We're in love with Mustard Seed! We can't overstate how grateful we are for this incredible team…read moreand community. It really feels like there's a village helping to raise our family. Our eldest transferred to MSP from another daycare / preschool center during the summer term when she was 2 1/2. It was a difficult decision because there were things we loved about her first school (where she'd spent almost a year), but the switch felt right. We liked that MSP's physical space, level of enrollment, and staffing strategy provided more structure: with same-age classrooms, age-sensitive schedules, age-sensitive teaching approaches, and opportunities for mixed age play outdoors several times a day. We liked that our daughter would always have a primary teacher team focused on her, as well as opportunities throughout the day and week to build relationships with other teachers. We liked that she'd have a dozen peers close to her age, for a nice variety of personalities to befriend and grow with. And we liked that the outdoor space supports a variety of play types under a beautiful leafy canopy. It's all turned out beautifully. Judging by our daughter's energy at drop off and pick up, her transition to MSP was immediately easier than her previous transitions. Even in her first weeks there, it was clear that the structure made it easier for her to get through the day than at her previous school. In the past year and a half it's only gotten better. The vibe is relaxed and confident; they really know what they're doing and everything about the program feels intentional. The teachers are very thoughtful about helping our daughter navigate socio-emotional development and challenging social dynamics, and are happy to discuss strategies with us when we ask how we can support at home. Although her classroom teachers are primary, she has great relationships with all of the teachers in the play yard and they all know her well. She is developing strong social skills and has made wonderful friends. The community of families has been warm and fun for all of us: we regularly meet classmates at King School Park after school, the staff organizes incredibly fun family parties for holidays and more throughout the year--usually featuring Music Man Chano and his band, total celebrities for all ages!--and there's a meal train organized every time a new baby arrives. Lunches by Chef Miguel are expanding our daughter's palette and simplifying our mornings at home. We can't wait to start it all again with our newborn when she turns 18 months old!

Both my children attended Mustard Seed preschool. It's a…read morereally wonderful place run by people who truly care about children. Candace, the director, treats everyone like family. She's also a very insightful and creative educator. The administrative side of the school runs very smoothly and they are very accommodating of different schedules and constraints. My kids, now 10 and 12, still remember Mustard Seed fondly as a place where they were surrounded by loving teachers and great friends.

Two of our children have attended LET and there are really no words to express how lovely their…read moreexperience there has been. The owner, Natanya, is an ethical and pedagogical force (and a fascinating person), and she's created something really special here. When you walk into the sweet little lavender house, the open-plan room inside feels pleasant, orderly and calm. The kids are busy and engaged but there's no chaos. No screaming. For nervous toddlers (ours were on the younger side when they started), it's a godsend. The range of ages (2-5) helps the older kids feel responsible and cultivate some leadership skills (and kindness). It also gives the younger children older peers to look up to--and goals toward which they can work. (We've enjoyed watching our tentative little ones become "upperclassmen," so to speak, helping and sometimes even teaching the younger ones. It makes them so proud.) The classroom is tasteful and welcoming. There's a loft where two kids at a time can play quietly together. There are not one but two class pets (a bearded dragon and a snake!). And while the teachers are obviously there to help and instruct, the kids are encouraged to be self-driven and independent: They have designated glasses they use to fetch their own water, they're encouraged to clean up messes when they occur, and they learn a sense of responsibility they bring home. (One of our kids recently said "what can I do for the house?") None of this is punitive or forceful; the vibe is friendly and kind and encouraging. The kids have quite a bit of freedom. They can have their snack whenever they choose (with a friend, if they like) at a darling little table designated for that purpose by the window. Activities vary, but on any given day they might (for example) grind coffee, paint, work with metal insets, do "the hundred" (putting numbers 1-100 in order), work on the Roman arch or the binomial cube. They learn songs and poems and continents. Or trace anatomically correct horse and fish. Within their first year there, ours could write their own names in Roman and Japanese characters (thanks to Ms. Katsuko, one of the instructors). By the end of that year they knew how to sing "It's a small world" in Japanese too. A music teacher comes once every two weeks. The more rambunctious play DOES happen after the morning "work session" in the backyard, a gigantic wonderland with a mud kitchen, a safe but genuinely challenging climbing structure, bikes, sand, slides, and projects. That open-ended playtime starts with the older kids hearing a chapter from "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" while the younger ones nap. Our kids have decorated pumpkins, watched caterpillars turn into butterflies, planted flowers, and made kites. The teachers also helped our kids blossom in their own specific ways. One teacher, Mr. Joseph, kept giving our more shy child leadership roles so he could practice speaking in front of people. Another, Ms. Katsuko, worked with our daughter to foment her love of art and develop her abilities. As for academics: At 4, our kids were writing and reading a little, both knew how to add single digits and one could multiply and was working on fractions. The best thing I can say about LE2 is that the kids want to keep hanging around at pickup. There's a beautiful little climbing tree in the front yard next to a bench Mr. Joseph repaired and made useable, which is next to a Little Free Library the head teacher keeps stocked with children's books. Kids clamber around on the tree with friends after school or sit on the bench and snack. What can I say? What a place.

