Primeros Pasos took us in the middle of the school year when we were trying to manage a childcare situation between our three year old and her new sister. We toured a bunch of schools, but ended up at PP mostly because they had the right vibe. They didn't force-feed us educational materials, although it's clear they put effort into them. They didn't have any draconian policies, although they did have thoughtful consideration for virtually everything that *could* go wrong (sickness, absence, accidents, etc). At the end of the day we loved the school because it was one of the only ones where all of the children spoke Spanish to each other while playing. After we joined we realized how much care and effort the teachers put into all of the students. Our daughter was visibly happy going to school every day, had inside jokes with the teachers and other kids, and came home with elaborately braided hair. There's no greater gift than knowing you're sending your child somewhere that provides them with so much love. I'd recommend PP to anyone looking for early education for their kids, and they'll learn to speak excellent Spanish to boot. read more

We enrolled our son at Primeros Pasos and it was his first daycare/preschool experience. We (okay, I) was really nervous about finding the right place, but after just a short time, it felt like we had been with them for so much longer than we actually had. And it's because of the incredible warmth of this community. The maestras create such a welcoming and nurturing space! They strike a wonderful balance: a thoughtful, engaging curriculum that fosters real development, paired with heart-centered care. In particular, it has been absolutely incredible to watch his Spanish flourish while seeing his English expand in parallel. Watching him grow and learn has been such a joy. We are so grateful for everything they have done. If you are looking for a nurturing, high-quality environment for your little one, we can't recommend Primeros Pasos highly enough! read more

After a long search -- a nanny share and two other reputable play‑based daycares/preschools -- we finally found the place that truly worked for our family. My husband and I both work in healthcare, so reliable childcare isn't just nice to have, it's essential. In smaller settings like a nanny share or in‑home daycare, if the provider was sick, we had to call out sick too, which was incredibly challenging with our schedules. Primeros Pasos is the opposite experience: well‑staffed, well‑organized, and incredibly dependable. Their closure dates are set far in advance, the schedule is consistent, and the whole operation runs like a well‑oiled machine. It has made our lives so much more predictable and manageable. Our daughter started around 2.5 and graduated from the PreK/TK‑equivalent class. She tested fluent & native in Spanish even though we're not a Spanish‑speaking household, and she's now thriving in a Spanish‑immersion SFUSD elementary school. The Portfolio her teachers created (art, letters, photos) was something she looked at constantly during her kindergarten transition -- it clearly meant a lot to her and showed how deeply she loved her teachers and friends. The PreK/TK class is exceptional. Two amazing teachers, a thoughtfully structured day, and dedicated spaces like a gross motor room, sensory room, music room, plus plenty of outdoor time. I love how they take time in each space and transition slowly to the next activity to help very young children transition. The Educational Director also hosts incredibly helpful parent workshops via Zoom. On top of that, PP brings in outside extra curricular programming like yoga, gymnastics, soccer, art, and Jamaroo music. It's truly special. The staff is consistently kind, attentive, and well‑resourced. Every child gets individualized attention and is made to feel seen and loved. We've experienced multiple campuses -- Glen Park (before it moved to Noe), the Noe site, and now Silver after moving to Bernal Heights. Each has its own personality, but all are warm, well‑equipped, and staffed by wonderful teachers. Our son has been at the Silver campus since he was about one and is also thriving and runs right in without looking back to be with his buddies. We are expecting another and boy and plan to send him there as well! We're so grateful to have found Primeros Pasos. read more

Long overdue review! We had a great experience with the teachers at primeros pasos and the silver park campus. Loving environment and warm teachers. Huge shout out to maestra Karina and maestra Claudia! You can drop off you kid and know for certain they will be loved and rest at ease. The communication with the office needs to improve. Many a times we needed to do multiple follow ups to get a response. The facility itself is clean and neat. We graduated a few months ago , our kid speaks almost fluently in spanish and cleared SFUSD spanish assessment for TK. The kids get to do a lot of art, yoga, dance, sing etc. oh i also like the no shoes inside classroom policy, why keep the kids feet wrapped up in tight shoes for several hours. read more

