Seeking a Chinese Language Daycare/Preschool
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Bilingual/Immersion Preschool that teaches Chinese
Feb 2009
Am wondering if anyone has any ideas or referrals for a bilingual/immersion preschool that teaches Chinese. I just visited Starlite Child Development Center in downtown Oakland (they have a sister campus at East Bay Academy). Just saw some old reviews here noting there's not much communication and there's a lack of parental involvement. (The Director said it's to facilitate the child's comfort level with the staff and school.) Wondering if anyone can share about their/their child's experience at either. Thanks! Eesa
I don't know about Starlite, but I can strongly recommend Shu Ren International School, a new Chinese immersion school in Berkeley. My son is in the pre-school (pre-k) there and we have been extremely happy with the teachers, his language development, and the community that is being built up around the school. The pre-k classes are 100% Mandarin; English will be gradually introduced in Kindergarten and higher grades. The teachers are warm, knowledgeable and creative, and it's been a very stimulating and loving environment for our son. Teachers communicate very well with parents and even keep blogs where they update parents every week on what the kids do in the classroom and post photos. Their website is http://shureninternationalschool.com/ and phone number is: (510) 981-0320. I recommend you check it out. shu ren parent
There are two new ones in Berkeley -- Global Montessori (started by some teachers from the Pacific Rim International Montessori School) and Shu Ren International School. I don't have personal experience with either one, but I've visited both and they seem worth exploring. Good luck! Looking Too
Mandarin language immersion for 4-year-old
March 2008
I am looking for a Mandarin immersion program for my 4-year-old son in Berkeley/Oakland area. Can anyone recommend either a kindergarten or a summer camp that provides such programs?
ChineseMother
I'd like some feedback on Global Montessori International School.
What other Mandarin immersion preschool options are out there? PRINTS (esp from other local Emeryville parents), the new Shu Ren? What else?
Lastly, what options are there if GMIS too difficult a commute for us - do other families carpool? (I can do the afternoon commute, but not morning.)
I would suggest looking into Pacific Rim International School (PRINTS) in Emeryville. There is a lot of good information on them in the archives, and their website is http://www.pacificriminternationalschool.org/ Good luck.
Shu Ren International School is a new school opening in September in Berkeley (on University Ave and Acton St), which will offer full Chinese immersion using the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program curriculum. They will start with Pre-K and Kindergarten and add a grade every year. We've signed our son up to go there in the fall because after extensive research on the other Chinese schools in the area, this was clearly the best option. We really like the IBO program, which is a very special and impressive curriculum, and the fact that the first years will use full Mandarin immersion. We are also impressed by the dedication and intelligence of the head of school and her vision for the school. You can get more information about the school and application at http://shureninternationalschool.com/. berkeley mom
I would recommend you considering Shu Ren International School, a Mandarin-English immersion school scheduled to open in September 2008 in Berkeley. I am the founder of the school, and can give you a brief description of our school. Shu Ren will offer an immersion program in Mandarin and English within the framework of the world-class International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) programs. Shu Ren aims to become the nationms first Mandarin-English immersion school offering IBOms Primary Years Program (PYP) to Pre-K through 5 grade students, and Middle Years Program (MYP) to 6-8th grade students. Shu Ren will open with Pre-K, Kindergarten, and first grade and add one grade each school year. We are currently enrolling students for the 2008 q 09 school year. Our new campus will be located at 1333 University Avenue in central Berkeley, close to UC Berkeley campus, I-580/I-80, North Berkeley Bart Station, and other public transportation. For more information about our school, please go to our website www.ShuRenInternationalSchool.com. Good luck with your search! Jie Moore
Chinese (Mandarin) school for 3 year old
June 2007
I am looking for a Mandarin program for my 3 year old. Preferably in the Oakland area. I have checked in with Albany Chinese school, the closest one I've found so far. Does anyone have any insight into their curriculum or know of any other schools? Wendy
The Chinese Cultural Education Association has Mandarin classes for children 2 1/2 to 5 years old on Friday mornings beginning in the fall. My child is in an older group and has benefitted from the excellent instruction. For more information write to info[at]cceanewsprouts.org
Kiki
Any Cantonese-English preschools?
Jan 2004
Hello -- Wondering if anyone is familiar with any Cantonese-English bilingual preschools in Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville or Albany. I have only been able to find Mandarin language ones. Thanks!
Try Yuk Yau Early Childhood Center (291 10th St, 510.879.0824) or Yuk Yau Annex (314 E 10th St, 510.879.0821), both in Oakland. Katie
Cantonese or Mandarin daycare for 2-year-old
Feb. 2003
I'm interested in finding a daycare or preschool which is run in Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin) for my 2-yr.-old. Can anybody recommend one in the East Bay? Lisa
Recommendations received:
Hi "frustrated new parents" -
Two options I am exploring myself and they are very different. 1) Pacific Rim International School in Emeryville (PRINTS for short) -- it's Montessori-ish and language immersion (Mandarin) focused. They are open year round and have a huge campus. So far the research experience has been great for us but I will warn you (as everyone has) that it is on the more expensive end. You can understand why after exploring but it's still a big price tag. 2) Albany Sunflower Daycare is an at-home daycare with small class size that begins around 1yrs old. The instructor is experienced, has a defined curriculum, and seems very loving. GL!
Hi there, we have two kids at AIM, who each started when they were three. It is a Montessori Mandarin-immersion program, so the classes are of mixed ages. Out of all of the schools we visited prior to choosing AIM, we found AIM to be the most academically rigorous, but with a nice balance of playtime and opportunities for social interaction with the other children. The children learn Traditional writing and reading, and their Mandarin speaking skills have become much more sophisticated when speaking at home. Only Mandarin is spoken throughout the day when the kids are at school, except for their music class, which is taught by an English speaker. In addition to learning how to read and write in Chinese, they learn how to write in cursive, geography, math, and a host of other daily life-type activities (laundry, cleaning, food prep, etc.). Speaking with parents who have older children who graduated from AIM's preschool program, their kids found kindergarten/first grade to be a breeze. Though, with AIM being a Montessori school, kids are encouraged to stay for their kindergarten year.
The teachers are patient and kind, and really take care with the children. Also, the school's response during the COVID lock-down was amazing. They took every precaution to keep the entire AIM community safe, and once they reopened, were able to stay open with no outbreaks occurring. This is just to say that they put attention and care into all aspects of the school and community, and I believe that our children will be well-prepared for wherever they move onto afterward. Good luck with your search!