Schools in San Mateo, CA

“My son attended Challenge School for a year between the age of 2.5 and 3.5 and we had the most wonderful experience. I highly recommend it without qualification to anyone looking for care for their child, and particularly if you're looking for a Mandarin-immersion environment.

The school provides a balance of structure and play, while having care and warmth be at the center of everything they do. As a result, our son flourished in the time he had at Challenge. If it weren't for the lottery system for public schools in San Mateo, we would have had him stay another year. We are sad to be leaving in August but leave with gratitude to all of the teachers and staff.”

“We were nervous about sending our son to preschool. Universe of Colors has been great for our son and for us. Our house is primarily English with some Spanish but now that he has been at UoC he has improved his Spanish skills drastically.”

“We have known Welcome Amigos School for over 5 years now. We have been really happy with the education and care that they provided to our two kids. They both did not speak any Spanish before starting, which was not a problem for them to learn, have fun and thrive. The teachers are amazing and care a lot about the kids. They helped us with potty training which was super helpful! There are lots of activities organized for the kids and for which parents are often invited (particularly shows done by the kids).
We also found that the teachers provide great educational foundations for the kids so they can be well prepared to start kindergarten. In addition, very helpful for working parents who can not take days off easily, Welcome Amigos offers camps at different times of the year. We know it is one of the priciest options around but it is worth it. We highly recommend Welcome Amigos as a preschool!”

“Our daughter attended Building Kidz San Mateo North from age 3 until she started TK. While the first few months were a bit rocky due to staffing transitions and a lack of leadership from the previous director, the environment improved significantly once Ms. Kay arrived. We saw a wonderful shift in both the quality of care and the curriculum.

We especially loved the sense of community; the teachers and staff truly knew and cared for all the children, regardless of their class level. The performing arts program was a highlight for us, and we thoroughly enjoyed watching the performances. We’re so glad to have been part of the Building Kidz community!”

“The staff has been absolutely wonderful to work with, and our 1-year-old gets so excited every morning when he sees Lina. It’s clear how much the teachers genuinely care about the kids.

Since the new ownership took over a few months ago, they’ve done a phenomenal job making improvements and continuing to enhance the program. We’ve been so happy with our experience that, with twins on the way, we’ve already decided to enroll them as well. Our son loves it so much that we couldn’t imagine choosing a different childcare option.

I highly recommend this daycare to any family looking for a safe, nurturing, and well-run environment for their children.”

“Our son is has been at Little Bloom for years and it has been a truly wonderful place for him.

We feel he is getting a strong education at Little Bloom and that the teachers are not simply loving and warm, but also that they put emphasis in creating a curriculum so toddlers learn new things every day.

Beyond that, they have a really lovely facility. It has specially constructed decorations, and a really great shaded outdoor area. For busy parents, they have plenty of convenient parking for drop off.

We’ve also made friends with other Little Bloom parents and know they feel the same. It’s more than just a daycare - it is a great education for little minds, a place conducive to busy parents’ lives, and a lovely community to be a part of.”

“Our son absolutely love Kinder Academy and the staff there. The teachers are top notch and miss Sophia really does a great job with the curriculum but also the events that she puts on where parents are invited to watch the kids perform (Lunar New Year, Graduation, and etc.). In the two years that your son has been there for not only pre-school but also summer camp he has excelled great and not only has he made many friends but also we as parents have made many friends with the other parents. It's really a great atmosphere and community.”

“We love this preschool! There are amazing teachers here who are so loving, kind, creative and truly care about your children. There are activities for kids such as art projects, sensory tables, puzzles, legos, play doh and they have every awesome toy you can think of. Teachers come up with really fun story times everday. Each child gets to do show and tell once a week- they all really look forward to this. Familles can choose to co-op or not- we love having that option and the flexibility the schedule offers. Great outdoor space for kids to free play and explore. Highly recommend this preschool.”

“We have been going to K&T since our daughter has been in Kindergarten. We love that our child was safely picked up from school with other children from Highlands and they would offer academic support . The headmaster teacher Judy has been helping us develop our children academically and socially . They go above and beyond and always ensure that our children is never hungry and are happy. They have a philosophy that instills balance of work and play. The teachers here are great and both kids are happy to come here . During the summer they have “camp” as well . It’s great to send the kids here during the summer because they do some academics and also they play - so when school starts again the kids don’t have brain fog or forget everything . I highly recommend this center .”

“KinderCare Bay Meadows has been an incredible experience for our family. From the moment we enrolled our son at 8 months old, we’ve been consistently impressed with the staff and teachers. Everyone is so friendly, approachable, compassionate, and responsible. I trust them with my son completely. Even teachers who don’t work directly with him know his name, which makes the environment feel welcoming and like a second home.

When our son started, he was beginning to develop stranger danger, but thanks to the nurturing atmosphere at Bay Meadows, he has become much more comfortable around new people. He’s learned so many valuable skills, from eating with cutlery and washing his hands to blowing kisses and cleaning up. Every day, he high-fives his favorite teachers before heading home, and he’s made some wonderful friendships.

The daycare has also been a great partner in introducing him to new foods and activities, things we might not have tried at home. As first-time parents, we’ve learned so much from their support and guidance. While I’ve sometimes struggled with the idea of daycare versus staying at home, the benefits of his experience at Bay Meadows are undeniable. The socialization, learning, experimentation, friendship, and love he receives here are things I could never replicate on my own. It’s been a truly wonderful experience for all of us! Thank you.”

“The swimming pool is the place to be. It would be nice if the big pool were just 1-2 degrees warmer in the winter (it gets a little cool after 40 minutes). But this pool is the clearest I've been in. Two thumbs up.”

“Very considerate and caring staff. Long hours and almost full year coverage to ensure parents not worry about kids when they work full time.

We started as backup care then switched to full time because we love them.”