Primeros Pasos has been an absolutely wonderful preschool experience for our family! Our daughter has been at PP, both at Silver Park and Noe, for 2.5 years and will complete preK there prior to starting kindergarten in the fall.  The teachers are incredibly nurturing, patient, and dedicated. They have made such a strong impression on my daughter and have shaped her learning not only through unique projects, but also by helping her develop socially and emotionally. They take the time to understand each child's unique personality, helping them grow with confidence and curiosity. The bond that my daughter has developed with all of her teachers - as well as the broader set of teachers that form the PP community - has been amazing to see. I've been most impressed by the Spanish curriculum at Primeros Pasos. The teachers have helped my daughter truly learn Spanish and prepare her well for a spanish immersion kindergarten program. My daughter is constantly engaged  - whether it's through art, storytelling, music, yoga, or play and this has really sparked her creativity and thinking. Beyond the classroom, the sense of community among parents is something truly special. At both the campuses, there is a strong culture of families looking out for each other, being inclusive, and really being involved in the school community. My daughter knows her classmates and many of their family members and we've made some amazing friends through the community as well.  Lastly, I'll highlight that the school's administration and operations have been extremely reliable. There are no surprise days off and there is strong teacher retention. We've come to rely on PP as a really solid and safe environment for our daughter.  We're so grateful to be part of the Primeros Pasos family and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a preschool that truly nurtures the whole child! read more

Our family had a great experience at Primeros Pasos-Silver Park! Both of our children went through beginning during COVID in 2020. What a smooth transition, with a safety plan in place to keep all the children and teachers out of COVID's way. We were so happy to have our kids at PP, in a safe, loving environment, and immersed in Spanish all day, everyday. All the teachers are so experienced in teaching, guiding behaviors, and loving your kids as if they were theirs. Gabriella has an education plan, which is play-based, and the kids come out of pre-K well prepared for Kindergarten in Spanish language, reading and counting appropriately. Our kids made great friends at PP-SP, and loved all their teachers at each level. We have recommended PP to other families. read more

We had 2 kids at Primeros Pasos silver ave. for several years. It's a special place and a lot of thought and care goes into running it. They have low staff turnover and the space is amazing, with a large 2000 sqft indoor gross motor room and an outdoor yard. The teachers in their infant class are phenomenal - they take such good care of the babies, change diapers every 2 hours, and practice good hygiene. The teachers do little activities with the kids all day, they go outside most days and they have a quiet napping area to sleep. They also send many updates throughout the day via brightwheel, which is so reassuring when you're leaving a 6-7mo old baby at daycare. Both my kids were so attached to their teachers. Classes are organized by age and my son enjoyed his time in the young pre and preschool classes as well- it's a play based curriculum and they do a variety of activities including crafts, art, reading, music and also yoga and jamaroo. The hours are good for working parents (8-5:30) and although they don't provide lunch, they do provide snacks. Overall a great school and one of the few options for families looking for one location that supports care of infants all the way thru K. read more

We have sent both our children to Primeros Pasos for almost 2 years now and we couldn't ask for a better experience. From the moment we first toured the school with Gabriella, my husband and I both felt that her ideals and values aligned perfectly with ours. The teachers are incredibly kind and caring, you can tell they really love the kids and their jobs. The language comprehension that our kids commanded after only 6 months was so impressive and is a testament to how hard the teachers and administration work to truly immerse them in the language and culture. In fact when we traveled to Spain, people at the playgrounds thought our kids were locals. We also love that they learn about and celebrate traditions and all holidays with their peers. The fact that they have programs for children from infancy through Pre-K is the best because it means we only have one drop off and pick up for both of our kids. They love going to school together and give their teachers such great big hugs every morning - it's a place I feel completely at ease taking my kids to during the weekdays. Could not recommend PP more! read more

