We started our baby in Peggy's RIE-inspired classes when she was only 2 months old. Her guidance…read moreover the past several months brings me reassurance, confidence that I'm communicating well with my baby, ideas for playtime, and community with a group of like-minded parents. Peggy is wise, open-minded, always ready to learn more directly from the parents she serves, and integrates my feedback on a genuine level. The baby has so much fun in class and I look forward to it every week!

I highly recommend Peggy Herring as a parenting coach. My family recently moved to Alameda, and we…read moresought Peggy's advice on local preschools. Her recommendations were excellent and were in alignment with our values. In addition she coached us on how to re-sleep train my 2-year-old son. After 3 nights of applying her peaceful methodology, our son is now sleeping through the night. She gave us our life back!

Our daughter is 16 months and absolutely loves Alameda Park Academy. Sandra, the director, runs a…read morevery organized school and is super responsive. Everything is straight forward and I trust Sandra to provide the best care for my child with her keen judgment and retention of experienced teachers. Our daughter instantly bonded with one of the teachers (she loves all of them but especially Teacher Ling) and goes to her voluntarily and happily every morning, which warms my heart as a mother and leaves me guilt-free to work and enjoy my day without worrying about my child. Our daughter has never been bitten or injured by another child, which is a huge relief! Also, our daughter loves the food because she comes home with a full stomach everyday. I like how they serve breakfast snack, lunch and dinner so it makes it easy on the parents. The kids are happy here and I would recommend Alameda Park Academy to all families, especially if you have a child reaching milestones early on who could benefit from being in a mixed class with older kids rather than just peers. The kids learn quicker with the mixed ages with language, rules, etc. and it gives a chance for the older kids without siblings to take care of the younger ones too (great socialization!).

Both my kids went to Alameda Park Academy. Unfortunately we had to move and change daycares but I…read morewould highly recommend this daycare/ preschool. Sandra the owner is very attentive and great with communication. She follows through on all requests. They provide all meals and even accommodated my request for vegetarian options both times The teachers are all very good, even at the old Otis location where my daughter went few years ago.My son recently went to the Park Avenue location and very easily adjusted to the teacher Helen. He was always happy to see her and stopped crying at drop off within couple of days. The teachers put in a lot of effort and are very friendly.

Jian is the best. I have had a kid with Jian since summer 2020. My oldest son went there from age 2…read moreto age 3 and my younger son has been going there since he was 3 months old (He is two years old now!). What I love about her: 1) The food! She provides healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack. It is so nice to not have to pack food and to know I can slack on nutrition a bit at home since they get such good food there. Lunch is always rice + protein + veggie + fruit and she switches up what she serves so they get exposed to a wide variety of veggies. The most amazing part is my kids, who are picky eaters at home, love her food! 2) She teaches them so much about hygiene and life skills. My kids have learned how to wash their hands well, wipe their noses, cover their months when they cough, keep their hands out of their mouths, and how to use utensils (really well!). When my kid was 1.5 I coughed at home without covering my mouth well and he said to me "like this!" and motioned how to cover his mouth with his elbow. :) She also is great at supporting potty training. She got my younger kid excited about using the potty and gave him lots of practice. 3) She is super experienced. She is always calm, clear, and kind. The kids listen to her, and they also feel comfortable. Her house isn't large but she uses the space so well, rotating toys and activities and having different play spaces. 4) She is a good communicator. She sends home details everyday about their nap, meals, and pees/poops. She also texts photos and videos of the kids which I adore. 5) I trust her completely. It was hard for me to go back to work when my youngest was only 3-months. I only felt I could do it because I knew he would be in such good hands with Jian.