I'm so happy we found this school (after an extensive search!) Very warm and welcoming. My 5 year…read moreold is doing their TK/K program and she will be beyond ready for 1st grade when she starts. Huge back yard to run around, great community of kids, teachers and parents, convenient location and options for 8am-6pm (so rare). It's a gem!

Every child should get to Redwood Garden Preschool!! And the world would be a better place if they…read moredid. My 3 children all went to Redwood Garden (my oldest is now 14) and it is one of the things I am most grateful for in all of my parenting. Lauri has an amazing ability to "see" and to delight in every child - whether a wild little hooligan or a quiet introvert. She has a deep inner calm, a lot of wisdom, plus a joyous spirit and a twinkle in her eye, which all combine to delight the children in her care. She allows for giggles and exuberance, but can gracefully redirect the energy if it starts to be too much. She is patient and kind. She enforces her expectations and limits firmly but with a gentle and loving touch. She weaves life lessons - empathy, kindness, joy - into her days with the children. The structure of her preschool allows children to flourish. There is a predictable and soothing rhythm which puts the children at ease and allows them to be free within the structure. Similarly, the toys are beautiful, yet very simple, which allow the children to use their imaginations deeply. The songs and stories feed their imaginations as well. And the children are always very proud of their crafts. Whether you are committed to Waldorf or know nothing about it, I cannot recommend Redwood Garden highly enough. It makes for a gentle and enriching transition from home to school.

My son started 2nd grade this morning; my reflections after dropping him off reminded me of his…read moremost beautiful school beginnings at Redwood Garden preschool. There is so much going on in the world to cause anxiety and insecurity, but each morning that my partner or I would drop our son off we felt that he was entering into a protected and enchanted space. We learned so much from Lauri about how to move through our days and months with a rhythm that our son takes comfort in. There are so many rich traditions that the school celebrates, and our son's crafts from his two years at RG still hang and remind us of those sweet years and the community we gained being a part of Lauri's preschool. Many others have mentioned it, but Lauri's ability to see my child and delight in his individual gifts and personality traits was so appreciated. We don't have family close by and I felt that my son had another caregiver that loved him and cared for him as family do. Redwood Garden will always bring back joyful memories for me, and I'm so grateful that we found RG and Lauri.

My son thrives at Berkeley Hills Nursery School and we could not be happier! The teachers and the…read moredirector have 10 - 20+ years of experience. I trust them 100% as experts in their field to help nurture and develop my son. My son does well at this small school, with an intimate group of friends. Because of the low student to teacher ratio, the teachers are very familiar with my son as a unique individual. The director, Kathleen, is top-notch, easy to work with, and very involved with the kids. Kathleen makes our parent "tasks" easy: applying was free and simple, enrollment steps were clear, and daily communication is concise (made even easier through an app). I like that teachers lead activities for the whole group of kids. The play-based activities get my son moving and learning. For example, recently the kiddos moved through an obstacle course that helped them with balance, and fine and gross motor skills. They also do art, yoga, and walks in the neighborhood. Lastly, we have a strong parent community, with adult and family social events. We are so happy to have found this gem in the hills!

My daughter started attending BHNS this August, and she absolutely loves it! We -- parents and…read moregrandparents alike -- couldn't be happier. The facilities are wonderful and offer so many engaging activities for the kids. The teachers are warm, dedicated, and truly caring; so far, we have nothing but amazing things to say about them. We're also very pleased with the parent community that's beginning to take shape. BHNS has been a fantastic experience for our family.

Fox and Bear is a gem in Berkeley. It is a beautiful place where you feel confident to leave your…read morebaby. It is a small community, it is like a small family well organized.   All the teachers are nice; they give you a lot of advice and most important they love kids! They do fun things for the holidays, birthdays and also small art projects. Their communication with parents is also excellent. I always appreciated knowing what was happening and their constant care and updates regarding the children ( especially during Covid 19 time ).  My little baby is so happy to go there every day. I' m so blessed to have found Fox and Bear.  Thanks to Olga and all the staff!

