Try as you may to convince me, Tiny Giants is not all it sets out to be. I am a current parent, and if there wasn't such a pressure to have my child enrolled in a preschool program, I would surely withdraw. The "curriculum" is not appropriate for children so young. The interactions between teachers and parents is lacking so much. Teachers seem to have parents who they are close to, but others, including myself, get very little from them. If my child is in your care for a huge chunk of his day, I expect you to get to know me, welcome me into your school, and make me feel comfortable. I have observed many of the negative moments that others have written about. Recently I arrived at the school early to pick up my child and found the front door ajar. Upon entering the classroom, that was open to the street, I noticed that everyone was on the playground. Everyone except for 2 children that were in the bathroom, completely unattended. This seemed very unsafe. When I asked one of the teachers if the children should be inside by themselves, she replied, "We send them inside by themselves, as long as they ask first." When I mentioned that the door was ajar to the street, she replied, "Oh my, that's not good. Did you close it?" Should it be my responsibility to close the door? Of course I closed it, and am grateful that I am the one who found it open, and not someone who might enter unwanted. I find the staff to be terribly unprofessional and unorganized, and the program to be lacking so much. Teachers seem to be focused on certain children and others are left to fend for themselves. The class sizes are way to big. I have observed a very crowded circle time with well over 20 children cramming for a place to sit on the carpet. When reading through these reviews, I wonder why they vary so much between unsatisfied people and those who love Tiny Giants. It is obvious that people are seeing very different things. Much like parents and children are treated differently, depending on who they are. Enroll your child in this program if you must, but keep you eyes wide open. Don't be fooled by what you are told, ask to see it in action. If you are involved, your child will probably be ok. If you are a parent of a two-year-old child, unfortunately, you are not allowed to spend a great deal of time in your child's classroom. read more

I have visited Tiny Giants on 3 occasions and have decided that I will not be attending the program. My first visit was during an open house. It was incredibly hectic and unorganized. The teachers were taking notes and whispering to each other. It felt so competitive. The teachers spent most of their time talking to the parents and little time engaging with the children. Finally, I asked one of the teachers, "what are you looking for in potential students?" The answer I received was, "I don't really know, you might want to ask Jen or Erin." How awful not to know. I mean, you are a teacher here, right? When I did finally get an answer, it was, "Oh, we are looking for happy kids with happy families." Um, OK. So then I thought I would ask if I could come and observe an actual class in progress. When I did observe the class, I found the whole experience terribly unorganized. The teachers seemed scattered and unplanned. The children did a lot of "waiting", which caused them to be off task. One child spent the entire "circle time" ( about 25 minutes) sitting in a red chair. It was unclear why the child was sitting there, with no one paying attention. After circle time, the children got up to play. The ratio of teacher to student suddenly dropped as one teacher went out the back door and was gone for roughly 10 minutes. The class size was quite large, I would guess about 24 or 25. Many of the children were in areas of the room, unsupervised. At one point, I counted 9 children in an area with wooden blocks with no adult within eye sight. At that very moment, there were 3 children in the dress up area with 2 adults near by. Bad planning and unsafe. I asked if I would be able to visit the classroom when my child attended and was told, "No, we don't encourage parent participation in our two-year-old program." When I asked, "why not?", I was given another short answer, "It just doesn't work out so well." What a bad feeling I had leaving that day. I was certain though, that this was not a place that I wanted to send my two-year-old. read more

I am appalled and utterly frustrated with Tiny Giants. A friend suggested that I check out the program for my adopted twin boys. The director told me that I would need to submit an application before I could attend an informational tour. It turned out that there was a $100 application fee. When I dropped off my application, I asked one of the teachers about the selection process and if there were indeed any spaces available. I was told that she did not know what the process was. I was also told that there were no spaces available and that there was a lengthy waiting list. However, she did not hesitate to take my $100 check, which was cashed within a couple days. I later phoned Tiny Giants to schedule a tour. I called three times before getting a returned call. I attended the tour. My two sons are adopted and are African American. I am a single mother. I asked how the program supported diverse populations. I was told that they do there best to do so. I asked how diverse the population was and I was told, "Well, we don't have any black children but we have some Asian children." When talking with one of the teachers during my visit, she told me, "I'm not sure how well you would fit in here. We have had a couple divorced families, but I can't remember there ever being a single mom. I just wonder how the other families would respond". When I asked the very same teacher about qualifications, she told me that both directors had degrees in child development. She added that she did not have a degree in child development. I asked about the other teachers in the room and was told that she did not know their background. I found this rather odd. I will let you come to your own conclusions about Tiny Giants. However, my very beautiful and special children will never attend such a program. read more

