Laura was so amazing with our two daughters. They both have very fond memories of preschool with…read moreteacher Laura. I cannot recommend her highly enough! If I had another child, I would send her to Magnolia without a doubt. Laura brings the philosophy of Woolsey, play-based, emotional and social skills. And she has such an amazingly patient and good nature with the kids. You will instantly know you've found the right place, where your child can grow and play safely.

At first glance, it's hard to tell Magnolia(and woolsey before this) for the little gem that it…read moretruly is. It's not filled with precious beautiful color coordinated toys nor is it filled with quiet well behaved children. Instead, it's a little loud, a little wild and a little messy. But it has truly been a great home away from home for our little ones these last four years. Magnolia focuses a lot on free play, social emotional growth and conflict resolution. Kids learn to work out how to respect each other's needs and check in with one another when someone has been hurt. It warms my heart to see one kid running to get an icepack for another because they fell down. The school is mixed age, so there is the benefit of the older kids helping the younger ones (it sure taught my son how to work with his little sister). It's mostly self directed play and it's been amazing to see what the kids come up with (mud baths anyone?). Mixed in with the wildness, there are warm teachers who swoop in to hug the sadness/ouchies away at just the right time, some structure to get kids ready for K (circle time, clean up, writing snack signs, music class) and a great community of parents.

Ive had the best experience at 3 Circles! The staff was very…read moreapproachable and professional. My child feels right at home!

My daughter loved being at this daycare for the past year, starting when she was just 5 months old…read more As a nervous first-time mom, Rosie made the transition so smooth - she let me stay until I could see how comfortable and happy my baby was with her and the other children. Rosie has become a trusted friend to both me and my daughter. She's helped my little one work toward important milestones like walking, talking, and potty training by creating natural opportunities for kids to learn from each other in the mixed-age environment. The daily app updates with videos of my daughter learning and playing are heartwarming. I love how many field trips these kids get to go on! What really convinced me of the quality of care: during my daughter's "stranger danger" phase when she'd cry being handed to anyone (including close family), Rosie was the only person I could hand her to without tears. It was clear she felt completely safe and loved. I originally started at 3 days a week, but Rosie was incredibly flexible as I gradually increased to 5 days. Watching how much my daughter thrived at daycare made returning to work full-time guilt-free - I realized I was keeping her home more for my comfort than hers! Rosie is affordable, creative, and treats the kids like family. The handmade crafts she does with them (like Valentine's cards with tiny handprints) are treasures I'll keep forever. Highly recommend to any parent looking for genuine, nurturing childcare!

My daughter was at OGS for 2.5 years and really thrived there. We are so, so thankful to have this…read moreamazing place in our neighborhood. Christina, the director is wonderful and so are the teachers. Everyone is dedicated and the kids are happy as clams. The whole facility is great with the amazing backyard with sunny and shady areas, sand pits, mud kitchen, a yurt, a boat and even goats! Every time I picked up my dirty, crusty, smiling kid was a great day! She learned so much every day and came home tired and happy. My kid has now graduated and moved on to TK and it's still bittersweet because of the great people we met there and the wonderful community. We are still in contact with many other families and will hopefully continue to see them

We visited several preschools for our daughter, but nothing came close to the magical wonderland…read morethat is Oakland Garden School! Nevertheless, I was admittedly still nervous after reading some pretty damning reviews. But I soon discovered that pretty much ALL preschools have some real scary reviews, or no reviews at all. What made me feel most optimistic about OGS, was the emphasis on creating a true sense of community and accountability with families. In addition to regular community events and volunteer opportunities, OGS also has a parent advisory committee (PAC). As a former PTA president, I think such a group really can have an impact on as school, and along with Christina's leadership, the school seems to be a thriving community with some VERY skilled and caring teachers. I want to give a special shootout to Teachers Sam, Melissa, Candace, and Emily who all went above and beyond to support, encourage, and care for our neurodivergent daughter. The classrooms at OGS are large, air conditioned, and full of quality and creative toys and activities with special areas for kids who need a quiet and calm space. And absolutely NOTHING compares to the outdoor space. If OGS's outdoor space was a public park, it would be our favorite park! It's true that in this industry there is a fair amount of teacher turnaround. But our sense from teachers (and I really prodded them to give me the dirt!) really like working at OGS. While there was some staff turnover during our time, it certainly didn't strike us as abnormal or excessive and because each class has multiple teachers, there was always some consistency. Director Christina was often helping in classrooms, especially during times of transitions and she also, was great with the kids. My one critique for OGS is something I really doubt other schools are doing better with, that is communicating and enacting protocols for illness. There were many times when I noticed HEPA filters not turned on and I would occasionally not see soap or towels by a sink. We were always given alerts when there was an exposure to anything other than a cold, but it was not always clear when it was or was not OK to bring our child in. Again, I think OGS is probably far above average when it comes to dealing with this stuff, but I would be remiss if I didn't prod them (and other families) to do more. The extra outdoor time at OGS also probably gives the school a leg up on others. My wife and I were so impressed at how OGS went above and beyond our high expectations of the school. We are going to miss it as it sets a pretty high bar for whatever is next for our children!

