Schools in San Francisco, 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!”

“I would give The Growing Tree more stars if I could. As a first-time mom, I was so nervous about how to navigate childcare, and we are beyond happy with our choice. We started our son at 4 months old, and they have helped him learn how to comfortably drink from a bottle, take naps, play with others, eat solids, and more. He is always happy at drop-off, and you can tell he's had a great day at pick-up. Since it is a Mandarin Immersion school, he is learning so much!
The staff and management are excellent. The teachers know more about childcare than my husband and I do as first-time parents; we trust and value their input with our whole hearts. Located along the Great Highway, they have monthly educational themes, with multiple rooms and outdoor space for the children to explore. The facility includes a music room, dance studio, a play market and kitchen area, art room, and even a science room for the kids to learn about how plants grow.
I'm so grateful to be a part of this community and would recommend them to anyone. Our son is almost 10 months now and has benefited so much from being there. You can just tell it's been a positive experience for him, which of course brings much happiness to us. I am so relieved to know that he will be there up until elementary school. Many thanks to The Growing Tree for being such a special place.”

“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.”

“I grew up in this neighborhood, so Laurel Hill has always felt familiar.

Then I saw an old photo of the school from the 1940s and it honestly stopped me. Almost nothing has changed. In a city where everything moves fast and gets replaced, that kind of steadiness feels rare, and it means something.

I didn’t expect to feel this much about a school, but once my daughter started here, I understood why. This isn’t just a school. It’s a dojo. Not just for learning letters and numbers, but for learning how to be a person. How to take turns. How to try again. How to handle big feelings with support instead of shame.

The teachers don’t just watch kids. They guide them with patience and real care. And as a parent, you can feel the difference.

Now my daughter is making her core memories here. It feels like I’m watching her childhood get built in real time. I genuinely look forward to pickup, and I always look forward to asking her the little stories of what she did that day, the ones that sound small, but are actually everything.

That old photo made me pause and look back at how much this place has held steady. And now, every time I drop her off lunch, I catch myself doing the same thing. I walk away, then I look back for a second, just taking it in. When she grows up, this place will still be here and she'll walk past this place and remember her childhood. That thought alone makes me grateful.

Proud this is her school.”

“We've been sending our 15-month-old son here since he was 9 months, and we love it! We were really lucky to find such a great daycare so close to where we live, and our son loves going there. The teachers are great, they really care about the kids, they send us photo and video updates every day, and they take the kids outside to play a lot. We like that this daycare is bigger than just an in-home daycare with one teacher, but small enough that we still know all the teachers and most of the other kids and parents.”

“Our daughter attended Discovery Land from six months old to two and a half. Discovery Land was always a safe, clean, and loving environment, and our daughter was always excited at drop off. We were always provided photo updates of her day, and still keep in touch with many of the families we met while we attended. We'd recommend sending a child here without reservation.”

“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 daughter has truly blossomed at MCH. It’s an exceptional Montessori school where children are genuinely engaged and encouraged to grow with confidence. The school deeply follows the Montessori philosophy, and we’ve seen so much independence, curiosity, and joy develop in our daughter since she joined.

All of the teachers are incredible, especially the head teachers who each bring over 25 years of experience to the classroom. I’d love to especially recognize Kathleen, the head teacher in my daughter’s class—she is patient, kind, and simply a wonderful educator. We feel so grateful for the impact she has had on our daughter.

The administration is also incredibly organized and supportive, making the entire experience smooth and welcoming.

We feel very lucky to be part of the MCH community and couldn’t recommend it more.”

“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.”

“We had a phenomenal experience at Little Bee! Our daughter started when she was only 18 months old, and despite our parental anxieties of first child, first preschool, LB was a great success. The teachers are fantastic - even today, years later, our daughter asks whether she can go back and visit them. The curriculum, including bilingual immersion and exploration of the Presidio, makes me wish I went to preschool there. Thank you Sarra (the school director) for such a wonderful and memorable experience!”

“All three of our kids attended Wind in the Willows, and we couldn't have asked for a better preschool experience. The teachers create such a warm, loving environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Our kids grew tremendously during their time there, and we really appreciated being part of such a welcoming and supportive community. We're incredibly grateful for everything Wind in the Willows has given our family.”

“We could not be happier with our experience at Kai Ming Head Start (Richmond Center) ! The entire team here feels like an extension of our own family.

From day one, the staff has been incredibly friendly, welcoming, and organized. A special shoutout to Sasha Caamal, who is absolutely wonderful—she always goes above and beyond, making the process seamless and facilitating every single piece of paperwork and form with total ease and a smile.

