My middle child is there now, and it fits his easy-going, rambunctious demeanor as well as it did my oldest child's more cerebral approach. He loves their weekly dance and movement workshop, and has just had a huge developmental explosion in terms of language, drawing, and writing (he now wants to sign his name on everything - including some unsanctioned artwork on furniture, but that's another story!). The small classes and talented teachers really provide a safe, loving community and it's so clear that they take the time to understand each child and approach them where they're at. We love this school and look forward to being part of this community for several years to come! read more

While Berkeley Hills Nursery School mostly draws from Berkeley (duh), Albany and Kensington, we make the trek there every day from Alameda. Which was a lot easier when my oldest child was my only child. But after sending my son here 4 years ago, how could I deny my daughter the same opportunity? It is great to be back. There are some new teachers (as someone who was once a new teacher myself, I say yay), but their winning formula has stayed the same: exploratory play, great projects, extensive outside time, an expansive rotation of activities, and dedicated, creative teachers who clearly view their role as educators, not childcare providers. I'm also very happy to be back in this strong community... We just had our Moms Night Out and I've got the date on my calendar for the camping trip! It is a wonderful first school not only for the kids, but also for the parents! read more

Great nursery school with small classes, dedicated teachers, and a huge playground to tempt any kid's imagination. You also get a great view when driving up here-- as the name suggests, it's on a hill in Berkeley with a great view of the bay. read more

Berkeley Hills Nursery School is one of the best decisions I've made for my kids and my family! We are currently in our 4th year at the school with our second child and the experience has been nothing but stellar. Both of my(VERY different) children have thrived there and love going to school every day. It is a warm, caring, kind and engaging environment where children really become the best they can be. I'm amazed every time I see these small children be so kind and respectful to each other and so enthusiastic about what they do at school. Somehow the school fosters such community amongst the students and parents. I have met some lifelong friends in other families. The teachers are nothing short of spectacular. Some have been there for 10 and 20+years! You know a school is doing something right when the teachers are there for so long. They are kind, patient and loving, yet still create a wonderfully balanced routine for the children. Their music teacher is phenomenal and the whole program is SO thoughtful and engaging, I wish I could go there myself! Every day when I leave my children there I know they will have a wonderful time, they will be safe and looked after, engaged and genuinely loved by all. It is such a rare gem to have such an environment in the crazy busy overstimulated world of today. We are so thankful we found BHNS. read more

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Berkeley Hills Nursery School. The leadership, the teachers, the facility and the school community make Berkeley Hills one of the most special places for any young child to learn and grow. Our daughter has absolutely loved her time here. In fact, after a move out of Berkeley we decided to drive 30 minutes each direction just so that she was able to continue attending. The teachers are warm and kind. They are skilled at their craft and bring forward great successes for children. My daughter often has a hard time transitioning and all staff work with her to ease her into her day. On especially hard goodbye days the director sends me an email or photo to let me know all is well....what a gift to a stressed out Mama! Communication is clear and helpful. It really is an amazing place and we will all be sad to say goodbye as we leave for Kindergarten. read more

My family is just ending 3 years with our daughters at Berkeley Hills Nursery School. I am generally one to complain about everything, but not about this place. The quality of the teachers - all the teachers - is outstanding. One thing I love about them is that they lean more towards intelligent than sweet. Not that they aren't perfectly kind to the children, but they back it up with years of experience, education, and savvy. Always willing to help with new behaviours that your little ones may throw at you. Love the nice shady play-yards. And being adjacent to one of the small city parks means that it's easy to become part of the parent community. You don't have to leave at closing time - you can hang out in the park. We avoided hours of TV doing this. A well-run pre-K education, even while being play-based, my daughters learned beginning reading, spelling, writing, and math skills, and of course great socialization skills! I'm gonna miss this place. read more

Berkeley Hills Nursery School is a wonderful place. My experience with it began over 30 years ago when my brother and sister went there. My family loved it so much my husband and I wound up sending both of our own children there. It is a wholesome and down to earth inside and out. Not only are the teachers are amazing (my daughters have loved all of them) but the community of parents is engaged and fun as well. read more

