Our daughter is enrolled full-time in Wah Mei preschool (Sunset location), in the Mandarin/Cantonese/English program. With Wah Mei being a location institution with a great reputation, we had always hoped our kid(s) would be able to attend. We got off the wait list during COVID and transitioned our daughter over. We have been so impressed with Wah Mei: * COVID safety: As for many parents, it was a hard decision in deciding to send our child back to group care during COVID. Reassuring facts on minimal transmission rates in early childcare settings aside, we have been grateful for the precautions taken at Wah Mei, which seems to be the most careful across the many preschools our friends' children attend across the city. Small stable group, shoes off inside (which I appreciate in general), masks on, spaced out play, daily temperature check and quick wellness assessment, lots of hand washing, and strong communication with families to reinforce shared accountability for safe practices outside of school. * Quality of learning: Wah Mei is play-based, yet also highly educational. The staff shares a lesson plan each week, and my daughter has really enjoyed the games and activities (including dance class!), comes home with great crafts and art, and teaches us new songs in both English and Mandarin regularly. To our delight, her Mandarin also really took off, even after just a few weeks at Wah Mei. She loves her teachers and looks forward to school. * Community: Our daughter was the newest addition to a stable cohort, and the kids and families have all been super welcoming and friendly. We'll be looking forward to spending more time with them all post-COVID! * Other 'perks': We appreciate that Wah Mei provides breakfast, hot lunch, and snacks, which honestly makes life so much easier for our dual working parent household. The menu is also diverse, delicious, and healthy, and we joke that we wish they offered catering for parents. Wah Mei also offers PFA (Preschool for All) subsidies for all SF families regardless of income, which is great on the tuition front. Overall, we love Wah Mei and can't wait for our younger child to join when she's old enough! read more

When I 1st came here there were over 20 kids waiting to get picked up by their parents for after school care. As the weeks went on there was less and less. Even prior to COVID19 there were less than a dozen kids coming here. At a friends birthday party I ran into a child that had recognized my kid. She told me she was also going but told her parents she didn't like it there after a week, so the parents stopped. Seeing what the staff does and doesn't do I understand. My niece who had gone here for preschool said the pretty much the same thing now that she is in high school. It's pretty much like paying a teenager to watch over your kids, just having them watch TV, play and eat Goldfish crackers. The kids while waiting for their parents are walked down to the Wah Mei and allowed to play in the courtyard for an hour before going in and allowed to run around. When the weather is cold or raining they are allowed to run around the next door church instead. When there is a disruptive child in the group the staff does nothing about it. Most of the time the kids just all give and all run around and play instead of focusing on study and homework, what the staff should be doing. 6 months ago they invested in a TV so the staff could just plug in their phones and watch Youtube videos instead of running around. read more

Wah Mei School - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Last Friday was our last day of preschool at the amazing Wah Mei Preschool. After two wonderful years, I shed quite a few tears; it was bittersweet. With incredibly dedicated staff, a well-rounded, play-based curriculum that's an accredited California "First Five" school and choice of either full or half day programs, your child will be totally prepared for kindergarten and perhaps bi or tri-lingual in Mandarin and Cantonese. Children go on weekly field trips to the library and occasional field trips to the California Academy of Sciences, The Botanical garden in Golden Gate Park and Zeum at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Apply early (I recommend when your child is two years old) to increase your chances your child will get a spot at this top-notch San Francisco preschool. Especially with California having moved back the kindergarten deadline for children whose birthdays fall on or before September 1st, it seems there are fewer spots at all the city's preschools. And, tuition at non-profit Wah Mei Preschool is a fraction of what you'll pay at other preschools in the city. The school opens as early as 7:30 and closes as late as 6pm. Breakfast (until 8:30am), a hot and nutritious lunch and snacks are inclusive. Don't miss the opportunity to send your child to Wah Mei Preschool. read more

Rude people. I called and asked about after school program. Some guy picked up and said he is interim director. He was very rude one the phone and didn't want to answer my questions. I heard the same thing from my family friends. I think you guys should replace him with better person who love to help people and answer questions. read more

In todays brutal economic climate, nonprofits and other charitable organizations are having a tough go of it. Contributions are down and many are struggling to just keep afloat. But if you are looking for one that is worthy of your support, you need not look any further than the Wah Mei Pre-School. In the end, your help and support will benefit all of us. This school is a launching pad for children who other wise may not get an opportunity. My friend Jennifer said it best "The school has a nice group of children representing every nationality and socioeconomic group. Wah Mei is non-profit and the school subsidizes tuition for half of its student body who live at or under the State poverty level. Every child has the opportunity to attend this wonderful preschool, no matter their family income. Even with no subsidy. the preschool charges about a third less than any other preschool in the city." If you would like to make a donation, please PM me and I will be happy to send you the information. read more

