Parents Press December 2023 by Parenting Media

DECEMBER 2023

Preschools and Early Education Guide

Finding the Right Start for Your Child HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT PRESCHOOL

School Admission Events Page 20

Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN DOING THE SITE VISIT

FEATURED PRESCHOOL LISTINGS PG. 25 PRESCHOOL BASICS– WHERE TO BEGIN

8 WAYS to Have a Debt Free Holiday

What Not To Give Kids as Presents

Making a Positive Impact Immersed in a joyful school community, Prospect Sierra students think and feel deeply, develop a lifelong love of learning, and are prepared to make a positive impact on the world.

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2 Parents Press | December 2023

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Volume 43 • Number 4

DECEMBER 2023

CONTENTS

www.parentspress.com

22 Featured Preschools and Early Childhood Education Find the Right Start for Your Child 22 How to find the Perfect Program 23 What to Look for When Doing the Site Visit

WHAT’S INSIDE

6 Good to Know • East Bay Private School Guide Available • Brain Injuries • Private School Online Calendar 7 Products We Love: Holiday Gift Guide

Mailing Address: 875-A Island Dr, Ste 421 Alameda, CA 94502

www.ParentsPress.com

10 12 14 20

25 Featured Preschool & ECE Listings 26 Where to Begin Your Search

8 Ways to Have a Debt-Free Holiday What Not to Give Kids As Presents Building Up STEM School Admission Events

Publisher | Parenting Media, Inc. Art Director | Debbi Murzyn Account Managers Carol Flores, Sophie Archer Advertising Sales & General Info sales@parentspress.com Copies of Parents’ Press are distributed to locations throughout the Bay Area. Send letters to the editor to editor@parentspress.com

Calendar submissions are due six weeks prior to publication date. Send calendar information to calendar@parentspress.com

December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 5

Good to Know

EAST BAY PRIVATE Brain Injuries SCHOOL GUIDE IS A AVAILABLE!

he 2023/24 edition of The East Bay Private School Guide is available and is filled with information on EAST BAY GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS how to help parents 2023/2024 navigate the process of finding the best private school for their child. This guide has information on prioritizing what are the most important factors for your family, determining what type of school to consider, navigating admissions tours, shadow days, interviews, needed exams, tuition assistance and writing a great essay. Use the month-by-month guide to keep your family on the admissions track to getting accepted to the school of your choice. Available in print and online at www.ParentsPress.com – just click on “Our Magazines” tab. Find the Right School for Your Child

From the publishers of

Private School Online Open House Calendar

hat better way to keep track of all the Bay Area preschool and private school’s admission events than this handy tool! With over 50 entities participating, check out the Online Open House & Admissions Calendar on ParentsPress.com. Look for the School Open Houses button on the main header bar and tap. Don’t forget to tell them you saw their event on https://parentspress.com 6 Parents Press | December 2023

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year an average of 62,000 children between the ages of 0-19 sustain brain injuries needing hospital stays. These injuries happen from motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports, physical abuse, and other causes. At greatest risk for brain injury are children between the ages of 0-4 and 15-19. A concussion is one form of a brain injury. Symptoms and recovery course for brain injuries vary greatly depending on the cause and severity of the injury. It is common for injuries to cause problems in such areas as cognitive functioning, physical capabilities, communication, and social, emotional, or behavioral regulation. Such symptoms include: • Cognitive impairments – short term memory loss, issues with concentration and attention, slowness of thinking • Physical impairments – issues with vision/hearing, headaches, impaired motor coordination and balance, fatigue • Language/communication – decreased ability to create or understand language, trouble thinking of right words to use, decreased vocabulary • Social/emotional/behavioral – mood swings, anxiety, depression, restlessness, problems controlling emotions With children, whose brains are still developing, it is important to keep an eye out for symptoms following a brain injury so that they can receive additional supports if needed such as medical care, special accommodations at school, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or help from a mental health specialist. It is common for some problems to become more noticeable as a child gets older and needs to use different skills, such as concentration, attention, and socially appropriate behaviors, in school and with friends. Reducing the incidence of brain injuries in children starts with prevention. Follow these tips for brain injury prevention: • Always make sure your child is wearing a seat belt when in the car. Small children should be in appropriate car seats or booster seats. • Children, adolescents, and teens must always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter, skateboard, snowmobile, dirt bike or ATV. • Use appropriate head gear in contact sports, skiing, sledding, skating, or riding a horse. • Do not walk, drive, or cross a street when texting. Always be aware of surroundings. • Place non-slip mats in bathtub/shower as well as under area rugs. • Do not leave babies unattended on beds or changing tables. Never place occupied carriers on high surfaces such as countertops or tables without supervision. • Install safety gates at top and bottom of all stairs. • Place safety guards on windows. • Keep stairs clutter-free. Y

Holiday Gifts We Love  By Elena Epstein, Director of the National Parenting Product Awards

DO YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR FAMILY?

Learn about each other and build new family memories as you answer interesting questions, spark conversations and perform silly challenges together. $24.99, ages 8+, www.amazon.com

WILD ANIMALS DELUXE

NINJA KIDZ TV GIANT MYSTERY NINJA BALL

This giant mystery ball has over 25 blind-bag surprises for inspiring Ninjas to unbox. Your adventure will begin once you find the mission cards and battle gear inside of the Giant Mystery Ball, which also doubles as a detachable shield. $52.99, ages 3+, www.bliptoys.com

GREEN GUARDIANS

Kids will go wild for the Hidden Pictures puzzle collection featuring over 50 playful scenes. Includes 110+ stickers, a cut-andcolor animal matching game, jokes and more! $12.99, ages 4-8, www.amazon.com

SMITHSONIAN JELLYFISH TANK Watch a bloom of “jellyfish” elegantly swim, as you learn more about these amazing and ancient animals. Included STEM content teaches about these unusual carnivorous creatures that have roamed the seas for more than 500 million years. $24.99, ages 10+, www.target.com

Fun and eco-friendly. Each themed set comes with a vehicle, a human guardian of the planet and an animal. At the end of its life, simply dispose of it and the pieces will begin to biodegrade within a year. $35 for sets, $4.99 for open stock, ages 3+, shop. www.wildrepublic.com

SMASHERS DINO ISLAND T-REX BATTLES BY ZURU

Are you ready for a prehistoric battle? Dig your way through sand and slime to discover your dinosaur pieces before constructing your battling dinos. There are over 50 surprises to smash, build and battle. $44.99, ages 3-5, www.zurutoys.com

NAPPA Awards has been celebrating the best in family products for 33December years. 2023 | ParentsPress.com 7 For more product reviews and gift ideas visit nappaawards.com

Holiday Gifts (continued) VTECH STYLE & GLAM ON UNICORN

Choose from six glamorous accessories to decorate the horn and tail. Hear the unicorn describe each accessory while exploring colors, counting, feelings and more. The unicorn will play five- or ten-minute songs as her horn and star flash to the beat. $29.99, ages 1.5-4, www.vtechkids.com

HOW I DID IT!

