Which Preschool?

Honestly, these are four pretty different schools. The three that I know better are all great, but have different strengths. What are the things you liked or disliked about each? Which of those things are most important to your family? We have experience with Duck's Nest and friends at EB and Step One; all are happy. I don't know much about BHNS except that it's smaller, which can be a pro or a con. Do you live in the hills or the flats? Consider your daily back-and-forth--one reason we didn't apply to Step One was the location, but for those who live closer, that's a benefit. Also consider things like hours, schedules, and class size and mix of kids. If your daughter will be three in September, do you plan to send her to TK after two years of preschool, or would you want the option of doing a third year of preschool before kindergarten? If the latter, you will want a school with a class she could move into at that point. (Duck's Nest and Step One definitely have this, but not sure about EB and BHNS.) Good luck with the decision!

I couldn' t be happier with Duck's Nest Berkeley. i was a bit nervous as my child was one of the youngest ones in the Duckling class this year. But within a few weeks she was loving it. She absolutely loves her teachers. The transition from being home with mom will challenging where ever you end up, but the teachers at Duck's Nest did an amazing job making the transition as smooth as possible for us. 

Our child enrolled in preschool at Ecole Bilingue a few years ago and we remain very pleased with her education and experience.  EB continues to check all the boxes on your concerns (warm teachers, gentle, no bullying, etc.) as her education progresses. The first days, weeks, and months of preschool and the associated separation can be hard on all parents and children (including those kids who attended a day care or had working parents). It is completely normal for tears on both sides. The teachers at EB did a wonderful job helping manage the transition. There was no shortage of hugs and calm words for the kiddos who were upset.   

The administration has an excellent open door policy for parents with any concerns, and is proactive about resolving issues if/when the arise. The curriculum is a little more structured than some of the purely "play based" options out there, but the days do not lack in opportunities for play by any means. There is a good balance and an abundance of art, stories, and singing. Also lots of opportunities to volunteer if you're interested.

Obviously EB is an immersion program which adds an additional consideration - one that I view as an enormous benefit.   While we don't speak French at home (my husband did study it in school) and our child had no prior French exposure, it has been a non-issue. Another benefit is the overwhelming diversity and global representation within the school. It is truly a melting pot of cultures, religions, and family structures.  If these things appeal to you, then I think you would be very happy enrolling your child at EB.

Our daughter goes to Duck’s Nest and I just can’t tell you enough how great the school is. From the teachers to the amenities and the projects the kids do - everything is top notch. They also implemented Anjiplay structures on their playground which is an internationally recognized philosophy and approach to early learning. Our daughter thrives there and loves going to school. 

Our 3 kids have attended Step One school and it is so amazing. The teachers are phenomenal. Many are musicians and incorporate lots of music into the play. They have a great balance of make versus female teachers and are in general very diverse. I have volunteered for the school and observed so many day times full of smiling children. Also they recently renovated and built a huge multipurpose room that they are planning on expanding into with art and dance and more community fun. I could not have had a better preschool experience for my kids. Step One School contact number is (510) 527-9021. Good luck on your search!

Annie (Kensington mommy) 

My daughter, who is now in Kindergarten, spent two wonderful years at Step One. I don't have experience with the other schools, but I do think if you are looking for a warm school with strong social-emotional learning, Step One is a great fit. The teachers really engage with each child as an individual, respect them, and enjoy them. They also work on the whole classroom community, building up kids' sense of themselves as contributing to a whole, and teach children how to have a friend and be a friend. My daughter told me the other day "I'm kind, but I also fight for what's right." That ability to be considerate and loving while also standing up for herself and her peers definitely comes from Step One. She felt close not just with her classroom teachers, but with all the teachers and the staff: it felt like home to her. There's really a magic to what the teachers do in that it makes learning feel easy, playful, and fun, flowing naturally from the children's interests, but there's so much work that goes into creating that rich, loving environment. I've been feeling it particularly lately because with my kiddo in Kindergarten, I realize even more how special Step One is. She is thriving in public school, learning, and we like her school, but I think the reason she's doing so well is because of that strong social-emotional foundation Step One gave her. Her current school just doesn't have the time and resources to engage with the whole child the way Step One did, and I'm so grateful she had that experience at such a formative time. Hope this is helpful, and good luck with your school search!

Hi there,

My name is Annie Farman and I have two kids at Step One right now. This school goes above and beyond at every level. The teachers and faculty care so much about these kids.. they are constantly coming up with different creative environments, inspiring teaching games and exposing them to wonderful creative arts and music programs. They provide individual and focused care with children and really have helped and my husband to be better parents. They are always available and willing to talk out any issues I might want to discuss. My kids are thriving there. I would highly recommend this preschool.

