We've had the most wonderful experience at this preschool over the past two years. The teachers…read morehave been incredibly warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in our daughter's growth--both socially and emotionally. She has felt safe, loved, and excited to go every single day, which says everything. We've watched her confidence blossom, her friendships grow, and her curiosity thrive, all thanks to the thoughtful and nurturing environment they've created. As we prepare to move on to TK next school year, we're honestly so sad to be leaving. This school has been such a special part of our lives, and we're so grateful for the care and love they've given our daughter during these early years. We can't recommend this preschool enough--it truly feels like a second home. Insert tears!

CLC was an incredible school for our son. They well prepared him for entry into Quarry Lane…read morekindergarten (the test monitor said he exceeded their expectations for admission). This is due to the outstanding curriculum CLC offers. What really stands out is how Miss Linda taught our son to stand up for himself with classmates. I still vividly remember that day when Miss Linda celebrated that moment with me. We have never forgotten Miss Linda and the other teachers and head of CLC many years ago. Our son is graduating high school next month and I can't express enough what an important cog Miss Linda was in developing the foundation for my son's life. We are forever grateful for Miss Linda, teacher extraordinaire.

Teacher Ana has been with us since the beginning of our daughter Eva's preschool career - 3 years…read more Eva started preschool when she was 2 and now she is almost 5. During that time we have come to know her well. She is one of Eva's favorite teachers, and ours. She has become a friend and a touchstone in all of our lives. I can only speak for our family, but I know for a fact we are in the company of many others who feel the same way. Teacher Ana greeted us each morning and afternoon with a smile, always excited to see Eva in the morning and never seeming worn in the afternoon from a long day with the children. She was always willing to talk about the events of the day and how Eva in particular was doing. She often was able to put our minds to rest when difficulties arose with Eva. Teacher Ana also shared with us the strides Eva was making each day. Teacher Ana not only knows child development extremely well, but she is able to apply it to each child and their specific needs. She expertly wove together firmness and love for the children; setting appropriate limits while letting them test the edges. Teacher Ana was instrumental in helping us potty train Eva and was extremely patient with her during the entire process. I'm not sure she agreed with us on how we started the process (no pull ups, just cold turkey), but regardless, she backed us up 100% and worked with Eva until she was completely trained and no longer had any accidents. During one winter break we sent Eva to Teacher Ana's home for childcare with a few other children. Eva had the best time! She had things set up just as she would have at school. There was at least one project each day as well as free play, snacks, and lots and lots of toys. Eva brought home a tree ornament and some delicious cookies as I recall. Teacher Ana is one of the most loving people I have ever met and she truly loves each and every child with whom she works. Every child feels they are her favorite. Eva told me "I love all the hugs I get from Teacher Ana and that she gives me a special snack before I go home." She has taught Eva how to be a generous, empathetic, and confident little girl. Teacher Ana has an amazing repertoire of projects and activities she has come up with over the years. She is incredibly creative and particularly loves to do really cool art projects with the children. There are so many ways to use art supplies and just stuff you have lying around the house I would never have thought of, including using lots of recycled and up-cycled items. Outside activities often include water play - one of Eva's favorites - especially if it is hot outside. She creates a good balance between structured activities and free play with appropriate boundaries. Her personal arsenal of toys is also enviable! Teacher Ana has been such a fixture in our lives it is hard to imagine life without her. We will really miss her friendship, words of encouragement, and the hugs Eva loves so much! I truly believe Eva is more than ready for kindergarten in large part because of all the wonderful work Teacher Ana has done with her. I am really relieved Teacher Ana and Eva are leaving her preschool at the same time. I am certain Teacher Ana is going to create an awesome school and that her new clients will receive all the amazing benefits Eva has over the years. I recommend Teacher Ana whole-heartedly and without reservation. Your child will most certainly blossom in her care, as so many have!

I absolutely concur with all of the comments made previously…read more Teacher Ana was also one of our son's preschool teachers and we feel so fortunate that she was such an integral part of his life. Even though he is now 12 and has moved on to the complex world of middle school, he still remembers her and his preschool years very vividly and fondly. Ana has a magical way with children, one that filled with love and joy. She is very special, indeed.

