I CAN NOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT CRAWLERS 2 SCHOLARS…read more story time. when yelp first came about, i was redefining myself from a san francisco raised troubler maker to an "adult" with adult money and a desire to do some good while having some fun. back in 2005-2015ish, this new online community we built in sf, we had a whole bunch of fun and really did a lot for our local community and local small businesses. we raised a ton of money for the SF Food Bank and put hundreds, if not thousands of small businesses on the literally digital online map. fast forward another decade or so, most of these founder members are now old(er) farts with kids and use yelp in a very different way..... including finding day care hidden gems! we moved to walnut creek during the pandemic when we wanted to have a bit more room with our second child coming. Sky was borna week after we moved into a new place in WC. having experienced the difficulties finding the right daycare/preschool the first time around with our oldest, i hopped immediately into finding the right place for Sky. C2S was on top of a short list of centers in the area i picked out. after visiting, the list got shorter and after speaking with staff, the list only had C2S on it. C2S has an amazing lifer heading the program/center. Katy has literally spent her adult life at this center. Its her passion and it shows. Each and every staff member i have encountered has been amazing. our 3 year old loves his time at C2S. This center is modern, accepting and celebrates each and every child without making it a huge deal (like most of us). I've been to a few of the celebrations and you can not help but smile ear to ear. The center is clean, roomy, secured, and they have a great playground (super important). The team regularly sends photos and you can see how engaged the staff is with the kids and vice versa. Katy and the admin team are SUPER on point and timely with the back office side of things. I have more difficulties getting responses from my own team and employees than resolving items and gettings responses from the C2S team, something you do not see too often from daycare/preschools. i can not say enough good things! happy to share with the yelp community this amazing hidden gem. i did the footwork, found the best day care in the area.

Crawlers to Scholars Daycare is fantastic! The staff is caring and playful, creating a warm and…read morewelcoming environment for the kids. They communicate well with parents and always keep us informed. Each week, they send out meal plans and lesson plans, so we know exactly what our children will be eating and learning. I trust them completely and was so impressed with their care for my first child that I enrolled my 6 month old child there as well when I returned to work. Highly recommend!

My 4 year old and my 1 year old loved it here! The admin…read moreteam and the teachers are all so wonderful and caring. They really care for the children and the classes are very engaging. I highly recommend this daycare!

I'm the mother of a 2 year old, and I'd like to start by sharing our expectation from a pre-SCHOOL…read more "A safe and loving environment, that allows our child to grow at his pace, while instilling values, that become the building blocks of our child's character." BACKGROUND: We are new parents who had to start our child in a home-based care at 9 months. We continued to explore schools with structure and curriculum in our area looking for educators, not mere minders. This brought us to his first "school". A 30-45 minutes drive each way. After enrollment however, we struggled with continuity of care, teacher accountability and overall responsible follow-through of promises made during admission at this school. After 10 months saddled with accumulating deficits of a rather inexperienced young school, discrepant communication and extremely long commute we withdrew our child to be enrolled at another nearby school with good reviews, camera access and good current-parent's positive feedbacks. This enrollment turned out to be 6 weeks of trauma and torture for our child and consequently us. Unreported scrapes, teachers bellowing across rooms at toddlers, not reporting the child having stayed hungry for the entire day, no engagement with toddlers wandering aimlessly through the classroom, no handwashing habits, no education of good or bad behavior, no changing of dirty clothes/use of bibs/sunblock, and inconsistent reporting of day's activities. To add insult to this injury, it took us 2 full weeks to schedule a sit down with the principal while the teacher failed address A SINGLE of our concerns. We served notice and withdrew our son. We mustered courage to fight our past failures with our child's school and worked out a plan, charted all our requirements. We started an open dialogue about our weariness for changing environments for such a young child and the abject need to do it with PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF WALNUT CREEK EAST and they heard us and delivered in the following ways. MANAGEMENT: Met with us as many times as we needed. Included class teachers to understand and address how they would work with our child. Continued to keep us appraised of all developments as well us accommodated our requests within the school policy. CONTINUITY OF CARE: In less than a week my child started running up to his teachers Ms. Kareena and Ms. Erica showering them with warm hugs each morning. At pickup the teachers share reliable, consistent feedback of my son's day and always greet and see him off with love. ETHOS: Primrose fosters different moral qualities embodied through its characters, which are being visibly inculcated in our child too. Teachers' planned effort to foster independence in daily chores/activities and how to grow in their community (of peers, teacher, parents) is particularly impressive to us. FOOD: The meals are appropriately planned throughout the day and the menu is balanced and pre-published. The team also respectfully offers to accommodate dietary restrictions should a child need it. PLAY: The pedagogy includes planned play for children, that we find particularly rewarding for our child, since it invokes his curiosity in a deliberated environment, while still allowing room for explorations and development. The curriculum plans for learning in diverse aspects ENVIRONEMNT: The classrooms are naturally and artificially lit, so none of the classes look like florescent shoeboxes. The facility is new construction and nestled in a safe neighborhood. The premises remain clean and free of ANY odor at all times (a really rare find) with most setups. DROP-OFF and PICK-UP: The neighborhood is rather active, and the surrounding businesses and its visitors give a safe feeling. That said, parking is not-easy during rush hours or when events are hosted, however, this, for us isn't a deal-breaker by a long shot. IN ESSENCE: I would like to underscore the efforts of my son's class teachers in painting our family's experience so positively. Their work makes us feel safe and worry free for our child. The management acts like the cherry on top that makes the school oh-so-desirable! I've written a lengthy review for the first time in my life, because it is essential to laud an institution for its remarkable effort. We have struggled with several bad experiences despite our best efforts, and had hoped our child could be spared these early challenges as we slowly discovered a suitable path. I hope this is helpful for some parents looking for answers about an experience at this school.