My 28 month old daughter has been going to Jian's daycare for 6 months now, and we are very…read moresatisfied and happy with it. Some of the highlights: - Three healthy/home cooked meals (rice + protein + veggies + fruits + milk) are provided three times a day (9am, 11am, 4pm). This was a big game changer for me. I had to pack lunch for her every day for her previous daycare, and that was such a big burden for a working mom. I quickly ran out of ideas what to pack, and would be disappointed on the days she had not eaten well. My daughter really learned how to enjoy veggies such as cauliflowers, cherry tomatoes, and spinach. - Jian is very communicative and sends cute photo/video updates daily. - She has a flourishing backyard with fruits and veggies where kids learn about nature and also have fun. My daughter picked her own cherry tomatoes, washed them, and ate them. Since then, she became a big fan of tomatoes! - Jian is very patient and gentle. Really, you can tell that even after so many years of child care experience, she still cares and pays attention to the little things. One morning, my daughter brought some grapes on the way to the daycare. When Jian saw that the grapes were not chopped up, she chopped them into four slices. I thought it was very thoughtful of her. - Jian is currently potty training my daughter and it has been so great! Seems like my daughter is enjoying the potty training experience, and continues to demonstrate improvement at home too. - NO TV! Jian has lots of great educational materials. We've sent our older son to a montessori school before, and was happy to see that Jian uses montessori-inspired toys. My daughter learned how to clean up after each play and became pretty independent in her play time even at home. - Jian's family helps out, so the kids get to interact with Jian's son (they call him "gou gou" which means "big brother" in Cantonese), and Jian's husband. They speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

I'd highly recommend Amy and Marie of Genuine Nannies to anyone looking for an exceptional nanny…read moreplacement agency. They truly are an incredible team, balancing professionalism, efficiency, and genuine care every step of the way. I reached out to them when I knew my current position was coming to an end and was beginning the search for my next opportunity. After completing my paperwork and background checks, they quickly matched me with families that aligned with my experience and goals. I'm so excited to be starting with an amazing family, and I couldn't be more grateful for their guidance throughout the process. From start to finish, the entire experience took about a month, including interviews with both Amy and prospective families. Every step was organized, transparent, and thoughtfully managed. Amy and Marie were always available to answer questions, provide updates, and offer encouragement, making what could have been a stressful transition feel seamless. What truly sets them apart is their deep understanding of the household staffing industry and their commitment to both families and candidates. They don't simply fill positions--they take the time to build meaningful, lasting matches. Their thoughtful approach, attention to detail, and integrity reflect a strong business built on trust, relationships, and high standards. I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work with Amy and Marie and would wholeheartedly recommend them to any family seeking exceptional household staff or any nanny looking for a position where they can truly thrive. Their dedication to creating successful, long-term placements is evident in everything they do. Thanks Marie and Amy for everything :) Debbie

Amy was AMAZING. Truly by far and away the best agency I've worked (and I've worked with many top…read morebay area agencies for various roles) - its not even close. They were professional, thorough, empathetic and patient. Most importantly I really felt they were in my corner and cared about helping me find the right nanny vs just trying to get me to hire someone. Truly incredibly experience, if you are thinking about using them DO IT.

The teachers under Ms. Sarah are fantastic. I highly recommend! My kids went through baby program…read more My son is now in the prek program. ​​

We have loved Little Seeds for over two years now. We have both of our kids here and we have loved…read morethe consistency in teachers the entire time. The teachers are so loving and caring for our kids, and I have enjoyed watching the friendships our kids have made there. The school now also offers a lunch program which is fantastic, and the director Ms. Sarah puts a ton of thought and care into the programs and activities! I would highly recommend to anyone!

My daughter attended Peter Pan in Mariner Square from age 2 until she graduated this summer. I'm so…read moreglad we chose Peter Pan for her. All of the teachers are incredible. The lead teachers in the 2s, 3s, and 4s rooms have each been at Peter Pan for over a decade. That kind of stability says a lot about the school and its director. Speaking of the director, Ms. Julie, the director, is the best. She clearly cares about every family there, and I never hesitated to go to her with questions and for guidance. The large outdoor space stood out to me from the start. It's packed with toys and playground equipment, and my daughter spent hours out there every day. Peter Pan also offers real convenience. The only closures are the December holiday break and federal holidays, which makes it easy to plan around as a working parent. We miss Peter Pan! In fact, our daughter still goes there for monthly Parents' Night Out.

We couldn't have asked for a better first child care experience for our son. As a working family,…read morethe accommodating hours made a huge difference in our daily routine, and when they introduced a lunch program, it took one more thing off our plates -- no more scrambling to pack food every morning. Parents Night Out quickly became a highlight once our child was old enough to take part, both for him and for us! Communication with individual teachers wasn't always perfect -- they're busy staying attentive to the kids, which is exactly where their focus should be -- but Ms. Julie, the director, was always there to step in. Any question or concern we had, she made sure it got resolved. A special shout out to Ms. Pat, Ms. Shelley, and Ms. Maricon, the leads for our child's rooms. They loved our child, and he loved them right back -- that kind of bond makes all the difference. More than anything, this place feels like a true community. We're sad to be moving on, but so happy to know he'll always be welcome back.

