This is a long over due review. Since I have so much to say i didn't want to rush it. This school…read morehas 5 stars review for a reason. It's been hard to find a school or any type of business in US that is truly focused on kids, education and customers. Most business here are focused on money. Not at Little Lamb! I chose this school for my son because I read all reviews. My son was born at 25 weeks and before little lamb he had eating issues. We had to feed him 3 means a day in order for him to eat enough and that was one of our biggest concerns. However, instead of losing weight my son had been gaining weight. School taught him to eat by himself in a reasonable time frame and not wasting any food. We went through OT for years and no one could deliver this kind of results but Little Lamb did. Auntie Meriam even noticed when my son lost a little weight. The amount of love and care we got from Little lamb is beyond words. Now we talk about academic part. Auntie Meriam will tell you Little Lamb is an academic focused school. If you want your child to play only then this is not the right school. At beginning I wasn't sure because I want my kids to enjoy childhood, there are tons of time for school in their lives. This was not a concern after I seen how auntie taught kids. Kids still have tons of play time. Every holiday, birthday, Little lamb made it so special for all the kids. My son learned so much in one year compared to my daughter's preschool for 3.5 years. I wish I found Little Lamb earlier. We had a hard time when my son took nap in school because he wouldn't sleep at night. Then Auntie Meriam had him to do art work and other work. We had experience that teachers demand all kids to nap because they want to rest. For the tuition, Little Lamb used it so much on kids. Uniform, gifts for parents, artwork, class materials and lots of free lunches. Now my son is in kindergarten and his reading and math skills are better than first grade. The one year he spent at Little Lamb will have forever positive influence on him. Every day pick up auntie Meriam will chat with each partners how kid did for the day and what we need to help as parents at home. We truly feel like we are a big family there filled with love and happiness. Auntie Meriam is a true educator and there is Nana Mercy who help to take care of kids. We are so lucky we found little lamb. If you are struggling to find a great school for your little one. You can stop looking and just go to Little Lamb.

There are good preschools and then there are exceptional ones. Little Lambs is in the latter…read morecategory and by a wide margin. Both my kids attended quite a few other well-known preschools. Only when we started at Little Lambs did we find out what excellence in early education means. Auntie Meriam pays intense attention to the progress of each kid in her class. The overall curriculum is designed to advance kids to beyond the kindergarten level. She ensures that regardless of where a child is at the beginning, that they end up at an advanced level before they leave the school. The pace of learning is astonishing to me. My 4 year old is reading 1st grade books. But the most surprising thing about the school is how much heart it's run with. The Little Lambs community is a close-knit community of the teachers and families where each milestone of the children and each holiday is celebrated with fervor. The emphasis on education and emphasis on social well-being of the children are approached with equal passion. There really is no another place like it. Thank you Auntie Meriam, for all that you do for our children!

We've been so happy with Merry Moppet/ Belmont Oaks Academy! Our kids have been attending since…read morepreschool, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. The teachers are exceptional--dedicated, nurturing, and truly passionate about education. They have low turnover in teachers. It's actually pretty impressive. The leadership, including the owners and principal, demonstrates a remarkable commitment to creating a supportive and enriching environment. You can feel the support and care that permeates the school. In elementary, the curriculum is academically rigorous and continues to progress. So that maybe an important consideration for your kid. We appreciate the close-knit community; it feels like family. Our kids genuinely love going to school every day, and that says it all.

We applied to this school twice. The first year, our son was accepted but they refused to enroll…read morehim on a technicality that his paperwork was late even though no timeline had been communicated. We submitted the day it was due, but had no idea it was due by a certain time that day as the time was never communicated. We applied again the following year and our son was not accepted. They said the school could not "meet his needs" without giving any further explanations. Our subsequent calls and emails to the school yielded no additional information. The admissions teams is unfair and the process is opaque. Our son is near the top of his class at a local public elementary in the first grade. It seems like this school is cherry picking who gets to attend and I'm not sure I want my children to attend such an elitist establishment.

I strongly advise against this school based on our experience…read more The administration is more interested in controlling and punishing students rather than fostering an environment that encourages critical thinking, love of learning and a feeling of safety. The culture is antiquated as is the curriculum. Teachers are underwhelming. There is a stark lack of innovation and limited use of technology. A revolving door of teachers. With those who remained, issues loomed. The administration had no interest in hearing from parents. The science program is a disgrace. It lacks instruction and labs. I have attached a photo that is telling. The Spanish program is a joke. Social Studies was inconsistent. A new, inexperienced English teacher had no accountability. She humiliated more than one child by timing them when going to the restroom in front of the class. She demonstrated questionable rationality and a tenuous relationship with reality. At some point, we hired tutors to advance our child in certain areas which we likely would have done at any school, just as many students take math at RSM. We do that as well. The vice principal reprimanded my child when she heard this, claiming it was unfair. This was outrageous, but not out of character. Every opportunity they had to tear down a child, they took--and that treatment extended to parents. Additionally, the school actively discouraged transparency and honesty, instructing my child and myself to conceal a learning accommodation from other students and parents. We were told, "Do not tell anyone, and if it gets out, we will know it was you." This culture of fear, intimidation, and dishonesty are toxic. Stapled your paper incorrectly? That will be 10% off. Did not include your last name? Turn in the next day at penalty. Why not simply speak to the student and offer support if needed? Is this about learning or control? It is 100% about control and you control through fear. The anxiety our family experienced during our time at NDE was profound. If you're looking for a forward looking school that fosters critical thinking and helps develop confidence with supportive adults rooting for them, this is absolutely not the place. For some, this culture may be acceptable, but others, including myself, may consider it a form of emotional abuse on top of an antiquated mode of teaching and curriculum. This school has the potential to be a positive neighborhood institution, but it requires significant leadership change to transform.