An encouraging tale about a daring letter in the alphabet who wants to stand out. Uses a clever play on words to deliver a message about creativity, individuality and following your dreams. $8.99, ages 6-8, www.silverdolphinbooks.com

PAW PATROL THE MIGHTY MOVIE AIRCRAFT CARRIER HQ

Where every mission starts. Features a preschool friendly transformation, dual vehicle launches and two projectiles on each side so the pups are ready to save the day. $129.99, ages 3+, www.spinmaster.com

SPIROGRAPH DOODLE PAD Create endless designs on the LCD screen using wheels. Draw easily on the go or at home, then save and display your colorful artwork. No paper, no markers no mess. Includes LCD Doodle Pad with built-in storage area, stylus, 4 stencil wheels, design ideas and instruction guide. $24.99, ages 5+, www.playmonster.com

LEAPFROG RAINBOW LEARNING LIGHTS MIXER

STYLE BAE

Dolls and accessory sets offer a unique, fresh play experiences—simply peel, stick and style. Each comes with a closet full of 7 trendy outfits made from reusable cling stickers that make changing outfits easy, especially for young fashionistas. Mix and match tops, bottoms, and shoes to create over 850 looks. $19.99, ages 4+, www.justplayproducts.com

Create your own recipes or follow the instructions on the two doublesided recipe cards. Little bakers can make more than 40 pretend recipes for cookies, cupcakes, pies and more. $29.99, ages 2+, www.shop. leapfrog.com Y

NAPPA Awards has been celebrating the best in family products for 33 years. For more product reviews and gift ideas visit nappaawards.com

8 Parents Press | December 2023

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December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 9

8 Ways

to Have a Debt-Free Holiday

happens earlier and earlier every year.

The holiday music starts playing at the start of November, and the stores have holiday items out before Halloween is even over. AND THE COMMERCIALS

FOR TOYS! That’s when I really start to feel anxious. And what

will we get for our relatives this year? How will we show our appreciation for people like teachers and daycare providers without burning up our credit card? Don’t worry … here’s some help! By Kerrie McLoughlin

10 Parents Press | December 2023

Have a plan.

Yes, this means using that dirty word: budget. I set up a budget in Excel every year and love it because I can easily set formulas to add and subtract for me. This way I can play with numbers to see how much I actually have available to spend on each person on my shopping list. If doing a budget in Excel isn’t your thing, head to www. homeeverafter.com/christmas-shopping-list-plannerbudget-spreadsheet-free-printable for a free downloadable and printable holiday budget planner.

Rack up the credit card reward points, but only if you can handle it.

If your credit card has a rewards program where you can get gift cards based on how much money you put on your credit card, use it. Caution: you must be able to pay off every cent you put on by the due date. If you don’t have it budgeted, don’t spend it. I’m able to earn a few hundred dollars’ worth of gift cards for holiday spending every year using this system, which I can then use to shop or just give the gift card as a gift itself. If you go to http://www. creditcards.com/reward.php, they compare the top credit card reward programs for you.

Rack up the MyPoints.

I’ve been a member of www.MyPoints.com for many years and have earned gift cards not only by reading emails (5 points each), but by sometimes spending money with certain merchants they support. I’m quickly working toward saving up 10,000 MyPoints, which will equal $50 cash in my PayPal account. The bonus is that I use my credit card to purchase gifts I would have bought anyway, so I double my holiday earning power.

Make it yourself!

Gifts in a jar (www.TipJunkie.com/jar-homemadegifts), like cookie, cake, pie and drink mixes and other homemade treats always go over well, and they are cheap to make! Put them in reusable containers, and you’ve gone green, as well!

Give up on trying to impress.

Sure, the mailman would dig a $100 gift card to a local restaurant, and your sitter would love a $100 iTunes card, but you probably can’t afford that or you wouldn’t be reading this article. Do what you can and let people appreciate you for who you are!

Sell stuff.

Getting rid of your clutter not only makes you money, but it also makes room for incoming holiday gifts. You can sell books, toys, clothes, movies, music and more at consignment shops, www.Craigslist.com or even throw a garage sale if you’re really feeling industrious!

Buy used.

Now that your “trash” is going out of your house, you can find “treasure” at thrift shops, consignment shops, garage sales, www.Craigslist.com, www.Amazon.com and www.eBay.com. What a great way to save at least 50% on items you’re looking for.

Buy nothing!

To stay out of debt, consider not buying a gift for your spouse and letting him or her know you want nothing but to live a debt-free life full of security and hope for the future. If you just can’t stomach that, it can be a fun time trying to find something for each other on a $10 budget each! A love poem is free and goes a long way in my house.

Kerrie McLoughlin blogs at TheKerrieShow.com about her roller coaster ride life homeschooling 5 kids.

December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 11

By Sarah Lyons

y children began their Christmas lists in October.

Curious to see what made the list this year, I read over my daughter’s shoulder and was shocked to see that she had asked for a doll that spits up and wets itself, an expensive Lego set, and a live donkey. These items were NOT on my Christmas list for my children. When you begin your Christmas shopping this year, instead of asking what the kids would like for Christmas, consider asking the parents what they do NOT want their kids to get for Christmas.

A million pieces

Everyone is likely to get frustrated with a toy that comes with “a million” pieces. In no time, the pieces tend to get spread across the entire house and it is nearly impossible to get them back together. “Once the pieces are lost the whole toy is pointless because you can’t do anything with it if certain pieces are missing.” says Kassie Rew, mom of three. Prior to giving, consider the ages of the children in the home. A nine year old may ask for Polly Pocket dolls or Legos but they can easily turn into a choking hazard for a baby brother and a become huge stress for the parents.

12 Parents Press | December 2023

Some assembly required

Every parent cringes when their child opens a fun and exciting toy and the box has the words “some assembly required” which usually means the parent spends hours reading frustrating directions and assembling the toy late into the night. If you are giving a toy that requires assembly, please consider putting it together prior to giving.

A not-so-joyful noise

Loud toys have been irritating parents since toys were invented. Musical instruments, toys with hammers, and battery operated toys with no volume control all contribute

to the already high level of noise pollution in the average household. When purchasing a loud toy for a favorite niece or nephew, please stop and imagine it being passed back to your own house when you have children. If that makes you shudder, keep shopping.

Batteries not included

While we are talking about battery powered toys, please consider a few things as you purchase a gift. Does the toy require batteries? If yes, are the batteries regularly available at a reasonable price? “We don’t care for toys that require massive amounts of expensive batteries. Sometimes the batteries cost more than the toy itself.” says Jessi Cole, mom of three. Check if the toy comes with batteries or if you must purchase them separately. Make sure to have batteries on hand when the child opens the gift, so they can begin playing immediately.

Toys that encourage violence

Lauren Heller, mom of twins, says “Anything that encourages hitting or violence against siblings is discouraged. They fight enough as it is.” Toys such as Nerf guns, swords, punching bags, and boxing gloves are not ideal for families that may not want weapons in the house. Amy Cameron, mom of three, has a different perspective “A water gun, lightsaber, or Nerf gun for only one sibling is not desired. They need to be equally armed.” It is best to ask permission before purchasing these items.

All that glitters isn’t always gold

Many families love to receive craft items as gifts and even ask for them specifically. Others may find them messy, stressful, and frustrating. Play dough, paint, markers, stamps, beads, and glitter all fall into this category. “It doesn’t feel like a gift when we are trying to get ink out of laundry, carpet, or off the walls.” says Bridget Estelle, mom of four. Keeping this in mind, some families do enjoy crafts. Double check with the parents to see what their policy on craft supplies is before you make your purchase. Purchasing a gift for someone is always challenging because you want it to be enjoyed. Ask the parents what they suggest, if anything is not permitted in the house, and if you have a great idea, run it by them first. Consider buying classic toys that are always a hit or an experience like a membership to a local attraction. Even if you have purchased one of the toys mentioned above or do in the future, don’t fret. Parents know that it truly is the thought that counts and are grateful that their children have generous people in their lives. a Sarah Lyons is a stay at home mom to six kids, including two year old triplets.

Gifts parents LOVE to receive for their kids • Educational toys • Experiences — zoo membership, movie passes, classes, camps • Complete gifts — a tablet, case, warranty, and gift card for apps • Accessories — a train to go with a new train set, furniture for a new doll house • Books • Batteries • Practical gifts — clothes, shoes, coats

December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 13

By Janeen Lewis

Building Up STEAM 35 Easy Tips to Try This Weekend

STEAM (Science, Technology Engineering, Arts and Math) has grown in popularity in recent years, and the future will include STEAM-related jobs. Foster a love of STEAM at home this winter with these fun and easy ideas. In honor of National STEM/ STEAM Day on November 8th, here is 35 ideas to step up your kid’s STEAM learning!

