I have a pandemic toddler that has only been at home with me, my husband and my parents (his…read moregrandparents). Needless to say, I was very cautious and nervous when selecting a preschool for when he turned 3. I looked at a lot of preschools in the Pleasanton area and finally decided on this one. If you're looking for a part time preschool you should definitely choose Gingerbread. ADMISSION - they release sign ups I think sometime in April before the school year which starts in August and it's through the city of pleasanton sign up website. Set an alarm and do it right away, although I checked a few hours after it opened and there were spots so maybe it depends. Once you sign up for one quarter you get priority registration for the other quarters so you have a spot guaranteed. CLASS SIZE - this information is for the 3 year old class. The class size was 22 but they expanded to 24. There is 1 teacher and 2 helpers. Overall it seems like a lot of kids but it didn't feel overwhelming and I feel like my son got the attention he needed. ACADEMICS - Gingerbread is definitely play based. They have a lot of toys. However, they also try to incorporate learning letters and numbers and other concepts. They don't get through the alphabet before the school year ends but about halfway through they start doing a letter and number a week. Their schedule includes playtime outside, snack time, table time where they do the learning and arts/crafts and then play time with beginning and ending circle time. Throughout the school year they have little presentations and special events where you can come see them perform a song and they also have lunch and plays where you can eat lunch in the yard with your kids and whomever else stays (no teachers). I will say however, that it's probably much more play focused/based than learning. My son definitely learned during the school year but he does seem to be a bit behind compared to other kids his age. Could be a combination of the school and his personality but I'm guessing if he went to a more structures strictly academic school he would be ahead. FACILITIES - their facilities are clean and no issues. I think they are run by the city of pleasanton, which is why it's so much cheaper so they have a regular bathroom with stalls and teachers cannot go inside the stalls with the kids. I was nervous since my son was potty trained but not used to going to the bathroom by himself. The teachers help the kids verbally by guiding them but they need to be able to get the stool or seat themselves, pull down pants, sit down, wipe, flush etc. by themselves. They take the kids at certain intervals. My son caught on pretty quickly and only had a few accidents, which was good. Drop off the parents don't go inside, which is actually probably better for the kids in terms of separation anxiety. For pick up, you wait outside until they call your class and then you go inside to pick up. It's at that time you can talk to the teacher. PRICE - the main reason I went with them is the price. It's probably 1/3 of what you pay at other schools and I would say for some of them the academic level/cleanliness etc. is the same if not better. You are only paying for 4 days a week and 3 hours with no food included. However, it's totally worth it in my opinion if you're looking for a part time preschool that will nurture your child and care for them. CONS - a few cons to mention and why we are not re-enrolling our son next year. First, it's only 4 days. Now they do have a fifth day STEM option but they didn't have that when we enrolled so if you are fine with only a 4 day preschool then that's fine. As a working mom, I need that fifth day. It's also only 3 hours with no lunch. Again, seems short but for the first time transitioning into preschool it's fine. They also don't have an app or other type of updates like pictures etc. So what he does at school feels like a black hole unless you ask your child or teacher everyday. They don't really communicate that much unless you are proactive. That being said, they are very open and nice if you want to meet after class is over and talk about your child's performance. It's also not year round and they do have quite a number of days off. So overall, if you're not too worried about not having a more full time or encompassing school with snacks or lunch provided, 5 days a week etc. then this is definitely a great option. I wish we could stay another year since they really care for your child and our teachers and helpers were great with our son's transition. He didn't have any problems adjusting and I know it's because of the staff and curriculum. However, as a working mom with a 10 month old, I need a more full time schedule and lunch included year round.

We had very good experience with Ms. Julie's my grownup and me class. She respects the little ones…read moreand takes the time to connect with them. However, we can't say the same for the 2yr old classroom - hasty pickup and drop-off with clear favoritism between the lead teacher and specific families. Minimum feedback and high turnover among the assisting teachers. Overall it's an affordable part-time solution and a lot of the teachers we've interacted with are very good.

From the very first moment I toured this school back in 2023, I knew right away St. Clares…read morePreschool would be the perfect choice for our family. My husband and I toured many preschools in the area and St. Clares preschool was the only school that checked all the boxes. My oldest attended St. Clares preschool for two years (3s & 4s class) and my youngest who is now 2 yrs and 9 months is currently enrolled in the 2s class. Here are some reasons why I highly recommend this preschool- -Warm, kind and dedicated staff. All staff are knowledgable, professional and so good with the kids. I felt at ease knowing my girls would be safe and cared for at the school. The school also has CPR certified staff which is a must for me. The preschool directors Ms. Madhu and Ms. Martha are so sweet and also easy to communicate with. My youngest had a hard time adjusting when she first started. She cried at every drop off and Ms. Martha was so patient. She helped come up with a plan on how to make the transition easier for my daughter. Now she no longer cries and looks forward to playing with her friends. - Big playground with a lot of different activities to offer. This was a big one on my list. I was pretty impressed with how spacious it was. Sandbox was a plus and the school has multiple play structures. There is also a garden. -The preschool is connected to a church, so the children participate in chapel time once a week. What I really appreciate about chapel time is that the lessons focus on good morals and what it means to be a kind, respectful and caring person. I believe in addition to academics, its so important to teach our children strong foundations and positive character traits. - Fun activities! Playdates, Family nights, Special guest performers, Christmas pageant, Halloween Parades, Pumpkin patch activity, and the summer programs are also activities we have enjoyed as a family! my girls especially. We have also gotten to know the other parents and my girls have gained friendships at St. Clares. My oldest still keeps in touch with her St. Clares bestie =) If you are thinking about touring this school, I highly suggest you do. That way you can see for yourself how much of a gem this school truly is.