It's very unfortunate for the community to have Dr. Jeremiassen as the principal of the school. Her…read moreonly conflict resolution methods are 1) sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happened, and 2) get rid of the people involved, be it students, teachers, or volunteers. (Yes! MANY times!) There is a typical oppressed atmosphere at the school: People are unhappy, but dare not say anything. Students jeer at the "fake smile" of the principal behind her back. How ironical it is for a Catholic/Christian school, and how unfortunate for everybody who had to go through this "educational experience". To be fair, Dr. Jeremiassen may have done some good things like modernizing the school's IT system, so she might be an Ok administrator, but lacks empathy, the basic nuance to handle problems appropriately, and the drive to try to fix problems at their root. She should never be a leader in any position.

Our 2 year old really loves CPNS. So many good things about this place but what really stands out…read moreto me as a helicopter mom are these reasons below (yep, I'm that mom who toured 10 different places before making a choice for my kid): 1. Flexibility - they let me stay with my kid until we both were comfortable doing drop offs. This is huge as a parent because I couldn't imagine just dropping my 2 year old off without making sure he's okay. 2. The facilities and teachers are great. We love the HUGE open space and my kiddo especially loves the variety of things to explore and play with. 3. Teachers listen to your feedback and are warm. They recently added new schedules and classes available - it's diverse in terms of their offerings. 4. It's extremely affordable (monthly rates). You can't beat their pricing for the ROI you get. If you're looking for a solid co-op, I'd definitely encourage you to book take a tour before you make your decision. My second kid will definitely join CPNS when she's of age!

We have been a proud CPNS family for 2 years…read more My heart overflows with gratitude when I see the incredible parents in our community caring for every child in the class. It's such a beautiful thing to witness so many people truly getting to know your child, cheering them on, and making them feel loved and supported. And in return, we feel so fortunate to interact with their amazing children too--it's a joy that goes both ways! CPNS is more than just a school; it's a genuine caring community, a true gem that reminds us what humanity is all about. We have also fallen in love with the parent education classes, and we're so grateful for the support from our wonderful teachers. Honestly, we feel like students ourselves--learning, growing, and discovering how to be better parents every day.

My first experience with PFBS was during Covid, when we needed a summer day camp for our oldest…read more They basically just hung out at a local beach every day, exploring the length of it, nearby tidepools, discussing rocks, etc. She enjoyed herself despite the setting being fairly mundane. Now my Kindergarten student attends a weekly pod at the Coastside Moss Beach location and we are really happy to be sending her. The location--Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and the neighboring forest--is spectacular, and I am constantly being surprised at the random nature knowledge she casually spits out. They visit the tidepools whenever the tides allow, make secret hideouts in the trees, make dams in the sand, etc. I wish I could go to forest school!

My son (started at 2.5, now is 3) has loved every minute at PFBS, he asks to go every day! We…read moreappreciate and trust the teachers and he is cared for with love and affection. He thrives in the beautiful forest classroom. In just a few months has become deeply aware of his surroundings in nature and has developed a true curiosity for the ocean, animals, bugs and plants. Now that he is 3, we planned to send him to a traditional preschool full time, but because of his love for this special program, we are continuing part time at PFBS to foster his love for the outdoors.

We enrolled our 2 yr old (now 4 year old daughter back during the pandemic in 2021) We're…read moreincredibly grateful for your role in our daughter's preschool journey and helping her overcome her social anxiety. She went from crying non stop to eventually blooming into one of the loudest kids in the class. Ms Rachel - Your nurturing, kind, and patient approach has made you more than just a teacher; you're like a second mother to her! Your impressive educational background in early childhood education has undoubtedly contributed to our daughter's advanced skills in speaking and counting, well beyond her years. We feel as if our daughter is way ahead of the curve before kindergarten just at 3.5 years old! She was taught mandarin, how to count to 100, all shapes, letters, alphabet, simple addition and math, and so much more including music and nursery rhymes/songs as Ms Rachel plays piano and sings. But what sets you apart is your heart. You've created a warm, loving, and safe environment that has not only accelerated her learning but also helped her grow into a confident and caring individual. Thank you for being such a positive influence in our daughter's life. We feel fortunate to have you as her teacher. We will actually enroll our future children into her schools, we do not trust any other daycares!

