Our daughter loves this small Co-op community school in the East Richmond Height hills, CA…read more The Teachers purposefully engage their students in experiental learning. The students have a beautiful nature based campus, which I love ! Check us out

I have two kids at Crestmont and my spouse even attended so I know firsthand the lifelong positive…read moreimpact this school has! My children love their school because the excellent teachers make learning fun, nurture my kids' souls, and meet the kids where they're at. What keeps me coming back to Crestmont is the truly wonderful community we've built here! I'm so inspired by the families and staff that show up every day to make the lives of kids better through all of our unique gifts and talents.

Absolutely amazing school with very creative and child friendly activities. We were lucky enough to…read morevisit during Messy Art day and were blown away. Our toddler was absolutely in love with all the activities and did not want to leave. The staff was so friendly and helpful despite the craziness. It was really a wonderful experience and we can't wait to come back.

When looking for a preschool for my then 3-year-old I needed a space where I knew he would feel…read moresafe away from home for the first time, where there was a community of grown ups looking out for him, and he was able to learn and grow socially. ECPC checked all of my preschool wishlist items. Even before school started, teachers and current families hosted new family playdates so the kids could get accustomed to the space, and we had a one-on-one teacher meeting; I always felt welcomed and included. The teachers take great care to curate open-ended experiences for the kids. There are outdoor and indoor play spaces to include sand and climbing play, art, games and imaginative play, building, reading, and more. Each space is set up to encourage discovery and self-expression. The kids are free to roam each space during play times, they are invited for snack mid-program, and gather for two group times. There is a deep sense of community not just for the kids, but for the grown ups, too. Every enrolled family has a family job and commits to 5-35 hours a month (depending on the role) to ensure the school runs smoothly for the current year and for future kids to enjoy. Families also commit to at least one participation shift a week to support the teachers in the different play spaces. The grown ups learn, too, as the teachers and members of the community share on early childhood development topics. The school has been around since 1940 and serves families in El Cerrito and nearby cities. There is an AM and a PM program (you can enroll in one or both) with a minimum of three days enrollment, plus an optional lunch program. Teachers can assist your littles with toileting as needed and will work with you if your kid is transitioning to potty use. I highly recommend ECPC for any family looking for a play-based parent cooperative for their 3-5 year olds!

My two girls went to A World of Peace since they were 7 years old until they became teens. This…read morecamp is a gem in a busy and congested city. Kids spent most of the day in the Cordonices Park, around nature. They cook, play, go on field trips and do some awesome arts. Karen Cagan has been running this camp for more than 20 years. She knows every kid and is aware of their well-being. This camp is affordable and flexible. We love to support small business like this, totally recommend to everyone! Check her Instagram account for videos and photos! @awop.karen.cagan

I have two kid's, a boy and a girl, who have been going to A World of Peace Summer Day Camp for 8…read moreyears, and love it. It's in a beautiful location, out of the hustle and bustle of city life, my kids have made priceless memories here! The director has a really good feel for who to hire for counselors, and always has staff that are really committed, and attentive to the needs of the camper's. There are always really fun projects for the camper's to participate in, and the field trips have been a big hit. The safety of the camper's is clearly a priority for the camp, both emotional and physical safety and I have always felt comfortable that my kid's were being well taken care, on many levels.

My 3 yo son has thrived in Joy's forest school for over a year now. The children are at a different…read moresetting almost daily. Joy takes advantage of the great regional parks and playgrounds throughout the Eastbay and we love it! Joy truly understands child development and interacts with the children in such a positive way that contributes so much to their learning. That's one of the things I love most about her and why I trusted my son in her care in the first place - she knows how to communicate to the infants and toddlers. Additionally, her curriculum is child led and research based. I've recommended her program to all my mom friends!

My daughter loves joy so much! We love the summer camps and the above and beyond care / love that…read morejoy puts into the program.

