Newbie to Oakland looking for Jewish preschool
We are considering Beth Sholom Pre-school in San Leandro for our son. Does anyone have any experience with this pre-school, past or present? (The reviews on BPN are very outdated). Also, what do you think about commuting there from Montclair? Prohibitive? Any advice to this newbie to the Bay much appreciated!
Jul 19, 2016
Parent Replies
Have you considered Temple Sinai's preschool? I belong there but haven't used it (kids were too old) but I hear really good things about it. Lots of Montclair families go--you'd develop a community of people close to you...
HI -- I don't know anything about Beth Sholom Pre-school, but if you are looking for a Jewish preschool -- Beth El Berkeley has a lovely program that is worth checking out. It's north of the Cal campus on Oxford Street if that is any easier for you commute wise. http://www.bethelberkeley.org/ece
I don't have experience with the Beth Sholom preschool but if you are looking for a wonderful Jewish preschool for your son, I highly recommend Tree of Life in Danville. (You should yelp them... the reviews speak for themselves.) My daughter was so unhappy at her previous Montessori preschool so we switched her to Tree of Life. She was so happy there. The teachers are all native speakers and all very caring. Every Friday, the kids go to the onsite temple and they sing Jewish songs, eat challah bread and drink grape juice. I am not Jewish but regardless, I felt like part of the community. =) My daughter (now going to grade 1) still remembers all the fond memories she had there.
My daughter attended Beth Sholom Pre-school from age 2-4, but that was 4 years ago. The director is great, and very responsive, and she is still the director at the preschool. Fridays is a special morning "Shabbat" program where the kids get to bake Challah bread and do a mini Shabbat with the Rabbi, and that is still being done. The preschool is very play-based- which was great for my daughter, but if you are looking for rigorous academics, you wont find it here. They do learn everything they need to know before Kindergarten, but the focus is on learning through play (which was great for us). They are loving, inclusive and respectful which was very important to me- they have a great play area and they will work with you on any special needs (my daughter had an allergy). I wouldn't hesitate to leave my kids there- it is like a home away from home.