We couldn't be happier with our experience at Ice Cream & Shoe Preschool. It's such a warm,…read morethoughtful, and nurturing environment, and you can truly feel how much the teachers care about the kids as individuals. The TK classroom atmosphere is calm and welcoming, and the play-based approach strikes a great balance between social-emotional development and early learning. Our child feels safe, supported, and excited to go to school each day, which says everything. The teachers are attentive, patient, and incredibly skilled at guiding children through friendships, problem-solving, and independence. We also really appreciate the strong sense of community among families and staff. Communication is clear, and it's obvious this school has been thoughtfully run for many years!

Our son attended preschool at Ice Cream and Shoe and we truly loved the experience - the teachers…read moreare so nurturing, the methodology was loved by parents and kids, and the experience prepared him for kindergarten in a noticeable way! I highly recommend this preschool program!

If I could give more than five stars, I would…read more Choosing someone to care for your children is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make, and I can honestly say we hit the jackpot. From the very beginning, Enas, Ehab and family welcomed our family with open arms and treated our children with so much love, patience, and kindness. It never felt like we were dropping them off at daycare, it felt like we were leaving them with family. I've so appreciated her guidance over the years, she was truly my "village" since we didn't have family here. Every day, we knew our kids were in a safe, nurturing, loving and happy environment. The communication was always wonderful, and it gave us so much peace of mind knowing how their days were going. Our children have absolutely thrived in Enas' care, and we are so grateful for the role her and her family have played in their lives. Watching them grow, develop and learn has been so incredible to watch and they are a big reason for this. The only reason we're leaving is because our family is relocating across the country to be closer to family. If we weren't moving, our children would absolutely still be with them. Leaving them is truly one of the hardest parts of this move. If you're looking for someone who will love your children as if they were her own, I cannot recommend ABC highly enough. We will always be grateful for everything they have done for our family, and they will always hold a special place in our hearts.

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about ABC Child Care and Enas!…read more As a first time mom, sending your infant child to daycare can be daunting. As a professional who works in pediatric healthcare/development, I wanted to make sure my son went to a loving environment that would enrich his developmental outcomes. ABC Child Care was just that. Enas is so kind and knowledgeable and truly made me feel at ease with sending my then 9 month old son into her care. My son has thrived in his development over the past year and I am so happy to have Enas and everyone at ABC Child Care as part of my "village" with raising my son. We are unfortunately moving out of the area and will miss ABC Child Care so much! If we move back before my son is school age, he will definitely be coming back here (if there is room :)). If you value a home environment and loving care for your infant/toddler, look no further!

Miss Nicky's Preschool is pure magic. My daughter attended from age 2 to 5, blossoming from the…read moreCaterpillar Room (toddlers) to the Butterfly Room (Pre K) with ease, care, and support. Along the way she met every developmental milestone, thanks to Miss Nicky and her incredible teaching staff. The amount of sweat, love, and dedication Miss Nicky pours into her school is truly unmatched. The classrooms strike the perfect balance of play based exploration and academics, with literacy and math seamlessly woven into hands on games, centers, and creative projects. Summer camp is just as special, fun filled, imaginative, and full of joy. What made it most magical, though, was how much my daughter loved being there. She thrived because her teachers loved being with her. One memory she always cherishes is the day she got a splinter. Miss Nicky welcomed her into her office, gently removed it, and turned a "boo boo" moment into a memory of being cared for and safe. That's the kind of nurturing heart behind this school. As parents, my husband and I especially appreciated the sense of community Miss Nicky built. From family events to celebrations, she created opportunities not only for children to connect but for parents to form friendships that will last well beyond preschool years. What makes it even more special is that the building that houses this amazing school is the very same one where I attended preschool over 30 years ago. It has been beautifully updated and maintained with modern safety features, nestled in one of the most safe and beautiful neighborhoods in Marin. (I know! I am also a proud Terra Linda High School graduate.) Miss Nicky's Preschool is truly a gem, and when our journey came to an end I cried. My five year old held my hand and said, "Mom, it's ok, Miss Nicky said we can always come back and visit!" A true testament to how Miss Nicky and her teaching team foster social emotional growth, creating confident and compassionate kids. If you're wondering whether Miss Nicky's is the right place for your child the answer is yes. In a world that moves too fast, this school preserves the wonder and innocence of early childhood. It is safe, happy, creative, and filled with love. Miss Nicky's Preschool isn't just a school, it's a place where childhood magic is kept alive.

Excellent preschool! Loving teachers, great curriculum and facilities, fun spirit days. Great…read morecommunication and very organized and well run. Highly recommend!

