Can't say enough about this place! All three of my kids have gone through the bridge view campus and it's incredible! They went on to kindergarten and were miles ahead of other kids and continue to show improvement that they learned from Small Size. The staff are like family and there's virtually no turnover! They care for the kids like they are their own. Not for one second have I ever felt that my kids weren't completely safe, cared for and taught values my family completely agree with! It's by far the best daycare and school you could ever choose for your kids and it's worth every penny! read more

We felt so lucky to get into SSBM! My son thrived at this preschool. The campus is a magical space made for imaginative littles. The curriculum is balanced with play and fun. The teachers are incredibly caring and dedicated. My son was excited to go every day and even ran into the play yard without barely looking back to wave goodbye. The school is also big on community. They hosted family happy hours where parents could mingle while the kids played in the play yard. We made friends and even forged some "emergency pick up" alliances! Which saved me twice when the bay bridge was gridlocked and I couldn't get back to the school in time. They also hosted pizza nights so that parents could go out on dates! My son HATES pizza but never wanted to miss a pizza night with teacher Tallulah & teacher Wyatt. He had a blast! We were sad to age out and leave! We love and miss you SSBM! read more

Small Size Big Mind is magnificent! Such a gorgeous waterfront location. Such wonderful handmade lovingly-crafted environments, indoors and out. And best of all are all the wonderful, caring, creative and patient teachers. Special shout-out to his good friend Teacher Wyatt who welcomed him into the fold when he arrived. Our son loves it and we highly recommend it. read more

We have two kids at the Santa Clara campus and we have had a wonderful experience there. The teachers are loving and creative and the space is a magical wonderland. Our kids come home happy every day after doing soccer, dance, music class, playing in the mud pit and riding their bikes. We transferred to SSBM from a Montessori school and we are so glad we did. The director Malyka lives to create a safe, fun, and stimulating learning environment. We will be so sad when our kids graduate but grateful for the wonderful years at ssbm and the great families we've met. read more

My daughter has been going to SSBM for the last 3 years. We have experienced the infant room and currently the transition room. The teachers are wonderful. My daughter can't wait to go to school and when picking her up she is so excited to tell me her day and how awesome her teachers are and all her friends that she has. The curriculum is great, so much outside play and always learning. We love it and wouldn't go anywhere else. Also a wonderful parent community. read more

My child has been going there since last year. This review is only for the transition room. Why we like it: -my child really likes the teachers and made new friends. -my child enjoys the music time and other fun activities, the small pets (in the classroom and main lobby area), and play structure and large outdoor area for running around -open at 7, closes at 6 You do need to pack breakfast and lunch, as only snacks are provided. More than once I lost an item from the lunch box (ice pack, utensils, tupperware) -- sometimes it is returned, and sometimes it is lost. I'd recommend labeling items with the child's name and not packing anything that can't be lost. It's bound to happen in a room with 20+ kids. I think the structure has also helped my child to follow rules (a little bit more for a toddler) and get a lot of energy out. read more

My 4 year old daughter and 20 month old son both go to Small Size Big Mind (SSBM) and are both thriving. My daughter is in the Pre-K class and is learning how to recognize letters and write her name as well as a little bit of Spanish. Once week an art teacher comes and does special projects with her class. SSBM has a great outdoor space and the kids spend a lot time on the playground, writing trikes, running around, or playing house. Previously my daughter was in the Transition room, which was also wonderful. The teachers are very warm, loving, creative, and fun. My son is in the infant room and loves his teachers and routine. The teachers are very loving and attentive. Every week Mr. Andrew comes and plays guitar and sings for all of the classes and my son is very musical because of that exposure from an early age. The director Laurence is also available to meet with parents when needed and is very communicative. When I moved to Alameda I toured about 15 different types of care situations and am really happy with the quality at SSBM. read more

After loving the Bridgeview campus of Small Size Big Mind, we moved to the new campus on Pan Am Way near Alameda Point. My kids love it there. It's a beautiful new facility that satisfies learning through play on so many levels. The teachers are great, the owners are amazingly talented and hard working. There is also a lovely sense of community. Highly recommend these schools. read more

