Would give TEN STARS if I could!!!! Took a buddy wheel class for the first time and when I tell…read moreyou, this was a SUPER FUN. I'm talking from the moment you go in Soji is hands on and gets you right to it!!! The studio is perfectly sized and gives a warm and gentle atmosphere all around ‍ her instructions are easy to follow and she makes sure you are comfortable asking any questions or needing assistance in any way, during the entire process. You make quite a few pieces by the time the class is over! If you are looking for an awesome, one of a kind art making experience Soji's is the place to start, because I guarantee, like myself, you will be returning time and time again!!

We loved our class with Soji! She was very thorough in explaining what to do, we both had never…read moreused a wheel before and left our class with 7 pieces in total! Amazing very beginner friendly class :) would definitely recommend!

The classes are so unique, and the results are adorable. Cayce and her helpers are so kind and the…read morekids have a blast. Love Blue Apple Art!

I love this place! Cayce is the most patient, kind, creative teacher. The experience for both…read moreadults and children is fabulous and getting to leave with a finished product evokes pride and a sense of accomplishment. I can not recommend ANY of the classes at Blue Apple !

One of my little guys camps went pretty good, but not when it came to cooking camp - it was awful…read morelol. Every day he'd come home just feeling whatever about it. So we asked why. Turns out every day was just a variation of some tortilla based recipe lol. One day was quesadillas, one day was tortilla chips, one day was cinnamon sugar tortillas (???), another was tacos, etc. One day was parfaits though! Very clearly just trying to go through their excess stock of tortillas from the camp it would appear. It also turns out that the kids did NONE of the cooking themselves! They would assemble the food then the workers would take it to the oven or microwave or whatever to actually do the cooking. This was a hilarious revelation lol - turns out there's no cooking in the cooking class! They learned how to stack ingredients but nothing about proper temperatures, the procedure for using the oven, or when to use the pots and pans on the stove, etc. Even his final recipe, that he got to bring home - was a simple cookie lol. WHICH THE WORKERS BURNED THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF lmao. He didn't even want to eat it or enjoy his bring home final cooking project from cooking camp. Had they been more up front, I probably wouldn't have chosen that camp and put him in a diff one. When I brought this up - I was told it's illegal for kids to do the cooking! Even her own 15 year old can't use the stuff. I asked for clarification because of course that' sounds like nonsense - every pizza and fast food place in the world has teens working at it and around the ovens lol. I just had to laugh and say oh ok and move on because it's def not true and was just an excuse she came up with on the spot rather than admit that maybe the cooking camp was a bit lacking and oversold for what it really was. Not sure we will be coming back next year, certainly not for cooking class specifically...

Our child came home happy and excited from a day of engaging activities. We will enroll early for…read more2924

nestled among the redwoods, the school offers an education that is both intellectually rigorous and…read moredeeply humane. learning here is not just about absorbing information, but about cultivating attention, kindness, curiosity, and ethical relationship... to oneself, to others, and to the living world. the rhythm of the days feels intentional and spacious. mindfulness, compassion, and inquiry are embodied through routine, ritual, and relationship. children are supported in developing emotional literacy alongside academic skills, learning how to sit with difficulty, resolve conflict, and care for one another with sincerity and respect. the teachers are attentive, thoughtful, and deeply committed... not only to education, but to the inner lives of the students. there is a palpable sense that each child is seen as a whole person, with their own temperament, questions, and unfolding path. the connection to nature is not ornamental; the redwoods, trails, and open air are active participants in the learning process, grounding education in sensory experience and reverence for the natural world. i am grateful to have gone here and if i lived in santa cruz and i had children... they would absolutely go here.

Tara is a unique and magical educational experience in the redwood forests near Land of Medicine…read moreBuddha. Our daughters attend and are thriving in the elementary and preschool programs. The preschool program is located in the heart of Soquel. The teachers are terrific and the children and community wonderful. While in Soquel proper, they do make weekly trips up to the redwoods to play and explore. It's an excellent program filled with creative activities, traditional Montessori education, and play. The elementary program is located within the Land of Medicine Buddha, nestled amongst the redwoods, where the children hike, play in the stream, and count banana slugs while on their way to the playground. The class sizes are small which allow our daughter to receive more attention and tailored education than in a traditional public school. Montessori-style teaching meets the student at their current level of development for each subject, providing flexibility and ensuring a child is challenged and not left behind or left waiting for their classmates to catch up. The elementary school teachers are wonderful, highly experienced, and a positive influence on our daughter. Lastly, the school ethos of compassion, mindfulness, inclusion, and kindness instill important values in our children and foster a culture of like-minded parents and teachers who share these same values. PS - Refreshingly, there are no screens at Tara. The children learn through their senses and through physical objects, not by the glow of pixels and hum of electricity.

kiah, an employee, was a really helpful person and very patient in my inquisitiveness about what…read morekind of pencils to get. there is a big selection of art supplies ranging in prices. woo kiah!