I graduated from Berkwood Hedge this year and I did not have a good experience. I went to Berkwood…read moreHedge from 6th to 8th grade. When I joined this community I did not feel accepted. A couple of months ago at the end of the year, there was a shadow student that tried to sit down and eat lunch with Berkwood hedge students, and the kid was told don't sit with us!! We don't want you here!! And the teachers didn't do anything about it. I think that is a pretty common experience for new students at Berkwood Hedge. I definitely had similar experiences happen to me. The academics are pretty good, but the math levels are not based on grade so it can make people in lower levels feel bad because some people from the higher levels brag about it. The sports are good because everyone gets to play and there is no tryouts but for most sports Berkwood Hedge doesn't win games because they are playing more inexperienced players. Some traditions that Berkwood Hedge has are strange to me like the blessing song and the sound baths. My family chose not to send my brother here because I didn't have a good experience, so I don't recommend this school.

The process of looking for a new school is overwhelming due to the sheer number of options. You…read morecome up with a comprehensive list of 10-15 schools you are considering and try to knock any of them out for even random reasons so that you can focus on touring and applying to a more manageable list of schools. Berkwood Hedge was on my long list - and when I read some of the negative reviews, I almost just crossed it off of our list. I am so thankful that I kept my mind open and saw Berkwood Hedge for myself. My son joined the 4th grade class this past Fall and it has been truly transformational for him and our family. After years of unhealthy social situations in his past schools and lack of attention to his learning needs, due to the care from Berkwood Hedge, he is now starting to come out from a haze of low confidence. His teachers, Olivia and Elisa, have been invaluable in helping him grow in confidence. Before you make any decisions about schooling for your child, I implore you to just attend one community meeting that happens in person every Wednesday morning at 8:45 on campus. It really does take a village and Berkwood Hedge has set up just that - a loving village around our children. When you hear the head of school, Love Weinstock, speak, you know that this care for the whole child is everywhere in the school's culture. You will definitely see the intentional approach in your child's classroom but you will also see it with restorative justice with Silver, music with Ajayi, learning with Edie, art with Laura, school operations with Kris, and the list goes on. We will be moving to Berkwod Hedge's upper campus next year and we are really looking forward to it. They have really been able to increase the diversity in the upper grades. Furthermore, Love leads with so much clarity that I look forward to seeing that come alive in middle school.

Our daughter arrived at CEC around one year old from another school. She was in infant care at CEC…read moreand we immediately felt at ease. All the teachers were very caring (Luz, Louise, Angelica, Cameron, Aster). Two teachers tag teamed and once our daughter gravitated towards one teacher, that teacher became the primary teacher. There's also a procare app showing when our daughter ate, was changed, and it photos. The app easily allowed for communication between the teacher and parent. When our daughter moved up to the next level (2-3), it took about a week for her to adjust. She bonded with her primary teachers (Huiqui, Maria) and her cohort of friends whom she moved up with. She is thriving and happy to go to school everyday. What our daughter liked best about CEC were her teachers, friends, and fun things (walks, music class, painting). What we liked best was how CEC handled COVID, the generous care hours w/ few holidays, the ease of communication, the child- centric approach, and the kids night out giving parents a break every month. We can't recommend this place highly enough. It's a hidden gem with flexibility and little bureaucracy. Finding good care was such a sigh of relief!

