Big Trees Play School
Oakland, CA
- May 2021: The license number is no longer valid, and a new license for Sara Hampton could not be found, so BPN assumes this daycare has closed.
In our experience, Big Trees Play School has everything you’re looking for. The website is pretty bare bones, but don’t let that fool you. The director is wonderful.
Big Trees has been an amazing school for our two year old and our four year old! At our previous preschool, the description on paper sounded similar (play-based, “positive discipline” philosophy, free-range child), but we felt our kid was falling through the cracks. This year is everything I had hoped last year would be but wasn’t. Tons of individual attention. Incredibly patient and insightful teachers. A fully engaging experience for both kids, who have shown incredible social and emotional development this year (in addition to my 4yo fully FLOORING me by one day writing his name and showing how he can write all his numbers; I literally asked the teacher if someone else’s work was accidentally put in our cubby).
Our one concern before enrolling has turned into such a strength that we laugh about it now. This is an in-home preschool with enrollment of about 12 kids a day, with about 20 kids in the community since most don’t attend 5-days. We worried it would be too small for our rambunctious kid, since the footprint of our last school was maybe 10x the size. The director Sarah (who is AMAZING and a total kid-whisperer!) countered that we had a baby on the way and a small community is where a kid’s adjustment process would get the support it needs instead of struggles going unnoticed. Fast forward, our experience of the school is so perfectly matched to our kids’ needs, in every way I can think of, that we would never say that the size is any sort of problem, but really is just an asset.
Other perks:
* Five-hour day (8:30-1:30, with aftercare options)
* organic-ish breakfast and lunch provided daily
* potty training support is being provided to my 2yo
* My kids now bus their own plates, scrape food into compost, place their shoes on the shelf by the door, and other civilized behaviors we didn’t realize they were capable of.
Contact Sarah for a tour. You will seriously love the place.
Big Trees is pretty much my favorite educational institutionI have ever come across for any age student . Not only my 2 kids, but I myself as a parent, have learned so much from Teacher Sara, Rocio, and Anna. The teachers relate to the children with so much respect and patience, but also with joy and humor. I have two boys with very different personalities who have attended Big Trees, and for each of them, it was a transformative experience. My older son had been deemed "not ready for preschool" (because of some pretty strong anxiety) and asked by a different school to leave the school. Ms Sara and the teachers were so incredibly insightful, gentle and wise about bringing him into the space. He is now a 7.5 year old with a ton of independence and confidence. My younger son has also grown so much as a person at Big Trees. I feel 100% good about where they are whenever I bring my kids there. (Oh, and the community of families is also friendly and welcoming to adults!)
Big Trees has been a fantastic part of our lives for 2 years now. Prior to this, we tried a larger, Spanish immersion preschool with a more traditional method of teaching/ managing the kids. It did not work out well for us - and we were BLOWN AWAY by the difference it made with our kids behavior, willingness and joy attending school, social-emotional learning and our own skills as parents (Sara and the other teachers continue to coach and support in an incredible way!). It was a real eye-opener to join a play based preschool, where normal child behaviors were treated as such, guided lovingly and "misbehaviors" were a wonderful opportunity for learning (not a lengthy time out like the first school). We have been thrilled with our time at Big Trees playschool and our daughter has said she would like to go there "for college" too!!!
We have 2 children and both have attended Big Trees Play School. The way I describe it to friends is "They treat my kids the way I would if I were a perfect parent". They are kind and respectful, they are fun and creative, and it's a cozy place where kids can become who they are. There are all types of personalities and people that attend Big Trees, and the teachers are so patient and adaptable, they ensure there is a space for everyone. The skills my children have learned here are amazing. Not only do they learn basic things like clearing their plates and being responsible for their surroundings, but they learn how to navigate social situations with grace, how to be respectful of others even when it's a challenge, and how to help friends when they struggle. Sara is wise and loving and holds so much space. Rocio is fun and honest and believes these children can do anything (and she teaches them spanish!). Anna is creative and patient and does amazing art projects. It is a loving community. If you want your child to be truly nurtured, if you want to make parent friends, if you want to become a better parent, you can do all this and more at Big Trees.
Big Trees is amazing! They were very understanding of our daughter's separation anxiety and fear of strangers, and went above and beyond to make sure that she felt safe and happy. Sara, Rocio and Anna are all loving, positive caregivers and welcomed us as if we were family. Sara is one of the kindest people we have ever met, and handles every conflict with grace and a level of patience that is truly aspirational. Our daughter quickly bonded with the other kids and some of the older kids even looked out for her as if they were an older sister or brother. Big Trees is a one-of-a-kind school and community of families that we were grateful to be a part of.
Big Trees provides a home environment with great teachers and the other kids there are relaxed and happy. One of my favorite things about coming here is that most moms and dads will even stay and talk (when they can) to just be there with Sara or Rocio or other moms. I've never seen this at larger preschools. I guess the big picture with this occurring is that not only does your child feel more comfortable but the school provides a support system for parents. I always ask questions and get great answers with all of the teachers and even Nana who is there to help at times. If you want a safe environment both physically and emotionally for your child, Big Trees is a great resource. I almost forgot, the food is healthy and made by Sarah each day and the kids eat so well since they eat at a table together and are offered the same dishes.
