Schools near Colma, CA

“We are beyond proud of our son who was just accepted to a highly sought after private school (where he can continue his education in Mandarin) and recently scored excellently on his Mandarin proficiency test! We truly believe his time at Fun With Mandarin played a huge role in both achievements.

What makes this even more meaningful is that neither my husband nor I speak Mandarin at home. His fluency and confidence in the language has come entirely from the program which is a testament to how effective their immersive, natural approach really is.

Our child has been with Fun With Mandarin for under 2 years, and the growth we've watched him experience has been remarkable. The team takes an immersive yet natural approach to language readiness while also focusing on the whole child and their comprehensive development including the social-emotional aspect. In fact, we were so impressed with the strength of the curriculum that when TK came around, we chose to keep Theodore here rather than transition him to public school. That decision has absolutely paid off. They have developed an incredible program that prepares the students well to transition to a new Kindergarten school next year, and I can't even begin to convey how grateful I am for the support we had in applying for K public and private schools, especially in preparing students for language assessments.

We feel so lucky to have found this school and to have shared so many special moments with the teachers and staff. It's clear the program works — not just for our family, but for so many of the children here. My son's personal testament is when the school is closed for spring or winter break, and he begs us to go to school because he misses his teachers and his friends. It's not every day a child chooses school over vacation plans! If you're looking for a program that truly nurtures your child's growth, look no further. Highly recommend!”

“We started sending our son here during the strike and it's an amazing place! The activities they did during the week for a kindergartener - lego competitions, zoo outings, designing a business, foil boats to hold as much weight as possible, hot chocolate outing on a rainy day - were so creative and really contributed to learning! As parents we were really impressed with the curriculum, our kid learned a lot, and best of all he really loved going (literally said he wanted to go to Mathnasium instead of school). Highly recommended for camps as well as tutoring. We'll be continuing!”

“We’re so grateful to have Growing Tree in the neighborhood! Our 15 month old started at six months, and it’s been a wonderful experience. The teachers are incredibly attentive and kind. Our baby looks forward to seeing them and often tries to go back into their arms after handoff. We frequently catch him doing things at home that he learned at school. We’re looking forward to more of that as he grows!”

“Little Star Preschool Too is a school I highly recommend and trust with my children's early education. We were enveloped in a warm and welcoming community throughout our 4 years of attendance here. The teachers are incredibly dedicated and genuinely care about each child's individual growth and development. Our kids blossomed under their nurturing guidance, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. The sense of belonging they fostered meant so much to our family; we felt supported and safe in the school's enriching environment for our little ones to thrive.

The impact Little Star Preschool had on our family is immeasurable. We witnessed our children's confidence soar as they explored new concepts and developed essential skills. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and foster a love of learning. Beyond the academics, the emphasis on kindness, empathy, and respect created a positive and inclusive atmosphere. We are eternally grateful for the foundation Little Star Preschool helped built for our children. It is without hesitation that we give Little Star Preschool our highest recommendation; it's a truly exceptional place where children and families flourish.”

“We absolutely love our village! We started looking into daycare options when we were expecting our second child. We were super interested in the co-op structure of the school and were impressed by the sense of community we saw during our tour. Our daughter started at VNS at 2 after being home with us her whole life, and we have been so amazed by how she has blossomed. Going to school is a huge highlight of her week-- she loves running into school every morning to see her teachers and friends. She comes home excited about all of the projects she gets to do. The teachers are patient, attentive, and so invested in our daughter's growth and we’re constantly touched by how other parents genuinely care about her too. I could not recommend it more!”

“This is my 4 year olds favorite activity/class and given the choice she’d love to go here every day (she asks me if we have little gym today during pickup). Really appreciate all the patient instructors here who know how to engage and ensure a fun time for the toddlers and young kids while teaching them important skills!

Some activities are consistent across each class (sections kids rotate through in smaller groups) while others are varied (inflatables, hula hoops, different games etc). This keeps it interesting and isn’t monotonous.

The staff here is excellent and they seem to maintain the space and equipment well.”

“We love laurel hill. We are now with our second child at the school and have only grown fonder and fonder over the years. We cannot recommend it enough. The philosophy of the school has been instrumental in our parenting and given us so much. The community and values of the school top. It is a very special place for children.”