My husband and I highly recommend Primeros Pasos. Our daughter Milou attended the Centro Primero Pasos campus from the time they opened a few years ago. She was about 9 months old at the time and was in the infant room. Later she moved to the young preschool classroom at age 2. We only left Primeros Pasos because we moved out of the country in August 2021 right after our daughter turned three. So she spent a little over 2 years at PP. The campus itself is gorgeous. It was designed and built out especially for PP and was a labor of love for the director, Gabriella, who is very passionate about early childhood development. She was very thoughtful about designing the space so that each 'room' is built for the needs of that age group. The infants' room for example has a quiet napping area with mini cribs, and a kitchen with a fridge for the parents to provide milk/formula and a cute little row of high chairs. There's lots of great clean floor and mat space for tummy time and rolling around. Our daughter loved her time in the infant room! A big plus for the infant room is that the school even makes a basic homemade baby food puree each day so you only need to provide the milk and your child gets to try a good variety of healthy foods while at daycare. The Young Preschool room is equally great for toddlers 2 and up- complete with a row of kiddie potties for potty training. The whole center is shoe-free and spotless. There is also a nice sunny back yard that the children play in when the weather is nice. And there is a large play area (or gross motor area) inside with big sand box, play kitchen and other fun things that the different classes use. Our daughter was excited every day when we dropped her off. And every day when we picked her up she was happy and tired and you could usually tell from her clothes (sand, paint, etc) that they'd had an active day. The staff (the maestras) were excellent. And Gabriella, the director, was usually present on campus, always available via text or email, and very communicative to the parents as a whole about what is happening at the school. Our daughter was there during the onset of the pandemic when the daycare had to close from about March 2020 to June 2020. The school did a great job communicating throughout this period and then after reopening. There's too many great things to say here. In addition to the space and the staff, a few highlights would be: - the thoughtful 'curriculum' they provide each month - the diversity and inclusiveness of the center and the staff - the partnership and support that the maestras provide during potty training - the friendly parent community -the ease of the Bright Wheel app -the overall socialization and variety of experiences that the children receive every day -the school's commitment to language immersion We recommend PP to anyone looking for daycare or young preschool! read more

Primeros Pasos - Milou in the yard - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Both of our children came through Primeros Pasos. We loved our experience there. I can't say enough about how amazing the teachers are--loving, inspiring and helpful. Gabriella (the director) takes a lot of pride in teacher training and development, the curriculum, the environment and extra little touches that made our years there so sweet and memorable. I give her a lot of credit in proactively navigating the needs of the community (it's a large school so there is a wide range of strongly parent opinionated parents). I strongly recommend PP. read more

My daughter started attending Primeros Pasos at 11 months old. We moved to a different state when she was 25 months and leaving school was the hardest part of our move. I am a mom who doesn't trust anyone with my child, however, I always trusted Primeros Pasos with how they treat the children. The warm and welcoming culture combined with Gabriellas' adherence to high quality and cleanliness standards makes Primeros Pasos exceptional.  Even before COVID the school was so clean that my daughter never got sick. I didn't see kids running around coughing and their noses always looked clean. I also liked the onboarding process during which the school learned about the child, their unique needs, and personality. Prior to COVID Primeros Pasos provided lunches and snacks which was amazing. And, of course, Spanish immersion "add on" was a great bonus. It forced us to look for only Spanish immersion programs for my daughter and we'll continue her Spanish language development at least through elementary school. Exposure to a different language early on is so good for brain development and also gives the opportunity to explore other cultures. We appreciated Primeros Pasos's diverse community a lot. It's going to be really hard for us to find a comparable school but we are lucky we experienced good care for as long as we could. read more

Are you looking for a daycare/preschool where your kid won't want to come home with you at the end of your work day and you have to chase them around while they frantically bike around the large motor room? Primeros Pasos is this kind of place. Our son started going as an infant (~6 months old) at the Fairmount location and then transferred to this center when it first opened until it was time for Kindergarten - both locations were fantastic. Over 4 wonderful years with the devoted Primeros Pasos staff! We really appreciated not only the love our son received there, but also how the program is designed for working parents: healthy lunch and snacks are provided, the hours are convenient, and everyone is extremely dependable and responsive. The Spanish immersion program is the icing on the cake. We do not speak a word of Spanish at home, but our son became fluent in Spanish and was naturally speaking it with all the teachers and some of his friends. He tested as a near-native speaker when applying for Kindergarten (SFUSD) and as a result was able to apply for and got a bilingual spot in the dual language immersion program. read more

Our son loved going to Primeros Pasos. We moved to the east bay and leaving school was by far the hardest part of the move. Gabriella and Franco have done an incredible job creating a caring and nurturing environment for the little ones. In our experience, all the teachers were top notch and the atmosphere was fun and welcoming. It is clear that everyone there takes pride in what they do and we always felt that our son was loved and cared for. In regards to Covid, the school has handled a difficult situation in a very professional manner. There has been constant communication and I think the added precautions and cleaning were appropriate. Even before Covid, we appreciated the cleanliness of the facilities and with the added cleaning we actually noticed that he would get a runny nose etc less than before. The bottom line, our son was always so excited to go to school in the morning. He really loved it there and you can tell it's just such a warm and loving environment. We highly highly recommend Primeros Pasos. It's really a great place. read more

