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December 2023 by Anne Hoyt
The headline is that my husband and I had some core problems with the philosophy here. We stuck it out, thinking that the cost was great and maybe it would get better but ultimately decided it was not a good fit.We did 1 semester at PNS in the 2-3 class. For context: my daughter was 2 and 1 month when we started, making her one of the smallest. She also has a pretty timid personality.We did not like PNS for a few reasons:1. Expected behaviors for kids and off-limits behaviors were not clearly communicated/taught. Even when taught, they were not enforced.We’re talking extremely basic rules like no hitting/pushing. my child was hit and pushed to the ground by kids 1-3 years older than her and twice as big and there was never a clear “stop” “no hitting” or any consequences whatsoever.PNS instead has a philosophy of facilitating kids talk to each other- a fine approach to teach kids for minor disagreements- but taken to such an extreme level that a 5 year old yanking a toy from the hand of a 2 year old would prompt an adult to “neutralize” the object (take from both the victim and the taker) and hold it hostage until the children generate a “solution.”There’s nothing wrong with kids talking but I didn’t like that even in situations where one kid was clearly the aggressor, both kids were treated as equal participants in the act and this would disadvantage more timid, less verbal kids and teach them it’s ok for others to treat them poorly. If a child gets HIT or PUSHED, it is not their responsibility to negotiate with their attacker. It is the responsibility of the adults to keep them safe.2. The philosophy of some staff was very unsettling at times. A teacher explained to a parent her attitude towards risk at the beginning of the semester by saying she wouldn’t let children in a poor community do dangerous things because a broken arm is such a financial burden, but since these children are wealthy, it’s okay if they break their arm. I found this idea troubling, and the assumption that all families here are wealthy to be problematic too.3. There was an overwhelming emphasis in mandatory parent ed meetings on talking to kids the “correct” way, which felt like a misinterpretation of research and frankly, a waste of effort.4. Activities? Very few with seemingly very little planning or developmentally appropriate engagement.Almost the entire time is child-led free play (which I know some people prefer). The only programming here is a (usually) minimally or unsupervised craft station and 2 short story times/day. There were no discernible themes like you will see at most schools (gratitude, civic responsibility, learning about the seasons).The story times were unconnected, teacher-led read-alouds that were seemingly picked last-minute, unplanned, and unprepared. There was rarely any discussion or teaching of concepts or vocabulary. Due to the lack of engagement, children were extremely squirrelly, playing with toys, yelling out throughout the book, and often not hearing or understanding the story, which was usually not made digestible for 2-3 year olds. The way the disruptions were addressed multiple times was to simply end story time in the middle for everyone, even the ones who were listening, instead of addressing the problems.5. Adults were told repeatedly to enforce rules which were then walked back with no explanation, leading to extremely unclear expectations. Example: parents were supposed make sure kids didn’t go into each others classrooms, except suddenly that stopped being a thing with zero explanation, leading to parents still trying to enforce a rule that had been silently abandoned by the teachers.Things we liked about the school were:1. The facility is great, lots of toys and child friendly structures to climb and explore. There are 3 chickens which the kids love2. Opportunities to meet and socialize with other parents3. The cost is the best you can find in this area, and they offer financial aid4. lots of time outdoors which we liked as an anti sickness measure
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February 2022 by Rachel Roberts (Rachel Roberts, MD)
Parents Nursery School (PNS) has been a god-send for our family.During the pandemic, PNS created a safe atmosphere for kids (and parents!) to socialize and develop. We had been at a different co-op, but part of their risk mitigation efforts was to end the parent participation part of the co-op. That was not the only reason we switched, but coming to the supportive community at PNS was a most welcome change. The kids and families have remained safe with updated masking guidelines and 100% outdoor school, and the school has been very responsive to the constantly changing environment and concerns of the families. (re outdoor school: Unfortunately it has not rained much in the last two years, but the kids have loved it when it has!)This past year our child needed a fairly large surgery which required limited physical activity for several months during the healing process. The parents and teachers were extremely accommodating and supportive, allowing my very extroverted child to safely return to school and do the thing he most loves: spend time with other people. Furthermore, they respond to his incredibly boisterous demeanor with caring and instruction to help him get along with even the most introverted children at school.I have loved being part of the PNS community.
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January 2022 by Yao Li
Our family loves PNS! We feel cared, welcomed, and loved! We can't speak enough of the good things of PNS, huge beautiful yard, countless toys, creative art projects, story times, music circle times, cute chicken and guinea pigs! The teachers are making sure all the kids are having everything they need for their development, and parents are helping each other like a truly caring community. What is the most grateful under the current pandemic, is that the school board and parents are working hard to make sure our kids' safeness, so that's why we haven't had a single spread out within our community.
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January 2022 by lannie weng
My son started the PNS last August, and he loves the school so much. The campus is huge, plenty of outdoor for kids to play. Can’t believe it is a preschool campus. :)) Everyday activities designed by Teacher Amy are so great, including math activities, art activities and cooking every month. Everyday snack is very health. We are so happy to join the school.
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January 2022 by Lannie W.
My son started the PNS last August, and he loves the school so much. The campus is huge, plenty of outdoor for kids to play. Can't believe it is a preschool campus. :)) Everyday activities designed by Teacher Amy are so great, including math activities, art activities and cooking every month. Everyday snack is very health. We are so happy to join the school.
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January 2022 by Maeve S.