This 'school' is nothing but a glorified day care. The school's director(s) are EXTREMELY unprofessional. I cannot begin to recount the many inappropriate situations my fellow parents and I have witnessed. The school's director thrives on gossiping about families. Nothing is sacred. And, the turnover at this school is atrocious. While my children have been there, there have been so many 'teachers' go in and out -- often fired without any warning to parents and to the sadness of our children -- it is perposterous. Good teachers are let go and the remaining are of the lowest quality and unqualified. I cannot wait until my children are finished with Tiny Giants. I would move them now if it weren't for the fact that they would miss their friends and preschool is so hard to get into. All the positive reviews have been written by the behest of the school's director. I know since I was asked to write a positive review. To the person who thinks that the negative reviews were written out of spite ... you have to ask yourself that if that is true, then what exactly did the school do to upset them so much for them to write ALL the bad reviews. Either they did something really bad or you don't know what you're talking about but were asked to write something. I would've stayed out of this until I was asked to write something positive. I think that is ludicrous ... to be asked ... especially since Tiny Giants isn't anything to write home about. I have to say this though ... those reviews may be negative but I looked into most of those statements and they're so far all true. If you are considering this school, go anywhere else. read more

We love Tiny Giants preschool. A few years ago we sent our oldest to a different preschool and her/our experience was quit different. More corporate, more tense. Since we have that experience to draw from, we give Tiny Giants a five-star rating. To us, quality of a setting is incredibly important in terms of a child's later development. Not only does the setting quality matter but also equally important are the teachers. The combination of creativity, warmth, experienced teachers and a beautiful space for the kids, make Tiny Giants a wonderful preschool. When we drop off, the teachers always say "Good Morning" and interact with my daughter. I appreciate the attention and care we consistently receive. The teachers make every effort to make the school experience smooth, positive and engaging. Unlike some of the negative comments I've read, the teachers have been unfailing about keeping us in the loop about how our daughter is doing in the program. They are approachable and family-like when we have questions and seek advice. We have yet to experienced any red flags or questionable quality (and we are absolutely receptive to this). One of the drawbacks I'd have to say is that preschool is not offered all day on the days I want. Plus my oldest didn't attend. Basically, no school is perfect and Tiny Giants has its own charming quirks, but we cannot deny the results we see and feel. In light of our exposure to various educational settings, we positively recommend Tiny Giant's preschool and are pleased our daughter is thriving there. read more

Wow! I am shocked to hear about the qualifications of the teachers at Tiny Giants. I have always had some concerns about the program but this is outrageous. I will investigate and find out who I need to talk to to get this clarified. The school advertises that it has 5 full time teachers in the two-year-old classroom. I know this is in fact not true. One teacher left recently, which was a terrible blow to the school in my opinion. And now there are only 4 teachers left. One might think that this number is ok, but the program has about 25 two year-olds. This is simply not enough for proper supervision and safety. I also feel that I am personally treated poorly by the school. Even if the care given to my child was exemplar, I would expect the same treatment to be given to parents. Recently I asked one of the teachers how my child was doing in school overall and how she was doing on that particular day. The teacher responded that she was not sure and didn't really see (spend time) with my child that much, and that I should ask another teacher. WHAT AM I PAYING YOU FOR? TO SPEND TIME WITH MY CHILD. I am outraged at this. Pay attention to the reviews on this site. Question why some are rave reviews and some are not so much. Are some parents blind to what is going on here? Are some parents being treated better than others? If this is the case, I would imagine that the same would go for the children. Is this a safe environment with highly qualified teachers? HOW VERY SAD. :) read more