Science

hildren are naturally inquisitive, and curiosity is the backbone of science discovery. Inspire kids to dive into science with these ideas: Give children a scientific start. Use scientific words and make exploring a part of everyday life. Welcome questions like “Why is the sky blue? “Questioning is the first step of the Scientific Method. Encourage household problem-solving. Bread dough that doesn’t rise, an inside door that sticks, an insect infestation in the garden are gateways to hypotheses, experiments and answers. Create a kitchen science lab. Make homemade ice cream in a Ziploc bag, make butter out of heavy cream in a mason jar or grow geodes in eggshells. Have a blast — literally! Many safe experiments involve eruptions. Make a paper mache baking soda and vinegar volcano. Go outside and drop a pack of Mentos in a 2-liter soda or launch a bottle rocket. Discuss the science behind the blast. Grow a garden. Start seedlings from kitchen vegetable seeds or trimmings. Relate science to hobbies. Learn the physics behind the fastball or how the gymnast balances on the beam.

Technology

uture jobs will require technology. Embrace screen benefits that build technology skills.

Make the computer your friend. Teach your child how to do research, make brochures for school projects and use spreadsheets for chores and allowance. In anticipation of future trips, let your child research destinations. Start coding. Check out code.org for fun ways kids can code online or without technology. Other coding sites to try are Codeacademy, Kodable, Lightbot, Scratch and Tynker. Introduce Raspberry Pi. Kids can use this card-sized single board computer for basic programming. Let them make a stop-motion video. Apps to try: Lego Movie Maker, Stop Motion Studio, Lapse It, iStopMotion and Clayframes.

14 Parents Press | December 2023

Engineering

Arts

Teach kids the Engineering Design Process (Check out a kid-friendly version at www.teachengineering .com)

Inspire creativity. Immerse your home in different types of art. Listen to music, collect art or art books or check them out from the library.

Let them join a Lego Robotics Club.

Be positive. Even if you don’t think you’re good at art, try some art mediums along with your child. He or she will be more willing to try, too.

oes your child love Lego blocks or Minecraft? Does she want to take apart the toaster or fix the cell phone when it breaks? Here are ways to encourage a budding engineer.

Stock building supplies. Try Legos, wooden blocks, K’nex, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys and Duplo bricks. Also keep recyclables like cardboard, paper towel tubes and cereal boxes. There are even edible options like cheese, grapes and marshmallows. Pair one of these with toothpicks or pretzels for building. Encourage children to complete tower building challenges. One fun and easy way to do this is with notecards or old playing cards and no other materials. Kids can only fold the cards, no ripping or cutting. Create Catapults. Some materials to try: Popsicle sticks, spoons, drink lids, rubber bands and pom poms. Build a Rube Goldberg machine out of household materials. This machine is intentionally designed to perform a simple task through a series of complex chain reactions. To learn more, visit rubegoldberg. com.

hildren can be artists by painting, drawing, sculpting, singing, playing an instrument, dancing or writing. Take note of inclinations in these areas and foster a love of the arts.

Stock up on art supplies. Water colors, finger paints, acrylic, crayons, colored pencils, pastels, construction paper, sketch books and origami paper are some examples. Experiment with evaporation art. Mix salt with water and paint. Have your child predict what will happen to the salt and water. Order a how-to-draw book or check out videos on YouTube. Step by step directions will give your child more confidence. Sculpt with air-dry clay. Your child doesn’t need a pottery wheel to create with clay. After the clay dries, it can be painted. Listen to a variety of music genres. This will open your child’s mind to different artists and styles of music. Sign your child up for a virtual creative writing class. Read poetry books.

Join a radio control club. Planes, helicopters and boats often inspire children. Building their own involves creativity and problem-solving skills.

duct

Build a miniature roller coaster. Give your child materials like pipe insulation, marbles, cups and tape. Watch them take their creativity for a ride.

December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 15

STEAM Stories:

Picture Books that support STEAM

Math

here are many ways to make math relevant and interesting. Research shows that most children can succeed at math.

Teach number sense. Mentally work through problemsolving logic with your child. “Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late” by Laura Overdeck is a good book for promoting math discussions. Check out Texas Instruments’ “STEM Behind Cool Careers” (https://education.ti.com/en/activities/stem/gen-stem) for videos connecting algebra, geometry and physics to jobs like fashion design, flying jets and more. Cook or bake together. Measuring, equivalent fractions and conversions are all part of recipe building. Measure the miles. When going on family outings, find the distance with your child. Calculate the miles and time it will take to get there and how much gas will cost. Assign chores and give an allowance. They’ll be asking for ice cream and movie money anyway, so why not teach practical budgeting skills in the process?

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty • Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty • Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty • Grandfather Tang’s Story by Ann Tompert • B is for Bulldozer: A Construction ABC by June Sobel • The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires • Charlotte the Scientist is Squished by Camille Andros • 11 Experiments that Failed by Jenny Offill • Mechanimals by Chris Tougas • If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen • If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen • If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen • Awesome Engineering Activities for Kids: 50+ Exciting STEAM Projects to Design and Build by Christina Schul • How a House is Built by Gail Gibbons

Lower & Middle School Virtual Q&A Dates October: 11, 25 • November: 16 • December: 6 • January (2024): 6

16 Parents Press | December 2023

K-8 progressive education in Oakland‘s Temescal. At MEISA, Montessori is mind-changing education

Introducing New Montessori Middle School program in fall 2023 6th through 8th grade

Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda – MEISA parkdayschool.org (510) 653-0317

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December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 17

Fearless, W

LEADE

Find out more a 18 Parents Press | December 2023

We Pursue

ERSHIP

at shcp.edu/visit December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 19

More Events Online at www.ParentsPress.com ALAMEDA Saint Philip Neri Catholic Information Night January 10, 2024 @ 7:00 pm Come and Play in TK & K January 17, 2024 @ 10:00 am School Open House January 28, 2024 - RSVP 1335 High Street www.spnalameda.org Coastline Christian Schools Open House January 27, 2024 RSVP 1801 North Loop Rd www.coastlinechristian.org BERKELEY Bayhill High School Open House January 20, 2024 @ 10:00 am 1940 Virginia Street www.bayhillhs.org The Crowden School Campus Tours December 5, 2023 @ 9:15 am December 15, 2023 @ 9:30 am January 16, 2024 @ 9:15 am Open House/Sneak Peak January 21, 2024 @ RSVP Virtual Info Session December 6, 2023 @ 6:30 pm January 10, 2024 @ 6:30 pm 1475 Rose Street www.crowden.org Ecole Biingue de Berkeley Preschool - LS Open House January 20, 2024 @ 10:00 am MS Open House December 9, 2023 @ 10:00 am Preschool Tour December 12, 2023 @ 9:00 am January 12, 2024 @ 9:00 am January 31, 2024 @ 9:00 am TK/Kindergarten Tour December 11, 2023 @ 9:00 am January 10, 2024 @ 9:00 am January 29, 2024 @ 9:00 am 1009 Heinz Ave www.eb.org CONCORD Orion Academy Open House January 27, 2024 @ 9:30 am 1868 Clayton Road www.orionacademy.org