We've just enrolled and had our first playdate to meet the teachers and other kids in our group. I…read morewas so impressed -- fresh bread with butter and coffee for parents, a warm and welcoming team, and such a beautiful interior and surroundings! It truly feels like the owner and team have put their hearts into everything, caring not only for the children but also for building a parent community. I hope Zoe will love the daycare as much as I do

From the owner: Le Petit Jardin (LPJ) is a unique preschool program that combines loving childcare with daily…read moreexperience in an around the French and Francophone cultures. Children are introduced to sounds and words of the French language through song, nursery rhymes, stories and general everyday interactions. As children are exceptional language learners by nature, this total immersion environment enables them to quickly become familiar with French and begin to know how to use it for themselves. Our days here at preschool are rooted in the idea that a child learns through play and exploration! We lead children each day through a fun variety of arts and crafts, story time, classical dance (ballet), cooking, science actives, music, outdoor and free play time. These experiences are guided completely in French to familiarize children with numbers, letters, colors, shapes, and other early vocabulary. We recognize that each child has unique talents, learning style and personality. LPJ is committed to ensure optimal social, emotional and linguistic growth. Classes are kept to a low student-teacher ratio for happy, healthy learning! Popular childhood songs and nursery rhymes from France will soon become some of your child’s favorites!

I don't know why this place is not more highly recommended. My grandson has been going here for…read morealmost 2 years. It's an outdoor wilderness certified daycare and preschool and he's really thrived and learn to be super happy outdoors which is so awesome. The teachers are amazing and they're all bilingual and teaching the kids in Spanish and english. They are so caring and fun. I just went to the little graduation and it was the cutest thing. The kids all sang a song in Spanish and it was just a lovely little potluck. I highly recommend them! My daughter and son-in-law also absolutely love the quality of service that they provide

Our daughter started at SMCC a week before her second birthday. She is now 6 years old and…read morecontinues to frequent SMCC on days that her elementary school is closed - we wouldn't send her anywhere else. SMCC is not just a "daycare" to us; it's a part of our family. When our daughter was diagnosed with autism at 2 1/2, they opened their hearts and minds to learn more and educate themselves. They become part of our journey. SMCC is full of the most supportive and loving individuals we could ever ask for.

MFT has been an outstanding experience for our son throughout his time there. Terese, Lori, and the…read morerest of the staff are deeply attuned to the needs of young children and have created an extraordinary early education and social experience. We couldn't have asked for a better learning environment for our son to grow up in. Highly recommended!!

Both my kids went to Terese Montessori and they both are thriving at their schools. The…read morefundamentals they learn are the best in Novato. They approach each kid different and it is an individualized approach. It is a strict program but my kids have learned to be confident and independent. My son has a lot of energy but has learned to focus in the classroom where now at his elementary school he is one of the best behaved kids in the classroom and releases his energy outside. Highly recommend this school and by far one of the best in Novato. My only thing it is small so great for ages 2-3.5 or a kids that needs that small class.

Sunnyside Preschool is truly the best. My son started about six months ago, and from day one, Miss…read moreSylvie--along with the students and families--made us feel so welcome. The transition couldn't have been smoother, and now he walks (and often runs!) into school every morning excited and happy. The Sunnyside team is incredibly communicative and has done such a wonderful job nurturing his curiosity, skills, and creativity. I'm constantly amazed hearing about what he learned or experienced each day. He's now counting to 10 and has really developed a love for books and coloring, which has been so fun to watch. We also love the balance of outdoor play, classroom time, and shared meals with his classmates--it's been terrific for his development. We're already looking forward to having his younger sister join Sunnyside in the future. Sylvie does a great job keeping parents in the loop on what the kids are learning, singing, and working on as the seasons change. Our little guy absolutely loves Sunnyside--and so do we.

Without a drop of hesitation I can say that Sunnyside is a wonderful place for our daughter. In…read morethe year she's been attending, her development has advanced by leaps and bounds, she's smarter, more active, independent, and even minds her manners more! Miss Sylvie and her staff are kindness personified and there's so much to recommend about the preschool. There are tons of activities, structured and free, her yard is huge and there is so much for the kids to do outside that they're never bored. Slides, rides, sandboxes, water table, working garden they can actively cultivate and eat (she gobbles tomatoes down now). Inside is structured with tidy workstations and activities that stretch their brains and hands. Also, Sunnyside comes with perks most of the preschools we screened do not: snacks and lunches are covered and healthy, and they assist with the transition to potty training with grace and good humor. We're insanely lucky to have found this place and it's worth the longer drive to get there (we are a few towns away).