St Clare's Preschool is absolutely one of the best places for your child to learn and enjoy their…read moreday. My grandson has been there for 4 years now. The staff is absolutely great. They do a fantastic mix of learning while still allowing them time to play. They do take 2 year olds for enrollment, even when not potty trained. This is something that a lot of local preschools do not offer. They include a well structured curriculum that matches your child's developmental needs. They provide nutritious snacks and have a great playground. Communicating with the staff is easy using their app and you get many photos sent throughout the day of your child participating in the activities. I highly recommend St Clare's Christian Preschool.

Bright Minds is a breath of fresh air. After a pretty horrible experience at another local…read morepreschool, our family decided to give Bright Minds Academy a try. We have been so pleased since our child began attending Bright Minds. The staff is warm, caring, and kind. A huge shout to Ms. Jennifer and Ms. Edith-our child raves about them and it is evident that they care about our child's wellbeing. Our child enjoys going to school, learns so much, and has made such great connections with the staff and other students. To me, this is so meaningful as we want our child to love learning! Our child is happy and actually wants to go to school. The facility itself is clean, the toys are thoughtfully selected and rotated, the director and owner are kind/caring, there is open and honest communication from staff/teachers/owners/director. They even hold parent/teacher conferences to showcase what our child was working on, areas of growth, and progress. Specifically highlighting our child's strengths in the process. They have had concerts and halloween events which are extremely well thought out and executed, leaving an impression on children and families alike. There is structure and routine in our childs day. Our child knows what to expect and what times things are going to happen. Our child (as do many preschoolers) really thrives with this routine and structure in place. The class and environment are not hectic or chaotic, the staff has great classroom management. Our family went through some very challenging times and Bright Minds showed up ten fold for our family. Check-ins, asking if we needed anything, and accommodating anything that we needed. For this alone, our family will always be grateful for the staff, owner, and directors at Bright Minds. Anyone can become an educator, but being genuine, compassionate, and caring, during the hardest times really does showcase the nature of the staff here. Huge shout out to Ms. Jennifer, Ms. Eunhee, Ms. Lauren and even the other teachers such as Ms. Stephanie who have shown how much they care. I too work in education, and finding genuine educators like those here at Bright Minds is not easy. As other reviews state, we too wish Bright Minds would expand to elementary school :) If you are looking for a fabulous preschool, that is clean, well managed, with staff/teachers/owners/directors that go the extra mile, look no further. Seriously!

My daughter started in this school July of 2023 and graduated TK this year. She stayed through the…read moresummer class 2025 as well. This has been the best investment I made for my daughter. The teachers are the kindest and most loving to the kids. She grew up here. She started talking in full sentences because of BM. She improved all around because of BM. Here she learned more about being a kind and loving kid. Always there to help just like her teachers! I can't find all the great words I want to say as it's making me speechless. To parents that are inquiring or looking for preschool/TK. Here is the best place to put your kid in! You will not regret it. I recommend Bright Minds Academy 100%. Thank you for all that you've done for my daughter, for us. Keep shining BM!

Amazing experience with the Primary classroom! Ms.Molly is one the best teachers , I'm so grateful…read morefor kid's for stive years to be spent at this school, and specially with Ms.Molly!

We feel incredibly fortunate to have had Ms. Ekhlas as our little one's teacher at Montessori…read moreSchool of Pleasanton. From the very beginning, she has been nothing short of amazing, caring, gentle, loving, and kind. Starting school was a huge transition for our little one (and us!) but Ms. Ekhlas made it a smooth experience for our family. She gave our child so much personal attention and care during those early days, helping him adjust quickly; within just one week, he was running into her arms with hugs every morning. That's when we knew she truly cares for each and every child in her classroom. Ms. Ekhlas is incredibly attentive and communicative. She regularly sends us updates and lots of adorable pictures. It's clear she puts so much thought and effort into creating a nurturing and stimulating environment. From fun learning activities to creative play, she keeps the children engaged and excited to come to school. She also goes above and beyond for the parents, planning thoughtful events like a sweet Mother's Day Brunch that made us feel so appreciated and connected to the school community. We honestly wish Ms. Ekhlas could be our child's teacher forever. Her warmth, dedication, and passion for teaching shine through in everything she does. We are endlessly grateful for her and cannot thank her enough for the love and care that she gives our baby. Ms. Ekhlas is truly the best!

