My first experience with CEA was extremely positive! When I first spoke to Ms. Amrita she gave me…read morelots of info about the school and also offered us a tour (old campus). Out of all the preschool tours we took in the area, this one just felt right. The first day I dropped my son off for his first day of preschool there were no tears, no push back, and he walked right into the building. Over the time we have been at CEA we've seen our son grow so much. He's always been very shy, reserved, and pretty cautious. Since the time he's been at CEA I've seen him grow so much! He's become more confident, made new friends, and speaking up for himself. He's also become so much more independent. The staff at CEA is extremely professional, kind, and caring. There is no doubt in my mind that we made the right choice for our child. Thank you CEA!

My little guy thrived at Curious Explorers Academy. His teachers were so attentive and awesome. We…read moresaw him come out of his shell and grow into his amazing self. I'm so grateful for them taking such good care of my precious little boy. Special thanks to Miss Marie, who helped my little guy come out of his shell, and keeps up with all the fun cartoons the kids talk about!

Our daughter arrived at CEC around one year old from another school. She was in infant care at CEC…read moreand we immediately felt at ease. All the teachers were very caring (Luz, Louise, Angelica, Cameron, Aster). Two teachers tag teamed and once our daughter gravitated towards one teacher, that teacher became the primary teacher. There's also a procare app showing when our daughter ate, was changed, and it photos. The app easily allowed for communication between the teacher and parent. When our daughter moved up to the next level (2-3), it took about a week for her to adjust. She bonded with her primary teachers (Huiqui, Maria) and her cohort of friends whom she moved up with. She is thriving and happy to go to school everyday. What our daughter liked best about CEC were her teachers, friends, and fun things (walks, music class, painting). What we liked best was how CEC handled COVID, the generous care hours w/ few holidays, the ease of communication, the child- centric approach, and the kids night out giving parents a break every month. We can't recommend this place highly enough. It's a hidden gem with flexibility and little bureaucracy. Finding good care was such a sigh of relief!

We've had at least one of our children at CEC since 2015 and can't recommend it highly enough! Our…read moreoldest started when he was 1, our middle kid started when he was only six weeks old, and our youngest will be starting soon at four months. Ever since we started, CEC has been a wonderful second home and community for our entire family. Even in the classrooms with the youngest children (0-2), the teachers are attentive, creative, and engaged. Even the smallest kids spend time outside, and even go on "field trips" to the nearby park. There's painting and dress-up and dancing and stories -- all of those fun things you aspire to do with your small children but can't always summon the energy for are a regular part of the day at CEC. Starting in the 2-year-old room, the children take longer field trips, using the bus and BART, or walking. This year my kids have checked out the marina, gone to the library, gone to a play, gone to various parks, as well as the Habitot children's museum, Oakland Museum of California, and the Lawrence Hall of Science! I love how familiar and comfortable they are with using the bus and BART, thanks in part to their field trips. They also start doing cooking activities in the two's room, which has been a great experience for my kids. In the 2-year-old room, the teachers work with parents to tackle potty training, and they have the patience of saints. The program is Reggio-inspired (similar to Montessori, but with a less structured, play-based approach), and it's not uncommon to see kids joyfully running around in their underwear, or proudly covering themselves in mud or paint. It's the closest you can get to experiencing the liberated and liberating school environments of western Europe, as enviously portrayed on NPR and the like -- and also one of the most affordable center-based daycares in Berkeley. The teachers will even occasionally host all-night sleepovers at the school, for kids as young as 2 or 3; my two oldest kids have loved the sleepovers, and come back feeling very grown-up. For a more lightweight experience, most months there's a "parents' night out", where for an extra fee you can pick up your kids up at 9:30 PM, after they've had dinner, done activities, and/or watched a movie with their friends and teachers. Many teachers are open to babysitting outside of school hours, and it's been great having a potential pool of babysitters who the kids already know. Even though the kids are in age-based classrooms, they have a chance to get to know teachers and kids in other rooms. (My 4-year-old went through a period of checking with his 2-year-old brother's teachers every day to make sure his brother was behaving.) The "parent participation hours" requirement (4 hrs/month) are a way to get families involved, doing everything from chaperoning field trips, to doing laundry, to bringing fruit for snacks. (I've done mine by sewing dress-up clothes.) If you really can't make it work, there's a fee you can pay instead. We (and our kids) have made so many friends through CEC; three of our kids' teachers came to visit at the hospital when our youngest was born. We're sad to see our oldest (and his friends, and their families) moving on, but grateful that many of his friends still have younger siblings who will be around for a while yet. We're looking forward to four more years here with our youngest, starting soon!