DANVILLE The Athenian School Middle School Open House January 20, 2024 @ 10:00 am Upper School Open House: January 21, 2024 @ 10:00 am 2100 Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd www.athenian.org DUBLIN The Quarry Lane School Open House January 28, 2024 RSVP See website for location www.quarrylane.org EMERYVILLE East Bay German Intl. School Online Info Session – Early Childhood December 13, 2023 @ 9:00 am Online Info Session – K-5 December 6, 2024 @ 9:00 am Online Info Session – (6-8) January 17, 2024 @ 7:00 pm On Campus Open House January 27, 2024 @ 10:00 am 1070 41st Street www.ebgis.org Escuela Bilingüe Internacional PK & Lower School Parent Info Session December 2, 2023 RSVP January 10, 2024 RSVP Grades 6-8 Parent Info Session December 2, 2023 RSVP Diversity Reception January 20, 2024 RSVP 4550 San Pablo Ave, Emeryville 410 Alcatraz Ave, Oakland www.ebinternacional.org EL CERRITO Prospect Sierra School Elementary Info Sessions TK - 4 December 12, 2023 @ 9:00 am January 5, 2024 @ 9:00 am Elementary Weekday Campus Tours TK - 4 December 5, 2023 @ 9:00 am December 8, 2023 @ 9:00 am Middle School Info Sessions 5-8 December 11, 2023 @ 9:00 am Middle School Campus Tours December 7, 2023 @ 9:00 am December 13, 2023 @ 9:00 am 2060 Topscott Ave & 960 Avis Dr. www.prospectsierra.org

HAYWARD Moreau Catholic High School Family Admissions Tours December 12, 2023 @ 8:30 am 27170 Mission Blvd www.moreaucatholic.org LAFAYETTE Bentley School (Grades 9-12) Upper School Phoenix Days December 6, 2023 - RSVP 1000 Upper Happy Valley Road www.bentleyschool.org The Springstone School Open House January 20, 2024 @ 10:00 am February 10, 2024 @ 10:00 am 1035 Carol Ln www.thespringstoneschool.org OAKLAND Aurora School K-5 Tours December 8, 2023 @ 8:45 am January 5, 2024 @ 8:45 am January 12, 2024 @ 8:45 am January 19, 2024 @ 8:45 am Middle School (6-8) Tours December 2, 2023 @ 8:45 am January 4, 2024 @ 8:45 am January 11, 2024 @ 8:45 am January 18, 2024 @ 8:45 am Prospective Families of Color December 9, 2023 @ 10:00 am 40 Dulwich Road www.auroraschool.org Bentley School (Grades K-8) Open House December 9, 2023 - RSVP 1 Hiller Dr www.bentleyschool.org Broadway Children’s School of Oakland Preschool Open House December 2, 2023 @ 10:30 am 394 Adams St www.broadwaychildrensschool. org Escuela Bilingüe Internacional PK & Lower School Parent Info Session December 2, 2023 RSVP January 10, 2024 RSVP Grades 6-8 Parent Info Session December 2, 2023 RSVP

Diversity Reception January 20, 2024 RSVP 4550 San Pablo Ave, Emeryville 410 Alcatraz Ave, Oakland www.ebinternacional.org Park Day School K-8 Open House December 9, 2023 @ 10:00 am Program Showcase January 6, 2024 @ 1:00 pm 360 42nd Street www.parkdayschool.org Redwood Day School Sneek Peek January 6, 2024 LS @ 9:15 am,MS @ 11:00 am 3245 Sheffield Ave www.rdschool.org ORINDA Orinda Academy (Grades 8-12) Virtual Info Sessions December 12, 2023 @ 7:00 pm Open House December 10, 2023 @ 10:00 am 19 Altarinda Road www.orindaacademy.org PIEDMONT Corpus Christi School Virtual Open House December 5, 2023 @ 7:00 pm Open House December 12, 2023 @ 8:15am January 9, 2024 @ 8:15am 1 Estates Dr www.corpuschristischool.com WALNUT CREEK The Seven Hills School Admissions Campus Tour K-8 December 12, 2023 @ 8:30am January 11, 2024 @ 8:30 am Admissions Campus Tour Preschool/Pre-K December 6, 2023 @ 8:30 am January 12, 2024 @ 8:30 am 975 North San Carlos Drive www.sevenhillsschool.org

Check out more school open house events online at www.ParentsPress.com — Select School Open Houses

Discover wh have been for gener Discover why families PRESCHOOL THROUGH 8TH GRADE

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INFORMATION NIGHTS • Dec 1, 2016 and Jan 11, School Tours Available OPEN HOUSE • Jan 29,82017 10:15 INFORMATION NIGHTS • Nov and •Jan 10AM – 12: 15 PM INFORMATION NIGHTS • Dec 1, 2016 and Jan 11, 2017 • 7PM a tour TUESDAY TOURS• •Jan Please OPEN HOUSE 28 call to schedule

OPN HOUSE • Jan 29,www.spnalameda.org/admissions 2017 • 10:15 AM – 12: 15 PM TUESDAY Please RSVP: TOURS • Please callschool.spnalameda.org to schedule a tour • facebook.com/saintphilip

Since 1956

1335 facebook.com/saintphilipnerischool High Street, Alameda, CA 94501 • 510-521

www.spnalameda.org school.spnalameda.org •

1335 High Street, Alameda, CA 94501 • 510-521-0787

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At MESA, Montessori is mind-changing education

MEISA creates change-makers Award-Winning Montessori Elementary/Middle School Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda – MEISA 1st through 8th grade

510.521.0595

1400 6th Street • Alameda office@thechildunique.org

www.thechildunique.org December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 21

Find the Right Start for Your Child

Featured

PRESCHOOLS AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Parents’ Press takes the guesswork out of finding the right preschool for your child, from start to finish.

he following articles are excerpts from the 2023/24 East Bay Guide to Preschools and Early Education, covering “7 Steps to Finding the Perfect Preschool,” “What to Look for When Doing the Site Visit” and “Basics to Know About Preschool Options.” The complete 2023/24 East Bay Guide to Preschools and Early Education leads parents along the early education or preschool selection path beginning with how to determine if your child is

ready for preschool, what options and different teaching philosophies are available, questions to ask a preschool, what to look for on a site visit and more. In addition, you will find program profiles and a comprehensive list of regional early education and preschool programs. Your road to the ideal early education program just got easier! Get your copy today of this free resource at

ParentsPress.com/our-magazines.

How to Find the Perfect Program

START EARLY. It takes time to research different styles UTILIZE LOCAL PARENTING RESOURCES. Local of preschools and become familiar with common terms parenting magazines, like Parents’ Press, offer lots of early used. Many parents start this process a year ahead of time, education and preschool information as well as open house some parents even start while pregnant! Children usually attend announcements. These resources will help you to become familiar preschool for two to three years between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years. with what programs are available in your area and the options being offered to help with your selection process. Visit school DETERMINE WHAT CRITERIA IS MOST IMPORTANT websites that look interesting to find out admissions information. FOR YOUR CHILD AND FAMILY. Is it location, faith, type of program offered, language immersion, special-needs ASK AROUND. Talk to other parents in your area to see what options, a year-round program, extended hours, cost? Prioritize programs they were part of, and if they would recommend what are the most important factors for your situation? Rate these them. Find out what they liked most and least about the factors so you have a clear picture of where and what programs to program. How long did their child attend? Did they experience any focus on and what is the best fit for your child and family. teacher turnover? What was the culture like? How did they handle sick days, potty training and behavioral issues? How involved were the parents in the school? Are the parents and children still in contact with others from that preschool? Continued on page 24 >>>

22 Parents Press | December 2023

What to Look for When Doing the Site Visit

Be prepared with this checklist before you step foot into the school

FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Is the preschool clean, organized and does it have a good feeling about it? Is the staff friendly, and are the teachers in control of the classroom? Inside, are there play areas? Are toys and books in good shape and organized? Outside is there enough room? Are there play areas and toys for all of the kids? Does the preschool feel safe inside and out? Does the preschool feel like a place your child can thrive in?