My daughter has been going to SSBM since February and we couldn't be happier. She had a difficult transition from nanny to day care and the teachers were and continue to be so caring and helpful. My husband and I did quite a bit of research before deciding on a day care. We visited at least 5 other places both business type day cares and in home day cares and we definitely liked SSBM the best of all. What we like: - The rooms are cheery and clean. - The teachers are very warm and friendly. They seem to really care about the kids which makes it much easier leaving your child there. - The children are presented with a variety of activities including art and music. (My 21 month old daughter came home the other day singing, "No more monkeys jumping bed" and we have never sung that at home. I was impressed with her recall and that she had put so many words together... She is also always coming home with a variety of art projects.) - The animals they have throughout the school are great. My daughter loves to say hello to the frogs and reptiles in the entry way and was super intrigued when the geckos were shedding their skin. - The location is really nice, backing right up to the water. - The large outdoor play area has lots of space to run as well as a nice play structure. Also, the infant room has it's own outside enclosed area. The only negative thing that I thought of when I initially visited is that there is really no grass for the kids to run/play on. But to be honest, I haven't given it much though since my daughter has been there. read more

Small Size Big Mind gave my girls the best possible start they could have and I am so, so eternally grateful to Laurence and the staff. I know my youngest daughter will treasure her time there as much as my oldest one still does. Small Size Big Mind is truly the best preschool in Alameda, scratch that, the WHOLE WORLD and we are abundantly fortunate to have had our girls benefit from their education, life and social skills, support and love. We'll definitely stay in touch and be at the parent's night out or whenever you'll have us! Thank you for 8 wonderful years. read more

This is the only school in Alameda we considered based on a friend's referral. We're so glad we did and you will too. The teachers are all very nice and caring of every child. Your kids are in great hands at SSBM. read more

Our son has been at Small Size Big Mind since he was an infant, so he's been there for around two years now. Putting him in daycare as an infant was a gut wrenching decision, but we were so happy to find SSBM. Every day he was surrounded by loving caregivers and friends he's grown up with. As he moved to the transition room, he's added structure to the day without sacrificing all the love and care we've come to expect. We know when we drop him off he will have fun, learn new things and get plenty of exercise. We are always informed about the day. The teachers are also quite good about special considerations. In the transition room in particular, as personalities start to take shape, they recognize and adapt to the uniqueness each child starts to show. We are huge fans of Small Size Big Mind and are thankful and appreciative that we have such an amazing place to help shape our child as he grows up. read more

Still great. She's in the Transition Room now and we (and she) are still very happy with SSBM.

Great school with amazing, warm and caring teachers! Couldn't be happier as its the perfect combination of play and academic learning. Most important to me, my daughter loves it! read more

I have been teaching art at SSBM for three years now and the teachers have been wonderful to work with, collaborative, flexible and very helpful. The children are so receptive and full of joy, which speaks volumes to a teacher coming in only on a weekly basis. I really enjoy working with this group of people! read more

Our family has been at Small Size since the center became Small Size. My 3 girls have all attended Small Size. The youngest started in the baby room and is currently in the Transition room. My girls were/are always happy to go to school and often want/ed to play more even after I arrived. My older girls were well prepared for Kindergarten and enjoy visiting with their former teachers when we pick up their sister. My little one asks to go to school on the weekend and talks about her friends and her teachers frequently. There is a nice balance play and instruction and whenever I have had concerns they have been addressed quickly. The teachers and the director all seem to have a good understanding of my girls and were even able to help me think about which type of summer programs would be good for my girls as they got older. read more

I've never reviewed anything on YELP--and feel so strongly about our school that I'd like to offer my perspective. Our son has been at SSBM since he was 6mths old. Now, he's a toddler and has experienced a safe, loving, stimulating education and supportive learning environment every single day. The teachers in the baby room and transition room (where he is now) express love, patience and great care on a daily basis. The Director is approachable, open to feedback and quick to respond when our family has questions. The classrooms are clean, well organized and full of stimulating toys, books, supplies etc. The kids get to experience a well rounded, thoughtfully designed curriculum that blends art, music, story and play. We are long time Alameda residents and wouldn't have our son anywhere else. read more

Great preschool and daycare! Both of my daughters have attended SSBM, and we couldn't be happier with the experience and results. My youngest has been there since she was an infant, and is now in pre-k, where the curriculum has her more than ready for kindergarten. The teachers have been great all the way through, always communicating when issues arise and responding to questions or requests. It's always hard to leave you child from 9-5, but knowing they will be having fun, learning, and running around makes it much easier. The kids go on frequent nature walks along the shore, are constantly working on creative art projects, and are exposed to Spanish as well as sign language lessons. My oldest attended for two years, is now in second grade, and started kindergarten with a great head start. She loves to pick up and drop off her little sister at SSBM so she can visit with her favorite former teachers. The best I can say is that if I ever have another child I will happily enroll her in SSBM. read more

