Our son & daughter both had a wonderful experience at Oak Grove. The teachers care deeply for all…read morethe kids, who also connect so well with one another that we're still arranging playdates with each other on weekends. The different cohorts (Sprouts, Roots, Blossoms) are well structured, but also mix well with one another at certain points of the day and outside. The graduation ceremony was particularly moving, and we feel our little ones have been well prepared for K and beyond.

I had this on our list for so long and we even went to tour and were impressed by how the children…read morewere. It initially felt like a place we could trust. During the tour, however, Laura, the director disclosed that a child had recently managed to leave the premises unsupervised and although nothing actually happened to the child, she still needed to tell me. While I appreciate the transparency, that should have been a warning sign. She also offered me--twice--the option to apply for their internal financial aid program since 4C's had been unresponsive for over a year. I promptly and successfully completed the application and was told that the school would reach out directly to grant the aid. However, we waited patiently for one month and never received a response. I had to reach out twice, once again to BeneFAQ and also to Laura. Since it is now September, I was hoping to finally get my little one in, but she didn't respond until almost a week later and without any explanation she just said "At this time, we are unable to grant an award. Please reach out again if you are able to receive a certificate from 4C's and we can review." There was no explanation provided, and given that 4C's has been non responsive for over a year now; even after *she* encouraged us to apply through their own financial aid program TWICE to then leave us waiting and offer nothing but a flat rejection feels deeply disappointing and unprofessional. No explanation, no accountability, just weeks of wasted time. If there was never an intention to help, it would have been far more respectful to be upfront rather than leave a family waiting in limbo. But moreover, combined with the earlier safety lapse & a child walking out unsupervised in Oakland is a nightmare scenario on its own; it left us questioning the school's overall quality, value, and management. I understand no school is perfect, but when safety and professionalism fall short, it raises real concerns. I had high regard for this establishment at first but I believe now that lack of respect, follow-through, and transparency ultimately turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

My daughter was here for ~1 1/2 years. She was extremely nervous going into preschool and all of…read morethe teachers made her feel so at home and comfortable. She really thrived in the environment and made great friends. The campus is beautiful and very well maintained. The parents and teachers host many events throughout the year- bake sales, trunk or treat, spring socials, parent's nights out. It's truly a great community full of extremely kind parents and teachers. We will miss everyone dearly and can't thank the community enough!

Both of our girls have gone to Skyline Preschool for preschool and pre-k and our youngest is…read moregraduating this June and we are so sad to go. Nestled into a beautiful Oakland Hills setting, Skyline Preschool has been such a wonderful experience for both our very different daughters and for us as parents. With a hybrid model of play-based and educational learning, our students grew both academically and social-emotionally. The director Naomi, created a curriculum that is so well-rounded, inclusive, thoughtful, rich with pertinent themes in a very age appropriate manner. Both our kids thrived, and particularly our youngest, while we all dealt with the difficulties of the pandemic, she had an extremely physically and emotionally save place to make the most of this time. Naomi pivoted the structure of the day and shape of the class to adhere to safety guidelines so successfully, we are so grateful for the hard work and dedication it took to make our daughter's preschool safe for her and the entire community of families enrolled. All the teachers are great communicators, care deeply for the children, and are creative and skilled. I really can't say enough positive things about the school experience, from setting to curriculum to staff - it was an incredible part of our family's development. We will miss it so!

We are so grateful to have found Mountain Boulevard Montessori School for our son. It's hard to…read morefind a daycare you can truly trust, especially when you're starting them at such a young age, but we immediately felt comforted by the staff's warmth and genuine care during our initial tour there. Our son started here at just two years old, and we have been amazed to watch him blossom over the years. The teachers and staff have not only provided a nurturing and loving environment but have also been deeply committed to the children's education. We've seen him learn and grow so much, and the curriculum has thoroughly prepared him for his start in grade school. Mountain Boulevard Montessori School is a truly special place, and we are so grateful for all the hard work they put in. We're so happy with our experience that we've already decided to bring our next child here when she is old enough. We couldn't recommend this school more highly.