Can't say enough good things about Marnie and Alamo Montessori School…read more My 20 month only son previously enrolled in another local daycare but he was unfortunately removed after 4-5 part time days because he was being "disruptive" and "wanted to be around the caretakers only." This is more than reasonable for a toddler experiencing his first daycare and time away from us in a foreign environment. Before we even enrolled, Marnie and Alamo Montessori School went out of their way to help our son dip his toes in with multiple 15 minute morning sessions to help him feel comfortable with being away and with his new environment. We eventually enrolled our son and while he hesitant initially, Marnie had a great plan in place to keep my son entertained and distracted. After only a couple of weeks, he now loves going and can't wait to get out of the car. Highly recommend Alamo Montessori School! Note: It's a bit hard to initially get ahold of Marnie as she's actively involved in the day care but we got a hold of her through her direct email.

I cannot speak highly enough of Alamo Montessori and all that Marnie and her team have done for our…read morelittle boy. We enrolled our son at 18 months, the youngest age that AM accepts (which is lower relative to many Montessori programs in the area!) While I knew that it would be a big transition for him, I was comforted when Marnie asked us to come see the program in action and let him join in for two short visits prior to our first day. At the time, he was shy, attached, and was behind in his speech. Since then, he has grown into such a confident, personable, and intuitive little boy. I attribute so much of that to AM's approach to learning. They paint, do science experiments, read books, sing songs, and play outside every day. They let the child lead with their interests, but also expose them to experiences that I don't have the patience for (or the willingness to clean up!). He is constantly coming home with new skills, songs and words in his vocabulary. He gets so much focused attention and I can tell that he is incredibly well loved and cared for. We communicate and receive photos through an app, and there are twice yearly "parent teacher conferences" where we get an update on how he is doing. He has thrived under their care. I truly believe that placing him in Alamo Montessori has been one of the best things we have done for him. I am so grateful.

My son is at LGA for over a year now and I love this school. I love the app updates showing his…read morepotty times, nap times, meals and school activities. To our surprise, many schools do not use an app. The extracurricular activities are so engaging - I like that they bring an outside coach to engage the kids in sports, Mr. George for music, and Ms Brittany for reading. The meals are also great. My son is open to eating a variety of food as a result of the meals serve at the school. In terms of academics, my almost 4 year old can count to 40, knows the ABCs and write his name. All in all, LGA makes life easy for parents, especially working parents. Even the morning drop off procedures are so quick and seamless. Between my older daughter and son, we've been at multiple schools in the area and I can say that LGA is our favorite.

My little one started at LGA a couple months ago and honestly I could not have asked for a better…read moreplace! The facility is very clean, spacious and the workers are warm, welcoming and nothing short of excellent. The team keeps the kiddos busy with many activities such as art, music class, sensory activities and more. Their aim is to ensure that the children are in a fun and positive environment while learning and growing every day. My favorite part of LGA is that they use modern day technology to keep you updated on your child all throughout the day. You receive hourly updates on what meals they are serving your child, updates when their diaper is being changed, nap time as well as photos of your kiddo. Even though you may be spending hours away from your child - Their system is amazing and really keeps you updated on everything. I love it! The price for childcare now a-days is pretty expensive no matter where you go - But if your child is spending more time here than their home, you should want them to be in the safest and best environment. LGA is a place where we don't have to worry, our child absolutely loves going there and it's really hard to find a place who will beat their quality and care. 10/10 recommend!!

We cannot say enough wonderful things about Pied Piper Preschool! We have sent both of our children…read morehere, and it has been the most transformative experience for our entire family. If you are looking for a true play-based environment where 'kids can be kids' while developing a deep love for learning, this is it. Teachers Pia, Mike, and Carrie are absolutely the greatest. They bring so much joy, patience, and intentionality to everything they do. You can tell they truly understand child development and see each child as a unique individual. What really sets Pied Piper apart is the community. Especially being new to the area, we found a village here. We've made wonderful, lifelong friendships with other families, and our kids have thrived socially and emotionally. One of the biggest surprises was the flexibility of the co-op model. As a full-time working parent navigating the transition of being back in an office, I was worried about the commitment, but the school has been incredibly supportive and flexible. My co-oping days became the highlight of my week! It gave me a front-row seat to my children's growth and helped me become a much more informed and confident parent. Pied Piper is so much more than just a preschool; it's a family.