Our little guy is at Step One.  It was his first experience at preschool and away from me for more than a couple of hours. His first few weeks, he cried and clung to me, and his teachers would call me and give me updates on how we was doing throughout the day. Like most kids, he just needed some time to adjust to a new environment. His teachers were extremely conscious of the emotional transition he was going through and spent a lot of time bonding with him.  His room is mixed age and I was impressed at how in tune they were with each child, and the social relationships that are constantly developing and evolving with the kids.  They truly care about each of their kids and nurture them as individuals.  They've been there to support him through developmental transitions, encourage his budding independence and celebrate his achievements. There are a lot of snuggles, fun creative activities, and guiding the kids to be kind to themselves and each other.  The teachers have extensive experience and most have been there long term.  Currently, there is construction going on and it hasn't affected us too much.  It's on one side of the school and contained. They school has been proactive in keeping everyone informed on the construction progress and a lot of thought has been put into ensuring minimal disturbance.  There are a lot of good preschools and I've heard positive things about the others as well.  I don't think there is just one perfect school for each child, and I think you're doing a good job checking out these schools and gathering feedback. Good luck!  

We have our daughter at Step One, and could not be happier with the quality of the teaching and the loving atmosphere cultivated there. It truly is a learning community, where everyone, big people and little people alike, learn and grow with joy. I’ve seen so much development in my daughter and that of other children. The faculty are deeply thoughtful and care enormously about the children. As such,  teachers and leadership are extremely respectful of the parents and each other. They begin an anti-bias curriculum immediately and compassion and justice are core values. I never want to leave when I am dropping off my child in the morning!

Both of our kids (now third and first graders at Cragmont) went to Step One and we absolutely adored it (so much that my husband is still on the board and I occasionally do freelance work for them). It was the first and only preschool we toured--we applied right away and crossed our fingers. The site is incredible (think hillside gardens with bay views, a waterfall, fun play structures, a wooden house, a sand box, basketball hoop, swings, and a garden the kids help cultivate), the teachers are warm, nurturing, and very experienced (each classroom has at least one teacher who has been at the school for 15+ years).  They also have a relatively high number of male teachers (40%), which was important to us. The school and staff emphasizes diversity and inclusion, and holds regular speaker events on these topics (and has a tuition assistance program dedicated to these D&I values).  Many of the teachers are musicians, and musical performances on the playground are pretty much a daily routine.  (My husband plays in three different bands with teachers and staff members!) The school is currently constructing a brand new multipurpose room, a “learning kitchen” for kids, a gathering plaza, and other site improvements that will be completed in June.  

I highly recommend checking out their website and taking a tour!  We’ve made a lot of life-long friends at Step One. The community is amazing--there are many community building events that sometimes include retired teachers, step one alum who are in college and come back to visit, etc. It truly is a special place.

Hi Berkeley510Mama-

My son goes to Step One and its awesome! Very caring and wonderful. It is a play and exploration-based type of learning, which is really perfect in establishing good social fundamentals.

My son is 2 1/2 and in room 2, which is the youngest class. He loves going to school and has made deep connections with children in the class as well as the wonderful teachers. We’re blown away every day by the new things he learns and brings home. When he first started, the exponential growth was astounding. He blossomed with words and social skills overnight. He still is, but we’re used to the thought of him bringing home new things every day.

I’m a stay at home dad, and when we started looking, I wasn’t sure. Why would I put him in school when I could have more time with him in his young life before he’s off to school in earnest? They grow up so fast! But, after having sent him to Step One and watching him grow the way he has I think it would be a great disservice to him if we had kept him at home. Granted, every child is different. Still I don’t second-guess the decision we made for our him.

I can’t speak to any other schools except Duck’s Nest in terms of advantages and disadvantages. We were accepted into Duck’s Nest as well but ultimately went to Step One. We really liked Duck’s nest and in terms of location - it was far more convenient for our lives and commute. Duck’s nest is also play based and so I’m sure he would have had a wonderful time there as well - only positivity towards Duck’s Nest. But, when you walk into Step One on your tour, there’s something magical about the physical spaces and the gentle and respectful philosophy of the teaching. There’s this aura of safety and happiness - a place where the kids can grow and learn and feel protected to be exactly as they want to be. They paint and play music and play physically and make deep relationships that I believe are friends for life. Several of the teachers went to step one, and the retention rate for the teachers is astounding - all of the teachers in my sons class (3 for 16 students) have been there for 16 or more years, and they’re pretty young teachers - 30’s to earlier 40’s! It’s cohesive, respectful and deeply loving.

Drawbacks to be honest - far if you don’t live in the neighborhood (flip-side - amazing view and safe neighborhood. The commute is easily worth it for us. I noticed you were wondering about Ecole Bilingue and if immersion is really important to you, Step One only offers a small amount of immersion. Immersion is important, but we’ll focus on that once he hits elementary. 

We love Step One and will send our second child there once she’s old enough. We can’t speak highly enough about Step One and if your child goes there, you will meet them with a smile at the end of every day. Heck, I can barely even get a kiss on the cheek in the morning before he runs off to play.

