My daughter started attending BHNS this August, and she absolutely loves it! We -- parents and…read moregrandparents 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.

The teachers here are great - very attentive and supportive yet able to foster independence and…read moreimagination. 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!

When it came time to look for a preschool for my daughter (4 years ago) I did a lot of research…read moreonline and in person. Thanks to all the great reviews here on Yelp and also a referral from one of my very good friends we decided to go with Mustard Seed as a place for my daughter to grow. She was 4 years old when she started and was very, very shy and was nervous. But it did not take her long to warm up and get comfortable with her super sweet classmates and the wonderful staff. The following year she continued onto TK and flourished into this bright intelligent little girl. The teachers at Mustard Seed did such an amazing job teaching the all the students and preparing them for Kindergarten. My daughter is currently in 2nd grade and is reading at the 6th grade level and I can't imagine her advancing to this level of education if it weren't for Mustard Seed. Fast forward - I needed child care for my youngest son as I prepared to go back to work and so thankful they have a toddler program I was able to enroll my son in at 18 months old. They love and care for all the children like it were their own and this gives us parents a peace of mind. He is now 3 1/2 years old and graduated to the preschool room where he absolutely loves to learn and play with his classmates that he calls, his best friends.

My kids really enjoyed their time here even tho it was cut short due to the shelter in place and…read morepandemic. Both my kids went here, wish the grades went up higher. My Son was in kindergarten but now he is moving on to first grade and my daughter will continue to come here she was in preschool but now she will be starting TK. The teachers and staff at mustard seed really love what they do! They are all about the children's safety and well being. Not only that they make learning fun and exciting! My kids always looked forward to going to school each day. This place is very family oriented and they treat our children as if they were their own. Nothing but love and compassion from mustard seed! I'm kinda sad that it had to end so abruptly but I'm hoping and praying this fall we can have a better year for 20/21 school year! I sure do give teachers a whole new level of respect, their jobs are not easy! All teachers need to have more recognition for the work that they do!

Step One School is truly a school of happiness! Choosing it for our son was one of the best…read moredecisions we've made. Now in his second year, he started at age three as a shy and cautious child who spoke very little. His teachers surrounded him with love and care, helping him feel safe and confident. It's no surprise that many of the staff spend their entire careers at this school--it's a special place. This year, our son is thriving! He's speaking more clearly, counting, and making friends. Watching him grow in such a welcoming and nurturing environment is amazing. From drawing to music and even playing guitar, he loves every moment of school and looks forward to going every day. We couldn't be happier with Step One!

Step One School is a magical place! Our family feels so grateful to be part of this warm, welcoming…read morecommunity. Every teacher is loving, supportive, and kind. My favorite part of the school yard is the organic garden, but our oldest son most enjoys playing in the little stream of water that runs down the hillside. He is thriving, asking us to play Stevie Wonder songs at home, just like he dances to at school.

My third grade granddaughter has been there since preschool. The outdoor/gardening/cooking…read morecomponent is a great balance to the strong academics. Peaceful atmosphere, lots of beauty.

As someone who moved to the Bay Area about a decade ago, I've often missed the sense of Persian…read morecommunity I grew up with, attending "mehmoonis" (parties), hearing Iranian music fill our home, and being surrounded by our rich, beautiful culture. When it came time to find a preschool for my son, I dreamed of a place that could offer him that same warmth and connection, and Golestan has given us exactly that and more. The first time I stepped into Golestan's "hayaat" (yard), I was instantly transported to my grandpa's garden in Iran. The laughter, the trees, the care woven into every detail. It's such a lively, loving, and vibrant space where my son learns, plays, makes friends, and creates lasting memories. The teachers are absolute angels, deeply nurturing, creative, and so attuned to each child. From the thoughtfully designed classrooms to the fresh, nourishing food (with ingredients straight from their learning garden!), every aspect of Golestan reflects an intentional, heartful approach to education and community. I feel truly honored for my son to spend his days in such a magical and enriching environment, surrounded by love, culture, and curiosity, and I'm already dreaming of the day my daughter can join. Regardless of your background or heritage, Golestan is a place worth experiencing. I'm sure they'll woo you at "Salaam" :)

We love Angel Academy! We toured many schools for our son's…read morefirst experience learning outside our home. We were so delighted to find Angel Academy and their loving environment that was curated with amazing playthings and activities for their students! The environment is warm and loving and they do a fantastic job with the kiddos. If you're looking for a wonderful place for your child to learn, play and grow, you've found it.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed my son's amazing school yet! Halimah has created a magical,…read moreinspiring, loving, and thoughtful school that is as much a second home to my son as it is as perfect space for him to learn how to be a student. When you step into Angel Academy, the space makes you feel warm and the energy is inviting and calmly. Each toy is there for a reason - to ignite imagination. Nothing is plastic or there to "babysit" the children. In the last two years my son went from barely a few words to telling us elaborate stories and learning how to be a great friend and a role model for his baby sister. The food is prepared with love, the special celebrations and field trips are deliberately planned and inclusive, and the one-on-one attention is unsurpassed. I absolutely cannot recommend this school enough.