I am so grateful for Ms Dulci and the teachers at Creative Hearts. I couldn't imagine a more…read morecaring, compassionate, and creative group of people to care for my little one. Getting used to daycare was not always easy (for my son or me!) but knowing he is in such caring, capable hands made it so much easier. They are so great at keeping us informed of his progress throughout the day, sharing photos, videos and texts as needed. Now my son asks to go to Ms Dulci's house on the weekends! He has so much fun with their truly creative programming and activities, and I love knowing he's growing and learning there every day.

We're so happy our son is going to Creative Hearts!!! We have been to 3 different daycares before…read moredue to moves across the Bay and hands down this is the most caring, attentive, and nurturing environment we've experienced. We feel so lucky we were able to secure a spot here! My son is very slow to warm, very cautious. Ms Dulci, the director and head teacher, keeps me updated about his progress and does 1:1 coaching with my son so he can find his courage! I love that they do show-and-tell so kids can nurture that strong voice they have within them. There's also an emphasis on being kind and lifting each other up. It's so wholesome to hear kids yelling "so and so is amazing, we love you!" In addition to Spanish, they're also starting to integrate Mandarin, which is so important to me, personally! Kids here get exposure to 3 languages!!! There's also ample space in the backyard where kids play! This preschool offers all the things that are important to us like 1:1 attention to find courage, language exposure, kindness, time outdoors, family events, arts & crafts. We are so lucky that this preschool exists and we get to experience the magic that Ms Dulci and the teachers here make everyday!

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!

Our son attended KidTime and we are so happy we found this school! I have chatted with so many…read moreparents and left so many rave reviews for the school online when parents shared they are looking for a preschool or a better fit for their child. We left a previous school and were looking for an environment where our son could thrive, and after touring with the director, Sydney, we knew we had found just the right fit. Our old preschool, a Montessori-style school, didn't do any TK curriculum, so we were worried he wouldn't be as prepared for Kindergarten. Our son missed the cutoff for public TK, so we knew we needed to find a better fit for him. Plus, our previous school wasn't accommodating for our active little dude. KidTime wasn't concerned at all when I mentioned our son wouldn't sit for circle time or stay focused during 'work time'. Instead of concern, we were met with open arms! The school meets the children where they're at! There's no need to hide any problems your child may be having. The school will not only work with you, but they will take the time and care to help your child and your family with any issues. There are no expectations for a child to meet a cookie-cutter mold. Your child will be embraced! The school is very inclusive! I was told, he sounds perfectly at his age level. This is truly refreshing to hear when you're leaving a school that isn't welcoming. The school has a massive backyard with a garden, chickens, and the biggest sandbox you've ever seen, with a water play area as well. There's plenty of shade and trees as well. The school will also apply sunscreen (they supply it, or you are welcome to bring your own). The school prepares fresh meals for the children, which after sending our son to school that didn't; this is such an amazing aspect! It saved our family so much time and hassle. Our son is a great eater, but for children who arent; it's so helpful to have the children all eating the same meal together. A lot of parents have said this helped their picky eaters embrace new foods. Plus, there's onsite water fountains, so we didn't even need to bring a water bottle. Again, you really appreciate this when you realize you don't need to wash a water bottle daily. The staff are so kind and warm! They do really fun activities with the children. Each week they cover a new theme and do activities related to the theme including STEM, art, math, etc. Our son learned about the earth's rotation and how time worked, learned his phonics, etc. Their teaching style is all play-based; at first, I didn't really know what that meant. I thought it was just open play, but it's not. They play a lot of games and do a lot of hands on learning, so they learn through play. It's truly wonderful! They also have a lot of community events, like a Thanksgiving meal where the children prepare all of the dishes, and families are welcome to come and eat together. Plus, they host Trick or Treating, a very lively Cinco de Mayo party, a family camping trip, and many more! Families are also welcome to come at pick up and play with their kids in the backyard! This is so different from a lot of other schools. This is so fun because you can see your child at play! You can join in and meet other families. We're happy our baby will go here as well, and this time for the full experience, as our son joined only joined for one year. They even welcome back alumni for their fun Cinco de Mayo party! Only downside, that they will openly tell you during your tour, children are allowed to be children...meaning they are allowed to get very messy! When I first toured with my baby, I didn't think this would be a good fit for him because he didn't like to be messy; but when he joined later, it wasn't a problem. Some kids do get wildly messy, but our child never did. Just know, that they use all washable materials, so any stain, I was easily able to get out. However, it's very possible, your child might be covered head to toe blue when you go to pick them up! I've seen a mini Smurf there at pickup!