Both of my daughters have thrived at BHNS. The teachers and community are so welcoming, warm and nurturing. They learn a lot too and foster life-long friendships. We're thrilled with our choice and highly recommend it to other local families. read more

Without doubts, the best choice we could made. After 2 years we had a wonderful experience with the whole preschool, teachers are kind, lovely and extremely friendly with the kids, everyday was a challenge guessing which would be the kraft activity, the game for break or even the book for story time, they spent time and interest in each detail and in every kid, accepting their interests and topics, most of the time proposed by them, which could end in a week related to sea life or even the different country's cultures.... The community is awesome too, we made great and unforgettable friends, the mood perceive after each day class in the park (just above the preschool) is invaluable. The preschool is full of extra activities like (camps, field trip, park day, auction, parades, etc), great chances for meeting everyone. I can suggest this preschool after visiting a bunch, you won't regret is the best place for every kid.... read more

Berkeley Hills is a hidden gem of a preschool. When we were first looking for a preschool for my son, I read an article that said something along the lines of, "judge a preschool by how the class is when you walk in, are the kids all engaged in various activities, playing nicely and treating each other kindly? Look for that." This could not be more true at Berkeley Hills. The school is play based which is so important for these ages. The kid to teacher ratio is small and the teachers and directors are all wonderful. They seem to truly love their jobs and the kids and always seem happy to be there. My son just started kindergarten and the teachers did a really great job preparing him, despite everything being play-based. The kids get a lot of outside play time which is very important to us, and they have a lot of fun "extras" like music class, cooking, field trips, etc. We are on year 3 out of 5 sending our kids there and I have never once walked away from school not thinking they were in incredibly caring and nurturing hands, which at the end of the day is all you really want for your children. read more

Wonderful school with attentive, caring and supportive teachers. The classrooms are joyous and light-filled. Books, art, play and other equipment are great. read more

Our five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son attended Berkeley Hills. They loved it and so did we. It's a beautiful place -- bright cheery rooms with a big wooden play structure behind and a great public playground with a big slide directly next door. Berkeley Hills' teachers are wonderful -- dedicated and talented and welcoming -- and because there are a half dozen of them for a pretty small group every child gets a lot of attention. The director and teachers are endlessly inventive in creating theme days and various projects (Bug Week!) to keep the kids busy and excited. The current director, Kathleen, is superb: welcoming to all parents and deeply engaged in what is going on with every child, she is a charismatic leader who helps foster a strong network of involved parents. Because our family has been doing a lot of traveling our kids have attended a number of pre-schools and nurseries. Many were very good. Berkeley Hills Nursery School was the best. read more

We have been sending first one child and then our second to this school for going on 5 years, and I cannot say enough good things about it. My daughter bounds up the steps each day excited to see all her classmates and teachers. The classroom environment is warm and friendly with a focus on play-based learning. There is often some new area set up for the kids to keep it interesting and to encourage playing together (like "grocery store" and "hospital"- both big hits with my kid). The teachers are kind and attentive and they truly enjoy being with the kids. They really take the time to focus on each child's needs and communicate well with parents, whether it's a positive story or there is a challenge area they are working on with the child. My kids have thrived at Berkeley Hills and I feel it has given them a wonderful foundation for learning and social skills that they will take with them into the future. The parent community is also great, and over the years we have made many lasting friendships. I highly recommend this school for its community, talented staff and overall positive atmosphere for your child. read more

We love BHNS! Engaging, interactive, nurturing....and just plain fun. The facilities are lovely with plenty of indoor/outdoor space and the teachers are absolutely wonderful with the children and the parents. The community is fabulous. We are so happy we sent both of our children to BHNS and are a little sad that we don't have another child to send there! :-) read more

i can't not think of a better preschool for my two daughters.When my 8 years old was enrolled in berkeley hills we lived in albany but now we live 14 miles away and we still drive every morning to berkeley hills because we think that what my oldest learned in this awesome pre school can not be found in any other school . The love and interest for the nature ,supported also from a weekly class at lawrence hall of science is something my 8 year old still keeps with her. it is incredible what the teacher do at berkeley hills read more