This school is amazing! The warm, welcoming director and staff are really offering an excellent first school experience to our 2 yr. old granddaughter. The care and detail in the program is exemplary! read more

We have been so happy with our experience at Peekadoodle! The teachers and staff are so warm and welcoming and genuinely care about all of the children. I had no idea what I was doing when it came to finding the right preschool. But after having one conversation with the amazing director, Stef, I knew this would be a great fit. Our son started at Peekadoodle when he was about to turn 3 and the change in him over the past 2 years has been remarkable. His vocabulary and social skills exploded and his little (big) personality really started to shine. He loves all of the teachers and staff so much and really looks forward to school. He surprises us almost daily with the things he's learned! I've also been lucky enough to meet some amazing friends in the parents and staff. We'll be sad when our son is done with his time at Peekadoodle but luckily we're having another one so we get to start over. At least we have their preschool figured out! read more

Peekadoodle is such an incredible place. Our son went there and loved it. The teachers are warm and super accommodating. They helped as we potty trained our little one, and always made him feel safe/cared for. The facility is great, the staff is friendly and professional. It's very well run and organized. Our son was always excited to go! And he learned a ton. Can't recommend it more highly. read more

I can't recommend Peekadoodle enough. The teachers and staff are incredible - they love each and every kid like their own and are amazing at highlighting each child's strengths and abilities. The director, Stef, is FABULOUS - she makes running a preschool look seamless. She is very aware and on top of how each kid is doing in class, while also being incredibly involved with the parents and offering unlimited support to the parent community. There have been some tough mornings for me where at least one kid decides to just lose it and I can't express how amazing peekadoodle staff is at drop off. There's an instant feeling of support and sometimes even a follow up text to let me know my kid(s) was totally fine once she got to school and even checking in on me to make sure I'm feeling better. My children are very different - socially, academically, etc. Peekadoodle really is amazing at creating a curriculum and program that works for every child, nurturing each child's abilities and strengths. The parent community is also amazing - I have made lifelong friendships with many of the parents. Stef is also unbelievably helpful during the kindergarten process. Every year each kid gets into at least their top 2 choice. Stef helps each family during the entire process - she's knowledgeable abt all the schools (and where might be a good fit for your child) and helps with all the applications. One of my children has one year left and the other has two or three years, and I'm already sad knowing we can't stay at Peekadoodle forever! read more

My daughter has been attending Peekadoodle since 2022 (she started in Prep, a young 2's program, and is heading into Kendi, 4's, in the Fall). I've watched my tiny daughter grow into an independent and self assured child under the care and attention of the teachers and staff. My daughter feels at home at this school and has since her first month there. We adore this school. The balanced curriculum focuses on child-led play and gently folds in academics, which I've seen first hand help these young children grow and thrive. We love that they incorporate enrichment options into the classes (music, art, cooking). And even with the fantastic teachers and skilled and thoughtful staff, excellent curriculum, and incredible families attending - the school is the opposite of pretentious. It is warm, down-to-earth, and FUN. Not what you often see at some of the alternatives in the area!! As a parent navigating the world of fantastic San Francisco / Bay Area Pre-School options, I feel so lucky to have landed here. We are a household that values education, diversity, and safety extremely highly. I am confident my daughter is in exactly the right place and I can't wait to send my son there in the fall. read more

Long overdue but I'm a mom so you know. We have been so happy with our experience at Peekadoodle for both of our kids, I had to share. The teachers, led by Miss Stef are AMAZING and the best in the city. After looking at countless city preschools, I thank my lucky stars everyday we selected Peekadoodle. The community is a true family and we've seen our little ones gain confidence, knowledge and social skills each year. Our kids are happy and excited to go to school. I do not worry at all- the teachers are all trust-worthy and knowledgeable- these kids are loved. And even on our hard days as a parent, the teachers are always there to support the parents, even when we, the moms just need a hug too. read more

