Amazing place, amazing staff. All of them are educated and caring and lovely. they really care about kids in general. If I could give this school 10 stars I would!! This is the FIRST school I have seen my kids happy at in Marin county. it is an amazing place when they don't ever want to leave at pick up. I love that they feel as though it is their home away from home read more

I couldn't imagine a better daycare! My son (2016-2018) and daughter (2020-2022) both went to Caterpillar. They both had the most loving teachers that have still kept in contact after we left. They genuinely care about the children and families that attend. It is a loving and caring environment that children are happy to attend. My daughter learned her ABC's, shapes, colors and how to count to 20 which is above and beyond for a daycare (not a preschool). I highly recommend Caterpillar to all families in Marin. read more

So happy! We have loved our experience at Caterpillar, the fantastic teachers, and the wonderful community it has fostered. It can be scary leaving your child in someone else's care, but Caterpillar made us feel very secure with their open communication and clear understanding of our little wild child. When we first joined Caterpillar in August 2020 (our son was 7 months old), the teachers made us feel very comfortable and showed that they were fully engaged with his care. They would listen to us about how we thought he was doing and what he might need during the day (whether extra attention due to a big transition; responding to pushback; potty training(!)), and really made an effort to address his needs and communicate on how he was doing at the end of the day. Caterpillar provides a wonderful and loving environment for kiddos, and I hugely appreciate the focus on being outdoors. We have also have been happy with their safety measures around COVID and illness policy. Overall, our son loves his teachers and looks forward to "going to school" almost every day. He's flourished there, exploring his interests and learning how to play and be with other kids and adults. We're looking forward to having our daughter in the Sprouts group soon and continuing at Caterpillar. read more

Unfortunately I had a pretty bad experience with this place. I applied for a spot for my child, they said one should open up within four months. I sent in my application plus a deposit. Leading up to the four month mark I kept emailing them for a status update. They never got back to me until well past the four month mark only to say it had been pushed out another two months. Same thing happens leading up to the new anticipated start date, I email, no replies. A couple more months past the revised date they got back to me saying it would take another couple of months, and at that time only a part time spot would be available. At this point it had been almost a full year since applying and sending in my deposit so I asked for the deposit back and to be taken off the list. They said that is fine, and that they would mail back the deposit check. Unsurprisingly the check never showed up. I emailed and after a few months they got back to me and said they would try sending another one. This one also did not show up so I offered to go in person to pick it up. It has been months and I never heard back. I hope they don't treat other parents desperately searching for childcare the same way. read more

Amazing place filled with amazing teachers. I never once hesitated about the quality of care my son was getting at Caterpillar (9 mos - 2.5 yr old). There's a real positive energy in the space and its not hard to see how all the children love it there. Highly recommend. read more

My daughter went to Caterpillar Academy from the time she was 8 months old till 3 years old. And, I'm sending my son there soon. There are so many great things about Caterpillar Academy, but the top three are 1) quality time between teachers and parents, 2) community and 3) quality care for kids 1) Quality time between teachers and parents: The caterpillar academy spends a quite amount of time with the parents to talk about how the children are doing at school and to answer questions the parents may have. They explain in length about things that went well, and things that were challenging, if any. Teachers are so patient for both the parents and the kids, and I appreciated that more than anything as a first-time mom. I learned so much from the teachers and was able to build the trusting and lasting relationship. 2) Community: The caterpillar academy hosts variety of events to build the community, including pajama night, fall celebration, potluck and more. This has helped me to make new mom-friends and to watch my daughter play with other kids and teachers with my own eyes. The parents, the kids and the teachers that I have gotten to know through the Caterpillar Academy community are now amazing friends of mine, and I can never thank the community enough for. 3) Care for the kids: Lastly, the teachers are really really great with kids. They are patient and genuine. They spend lots of time to understand kids individuality and their personalities. They patiently teach the kids the empathy and the social skills. They are caring, nurturing, loving, and funny with a big heart. I highly recommend Caterpillar Academy. If you are looking for a right daycare for your little one and have questions, feel free to private message me! :-) read more

Our daughter absolutely loves her teachers and friends at Caterpillar Academy! (She's all smiles when I drop her off and cries when it's time to go home.) The teachers are so loving and attentive to my child, and it's so clear that they care so much for every kid there. They plan cute activities for the kids of every age -- from music to art to playing outside. In addition, the school has done a good job managing COVID and we've felt safe sending our daughter there. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Caterpillar Academy for any families looking for a fantastic daycare option in the San Anselmo/Fairfax area. read more

