Sprouts Preschool offers a play-based curriculum that is available all year round. The teachers offer plenty of social time for the children to play with each other, as well as outdoor activities, reading time, gardening and naptime. The school also conducts dance and yoga classes, story time, singing, and assorted creative art projects. Interested parents can contact the administration to arrange for a tour of the house.
Shelton’s Primary Education Center provides a safe environment for children between two and five years old. A typical day includes multiple meals, outside play time, class time, naps, arts and crafts and story time. There is a large play area in the back of the school, along with special shelves where children can place their belongings. Please note that tuition is due on the first of each month and you must pick up your child at closing time each day if you do not want to be charged an additional fee.
Monteverde is a private, secular preschool for kids from 2 3/4 years to 5 years of age. It's on the campus of St. John's Presbyterian Church on College Avenue in the Elmwood district. The curriculum stresses discovery learning and self-selected activities. Both half- and full-day schedules are available three or five days a week from 8am to 5:30pm. There are no groupings by age. Admission is selective, with interviews beginning in September for the following school year and decisions announced in January. The admissions process aims for a class balanced for age, gender, diversity and schedule. Partial scholarships are available. Monteverde parents are expected to contribute at least 15 hours annually to fundraising and school maintenance.
Nia House provides a Montessori curriculum to a diverse group of children ages 18 months to six years in the hopes of educating them in the values of peace, understanding and equality at an early age. The Montessori learning method has stood the test of time and space, having been developed in Italy more than a century ago, and focuses on freedom within limits for children who are thus incited to learn from themselves. It has been remarkably successful. The Nia House tries to provide this experience to all families by providing scholarships to those in need, but needs your donations to continue this practice.
On the winding Sterling Avenue just before it circles Miller Avenue in t heavily treed area is the home of the Berkely Hills Nursery School. Founded in 1938 as one of the first parent cooperatives in the country Berkeley Hills Nursery School is a small, private, non-profit pre-school dedicated to the total development of your child. Allowing children to develop at their own pace Berkeley Hills Nursery School offers emphasis on social skills along with emergent and enriched curriculum to ceate an environment tialored to the growth of your child.
Woolly Mammoth Child Care is a preschool in Berkeley. It accepts children from one month old to five years. The center focuses on fun, play-based learning methods. Its goal is to provide a safe and fun environment where children can learn and build the skills needed to take that next step into elementary school.
Mustard Seed Preschool offers a safe and friendly environment where young boys and girls can thrive. There is a large outdoor play area where children can run around, look at insects, dig in the sand and have fun. There is a nap time each day, as well as snacks and stories. If you would like a tour of the facility, please call to make an appointment.
Founded initially in 1978, Cedar Creek Montessori School has operated in its current location, in the Berkeley Friends Church building, for more than 20 years. Working under the principles of Montessori education, which include fostering children's natural curiosity and environmental exploration, the private preschool takes in about 40 students a year, which they break up into two separate classes of mixed age and gender children. Its site features a large playground and high surrounding fences. School days are broken up into two sessions, and parents can choose how often they want their children to be in school. Admissions information can be found on the school's website.
This independent, alternative K–8 school was once a Montessori school and comes from that tradition. It also incorporates practices based on modern research. It prepares students for the modern workforce by focusing on developing competencies in not just reading, writing and math but also in media and technology. It maintains a diverse student body and employ a wide variety of teaching methods suitable for a range of learning styles.
The oldest bilingual school in the East Bay, the Ecole Bilingue offers a diverse student body an education in English, French, Mandarin, Spanish and Latin. A majority of their students are native French speakers, more than a third are people of color, and nearly half receive financial aid. With more than forty nationalities represented, this school gives preschool through eighth-grade students a real education in multiculturalism as well as traditional academic subjects.
The Jewish Community Center, while promoting Jewish culture and heritage, is open to people from all faiths and ages. It hosts film, literature and other cultural events; operates a preschool and afterschool programs; offers classes to adults; and sponsors a Jewish music festival. The facility is also available for rent.
