Love this place and glad we found it for our two daughters. The elder one spent more than a year,…read moreand the younger one spend almost three years. The teachers are great with kids. Most of the teachers; they are not only professionals, but actually are able to make an emotional connection. And kids can understand this and feel safe there. Also great value-wise - particularly with sibling discount and included lunch option. As parents, it is hard to give 5* to someone taking care of your kids; but if you set your expectations practically - they deserve the rating.

We had a disappointing experience at Building Kidz San Carlos (the infant program) and ultimately…read moredecided to leave within 2 months due to repeated concerns around consistency, care, and communication. One of the things they heavily advertised for their infant classroom was following each child's schedule from home. Unfortunately, that was not our experience. Naps were frequently delayed - sometimes by 45-60 minutes, particularly on music class or fire-drill days. We also encountered sheets not being changed, our son falling asleep in sweaters, and concerns around toy hygiene. App updates were often late or missing, and when we followed up about our son's care, we were told by Jessica and Navin to stop messaging, their message was rude and uncalled for. While we understand teachers are busy and may not respond timely, it does not take away our right to follow up for an update about our kid! The one bright spot was Ms. Hellen, who joined after we had already given notice. She is incredibly warm, loving and attentive and took wonderful care of our son. We miss her dearly and wish we had experienced that level of care from the beginning.

We're in our third year here and this school is phenomenal. We started in the Toddlers class with…read moreteacher Anghelika, who is calm, wise, and super experienced - parents learn so much from her just by watching her interact with the kids. Now we're in the PreK class, teacher Kristina is compassionate, creative, and super in tune with what each kid needs. Kids learn a lot from her. Her love for the kids is something that's pretty special to see. Being part of a parent-participation school has been such a game-changer for our family. The friendships we made with families and teachers has been one of the most wonderful things we've experienced as a family--because it helped our kid see that other adults care about her, giving her a real sense of belonging. I've learned so much just by watching how the teachers and other parents handle tricky moments--things like setting boundaries, managing separation anxiety, helping kids with big emotions, and handling conflict between kids. I used to feel so unsure in those situations, but after three years at SPNS, I feel like I know what I'm doing. I've had plenty of practice and learned by example from some pretty great role models. We also attended other preschools. Compared to Bing Nursery School (drop off model) SPNS feels more like a true community that deeply care about you and your child, SPNS has parent ed a couple times a month where teachers and parents will support you with anything going on in your life - advice, just a listening ear, and similar struggles that'll make you feel that we're all in this together. Compared to Parents Nursery School (PNS): SPNS has more creative play options, like sensory tables, craft projects, and pretend play stations that is always switching in themes to something new. We didn't see that much variety at PNS. Compared to Redwood Parents Nursery School (RPNS): The parent participation at SPNS is much more manageable, much easier for families where both parents work. To us, SPNS isn't just a preschool--it's where our kid and us parents grew together. We feel so lucky to be part of it. If you're trying to decide on preschools, I'd say, take a tour during class time so you can get a feel for the vibe of the school in action. There's also a blog post about how to choose the right preschool that's pretty helpful: https://medium.com/@spnskidsblog/how-to-choose-the-best-preschool-3-tips-every-parent-needs-4e0aca1bd0dd

10/10 highly recommend. Amazing teachers, wonderful parent…read morecommunity, great indoor and outdoor play spaces.

Our daughter attended Paragon and we were thrilled with the curriculum and the outcome. Now 9 our…read morelittle lady continues to show the core Montessori values she picked up when very little. Paragon is a sweet little school with in a lovely, welcoming locale that gives the kids calmness and focus to really thrive. Paragon teaches love, caring, and mindfulness. Even when she was 4 and 5 our little one came home singing songs, talking about the world she was learning about, and had so many questions. We learned to look forward to pickup because we'd always hear something new and exciting from our daughter. The school schedules many social events that allow the parents and families to be part of the process. This also drove interaction between families which culminated with a graduation ceremony that was just too sweet for words (hint: each kid gets to ride the little plastic "rollercoaster" to celebrate the event!). Paragon is a labor of love: It was started to fill a gap that was tragically created when another Montessori school was forced to close due to the untimely passing of its beloved leader. If you are looking for something really special that will create a strong, wise, and independent child, then this is the place for you.p