The teachers and the support staff are phenomenal. They truly treat my daughter like one of their own, creating a warm, nurturing, and safe environment. Since she started, we have noticed incredible milestones in her developmental success, which speaks volumes about the quality of care and education they provide here.

The facility itself is always remarkably neat, clean, and well-structured. I highly recommend the Richmond location to any and all parents looking for an amazing, top-tier place for their child to grow and thrive!

Cheers to KM Fam !!!!”

“Tinker has been a wonderful early childhood education for my two children, offering engaged teachers, exceptional activities and learning environment, wonderful nature-based excursions, and fun enrichment. We have greatly enjoyed the community!”

“We absolutely LOVE this preschool! The three teachers in the pre-school are fantastic - so thoughtful in their curriculum and SO full of love for the children. We love that it is a combination of montessori style and classical learning. An added bonus is that the classroom itself is beautiful - it has high ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, and is extremely organized. The extended aftercare program and timing is also great for working parents - my son did afterschool soccer and spanish classes during some of that time. Even at 5:30 pm he doesn't want to leave. I can't speak higher of this pre-school and the teachers there.”

“After looking for years for a good online Norwegian Class, I finally found one at the Scandinavian School. It is outstanding! Great teacher, great price, good pace, available all year with just a couple short breaks. Couldn't ask for a better experience. Thank you!”

“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.”

“Finding the right childcare felt overwhelming at first, but the moment we connected with Three Bears, we knew we'd found something special. Stacey and Vika are the heart and soul of this place, and their love and dedication show in every little detail.

It started with a virtual tour--Stacey walked us through everything and answered all our questions with so much patience. She kept the tour virtual to avoid disrupting the kids, which immediately showed us how much they prioritize the children. We loved that thoughtful touch!

When it came time to transition our 19-month-old, we were honestly nervous. She didn't speak any English, and she's very attached to us, so we expected a tough adjustment. Stacey and Vika made it feel so much easier. They created a personalized transition plan and were so patient and warm, not just with her but with us as parents, too.

It wasn't just the teachers, either. The other kids welcomed her like family. The kindness they teach every day is so obvious in how the kids treat each other. To our surprise (and relief), she settled in after just 2.5 weeks. Now she runs into school every morning with a big smile and barely waves goodbye--should we laugh or cry?

The learning here is incredible. Every day, she comes home with something new--letters, shapes, science experiments, songs, cultural activities, special events, and even stories from their visiting librarian. One teacher even took the extra step to learn a few words of our daughter's native language to help her learn letters more easily. That kind of care and attention to detail is truly rare and deeply appreciated.

And it's not all about learning. Playtime is such a big part of the day, too. The kids spend a lot of time outside, and every time I pick her up, I hear laughter coming from the yard. It's so heartwarming to see how much fun they're having together.

The care they provide goes way beyond the classroom. From warm hugs and big smiles to thoughtful check-ins when she's sick, Stacey and Vika truly care. They've even sent videos of the class saying they miss her when she's out--it's the sweetest thing. Their focus on health and safety is fantastic, too. They're quick to communicate if a child isn't feeling well and have clear policies in place, plus they even do safety drills like earthquakes and fire drills.

One thing we absolutely love is the daily updates. We get pictures and videos of her day, and it's such a joy to see her learning and playing. They also send monthly calendars with weekly plans, so we always know what's coming up. It feels like they really understand how much it means for parents to stay connected.

Oh, and the food! They serve three organic meals and two snacks every day. During the transition, Vika even adjusted the menu specifically for our daughter's preferences, which made such a difference. Now she's happily eating everything they serve!

It's hard to put into words just how much we love Three Bears. This place really feels like a home away from home. What more could we ask for from a school than seeing our daughter thrive, stay healthy, and be so excited to go every day?

If you're looking for a place where your child will be cared for like family, learn and explore, and make lifelong memories, you can't go wrong with Three Bears.”

“Our family is very happy to be part of the Chibi Chan Preschool community. The school has enough teachers in each classroom, which makes us feel confident that the children receive the attention and care they need.
The community is very diverse and welcoming, and we feel a warm and supportive atmosphere every day. The teachers and staff are kind, caring, and professional.
Another big advantage is the schedule. The school is open from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, which is extremely helpful for parents who work full-time. We truly appreciate everything this preschool offers and believe it is one of the best preschools in San Francisco.”