Caterpillar Academy is a bright, cheerful, loving and creative place for early childhood learning and development. Our son has been going there for a year and has learned so much and developed many great friendships. There is something absolutely special about this place! The lead teachers Shelby, Marion, Dani and Alison are gentle, kind, and patient. They never raise their voices at the children. The way the children listen and follow them it is obvious there is much shared respect, trust, and love. There is a large outdoor play area that is unparalleled. The children spend lots of time outside in the fresh air. They have a garden there too that the children help with. They use herbs and veggies they grow in preparing the day's snack. Our son loves the circle time every morning and also the signing and reading they do throughout the day. Many times when I come to pick him up, he wants to continue playing with his friends! Our family loves the community the teachers at Caterpillar Academy have worked hard to build. I can't imagine a better place for our son to learn and grow in his early years. It really is a sweet, magical place. read more

The Caterpillar Academy is all about the warm, thoughtful, creative and knowledgeable teachers as well as the earthy, organic environment and snacks. All three of my children have gone through what used to be called the Farm school/Little Arrows and now is known as The Caterpillar Academy. When we learned that teachers Shelby, Marion, Dani and Allison as a team decided to own it as their own, we jumped at the chance of sending our third child there. Our work schedules have been unpredictable and grueling and they have always accommodated our needs in as much as they can. I feel so secure knowing that my daughter is developing in this enriching environment. She returns home everyday and shares whatever she's learned during the day both in her playtime with the other children and at circle time and activities throughout the day with the teachers. Her socialization skills have amplified and it shows in her interactions with her older brother and sister at home. She is excited for school and when I arrive to pick her up after a long day she's content with finishing her activity and then going home, without signs of anxiety of me coming or going- because she LOVES it there! read more

The highest praises for Caterpillar Academy! The founding guides (Shelby, Marion, Dani and Alison) are incredible. On a daily basis, they incorporate play, art, gardening, organic snacks, music, reading, circle time and life lessons. They have created a loving, educational and fun environment for the most important years of our children's lives. They really get each child and they truly love all of the children and work with them daily as they develop skills. Our son could not be happier. You know you've found a wonderful daycare when you see all of the children reluctantly leaving at the end of the day. This is a great daycare/school for parents who are seeking hands on care that will complement the home life and bring out the best in their child. The kids play hard, get dirty and experience love, music and laughter throughout the day. We love this place! read more

My 1 year daughter loves her days at Caterpillar. The guides are amazing and Vita is well cared for and happy. They let kids be kids :)

Our son has been cared for at Caterpillar Academy since he was 11 weeks old - he is now nearly three, and we are so upset that he will be going to preschool soon! Shelby, Marion, Dani, and Alison, along with Molly and Jen, are the most caring, nurturing, and loving teachers, but furthermore they are creative, funny and professional! I love the way they genuinely listen to each child, helping them to grow and flourish. They are never patronizing and are always respectful of each child and their needs. I also feel that they listen to us as parents, and I can go to them for advice regarding my son, which was really reassuring as a first-time parent. We are extremely lucky to have had such a positive, supportive childcare experience, and the teachers have been like six wonderful aunties for our son! read more

The staff at the Caterpillar Academy is amazing. I have worked with them on many occasions and their professionalism and innate sweetness make this a very special place indeed. read more

Caterpillar Academy is our childrens home away from home. Both of our boys have attended the Academy since they were 4 months old and I can't say enough about the love, security and care that they have received at the school. Education and enrichment are a priority for our family and we looked at many schools that had an enrichment program that was largely based off Montessori with "touches" of Reggio or Waldorf and that is EXACTLY what we found at Caterpillar Academy. The lessons are based about being cognizant of others and where we live and are executed with precision by the teachers. The one thing that I recall most prominently on our tour was the calmness of the school, no raised voices, children playing and being allowed to be children--whether that was playing in the yard and making mud pies or helping the teachers bake a cake. Each one of the teachers actually know the children and communicate well with parents about things that are going on with their child and will provide guidance or support when asked. The children are all within the approximate age group of 4mos-3 and the toys and playground are geared for their age group (and cleaned regularly!). We are thrilled that we were fortunate to locate and enroll our children at the Caterpillar Academy; the curriculum is well thought out and friends that the boys have and continue to make have been hugely beneficial in their development. Thank you ladies for loving our children as much as we do! read more

Our daughter has been with Shelby, Marion, Dani and Alison for two years now. She loves them dearly. Caterpillar Academy takes the time and effort to really get to know the kids and the teachers work to foster healthy relationships with and amongst them. Empathy and friendship skills are of great focus. My daughter loves tending to the plants (and eating) the fruit and vegetables that they grow in their garden. There is plenty of outdoor space for running around, digging, water play & just getting her energy out. Indoors there is plenty of space too, where circle time, singing and dancing, naps, baking, & arts and crafts take place. The environment is stimulating and loving. The teachers founded this daycare and are doing a fabulous job. We couldn't be happier with Caterpillar Academy. read more