We've had at least one of our children at CEC since 2015 and can't recommend it highly enough! Our…read moreoldest started when he was 1, our middle kid started when he was only six weeks old, and our youngest will be starting soon at four months. Ever since we started, CEC has been a wonderful second home and community for our entire family. Even in the classrooms with the youngest children (0-2), the teachers are attentive, creative, and engaged. Even the smallest kids spend time outside, and even go on "field trips" to the nearby park. There's painting and dress-up and dancing and stories -- all of those fun things you aspire to do with your small children but can't always summon the energy for are a regular part of the day at CEC. Starting in the 2-year-old room, the children take longer field trips, using the bus and BART, or walking. This year my kids have checked out the marina, gone to the library, gone to a play, gone to various parks, as well as the Habitot children's museum, Oakland Museum of California, and the Lawrence Hall of Science! I love how familiar and comfortable they are with using the bus and BART, thanks in part to their field trips. They also start doing cooking activities in the two's room, which has been a great experience for my kids. In the 2-year-old room, the teachers work with parents to tackle potty training, and they have the patience of saints. The program is Reggio-inspired (similar to Montessori, but with a less structured, play-based approach), and it's not uncommon to see kids joyfully running around in their underwear, or proudly covering themselves in mud or paint. It's the closest you can get to experiencing the liberated and liberating school environments of western Europe, as enviously portrayed on NPR and the like -- and also one of the most affordable center-based daycares in Berkeley. The teachers will even occasionally host all-night sleepovers at the school, for kids as young as 2 or 3; my two oldest kids have loved the sleepovers, and come back feeling very grown-up. For a more lightweight experience, most months there's a "parents' night out", where for an extra fee you can pick up your kids up at 9:30 PM, after they've had dinner, done activities, and/or watched a movie with their friends and teachers. Many teachers are open to babysitting outside of school hours, and it's been great having a potential pool of babysitters who the kids already know. Even though the kids are in age-based classrooms, they have a chance to get to know teachers and kids in other rooms. (My 4-year-old went through a period of checking with his 2-year-old brother's teachers every day to make sure his brother was behaving.) The "parent participation hours" requirement (4 hrs/month) are a way to get families involved, doing everything from chaperoning field trips, to doing laundry, to bringing fruit for snacks. (I've done mine by sewing dress-up clothes.) If you really can't make it work, there's a fee you can pay instead. We (and our kids) have made so many friends through CEC; three of our kids' teachers came to visit at the hospital when our youngest was born. We're sad to see our oldest (and his friends, and their families) moving on, but grateful that many of his friends still have younger siblings who will be around for a while yet. We're looking forward to four more years here with our youngest, starting soon!

June 7, 2026 Parent of a new Walden grad here. Walden's…read morepriority is to foster a love for learning and to support children in a nurturing environment through arts, academics, and community. Walden is simultaneously a safe place for children to try new things and a competent and professional environment where students receive individual attention to progress objectively. As a professional in healthcare, I had my initial concerns about not having grades, but I've since been converted, seeing how positively the kids interact with their teachers and each other. 1. Coursework: a. Reading/Writing: The literature they choose is level appropriate in difficulty and has content that spans the globe, sparking discussion about issues the kids may not be exposed to in their East Bay lives. b. Math: My child is advanced in math and likes solving puzzles, and he was shown good habits for organization. Many American kids struggle with math, so in my opinion the pace of the class is a little slower than my child could have gone. But I think they need to teach to the class's pace, and they do a great job of showing math's applications in the world to make it both fun and practical for the kids who are more math-averse. c. Science: There is didactic and experimental material in life and earth sciences. Every year, the whole school does science projects, where students pose a research question, design a study, collect data, and then present a poster to the whole community on science night. d. Social Sciences/History/Current Events: Students learn about both US and world events and reflect on the shared points of humanity. During drop-offs or pick-ups, I might have had news radio on in the car, and my son would inquire about or contribute to conversations about Palestine, for example. There was a period of a month or two where there was a ceasefire, and my son was so initially overjoyed, followed by sadness when the ceasefire was broken. It is through true caring about the people involved that he wanted to know more about the complex history of the region and do what part we can to promote tolerance. e. Spanish: The kids read books aloud, sing songs, and explore cultural themes in Spanish-speaking culture. Their dia de los muertos celebration of ancestors is a powerful event. f. Visual arts: The art room has weaving, drawing, painting, sculpture, beadwork, digital and analog art. Student work is all over the school. g. Drama/Movement: Students learn to be confident in front of others and express themselves through their bodies. h. Music: Each student's vocal range is documented, and they work on pitch, rhythm, instrumental music (recorder, mallets). They have opportunities for performance for the community. The Upper Group puts on a Broadway style musical theater production each spring - a truly spectacular event, with live accompaniment from a pit ensemble. 2. Community: One central theme of the school is how volunteers from the community can make beautiful and incredible events. Highlights include a winter gala, a spring fair with games, prizes, food, music, and a darling cake-walk, where children pick out a cake to take home. Parents meet each other and the kids through the community events. Sleeves are rolled up to keep the campus clean and events bright. 3. Field Trips: They go to plays, dance performances, on 3-day camping trips, museums. We shed many tears of joy throughout our Walden experience and give it the highest recommendation for yours.