I can't say enough about my experience with TCDS. We have had an amazing experience with this…read moredaycare! We have been with them for over 10 years, both of our daughters joined this pre-school since they were two years old. They have taken such good care of our two daughters, and the peace of mind they have given us as parents is priceless. The curriculum is exceptional. They focus on letting children learn through real hands-on experiences rather than just sitting at a desk. Kids come home excited every day to share what they explored and discovered. Their after school program is also great providing support on homework. The teachers are warm, caring, and truly dedicated, I could name each of them and only express my gratitude for all the love they have given to our daughters. One of the best parts is the very low staff turnover. Seeing the same familiar faces every day creates a stable, loving environment where kids feel safe and happy.We are so grateful for this wonderful school. We recommend it to any family looking for high-quality care and early education.

My daughter has been attending The Child Day School for the past 3 years and it has been nothing…read morebut a positive experience. The fact that she gets sad on the weekends when there's no school speaks volumes. The staff goes above and beyond to make sure each child is taken care of and I've seen my girl grow in knowledge and self confidence that will serve her well once she eventually enters kindergarten. We love TCDS so much that we are opting to continue with TK next year and plan on sending our youngest daughter when she's eligible. I wholeheartedly recommend TCDS to any parents who are looking for a nurturing, enriching environment for their kiddo!

Kiran's Montessori Preschool provides an exceptional learning environment for young children. Miss…read moreKiran creates a safe, clean, and welcoming space where children thrive. Her dedication to the authentic Montessori method shows in daily activities. The small class size ensures your child receives personalized attention daily. Children build independence, confidence, and strong foundations in math, reading, and practical life skills. Miss Kiran observes each student closely and tailors lessons to individual developmental needs. Communication with parents is prompt and transparent. You receive consistent updates and photos showing your child engaged in meaningful work. The daily routine balances focused classroom learning with outdoor play and social development.

Kiran's Montessori is a wonderful preschool. We have seen remarkable growth in my kid's confidence…read moreand skill since he started going here. Ms Kiran creates a warm and nurturing environment and ensures that every day is filled with fun and engaging learning experiences. They do reading, writing, sensory play, art, math, motor skills practice, outdoor play and many more activities. The kids learn a lot but also have a lot of fun at school. Everyday my son has something new to tell me that he learned in school. I appreciate that Ms Kiran understands every child's unique needs and guides them to reach their potential. She also keeps excellent communication with the parents and keeps us informed about my son's progress. Its has been a great early learning experience and we could not have asked for a better preschool for my son.

.I love this place!!! My daughter goes here and I love the director Mrs Vicky. She is very…read morepersonable, very kind & very motivating. I also love her teachers. I find them to be amazing, and they meet my daughter where she's at. Since my daughter has been with them, I have seen great progress. I find Ms. Vicky and her teachers are very personable, considerate, and loving. The type of teacher you would want with your children if you have to be away from them. The place is very clean, beautiful, and well placed for pre-schoolers. Her teachers are very hands-on and keep an eye out forever and make sure she is generally enjoying her day. When my daughter got there, she was really shy but now gives them hugs before she has to go. I would recommend this preschool to anyone who wants to see their child grow, prosper, and meet preschool goals.

I was threatened if I didn't take my review down that I would be sued. The TRUTH HURTS I see. Well…read moreif they wanted a better story written about them they should've acted differently. This facility needs to be closed down. Check the original review they had removed in the photo below. The report that you can read is the original incident report they tried to scratch out, puncture and circle scrape and put the time by my name I didn't do that. It's really sad that my baby had to go through this! It's caused her so many issues with her memory and learning they will be held responsible!!!! PARENTS BEWARE!!!!

Both of our girls go to Livermore Play School & we absolutely love it. Our girls look forward to…read moreseeing their teachers everyday & they have so much fun playing both indoors & outdoors with all of the toys. When we toured the school for the first time, we were impressed with the size of the school & huge play areas outside. The kids all seemed to be so happy in every classroom & teachers were very engaged with all of the kids. I highly encourage any parent that is needing childcare to check this place out. It was an immediate yes for us and now that we've been here since May, we are so happy that our girls come here & are so loved by their teachers. As a parent, you can't put a price on your kids being happy, safe & loved!

Our oldest little girl joined LPS in April of 2017. Teacher Robyn was her teacher at the time and…read morenoticed the change in our daughter. Robyn helped us potty train her easily and it's been such a loving nurturing environment. LPS staff has been our second family. The teachers are the reason why we chose to bring her here. Teacher Serena deserves a special acknowledgement as she navigated online distance learning in 2020. It was a tough year when she started kindergarten but LPS did an amazing job providing a nurturing and navigating through all the complexities due to COVID. I can't thank them all enough for everything they've done. We also have two little girls both in LPS in teach Sara's class and with Teacher Kathy and Becky! Our girls LOVE LPS. The staff has been there for 20+ years and even teacher Evelyn who retired comes back every now and then to help out when needed. She does this because she loves the kiddos. Robyn is now the Director which is fantastic she's been a teacher for many years and has always communicated effortlessly. Our kids love all the teachers but they absolutely adore teacher Stacey. They talk about her all the time and even ask for play dates and sleepovers with her, that's awesome!!! We are so happy with this preschool and blessed to call it our kiddos second home/family