Preschool w/ animals, tools, and/or gardening
Hi - I would love any recommendations for play-based preschools for a 3-year old in the El Cerrito/Albany/Kensington/Berkeley area with lots of outdoor play and ideally some animals, gardening, and/or working with tools? Thanks so much!
Jul 26, 2017
Parent Replies
Albany Preschool!!! Love that place. Two great play yards, and class pets when possible.
Monteverde School has all of those things.
I second Albany Preschool! It is a play-based preschool. I know they raised silk worms and praying mantises last year. There is a little garden area in one of the yards and water pumps the kids can play with. There's pretty much as much outdoor play as your child would like - rain or shine!
Albany Preschool is a co-op so that is something to keep in mind. Family involvement differs between the morning and afternoon programs so families can pick what works best for them.
I recommend Duck's Nest on 4th street. I have a recent graduate and a son returning for his second year. They place kids by age group but spend a good chunk (a couple of hours in the morning and afternoon) on their amazing yard for all age play. They had an offsite garden, lost the lease and are creating a new garden on site. And there are Chickens! We have been thrilled with the curriculum and the warmth and creativity of the teachers. Both are boys have thrived there. Good Luck with your search!
It's a little more north, but I would recommend you check out Sunshine Playschool in El Sobrante. They have a bunny and a tortoise, and an amazing outdoor play area where they have grown some vegetables and regularly dig in the sand/dirt pit with tools. My son is always telling me about their construction "projects" which usually seem to involve building some kind of stream/dam contraption. Earlier this year they grew kale and made their own kale chips. It's a magical place.
Check out Hug a Bug preschool in Kensington! Definite yes on animals and lots of outdoor time (including walks in the woods just behind the preschool). It's an amazingly loving place. My daughter spent two wonderful years there.