I was someone who was very nervous about sending my kids to daycare because of all the bad things…read moreyou see in the news and social media. I'm not someone who trusts my kids with just anyone. They had only ever been watched by family. After finally letting go of that fear, I tried this school. I in no way regret it. The children are great and friendly. The teachers are caring. The director is so sweet and addresses any concerns or questions I have. I'm very grateful to them for giving my kids a warm and welcoming environment to go to. They keep me informed of anything I may need to know, and I don't have to sit around worried. I don't usually write reviews, but I know if anyone is like me, they are trying to read reviews of where they are trying to entrust their children. I didn't see many while looking at this school, so it made me wonder why. I honestly almost passed it up, but something was urging me to find out more. This place deserves more praise and more recognition. I'm sure everyone has their own situations, but mine have been nothing but positive. So I'm hoping I can provide even the tiniest bit of comfort and encouragement to reach out and see for yourselves.

Pride and Joy was a very disappointing experience. I gave notice after 2 months of attending, but…read moreneeded to stick around for 2 months more due to P&J's rigid contract. What a long 2 months they were! P&J is run less as a student-centered preschool than a manager/owner centered business. Moilan is a nice lady, and I believe that she cares about the kids, yet to her own convenience. I don't get the sense that she does any kind of research on current trends in early childhood education, pedagogy, nutrition, or the benefit of building a parent community to support student social and emotional learning. Here were my main concerns: 1.) When I asked Moilan for the phone numbers of parents of kids who my son connected with, she totally blanked me and didn't give me that information. I get the sense that she doesn't want parents talking amongst themselves about their experience at P&J. 2.) I'm an educator with a PhD, and am a former professional dancer and stage performer. I offered to come and read stories to the kids, conduct dance and theatre classes, do some storytelling workshops, and so on. She clearly let me know that they have a strict schedule, and can't really accommodate parent participation. There is no parent network, no parent list, etc. available to parents. 3.) She provides kids lunch every day which is great, but it's pretty cheap food from Costco. She feeds them non-organic milk, non-organic meat (chicken nuggets), non-organic fruit and veg that is on the EWG's dirty dozen, and so on. I started sending lunch with my son, but he wouldn't eat it because he wanted to eat the low-quality food that other kids were eating. 4.) When my son came home smelling like perfume every day, I was concerned. The perfume would stay in his hair and on his skin for days afterward even after bathing him daily. I sent her 4 different peer-reviewed articles published by the National Institute of Health that had been cited over 400 times about the connections between perfume, fragrance and endocrine disruption. She didn't want to budge on the issue because she said, "I don't want to violate my staff by telling them that they can't wear perfume." Moilan also wears heavy amounts of perfume, and because she likes wearing it, I get the sense that she likes smelling nice even though her odor can potentially affect the health of the kids. On another note, Pride and Joy is clean, tidy, and the kids seem pretty happy, but I have no sense of what happens once I dropped my kid off. I didn't have a relationship with a single teacher. And, it was very clear that parent involvement in P&J is not welcome. If you're the type of parent who likes to drop their kid off and leave, doesn't mind that your kid is eating food that's chock full of pesticides and hormones, that your kid comes home smelling like perfume practically everyday, and have no time or interest in being part of a community nurtured and fostered by the preschool, then this place would be great for you!

