Curious Minds Learning Center

Consultations available

Available by appointment

Educare is such a wonderful school. We had our son at a more strict, more well-known Montessori and…read moreit didn't feel right (too sterile, no smiles!) -- then we found Educare and my son has absolutely thrived here. The teachers and staff blend a high degree of learning with fun, they host so many great events to learn about different cultures, and it's a total bonus that the kids learn in both Spanish and English. As we're heading to kindergarten this fall, it's clear that the Educare kids are extremely well prepared to enter kindergarten with confidence. And if you're planning to be in the LCM public schools, it's awesome for the kids to have so many familiar Educare kids at their elementary school. I'm truly grateful that we found Educare and want to spread the word -- they didn't show up as prominently in my original search as some of the preschools with a more 'elite' reputation. But now that I've seen many friends go through many different pre-schools, I can say with confidence that Educare stands out for nurturing and preparing kids for kindergarten -- socially, emotionally and academically. Moving my son to Educare is one of the best parenting decisions I've made.

I'm going to be honest and share that Educare wasn't our first choice. At the time, I thought I…read morewanted something more niche or up with the trends of other types of school styles and we chose Educare because we found them to be the most dual income family friendly with hours starting at 730am-5pm and year round so no need to plan for summer camps. Turns out, Educare was the best decision we could have made for our us and our kids, especially having compared notes with friends from other schools. We started there as early as 22 months- the youngest that they'll take them. Educare has provided so much growth for my kids- both socially and academically. They've grown to speak up for themselves, to work both independently and as a team, to behave appropriately at restaurants, make friends easily at playgrounds, focus on tasks, cope with quiet time, try new things/foods, and transition successfully through various situations and scenarios. The teachers and staff approach everything with such empathy and love- even potty training. My youngest had issues pooping in the potty and it was a long two month journey. Instead of making it my problem, the teachers approached it with patience and worked with my little one until she was fully able to let go of the fear and anxiety. One of my favorite things that Educare does, aside from providing breakfast/snacks/lunch, is celebrate all the various cultural holidays and occasions. They also provide two parent/teacher conferences twice a year- both of which the school stays open vs closed like others. The community of parents and friends we've met have been so special. Lastly, I couldn't have asked for my kiddo to be more prepared for kindergarten. We didn't have to spend time after dinner or before bedtime to help them catch up either emotionally or academically. As our kinder teacher shared during our first parent/teacher conference when discussing various school assessments, "the Educare kids usually all do really well."

Educare, with a curriculum emphasizing Human Values

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Twin Cities Community Preschool

(5 reviews)

0.4 mi

TCCP is a magical nursery school. Children are engaged in play based learning with the support of…read morewonderful teachers, parent-teachers and a highly vested preschool director. The grounds of the school and classrooms allow for whimisical play, gross motor work, social emotional learning and deep dives into a variety of topics from science to art. The garden in front is an oasis for the kids to plant and harvest. My son has had a wonderful experience building friendships and learning happily through play each day.

Twin Cities Co-op really changed our lives. For real. As non-natives here in Marin (moved from…read morePhoenix, AZ about a year ago), we initially did not know anyone or have any idea where to send our daughter (age 4 1/2) to preschool. We were incredibly fortunate to find TCCP and have never been happier. It is a school that truly cares for children. Our daughter thrives there and loves the teachers, activities (her favorites include yoga, the arts and crafts room, the big backyard with multiple playstructures and music wall and water table), and often helps out in the garden. She gets education delivered via play, and we get the sense of community and belonging and family that we were missing since moving. Teachers are wonderful. Families, kids there, parents are all wonderful. Would recommend this school to anyone and everyone. Will be sending our next two children there when they are of age.

More Science & Language Room

Art room

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The Mountain School

4.8

(13 reviews)

My daughter is in her second year at the Mountain School and we couldn't be happier. I toured 15…read morepreschools throughout Marin when looking for a preschool and was utterly blown away by the calm and creativity I saw when I toured TMS, and which is why we are in our second year at the School. My daughter is absolutely thriving, she is independent and creative, showing her imagination and play at home as well. The teachers and staff all care so much, and it really feels like a close-knit group. I am so thankful for TMS and can't wait for our younger daughter to start!

Our daughter has been at The Mountain School for more than four months now and I could not be more…read morepleased. The school is a warm place in every sense - the teachers are lovely and the space is inviting and peaceful. Every day, my daughter asks if she gets to go to school. It is such a happy place for her. She loves her teacher, Ms. Claudia, and loves her friends. We also love Ms. Claudia - she's fabulous! At The Mountain School, the children learn how to be independent (to do their "work") in many ways. They also learn to be kind to one another, use their imagination and appreciate nature, among many other things. Everything is well thought out from the daily schedule to how the teachers speak to the children. We feel so lucky to have found The Mountain School for our daughter. Highly recommend!