I want to take a moment to recognize the Director Mr Dennis for his excellent customer service. I…read morereached out to a few Montessori schools with questions about their policies because I'm currently going through a custody battle. , the father enrolled our child in a Montessori school, and that school refused to provide me with any details--even after I made it clear there are no restrictions on custody. It made an already difficult situation even more frustrating, as it felt like they were siding with him or had been told not to share any information with me. Dennis, however, was incredibly helpful and went above and beyond . Even though my child isn't enrolled at his school, he took the time to clearly explain their policies and shared that all Montessori schools should follow the same principles. He emphasized that both parents should be treated equally and provided all the information I needed without hesitation. He even instructed me on what steps .which was incredibly thoughtful and supportive. Although I currently share 50/50 custody, if I had the choice, I would absolutely choose Mountain boulevard Montessori. It's clear that they genuinely care about the children and families they serve. They're not just focused on profits--they put people first.

Broadmoor has given our family, especially my daughter so much these past 3 years - she's leaving…read morewith complete confidence in herself, fearlessness, and the utmost excitement for the coming school year. The parent-education nights have only gotten better with speakers touching on Destigmatizing Failure, Resilience, and Family Estate Planning. The entire community benefits from their program since they do so much outreach and are involved in the farmer's market, free, monthly open-to-all playdates, and the annual cherry festival parade. I'm so grateful to have Broadmoor as a resource for myself, as a pandemic-mom, and for my daughter, who blossomed after having been a pandemic-baby. Kindergarten, here we come!

Wonderful Co-op experience! You get to participate and shape your child's earliest experience and…read moreoutlook on education. Teachers Ms Kacia and Ms Liz are amazing, so knowledgeable, thoughtful and caring in specialized ways for each child to feel seen and valued. Our daughter has blossomed. This school offers a close knit parent community, so much support and good times. We feel so fortunate that our daughter and family are a part of this community. We love Broadmoor!

Our son has been at Cathy's since August when he just turned 7 months. He is well cared for and has…read moreshown leaps and strides in his milestones. Everyone always compliments our son for being social and curious, and I have to say I believe it really is due in part to his time at Cathy's. He is always happy when I drop him off, and I know he is safe with them. Cathy and Tim are very interested in his development and well being and they are always happy to answer questions or promptly address any feedback. We're so happy to have found them!

Ugh, I really wanted to like this place with the amazing reviews but this place seems to have…read morefallen off the rails based on the reviews many years ago. I also hope my review saves any other parents a great deal of stress and heartache! I would highly recommend searching for another daycare if you are a first time parent or have a child under 18 months. Our experience at Cathy's did not match any of the other glowing reviews. In the 5 months we had our child there, Cathy and Tim had multiple medical and personal emergencies that affected daycare hours. Our child came home filthy every day covered in dust, dirt, and cat hair. I would have been please if my child was messy from having fun like painting, but that never happened. The pets did not bother us but it was concerning that Cathy did not clean her home on a regular basis and kept very dim lighting. This place is so filthy that we developed a cat allergy. Once we moved on to another daycare, our family became less sick. They do not keep the children or themselves clean or hygienic (i.e stained/dirty clothes, dirty floors, dirty bathroom). Along with my child, we would see the kids with drool and running noses while Cathy did not aid in wiping this away. Our child would come home with their entire nose clogged with boogers to the point they could not breathe through their nose. Over time, we learned there is no proper changing table for the children, only a changing pad; either is placed on the floor or balanced on the bathroom sink. Diapers are not frequently changed. Our child frequently had diaper rash coming home from Cathy's and blow outs every week. Since moving to another daycare, our child has not had any blow outs. If you are concerned about RSV, this is not the place for you. Cathy's protocols are questionable. Her daughter that is her "helper" is actually her live-in adult daughter and does not assist the daycare. Her daughter had RSV and Cathy kept daycare open leaving her, Tim, and the children to exposure. If you have any special dietary needs or basic general requests, Cathy will not work with you. She has a high priority for meal reimbursements from the state and will not use any food or snack you provide your children. If your child has medical needs, it will be pretty difficult to get Cathy to help with any requests. At the time, my child was learning how to walk and we asked for a padded play mat for safety reasons and offered to purchase one. Cathy said no. I would say don't be fooled with their talk about being up to state code and compliance. They are doing the bare minimum to be a daycare and maximizing whatever state benefits they can get. Enrollment is a constant revolving door where families are leaving the daycare on a consistent basis. It saddens me to write this poor review because Tim is a decent person and Cathy is tolerable on most days. They are probably too old to be doing this. I will say if you're tight on budget, Cathy's is affordable than most other places. After our experience there, we felt the cost savings wasn't enough to stay with the safety and cleanliness concerns. We found another daycare that was near the same cost as Cathy's prices and is safe, clean, and welcoming. Cathy does offer a parent's night out but with the concerns of safety, it wasn't worth it for us to participate.