It might have been the time when we were there, but they kept changing teachers in the span of a…read moremonth. It made our kids feel very unsettled and without having experience at the day care, they felt isolated. The owner does not have as good information or control on what goes on in the day care every day. If there is conflict resolution, the teacher's are first, your kids are second, and you are last. I hope things have changed since we left a couple of years back. Some of the teachers were great. It's a nice spot and the food they had for the kids was good. The kids like to hang out at the park nearby afterwards - a good opportunity for littles to socialize. I would not recommend this day care.

We are visiting Berkeley for a month and were lucky enough to find Little Ducklings for our two and…read morefour year olds. From the moment my kids met Paty they loved her, and the first time I dropped them off they ran in and didn't even wait to say goodby. When I pick them up at the end of the day they don't want to leave. They keep asking for a sleepover. Paty is warm and loving, and the kids think she is very fun. The space is beautiful with a musical instrument section and lots of educational toys, and is perfectly located near North Berkeley Bart. In a few weeks my kids are already picking up on several Spanish phrases, and they sometimes make food together. They are also practicing their letters and do tons of art. What more could we ask in a daycare? They don't generally take short-term kids, but miraculously had an opening for the month and we couldn't be happier.

Our son has been in Little Ducklings for 2 years, and we couldn't recommend it more highly. Paty…read moreand Jaime meet each child where they are, and then help them blossom into the best version of themselves. We feel like we've found not just an incredible learning environment, but another family. Paty and Jaime care about the kids like their own, and you see that reflected in the love the kids have for each other as well. Paty and Jaime have really crafted a very special, supportive, nurturing environment and community. We also love the focus they have on making learning fun. Paty adheres to a curriculum, but follows the kids' interests to keep them engaged, and works elements of the curriculum in to everything they do. Truly play-based learning! We also love the enrichment classes they have. Our little one has been teaching us songs and yoga poses he's learned from some of the specialist teachers.

Our daughter recently started at BIM. I am originally from Japan so I was looking for a full…read morejapanese immersion school and I have so far been impressed. BIM does an excellent job at incorporating traditional Montessori teaching methods with japanese language and culture. The children not only learn the language, they also get to experience the culture including holidays and other traditions. The educational team is excellent, a group of teachers who pride themselves on being warm and loving while encouraging the children to grow at their own pace. We have another baby on the waiting list, make sure to sign up early as it can take a while for your space to open up.

I had the great honor of working at BIM as an office admin and co-teacher for 3 years. Even though…read moreI had tons of teaching experience and ECE units under my belt when I started, BIM was the first and only Montessori program I worked at. I learned so much about the Montessori method from my fellow co-teachers and was always inspired by their hard work and dedication to their craft. Japanese is my second language that will no doubt deteriorate if I stop using it, so being able to use it daily in various situations at my place of work was also a huge benefit for me. The BIM community as a whole is extremely tight-knit and supportive. I had never felt so loved and appreciated by the families I worked for before BIM, and it was heartening to witness new bonds and friendships being formed among everyone firsthand. Of course, I really miss the kids most of all and the funny things they would say and do, but feel very lucky and privileged to have 3 years' worth of fond memories with them. BIM, iroiro arigato! Mata ne!

I can't say enough good things about my family's experience at the New School. Its wonderful…read moreteachers take the work of creating a loving, safe, child-centric environment seriously, providing just the right balance of support and independence for kids as they discover themselves, their peers, and the world around them. The New School is great environment for working parents, with hours that reflect the reality of the work day, camps on days when public schools are closed, and a delightful summer program full of field trips, swimming, and ample play. We also really loved how the New School eased our transition to kindergarten by giving my child a familiar place with his longtime friends to go every afternoon. The fact that BUSD buses kids there from many elementary schools was a huge convenience, especially given the intense demand for afterschool care in Berkeley.

Amazing after-school for our 6 year old. Wonderful community, excellent teachers and care-givers,…read moreand a lovely place.

Step One School is truly a school of happiness! Choosing it for our son was one of the best…read moredecisions we've made. Now in his second year, he started at age three as a shy and cautious child who spoke very little. His teachers surrounded him with love and care, helping him feel safe and confident. It's no surprise that many of the staff spend their entire careers at this school--it's a special place. This year, our son is thriving! He's speaking more clearly, counting, and making friends. Watching him grow in such a welcoming and nurturing environment is amazing. From drawing to music and even playing guitar, he loves every moment of school and looks forward to going every day. We couldn't be happier with Step One!

Step One School is a magical place! Our family feels so grateful to be part of this warm, welcoming…read morecommunity. Every teacher is loving, supportive, and kind. My favorite part of the school yard is the organic garden, but our oldest son most enjoys playing in the little stream of water that runs down the hillside. He is thriving, asking us to play Stevie Wonder songs at home, just like he dances to at school.

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