We've been part of the Gan Ilan community for the past three years, and it's hard to put into words just how special it is. Our son spent two wonderful years here before transitioning to public elementary school, and now our daughter is thriving after a year in the toddler program (she started at 18 months). What makes this preschool stand out is its truly play-based philosophy and the emphasis on outdoor time. The kids spend so much time exploring the beautiful property--rain or shine--and it's clear how much they learn through play and nature. And I so appreciate how they come home happy, fulfilled, and absolutely exhausted every day! The teachers are absolutely incredible. They are warm, attentive, and deeply invested in the kids' growth and well-being. Our son grew in every way during his time here--physically, emotionally, socially--and we watched his confidence blossom. But more than anything, we're grateful for the community. Through this school, we've made lifelong friendships with other families, and our kids have formed strong, joyful bonds with their peers. It's a place where children and parents alike feel connected, supported, and engaged. We couldn't imagine a better place for our kids to begin their educational journey. read more

We have two children now at Gan Ilan and we have had such a positive experience. The teachers are warm, knowledgeable and communicative. The kids spend so much time engaged in creative play, especially outside in the garden. The school makes a wonderful effort to build community among families and we have made so many close friends. We are so happy with the quality of this school and its Jewish programming and will certainly be staying there when our next child is ready to start preschool. read more

If I could give Gan Ilan more than five stars, I would! I searched high and low for the BEST preschool, and THIS. IS. IT. Hands down, we schlep far to this preschool because of the amazing teachers, academic curriculum, strong values, and warm community. I wholeheartedly know our daughter has developed into a super smart mensch because of Gan Ilan. This preschool is truly a gem, and we feel so lucky to be part of this warm, nurturing, and inspiring community. From the moment we walked in for our tour, we knew it was special -- the classrooms are full of joy, curiosity, and creativity, and the teachers radiate kindness and intention in everything they do. The programming is thoughtful and engaging, blending play-based learning with Jewish values and traditions in a way that feels both meaningful and age-appropriate. Every week the kids get a gardening class, yoga class, music, and Judaism. My daughter is advanced academically because of Gan Ilan. What sets Gan Ilan apart are the teachers. They are incredibly warm and genuinely invested in our daughter. The staff goes above and beyond to make each child feel seen, supported, and celebrated. The teachers and leadership are all genuinely invested in creating a loving, respectful environment that honors each family's journey. And a special resources teacher to make sure kids are meeting their milestones, as well. Just a ton of resources. If you're looking for a preschool that will care for your child's heart and mind, where learning is joyful and values are lived -- look no further than Gan Ilan. It's everything we hoped for and more. read more

We have been so happy with sending our 3 yr old to Gan Ilan. His teachers are so kind, knowledgeable and attentive to all their students. We have found our community at Gan Ilan, not only has my son thrived in the classroom but there is a great energy and connection between the parents. read more

We have been very happy with Gan Ilan, having started when we moved here in the middle of the school year. The program is largely student-led, allowing children to follow their interests. The teachers are incredibly supportive, the administrative staff is attentive, and we have found the entire community to also be open and friendly. In addition to the indoor classroom setting, they have an amazing garden space, allowing the kids to play outside and learn about nature. Overall, we're very happy with our experience here. read more

Gan Ilan - Daily activities - Preschools Near Me - Lafayette, California

Gan Ilan is advertised as an inclusive school and it is anything but that. My son started at Gan Ilan in August of 2021, when he started he was a nonverbal, high needs child with a severe language delay. He had some behaviors due to frustration. He had a good but challenging year of a lot of growth and by the end of the year was no longer nonverbal, but had made great gains and was able to speak in 2-4 word sentences. The 2 year old class had supported him and not only worked with me, but his speech teacher to help support his needs. It was the only good year we had at Gan Ilan. When he entered the three year old room is when things started to change. My son was abused by a teacher that was let go of in Feb. 2023 and my son was interviewed by licensing from it without my knowledge or permission and they never reported the abuse to me, but I had to hear about it from another parent that reported it to the director and licensing months after. My son at that point did not have the language to tell me, but he had stopped eating at school and did not want to be left at school and would cry at drop off and wanted us to stay there all day, which he had never had an issue prior. The damage was done after the teacher was let go and had not felt safe the rest of the year. This was not the worst year he had there. When he moved into the 4 year old room last August, there was no redemption as we hoped and was just incurred more trauma. My son started having some behaviors of being overstimulated and/or struggling to keep himself regulated. I had worked with the director Courtney, who has known my child the entire time he was at Gan Ilan. We had numerous meetings, many concerns that were never put at ease, and then being told my mom who did drop off and pick up was "lying" and would make accusations about our family. I had created many behaviorial plans and when asked to get him tested as they were "concerned" about him being on the spectrum and since he was already in the school district for his langauge delay, he could be tested, which I did. what we had found out that the teachers in his classroom had described my child as dangerous and at-risk, and it was incredibly negative space. There was a huge difference in what reported by myself, husband and mother and what the school reported to them, which is abnormal as there was little to no cross over in behaviors. My son was diagnosed as being High functioning Level 1.5 Autism. After reporting to the school his diagnosis and the feedback from teachers, I was told that they could no longer fit his needs with the new findings and asked to pick his last day. To me, this was discrimination. I was promised after his horrible experience the year before these were the best teachers in the school and he would have a great year, which was further from the truth. My son has struggled with self-worth, confidence and leaving this little boy with no trust in schools or teachers. My son was able to go to Adventure Day camp with no issues and started kindergarten where his current teacher and resource teacher has already reported that the preschool has left a young child with so much trauma. I have one other child and expecting a third and I would never entrust my child with the current director, courtney Ludow or her staff. If I could give zero stars, I would. I will not send another child here. read more