We spent a lot of time looking for a school for our child, and we were lucky enough to find Pied…read morePiper! Being "transplants" without family nearby, we can attest to the care, compassion, and support that the teachers and families bring to the table. It is quite unique! My highly energetic son absolutely loves coming to school. It might be the huge yard that is accessible to the students for most of the day, the bikes, trucks, enormous sand pit, play structures and mud kitchens... or the rainbow room full of imaginative play costumes and accessories. As parents, we love how much he has been exposed to in just two years. The curriculum is play based and after reading up on this type of education and the science and statistics behind it... we decided we would give it a shot. I am so happy we did. Every day, there are tables dedicated to science, art, fine and gross motor skills and in the B session the kids learn how to read and write. In lieu of TK we decided to do another year of Pied Piper and we are confident he will be more than ready for kindergarten! Another thing that stood out to us about Pied Piper is the flexibility that their particular co-op model offers. Many co-ops are inflexible especially when it comes to maternity leave, or opting out of an expected committee. They have designed their co-op model for both working parents and stay at home parents. There is always an option and flexibility around your responsibilities, and all expectations are laid out ahead of time in their handbook. The teachers at Pied Piper are second to none. I am an educator myself and have worked with young children for over twenty years. Teacher Pia, Teacher Carrie and Teacher Mike absolutely love their job. They shine with the kids. They bring out the best in them and coach them (and the parents) through hard times. They are both compassionate and hold boundaries. They are consistent. My son has grown so much emotionally with them by his side. I've also learned so much as a parent co-oping in the classroom. Lastly we love how Pied Piper celebrates family traditions, and really knows how to make holidays and learning units special. Families are encouraged to share their unique backgrounds and traditions at circle time (Chinese New Year, Christmas, Chanukah,) and bring food and books to share with the class. Holidays are always over the top with decorations and celebration, and the teachers transform the school during learning units (space unit, teddy bear tea, post office). As transplants that came into the school only knowing their neighbors, we will leave the school with a wonderful group of friends and families that we have connected with. We love Pied Piper Preschool!

Amazing preschool! All of the teachers go above and beyond to set a great foundation. The preschool…read morehas a dedicated art teacher, Spanish teacher and a little library for the kids to go to. I recommend this school to everyone that is looking!

I will always be grateful for Dorris Eaton preschool transforming my son into a confident student…read morewith a love for learning . When my preschool search began my son was 2, and I was a huge proponent of play based preschool. I didn't consider Dorris Eaton, as a friend had suggested, because I had heard the "rumors" about it being "too academic" and "strict". So he attended a play based preschool until he was 5 and we headed off to Kindergarten orientation. During this process, a public school teacher looked me in the eyes and said that my son "wasn't ready to attend Kindergarten" and would "benefit from an additional year". Needless to say, I was devastated. While we needed to find a place that would prepare my son for kindergarten, it was also important to me to find a place that would be nurturing, teaching my son important life lessons. I wanted a school that would teach him how to respect his teachers, how to be a good student, how to try hard, and how to be a leader amongst his peers. Dorris Eaton junior kindergarten program seemed to be the perfect fit. I will admit I still had those rumors in the back of my mind. I am here to tell you that all of the rumors you hear are false. Will your children be completely prepared for kindergarten, yes! Do they hold the children accountable for age appropriate tasks, yes! Are they loving, YES! My son entered the Dorris Eaton junior kindergarten program academically behind, a follower; he felt like he wasn't smart because he wasn't going to kindergarten with his friends. He graduated a confident, social, leader who loves to learn. My daughter has attended Dorris Eaton Preschool since she turned 2.9, and she is 4 presently. I'm amazed at how much she has learned in those short years. The teachers are loving, compassionate and believe in the ability of their students. I feel so thankful that I enrolled my children in this amazing school and that this is their first exposure to education. I hope that the love for learning and confidence given to them at this school will carry throughout their education journey.

Both our son and daughter attended this preschool, and we couldn't be happier. The staff is…read moreattentive, warm, patient, and always accessible--you can tell they truly care. The environment is nurturing and thoughtfully balanced between learning and play. Our kids came home happy, confident, and excited every day. We really have nothing but positive things to say. It's been a fantastic start to their learning journey.

Our family has been incredibly pleased with Growing Light Montessori in Lafayette, and would highly…read morerecommend it! The teachers are extremely skilled, patient, and nurturing. Since our child started we've seen a dramatic increase in her social development, creativity, and engagement in group activities. Class sizes are small with multiple teachers, and allow for a level of personalized attention that you can directly observe during drop-offs and pickups. Our child even talks about her teachers and asks after them on weekends. Communication with parents is also great. The school keeps us informed with regular updates, progress reports, and pictures of the kids engaged in class activities. The communication is two ways as well, they always respond quickly to feedback or questions, and they're very accommodating to any life circumstances that may come up. The campus and classrooms are well organized, spacious, and have multiple outdoor play areas. The school also organizes regular social events, educational workshops, and seasonal celebrations for families. We can't recommend Growing Light highly enough. It's absolutely worth it, and we feel lucky to have joined!

