Kleine Schule Oakland

What a great German family daycare here in the heart of Oakland! Runa & Lavinia are just the best taking amazing care of the little ones. The backyard looks like a mix of cute playground and a sweet little farm with 2 pigs (called Bikini & Klementine 😂😂😂), rabbits & Guinea pigs. For the kids, it's like a second home and that's the best way for the kids to grow and thrive. I love this place, give Runa a call and chat with her yourself.

Our daughter recently "graduated" from Kleine Schule this last spring, and our 3yo son is still there. So to review Runa and Lavinia at this point feels a bit strange, a bit like I am reviewing members of my family, but I've felt so lucky to have KS near our house that I feel compelled to post. The main thing is that I trust them completely, but they also just run a good operation. Runa is very good with administration, communication, and judgement, and is constantly creating new and interesting things for the children to do. Lavinia is a child empath, very much in tune with what kids need emotionally. For the first few weeks our son started going to Kleine Schule, he'd cry inconsolably at dropoff, and Lavinia was always there to comfort him and give him attention until he settled in (I'd get an "all is well" photo text from Runa ten minutes after I leave, and he's there playing happily), for which I am very grateful. These people are good at what they do. Our kids were already getting some German from their German-speaking mother and grandmother, but with their time here they are pretty much fluent like a German kid of the same age, so there's also that. 

We are enjoying this bilingual school so much, fortunate to have our little girl there for her 3rd year. This preschool has a magic atmosphere. Runa and Lavinia are extremely creative and the kindest teachers we could ever ask for, building an amazing community with the other parents. The art work is so ingenious, crafty, creative and stimulating to our daughter, everything is so smartly designed and performed. She also loves hanging out with the animals (mostly the 2 pigs). They really care about the kids, exactly the experience we want for our child in her first years.

My son has been attending the daycare at Kleine Schule since it opened in March, and really loves Runa and Lavinia. He looks forward to meals with the kids around the red table, and playing with the animals and other children. I highly recommend the program because Runa is exceptionally organized, and is very motivated and involved with all the planning for the classes. She does beautiful arts and crafts projects with the kids, takes them on field trips, and truly cares about each student's well-being. She also helps with potty-training as we are transitioning from diapers. It is really a warm, nurturing, different kind of place. If you're interested in your child learning German, or just having your child surrounded by caring, witty and fun-loving folk, this is the place for you! 

My son and I have participated in the parent toddler program at the Kleine Schule since it started and it is truly wonderful! Runa is a warm, witty and skillful teacher who puts her heart into her work with children. Each class session is so beautifully designed, with delightful songs and adorable crafting projects as well as stories and snack time. My son loves going to the Kleine Schule, and his ability to understand and speak German has blossomed!