Peekadoodle is an incredible school. My daughter started in their Prep program when she was 2. She was born at the very beginning of the pandemic and is our one and only. We were very cautious and very protective. We toured many preschools and Peekadoodle is by far the most modern, professional, fun, engaging and safe place we have seen for our little girl. The staff and teachers are dedicated, kind, intelligent, creative and loving. We always feel comfortable knowing she is spending time with all of them. They have an excellent curriculum for each age group and I am AMAZED at how much our daughter has learned. The staff and teachers are thoughtful and caring while also managing to teach and inspire. We love the Art specialist Christine and of course the Music specialist who is a real life rockstar. We are so lucky that we found this special place to build our family's community. Her teacher last year even potty-trained her for us!! And her teachers this year taught her yoga and mindfulness! I only wish I had another kid so we could stay at Peekadoodle a little longer... read more

Having moved to San Francisco recently from Boulder, Colorado we didn't have much to go off in our search for preschools for our then 3 year old. I signed up for some tours and overheard one of the directors from another school we were touring, tell someone how great Peekadoodle was and that they should also check that school out. So, I took that message and signed up for a tour. It didn't take me long from entering the door and meeting the staff to know this was the perfect place for my child and now children. Upon entering there is the most adorable replica of a SF Victorian home inside that was fully decorated for the kids to play inside. I now know that they change up the home frequently depending on holidays and seasons. But it was really the director, Stef, that sealed the deal. She is friendly, happy, bright, kind, full of the coolest ideas, playful, warm and most of all a safe and trusting person. The entire staff is just that - in fact, I cried this last day of school (which is unlike me) hugging my child's teacher as I just felt so overwhelmed with happiness of what my child had got to experience the year prior. The the teachers are unbelievable! The place is clean, modern, full of books, color, all sorts of activities from music to baking to art that all rotate. The outdoor space is big with a huge sandbox, slide, outside place house and much more. I am not really good with words, so I hope that my message gets across very clear that Peekadoodle is a safe, fun, happy place for you to leave your kids - where they won't want to come home at the end of the day - where not only are they friends with all their classmates but us parents are all very close too! It must be the place! read more

Peekadoodle is a nurturing and supportive environment not only for your child's early education journey but also for you as a parent navigating the Bay Area preschool world. As a transplant to the city, I can confidently say that Peekadoodle has embraced my family in the most incredible way. The staff and the parent community have made us feel right at home from day one. My son started in the prep class just before his second birthday, and the progress he has made is astounding. We just ended his year in the 3's with a class performance that blew us away! To be able to watch how independent he is within the walls of Peekadoodle is incredible. The teachers and administrative team have created a warm, professional, and joyful atmosphere that has allowed my son to flourish. I can't wait to see my son thrive in the 4's class next fall. If you're seeking a place where your child can have fun, learn, and grow in independence and confidence, Peekadoodle is the perfect balance. read more

Peekadoodle - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

Our daughter has gone through a notable transformation during her first year at Peekadoodle. After early toddlerhood distorted by Covid isolation, she's embraced the loving community that has encouraged her to express herself. During her time at Peekadoodle, her verbal and comprehension skills have improved markedly, as well as her confidence, independence, and curiosity about the world. She truly feels like everyone at school is her extended family, and loves greeting them at drop-off every morning. Every day she excitedly asks, "Peekadoodle today?"; it's one of the biggest constants that keeps her smiling. As a parent, I am so appreciative of the school's friendly, down-to-earth attitude, flexibility, and impressive way everyone knows what's going on with your child at any given moment. As a city-dwelling parent, Peekadoodle's beautiful, spacious outdoor play area helps me feel a lot less guilty about our home's lack thereof. I feel good knowing my daughter is getting lots of outdoor time complete with sensory, social, and gross motor experiences every day. Also of enormous value is how on-top-of the ever-evolving Covid situation they are. Surely a daunting thing to tackle at a preschool, they handle every protocol and communication with swift and graceful efficiency. I'm so thrilled that we found Peekadoodle; it's truly had such a positive impact on our whole family. read more