Paragon is magical. It's a well-rounded play-based Montessori program for children from 2.5 to…read morepre-k. The school is very small with an ideal teacher to student ratio, creating a tight knit community that extends beyond the hours of school. We, parents included, feel truly blessed to be a part of this experience. It's an idyllic bubble where the children can follow their hearts, engage, and explore. Foundations in math and reading are taught through play by patient and nurturing teachers. Ms. Valerie gives the best hugs and Ms. Pranita, the director of the program, is more than an educator--she is a true role model. Without going into details, I believe this school is a passion project given her competing roles. I've watched my son go through Paragon with my daughter following his footsteps become increasingly confident and responsible independent little humans. They come home with "Paragonisms" that we use daily, such as "nutritious before delicious" and "less talking, more eating" during meal times. LOL. The school is beautiful. My son considers it an extension of "home", even after he graduated and entered elementary school. The classroom is immaculate (feels like the progeny of the Container Store, Blicks and Drosselmeyer's toyshop) with enough nooks and crannies for the children to let their imagination go. The pirate ship play structure is my personal favorite. All of this is set in a lush garden. During the fall and spring, my kids often pick a lemon and pinch some mint from the garden on their way to the car. We have attended several highly regarded preschool programs in the area. Some differences noted are 1) the children are fully engaged without any screentime at Paragon, 2) kids may be covered in paint and markers but not food and urine at pick up and 3) galloping out of the car, all the way to the entrance during morning drop offs. Based on my single date point, we also saw a positive change in my son's demeanor almost immediately after he started attending Paragon. We love this school. The only cons are the hours and lack of extended care. For families who can make it work, I highly recommend it!

We had a great experience with Challenge. Great teachers and community. Highly recommended!read more

An absolute gem of a preschool!…read more ​We cannot say enough wonderful things about this school. It is exceptionally well-organized, and they are always planning fantastic events that bring the class (including parents) together--our absolute favorite is the dance performance, which always completely blows us away! ​The teachers are incredible, and the convenient lunch options make our morning routine so much easier. Most importantly, our daughter comes home happy every single day. Seeing her love school this much gives us total peace of mind. Highly recommend!

Our daughter graduated from Little Lambs in 2026, and we couldn't be happier with her experience…read more During the nearly two years she attended, she made wonderful friends, gained so much confidence, and learned to read and write. She's naturally very motivated, but the school did an incredible job nurturing her love of learning . When she first started, she spoke very little English and had rarely been away from home, so we were understandably nervous about the transition. Meriam and the staff were very supportive. Thanks to their care and dedication, she's now more than ready for kindergarten. One of the things we appreciated most was the sense of community. Meriam and the staff genuinely care about every child and make families feel like part of a close-knit community. We truly can't imagine a better preschool experience for our daughter, and we're so grateful for everything the school has done for our family. We wholeheartedly recommend Little Lambs any family looking for a warm, nurturing, and engaging preschool.

There are good preschools and then there are exceptional ones. Little Lambs is in the latter…read morecategory and by a wide margin. Both my kids attended quite a few other well-known preschools. Only when we started at Little Lambs did we find out what excellence in early education means. Auntie Meriam pays intense attention to the progress of each kid in her class. The overall curriculum is designed to advance kids to beyond the kindergarten level. She ensures that regardless of where a child is at the beginning, that they end up at an advanced level before they leave the school. The pace of learning is astonishing to me. My 4 year old is reading 1st grade books. But the most surprising thing about the school is how much heart it's run with. The Little Lambs community is a close-knit community of the teachers and families where each milestone of the children and each holiday is celebrated with fervor. The emphasis on education and emphasis on social well-being of the children are approached with equal passion. There really is no another place like it. Thank you Auntie Meriam, for all that you do for our children!

We love Happy Campers so much! Our two sons have both been enrolled here, and we could not be…read morehappier with our choice. We have seen them both develop their social skills, and learn all of the basics that will set them up for success in elementary school. Our older son graduated last year and is now in Kindergarten at our local school. We can see how invaluable the foundational skills from Happy Campers have been, and we are immensely grateful for that. I would say the one big thing that sets Happy Campers apart from other preschools/daycares are the amazing teachers. They are all so patient and kind and caring, and they create a happy and supportive environment for all the kids. As a parent, of course I love my kids, but I really feel that their teachers do too. If you are looking for a place where your kid will feel loved, and you as a family will feel like you are part of a community, then Happy Campers is the place for you!