“Our son James went here and absolutely loved it. He was always excited to go to school and always had good experiences to share with us when he came home. His vocabulary and speech improvement accelerated upon enrollment. All the teachers are very assertive in managing the kids and are very nurturing.”

“If you are looking for a Preschool/PreK for your little one from ages 2-5, I would highly consider checking out Early Years Preschool.

Since 2019, we have had our 2 older children gone to this school and our 3rd is currently enrolled. We are really happy with the teachers and the school, from the set up of different classrooms and playrooms, where you know that our child is not stuck in the same room all day. The curriculum is structured but fun for the kids. Our children were excited to go to preschool everyday and proudly come home with their artwork.

The school has fun events all year round, some where parents are invited to come and watch, such as Halloween, and Lunar New Year parades. Big plus, is snacks and lunch are included. (I miss this now that our 2 older ones are in elementary, and have to make their lunches).

Most importantly, our kids have always enjoyed coming to TEY and prepared them well for Kindergarten.”

“Could not be more happy with Happy Hearts! Our son started at 7 months and just turned 1 year. The teachers feel like family and are warm, positive, and reassuring. Leaving your baby at daycare is stressful but from day 1, I knew our son was in good hands. He is happy at drop off every morning and jumps into the teachers arms. He is learning a lot and enjoys being around the other kids. We get regular updates and photos on his activities. I’m so glad we were recommended Happy Hearts.”

“Peekadoodle was the best preschool! We sent our 24 month old to Prep first and then continued through Pre-K. We were nervous about sending our baby to school as it was during the last part of Covid and she had been home with us her whole life. The experience was incredible. The school is modern, clean, safe and magical. It’s the sweetest place for a child and they actually learn a TON. The teachers and staff are some of the greatest humans I have ever met. The Director was always attentive and supportive. We felt so happy bringing our daughter to Peekadoodle each day. One of her teachers even knew when she was ready to be in undies and basically potty-trained her. The teachers and staff are extremely professional and knowledgeable but also warm and fuzzy when needed. I cannot say enough about how much we love this school! Our daughter just started kindergarten and it is very clear that she was very well prepared by Peekadoodle! I toured many preschools and nothing came close to the experience at Peekadoodle.”

“My son is 3 and he has been at Pacifica Co op through last fall up until now, and we could not be happier. We fell in love with the schools philosophy and facility right away but it was the teachers and school community that really won us over. We feel our son is incredibly safe and cared for at PCNS. The children are getting well thought out lessons every day along with art projects, singing, dancing, special guest readers, field trips, events and so much more. My little one has separation anxiety and the teachers have been so amazing to give my little guy a little extra TLC, to get him get through goodbyes . We are so happy with Pacifica Co-Op!! We will be so sad when it's time to move on. They really give the whole family such a great, preschool experience.

Trusting people with our children is hard, Pacifica Co-Op makes it easy! ??‍♂️”

“My son went here back in 2005 and is now 23 years old. So grateful for DiscoveryLand being a part of our family's journey. He learned to count in a Chinese dialect and learned so many songs while there! He had many awesome teachers, and we remember Mrs. Yang, Mrs. Stevens, and Pastor Hall for their dedication and care. Thanks Discoveryland!”

“We had a fantastic experience at Meaningful Beginnings - Taraval. Our daughter started in early 2022 in the infant room when she was appt. 8 months old, and was there through her second birthday. The teachers are warm, caring, and really get to know the children and families. We loved morning drop-offs with Thereza and Shenna, and Sandy always gave helpful updates at the end of the day. When our daughter graduated to the toddler room, her development in all areas really took off, and we loved seeing photos that teachers posted in the app throughout the day of activities she did, friends she made, etc. The checkin/checkout experience is secure and easy, and the director, Yarena, is very fast in responding to communication. In addition to the fantastic care our daughter had, Meaningful Beginnings also does some special events like parties for the family, which gave us opportunities to get to know other families and form relationships for playdates. Finally, when we departed because we moved away from the Bay Area, the teachers made our daughter very special gifts that really highlighted how much they cared about her. Meaningful Beginnings has very special teachers, which make it a great place that I would recommend to anyone looking for childcare.”