I just had a very strange, frustrating and disappointing phone conversation with the center director. After reading all the great reviews this school has, I decided to inquire more information and hopefully to go for a tour of the facility. I called three days in a roll, the phone was never answered. I left VMs each time and I did get call back on the same day but no message on the 1st day, and on the 2nd day I got VM and the assistant told me she had left me a VM with ALL the information the day before. The assistant also mentioned that the director would be on site the following day. So I called again the following day (which is today) and finally got her to call me back. She volunteered NO school information to me. She chuckled when I asked the questions of if it was a co-op school and if her school offered sibling discount. I did end up finding out some information about the school by asking her one question at a time, ie what is your school's hour, tuition rate, teacher/student ratio, how many classes per age group (still unclear to me at this time) etc. I told her that I was so excited when she called me back and I was left a feeling of she did not care if I applied at all for my twins. She never offered me to come for a tour of the facility. Trying to get information out of her was like pulling teeth. She did tell me that parents put in applications for their children 1-2 years ahead. I find this shocking. There are plenty of great preschools in Alameda. Why would one put their kids on this school's wait list when nobody ever answers the phone and the center director is so condescending and does not seem to be onsite. I gave her my feedback and I don't think it made any difference. I have 4 boys and I am looking for preschool for my youngest twins. I have never had a phone or in person encounter like this. Guess we are not applying. read more

We've been at SSBM for the last 3.5 years and have only the best things to say about the school. We've experienced all three "classrooms" -- the infant room (ages 0-2), the Transition Room (ages 2-4) and Pre-K (ages 4-Kindergarten). The teachers are incredible --our littles adore them-- and the owners of the school care deeply about the families and community that are a part of it. The curriculum has been top notch-- age appropriate, challenging but fun, diverse (Spanish, belly dancing, art, music, and more!), and excellent preparation for Kindergarten. The classrooms are filled to the brim with books, learning tools, creative play, and sensory experiences, and the huge waterfront outdoor space is a major reason we enrolled our kids. The children are very well looked after and engaged, and also given opportunities to have creative play and develop important social skills. We still feel extremely lucky to have found SSBM and have our littles enrolled there! read more

Our little girl has been going to SSBM for over a year, and she is in the transition room. She loves school, the kids, and her teachers especially. They seem to do lots of fun activities - music, art projects, nature walks. I myself am very fond of the teachers and find them to be very responsive and attentive. What I personally care about most is that my child feels loved and cared for, and I feel that is definitely the case. Whenever I have special instructions regarding my child, they are always followed. I can say that I have never seen anything that has made me concerned about the safety or welfare of the children. The teachers and kids all seem happy to me. I personally do not have a lot of interaction with the director, but when I do she has never been rude, and I've always felt that if I needed to talk to her, she would be available. I am friendly with a number of the parents, and the other parents also seem happy with the school. The school organizes planned extracurricular activities that allow getting to know other parents. For example, last summer we did the Crown Beach Sand Castle Contest (and came in 3rd place by the way). My daughter never attended the baby room but I know other parents who do currently or did and I have heard wonderful comments about the teachers there as well. My daughter likes to say hi to the babies and the baby teachers seem very sweet and know my daughter's name and are very friendly to her. I'm not sure about all the recent negative comments - I've never experienced or heard of anything like this. We went to many schools before deciding on this one, and it was the one I had the best "feeling" about. My experience since then has confirmed that we made the right choice. Overall, I am very happy with the school and would definitely recommend it to my friends and others. read more

I believe that you should not only like your preschool or childcare but LOVE it. We LOVE this school. I have two children at the school and have had wonderful, experiences in all three rooms, from infant care to pre-k. The staff are amazing. They are not only caring and attentive to the children, they are knowledgeable about child development. The teachers and director are attentive to both children and parents. Any time I have had a question,idea, or potential problem the school has been more than responsive, often returning emails or calls over the weekend, if necessary. The teachers host outside, school community events that are often well attended, the children love them so much they often have to be coaxed to leave, and the parent community is amazing. My children are safe, happy, well cared for, loved, and learning, all while I am at work. I could not ask for anything more. read more

Our son went to SSBM for roughly 4 years and it was a great experience through the entire journey. We plan to stay connected to the school and teachers for years to come. read more

I decided to write this review after I dropped off my son at school this morning. As I walked him through the front door, he reminded me to make sure to pick him up late so he doesn't miss out on anything at school. I definitely made the right choice sending him here. Actually, it was an easy choice because my 6 year-old, who is now in 1st grade, also attended SSBM for 2.5 years, and he still talks about his preschool days (and even gives unsolicited advice to his younger brother). Teachers are nurturing, caring, enthusiastic, and always available to answer questions or even just to provide feedback of how my son's day went. I love the balance of free play and teacher-led activities. The play area in the back is great - lots of toys, playground structures, a playhouse, and they sometimes have water play in the summertime. I can't say enough good things about my overall experience here. read more