We have been at Happy Campers at the Carlmont location (carlmont hs) for just over a year. They…read morehave two more locations in San Carlos. My son was 17 months when he started and is now 2.5. Initially we chose it because it's close to our house, took kids under 2 (they go as young as 3 months), and had spots open. Also, they don't let allergens in like nuts, seafood, and eggs. My son has a good amount of allergies so that was comforting. Price is average. I feel like our experience has been pretty much par the course for daycare. My son got sick (and us) all the time, cried for months and months at drop off, etc. I say this bc it was certainly hard for us, took some learnings, adjustments, and time to ultimately become comfortable. And, I think that would have been the case anywhere we would have chosen. Overall, I think it's a good environment for my kid. I like the teachers here, they're kind and good with communication. I appreciate their efforts and they care about my son. He also seems to enjoy playing with his classmates and is overall quite happy and engaged with the activities provided (art, story time, outside play 2x). I also think he learns a good amount and that maybe he could have only learned there because of some of those good old fashioned group norms. I also like the app they use called Brightwheel in which they share updates and pictures/videos of your kids' day. And, you can communicate in real time with the teachers which is a big plus. I think they also utilize the curriculum from Brightwheel. They offer parental involvement opportunities with the kids like doing Mystery Reader which is fun and rewarding. The only feedback I would suggest is that it would be nice if they had some sort of opt in parent directory. It feels like there is a bit of overkill with privacy which is appreciated, however I think may impede some of the joy in building community.

We love LAPMS - San Carlos!…read more Our son has been attending since shortly after he turned 2 years old and his social skills have grown exponentially. He is learning Spanish with Miss Evelyn and can't wait to share the fun songs they sing together with his family. The administration is a dream - Miss Veronica is a positive energy that is unmatched. Our son looks forward to his good mornings from her every school day. 10/10 would recommend to all toddler parents.

This is a shout out to the best Director, Ms Koressa. She is not perfect but the 1% that was…read moremissing is negligible compared to the outstanding skills she has--the 99%. She balances her act with grace and integrity. She is very sincere that you can feel it every moment of interaction with her. You can feel her utmost concern for the children-and their parents. I have worked in different schools but she won my admiration and respect for simply being her. This school is lucky to have her.

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.

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.

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!

My child went to Shu when he was 18 months old. Before that I had toured more than 20 daycares and…read morepreschools. What makes Shu stand out of this list are the follows: 1. It is a Mandarin immersion school that we want out kid to be a native Mandarin speaker. Meanwhile we also don't want to put his English at a risk and potentially hurts his interview for private elementary schools. Shu has a reasonable balance between English and Mandarin. At the toddler class, either two out of the three or all three teachers are Mandarin teachers; at the preschool class one out of the two teachers is Mandarin one; and at the pre-K class, about ~70% of the time the kids are exposed to English so as to prepare for elementary school. 2. Teachers are professional and with proactive communication. We worked a lot with Director Mia and the class teachers, and they all are very proactive and patient. They don't only give explanations of the issue and problems but also give the reasons and would discuss with the parents to decide the final solutions that the most suitable to the kid. The teachers give suggestions that helps kids' development of multiple perspectives, for example, I learned a lot to help my son deal with his newborn sibling. Also we worked together on potty train and correcting some behavior issues. As far as now, I'm happy with their professional collaboration and suggestions. 3. The curriculum is excellent. Shu is an academy based school so by choosing it, we expect our kid would be exposed to many knowledges and skills, and it turns out he actually are. The highlight is that Shu puts all knowledges and skills in the form of games and the kids don't feel any pressure of learning. They have many specifically designed games(lessons) and experiments to practice their motor skills, to share knowledges of different themes and to explore beauties of the worlds. With such a way of learning, my kid keeps a strong interest to learning, has a very good sense of reasoning, is good at expressing himself in both languages, and is motivated enough to explore complicated unknowns independently. 4. My kid, and as well as his classmates, are all super happy every day. Some of his friends left the school but they are still very happy to come back for backup care.

Shu Academy has been a great choice for us given our priority to raise a bilingual child. Our son…read morejoined this preschool after turning 3 but knew minimal English; in just 6-8 months, he progressed remarkably, confidently having conversations in English. We were impressed! At the same time, our little one continued to master his mother tongue, Mandarin, and is about to recite several Chinese poems and songs he learned from school! The teachers are passionate and fun. They continue to come up with creative activities that keep the kids engaged and excited. They celebrate American and Chinese holidays, allowing kids to be immersed in both cultures/ traditions. Yet, their approach is holistic, balancing fun activities with meaningful "schoolwork", such as writing alphabets, numbers and Chinese characters.   On top of that, we appreciate constant communication from staff - they share plenty of photos / videos daily and newsletters weekly, keeping us informed about our child's fun days.  Their extended care option and lunch option also offer great convenience for busy parents.