Peekadoodle has been an integral part of our family for the past 4.5 years (since 2012) and we can't say enough good things about it. Both of our children have gone through the Prep and Academy programs, where they thrived in a nurturing and challenging environment. In addition to the unique and invaluable experience for our little ones, the Peekadoodle community has been a gift to our entire family. We would highly recommend Peekadoodle for any family looking for a preschool that offers a program that is perfectly balanced between play and structured learning while providing a supportive community for the whole family. One of the best things about Peekadoodle is that it is a playspace in addition to a school. Unlike other preschools in the city (of which we toured many!), you can spend time at Peek while your little ones are in class. When our oldest was in Academy and our youngest was still a baby, we used Peekadoodle as a home base that offered a safe place for nursing, eating (they have a great cafe), meeting other families and playing. Our oldest son often saw us there while he was taking bathroom breaks and that helped him to feel secure in his experience of being away from home. Indeed, Peekadoodle is our second home and the entire staff (teachers, administrative folks, cleaning team, parents and directors) is our little village. The balanced approach in the classroom is also a great fit for both of our children, who are very different from each other. As children progress through the program, the classroom approach changes from mostly play for the younger ones to a more structured approach that develops an internal joy and excitement for learning. For example, in the pre-K program, the children use show and tell to practice speaking in front of a group and asking questions of each other. They also learn about art history in addition to creating art, which has sparked an incredible interest in our son. The social-emotional learning has also been amazing. Although Peekadoodle is in an urban setting, we found our children got plenty of outdoor time in the play yard, at the beach and/or grassy field across the street, and visiting the historical area surrounding the school Peekadoodle also provided over-the-top support for us during the Kindergarten application process. They definitely know what they are doing in this arena. We were so lucky to have them advocating for us. They took a genuine interest in our family's best interest when it came to schools and guided us through a process that was sometimes overwhelming. Overall, it's an amazing place and we feel lucky to have been able to experience everything it has to offer. You can't go wrong! read more

I'm back again at Peekadoodle Academy with my 2.5 year old daughter. She loves it. Since I was there with my older twins, they've updated the outdoor playspace, but the program and center are still excellent. They have a full time cleaner on staff that makes the center cleaner than any other preschool or kiddie facility I go to regularly in the city. Now that I have kids in school, I've come to realize that the most important thing about a preschool is their relationships with elementary school admissions directors so your kids can get into a great school. In the last two years, kids from Peekadoodle got into sought-after schools, MCDS, Stuart Hall, Convent, Burkes, Live Oak, Cathedral, Alt School, Marin Primary, among others. They're doing a great job! read more

Wonderful school in a beautiful location. My son talks about school on the days he isn't there! The teachers are really caring and the administrative team is fantastic. Really nice community of parents as well. My only gripe is the food -- the lunches are a mixed bag and the snacks are sugary and/or processed. I wish they would improve the rotation to account for natural ingredients and nutritional value and incorporate fresh vegetables and healthy whole grains (instead of hotdogs, pancakes, pizza). read more

The owner of Peekadoodle, Ellen Park, is terrible and thoughtless but the teachers thankfully are nice. My daughter enjoys school, but the owner makes the preschool experience terrible for parents. She is very inconsiderate, rude, and nickel and dimes you, so watch out for that. Otherwise, the teachers and staff are great. read more

My family has been involved in the Peekadoodle community for 5 years. Both my son's have attended classes starting at 18 most including art, cooking, prep and academy classes. My older son graduated from Peekadoodle Pre-K last year at 5 yo. With Ellen Park's help, he was accepted to Stuart Hall for Boys for Elementary school. Peekadoodle's balanced curriculum, wonderful community and excellent communication with parents make it a wonderful school. Peekadoodle has been a gift to our family. read more