We now have our second daughter enrolled at Gan Ilan, and we can't imagine having a better experience anywhere else. There are many special features of Gan Ilan, but in my mind, the 2 best parts are the teachers and the community. We absolutely adore Emery's teachers, Laura and Stephanie (along with all the other inspiring teachers our oldest daughter had over the years). By the second day of school, Emery didn't have any separation anxiety at drop off because she almost immediately fell in love with her Oranim classmates and her experience in her classroom and outside in the play area. By 1pm, she is utterly exhausted from all the rich experiences and excitement of another day at Gan Ilan... so she almost instantaneously falls into a deep sleep during her naptime. Our oldest daughter graduated from Gan Ilan last year, and she couldn't have been better prepared to make the leap into Kindergarten. read more

Our son is in his second year at Gan Ilan. We have only wonderful things to say about the school. It's a very nurturing community. The teachers really go out of their way to get to know each child. The facilities are fantastic. They are spacious and full of great activities. The administration listens to feedback and makes changes as necessary. For example there were many parents who were unable to pick their children by 3:30 on Fridays so the day was extended until 5:30. All around Gan Ilan is a great option for those in Lamorinda. read more

Gan Ilan is a wonderful program. The curriculum is thoughtfully crafted, developmentally appropriate and meets the children where they are at. My son is gregarious, immensely physical, strong willed, independent, and he has had a wonderful past year at Gan. We came to Gan Ilan because of the wonderful balance of time spent inside of the classroom as well as outside in both the classrooms' side yards in addition to the quite large play yard which is reminiscent of an enclosed toddler park, equipped with a preschool child sized play structure, bikes, balls, climbing trees etc.. When I first saw the yard and heard the music and saw the bubble machine going, it was reminiscent of the Bay Area Discovery Museum's outdoor area. Come to find, the current director of Gan founded the preschool at BADM! Rather than attempting to teach about nature in the abstract, the children have a garden which they tend to with teachers, and learn about the various stages of planting and growing--apropos of the name of the preschool itself. They also go on excursions around the campus, broken into smaller groups with teachers in order to maintain the low student: adult ratio. The classrooms are not only clean, but also calm, inviting, well organized, and outfitted specifically to meet the various needs of the different ages and stages of the children. All of the materials, both natural and man made, are intended to offer a wide variety of experiences to the children across the spectrum of Gardner's multiple intelligences and in accordance with the more well known 5-6 sensory experiences. Socioemotional development is scaffolded by integration of the teachers into whatever activity the children are engaging in, whether it be gross or fine motor skill development, etc. The staff take their jobs seriously, and are vigilant and focused on their meaningful work with the children. The children are not only cared for in the emotional sense, but also fostered and encouraged to reach beyond their current selves into their zones of proximal development. As a parent of five children, I have many years of experience with children and also with preschools and how they do and do not work. I can tell you that Gan is an excellent value, the nature of the environment there, including the cost of qualified staff, excellent materials, and varied experiences more than justifies the tuition. Gan Ilan is a special place, and if you are searching for a place where your child can learn and grow, I highly recommend you tour Gan! Edited to add: I forgot to include the integral component that Gan does extremely well: large chunks of time set aside for the critically important task of childhood: free, child driven, self chosen play. Lots and lots of wonderful play. Independent play, parallel play, associative play, cooperative play. read more

Our daughter just started Gan Ilan, but our excellent experience with the preschool began months ago. We toured several preschools in the area and Gan Ilan stood out immediately. The facility is clean and welcoming and the teaching and administrative staff is professional, kind, and super friendly! As first time parents we really appreciated all of the information we received from Gan Ilan prior to the first day of school and especially the orientation events for both the children and the parents. There is also a true since of community there which the staff encourages and supports. Most importantly, though, our daughter loves it there. She connected with her teachers very quickly and by the second day refused to leave. We cannot be happier with our decision to send our 2 year old to Gan Ilan and we highly recommend you do the same. read more

Sent both of my boys to this school. We love it! The teachers are amazing and totally didn't pay me to write this at all!