As a full time parent, I wasn't sure if childcare was needed but I soon realized just how much my son craved the sort of enriching experience only a place like TG can provide. We started our ten-month-old part time at Tiny Giants Too Infant Center and sending him to preschool at the Clay Street location was a no brainer. Our now three-year-old has absolutely thrived at Tiny Giants under the care of exceptional teachers who encourage creativity, growth mindset, curiosity and all the soft skills I did not even realize were important to our family. Most of all, I feel like our son (and now baby girl!) both have a village and a home away from home with adults they love and trust. Just recently we started potty training and I've been amazed by the clear communication and responsiveness we've seen. We have relied on TG teachers for babysitting and it speaks volumes that they spend their days off on Saturdays and Sundays coming to our childrens' birthday parties. We truly hit the lottery. If you are on the waitlist, be pushy! We definitely were and it absolutely paid off. Truthfully, we are actively avoiding a move to the suburbs because we know it would mean losing such a critically important community to our family. We're forever grateful! read more

Tiny Giants Preschool is a fantastic place for early education. The teachers are truly exceptional--many have been with the school for years, so they've seen kids, like our three, grow from their first day until graduation. Which means they know the kids really well, and the parents too which makes for a great partnership. The outdoor space at Tiny Giants is another standout feature. In a city like San Francisco, having a garden is a rare treasure. The kids get to engage with nature by planting herbs and learning about growing plants. It's a wonderful way for them to connect with the environment while enjoying plenty of fresh air. The garden also serves as a vibrant venue for special events like graduations, Halloween parties, and Valentine's Day celebrations, enhancing the sense of community and creating lasting memories. When it comes to transitioning to kindergarten, Jen, the director, is incredibly supportive. She provides invaluable guidance to parents, making the process smoother and ensuring that each child is well-prepared for their next educational journey. Tiny Giants offers a warm, nurturing environment that sets kids up for a successful and confident start in kindergarten. We highly recommend it:) read more

Families need to beware of Tiny Giants. This school is very good at painting a pretty picture, but is not what it says it is. The Transitional Kindergarten program is a joke. I observed some children participating in this program. The quality was poor and the instruction was terribly unprofessional. Teachers in this program do not have Early Childhood degrees. Working with school age children and preschool children are so different. The instruction is not developmentally appropriate. The teacher to student ratio is not good. Sometimes 25 children to 3 teachers. Parents discouraged from visiting the classroom. What are they trying to hide? The directors seem to favor certain families, as I observed two different families consistently spending time in the classroom each day at drop off. This is simply not fair. When I asked "what comes next in my child's development?", The teacher had no idea what to say. These people have no idea what very young children need. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Tiny Giants a big fat zero. Parents, look elsewhere! read more

How could a program accept a two-year-old child into their care and not welcome their parents into the class room. I feel it's important to be part of my child's education, even at such a young age. This is a private school that charges a tuition for my child to attend. Given that, I feel like they should accommodate myself and other parents who want to spend time in the class room. How are we to be sure what happens during the day is well worth our efforts? How are we to be sure that our children are loved, and safe? For the most part, we need to guess. My child is too young to communicate very much about school. One place you are able to observe is on the playground. Of course this is done from the sidewalk and through a large iron fence. From there, I have seen children unattended, playing alone, far away from adults. I have seen teachers engaged with each other, but not the children. I have seen one teacher supervising over 20 very young children. I worry about safety and quality here. read more

Our family and friends find Tiny Giants to be an enjoyable experience on EVERY level. It's a surprise that it hasn't received more positive comments. TG's is a solid and supportive community where unpretentious parents and children come to develop and play in a giving, nurturing, academically challenging and diverse environment. The facility is clean and the rooms are spacious. As a parent, my particular focus is on the teachers and staff that work daily with the children. They all seem dedicated and attentive to the unique needs of the kids. It's a delight to hear our child talk positively about the daily preschool experience: sharing songs, stories about gardening, new curiosities and overall developing as a respectful little individual. The co-directors Jen and Erin seem to put a lot of time and creative energy into the program. Protective of our little one, this particular place warms my heart and it makes me happy to have my child returning this Fall. read more

My child is a current student at Tiny Giants. I was lucky to have been accepted into this school that services two to five year olds. Or so I thought. My daughter attends the school and seems happy for the most part. But things I have observed raised some flags for me, and I will reconsider enrolling her next year. The teaching staff is somewhat unprofessional. Often, I drop my daughter off to teachers who are eating their breakfast and drinking hot coffee. I observed a steamin coffee mug sitting just a few feet away from a child, unattended. How dangerous! I also observed one teacher using her cell phone, I assume text messaging someone. Shouldn't her attention be on the children? Where is the administration? And do they support this behavior? I worry. Tiny Giants may be a good fit for some. I accept that there is not any program out there that offers everything for everyone. But I don't think I can accept these things. read more