PNS is a magical little corner of the world, where children can play and learn together in a friendly and safe place, and where they are known and loved by the adults guiding them. We have been part of the PNS community since 2017, our two older sons since having graduated to elementary school, and our youngest son now enjoying all the fun PNS has to offer. We have seen PNS adapt and grow throughout the challenges of the last couple of years, adopting all necessary Health & Safety measures whilst also keeping children & community at the forefront of decision making. Being a non-Palo Alto native we feel lucky to have found PNS and all the friends (kid and adult alike!) it has given us the opportunity to make. The best play-yard in Palo Alto, enthusiastic and energized teachers, and a powerful community to match. We couldn't ask for more!
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January 2022 by E W.
We love the teachers and community here at Parents Nursery School. Our son adores his days at school and has grown so much socially. Fun, play, and conflict resolution are priorities and are exactly what our son needs before kinder.
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January 2022 by PHILIP N.
Our older daughter started the school when she was 2 years old, and it has been a great experience! Loving teachers, awesome resources, huge outdoor spaces and cute school pets! It is a place that we feel welcomed, cared, and safe, which is especially important under the current situation. We will definitely enroll our younger one when she is ready for school, and can't wait to expand the PNS community with more families and friends!
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January 2022 by Anna M.
PNS is the most wonderful preschool! The teachers and parents are kind, thoughtful and caring. The play yard is giant and the friendly chickens roam free (we even get to take home an egg every once and a while!). It feels like a play area for kids should feel-- wild, free, and safe. Old school hippy Palo Alto at it's best :) I also love how careful everyone is about covid. In my daughter's class all parents are vaccinated and all kids and adults are great about mask wearing. Everything is also 100% outside. If you can swing the parent coop responsibilities, you will not be disappointed.
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February 2021 by Stacey L.
We have loved our time at Parents Nursery School. My daughter started there last year, 2019-2020. Not only is it a place that she felt comfortable to explore and grow, but I found the community aspect of the coop experience to be super supportive and welcoming. As things shifted with the onset of Covid-19, the school doubled down. Not only did they pivot and create strict safety protocols for the in-person classes, but they created a whole new curriculum for families that were not ready to come back to in person classes. Now both of my children are enrolled and I don't know where we would have been this last year without the PNS-at-Home program. My kids are engaged and supported while we stay at home this year. I am so proud to be a part of this special school. As my daughter moves onto kindergarten next year, I'm glad my son will still have two years to play at PNS in their big, beautiful yard with the chickens, guinea pigs, and all his peers. I really can't say enough about PNS, highly recommend!
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February 2021 by Marieke Eggert
I started coming with my first child over three years ago when I wasn’t ready to leave her in a drop-off preschool. Different from other places I’d seen, here I felt welcome to stay with my child for as long as I felt was right for her (and me).By being part of the class as a teaching parent on my weekly workday, I got to know the children, teachers, and parents my child spent her mornings with. I learned to work out conflicts with and between our children in a loving, respectful way. I got to see our kids playing around chickens and guinea pigs, climbing trees, baking bread, making soup, building obstacle courses.My family loves the concept of the school and would recommend it to anyone who appreciates a play-based environment and wants to be part of their kids’ preschool.
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February 2021 by Lindsay Green
When Covid kept the public schools closed for the start of the 2020 school year, I was lost as to what to do with my three-year-old. My older son would start distance learning Kindergarten, but I didn't want my daughter to be completely without school for the year. Luckily, I saw that Parents Nursery School was planning to re-open on a friend's Facebook page. Curious, I clicked to the website and saw they were running a PNS @ Home program. It's been nothing short of amazing. We get a box every week with new activities, crafts and toys from the school. The teachers also offer several optional zoom meetings throughout the week, so my daughter feels connected and important, just like her brother. I can't say enough about the wonderful community of teachers and parents that welcomed us in right away, even though we'd never been to the actual school. When Covid cases eased in fall, we were also able to join a play group after school so we could finally enjoy the amazing play yard that parents rave about. If you're looking for a kind and caring place to send your child, can commit to be involved in their early learning, and want build a community of other parents, I highly recommend PNS!
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February 2021 by Isabel Garcia
This school is loved by all the people I know, I can't be more grateful for everything I have learned here about parenting. In this place, my son has had the opportunity to learn through play in a friendly environment. During these times of COVID-19 the school has implemented protocols according to the health and safety guidelines. Here we feel safe and supported !
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January 2020 by Morten W.
This is our third year in Parents Nursery School. Our oldest was in the 4/5 class before starting Kindergarten and now our youngest has spent two years in one of the Mixed Age classes. Both of our daughters love the school. It's been a great place for them to explore the world and practice their social skills - all through free play in fun indoor activities or the school's amazing outdoor spaces. As parents, my wife and I have enjoyed the fantastic community. Especially, how as we've gotten to know the other families, we've found people to share the messiness of having kids. At PNS, it's not about pretending to be a perfect family, but about learning to deal with the challenges, conflicts, and whatever else parenthood throws at you in a caring and constructive way.
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July 2019 by Shirley C.
We love Parents Nursery School! This is a place where children are given the space and freedom to explore, get messy, learn how to make friends, and have fun. I fell in love with the school when I first visited in 2013, and now I have 3 alumni who remember their preschool days fondly. The yard can't be beat, the commuity is like family, and the tuition is affordable. The teachers also genuinely care. More than once, the teachers have emailed/ texted after school to check up on my child who fell down during the school day. The parent participation is worth the investment - you get undivided time to watch your child and his friends grow and learn!