“My daughter is currently going to glow kids daycare and she loves it there. She does fun indoor activities like drawing and painting and more and also plays outside in the big back yard. She also does some learning activities like learning the alphabet, how to count, and writing simple words. She comes home everyday happy with the daycare and even wants to go on the days I can’t take her. Maria Luiza is very loving and gentle with all of the kids and is very nice. My daughter loves her and especially the food she makes as well. Overall I think glow kids day care is the best daycare my daughter can’t be at, she has so much fun.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Diller is the preschool jackpot! The community is very welcoming and we've built deep relationships with other families. Our kids' days are filled with joy and discovery. Karla and her phenomenal team of teachers and specialists (art, music, and nature) are incredible and absolutely love the students! From cooking to creative art projects, garden explorations, and walks to the Presidio, every day is filled with joyful learning. We've seen our kids learn and grow a ton in their time here!”

“The staff is so friendly, the teachers are super nice and knowledgeable. We have trusted them with our little baby without a doubt in our minds. You can feel the genuine love from the teachers towards all the babies. Feeling so lucky to have been part of this family. Thanks so much!”

“My daughter recently graduated from Miraloma having spent two years at the adorable little red schoolhouse. Our family really enjoyed the co-op experience and supportive parent community. We formed lifelong friendships and made many sweet memories. We enjoyed parent teaching and felt lucky to have the opportunity to watch our daughter explore, learn and develop new friendships. It felt wonderful to be a part of a collective community effort with the goal of providing children with a safe and nurturing space where they can learn, grow and have fun. Miraloma is such a warm and welcoming place! I highly recommend touring in person to really appreciate Miraloma's wonderful space. The school has so many unique assets that affords unique experiences for the children like dancing on stage under a plum tree, harvesting plums from the same tree and making jam! Digging for worms and roly polys in the garden. Planting seeds, observing the growth of plants, harvesting fruits and vegetables and eating your bounty! Cooking up soups and baking cakes in the mud kitchen. Getting cozy in the book nook. Building strength and having fun on the trapeze! Challenging themselves to be brave and finally go down that fire pole. The current Director Rose and Teacher Anne (both began at Miraloma in July 2023) are highly credentialed and have decades of early childhood development experience at preschools. I have seen the tremendous passion and care they have for the children that I have never experienced before. I wish our daughter was able to have spent more time with these amazing teachers before she graduated. The play based and child led approach was wonderful and empowering for our daughter. Every day the teachers set up new and fun experiences and activities for the children, but the kids decide what they want to do. The teachers then build on and adapt the curriculum to support the interests of the kids at any given time. Kids are given the tools and freedom to explore and develop their authentic selves while knowing a loving and supportive adult is nearby if they need help. Anne and Rose are often found on the floor engaging with and connecting with the children. I would venture to say that Anne is the best preschool teacher in all of SF and she shares her insight and wisdom with families in weekly detailed updates. Parents can learn alot from both Rose and Anne. We are forever grateful to Miraloma for providing our daughter with such a wonderful foundation for learning. Take a tour and you will also be wowed by how wonderful this place is!”

“Theresa Mahler Early Education School does such an amazing job with all the kids. All the teachers are patient and supportive with each of the students needs. If you’re looking for a preschool for your child, I highly recommend them. This was my child’s last year as he has started Kindergarten. I am grateful for each staff member at this school. We will truly miss everyone here!”

“We transferred our oldest child to the Little School from another preschool and have had the best experience. Over the past 5 years, our 3 children have all had incredible, experienced, and loving teachers. The thoughtful and supportive communication from the school has been consistent over the years, and the focus on the kids - supporting inclusion with their peers while supporting their individual needs is unmatched in preschools in SF. Can't recommend the Little School enough!”

“We love Mission Montessori! My daughter is now 3 years old and has attended the Toddler class since she was 18 months old. Her lead teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth, is so kind and it is clear how much she loves her students. The administration staff is also great and very quick to respond with any questions and concerns. The school is small but nice, and has an indoor and outdoor playground which allows the kids to get out energy regardless of the weather. We couldn't have asked for a better first school for our daughter.”

“Our son absolutely loved his time at Kinderhaus! Within just a few weeks he became such a confident German speaker, which was amazing to watch. The teacher-to-student ratio is excellent, allowing for lots of individual attention and care. We especially appreciated how much time the kids spent outdoors, as well as the variety of activities like baking, crafts, and celebrating both German and international holidays. It’s a wonderful, warm community of families, and we’re already looking forward to sending our daughter there soon. Highly recommended!”

“Jackie 3/9/81 went here in the 1980s and I was allowed to ride a tricycle around in the courtyard. One day Jackie came home with all of someone's My Little Ponies and Seahorses and dumped them in the tub. We got a phone call.”