What a special school, led by outstanding director Holly and her truly incredible teaching team!…read moreI've been a middle/high school teacher, and my kids previously attended two different preschools in the area, so suffice to say I've met a lot of teachers and seen a lot of schools, and I am just blown away at the quality of Michael Lane. The teachers are genuinely warm, kind and loving with every kid, calm and professional in every circumstance and interaction, authentic and kind with parents...I'm not sure how they do it, other than they are just really special people, with a remarkable director, and they have a ton of experience. Great play-based program with thoughtful activities and opportunities every day/week for the kids. Inclusive and non-religious, though it's connected to a church. Hands down best decision we made was to switch to Michael Lane!!

With our first kid, we toured three preschools and got lucky getting accepted into MLP. Our…read moredaughter loved being there from the first day to her last , so it was a no-brainer sending our second one there. The teachers are amazing, the facilities are amazing, plus the snack calendar that's published every month is amazing. You'll get to know other parents and get integrated into a very welcoming community.

My daughter joined the Firetruck Room at OFS with Katie (her primary caregiver) and Maylis, and it…read morehas truly been a transformative experience for her -- and for us as a family. We came from a more traditional daycare setting where she stayed fairly quiet and reserved for nearly a year. Within just a few months at OFS, she was thriving. Now, after two wonderful years, she's graduating as a confident, empathetic, and wildly creative kid whose true personality was clearly nurtured and celebrated by every caregiver she encountered. One of the most impactful aspects of OFS is their primary caregiver model, which gave our daughter a deep sense of safety, stability, and trust. Their project-based curriculum, where kids vote on topics they want to learn about, empowered her to take ownership of her learning and develop a curiosity that astonishes us daily. She now teaches us about the world -- even how to take care of it! Sofia, her current primary caregiver, went above and beyond to support us with things like Kindergarten readiness. Through joyful play, she introduced foundational math and reading concepts that she now uses in everyday life. Her thoughtful assessment gave me clarity and made completing public school enrollment paperwork a breeze. Beyond the classroom, OFS fosters a strong sense of community. They host events that bring families and teachers together, and over our two years here, we've built lasting friendships and support systems that I know will extend beyond preschool. We are endlessly grateful to Katie, Sofia, Maylis, Judy and the entire OFS team. This school has been a foundational chapter in our daughter's life -- one filled with joy, growth, and love.

This is an overdue and very long but very well deserved review of the special place this is OFS…read moreWalnut Creek! We absolutely cannot say enough wonderful things about Old Firehouse School in Walnut Creek. We were on the waitlist for a little over a year and we are so glad we held out for our spot! It was beyond worth the wait! From the moment we first toured, we knew it was something special and that feeling has only deepened as our son continues to thrive at OFS. He is graduating from OFS this summer and will enter Kindergarten this Fall. One of the things that immediately stood out to us was the school's primary caregiver model. This was very important to us and to my knowledge OFS is the only preschool in the area with this special model. Each child is paired with a dedicated caregiver who truly gets to know them and builds a deep, nurturing bond over the years, not just with the child, but with the whole family. This consistency and emotional safety has made such a difference in our son's confidence, sense of security, and joy at school. It's clear the staff understands how essential these early relationships are for lifelong trust and emotional development. Our teacher, Maylis is a true gift! She is such a special person and is the epitome of a dedicated educator. In Maylis' care our son and his class have been encouraged to explore their own ideas and curiosities in collaborative, creative ways. The projects she has them participate in are so impressive. I don't know how she gets a classroom full of preschoolers to engage so deeply in each lesson with such passion, it is truly magical to see! Maylis has helped our son learn to stretch his thinking in beautiful, and creative, age-appropriate ways. Our son comes home full of questions, ideas, and stories from his day, proof of just how engaged he is. The rest of the staff at OFS Walnut Creek is equally as exceptional. The entire school environment is warm, joyful, and promotes independence while also encouraging classroom belonging and connection. We honestly wish every child had the chance to attend Old Firehouse Walnut Creek. We often say we'd send our son here through elementary and middle school if we could, that would be a dream! This school has given him the most magical, foundational start, and we're forever grateful and will be so sad to end our time at OFS this year. Thank you, OFS Walnut Creek!