We have been lucky enough to be a part of the Tiny Giants preschool system for the last seven years. Our daughter started at the Tiny Giants Infant Center when she was three months old and graduated from their preschool Pre-K program last year. Our son is currently in their 3s+ program.  Tiny Giants has an incredibly curious and empathetic setting - and as a result, we see these traits in both our children. The teachers are incredible, and we couldn't have asked for a more caring set of individuals to care for and teach our kiddos. My husband and I moved to Marin County in 2020 and have remained at the school (we work in the city) because it's one of the best in the area. We did explore other options, but nothing compared. The sense of community and support is second to none, which I don't think you get in every preschool. We are grateful to be a part of the Tiny Giants community. read more

I can't believe this school is still in business, with so many unhappy people. I agree that there is such a need for preschool, but is it really worth all of the bad things that are coming out of Tiny Giants? And now I am left to question..... what are the qualifications of the teachers who are there. Early Childhood Education is a specialty and there are very specific credentials that California requires with regard to ratios and education. I don't believe that the teachers at Tiny Giants are qualified, educationally or otherwise to be teaching my child. I researched and asked questions and came up with no answers that led me to believe differently. I will not enroll. You should think twice before you do too. These are very young children we are talking about. We need to make sure they are being cared for, properly, by highly qualified and experienced teachers. read more

We've been part of Tiny Giants for two years, and it has been an incredible experience! The warm, friendly environment fosters a true sense of community, and my daughter has not only made close friends but also progressed beautifully in her development. The school hosts wonderful events that bring families together, creating a tight-knit community that we're so grateful to be part of. The teachers and staff are caring, attentive, and genuinely invested in each child's growth. Another major highlight is the flexible hours, which have been a lifesaver for our family's schedule. Tiny Giants truly understands the needs of busy families and makes it easy to balance work and parenting. If you're looking for a preschool where your child will thrive in a nurturing and supportive environment, Tiny Giants is the perfect choice. Highly recommend! read more

Please beware of this school. I have done a little research and it seems that the teachers at this school are not qualified to be teaching preschool age children. Both directors claim to have taught Kindergarten for many years but have no degree specializing in early childhood. The other teachers at the school are also unqualified. We must take great care in realizing who we are leaving our young children with. Another issue this school has is safety. The children are not properly supervised and the ratios are not what is required by law. Sometimes there is one or two "teachers" with 20+ children. This can not be safe. Parent involvement is not encouraged, infact I believe it is discouraged. Not good. I want to be involved and know first hand what is going on in my child's school. Eek! Methinks not, does not say enough read more

I must say that I have to agree. I have seen some of these things but I guess I didn't think too much about it. Bad of me. If my child were to be burned, I wouldn't think twice to respond. I have noticed the teaching staff and their inconsistent behavior. Some are friendly, professional, and welcoming, and some seem like they have better things to do. I will refrain from naming names. My child also seems happy. But he is 2 and doesn't know better. I want my child to be loved, respected, nurtured, and above all, safe. I also want to be respected as a parent. I am paying good money to send my child to a school that offers very little space for input from parents. I am disappointed to say the least. read more

Tiny Giants is more than just a preschool--it's a true family. The head of the school, along with her dedicated team of teachers, creates an environment where every child is cherished and nurtured as if they were their own. The warmth and care that they bring into the classroom make Tiny Giants a place where children feel safe, valued, and loved. It's comforting to know that my kids are not only receiving an excellent education but are also being guided by individuals who genuinely care about their well-being and development. Tiny Giants is a community where each child is recognized for their unique strengths, and where families can feel confident that their little ones are in the best hands. read more

I am completely disappointed with this center. I was referred to this center by a friend and I should have done a little more investigating before seeking enrollment. I was assured that the center offered a diverse perspective and that communication and parent evolvement was welcomed and encouraged. I get very little communication from the teachers with regard to the daily happenings at school. When I ask how my child is doing, I get "She is doing just fine", and that is it. How and why is my child doing "just fine"? I need more. I have been discouraged from spending time in the classroom as it "causes a distraction for my child and the other children". I should have listened to my gut. read more