When looking for a daycare as a parent for our daughter..the communication and instant connection…read morewe had with Mrs. Rachel was exactly what we were looking for! She is kind, patient, extremely caring, and oh so sweet! She welcomed our daughter as if she was her own! It only took our daughter one week to get adjusted to drop offs in the morning and now says 'byeeee mommy' and walks right into the house without crying! The growth and learning we have seen from our daughter does not go unnoticed! She has learned so much - she knows her letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and songs (she's now 2.5 years, started at 21 months). We cannot thank Mrs. Rachel and her team for all they have done for our daughter and the other students! We would highly recommend them to any parents looking for a fun, caring, and reliable day care!

Let's call it what it is, ALL childcare/ summer camp programs are an extraordinary expense. For my…read morefamily a completely necessary one. With that said, Footsteps, both the after school care programs (Cipriani) and summer camps (district wide) is GREAT. The program organizers and teachers like Kenzie, Chris, Jaime (everyone on the Footsteps team) really do go above & beyond. They have been consistently awesome since our little first joined their programs two years ago and going. Communication- the very best! Great connection with their students! Fun & engaging activities. Yes the cost aligns with all child care in the Bay Area yet I am so grateful the Footsteps team takes such good care in all the important ways for our little. Thank you for everything you do!

This is my 4th year with Footsteps at Shores ( I have a 1st grader and 3rd grader attending the…read moreprogram) and only had great things to say about the program. The snacks are always healthy and creative, kids have plenty of activities to engage in and staff are attentive, helpful and caring. Footsteps involves children in various language, sports and art activities which I appreciate very much. They also assist with taking kids to or from clubs that are located at Redwood Shores school campus. Footsteps also has coverage for days when school is not open, and their camps are very good. Additional bonus - Parent Night Out events that my kids always enjoy. I'd say its more of a kids night out as they get to eat, play, watch a movie and have other kinds of fun. Thank you, Footsteps!

I have to send a shout out to BCLC. I am enrolling my third child here, and they have always done…read moreand continue to do a stellar job. My kids have always loved it here. The teachers are patient, kind, and very experienced in dealing with the children. They have had the same staff for years. The director is very responsive. Their new protocols in light of Covid-19 are quite adequate and make me feel comfortable with having my child attend. They do crafts and projects, and have lots of enrichment activities for the kids. Unfortunately for safety, some of these are on hold for the moment due to Covid-19 but I'm sure they will be back when the time is appropriate. If you're looking for serious academics, perhaps this is not the place. They do story time, and they do projects with letters but they are not going to drill your child. It's preschool, I want my kids to enjoy themselves and interact with other children. They do talk about numbers, letters and phonics but they keep it fun and light, in an age appropriate manner.

BCLC has been a second home for my family for the last seven years. Their staff is highly competent…read moreand committed to each child's success. The lead teachers as well as the preschool director have been at BCLC for decades and they are always in constant communication about each child's progress. My eldest had some speech delay that was tackled immediately thanks to their attention. My youngest is a dare devil and both have been nurtured and loved during their years at BCLC. Children graduate with more than enough foundations to succeed at Kindergarten. I couldn't be happier with the choice I made to build the foundation of my boys academic education.

All four of our daughters went to The Wonder Years over the course of six years and we had an…read moreamazing experience (even during covid). We still keep in touch with many of the teachers and friends we made while there. Most of the teachers have been there a very long time and really love and care for the kids. They do so many fun activities (endless art, multi-cultural holiday celebrations, themed weeks, etc.) and all the girls were well prepared for Kindergarten when they graduated. We cherished the time we spent there and the community we built - cannot say enough good things. I recommend TWY to everyone!

The teachers were really great with both of our kids. Very caring. The low score is because of the…read moreinteractions with management that we experienced and others we know experienced. Despite supporting them for months during Covid with know service, paying full tuition. After we returned we gave notice one day into the next month and they still forced us to pay the following month after that. I do not recommend.

My son went to challenge school blueberry class and we had a wonderful experience! The teachers…read moreare kind, caring, and truly go above and beyond. Most importantly, my son was excited to go to school every day -- as a parent, that means everything. Grateful for the nurturing environment and the joy it brought to our family! Highly recommended it!

My son has been at this school for almost 3 years. Compared to other daycare my two kids have been…read morein, Challenge is well organized and welcoming of parents. They get a week rounded Chinese and English education. They have time to explore and play and still learn the fundamentals like the alphabet and so on. They have building toys, sensory bins, special art and science projects, Chinese cultural performances, field trips, you name it they've probably done it. The teachers are generally very good, although like all day cares they sometimes have a hard time retaining the best ones, but that's pretty typical. The director Jenny is great, very communicative and on top of things. In terms of actually learning Chinese, they do their best. The kids are split, some speak mostly Chinese and some mostly English. There's usually one Chinese speaking teacher and one English-speaking, and activities like circle time are also split half Chinese half English. My son definitely understands Chinese but he aggressively refuses to speak although the teachers do their best, that's more on him than them. He has also sometimes been a problem child and they are patient and do their best to work with him while still making sure all the kids are happy and safe. I'm also glad it's in the same system as Challenge Afterschool, which is a big bonus. Next year, my son will join my daughter and several of his preschool classmates there!