Five and a half years, two kids, two Nomura grads. Today was our last day, and I want to put down…read morewhat this school has meant to our family. Joe (my son, age 7 at the time of this review) started at the peak of the pandemic. For a stretch there, we couldn't even come inside the building -- and somehow Nomura still made us feel involved and in the loop every single day. They took extraordinary care to keep the kids and the families safe without letting parents become strangers to their own children's world. I don't think I appreciated how hard that was until much later. Joe's transition to TK went beautifully, and I know exactly why: Ms. Rosi, Ms. Nickie, Ms. Djamila, Ms. Rosita, Ms. Young, Mr. Kim, Ms. Nao, and Ms. Valia (and surely others). That kind of readiness doesn't come from a curriculum. It comes from people who know your kid. Here's the thing you don't fully understand until you leave: at Nomura, parents are always welcome. Every child is treated as the main character in their own adventure. Not once -- not one single time in five and a half years -- did we get the feeling our child was a number, or an administrative inconvenience. That is rarer than it should be. When Diana (our daughter, now 4) had a rough transition into the Chickie class, the teachers sat down with us and built a plan. They were so attentive to what she needed that it stopped feeling like childcare and started feeling like family. And on her very last day -- today-- she arrived somber and withdrawn, and her teachers noticed immediately and gently brought her back out of it. I have watched that happen hundreds of times over the years. It is who they are. The teachers go above and beyond, always. And Administrator Matt Clark clearly treats this school as something precious, which it is. We're excited for what's next for our kids. But whatever they go on to do, a real part of it will trace back to who they became at Nomura as very small children. Today I'm sitting with gratitude and, honestly, a profound sense of loss. We went from being the new family on the block with a three-month-old, looking across the street thinking "wouldn't it be neat if our son went there," to being the parents of two Nomura graduates. What a ride. We're not planning a third child. But if we were? A big part of the reason would be getting to do this all over again. From the very bottom of our hearts -- thank you for how our children were nurtured and loved by this community.

Nomura preschool is truly a gem and our family feels very fortunate to have been a part of this…read moregreat school and community. Our 3 kids have started at Nomura since they were 2 years old, in the youngest Chicky classroom (although now enrollment is open to 18month olds!). Ms. Rosi, Ms. Cassandra, Ms. Djamila, and Ms. Kim were instrumental in helping our toddlers learn important skills such as feeding themselves and potty training! We were updated daily both verbally and with photos, and the amazing communication made all the difference during these huge milestones. In the middle classrooms, we have over the years, had the true pleasure of having Ms. Keila, Ms. Diana, Ms. Linh, Ms. Nickie, and Mrs. Young as our teachers, who have helped our kids learn their letters and numbers and learn how to share and play with others. The balance of academic, play and social skills was perfect and our kids have thrived during these years! Even Ms. Chieko, who we have not had the pleasure of having as a classroom teacher yet, has also played a crucial role in our daily routine. She has jumped right in to help with the transition at drop off, showing the great teamwork and community of all the teachers. The pre-K year has been an extra special year in our experience, with real friendships forming between the kids and lasting bonds forming with the pre-K teachers, Ms. Keiko and Ms. Nao. They truly care about the success and well-being as kids go off to Kindergarten or TK and often keep in touch with graduates. They do a lot to make the last preschool years very special, with field trips and special activities, again nicely balanced with academics and social skills that have lasting effects in years to come. There are also many extracurricular activities available, including Gardening with Ms. Rosita-who has the most calm and caring nature, Music with Mrs. Green, who delights the kids with her whimsical classes filled with music, instruments and magic (literally magic tricks!). This is such a great community that even teachers like Mrs. Kathy, who previously retired has come back to substitute teach! Nomura preschool is such an amazing, welcoming, and nurturing place for little ones. We are so lucky to have found the school!

We had a great experience at Keystone in our 3.5 years there and miss a lot of the engagement,…read moreeducation, and support. It felt like a real community. Our child was there from ~18mos old to 5 years old; from the thick of Covid in 2021 to August of 2025. She loved it and continues to talk about the teachers and staff. As she transitioned into Kindergarten, it's clear she and her keystone classmates are much further ahead academically and socially. We love the Montessori approach and Keystone seems to have a great facility and application of it.

Our family has been part of the Keystone community for nearly seven years, with both of our…read moredaughters attending from the time they were toddlers until moving on to Kindergarten. It's been such a positive experience for us. The teachers and staff are warm, supportive, and very thoughtful about meeting kids where they are. Both of our girls went through phases where drop-off was tough, and the staff worked closely with us to find approaches that made the transition smoother. Over time, they built such strong bonds with their teachers that school became a place they genuinely looked forward to. What we've especially appreciated is the calm, well-organized environment and the wide range of learning opportunities. Keystone offers a nice balance of Montessori learning, hands-on activities, and enrichment classes (Spanish, Mandarin, music, soccer, martial arts). Our daughters were able to try different things and discover what they enjoyed most. We've also seen them grow a lot socially, making friends, learning responsibility, and gaining confidence. Overall, Keystone has been a nurturing and engaging preschool that gave both of our children a strong foundation and a love for learning. We're grateful for the years we've spent there and highly recommend it to other families.