Truly a child led program with amazing teachers and staff. The school has a huge play area for the…read morekids to explore and just be kids.

We paid a $135 waitlist fee and were told we'd be contacted when enrollment opened. We never…read morereceived any updates or an enrollment packet, and months were wasted waiting to enroll our son in a Montessori program. Meanwhile, the school began openly enrolling students while we were left on the waitlist with no communication. The only time we heard anything was when we reached out ourselves, and even then the responses were vague and provided no real information. After multiple calls and emails requesting an explanation and a refund, we've received no response. This lack of transparency and follow-through is unacceptable. The experience left our family feeling uncomfortable with how we were treated and questioning how families are selected from the waitlist. We are still requesting a refund for a process that was never honored. Unethical and a scam business. Reported to the CA Dept of Social Services.

Our family has been part of Springfield since 2022, and we've had a wonderful experience. From the…read morestart, the administration has been communicative, welcoming, and intentional in creating a safe, caring environment. The teachers are exceptional. Our biggest priority is knowing our children are loved, supported, and their needs are met--and Springfield has consistently delivered that and more. Both of our boys were well prepared for public school transitions and developed a genuine love of learning. It's clear the staff are passionate about what they do, and we've truly felt like part of the Springfield family. I have a degree in Early Childhood Development and toured many local preschools before choosing Springfield. In my opinion, it is one of the top preschools in the area. Yes, the enrollment process is thorough and tuition is higher than some options, but the quality of care, education, and teacher support makes that clear.

My son attended the preschool, 3s and then pre-k. I cannot day enough about this preschool. I can…read moretell the teachers love my son and are eager to discuss his progress and behavior. They are kind and gentle and patient. Esther is a wonderful director and we have been blessed to know these people. My son was on the younger side in his class, but thrived in the classical Christian education setting. The classrooms are well organized, large, and very clean. We are so sad that we won't be able to send our kids for the 20-21 year, but thankful that we were able to call this preschool 'home' for a little while.

We had high hopes for North Creek Academy, but the TK assessment process was incredibly…read morefrustrating. Expecting 4-year-olds to already be writing and recognizing letters feels academically misplaced for a Transitional Kindergarten level. What's worse is the inconsistency--it's clear the "rules" don't apply to everyone, as kids who can't yet write their names are accepted while the process remains a "black box" for everyone else. It feels more like a biased "who you know" system than a transparent evaluation of a child's readiness. We also noticed during our tour that the school's diversity is very low. In today's world, we want our children to learn in an environment that reflects the broader community, and we didn't see that here. Definitely something to consider if transparency and inclusion are priorities for your family.

5 stars hands down! We are so lucky to have found this pre-school. The teachers & director are…read moreamazing & our son has advanced in just 4 months. His speech has improved as well as his ability to communicate with others without getting frustrated has been life changing. They even taught him to potty train within a week! What a bonus! The team are so welcoming & warm. I really feel we are blessed to have found them!

What an incredible Daycare! We have put two kids through saybrook and are soooo thankful we found…read morethem! Amazing loving approach, hands on, and have been very developmental for our kids learning. We started right when they opened back up during the Covid, and we felt so safe bringing our boys to the center. Soledad Peoples the director has been instrumental in our kids development, and we hope these friendships last a lifetime! 100% trust and support Saybrook learning center for your children's needs! 7:15am to 5:30pm, meals provided, with learning and fun guaranteed!