Couple months ago I picked up my kids. While I was picking my kids, I heard someone was yelling and using inappropriate words around the kids. I went up and told the guy to stop it but he replied back with mind your own business. I asked what his name and his manger. His name is Brian and said go talk to my boss. He was out off hand. I didn't pay money to yell at my kids. My kids. They didn't even learn that much. I suggest board members should find and replace him with better person. read more

I came with my family friend to pick up her daughter to check out after school program. We were 5 minutes late for pick up. While we were picking up, teacher came out and told us nicely to come pick up on time. 2 minutes later, a guy came up to us and said we need to come on time or we will have to pay extra money. My friend explained to him about why we were late and he replied very rude saying late is late and we need to pay extra. I over heard his name is Brian. My friend asked his name, position and he yelled at my friend. I couldn't believe the way he talked to us and he was also mean and yelled at kids in front of us. After that day I change my mind and decided to put son to different after school program. P.S Board members should replace him and better person. I don't think he shouldn't be yelling to kids and talking to parents very rude. read more

Similar to Regi K, we paid the $50 fee using their online site via KidAdmit, in end of January 2014. We've made multiple calls, sent emails, and got ZERO responses back from them. Usually when we pay for services we expect something in return, even a "sorry your child was not accepted" courtesy email or correspondence, and we are pretty peeved as we just giving money away that isn't for charity. I plan on filing a complaint with First5 org and any other group that helps fund or promotes wah mei. I'm sure we aren't the only family in SF that has had this experience with this institution. read more

All I know is that I submitted my $50 check with a completed application in February 2013 to the school and NOTHING was received. The only indication was that check was cashed. Was there any letter or anything about acceptance or denial. no. Calls to them yield what amounts to no information. I heard from friend who did same that there was a change in director. Not sure that was an explanation... but, be wary. read more

Base on yelp review I thought that this school would be a prefect fit for my son. I was wrong. One day, I went to school early and check up because my son told me a male teacher from school yelled at him. I didn't believe my son first. I was at the door to pick up my son and I saw a sauna guy yelled at the kids for not following what he said. I was so surprised when I saw with my eyes. I saw teachers were talking next room in a manner of being so annoyed with kids. First I thought that guy might have the bad but I was wrong. Every time when I picked up my son, I saw he was yelling at different kids. My son came back home with sad everyday. On the fifth day I asked one the teacher about the guy name and his name is Brian. I don't think they should be teaching and telling kids nicely what to do instead of yelling. After six months I withdrew my son the program. I'm writing this review late but I want other parents to know what is really happening at school and want them to think very carefully before they enroll their kids at that school. I don't know if Brian still working there. if he is still working at wah mei I think upper management need to make a change. He was also yelling at other staffs in front of parents. I don't think he fit with this job. read more

My son Duncan attends Wah Mei. In fact he is good friends with the previous poster's son :) That being said I have found the staff to be more then pleasant and attentive to my sons needs. He enjoys his school and his friends so much that he is sad when the weekends come and there is no school. I would also like to point out that neither me nor my wife speak any Chinese (I'm working on that through) and they have been very supportive of Duncan despite this fact. Meaning that he doesn't have the opportunity to speak it at home but they understand and have made an extra effort to work with him on it. In fact that is how I would describe the whole staff. They always put in an extra effort on everthing. read more

My son has been going to Wah Mei for about two years and we love the teachers and the community of families. Not only has my son continued learning Mandarin but he is also learning Cantonese. The curriculum is great and really has taught him how to manage certain emotions, problem solving skills, social skills, etc... Teacher Tracy has always paid attention to his level of learning and created specific activities to keep him challenged. I am going to be very sad to say goodbye to this community when my son heads to Kindergarten. read more

My son is currently in his second year of preschool at Wah Mei. He will be graduating in June and then continuing onto a local kindergarten. Wah Mei is a warm and nurturing environment for children. It is play-based so children get some structure (english and chinese language circle times) and also free play time. I know my son has flourished in this environment. There are regular visits to the library and field trips throughout the school year, i.e., pumpkin patch visits, academy of science. Things that makes Wah Mei a stand-out: tuition includes breakfast, hot lunch and snack; teachers have been with the school a long time and a dedicated Executive Director and staff. There are also really nice families that attend so the place has a good energy. I highly recommend Wah Mei School. read more

