Our daughter was enrolled at Ya Ya for a short period of time before starting TK, but it made a…read morehuge difference in preparing her for a school environment. We can't say enough positive things about Ya Ya and the team of teachers that make this place safe, friendly, and enriching for all who come here. He Lao shi has been working in child care and education for decades, and it shows! Her level of experience and comfort with dealing with a wide range of different challenges is incredible, and we owe our daughter's rapid potty training directly to her efforts. There's a diversity of ages of kids that attend, and although the program is intimately sized, the range of activities is impressive. My daughter would routinely come home and think about the activities that she did, whether it was making lemonade from freshly picked lemons, singing songs, or dancing. She also loved the food! The location is incredibly convenient, coming directly next to El Cerrito Plaza and a few minutes from the BART station. If you're looking for an incredible Mandarin daycare and preschool, you've found it!

Ya Ya Childcare has been such a wonderful experience for our family. From the very beginning, all…read morethe teachers has made us feel welcome and comfortable, and it's clear how much they truly care for the children. Everyone is friendly, attentive, and professional, which gave me so much peace of mind knowing my daughter was in such good hands. The environment is always safe, clean, and nurturing, which allowed my daughter to thrive and feel at home. One of the things that impressed us most is how much she has grown academically--she's excelled in Mandarin thanks to the thoughtful and engaging program they provide. It's been amazing to watch her pick up the language so quickly and with so much enthusiasm. Beyond academics, she has also grown socially and emotionally, gaining confidence and making wonderful connections. Ya Ya Childcare truly feels like a community, and I'm so grateful we found it. I highly recommend it to any parent looking for a safe, caring, and enriching place for their child.

My children attended Little Lamb and it was an incredible experience. The administrator and…read moreteachers are incredibly kind, attentive, supportive, and really care about each child's individual needs and what works with their personality. For example, my oldest child is very mature, and the teachers found ways to have her be their little 'helper' and help lead the yoga class which got her more engaged and challenged. The teachers are also really patient and nice, and my kids always remarked that they liked them. The activities they do at school are very creative and I loved seeing all the art work and crafts that they brought home. The lesson plans are very impressive with songs, art, science, play, and I really felt like my kids were getting a well-rounded experience where they were learning and also having fun. The school is also top-notch when it comes to health and safety -- from applying sunscreen and hats, to taking temperatures at the door and hand-washing, which was very important to me. My children also flourished in their Mandarin language skills which was absolutely amazing to see. We have graduated and gone on, but we loved our time at Little Lamb and couldn't have been happier.

Our older daughter started at Little Lamb when she was 4yo and has really loved it. She was dealing…read morewith anxiety and selective mutism, and the Little Lamb teachers were very accommodating. Our therapist worked with them to train them with selective mutism techniques and they were kind and responsive to our daughter's issues. She adapted great and has graduated from their preschool program, and she still goes there for their afterschool program. The school is no longer in the home in Albany but in a dedicated school facility in El Cerrito. The school building has a lot of space and a wonderful outside area. We also send our younger daughter there starting at 18mo and she loves it.

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!

Nia House is the most awesomest of preschools! Our child joined Nia House shortly before turning 3…read moreyears old and while she initially had a difficult transition to the school environment, it didn't take long for her and us to fall in love with the Nia House community. This school really embodies an environment that is nurturing, supportive, educational, and challenging. Most importanly the safety and peace of mind that we as parents feel cannot be emphasized enough. I also can't articulate enough the community at Nia House. I never expected to make friends with other parents, but as I've gotten to know the other families, it seems like we've made connections with other families that will last well beyond our child's tenure at Nia House. We truly wish our daughter could stay at Nia House until graduate school.

I applied for Child care here 2 years ago , I have watched families that are new join time after…read moretime again yet I have not gotten a call back since I applied 2 years ago . why is the question ? I believe they pick and choose who they want to come from family that pay to family that need assistance are not really welcome. I called today to ask were my name was on the list only to be told to hold for the the director getting on the phone stated she was listening and that she had no space and I should contact bananas to ima take your number down , to I'll call you back when all I wanted to know was were my son was on the list after two years . It's outrageous how Berkeley private schools treat there residents . I really regret moving here and I can't wait to move . Thanks

Albany preschool is a wonderful place for children to explore, learn and develop through…read morecreativity. Inside, there is a large classroom/play area full of fun activities. And outdoors, there are two huge playgrounds. One with a sandlot and swingset and on the other side, a playground with monkey bars. It's been over a year since my daughter last attended APS, and she still talks about it and misses teacher Nancy. The children learn about different flags and countries, and and also about anatomy. It was amazing to listen to my daughter explain the brain, lungs, heart, etc... they learn about sea creatures and many other things! At first I was worried my daughter was going to have a hard time adjusting, but ever since the first day, she felt right at home. I would always pick her up with a smile on her face, and she even wanted to stay longer to play with her friends. And one last thing, the volunteer parents take turns making special meals for the kids and it really helps them develop their taste buds and try different foods. My daughter's favorite snack is pickles lol. Thank you APS!