I'm a Montessori alumnus and proud of it!…read more I attended pre-school, kindergarden and elementary school here in the '90s for 9 years and it changed my life. I made friends here whom I still keep in contact with in addition to keeping in contact with a few of my teachers. The school is in a beautiful location, and I have so many fond memories here. I know that if I have children in Marin (a few years until that happens), I will without hesitation send them to this Montessori school. I learned many life skills here that my others friends attending public school never experienced, nor do they understand the bonds I created having the opportunity to be in a classroom with students of all ages. You can find my handprint in clay on the main walkway under the trellace leading up to the main side door into the playground. I also helped to create the small Japanese tea garden in the small plot of land next to the front doors. I have memories here that will last me a lifetime. I love this school!

Our two girls aged 7 & 9 are just finishing their second year at Montessori De Terra Linda. We came…read moremid-year from another Montessori school out of state and were very lucky to be able to transition into MDTL last year. The teachers and staff, classrooms, environment, and grounds are excellent as you'd expect from any montessori school. What is quite special though is the community involvement and great parent participation. There's never a day you'd visit campus and not find families contributing their skills and interests to the well being of the community and the kids. In addition to their regular Montessori work day our kids have been able to work with professional artists, spend time tending the organic garden, and going on community outreach trips to explore Marin's incredible natural environment. We plan on keeping our kids involved with MDTL through their entire program.

Montessori in Motion is truly a gem. From the moment we walked in, I could feel the calm, nurturing…read moreenergy of the school, and it has been nothing short of magical for my daughter. The teachers -- Crystal, Josh, Tracy, Alyiah, and Ashley -- are amazing. My daughter transitioned mid-year, and the way they welcomed her made her feel comfortable and excited to be there. The classrooms are filled with a diverse set of activities and materials to explore, and they have the best play yard I have ever seen. As a mom, the biggest gift was peace of mind. I could leave each morning knowing my daughter was not only cared for, but genuinely thriving. She has grown in confidence and independence, and came home excited to share her day and look forward to the next morning. The contrast from other schools we've experienced was night and day. At MIM, I felt supported as a parent, informed, and confident knowing my daughter's overall well-being was prioritized. It is a wonderful community. Montessori in Motion isn't just a preschool -- it's a magical place where children flourish.

My daughter started at MIM once she turned 2 and she's loving it. So much so, she never wants to…read morecome back home when it's time for pick up. All the teachers are warm and attentive to the children. The space is cozy and inviting. And the playground is a small paradise for the little ones. She is learning a lot, from new words and sentences to putting on her socks and jacket by herself. We've seen a lot of progress in a few months! All good things. The older kids keep an eye on the younger ones and they are very sweet to each other. All in all, I highly recommend the school.

My two children have been attending Marin Waldorf School for three years, starting in preschool and…read morekindergarten. They are currently in kindergarten and 2nd grade. In the beginning, we chose this school for its strong and nurturing environment, where every detail--from the physical space to the daily rhythm--is thoughtfully designed to support children's growth and learning. Over the years, our appreciation for the school has only deepened. We are especially grateful for the dedication and care of the teachers and staff, who not only support each child as an individual but also foster a sense of community among the students. Contrary to some misconceptions about Waldorf education, this school offers a progressive approach that truly prepares children to be thoughtful, engaged citizens in the modern world. We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a special school community.

Our son is currently in kindergarten at Marin Waldorf School, where there are two teachers for…read moresixteen students. He can be shy, but he quickly formed strong bonds with his teachers and made friends faster than we expected. Within the first week, we noticed a real shift. He became more confident, independent, and better regulated at home. It truly felt like he had been longing for something he finally found. The school's emphasis on rhythm, storytelling, singing, nature, practical work, and the seasons suits him beautifully. He especially loves starting each morning with a short run near the ancient oak tree before circle time. The time spent outdoors has been incredibly grounding for him. The campus spans ten acres, with plenty of space for the younger children to explore and a separate area for the grade school students. The parent community has also been a wonderful surprise. Families are welcomed with coffee and tea at drop-off, which creates space to connect with other parents and the staff. There are also parent groups, music evenings, lectures, and seasonal festivals throughout the year. Most importantly, our child is genuinely excited to go to school each morning. As busy working parents, we feel very grateful to have found this school. We would wholeheartedly recommend Marin Waldorf School to families looking for a warm, nurturing, and thoughtfully run early childhood program.