My older son went to Wah Mei for 2 years. We love the school. The teachers are experienced, enthusiastic, and kind. My son made lots of friends, and learned both Mandarin and Cantonese (and can now speak at least Mandarin fairly fluently). One other thing that I like about the school is that it really supports families. The school is very affordable (compared to other Chinese preschools), serves hot lunches and snacks, and is very socio-economically diverse. It doesn't have as many long vacations as other schools, which makes it easier on working parents. read more

My 4yo son attends Wah Mei and he LOVES it there. What's more important to me is that the teachers and staff genuinely love all the kids there. We decided to send our son, David, there because of their bilingual curriculum. Neither my wife nor I are native Chinese speakers, but I speak enough Mandarin to cause an hilarious miscommunication while trying to pay someone a compliment. In addition to learning to speak (and sing!) in Cantonese and Mandarin, David is learning valuable skills like sharing and, of course, ABCs and 123s. What I really appreciate about Wah Mei is the way that the Board of Directors, of which my wife is a member, is very organized and has a strong focus on parental/community involvement. There are many events each year for parents/alumni/community members to engage with the staff and students. There is a genuine feeling of collaboration outside the regular school week. It's great to be a part of the school community and I know it is an experience that David will take with him throughout his life. If you have a pre-school-age child, I couldn't recommend Wah Mei School more highly. As the song my son sings to me all the time goes, "I love everyone at Wah Mei School. They are my good friends." And, yes, he sings it in English and Cantonese. :) read more

I don't have a kid, I don't know why I review these things... but someone complimented me on another of these Sunset Pre School reviews I did. Here is why (I am sort of cribbing a bit from *my* other review): I don't have kids, and I don't know much about this place. For those with kids, it looks like upstanding, loving, well adjusted families have adorable, sweet little kids here. It is a really cute little space, and I always smile and it makes me feel good that there are seemingly responsible, talented, and possibly happy places for kids to go, learn, and feel safe! They always are running out of class to their folks with some kids' thingy... a snowflake or hand turkey. It is a pleasant part of my day, and all in all they look like an awesome place I would send any of my cherished to. I have a niece and nephew, so I am not oblivious. I am protective of our wee ones and having an adjusted healthy future. This place warms my heart... makes me happy that things still seem local, community oriented, sweet, and safe. Yay. read more

I have sent my son at Wah Mei for 2 years and he came out fully prepared and ready for kindergarten. It is a very nurturing environment, with a very structured program. They have multiple certifications, local and state, which means the quality level is very high and that subsidized slots are available for income-qualifying families. The teachers, the curriculum, and the community are so great that I can't wait for my daughter to join the school next fall! This is one of the rare non-profit preschool in the area, so community and parent involvement is actually appreciated. Not like these fancy preschools were they don't want you to cross their doorway. By the way, they aren't using KidAdmit anymore, so it is a bit unfair to see some reviews judging the school (once again, a non-profit!) only based on this aspect. I guess this is consumerism at its best. read more

At first I thought by the yelp reviews that this school would be good for my daughter. I had high hopes because the reviews. I was wrong, the teachers seem nice in the beginning of course but in time they were "Not Nurturing". While I was volunteering at the school, I saw teachers being mean to kids, tugging and pulling the kids to do things in a hurry. I saw the Mandarin teacher scolding kids and rushing and pulling their clothes to hurry up. I see other teachers in the next room talking in a manner of being so annoyed with kids. This is not a one day incident. I've witnessed many times since I volunteered often. This school is also not sanitary. They don't even have a vacuum in the dirty basement they practice. My child would get sick all the time there and their would be several notices of hand foot disease, pink eye, lice and etc in 1 month and it continued several months after that. It's like they don't do an efficient job in sanitizing the school. I finally pulled my daughter out and now she's at a preschool that have nurturing teachers and clean practice school. Don't trust all the good reviews there! read more

Amazing gem, our daughter just graduated and has been there since she was 3! Panda bear lead by ms Tracy Loh has been truly amazing for our daughter . read more

My daughter has attend Wah Mei for the past year. We are so happy with the warm and nurturing environment that the teachers and staff provide. There is a wonderful sense of community at the school as many of the families are actively involved through volunteering in the classroom to serving on the school's board. Weekly trips to story time at the library, field trips in the neighborhood, holiday events and socials are enjoyed by the children and their families. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided along with early drop off and late pick up hours. read more