THE BASICS. What are the start and end times for the core program? If extended care is an option, who manages this, and, where is it held? What is the daily schedule, as well as the school holiday schedule? Are lunch and snacks provided? If not, is refrigeration available? Is the bathroom safe and centrally located with toddler sized facilities? What are the illness policies? Is the facility up to code? What are the emergency protocols?

TEACHERS AND STAFF. Is there enough supervision? Does the teacher-child ratio match or exceed standards? Teacher turnover? What experience do the teachers have and how long have they been teaching at this school? How were they trained? Do the teachers seem happy? How is their interaction with the children? How do they balance the different needs of the children? Do they have a specific approach for teaching social-emotional skills? How do they communicate with the family on concerns? How often are parent-teacher conferences held?

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. Are the children doing the same project or do the children work independently? Are there a variety of learning materials in which children can explore their interests and learn new skills? Is there a focus on reading? How do children decide what to do, when to do it and with whom? What support do teachers provide when a child gets stuck on a project? How are children motivated to participate? How are holidays integrated into the learning experience?

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT. How involved are the families in the dayto-day operations of the preschool? What opportunities or organized events are available to meet other families during the school year? Is there a parent association? Are there required volunteer hours or monetary commitments beyond the tuition? Are there fundraising events and what is the money raised used for? Are there opportunities for classroom observation? How do family members participate in celebrations?

FINAL IMPRESSION OF THE VISIT. This is your gut check. Do you feel this preschool is a great fit for your child? Did you feel comfortable with what you saw and the people you interacted with? Did your concerns get addressed? Any red flags you need to check up on? Were you encouraged to contact the school with any questions? Is there a clear next step in the process? Every family has specific needs and many preschools can accommodate most needs. It is important to ask questions now. Don’t be afraid to discuss personal matters, one on one. Chances are the preschool has encountered a similar situation before and is up to the task or may be able to give you direction to an alternative resource. Y

Dynamic Education Optimizing Each Child’s Potential Now Enrolling Now Enrolling Fall & Winter 2023

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<<< Continued from page 22

If you could give your child one gift to last a lifetime, what would it be?

Parents Press

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CONTACT THE PRESCHOOL. Before you apply, find out the preschool’s admissions schedule and how many openings they will have and how many spots will be reserved for siblings of families already enrolled. If you are concerned that your top choice or choices have way more applicants than spots it would be a wise idea to apply to more than one preschool even though there may be an application fee. Find out ways to tours the school.

TOUR YOUR TOP CHOICES. Arrange to take a tour or go to an open house to learn about the school philosophy and the admissions process. Most schools prefer for you to preregister for these. Have your questions ready and observe. Look for signs that the preschool is well run. Also, this is a time that the preschool uses to determine which families will be a good fit for their program.

7 • Ages 2-6 Years • Stimulating Nurturing Environment

• Preparation for Kindergarten • Two Expansive Campuses • Potty Training • Full-Time and Part-Time Schedules

Now Enrolling for Spring 2024!

1629 Carlson Blvd., Richmond Annex 94804

Admissions - 510-526-7847 ext.2

24 Parents Press | December 2023

APPLY TO YOUR TOP CHOICE. You have done your research, established your criteria and taken the tour — now it is time to apply to your top choice. Some preschools have ongoing enrollment but most follow the school year format. Acceptance letters go out in spring for the following fall. Also, find out from the organization when you can expect to hear from them, one way or another. It is okay to be persistent and let them know you and your family are interested, but don’t be a pest. If your child is waitlisted get specifics from the preschool. What number on the wait list is your child and does the preschool have a commitment from all returning families? If the school is accepting a total of 15 new children and you are way down on the wait list, it is time to consider other options. If you are concerned that your top choice has more applicants than spots it would be a good idea to apply to more than one preschool. Y

Featured Preschools

Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care

Monthly Tuition Accredited Facility? Diapers Accepted? Education Based?

Home or Center Meals Provided? Special Needs? Transportation?

PK - 1st grade Up to 30 children

$622 -$1,933 FA Available Accredited Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center

$622 -$1,933 FA Available Accredited Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center

$622 -$1,933 FA Available Accredited Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center

Alameda The Child Unique Montessori School - Encinal Campus 2226 Encinal Ave. Alameda • 510-521-9227 www.thechildunique.org

The Child Unique Montessori School - Pacific Campus 2212 Pacific Ave. Alameda • 510-521-9227 www.thechildunique.org

The Child Unique Montessori School - Taylor Campus 1400 Sixth St. Alameda • 510-521-0595 www.thechildunique.org

7:00 am - 6:00 pm 18 mos - 3 yrs Up to 20 children 7:00 am - 6:00 pm PK - 1st grade Up to 44 children 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Special Needs Accepted

Sugar & Spice Center for Children Inc.

2 yr - 6 40 children 7:45 am - 5:00 pm

$16,800/ year Diapers Accepted Play-based Spanish

Center All meals including a hot lunch Bilingual Spanish program

Tiny Treasures Preschool

2 - 5 yrs

Varies

8:00 am - 5:50 pm

Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center Meals Provided

2238 Mariner Square Drive Alameda • 510-865-1055 www.sugarspice.com

1803 N Loop Rd Alameda • 510-995-5383 www.ttpreschoolalameda.org

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December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 25

Preschool Basics – Where to Begin

ontrary to what you might have heard, choosing the right preschool for your child is not as difficult as applying for an advanced degree. The key to choosing the right preschool is going into the process prepared. Prepared with a solid idea of what you want your child to gain from his or her preschool experience. Below are helpful suggestions for choosing a preschool that is a good match for your child and your family, as well as information on some of the most popular types of preschool educational philosophies.

Think about the Basics

The best way to keep from becoming overwhelmed by the process of choosing a preschool is to think about how the preschool will fit into your daily life. Here are some questions parents should consider: • Is it important for the preschool to be near my home? • Is it important for the preschool to be near my workplace? • Is it important for the preschool to offer childcare services in the morning, afternoon, or both? • Are you looking for a play-based classroom or a more academic setting? • Am I eligible for or interested in subsidized preschool programs (i.e., Early Head Start, Child Welfare League of America or state-funded programming) that offer services such as childcare programs with a focus on providing educational opportunities?

26 Parents Press | December 2023

Answering each of these questions will help you narrow down the general location and type of setting you should research making the process of comparing programs easier to manage.

Become Familiar with Common Terms

For many parents, the most confusing part about choosing preschools is trying to make sense of terms such as, “Montessori Approach,” “child-centered,” “Waldorf Approach” and “faith-based.” What do these terms mean and how can these terms help you choose a preschool? Oftentimes, the key difference between settings is connected to the preschool’s “educational philosophy.” While educational philosophies are numerous and their definitions are not set in stone, we have provided you with definitions for some of the most popular philosophies.

Academic vs Play-Based

Academic preschools have a mostly teacher-led classroom. Teachers and staff guide kids through a tightly structured curriculum. They introduce kids to several subjects, including math, reading, writing, science, and nature. In a play-based program, children choose activities on their current interests. The play-based classroom is broken up into sections, such as a home or kitchen, science area, water table, reading nook, space with blocks and other toys or other areas. Teachers encourage kids to play, facilitating social skills along the way.

Montessori Method

This philosophy focuses on maintaining the individuality of each child in the learning process. It believes each child learns at their own pace and educational progress should not be rendered based upon comparing students to one another.

Reggio Emilia Approach

This approach focuses on providing opportunities for problem solving and expression through creativity and exploration.

Waldorf Approach

Emphasis is placed on imagination and experiential learning, providing students with opportunities to explore their world through the senses, participation and analytical thought.

Bank Street Approach

This approach places an emphasis on learning through multiple perspectives, both in the classroom setting and in the natural world with a strong focus on emotional and intellectual development.

help you make informed decisions regarding your child’s education. Below is a list of some common terms used to describe preschool settings. It should be noted that these terms may be used alone or in combination with one another (i.e., a “childcentered, faith-based” setting).