Great place for our 18 month old. The teachers are dedicated to the children and their love for them was clear from day one. They always went above and beyond to help our child feel comfortable and loved from the moment we started. The school itself is clean, well-organized, and supports the teachers at all times. If we had not moved away from San Francisco, our toddler would still be attending. Highly recommended. read more

The quality of education and the community at Primeros Pasos are without equal.  The hardest part of leaving SF was having to leave CPP. Both my daughters really blossomed here.  Highly recommend. read more

Primeros Pasos is an exceptional preschool. Our 3-year-old daughter has advanced by leaps and bounds since she's been there, and in every dimension - her Spanish, of course, but also her ability to engage and collaborate with other kids; general gratitude, respect and politeness; letter and number recognition; her facility for arts and crafts; and much more. It's clear that she really enjoys it and loves her friends and teachers. It's a lot of fun to drive home with her after school and hear her stories about the day. The school is REALLY professionally run. Gabriella and her team are on it: communication is fast and clear, and you have the sense that they're a committed partner in the education and growth of your child. It's also a great space - large, safe, vibrant and well thought-through. Parking isn't too bad, either. Don't have a bad word to say about it. If you want to give your kid the advantage of language immersion while giving them a well-rounded educational experience, this is the place. read more

I am a pediatrician and I recommend this preschool to all my patients. My husband and I had a wonderful experience at this preschool. The teachers are so kind and patient. It has an outdoor area as well as a huge 2000 sq ft indoor playground/gross motor play room including bikes, a sand pit, and a rock climbing wall so that the kids can get lots of exercise rain or shine. They had gymnastics and yoga classes in addition to tons of art and music and sensory media. The director has been so thoughtful about creating a welcoming and kid-friendly space. It's beautiful and so well thought-out right down to the childproofed doors. The families that go there have created a wonderful community. The Spanish immersion has been wonderful and my kids are completely fluent now. I feel truly lucky to have found such a nurturing place for my kids. They love Primeros Pasos and all the teachers there so much. read more

Primeros Pasos was a wonderful place for our son. We eagerly joined when the Silver Park campus opened in 2019 and only recently left, due to relocation, when our son was in the pre-K program. We had the pleasure of having excellent teachers at each stage of our son's journey. Besides exceeding qualifications, the teachers are all stellar humans, and the kind of people you want caring for your most precious child. While there was clearly a lot of learning going on, indicated by superior language skills in our son (both English and Spanish!) what stands out the most to me is the warmth, care, and individual attention that the teachers share with the children. There is a healthy and safe relationship that is formed and this is critical to a young child's growth and development. Our main goal was to find a warm and welcoming environment that had Spanish immersion and PP was the perfect place for both. Gabriella's passion and knowledge of child development are at the heart of her business and along with the effervescent Franco, this duo truly makes the CPP program engaging and efficient. The digital updates throughout the day are truly uplifting, and I will treasure the series of 'hug' pictures from our son's final day. If you value Socio-Emotional development, with Spanish fluent educators who will grow to authentically love your child, Primeros Pasos is the place for your family. read more

Primeros Pasos has been great for our daughter! She started there when it opened and the facility itself is full of natural light, clean, and welcoming. It's a family run daycare and the directors/owners really care about each and every kid and providing excellent care. The real shining star of Primeros is the staff. Our daughter loves all of her teachers and they clearly love her (and all the kids) back. We chose Primeros because Gabriella (the director) said that when they hire teachers they look for individuals that really want to be there and build relationships with the kids and it really shows in the day-to-day interactions. Everyone also takes COVID-19 precautions very seriously. The teachers all wear masks, there is frequent hand washing, temperature checks, etc. Every tough decision (and I'm sure there have been many throughout the pandemic) is met with "What is best for the kids?" read more

We were looking for a infant / toddler class first experience for our son and we were so lucky to find Primeros Pasos and connect with the Director Gabriella. Our son had the best experience where he build a strong bond and conection with all the teachers. The school is beautiful, educational, and huge! They provide Spanish curriculum and they have an incredible motor room where the children can run, climb, play, explore, with a indoor sandbox. They also have a music room with many options, mirrors, carpet that is soft, inviting and cozy for the children. In addition, before enrolling your child Gabriella meets with you via zoom, facetime, or over the phone to give you a full intake and she explains many things about the school, protocols, and their communication option. The most convenient way to communicate with the teachers was through brightwheel, which is an app that's easy to use and you receive constant updates about what your kid is doing throughout the day. I love getting pictures of my son! I was always waiting for the pictures and gave me a sense of relief when I saw how happy he was at school. The school also have incredible teachers, they are very sweet, understanding, loving, caring, and they love what they do. Primeros Pasos has been a great experience for us as parents and for my little one. You will love it here! read more