Alameda Montessori Children's House (AMCH) is truly a special place, and I cannot recommend it…read morehighly enough. When our family was deciding where to enroll our son, we visited many preschools. While we appreciated something about each one, none felt quite like the right fit. Some classrooms were too large, some environments felt chaotic, some teachers seemed less engaged, and others felt more like daycare than a preschool with a thoughtful curriculum. Then we found AMCH, and it felt like a dream. From the moment we walked in, we noticed the difference. The classrooms were beautifully organized, warm, and child-friendly. There was a wonderful sense of calm throughout the school, and the teachers were welcoming, kind, engaged, and genuinely happy to be there. We immediately knew this was the environment we wanted for our son. Needless to say, we chose AMCH, and I could not be more grateful for the experience. Watching our son grow and thrive there was incredibly rewarding. The staff provided him with structure, encouragement, and, most importantly, so much love and care. What makes AMCH especially remarkable is its staff, in particular Xina Laoshi and Ms. King. This dynamic duo is truly exceptional. They provide a wonderful bilingual Montessori-style curriculum while creating a classroom environment that is calm, engaging, nurturing, and joyful. They have an incredible ability to connect with children and meet each child exactly where they are. They put so much thought and effort into getting to know each child as an individual. They truly learn who your child is--what motivates them, where they may need support, and how they can help them grow. You can see this firsthand during parent conferences. It is clear that they genuinely know your child, and their developmental assessments are incredibly comprehensive and thoughtful. They provide detailed insight into each area of development, which made us feel that our son was truly seen and understood. We saw the impact of that care even after our son graduated from AMCH and started elementary school. We were so proud to see how well prepared he was. He was thriving academically and transitioned successfully. The hardest part for him was leaving behind his beloved teachers and friends. Xina Laoshi was incredibly thoughtful during this transition. She welcomed him back in the afternoons with open arms so he could spend time with his old friends and even told us that he is always welcome to visit. That gesture meant so much to our family. She truly made us feel that we would always be part of the AMCH family. The communication from the school is also outstanding. We received weekly updates recapping what the children had been learning and what was planned for the following week, along with weekly photos that gave us a glimpse into our son's days--learning, exploring, playing, and having so much fun with his classmates. The amount of thought, time, and effort that goes into keeping families so informed is no small feat, and it truly does not go unnoticed. It is clear that these updates are created with genuine care and intention, and they gave us such a wonderful connection to our son's experience at school. As parents, it meant so much to feel included in his learning and to see all the little moments that made his days special. Another unexpected highlight was the food. The meals provided are fresh, healthy, and delicious. They gave our son opportunities to try foods he otherwise might not have been willing to eat, and we loved seeing him become more adventurous with what he ate. More than anything, what stands out about AMCH is the genuine care and love they give to every child. From the lead teachers and classroom helpers to the cook, Vincent, and everyone else who contributes to the school community, every person plays a part in creating such a warm and nurturing environment. They care not only about the children, but also about their siblings and families. You can feel that this is a community built around supporting the whole family. AMCH is so much more than a preschool. It is a place where children are nurtured, encouraged, respected, and genuinely loved. We feel incredibly fortunate that our son had the opportunity to spend his early years there. I cannot recommend Alameda Montessori Children's House enough. I sincerely hope other families have the opportunity to experience the warmth, care, and magic of this school. AMCH will always hold a very special place in our hearts--it is truly a gem.

ACMH is an exceptional school led by Xi Laoshi, a dedicated and talented Montessori educator…read more Xi Laoshi has created a positive and loving environment where children learn how to respect themselves, one another, and their surroundings. All of the staff are extremely patient and skilled at helping children process their emotions. Guest teachers come regularly to teach mindfulness, art, and martial arts. The classroom is bright, inviting, and filled with a rotation of interesting activities, and the outdoor space is large and filled with vegetables and fruit trees that the children help plant, care for, and enjoy. Lisa NaiNai prepares the most delicious and nutritious lunch for the children with a menu sent out at the start of each week that would make any fan of Chinese/Taiwanese food want to partake. My daughter came home everyday excited to tell us about all of the interesting things she did that day and excited to show off her math and Mandarin reading and writing skills. We feel so lucky to have been a part of this community for the last 1.5 years and could not recommend it more highly for parents seeking a school where their children can thrive!