“Linh and my family absolutely love Family Connection where has many nice, patient and experienced teachers. Linh has been in Family Connection 4 years ago. She loves FC activities likes making cake, creative toys...More over, the FC staffs and teachers are so nice and helpful. They are willing to help parents and students when we need. I highly recommend Family Connection to anyone who is going to enroll after school and summer camp program for their kids.”

“Kids Konnect Pacifica is absolutely wonderful! All of the teachers are so amazing and caring. My kid loves going to school so much that she runs up to hug her teachers whenever she sees them, which says everything about the warmth and love they give the kids.

She’s also learning so much in her classroom, especially craftwork, which she comes home so proud and excited to show us. It’s clear that the teachers put a lot of effort into making learning fun and creative.

On top of that, they’re redoing the playground and making the space even more amazing for the kids. We feel so lucky to have found a school that truly cares about both the education and happiness of our child. Highly recommend Kids Konnect Pacifica!”

“We’ve just completed three wonderful years at Genius Learning, and I cannot recommend it highly enough! As a parent, it’s been such a joy watching my child grow not only in Mandarin fluency but also in confidence, creativity, and friendship.

The teachers here are caring and attentive. I also appreciated how flexible and communicative Heidi was whenever we had scheduling needs or questions.

The art projects were always a highlight in our home — full of creativity, color, and fun. They also did a great job teaching my child how to write in English & Chinese and built a strong foundation for learning math. Most importantly, my child made close friendships and came home happy and excited to return each day.”

“We feel incredibly lucky to have found this school for our child – it’s not just a Montessori, it’s the OG Montessori in San Francisco, with a long-standing reputation, deeply experienced faculty, and an incredibly thoughtful, well-run program.

What sets this school apart is the tenured teaching staff – many of whom have been with the school for years, even decades. Their deep expertise and calm, nurturing approach help create a focused, purposeful environment where kids thrive. The low teacher-to-student ratio means every child is truly seen, known, and supported.

The classrooms are bright, clean, and inviting, filled with beautiful materials that inspire independent learning and curiosity. One of the things we’ve loved most is how students are taught to focus – really focus – whether they’re working with practical life materials or exploring early math or language. There’s a quiet hum of concentration and joy that fills the space.

There’s also a thoughtful balance here – a community of families who go on to attend top-tier independent schools in San Francisco, and others who pursue the SFUSD route. It never feels competitive; instead, it feels like a supportive, respectful village where everyone wants what’s best for the children.

Beyond the classroom, the extended day programs are a huge plus for working families. The Friday hot lunch tradition, catered in, is something the kids look forward to all week. And we love that they explore different parks around the neighborhood – a beautiful way to connect with the broader community and embrace the outdoors.

Behind the scenes, the school is exceptionally well run. The communication from faculty and administration is consistent, clear, and transparent, and the social events for families are meaningful and fun. We've made some of our closest friends through this school – real connections that extend beyond drop-off and pick-up.

If you're looking for a Montessori that’s rooted in tradition but responsive to the needs of modern families, with heart, integrity, and excellence in everything it does – this is it. We couldn’t recommend it more highly.”

“Our family had a wonderful experience with Little Bee Preschool. The staff is warm, attentive, and creative in their approach. Our daughter always looked forward to going, and we saw her grow in confidence and curiosity every day.”

“Excellent, I just enrolled my son and I am very satisfied so far. They are great. They provide updates through the App which is great. They are very responsive when you have something to discuss or ask.”

“My son went to Milestone Academy Preschool when he was three years old. He was a shy and quiet boy who always wanted mommy by his side. He cried every time when he is dropped off. Teacher Khin was the one who always comfort him everyday. She was so caring and loving toward my son.

All other teachers were also very professional at teaching. They provided a safe and healthy environment toward the kids.

I can say that I am very proud of my son that he could write his name, all the alphabet letters and numbers very neat! All the effort and time that these teachers taught my son is so precious.

I will have to say that I highly recommend to people who are looking for preschool for their little one. This is definitely a 10 out of 10 rating school for you to enroll your kids!

My daughter will be turning three soon and she will be attending this school as well.”