HighScope Approach

Child-centered

This approach focuses on letting children be in charge of their own learning. Children are taught to make a plan for what they would like to do each day and participate in a review session to discuss the success of their plan and brainstorm ideas for the next day. Outside of the formal educational philosophies, knowing the difference between other common early childhood terms will

This term is often used to describe settings that take the children’s interests into consideration when planning activities. For example: in a child-centered setting, the classroom activities are based on the interests of the students, not on pre-scheduled topics chosen by the teacher. These settings often offer increased opportunities for children to choose activities throughout the day depending on their interests.

Teacher-led

The opposite of a child-centered setting is a teacher-led setting. Teacher-led often means that curriculum and supplemental activities are implemented based on a set schedule developed by the teachers in the setting. This type of setting usually provides children with a structured learning environment.

Child-led

These settings believe children learn best when they are engaged and interested in learning. Child-led settings wait for each child to initiate or ask for new activities and experiences, fostering individualized learning experiences rather than group experiences. Continued on page 34 >>>

December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 27

Featured Preschools

Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care

Monthly Tuition Accredited Facility? Diapers Accepted? Education Based?

Home or Center Meals Provided? Special Needs? Transportation?

KSS Immersion Preschools

2 yr - 6 Up to 48 children 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

$2,295 Tuition Assistance Spanish Immersion Education Based

Center Extended Day Available

Little Lamb Bilingual Preschool

1.5 yr - 5

Center

2 yr - 5 Up to 92 children 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Ext care to 5:30 pm

$2,440 FA Available Accredited Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley (EB)

2 yr - 5 Up to 100 children 8:15am to 3:30pm. Extended care available (7:30am to 6pm)

$33,665 Accredited Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center

Little Elephant Too!

2 - 6 yrs 24 children

Varies

Center Snacks Provided

Albany 1331 Portland Ave Albany • 877-442-2555 www.ksspreschool.com

924 Adams Street Albany • 510-778-4560 www.littlelambbilingual.com

Non Denominational 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Special Needs Accepted

Berkeley The Berkeley School (Early Childhood Center) 2030 Francisco St Berkeley • 510-849-8340 www.theberkeleyschool.org

1009 Heinz Avenue Berkeley • 510-809-0641 www.eb.org

2008 McGee Ave Berkeley • 510-679-5056 www.littleelephant.net/

Shu Ren International School 2125 Jefferson Ave. Berkeley • 510-841-8899 www.shurenschool.com

Shu Ren International School 1422 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley • 510-833-7789 www.shurenschool.com

Step One School

499 Spruce Street Berkeley • 510-527-9021 www.steponeschool.org

Walden Center and School

2446 Mckinley Ave Berkeley • 510-841-7248 https://waldencenterschool.org

8:00 am - 5:30 pm PS to G8 Up to 140 children

Education Based

Special Needs Accepted

$2,695 Tuition Assistance Accredited Mandarin Immersion Education Based

Center

$2,695 Tuition Assistance Accredited Mandarin Immersion Education Based

Center

Center Meals Provided

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

$19,000 - $35,000/ year FA Avaiable Diapers Accepted Education Based

Age 4-Grade 6

Varies

Center

7:30 am - 6:00pm PS to PK4 Up to 70 children 7:30 am - 6:00pm 2 yr - 5 115 children

8:45 am - 2:30 pm

Summer Programs

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28 Parents Press | December 2023

Featured Preschools

Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care

Monthly Tuition Accredited Facility? Diapers Accepted? Education Based?

Home or Center Meals Provided? Special Needs? Transportation?

2 yr - G1 Up to 380 children

$2,100 Accredited

7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Education Based

Center Summer Programs Available

2.5 yrs - G5 Varies Non Religious Half-day and full-day sessions

Varies Accredited

1.5 yr - 5 Non Denominational 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Center Special Needs Accepted

2 - 5 yrs Up to 59 children Non Denominational 8 am to 2 pm (extended day until 6 pm)

$2,099 - $2,699 Accredited Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center Snack Provided

2.5 yrs - G5 Varies Non Religious Half-day and full-day sessions

Varies Accredited

Center

PS-12

ES $14,500 annual FA Available Education Based

Dublin Quarry Lane School

5600 Scarlett Dr. Dublin • 925-466-3100 www.quarrylane.org

Stratford School

6665 Amador Plaza Road Dublin • 925-399-1971 www.stratforddublin.com

Center

Education Based

El Cerrito Little Lamb Bilingual Preschool 729 Kearney St (Open Fall 2023) El Cerrito • 510-778-4560 www.littlelambbilingual.com

Emeryville East Bay German International School Early Education 1070 41st St. Emeryville • 510-380-0302 www.ebgis.org/

Fremont Stratford School

38495 Fremont Bl. Fremont • 510-713-8900 www.stratfordfremontblvd.com

Education Based

Hayward California Crosspoint Academy 25500 Industrial Blvd Hayward • 510-995-5333 www.crosspointacademy.org

Center

A loving place to play and learn!

• Experienced staff • Three large playgrounds • Flexible schedules • Open 7am to 6pm year-round

Happy Days Learning Center www.HappyDaysLafayette.com 3205 Stanley Blvd • Lafayette 925-932-8088

A loving place to play a

December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 29

Featured Preschools

Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care

Monthly Tuition Accredited Facility? Diapers Accepted? Education Based?

Home or Center Meals Provided? Special Needs? Transportation?

2 yr - 11 Up to 84 children

$885 - $1,835 Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center

Lafayette Happy Days Learning Center 3205 Stanley Blvd. Lafayette • 925-932-8088 www.happydayslafayette.com

7:00 am – 6:00 pm

Transportation Available

Old Firehouse School

12 mos - 5 Up to 70 children 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Please call for rate Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center Meals Provided

The Child Day Schools

2-5 years 85

$850 to $2,095 Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center

7:30am - 6:30pm

Varies according to schedule Financial Aid Available Education Based

Preschool: 18 mos - K plus Grades 1-8 Up to 425 children Independent 7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Varies by program 2, 3 or 5 half/full day AMS, CAIS, WASC Diapers Accepted Montessori Curriculum

Center Snacks Provided Lunch Available for Purchase

984 Moraga Rd Lafayette • 925-284-4321 www.oldfirehouseschool.com 1049 Stuart Street Lafayette • 925-284-7092 www.tcdschools.com

Viva el Español

925 Village Center, Suite 2 Lafayette • 925-962-9177 www.vivaelespanol.org

7:30 am to 5:15 pm Ages 3 - 13

Livermore Valley Montessori School 1273 N. Livermore Avenue Livermore • 925-455-8021 www.vmschool.org

Enrolling Now: An Established Montessori School Enrolling now: www.littleelephant.net Ages 2.5-6 • Immediate start • Year round or school year enrollment available

Our core ideals

• compassion and kindness • supporting creativity • building community • passion for learning • peace

Centrally located near Cal and BART Part/full/extended day available • Limited financial aid available 2008 McGee AveMcGee • Berkeley • www.littleelephant.net 2008 Ave••510.679.5056 Berkeley • 510.679.5056

We provide a Year Round Program Infant and toddler care for ages 12-24 months Preschool for ages 2-5 years Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Extended Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Full-day program: 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

510-652-7021 admin@rockridgemontessori.org www.RockridgeMontessori.org

Helping your child excel in a warm and nurturing environment 30 Parents Press | December 2023

Close to Rockridge Bart 5633 Manila ave – Oakland 94618

Virtual tours on website

Lic. 01213520,013417669 & 013417787

Featured Preschools

Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care

Monthly Tuition Accredited Facility? Diapers Accepted? Education Based?

Home or Center Meals Provided? Special Needs? Transportation?