What an incredible preschool. It is well run and the teachers are so, so good -- creative, patient, and encouraging. Talented individuals whose true calling is working with young children. Many have been there for years. The emphasis is on learning through exploration, play, and nature. Our son loves it and has thrived in the program. read more

I believe that preschool-age children need to know they are treasured and that any social/behavioral development that teachers can foster in them has to be founded on that. When I pick my child up from preschool, and I ask the teacher how his day was, I expect to hear who he played with or what his activities chose, not a play-by-play of each moment his behavior needed correcting (or, "he behaved great today!"), but that is what I got every time I picked him up. I was repeatedly talked to about my son's behavior by his teachers, and each time, what they told me about his behavior sounded normal for his age, and I thought that any preschool teacher ought to be able to handle it in the course of their day without having to talk to the parents, and that it would likely be better if the classroom management had been better. We left in June and started him at a new school. Just recently one of his new preschool teachers said, "He's such a respectful boy, using his words so nicely with his friends." Either the preschool teacher is able to see the good in him where his last ones weren't, or he behaves significantly better at the new school than at Gan Ilan. Either way, it was a reminder of why we left Gan Ilan. So why didn't I only give one star? He was physically safe there and he came home with lots of art projects. He made friends and he liked the teachers - they were plenty nice, actually. (Perhaps they were too nice and that's why the classroom management was lacking.) The Jewish education was pretty impressive for a preschool level - creation and Passover were evidently covered in detail. Shabbat was chaotic and stressed me out - perhaps the two three-year-old classrooms should have remained separate instead of combining. If going to a Jewish preschool is important to you and this is convenient to your house, it may be worth a try, since the Jewish curriculum was good. Calm, compliant kids will probably do better here than spirited children. I know kids who are doing well there, but it was disappointing for us. read more

Gan Ilan is a treasure. My oldest daughter graduated from the school last spring and now my middle daughter is in the 2s class. There is no doubt in my mind that we'll be sending our littlest there in a few years. The teachers at Gan Ilan are warm, nurturing and very intelligent... they have years (if not decades) of early childhood experience. They get to know your child in such a special way and it is so obvious by the way the kids light up when they see their teachers. The curriculum is formed on child interest/motivation with a loving and firm base in Jewish values. WE love it here!! read more

We couldn't be happier with Gan Ilan. My daughter has been there 3 years and started at 2 years old. Every single teacher has been so loving and incredible. I love the weekly updates we get from the teachers. They plan such creative activities and we can see the excitement in our kids eyes weekly. read more

We could not be happier with our experience at Gan Ilan. My son (5) is excited to go to school everyday and continues to ask to stay "after school" everyday. All of the age group classrooms spend lots of time learning outside in the school garden(which is absolutely beautiful!) I love that they spend so much time outside. The teachers encourage and support the children as their imaginations take off. The teachers are truly phenomenal. I feel like they are above and beyond what I could have ever hoped for in a preschool teacher for my child. Like I said, we couldn't be happier! read more

I love this little school. Every day my daughter wakes up and says, "Do I get to go to school today??!!" Seriously. It makes her so happy. She sleeps with her class picture next to her bed and looks up at her friends smiling as she drifts off to sleep each night. They have a magical garden where my three year-old is learning to treasure the earth, plant vegetables, eat barley, parsley, mint, and rosemary. The kids sit out there - in the garden - and hear songs and stories about all the Jewish holidays as they roll around. Every Friday the parents gather with the kids for a little Shabbat celebration in the classroom with challah and candle-lighting and songs. The TEACHERS. The teachers are so caring and they REALLY know the kids - all their quirks, personalities, birthdays, favorite things. The teachers know that my daughter is afraid of storms, that she's a little wary of the cantor because he has a beard and a loud voice (lol!), that she usually wants a high five and not a hug, and that the smallest injustice will roil her to a full blown tantrum twelve times a day. And they love her anyway. Everyone in the school knows her name and says hi to her as she enters the building in the morning. Everyone in the school says hi to *me* as I enter the school in the morning. I feel like Gan Ilan is the definition of community. We feel completely supported by the director, the teachers, the other parents. There are even "Mom's Night Out" events led by the incredible Jewish Resource Specialist that bring us all together for super fun and creative gatherings every other month or so. I also love the new director for her candor, innovation, warmth and energy. Gan Ilan is just such a special place. Wish it were a K-12 institution so that we could stay forever! We love it here. read more