My son started at Peekadoodle in Little Learners in the beginning of 2016, a great program for kiddos home with either a parent/nanny most of the time. It was the perfect introduction to "school" since he wasn't yet 2, and the program was 80 minutes. It was initially a tough transition (for us both), but the caring teachers (Sarah Torres!) were so warm and nurturing that by week 3, it was all seamless. We were so pleased with Little Learners, that the next semester our guy started at Prep, in the Green Room. We had yet another fantastic experience with excellent teachers (Randa!!) that our son couldn't stop talking about it. The school had monthly themed units, which was great for learning new vocabulary and concepts. They also have this fantastic app (Tadpoles), that give detailed descriptions of your child's day (with pictures and videos!), so that you can talk about what happened in school that day. Great for repetition of reinforcing learned ideas and concepts, and as a parent, so fun to see your kid at school :o) Side note: Our child was also newly potty trained during his time in the Green Room, and the teachers were AMAZING in carrying over our techniques and helped create confidence and ease with using the potty outside of home. We LOVED Sarah and Randa, two incredible teachers, that showed our son such warmth, kindness, patience, and love. He had so much fun! Now, a note about Ellen, the founder, Chief-Awesome Officer. Ellen clearly has TONS of stuff to do each day. She makes a point of knowing each child that walks through her doors. And not just their name, she gets to know them as person, student, their personality, their strengths/weaknesses, etc. Ellen suggested we move our son to Academy, telling us he was ready. My husband and I were hesitant since we didn't want to transition him to a new classroom (we had a new baby on the way), and wanted to keep things constant. Well, by half way through the semester, we saw that she was right. Ellen was able to create a smooth transition (mid year!) from one classroom to the next between teachers, and for our son. We are so grateful for the educators at Peekadoodle. We have seen our son thrive in group and social settings with his peers, we've seen his independence take new heights, and we owe so much of that to Peekadoodle. As he nears age 3, we couldn't be happier with this school and look forward to more! read more

I can't say enough good things about Peekadoodle. The teachers and staff are simply the best and the new space is STUNNING. Our son started going to the tue/ thur. (morning) program when he was 2 and it was the perfect way for us to ease our way into preschool. The program was very flexible which we loved and the combination of play with intentional activities were what sold us on the program. Every time I dropped him off I left with a smile seeing the spread of activities they had planned. And, yes he cried but they made us feel better and the social interaction was well worth it as we're now preparing for a 5 day program. read more

Best in the city! Much love and biggest respect to teachers, staff and owner! Happy to be in Peekadoodle community. Great education programs for kids. No other preschool can give you and your child, similar price/quality offer. Free parking for 30 minutes at this neighborhood is priceless. Total check in and check out for kids. Save, cosy, and perfect environment. read more

Raising a family in San Francisco is hard, in part due to all that is required of parents to educate their children here. But the application process to Peekadoodle is one of the easiest and most transparent, and once enrolled, we realized that the Academy is one of San Francisco's hidden gems of preschools. By balancing play-based learning with academics, Peekadoodle helps develop the social, emotional, and academic skills necessary to succeed in elementary school and beyond, all while retaining its warm, sweet, and loving culture. The Prep and Academy programs help instill, develop, and reinforce a love of learning, empathy for others, and a humble confidence that we hope will last a lifetime. Year after year, we continue to be impressed by the curriculum, teachers, staff, and facilities. The first parent/teacher conferences of the year are not to be missed - it is amazing to see how quickly and thoroughly the teachers get to know each child. We receive daily photos and updates on what happened at school through email or a mobile app. And for those not ready to go home at the end of the school day, the kidsclub playspace provides a natural segue from classroom to play dates. As parents, we joined a warm and inclusive community of families we consider close friends. So these play dates are fun for us, too! Throughout all of the transitions that occur during these young, formative years in a child's life, we have felt supported and empowered by the school. The kindergarten application process was no exception. It was one of the most competitive and humbling experiences of our lives. Ellen Park was an amazing partner from the very beginning, when she helped us climb that steep learning curve of discerning which schools would be a good fit for our child and family. She was an invaluable resource and advocate throughout the application period and all that the process entails. And when presented with multiple offers of admission, including two from some of the most highly sought-after single-sex schools, she helped us navigate one of the most significant and difficult decisions we have had to make thus far in our child's life. Some say that it takes a village to raise a child, and in this busy, vibrant, urban city, we are forever grateful that we found our village here at Peekadoodle. read more