We've had an incredible two years at ABS, watching our daughter grow from a bright 2 years old baby…read moreinto a curious, joyful, and confident French-speaking toddler. She started at 2 years old and is now reading letters, counting to 30, writing her name, and even cutting with scissors -- all while singing French songs and retelling stories with joy. ABS has created a safe, nurturing environment where she learned not just academics but empathy, independence, and confidence. She was potty trained within months, and she loved going to school so much she'd hide at pickup time just to stay longer! Her teachers -- Tina and Samia in year one, and Kahina and Safia this year -- are exceptional. Warm, patient, and truly invested in each child's growth, all the teachers always kept us informed and welcomed every conversation with a smile. The school also provides nutritious meals daily (thank you Liliana and Yessica!), with the weekly menu sent in advance -- something we really appreciated. And the administration, especially Chloé the Director and Zohra the Head Teacher, are always present at drop-off and pickup, making communication seamless and personal. The outdoor environment is just as special -- with gardens, fruit trees, and even chickens! Our daughter sometimes brings home fresh eggs and stories of planting and harvesting. The space is always clean and the parking is just sufficient and stress-free. Huge thanks to the entire ABS team -- from teachers (Safia, Kahina, Tina, Samia, Rama, Liasmine, Hiba, Ceylan) to admin to chefs and grounds staff( Mark & Arturo) -- and especially to Chloé and Coralie, whose leadership and warmth have made ABS a second home for our family. This is more than a school -- it's a joyful, loving, and inspiring place where children truly thrive. ABS is the place you want your child to be~!

We wanted a language immersion program in Oakland for our son and found a wonderful community. He…read morestarted when he was 2 years and will have been there for two years as well as attended the summer camps. We've had an amazing experience at ABS. The teachers are so dedicated and caring and have been truly wonderful throughout our time. I really can't say enough about them! ABS also does an amazing job at bringing parents together through its events and fostering a community around the school. And the school meals...wow! It's bittersweet that our son will be graduating and moving on...but we're so excited that we can still send him to the ABS summer camp and that our daughter will join ABS next year! Thank you Chloé, Zohra, Audrey, Samia, Tina, Liasmine, Rama, Safia, Kahina, and Coralie!

There are not enough words to express how grateful we are for Ms. Amela and Mrs. Sarah (school…read moredirector) Since Lily was 3 years old, you have been so much more than teachers--you have been mentors, cheerleaders, protectors, and a constant source of love and encouragement. Through your patience, guidance, and dedication, you helped shape Lily into the confident, smart, kind, and resilient young girl she is today. You celebrated every milestone, encouraged her through challenges, and always made her feel safe, valued, and loved. As parents, we say goodbye with tears in our eyes but full hearts, knowing she is ready for the big world ahead because of the foundation you helped build. The lessons, confidence, and values you instilled in her will stay with her for years to come. Thank you for loving our girl and helping her become the amazing person she is today. We will forever be grateful for the impact you have had on her life and our family. Tearfully, but knowing she's ready for her next adventure--Lily is signing out. Thank you for everything.

I enrolled my daughter to start at the Montessori school June 2025 right after she turned two. She…read morestarted in Room 4 with Ms. Howida, Ms. Reina and Mr. Martin. She loved all of her room 4 teachers and always talking about school on the way home. After being potty trained a couple of months ago, she is now in Room 1 with Ms. Amela. She loves going to school every day and learning new skills and play with her friends. Despite several issues along the way, I also very appreciate Ms. Sarah, the director of the school. She is very informative and knowledgeable. She always follows up with issues that we raised, follow through and come up with solutions that work for us.