A great art supply store! Very clean and well organized…read more Plenty of selection and well-stocked. Reasonable prices on good products.

I'm not sure how this place received more than one star except maybe because the reviews are super…read moreold. I went recently and the first thing I noticed was the urine smell. We had already paid and my son was too excited so I couldn't turn back. The place looked like it hadn't been cleaned for a long, long time. The person working there was sitting on the sofa on her phone. Honestly, this place was gross and I definitely wouldn't come back. I caught a cold two days later and I can bet it was from that place. This place is not suitable for children.

READ THIS BEFORE VISITING THIS BUSINESS Twice now they've…read moreswitched their machines and have refused to accept credit which we had paid money for previously. The first time they "graciously" (according to them) gave us about a third of our monies worth. We unfortunately gave them the benefit of the doubt and figured it was a weird situation and they mishandled it as an isolated incident. We were wrong, they switched their arcade pay system yet again and this time refused to give us a penny's worth of credit for the money we had already spent and saved on one of their arcade cards. Learn from our lessons, avoid this establishment

This is our second year at SCPENS and we really love being a part of this quality co-op school!…read more My children are intrigued with the various activities (yes, I am able to bring baby along to preschool classroom). There are various activities set up to appeal to different children/moods/learning styles etc. There is always a sensory table set up with an activity like playdough, bean trays or making snow. An art activity (painting, stickers, glue...). The exploration table allows students to discover and experiment with scientific and mathematical manipulatives. On the rug, the kids will often be building with blocks or trains. There is dramatic play with dress up, a play kitchen, dolls,and a store. And of course, there is a quiet corner complete with books relating to the classrooms theme. In addition to these permanent classroom features, there is frequently something special happening: water play on hot days, setting up a tent when learning about the forest, or riding on a large tiger toy when studying wild animals. This brings me to the amazing SCPENS teachers. This year our teacher is Dara. She is passionate, smart, creative, patient and responsive. She inspires me to be a better person and I am constantly in awe of her boundless energy. She and other parents have been great models for positive discipline. Dara and my fellow parent peers make it that much more fun to come to school. Last year, we had teacher Wendy in the toddler classroom. She is kind, caring and incredibly well matched for toddlers. The SCPENS teachers are full of love for the children who pass through their doors. A few final aspects that we love about the program. One is the afternoon choice. There is no rushing out of the house first thing in the morning, it is a good fit for our current sleeping schedule. I also value the co-op atmosphere which provides the opportunity to be a part of my child's early education, the great speakers at parent nights, the sense of community, and the chance to connect with other parents. Finally, as an elementary school teacher, I appreciate the differentiated instruction provided and feel that the preschool program prepares children for kindergarten in an age appropriate, play based fashion. Come visit our gem of a school and see the wonder for yourself!

My daughter and I had fun adventures at SCPENS. I would highly recommend it to all. It was a great…read moreexperience! Cynthia D.

We love WPENS. It's been so great for my son and family. I love teacher Cory she is such a caring,…read moreloving teacher. She really takes the time to create such a loving, nurturing and safe environment for all children. My son has really thrived socially and emotionally because WPENS. We love the community and support we have at WPENS. It's a really unique experience because not only is it a preschool but also a learning environment for parents. WPENS offers parenting resources. It helps build a nurturing environment at school and at home. As a parent you can really be involved in your child's learning development by participating in and outside the classroom. Overall WPENS is the best choice. We are really happy and are returning back next year!

I love this School! We have been at WPENS for the last 3 years, and what a great community we…read morehave! The magic is all in the name: Westside Parent Education Nursery School. Notice how it says 'Parent Education' - at WPENS the parents learn with the kids! Here are some of the biggest pros: 1.) Lower cost Co-operative preschool - most affordable and keeps you involved with your child's education 2.) Community Building - get to know other families and build connections 3.) PARENT EDUCATION - because we don't know it all. Monthly educational seminars and weekly meetings help to hone those parenting skills 4.) Incredible Teachers - decades of young child education gives a perspective that is invaluable and patience that is incredible.