Primeros Pasos was an incredible learning environment for our son and daughter. During the three years we were at Primeros Pasos, our children formed wonderful friendships and were well supported by a fantastic and nurturing teaching staff. We are so grateful we were part of the Primeros Pasos family! read more

I honestly cannot say enough good things about Primeros Pasos. My little one was struggling after a poor daycare experience early on, and we worked with the director at Primeros Pasos, Gabriella, to ensure a smooth transition and a happier experience when we started at this new campus. Gabriella & her staff were patient, kind and truly went above & beyond for my family. My daughter is very slow to warm up to new environments, new kids & new people - her primary caregiver at Primeros Pasos quickly swooped in & they developed an incredible bond. Before I knew it - my little one was actually looking forward to going to daycare & spending time with her teachers & new baby friends. She has now moved into the toddler classroom, and again the transition period was slow & unique to my daughter, which allowed her to get comfortable on her own time. She has a new primary caregiver in her toddler class, who she is already obsessed with & now she refuses to leave without blowing her new teacher tons of kisses. My little one is HAPPY at Primeros Pasos, and that is all I could ever ask for. All the fun she is having, and all the stuff she is learning is an added bonus :) The new campus is modern & beautiful. It is clean, incredibly well kept, and perfectly designed. They also offer a private, enclosed backyard, which allows for our children to play outside with no worries about being fearful of strangers walking by, people peeking in at the kids, etc. The staff at Primeros Pasos is another thing to applaud. Gabriella has managed to create an environment full of teachers & caregivers who genuinely enjoy the children they work with. Everyone is so kind, and special in their own ways. Primeros Pasos is a perfectly blended family and I am so happy my little one was able to join them. read more

Primeros Pasos is an excellent preschool. The teachers are wonderful and the facility is consistently very clean. My son's first preschool experience was not great - nonstop crying at drop offs. It was the complete opposite with Primeros. He always begged to stay longer and play longer. He loved his friends and teachers and still asks about them now that he is in Kindergarten. We would 100% recommend this preschool. read more

My wife and I enrolled our daughter in the charter infant class when this facility first opened. We absolutely loved the staff and our daughter looked forward to going to see her friends each day. When Covid hit in March we needed to relocate and moved out of the bay area otherwise our daughter would still be enrolled and her new sister would've joined her. You will not be disappointed with Primeros Pasos, they are friendly, detail oriented, clean, and informative. It is a great program for your child to grow and learn. If I could rate them with six stars I would. read more

We were fortunate enough to have our daughter in PP, and it was the best experience and decision we have made for our baby. The community, culture, care, attention to detail and love this Spanish immersion program brings is tremendous. Throughout the course of over a year, we have seen our daughter grow and progress in her milestones in ways we wouldn't have imagined. I believe it is because of the foundation that she has been given under the instruction of Gabriella and the amazing maestras for our chosen home away from home. There is consistency with the maestras and communication and the parent support is abundant! There is so much education, care and support at this center, we would have kept our daughter here through Kinder, if not for us moving out of state. Gabriella is very passionate and has dedicated herself to the program, children and teachers-it shows! One word of advice, keep in mind to have patience with parking for drop off and pick up, but that comes with the territory for living in SF. read more

Really overdue review for Primeros Pasos. My daughter started at one and half years old and left for Kinder just after turning 5. She also got to experience both locations as one of the first students to enroll in the Silver Park location. Our main goal was to find a warm and welcoming environment that had Spanish immersion and PP was the perfect place for both. Gabriella's passion and knowledge of child development is at the heart of her business and all her Spanish fluent staff follows her affectionate and warm approach. Their emphasis in Social Emotional Development was also a one of the biggest values we took away from our years there. Diversity and empathy were are the core of the program and it is also pretty evident in the parent community of PP. Gabriella's steady hand and determination to keep her business safe and open during the first months of the Pandemic were truly admirable and lifesaver for us parents. On the academic side PP also exceded our expectations. My daughter came to Kindergarten fully prepared to start her academic life and the teachers in our new school are confirming it. We are grateful to Primeros Pasos and all the team there for their dedication and the love the gave to our daughter for more than three years. read more