My wife and I cannot speak highly enough of Albany Preschool. Our eldest attended for one year (the…read morefirst year she was eligible we applied too late and they were full), and my youngest attended for two years. APS utilizes a play-based learning model, which allows kids to self select activities, leading to more engagement and intrinsic motivation. There are very few required transitions, so kids can really focus on a sustained activity. My kids' consistent favorite was the sensory play in sand and water. The teachers are exceptional. They are loving, patient, responsive and supportive. Each teacher brings a different strength, while still maintaining consistency as a team. Personally, I believe the greatest selling point of APS is its community. It is a cooperative, so families contribute effort, which keeps costs lower. That effort ranges from making play dough, garden and maintenance projects, laundering towels, planning community events, etc. This shared responsibility for the school and students connected us with so many wonderful families. We built more community in 3 years at Albany Preschool than in the previous 10 years we have lived in our neighborhood. In a world of daycare as an industry, Albany Preschool is a rare gem. It is a space rebuilt every year by the imaginations of the kiddos and the commitment of the families and teachers.

Mi Mundo is a wonderful community, with caring educators and a fantastic curriculum. My two…read morechildren (now 4 and 5.5) have both attended preschool there for two years and loved it. They have made lasting friends given the way the school is structured, focusing on art projects and working together, circle time, song and dance, and time for play in the yard. The art projects are fun and creative, using a variety of materials and mediums, and they often reflect cultural moments and seasons. Though they had exposure to Spanish prior to Mi Mundo, neither spoke it fluently and now my younger child is conversational and my oldest is fluent--his kindergarten teacher in his new bilingual school told us she never would have known we didn't speak Spanish to him at home! We love the other families; the school seems to attract a group of caring, down-to-earth parents. And most importantly, every teacher we've had is patient, kind, communicative, and very attentive to the needs of each kid in the classroom. We really love this school, and we're so grateful for the skills our children have developed with their Maestras and friends!

Choosing Mi Mundo will make it to your top list of proud parenting decisions for life - as it has…read morefor us. We enrolled our daughter in Mi Mundo Alcatraz. The quality of the educational program, the kindness and warmth of the teachers, and the parent community have enriched our entire family's life. Our daughter enrolled when she turned three with very little exposure to Spanish, and she has loved it from day 1 and in month 2 we already see her language skills at work. Mi Mundo has also passively instilled beautiful families values in our child that she has taught us. A small example of that is, she waits for us all to be seated with our meal so we can eat together. This is not something we asked of her, but something she asked of us. Since starting at Mi Mundo, we also saw her three year old temper tantrums go down and an ability to reason and self regulate her emotions. We cannot thank all of the teachers at Mi Mundo enough, and Lina for her vision and leadership.

I can't say enough amazing things about Prospect Sierra. Our family feels incredibly grateful to…read morehave found this school and be a part of this wonderful community. Prospect Sierra is a truly exceptional elementary school (K-4 at lower and 5-8 at upper) that fosters a welcoming and vibrant community where diversity is celebrated both among students and faculty. There is a strong emphasis on emotional intelligence woven throughout their curriculum which feels balanced with their focus on academics. The school provides a warm and nurturing environment for holistic development and has the support of learning specialists, a wonderful school psychologist, etc. The faculty is beyond exceptional and in my opinion what sets Prospect Sierra apart. The teachers and administration are all dedicated educators that embody PS's commitment to leading with respect and joy and creating an environment that fosters a love for learning. My daughter is genuinely excited and happy to go to school every day! Prospect Sierra has a very well-rounded enrichment curriculum that creates a rich and engaging learning experience. Specialty classes include drama, music, art, Co-Lab, and Spanish to name a few. With two teachers in each classroom we certainly feel the personalized attention and extra support. The afterschool program is also wonderful and my daughter has enjoyed participating in the afterschool program classes such as cooking, legos, chess, judo, etc.! The campus and the physical spaces including the classrooms and enrichment rooms are beautiful. The school does an exceptional job with communicating with the parents (via emails, a fabulous newsletter, etc) and there are plenty of opportunities for families to get involved (as much or as little as they want to!) including volunteering in the specialty classes, driving for field trips or leading a school committee. The school is also extremely committed to diversity which is woven throughout the curriculum. As part of the professional development, they recently sent a large number of the faculty to a POCC conference, there are family cohorts and racial cohorts for students including a Black, AAPI, LatinX, Pride and Swana cohort and lots of cultural celebrations throughout the year. Beyond 5 stars! We have had the best experience and pinch ourselves everyday that PS is a part of our family and our child's development.

My children love this school, and at the end of each day, they do not want to leave!…read more This is a well-resourced, beautiful school perched at the top of the El Cerrito Hills. The school culture, which has become our home culture, is one of overt and active kindness. My children learn in an environment of safety and celebration of difference, and from my perspective, the school's administrators actively seek to build community wherever possible, and the faculty actively work to remove all barriers to learning.

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.