12 mos - 5 years 75

$810 - $2,015 Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center

3 yr - 5 Up to 32 children

$18,300 annual Accredited

Center Snack Provided

8:30 am - 2:00 pm

Play-Education Based

Challenger School - Ardenwood

PS-8 Co-Ed

$5,300 - $25,430

Center

Challenger School

PS-K Co-Ed

$5,300 - $22,990

Center

2 yr - 5 Up to 60 children 8:45 am – 12:00 pm Extended Care Available until 3:30 pm

$3,200-$18,200 Annual

Center Snacks Provided

Moraga The Child Day Schools 372 Park Street Moraga • 925-376-5110 www.tcdschools.com

7:00 am to 5:15 pm

The Saklan School

1678 School Street Moraga • 925-376-7900 www.saklan.org

Newark 35487 Dumbarton Court Newark • 510-739-0300 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/newark/ardenwood 39600 Cedar Blvd. Newark • 510-770-1771 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/newark

Oakland Broadway Children’s School of Oakland 394 Adams Street Oakland • 510-763-9337 www. broadwaychildrensschool.org

Diapers Accepted Play Based

Special Needs Accepted

We speak Spanish And we learn the language of… DIVERSITY

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When children learn a second language, they become more than bilingual. Under the guidance of our nurturing teachers, they also improve academic performance, cognitive functioning, cultural awareness, and social and emotional development. All this translates into greater confidence, both at school and in life!

Now Enrolling! Call (877) 442-2555 or visit www.ksspreschool.com.

Explore

Spanish Immersion Preschool - Kindergarten* Tuition Assistance Available!

Our Bay Area Locations Albany 1331 Portland Avenue Oakland-Montclair 1650 Mountain Blvd. Oakland-Lincoln Highlands 2540 Charleston St. Walnut Creek 2780 Camino Diablo San Jose-Willow Glen 540 Sands Drive *Kindergarten available at select campuses. Preschool license numbers: Albany: 013423069, Oakland-Montclair: 013423070, Oakland-Lincoln Highlands: 013423101, Walnut Creek: 073408282, San Jose: 434415592.

Shu Ren inspires students with a love of learning through an inquiry-based, Mandarin immersion program that prepares students with the heart and mind to thrive in an evolving global society. • Mandarin Immersion • Inquiry-Based Curriculum • We accept learners of all Mandarin levels!

SAN JOSE

Pre-Kindergarten - Elementary

540 Sands Drive, Bldg B San Jose, CA 95125 408-508-6259

Join Us for a Tour! BERKELEY

BERKELEY WESTBRAE

2125 Jefferson Avenue Berkeley, CA 94703 510-841-8899

1422 San Pablo Avenue Berkeley, CA 94702 510-833-7789

Pre-Kindergarten - Middle School

Pre-Kindergarten

A ministry of Bay Area Chinese Bible Church

- Friday 7am - 6pm A ministry of Monday Bay Area Chinese Bible Church lunch service provided

1803 North Loop Rd. Alameda, CA 94502

TTPreschoolalameda.org Facility # 013422027 Telephone # 510-995-5383 ext. 1336 Fax # 510-373-2241 1803 North Loop Rd | Alameda | Facility # 013422027 kim.smith@bacbc.org 510-995-5383 ext. 1336 | kim.smith@bacbc.org

Preschool license numbers: Berkeley: 013423047, San Jose: 434417015 Enrollment to the new campus is subject to obtaining a state license.

December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 31

Featured Preschools

Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care

Monthly Tuition Accredited Facility? Diapers Accepted? Education Based?

Home or Center Meals Provided? Special Needs? Transportation?

KSS Immersion Preschools

2 yr - 6 Up to 48 children 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

$2,295 Tuition Assistance Spanish Immersion Education Based

Center Extended Day Available

KSS Immersion Preschools

2 yr - 6 Up to 48 children 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

$2,295 Tuition Assistance Spanish Immersion Education Based

Center Extended Day Available

Les Petits Francophones

0 yr - 5 Up to 60 children

$1,720 - $2,748 Diapers Accepted Play Based Learning French Immersion Program

Center

2540 Charleston St Oakland • 877-442-2555 www.ksspreschool.com 1650 Mountain Blvd Oakland • 877-442-2555 www.ksspreschool.com

3900 35th Avenue Oakland • 510-214-6711 www.lespetitsfrancophones.com

8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Mills College Children’s School at Northeastern University

Toddler-5th grade All Gender 20:1 112

Please call for rate

Center

Oak Grove Learning, Inc

18 months through Kindergarten Up to 62 children 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

$1,119 - $1,839

Center Meals Provided

Toddler-K Up to 40 children

$13,700-$25,500 Accredited

8:30 am - 4:30 pm Extended Care Avail

Education Based

2-6 years old 90 children 8:30 am to 3 pm or 7:30 am to 6 pm

$2,990 - $3,430 FA Available Accredited

12 months through Kindergarten Up to 139 children 7:30 am - 6:00 pm

$1,896 - $2,895

Saint Vincent’s Day Home

Ages 2-6 Up to 220 children 7:30 am - 5:30 pm

$0 - $124 per month Income-based, State-subsidized Education Based

Center Meals Provided Accept Special Needs

Treehouse Preschool & TK

2 yr - 5 First Covenant Church 9:00 am - 4:00 pm or 7:30 am - 6:00 pm

$1320 - $2086 Registration Fee $100 Diapers Accepted (2yr old class)

Center AM and PM Snack Provided

2 yr - 6 Up to 40 children

Please call for rate

Center

5000 Macarthur Blvd. Oakland • 510-430-2053 www.millscollegechildrensschool.org/ 8115 Fontaine St Oakland • 510-430-1322 www.oakgrovelearning.com

Oakland Montessori School 3625 Fruitvale Avenue 3636 Dimond Avenue Oakland • 510-482-3111 www.oaklandmontessori.com

The Renaissance International School 3650 Dimond Ave. Oakland • 510-531-8566 www.TheRenaissanceSchool.org

Rockridge Montessori School 5633 Manila Av Oakland • 510-652-7021 www.rockridgemontessori.org 1086 8th Street Oakland • 510-832-8324 https://svdh.org

4000 Redwood Rd Oakland • 510-531-0320 www.firstcovtreehousepreschool.org

Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center

Education Based

Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center Meals Provided

Pleasant Hill Choice in Learning

490 Golf Club Rd Pleasant Hill • 925-687-5321 cilmontessori.org

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Diapers Accepted Education Based

2 yr - G1 Up to 380 children

$2,100 Accredited

7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Education Based

2 yr - PK Up to 180 children

$2,100 Accredited

7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Education Based

Pleasanton Quarry Lane School

3750 Boulder St. Pleasanton • 925-846-9400 www.quarrylane.org

Quarry Lane School

4444B Black Ave. Pleasanton • 925-462-6300 www.quarrylane.org

32 Parents Press | December 2023

Center Summer Programs Available Center Summer Programs Available

Featured Preschools

Ages Served # of Children at Facility Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care

Monthly Tuition Accredited Facility? Diapers Accepted? Education Based?

Home or Center Meals Provided? Special Needs? Transportation?