"Fishing" at our Apple Faire

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Honey Bee Hearth Preschool

(2 reviews)

0.7 mi

This magical preschool was opened by an amazing teacher who used to work at The Mountain School in…read moreCorte Madera (where my daughter attended). We followed her to her new home program for my 3yr old son and it was such a wonderful experience for this age. The small group and at-home environment provided my son with a wonderful sense of security, and family vibe that you don't get in bigger schools which tend to be more chaotic, over-stimulating and overwhelming for little guys transitioning to school. The Waldorf rhythm, beautiful outdoor veggie garden, chicken coup, peaceful indoor space, intimacy, focus on imagination, and peaceful energy from the wonderful Sylvia, made my son feel safe, loved, seen, creative, independent, and self-assured. He came home regulated, confident, proud and happy every day. We sadly moved out of the area and my son still talks about his honey bee school, Sylvia, the chickens, the puppet shows, his friends, and his magical birthday celebration. I wish we had this for my daughter when she was in preschool as she was overstimulated at her school and always had meltdowns at pickup or tears at drop off. Here the kids get focused attention, love, help, and comfort for learning social emotional skills, feeling grounded and exploring their imagination. Such a sweet gem and beautiful environment.

Our son started Honey Bee Hearth Preschool around 3 years old. I am impressed with the program…read more From the moment I walked in, I could tell this was a special place. The classroom was warm, inviting and filled with natural materials, such as wooden toys and handmade crafts. Sylvia is friendly, nurturing and has a true passion working with younger kids. There's a lovely garden where the kids can spend their time outside. And they can say hi to the chickens when they are there. The bees are busy collecting the honey from the flowers. One aspect of the program that I appreciated was the focus on rhythm and routine. The predictable daily schedule helped my son get accustomed to the rhythm of the day. This provided a sense of security and stability, which was important for my son's emotional well-being. My son likes the program and he's happy every day at the drop off. I appreciated the approach to storytelling. Sylvia has a beautiful way of weaving together stories, songs, and movement into a cohesive lesson. It was clear that a lot of thought and care had gone into planning these activities. I recommend this Waldorf preschool to any parent looking for a caring and nurturing environment for their child. We appreciate how much love Sylvia shows us and our child.

Soup day and we must chop our veggies!

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Inside play happens every day.

Corte Madera Montessori

(10 reviews)

We sent our daughter here at 3.5 for the primary program and it's been amazing to watch how much…read moreshe's blossomed here! She's learned to be more independent, focus, and wakes up excited to go to school everyday! Hours are great, teachers are loving, and it really finds the right balance between structure and fun.

Our children went here for two years before we moved to Colorado. It really broke my heart to leave…read morethis sweet, professionally run, inspiring school. Corte Madera Montessori is simply lovely. The school is set within the grounds of the old "Granada" school, which features sixties style geodesic dome architecture (aaack! my tongue feels fuzzy just typing that! like I've been licking macrame!). Don't let the questionable architecture throw you off, however. CMM's facility is set up such that it COULD have four full classes at all times. Instead of maximizing its space for profits, however, the school dedicates an entire classroom space for an Emilio Reggio inspired art room. I've compared many Montessori schools, especially after we moved to Denver, and I have to say that CMM stands out for the excellence of its staff and its warm ambiance. If you have any specific questions about the school, please feel free to private message me. I simply cannot say enough things that reflect how happy we were with this school!

Holiday pine cone sorting activity

Building with knobless cylinders

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Enjoying sand in our outdoor classroom

Golden Poppy Pre-School & Infant Center

4.2

(59 reviews)

Both of our boys attended Golden Poppy and they loved every minute. Anita is amazing with the young…read morebabies, Christina and Lillie are the most loving and caring people for the 1-2 year olds, and Miss G. is fantastic in the 2+ room. Highly recommend GP!

We've had a great experience at Golden Poppy Preschool. The teachers are so dedicated and caring…read more They've made our son feel safe, happy, and excited to learn each day. You can tell they put a lot of effort into making it a great place for kids. Thank you, Golden Poppy, for being such a meaningful part of our son's early years!

The director giving staff moale

Our leopard room! (3 year olds)

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Bright Start Little School

4.9

(27 reviews)

1.0 mi

Bright Start Little School is the best daycare we could have imagined. Full stop…read more Our daughter and son attended over the course of three years, and it was a joy to watch them grow and learn in such a loving, nurturing environment. Vania has a deep understanding of child development and continues to expand her expertise and it truly shows. The activities she creates for children of different ages are thoughtful, engaging, and developmentally rich. From watching caterpillars transform into butterflies to making personalized Mother's Day crafts (I still have the German handprint card on our fridge!), every experience is designed with care and intention. Her two longtime caregivers, Esly and Yomara, have been with her for many years, which speaks volumes, especially in an industry where turnover can be high. Their consistency and warmth gave our children such a strong sense of comfort and trust. Daily updates and photos were always a highlight, and communication, whether about an illness or the rare small boo-boo, was impeccable. Our kids thrived at Bright Start. They entered school confident, curious, and well-prepared, not just academically, but socially and emotionally. Many of our daughter's closest friends today are the ones she made at Vania's. And funnily enough, most of our closest friends in Marin are families we met through Bright Start, too. It's hard to overstate what a real, welcoming community Vania has built. Especially if you're new to the area, this place is something truly special: loving, grounded, and just the right amount of not-too-fussy.