I highly recommend this place; my son has learned a lot since he started attending. I am very happy…read moreand grateful for the excellent teaching and care provided. Miss Lizzet and her entire staff are highly qualified, and the facility is very safe and well suited for every age group.

Our son spent his preschool years at Learn and Play Montessori, and we just watched him walk away…read morein a cap and gown! That moment says everything. When he started, he wouldn't let go of my hand at drop-off. By the end, he was running through the door before I could finish saying goodbye. That change didn't happen by accident. It happened because the teachers here are patient, consistent, and actually know each child. If you're touring preschools in the area, put this one on your list.

Initially I sent my son to a Montessori school nearby. They did not meet his social and emotional…read moreneeds. Everyday during drop off he would vocally tell me he didn't want to be there. So for a few reasons we decided to switch him to TOPS. His demeanor instantly changed. Although this school isn't "academically focused" he gained self confidence and doing much better in social settings. For him, that was exactly what he needed to continue to thrive and "learn" from all the interactive and magical activities that occur at TOPS. Our son is now more confident than ever in all social settings including with strangers and adults. The confidence set the foundation he needed to thrive in other areas of learning and development. Being first time parents, it was the best decision we ever made. (On a side note: The parent participation and abundance of optional school events have fostered a genuine community of parents at TOPS. I really appreciate the connections I have made here.)

TOPS is an amazing place. Last year, my wife and I moved to Orinda from San Francisco in July (a…read moremonth before school started) and we were welcomed with open arms. The school is play based. TOPS may not be for everyone. In fact, our oldest daughter would have been a deer in headlights in this unstructured environment. However, our son loved the cornucopia of all the wonderful activities inside and outside the classroom. He's so excited by all his options that he's eager to get going after getting dropped off. Which has been wonderful, because we were worried about teary eyed goodbyes every morning. The teachers and staff at TOPS are beyond excellent. Many had been there for years, even decades. They are very knowledgeable about child development, discipline, etc. I feel very comfortable leaving my son in their care. Last, but not least, is the superb TOPS community. Because parents have to be involved, there's a great sense of belonging and camaraderie that is fostered by TOPS. In summary, TOPS is a wonderful school and environment for kids.

Happy Hearts is an EXCEPTIONAL preschool. Their staff is organized, caring, loving and creates…read morethoughtful and playful learning lessons. The environment is playful and engaging. Ms. Jackie and Ms. Shilo are two of the best early childhood specialists I've ever encountered. Being a public educator for close to 20 years, I can hands down say, any child is in excellent hand. Happy Hearts has the best early childhood environment and is the best preschool around!

This school has been wonderful for my two boys. The teachers are so loving. My introverted first…read moreborn was very nervous and clingy, but after the support of these teachers he ended up making a lot of friends and talking about it non-stop. My social second born can't wait to leave me at door. It's got a great play space outside, and lots of fun things to do inside.

We LOVE Ms. Kristina! It's clear how much thought and love she puts into her teaching. My son has…read morelearned more than I could have imagined, and he really enjoys going to school. I'm always so happy with the work he brings home from school and my son is so proud to see his work all over our walls. We feel so lucky to have found her! I can tell that he will have a head start when he starts grade school and I'm so happy I could give that to him. Highly recommend

Mrs. Kristina has been a true blessing to my rambunctious 3 year old. He has learned so much in…read morejust a few short months. Beyond the standard preschool curriculum, she has also helped to reinforce being respectful and having manners. I highly recommend Mrs. Kristina's preschool program. She introduces something new everyday and makes learning so much fun!

If I could give 100 stars I would! I second what all the reviews here say about this place. Amazing…read moredoesn't even begin to explain Cecy and the team at Tiny Footprints. My child attended from 18 months to 4 years old. I was incredibly apprehensive about starting due to separation anxiety, but they made him feel completely comfortable from day one.In addition to sending daily pictures and providing excellent communication, they truly support your child's growth. My kid is high energy and super active. Cecy met his energy with her own high energy--I truly don't know how she does it all! The learning program is fantastic. She met him exactly where he was at and used interactive games to teach. He was fully ready for TK when he left. They also do weekly library and park trips, plus walking trips to see the neighborhood.What makes Tiny Footprints truly special is the family atmosphere. All the kids become part of Cecy's family. The group of families is so tight-knit that they do playdates and movie nights on their own outside of school and "alumni" visit long after attending. Cecy also offers movie nights for the kids, after-hours care for date nights, and she even kept my son when I had a week-long work trip. We just moved away from the Bay Area last week, and leaving TF was so incredibly hard. We miss them so much already! If you want a safe, loving environment where your child will truly thrive, this is the place!

Our daughter attended Tiny Footprints for two years and it was absolutely amazing! From the daily…read morecheck ins, to the weekly field trips and holiday activities, our girl had a great time. Cecy and staff became family and if we could keep our toddler there until college we would lol.