I can't say enough great thing about Peekadoodle Academy! From the moment I stepped into the space for a tour, I knew this was the place for my son. This preschool was my sons 1st experience being away from us, his nanny and his family, so naturally we were worried. His first month was touch and go at drop off, but the teachers handled the transition like a pro, and his daily tadpoles update proved he was enjoying his time. We are moving out of the city, and the hardest part is leaving such a terrific preschool that has become a 2nd home for our son. I'm truly sad to be leaving this community, they really prepare your child and care about each student. Ellen and Stef are great, both busy, but make the time to know each student and parent. Also, his teachers Sarah and Ari are the sweetest and so great with our boy! read more

You can evaluate all the pre-schools you want in SF but if you are looking for a complete turn key school that is 1) focused on kids; 2) operationally safe and clean; 3) great atmosphere and curriculum; 4) great teachers; 5) competitively priced; 6) close proximity to Pac Hts/Marina; 7) amazingly easy and convenient; 8) run by top notch hands-on staff; 9) great for parents and not politically driven...go no further. This schools has everything your child needs and more! read more

Both my sons have had such a positive experience at Peekadoodle Academy, and we can't thank the entire staff enough for helping mold our boys into kind, respectful, and happy children these past five years. Our older son ended up going to elementary school on the other side of the city, so I was eager to enroll my younger son elsewhere to minimize our commute to Peekadoodle. However, I just couldn't get myself to leave this beautiful school quite yet, so I decided to brave a 40-minute-on-average drive every morning to ensure that my younger son would benefit, like my older one had, from the nurturing teachers and engaging curriculum. This isn't your ordinary school, despite my commonplace remarks above. Peekadoodle Academy has gone beyond my expectations, listening to feedback and recommendations and therefore making life easier for all, parents and kids alike. They offer extended care with three different pickup times, and everyone is extremely accommodating with each family's changing schedules and needs. The front desk, various coordinators, accounting, director, founder and CEO, cleaning staff, and even café workers make a conscious effort to acquaint themselves with each family and go out of their way to make you feel at home. Tunga and Sally are ready when I need organic whole milk to fill my son's thermos; Stephen ensures our account is in order and can even tell you where your child's shoes were last seen; Alta helps avoid a meltdown at pickup by giving my son extra crackers and asking him to throw out his trash; Mandy handles Date Night Drop-Off like a pro and always plans an awesome good time for the kiddos; Randa and Sarah in extended care take the word "care" beyond just physical needs; the amazing Catherine knows this establishment better than the back of her hand and will answer questions for you and tend to your needs 24/7; the list of wonderful people here is endless. If you're looking for extraordinary, where you know your child will have the highest quality care both academically and socially, I would look no further than Peekadoodle Academy. It's the finest balance of play and academics and will prepare your child not just for kindergarten ABC's and name-writing, but for the social challenges that lie ahead, because being surrounded by the warmest, most loving teachers AND staff have made all the difference. read more

Our child loves going to Peekadoodle. Peekadoodle makes learning fun and there is so much warmth, respect and care we see in how daily activities are carried out. The teachers have an everlasting impression on children and I see them come home pretending / role modeling to be like their teacher; wanting to be a teacher and I am so happy that Peekadoodle embraces every child and helps them unfold and reach their potential! I also want to appreciate the openness I see in how teachers collaborate with you on an individual basis and are open to trying new things. The teachers and staff of Peekadoodle are their hallmark and we hope that they continue to retain them long term. read more