A longer overdue review. Selecting preschool/daycare for our son was one of our toughest decisions…read moreat the time. We were not comfortable with other facilities, and were growing incredibly nervous. When visiting Small Size Big Mind, we were quickly impressed and relieved. The owner and staff immediately gave us comfort, confidence and relief and our son was enrolled until ready to start pre-k at a nearby school. We have fond memories and stopped by many times since, to donate, say hi, and reflect. An amazing experience that we'll always cherish.

In selecting a preschool for our son, my husband and I toured many facilities in Alameda. We found…read morea lot of them to be cookie cutter and lacking something special. The second we first toured SSBM2 we were in love. The campus offers a whimsical and creative atmosphere and our son instantly fell in love with all of the handmade playground and classroom features. It's clear a lot of thought and love went into the design. The owners and staff are also a continued selling point for us. All of the teachers seem to genuinely love what they do and consistently provide an engaging experience for the children. My son comes home every day talking about the new things he's learned and it's been amazing to watch how quickly he's grown intellectually, socially and emotionally since starting in July 2019. Overall we can't recommend this school enough!

I can't say enough wonderful things about this Mandarin immersion daycare! All four of my kids have…read moreattended here over the years, starting from when they were infants, and it's truly been one of the best childcare experiences we've ever had. Teacher Rebecca and her wonderful assistants made us feel completely at ease. As any parent knows, it's hard to leave your baby in someone else's care -- but I quickly realized how lucky we were to have found this place. They are so warm, patient, and genuinely caring. They know each child so well and cater to their individual personalities. The program is such a great mix of Mandarin language exposure, play, and learning. My kids picked up so much Mandarin naturally through songs, stories, and daily routines. The teachers make learning fun and meaningful, and the kids truly love being there. My daughter transitioned to TK recently and had a hard time leaving Bay Farm Happy Bees. The daycare itself is clean, organized. The outdoor play area is huge -- with play cars, little houses, play kitchens, and lots of open space for the kids to run around and use their imaginations. Meals and snacks are healthy and home-cooked, which is such a plus. My kids always tell me about what they had for lunch and how yummy it was! Communication is great--we get regular updates about what the kids did, ate, and how they slept, plus photos and videos that absolutely make my day. It's so nice to see them smiling and having fun while at daycare. They also take the children on regular little outings to the nearby park and library, which gives them a chance to explore and learn outside the daycare, too. My daughter loved the circle reading time at the library! Most importantly, I've always had total peace of mind knowing my children are safe, loved, and cared for. That's something you just can't put a price on. Teacher Rebecca has become like family to us, and I'm so grateful for all the love and effort she's poured into helping my kids grow. If you're looking for a warm, safe, and enriching Mandarin immersion daycare with a very experienced childcare provider, where your child will be happy and thrive -- this is it.

My 2+ year-old toddler has been with Rebecca for more than a year now. He really started to thrive…read moreand progress when we placed him here. He has really developed a strong bond not only with the daycare staff and family, but also with the other children there. He is very secure and happy going there, and when we pick him up. Moreover, Rebecca is very communicative about his progress and whatever needs come up, so we feel really good about a solid caregiving partnership with her. We feel so fortunate to have found Happy Bees and cannot express enough what a wonderful, safe, and happy environment Rebecca has created for the children.

I am really impressed with Hello Nanny team. They are very professional!…read more They understand and listen to your needs and they answer right away when you text or email them. They are friendly and helpful in ever way possible. I highly recommended! Thank you Hello Nanny!!

My husband and I own our own company and we have 6 kids. We have gone through so many agencies and…read morenannies and have always had tremendous stress related to childcare for our 4 youngest kids for the last 8 years. My banker connected me with Stephanie of Hello Nanny and she then introduced me to her partner Marie. I knew early on that they would love this for us and they DID! The nanny they found for us is now part of the family. she's works VERY well with our Au Pair and between the both of them, our 4 kids are not just taken care of, but they are THRIVING and HAPPY. The initial steps to working with them were seem-less and thorough. The search and interview phase was detailed and efficient. They even placed me with a temporary nanny while i searched for the right fit long term nanny. The care after words was 5 start and they are extremely receptive to feedback. Having two ladies that totally understand what it's like to work a lot and also be an involved parent looking for great care for your kids - priceless. I'm so grateful for what they did for my family and will never ever use another nanny agency again.