I first met Ana at my friend's child's birthday party. Her and her entire staff were there looking…read moregorgeous and with gifts in hand. They were first to arrive and were so engaged throughout the party. This was my first impression and I thought, "Wow, how committed and truly loving they are to come to their kid's weekend birthday parties and spend their extra money on gifts." When it came time for me to choose a daycare for my daughter, I knew she would be going to Caterpillar Wonderschool. My husband and I toured and agreed that this would be the perfect cozy in-home childcare for our daughter to join. She joined when she was 3 months old and I honestly attribute so much of her success to Ana and her staff's love and thoughtful engagement with her. She has always been on-benchmark for her age/developmental milestones and has blossomed into this incredibly happy person. She plays easily by herself and alongside others, is a curious learner, can share and wait for her turn, and cleans up after herself. She is a great eater - not picky about anything and is using utensils to eat! She has also become a voracious reader! She wants to read when getting her diaper changed, in her carseat, at dinner time, at play time ...at any time really. All of these skills and wants she developed at daycare and I could not be more thankful! It is also worth mentioning that Ana acted as a parent coach and collaborator with me. Whenever I had any questions or observations, she would stay after picking up or hop on a phone call and talk through what strategies we should try together or when the right timing is to make a shift. She was never shy about sharing her opinion and expertise even if I did not have a question and did so in a very gentle, kind, and loving way. Having Ana has made me a better parent. Ana and the Caterpillar Wonderful team are true gems and any children and parents that get to experience their care are so very lucky. I recommend them to everyone I know and look forward to sending any of my future children there as well!

Caterpillar isn't just a daycare--it's become an extension of our family. Finding someone I could…read moretruly trust with my baby felt daunting, especially after a difficult experience with a postpartum night doula. I researched more than a dozen bilingual daycares before choosing Caterpillar, and from the first conversation with Ana, I understood why so many parents spoke highly of it. She and her staff are responsible, thoughtful, and genuinely passionate about early childhood education. They care deeply about each child's development--not just day-to-day care, but the whole picture. I feel safe entrusting my child to them, and my kiddo loves going to school. My daughter started at 11 months and is now heading to preschool. She met her best friend here, loves playing with the other kids and babies, and she's thrived socially, emotionally, and cognitively. The staff have supported us through milestones and challenges, offering observations and guidance that made me feel less alone as a first-time mom. Their insight has been invaluable. Language-wise, the Spanish immersion is the real deal. Even though we don't speak much Spanish at home, my daughter's comprehension is strong--so much so that multiple Spanish-language preschools have commented on it. One even told me: "Most daycares that say they're immersive really aren't. Your daughter clearly got a strong foundation." That's thanks to Caterpillar. Honestly, I think she speaks and understands more Spanish than I do now. We feel so lucky to have found them. After nearly 2 years with them I'd absolutely recommend Caterpillar to any parent looking for a safe, enriching place for their little one.

Mills College Children's School is an absolute gem and a truly transformative environment for…read morechildren and families alike. The teachers and staff are incredibly supportive, creating an inclusive and diverse community where every child and family feels welcomed and valued. Their ability to meet each child where they are--both in terms of needs and abilities--is unmatched. The educators here are first-rate, highly educated, and deeply dedicated to their craft. They foster an environment where children can blossom socially, emotionally, and academically. Every child is seen, supported, and celebrated, which allows them to build confidence and thrive in all aspects of their development. The care and thoughtfulness that go into every interaction and every element of the program are evident. I feel so privileged to have my child--and myself--be part of this extraordinary community. Mills College Children's School is a place where children and families grow together, and I cannot recommend it highly enough!

My son started in the kindergarten class and is now a 5th grader. My daughter started in the blue…read moreroom (if I remember the color correctly!). And so far our experience has great! We really couldn't think of a better school that would nurture them as individuals and build a strong academic foundation. Mills really focuses on building socio-emotional skills. My kids often came home talking about the brain and how they were in their "reptilian brain" and what they could do to get centered. As a parent who is in the education field, I can't tell you how important this is to building skills that will allow them to self-regulate and to understand what's going on internally with them. I'm a high school administrator in a public school and I can tell you that the biggest challenge I see with students that academically struggle is their inability to self-regulate and access the part of their brain where executive skills are at. I'm so glad that both my kids could come here. I know that they have a strong foundation to succeed in middle and high school and beyond! Did I also mention how beautiful the campus is! Teachers take full advantage of this.

Our little guy has had a good experience here so far. The teachers are patient and caring, and the…read moreclassroom feels safe and well run. We get regular updates throughout the day on Brightwheel, and they're very hands-on with activities and projects. Overall, we've been happy with La Plazita Foothill.

Why this place doesn't have more stars I don't know. I am so grateful to have my little one here! I…read morelove receiving notifications about his day and when he's napping. Truly a world of a difference! The teachers really work beautifully with the children and I am feeling so blessed. Muchas gracias a todas las maestras!