Big Trees is a magical place for any child. A place where imagination and play-based learning can truly be cultivated. Our son has been attending Big Trees for a couple months in which time he has broken out of his shell and comes home every day with new things learned and a higher sense of confidence. Rocio and Sara are beyond nurturing and caring and make an mama who can't be with her child feel at ease knowing that they are leaving their child in the best hands. The location itself is a beautiful home in the Oakland hills filled with toys, books, play structures, a sandbox and everything in between. Truly a gem of a school!!
All the data suggests that lots of unstructured free play outdoors and child-directed learning in a play-based environment during the preschool years leads to long-term success in school and life. What does that mean in real life? Big Trees Playschool has the answers wrapped in a loving environment that nurtures social development while also providing healthy, delicious, mostly organic meals.
My son is thriving at Big Trees and I can notice a marked improvement in his ability to initiate and maintain play with a wide range of kids. His curiosity about counting, reading, and writing are being cultivated in a way that encourages a true love of learning. The adorable art projects are clearly things my son does himself. Somehow Teacher Sara and Teacher Roccio get just the right mix of routine and structure with lots of freedom for the children to explore their interests while building the fundamental fine and gross motor skills, understanding of how the world works, and emotional regulation skills that lay the foundation for future school performance.
This is where you want you little one to be!! Love, consistency, respect and more love lives here. Both my daughters were under Sara, Rocio, and Anna's guidance and I cant tell you how blessed we feel! Social emotional skills that sometimes I fail to teach at home thrive here. And as a parent I benefitted greatly from learning the tools that Sara uses to become a better parent. If you want a place where patience and love is paramount in a play based learning environment, this is your school. This was just a really good decision I made for my kids!
Big Trees is a wonderful play-based preschool with Reggio Emilia & Montessori influences. The program is saturated with all of the ingredients I dreamed of when looking for a preschool. The teachers provides a loving & conscious space full of opportunities to develop skill sets that are needed in life. Teachers Sara, Rocio & Ana model a high level of emotional intelligence coupled with high energy, fun & varied activities. Sara lends strengths to the program with her dance & movement background. Rocio imparts the program with her love of sports, speaking Spanish & magical cleaning & organizational activities. Ana is a creative & mindful Montessori educated teacher. Home cooked, kid friendly vegetarian meals are provided twice a day. Children that are interested can partake in preparations. The gravel pit, sandbox & butterfly garden are favorites of my children. My daughter graduated Little Fawn Playschool (same teachers, new location & name) & now requests to attend Big Trees each day that she has off from her currentbschool. I feel so fortunate that we are a part of the Big Trees community!
We love Big Trees! Our oldest-- our daughter--went to Little Fawn Playschool in Montclair with Sara, Rocio and Anna as teachers there. It was a magical experience with lots of outside activity, imaginary play, dance and movement. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to recreate that experience with the same teachers for our son. I appreciate that my son is provided with a fresh healthy (and vegetarian) breakfast-snack and lunch each day. The children eat vegetables from the garden and are very involved in the cooking process, too! My son loves to pick out his community fruit to bring to school and has learned to politely try new vegetables from this school! It's been a wonderful community and my son looks forward to every day with his friends and teachers. A definite plus with the school is the vast teaching and childcare experience of the staff. Each teacher lends a little bit of their own voice to the program and makes for a well-rounded experience. We are so grateful to have found this school. It's a very special place and the teachers really love and care for the children.
Big Trees is an amazing pre-school. Sara, Rocio, and Anna are truly gifted in caring for, playing with, and teaching children. My three-year-old son is nurtured and cared for in the best way possible. He has ample time to play outside, is read to, creates, draws, dances, listens to music... I could not be happier with this wonderful space and program!
Big Trees is a gem. Our youngest child just finished her time at the school as she has ventured on to kindergarten. It was sad to say good bye to our Big Trees family, but we are confident in our child's development because the school provided a solid foundation and prepared her to start her elementary school journey. There are a lot of wonderful things to say about the teachers and the school. Most importantly, the environment is safe, loving and supportive. The teachers are warm, competent, creative and wonderful. The social-emotional needs of the children are taken very seriously, and kids learn how to communicate effectively and respectfully. The home-based environment is especially nice as well. Every day - and season - brings different activities, but routines remain predictable and comforting for a young person. Kids are immersed in gardening, cooking, crafts, projects, dance and more. We cannot speak more highly of Big Trees and feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity to send our children there. We couldn't have asked for a better preschool experience.
Archived Q&A and Reviews
May 2015
RE: Preschool with room left for 3 year old girl?
Hi, Big Trees Playschool is a small, home based preschool that I recommend highly and I am pretty sure they have room. I think they even have an Open House coming up (though I'm not positive about that). The school has moved since my son went there, but Sara is still running it with plenty of play time (indoors and out), books, movement, music, etc. Sara, Anna and Rocio are all warm and nurturing and the parent community tries to connect too. I think you can just google it or call Sara at (510) 710-4405. Good luck! Lucy
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