This place is honestly such a hidden gem. Located next to Costco in Richmond, I Flip Gymnastics is…read moresuch a huge space we had no idea about until a couple of parent friends mentioned it recently. They offer a variety of classes for multiple age groups, open gym hours, and more. I would do some research ahead of time matching your kiddos age ranges with the weekly schedule ~ our drop-in was around $20. I'm sure there are monthly rates and/or memberships, but we wanted to check it out first to see what the gym entailed. The staff is incredible nice, the families/kiddos who come are great, and I appreciate the open space format conducive to safe exploration and play. There does have to be a guardian present at all times, or at least for our time slot there does :) Equipment-wise, we were very impressed. This is most def a super-elevated Gymboree (or for us, the next step!). I'm not a gymnast so not sure the technical terms for the equipment, but from our fist time I noticed the open mat, climbing blocks, trampoline, foam pit, mini balance beams, rings, and more. For the kiddos, they get stamps at the end of the hour long sesh and fun music is played throughout. A trainer is present too. Overall, we will def come back again soon. There is safe parking adjacent to the building, and can't beat grabbing a few items/gas/snacks at Costco before or after class. Happy we have a space in the East Bay like this. Bravo!

Found out about the gym at our kids friends birthday party, it's been 5 months now our two kids…read morehave been attending open gym and camp, couldn't be more satisfied. Super easy communication and kids love Paloma and the staff. See you guys for summer camp!

Let's start by saying our girl often misses TLH on weekends and sometimes calling us by the name of…read moreher teachers, and that pretty much tells it all. She loves TLH! To describe this place in one word, it would be: Harmony. There is a beautiful balance between freedom and structure, learning & playing; It's a happy house with a sense of calmness and joy. One of the superpowers of TLH is the genuine love, care, and the deep connection the team and the kids have. It's a safe, kind, and nurturing environment both emotionally and socially. The kids are seen and understood, and there is positive, patient, and compassionate mentoring and dialogue. The teachers are Allstar Montessori masters, passionate and dedicated. The learning experience is creative and intellectually compelling, inspiring and empowering the kids to explore and learn. Our 4.5 y/o would come home all excited with a handful of artistic works, a spelling game, and new knowledge from reptiles to ancient Egypt. Besides the group activities, our girl has quality 1:1 learning time with her teacher, which she loves! There is also peaceful conflict resolution and lovely circle times (we wish we could be a fly on the wall). The space, both indoor and outdoor, is beautiful! and mindfully and tastefully done and is safe, super clean, pleasant, and inspiring. Communication with the parents is fantastic, and there is a lovely sense of community. This place comes from love and is a home away from home for our little one. We are so grateful to be part of this Tilden little wonder and that this is how our girl is experiencing the world in her early years. We believe if your child will be part of it, you will be too :)

Our daughter has been attending Shining Star, and we couldn't be happier. Every day she comes home…read moreexcited to share the activities, show us her art projects, and sing songs she's learned. The teachers are incredibly kind, and Preeya's warmth, professionalism, and love for children truly shine through. Our daughter often comes home with salon-level hairstyles thanks to teacher Daisy! The meals and snacks are fresh and organic, each month we get a lunch menu (our daughter always talks about the big bowls of fruit). The kids get plenty of time to play, socialize, and learn through rotating activities and themes. When possible, they take walks to nearby parks which was a huge bonus for us. We know that a big part of our daughter's confidence and social growth comes from her experience at Shining Star. We feel so lucky to have found this school! It's the highest quality care with true community and heart.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Shining Star Schoolhouse in El Cerrito and its owner,…read morePriya. From the very first day, she and her team made my son feel completely at home, like he was part of a big, loving family. They helped him settle into a routine, and thanks to their patience and guidance, he was even potty trained during his time there--something I'm so grateful for! He absolutely loved the daily activities, from playtime and story time to the fun trips to the park. Every day was filled with joy, learning, and laughter. Beyond all of that, he built strong, lasting friendships that I know he will carry with him for years to come. Priya's warmth, dedication, and genuine care for each child truly set Shining Star apart. We feel so fortunate to have found such a nurturing place where our son could grow, learn, and thrive. I highly recommend Shining Star Schoolhouse to any parent looking for a safe, caring, and enriching environment for their child.

Atcha and her staff are absolutely amazing. My son went from when here from when he was a baby to a…read moretoddler. He was always so happy to go and so happy when I picked him up. All the children there are so well cared for and happy! All food is provided and it's so good! My friend was the one who recommended it to me as both her kids went there too. She told me how great it was and my experience has been awesome. My friend even sends her older kids back there during their school breaks when she's working! I highly recommend.

I showed up and my daughters arm was out of socket!!!!!! With no fucking reasoning!!!! And to think…read moreI was stupid is the craZy part. They pulled her some how and tried to say she fell! This was 3 years ago and I haven't forgotten! Should've sued y'all!!!!!