I can't say enough great things about this daycare and how incredible they have been with my son…read moresince he began attending two years ago. When we drop him off he is greeted with genuine warmth and love from his teachers and he is always excited to see them and his friends. They have many different activities scheduled for each day including gymnastics, yoga, and music classes AND they serve healthy, homemade, child friendly lunches and snacks. Additionally, the backyard area is large and filled with lot's of activities with plenty of space to run around and get his energy out. It's covered so they can be outside year round. They also go out in a buggy to the nearby park on nice days which is not something that we have seen with other school options in the neighborhood. Finally, the owner has an AS degree in early childhood education which adds to the value of this school as this is not common with home daycares. Every day we drop him off we can feel good knowing that our son is in great hands and developing his social, emotional, and cognitive skills all while having a great time!

Developing social skills.

Gymnastics

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Sweet Sunshine Daycare

4.9

(30 reviews)

0.6 mi

We lived next door to the Eliana when her daycare was on the other side of the freeway, 2 of my…read moredaughters went there and we had a wonderful experience and the kids looked forward to going there every day. What a lovely person in business and in her private life. David

I can't say enough good things about Sweet Sunshine Daycare and the pivotal role it has played in…read morethe growth and happiness of our two daughters. Our oldest joined at 16 months, and our youngest started at just 6 months. Both thrived under the attentive care of Eliana and her dedicated team, who feel like an extension of our family, treating our children with sincere affection and kindness. Sweet Sunshine is conveniently located just off the 101, nestled against Corte Madera Town Park. The daycare offers great flexibility, with drop-off as early as 7:30am and pick-up as late as 5:30pm. Each day begins and ends with a genuine sense of warmth, as Eliana, Vicky, or Sandra are always there to greet you, making even hectic mornings feel manageable. I always leave with peace of mind, knowing the girls are in a stimulating environment filled with learning, yoga, soccer, music, art, and imaginative play. The daycare is impeccably clean, and the staff takes every measure to keep the children healthy - something we especially valued during the pandemic. Eliana is a magician in the kitchen, preparing wholesome, nutrient-packed flavorful meals the kids genuinely love: oatmeal with fruits and eggs and yogurt, chicken fried rice with veggies, pasta with beef and broccoli, and lentils, which have somehow become a favorite! The transition to solid foods for our youngest was seamless thanks to Eliana's guidance. On more than one occasion, we joked that Sweet Sunshine was the only place she would eat her vegetables! Eliana's generosity shines through, as she often sends home containers full of delicious food for long weekends or holidays. The sense of community at Sweet Sunshine is special. We've built lasting friendships with other families, even after their children graduated. There's a shared sense of gratitude, knowing our kids are being cared for with compassion, and a rich foundational curriculum that includes language (English/Spanish/Portuguese), numbers, motor skills, music, and art class led by Teacher Angela - her themed projects (e.g., animals, plants, seasons, occupations, cultures) engage the children while stimulating their imaginations and self expression. The backyard play area is often buzzing with music, dancing, and free play, ensuring the kids are not only learning but also getting plenty of exercise and building strong friendships and having fun together. Eliana's creativity goes beyond the curriculum, with her elaborate holiday decorations and nearly weekly celebrations. The birthdays are especially magical, filled with singing, dancing, dress-up, thoughtful gifts, and balloons. She captures these moments beautifully, often sending parents hundreds of candid photos that offer a window into the children's world of wonder. The Halloween and Winter Holiday parties are family favorites, and there are countless opportunities to experience the joy and warmth of Sweet Sunshine's inclusive and welcoming culture. After four incredible years, it's hard to express just how much Sweet Sunshine has meant to our family. Eliana and her team have created a loving sanctuary where our girls have flourished. I wholeheartedly recommend Sweet Sunshine Daycare to any family looking for a nurturing, enriching, and joyful environment for their children. We are forever grateful for the experience!

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Kids On the Hill Preschool

(1 review)

Excellent staff, clean and safe facility, friendly service, I have experienced many years with 2…read morekids at this place and very happy with our time here, our kids always loved the teachers, activities, art projects, the yard/play structure and school work provided, highly recommend this preschool and greatly appreciate the foundation they have helped provide my kids.

Educare Children's Center

4.7

(55 reviews)

Consultations available

Available by appointment