Sign up for the tours which are happening right around now. Happy to respond in great detail on any specifics you might have. Good luck in your decision making.

-Papa M

We absolutely love Step One. I can't really say enough wonderful things about it, the community, the teachers, the other students... it has been a perfect experience. Kids are encouraged to be kids, but yet somehow my two year old is also magically learning manners, how to honor and respect others, how to eat green things (aka vegetables), and so many other incredible lessons that warm my heart. My son talks about his Step One friends all the time, and he has a deep love for his teachers. He sings songs from school at the dinner table and as we drive in the car. He has practiced sharing, cutting with scissors, drawing and painting, playing outside in nature and stomping in rain puddles, and telling stories. I absolutely adore this school, and encourage you to take a tour if you are interested. I had to hide tears in my eyes with sunglasses during our tour last year. I knew it was "our school" from the first few minutes of our tour. Very best of luck! 

Our daughter started at Step One this past fall. She is in the 2s program, so a little younger than your daughter, but we are thrilled with the school and the teachers at Room 3.  They are amazing at helping the kids learn to be independent and they manage the initial separation from parents extremely well. Our daughter keeps talking about her teachers at home and how much she loves them. On weekends she is asking me when will she go back to school, because she misses her teachers and her friends. They are also great at fostering friendships, allowing the kids to explore and learn through play. I highly recommend Step One! 

Hi,

We have a 5 year old attending Step One and I,  honestly, can't say enough good things about the school.  We had a bad experience at a different Berkeley preschool last year and after the tour of Step One, I wasn't overly enthusiastic but it's really close to our house so we went ahead and enrolled our daughter.  I am SO glad we did! The kindness and love they shower on the kids is nothing short of wonderful. My daughter immediately felt comfortable and welcome even though she started much later than most of the other students.  The parent community is also really warm.  Before we were sending our child to Step One the most common word used to describe it was "magical" and it really is. It is what every child should experience in a preschool; warmth, kindness, patience, room to explore, be themselves and be loved for it.  The school is also very thoughtful and courteous of parents.  Highly, highly recommend.

while I don't have direct experience with the other preschools on your list, I can say how incredibly grateful I am to Step One for helping shape who are three girls have become over the last 7 years. We attended Step One from 2011-2018 and couldn't have been happier. The fact that most of the staff has been there over 10 years (with some well beyond that) speaks volumes to how special this place is. I love that there are so many male teachers (a rarity in early childhood education) as well. The outdoor space is amazing and the play-based curriculum not only provided a strong educational foundation for our girls but it really helped them navigate how to interact with their peers and their environment, all while gaining self confidence and respecting differences in those around them. Good luck! 

This is our sixth year at Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley (EB). We have a son in third grade who started in pre-school and a daughter in Kindergarten, who also did two years in pre-school at EB. The school's approach to second language acquisition is fun, engaging and developmentally appropriate. The teachers immerse the students in songs, stories and play in French, making the environment very rich in language. My son reads, writes and communicates proficiently in French and English. I'm so thankful to all of the hardworking, caring and professional staff at EB. Everyone, from the classroom teachers, gardening teacher, PE and music teachers, create an environment where children thrive and feel cared for. 

I can't say enough about how wonderful Step One is. Our daughter started there at 2.5 years, and we were similarly nervous about her transition to a school environment (she was previously in a nanny share at our house). The teachers are so in tune with every one of the kids -- they struck the right balance of providing loving support without coddling our daughter on the transition. Our daughter continues to thrive there, and her growth and happiness is a direct result of the teaching style and community they've built. Everything about it just phenomenal. It has been a perfect fit for us and I can't recommend it more highly. FWIW, my mom's training is in early childhood education, too, and she is consistently impressed with their approach.

We LOVE Step One.  I too am a stay at home mom, who wanted a loving, creative, kind, inclusive and thoughtful home-away-from-home for my children;  And we definitely found that at Step One.  The teachers are amazing.  The staff is responsive.  The community of families is awesome. And the place is magic.  

I have two boys.  Both attended Step One beginning at the age of 2 (one has since moved on to kindergarten and the other is still happily in room 4).  They have very different personalities  ... and they both LOVE and thrive at Step One.    

The teachers and staff are loving, proactive, supportive, kind and helpful -- they are pros at transitions and anything else that life throws at you.  Beyond supporting the children, they support the whole family.  It is a truly unique and special place.

Thank you so much for the wonderful insight, parents! We had a chance to visit all the schools and are happy to report that we have chosen... STEP ONE! The tour sealed the deal for us. The school is warm, down-to-earth, diverse, engaging, community-oriented and... magical. Out of the 8 preschools I visited, this school stood out for us hands-down.

We feel so lucky to join the Step One family and look forward to the adventures ahead. Can my husband and I enroll, too? 

Thank you again for the wonderful feedback!

-Berkeley510Mama