Little Village Preschool is an absolute gem with the most caring, patient, and kind teachers. My…read moretwo kiddos went to LVP starting when my daughter turned two, so we have over 4 years experience there. In a daycare/preschool our top priority was a place where our kids felt supported and safe and cared for, and LVP fully delivered. We went through a lot with them - drop off hardships, nap challenges, potty training, behavior issues (not to mention a pandemic), and every step of the way LVP teachers were there to offer support, advice, and so much care. They even helped me with issues I was having with the kids at home! They very honestly feel like an extended family now and, even after moving across the country, I recently called them to help troubleshoot drop off issues at our new kindergarten. I feel immensely lucky having found this small preschool with it's fantastic teachers and the absolutely wonderful community of kids and parents it seems to attract. Starting little kids in daycare/preschool can be so hard, but I always breathed a huge sigh of relief after drop off at LVP feeling assured my kids would be happy and loved. We do have experience at two other preschools, including one with impressive "academics" and a bilingual program, but they both lacked the kind of care and support that little kids so need at that age. At those schools, I saw my kids become anxious and avoidant of school and they even had issues with basic care (ex. regular enough diaper changes). At LVP we never had those challenges and my kids (now 4 and 6) still talk about their teachers and say how much they miss them. As we still navigate this pandemic, I will also add that I have worked for the health department for over ten years and saw first hand how seriously and thoughtfully LVP has navigated the challenges of COVID. I whole heartedly recommend LVP to families in the Albany area and east bay. We miss them terribly!

I rarely leave reviews but this preschools employees ran out to scream and yell at me and my child…read morefor moving a yellow cone from a public street. The shocking behavior both because mY child was present , aged 8, and the children in their care witnessed this rage attack. I would hesitate to leave my children here when this family owned business exhibits such lack of restraint in front of children.

My husband and I are educators, and when we went looking for a preschool, we were hoping to find a…read moreplace with staff who truly cared about nurturing the growth of little people. We found just that at Happy Day, and feel very lucky to have been part of the school community for three years now. We have two energetic little boys, and both have grown and thrived in the care of Fahi, Nadia, Anahita, and the other teachers. The teachers know each child very well (benefits of a small school) - their likes, dislikes, allergies, and routines. I also really appreciate the emphasis on teaching the kids independence, love of learning, and care for their environment and friends. Our kids learned great habits like cleaning up their space, sharing with others, and focusing on activities they choose themselves. When our older son began TK, it was clear that Happy Day had prepared him very well, both educationally and socially, for that experience. We also had to get a little broom so he could sweep up at home, something he definitely learned from the teachers and not from us! And finally, I just want to appreciate the warmth and compassion the teachers always show, which sets the tone for the whole community. We've enjoyed getting to know the other Happy Day families at school events, and it's so fun to see the kids running around like a bunch of ducklings at birthday parties. Happy Day has been a great first school experience for our kids, and we'd recommend it highly to anyone looking for a cozy preschool run by caring and experienced educators.

We've had such a wonderful experience at Happy Day Montessori Preschool! Our son attends here, and…read morewe couldn't be happier with the care and education he receives. Teacher Fahi and Anahita do an amazing job making sure each child is well taken care of. They are warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in the children's growth and happiness. It gives us so much peace of mind knowing our son is in such nurturing and capable hands every day.

My son has been going to Sunshine preschool for over a year now and he couldn't be happier. His…read moredays are filled with play and learning and every child should be as well supported as he is during his preschool time.

I've had two kids in CEID's hearing classroom and we love it. The teachers are dedicated and…read morecaring, and I love that my kids are exposed to people with all different abilities. They bring sign language home and it's been a useful communication tool for our family. CEID also organizes lots of programming in addition to normal classes -- from movie nights to coffee meet ups for parents, to sign language classes. It's been a wonder community for our family!