Stratford School

2.5 yrs - G5 Varies Non Religious Half-day and full-day sessions

Varies Accredited

Center

2 - 5 years, School Age 76

$795 - $1,680 Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center Transportation available (for schoolage)

Please call for rate Accredited Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center

2.5 yr 5 Up to 40 children

Please call for rate

Center

7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Education Based

12 mos - 5 years Kindergarten, School Age 120 7:30 am to 5:30 pm

$835 - $2,080 Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center Transportation available (for schoolage)

Contra Costa Christian Schools

3-5 All Gender 40 7:30am - 6pm

$10,700 - $12,900 FA Available Non Denominational 6:1 student/teacher

Center

KSS Immersion Preschools

2 yr - 6 Up to 48 children 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

$2,295 Tuition Assistance Spanish Immersion Education Based

Center Extended Day Available

Old Firehouse School

2 yr - 5 Up to 80 children 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Please call for rate Diapers Accepted Education Based

Center Meals Provided

The Seven Hills School

2.9 years and up 18 in PS; 22 in PK 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Extended Care 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Annual $21,700 additional for Extended Care Accredited Potty Trained Required Education Based

Center Snacks and meals provided

4576 Willow Road Pleasanton • 925-737-0001 www.stratfordpleasanton.com

The Child Day Schools

883 Rose Avenue Pleasanton • 925-462-1866 www.tcdschools.com

Education Based

7:30 am to 5:30 pm

Richmond Nomura Preschool

1629 Carlson Blvd. Richmond • 510-526-7847 www.nomurapreschool.com

2 yr - 5 Up to 125 children 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

San Ramon Happy Days Preschool

20801 San Ramon Valley Blvd San Ramon • 925-828-8007 www.happydaysinfo.org

The Child Day Schools

18868 Bollinger Canyon Road San Ramon • 925-820-2515 www.tcdschools.com

Walnut Creek 2721 Larkey Lane Walnut Creek • 925-934-4964 contracostachristianschools.org 2780 Camino Diablo Walnut Creek • 877-442-2555 www.ksspreschool.com

55 Eckley Ln Walnut Creek • 925-934-1507 www.oldfirehouseschool.com 975 North San Carlos Drive Walnut Creek • 925-933-0666 www.sevenhillsschool.org

Offering a Year Round Academic Montessori Program Preschool Program (ages 18 months to 5 years old) Kindergarten Program Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (or 4:00 p.m.) Full-day program: 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

510-430-1322

admin@oakgrovelearning.com www.OakGroveLearning.com Hwy 580 • Keller Ave exit 8115 Fontaine Street • Oakland 94605

Virtual and in-person tour available! License 013423093

December 2023 | ParentsPress.com 33

<<< Continued from page 27

Treehouse Preschool & Transitional Kindergarten Ages: 2-5 Years Well Rounded Curriculum Experienced Loving Teachers 9:00am-4:00pm & 7:30am-6:00pm

A Ministry of First Covenant Church 4000 Redwood Rd, Oakland, CA 94619 510.531.0320 www.firstcovtreehousepreschool.org jan@treehousepreschool.org

LITTLE LAMB BILINGUAL PRESCHOOL 小羊双语学校 • • • •

Visit us: www.littlelambbilingual.com

Les Petits Francophones

3900 35th Ave | Oakland 510-214-6711 www.lespetitsfrancophones.com

are a Chinese immersion play-based French DualWeImmersion Preschool preschool, in the Albany-El Cerrito area, • Nurturing • Emphasis on serving children 1.5 - 5environment years old to thrive • Enrichment French Language intellectually, cognitively,Programs physically, and • Part-time and Full aTime • Affordable socio-emotionally by providing loving and • environment. Extended hours available • Year Round nurturing • Play-based

Montessori Children’s Center Full and half-day programs available Before and after school care Open 7am - 6pm

An Authentic Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten Lic #384001313

Serving children ages 2 - 6

80 Juan Bautista Circle | San Francisco | 415.333.4410 montessorichildrenscenter.org

34 Parents Press | December 2023

Faith-based

This term is used to describe preschool programs that are run through faith organizations such as churches or synagogues, according to their faith’s philosophies.

Co-operative

These settings often ask parents and families to assist in the running of the preschool. Parents and family members may build community by signing up to volunteer during the week, or by assisting in the day-to-day management of the preschool as well as helping with advertising, upkeep and fundraising.

Developmentally Appropriate

This term means the preschool plans the curriculum and activities based on activities that are appropriate for the age of the children in the class.

Pre-kindergarten (Pre-K)

Sometimes this term is used interchangeably with preschool. In general, a pre-K program is one that has children enrolled in the year before kindergarten, usually at age four. These settings are often more structured than traditional preschool settings.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Bridge K

Transitional kindergarten (TK) is a school grade that serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, functioning to provide students with time to develop fundamental skills needed for success in school in an age - and developmentally - appropriate setting.

Your Research

Once you have narrowed down the general area you are interested in researching and have a good idea of what type of philosophy would best suit your child, here are a few things you can do to help narrow down your options: Reach out to other parents: Ask your friends, your neighbors, your pediatrician, your older child’s teacher — ask people you trust for recommendations for quality settings in your area. Be mindful to note the name of the setting and what struck this person as important to mention (low student teacher ratio, close to home, child is excited to arrive, etc.). And, the best question to ask is, “What advice do you wish you had received before choosing your child’s preschool?” Most parents will be happy to offer their insight and advice. Go online: You might be surprised to learn that your community has an active preschool networking community, a great place to tap into useful advice and resources. Or, you can use the internet to search the names of settings to find out if they have any “red flags” like numerous complaints from parents, health or safety violations, or other noteworthy issues. The Bananas, 4C’s of Alameda County and the Contra Costa Child Care Council websites offer a wealth of information for parents seeking information. The best ways to find preschool programs are to get recommendations from fellow parents and scope out programs located close to home or work. Y

We Challenge Students T O T H I N K B E Y O N D T H E M S E LV E S

We prepare students for a life of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution. Athenian is a 6-12 all-gender day and boarding school with 535+ students. We invite you to learn more and join us for an upcoming admission event!

At Bentley, from Kindergarten through 12th grade, students develop deep intellectual curiosity and profound awareness of their responsibilities as citizens. Though each will embark on a unique path, every graduate shares the knowledge that they can make a difference in the world of tomorrow.

L E A R N M O R E AT: B E N T L E Y S C H O O L .O R G /A D M I S S I O N S K-8 C A M P U S , O A K L A N D (510) 843-2512

Scan to learn more!

9-1 2 C A M P U S , L A FAY E T T E (925) 900-4038

BEGINNINGS MATTER

BUILDING LIFELONG LEARNERS

The journey of lifelong learning begins in preschool at Quarry Lane. We know that a child’s first years are critical to their growth and success in life. Our thoughtfully crafted program provides an e$ceptional academic foundation that sets students up to flourish and thrive as they continue on to the accelerated curriculum offered in our Lower, Middle and High School.

Join us at our Open House/School Expo: November 5 & January 28

APPLY TODAY! QuarryLane.org/Admissions Campuses in Dublin & Pleasanton

A campus like no other: Athenian is located on 75 beautiful acres at the foot of Mt. Diablo in Danville. We use our natural environment as a classroom--a perfect setting for our hands-on approach to teaching and learning. Athenian buses transport students to and from East Bay communities.

The East Bay German International School (EBGIS) is a dual-language immersion IB World School offering preschool through high school programs. Our integrated curriculum combines bilingual German and English instruction with project-based learning and a cross-cultural experience. We offer exceptional academics, a diverse international perspective, and a vibrant community of students, parents, and teachers. EBGIS is an accredited IB World School. All EBGIS eleventh and twelfth graders will enter the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Often referred to as the “gold standard” in high school education. The EBGIS IB Diploma Programme is open to students who do not speak German. Students may transfer to EBGIS to reap the beneﬁts of the IB Diploma Programme offered in the eleventh and twelfth grades, choosing a second language other than German. No prior knowledge of German is needed to join our Preschool and Kindergarten programs. Students need not be ﬂuent in German to join our Elementary and Middle Schools. Talk to us about individualized language support.

Open House October 21, 2023 January 27, 2024 10 am - 2 pm

Online Info Sessions are offered for all. Register at: http://www.ebgis.org/ admissions/visit-us

1070 41st Street Emeryville, CA 94608 (510)380-0302 admissions@ebgis.org