We absolutely love Walden!!! I have 2 kids that attended Walden from kindergarten to 5th grade, one…read moregraduated in 2023 and the other just graduated in 2026. Walden is a truly amazing place and my family is so lucky to be a part of it. The community is tight knit and always supports each other. The students are prepared to succeed in middle school and beyond by integrating arts and academics, while also being taught how to advocate for themselves and stand up for each other. The teachers are kind and understanding and know how to support your child in their individual learning style. The kids feel loved and seen as who they are . When a new kid joins they get immediately accepted into the community, which is something so special about Walden. I was a teacher for 7 years and coached teachers at numerous schools, and I can confidently say Walden is the best one. My kids are obsessed with Walden and are so grateful that they had the chance to go to school at Walden for many years. I highly recommend Walden for any student.

My 20m old attends L'Academy and she loves it every time I tell her shes going to "La Escuelita"…read moreshe gets sooo happy and she starts jumping and clapping. She comes home singing a new song every week either in Spanish or in English. I love how I can see her through the day throughout pictures (they use the 1core app) I can see her face and see if shes been happy or sad and I just love love that. She loves her teachers they are nice and sweet. I love how efficient Ms. Rachel is always answering questions and concerns on a timely manner. I definitely recommend L'Academy and my baby will also be attending here when shes old enough. Great school great services. Thank you for all you guys

Our child was a part of L'Academy from age 18 months to 4 years old, entering their toddler class…read moreand eventually moving to their Mandarin class. We really cherished our experience with L'Academy. L'Academy has a great balance of play and learning. Their outdoor playground is really interactive, and I appreciated how dirty my kid would get at school. He would also surprise us with how much he learned. The hours are really great for working parents, and there aren't too many school closure days. They also are very accommodating of allergies. Rachel was a really great director. She was easy to communicate with, and she was very involved in our child's care and education. I liked how she would send out newsletters and implemented new ways for us parents to get involved. They also take a lot of photos and videos that they share on a daily basis so we could get a peek at what our kid was doing. My kid loved reading, and Rachel would always make sure there were new books available in the subject he liked. Ava Laoshi, the Mandarin teacher, was very caring and loving. My kid still talks about how much he misses her. My kid picked up a lot of Mandarin, even though we barely speak it at home. I was impressed at how my kid enjoyed learning Chinese. He would always sing the songs he learned there and he would try to engage us in conversation. It was really clear to us how much Ava Laoshi shared her heart with our kid. L'Academy also was a great place for us to meet other parents. They often have parties or events for us to attend. From our experience at L'Academy, we ended up making a lot of friends and we now have a little parenting community together.

This is my daughters school and so far we are loving it. She is finishing up second grade and was…read morenew to the school this year. The education is very solid and the music program is fantastic. They have small class sizes and two teachers per class. I feel that they really know my child here and that is worth every penny. Amelie's review: I really like my school,teachers,music and science. I love sitting near the class room at snack and hanging on the high bar.

Our daughter has completed two years at Black Pine Circle and every morning she is in a hurry to…read moreget to school. I'm writing this review because she has flourished at BPC, both academically and socially, and without a doubt the school can take a lot of credit for it. The headmaster John Carlstroem knows what he is doing, and runs a very happy ship. A school is a complex environment with many personalities and expectations that need to be managed. John works with a reservoir of deep intellect and excellent management skills and has managed to set a harmonious tone for the whole school. He thinks deeply about education and pedagogy, and he spends the school's money wisely. John's passion for the school is reflected in extraordinary commitment by the teachers, who are superb. In the lower school the kids learn english and math well, and the school's emphasis on music permeates lessons and activities and is wonderful to behold. In a review such as this it is not possible to describe the full extent of the curriculum, but I have been continually amazed by what my daughter is learning. Most importantly, her teachers have taught her self-respect, self-confidence, and have instilled in her a love of learning. I have spoken to many parents around the Bay Area, and I know there are many good schools. Still, I may be biased, but I feel that BPC is special, in a very good way. P.S. The math club is among the best in California.