“Holy Name has very supportive staff throughout the year of my children's education. The teachers are all hands on and ensure students learning environment to be engaging. The school also prioritize students safety emotionally and physically. Moreover they have a lot of extra curricular activities and sports that my children have participated and enjoyed. Holy Name has a great community where parents are very much involve, close and are tight knit. I highly recommend and support Holy Name for 4 years now.”

“Both of our kids attended Tinker, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. One of the things that really sets Tinker apart is its emphasis on outdoor play—our children thrived with so much time spent outside exploring, learning, and just being kids. We love that they enjoy ample outdoor time all year round.

The teachers and administrators are incredibly caring and dedicated. You can tell they genuinely love what they do, and it shows in how they engage with the children and support each family. We always felt heard, welcomed, and part of a thoughtful, intentional community.

Tinker is a truly special place and we feel so lucky to have been part of it.”

“This review is long overdue, but I truly couldn’t let more time pass without sharing how wonderful our experience was at Little People Preschool. My daughter attended over a year ago, and we still talk about the special memories made there.

From the very first day, the staff made us feel welcome and at ease. The teachers are incredibly nurturing, patient, and truly understand early childhood development. They not only taught my child the basics—letters, numbers, shapes—but also encouraged kindness, independence, creativity, and confidence.

The school is always clean, organized, and filled with fun, engaging materials. Every week brought exciting themes, hands-on activities, and adorable art projects that filled our walls at home. My child especially loved music time and outdoor play in the safe and spacious yard.

Even after graduating, my child still asks to go back and visit. That says everything to me.

Thank you, Little People Preschool, for giving our family such a positive start to our educational journey. If you’re looking for a warm, enriching preschool in a caring environment, I highly recommend this gem of a school.”

“Genesis and Eric are truly the absolute best! We were blessed to spend 4 years straight at Little Banana's as our daughters were two years apart. Moving on to preschool was bitter sweet moment for our family.One of our favorite things was the sense of community they fostered amongst the families. Even in a small environment it's easy for people to drop off and pickup without really knowing each other, but Genesis and Eric insure that's not the case and I am forever grateful for that.You will get everything you could hope for and more by sending your little hear: love, development, community and just a fun place to be daily. You'll also get daily updates and photos of your little which is so helpful.We hope to always stay in touch with this dynamic duo as our girls love them and still ask about them often.”

“This is basically an ode to Megan Pham, who has been my trainer for about 8 months now. I joined SMAC because I was in a lot of pain due to horrible posture coupled with my scoliosis. I had no experience in gyms past cardio machines and honestly didn't know how to exercise outside of team sports. Megan has transformed my body. My back hurts less, I stand straighter, and I'm nicely toned to boot. Most importantly, I have a much better relationship to exercise due to her encouragement, knowledge, and pure passion for what she does. Megan is so good at her job that I encouraged my mom to start training with her too. We are very different in age, body type, and fitness goals, but my mom loves her too. When it comes to the facilities, I'm a gym novice so I can't compare too much. However, the facilities are clean and I rarely have to wait long for a machine. Only one guest has ever spoken to me. He was hitting on me in a way I didn't like, but when I told Megan about it later she told me that if anyone does anything like that and I tell a staff member, they'll kick the creep out. Every other guest has been kind and courteous, and if I need help lifting/moving something, someone always helps immediately. Almost every guest wipes down machines and equipments after use. The staff has been nothing but nice to me. Someone always welcomes me when I come in and wishes me well as I walk out. I would agree with other reviewers who state that the gym attracts an older, more refined, not as athletic crowd. I don't mind. I feel safe and no one bothers me. It's clean and quiet and I don't feel judged if I'm lifting light weights. If you're a powerlifter, SMAC probably doesn't have the vibe you're looking for, but for a casual or novice gym-goer, SMAC is perfect.”

“I am amazed by the care and consideration Hills Plaza has shown to my family. My infant daughter (6 months) loves coming to the center each day and I know her development is skyrocketing from all of the engaging experiences her teachers give her - even at such a young age! I am rest assured that she is well taken care of and the health and safety practices are top notch. I love the app which sends me real-time information about her day and the most adorable pictures/videos! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for infant care, even (especially) during COVID times.”