Looking for Preschools

The best preschool I can recommend is Wee 3 Bears in Clayton. I know that is a far drive from Danville but it is well worth it. The school has been in business over twenty years and my son went there and learned so much with lots of love from the teachers. The kids are way ahead when they go to Kindergarten. Please recommend this school to your friends. It was a wonderful experience.

Lee

Hi P.,

My daughter is 2 and will be 3 in the fall, and will be attending Tassajara Learning Center for 3 days a week/3 hrs a day. It's a brand new preschool located off of Camino Tassajara, next to the East Gate of Blackhawk. It's a large preschool with a really big play yard for the kids. Everything is new, and I took a tour of it last fall and was really impressed with it. The children all seemed to be happy, and the teacher/student ratio was low as well. They also have cameras in the rooms so you can see your child in class if you'd like. Everyone seems really nice and we're looking forward to getting my daughter started in September! Enrollment was early February but you can give them a call and see if they have any more openings.

Hi P.,

When do you move? What street is your new house on? We also moved to Westside Danville from SF last year and although we still sorely miss the city, it is no doubt the best place in Danville. Close to the Iron Horse trail, all the shops and restaurants, etc. The weather is amazing during the summer, so this is the perfect time to move!!

Our daughters are 3 and 18 months and we are expecting our third in October. Can't believe you have 5--amazing--and have been able to stay in the city all these years. Are they boys, girls, a mix? We want 4, but even with just being pregnant again, am wondering if I'm crazy.

Anyways, long story short, as for preschools, our 3 year old is at Dorris-Eaton in Alamo. It is one of the oldest schools in the area and has a very strong reputation for being rigorous and fully preparing kids for kindergarten. My daughter has been very happy in their Puppies program this year, loves her two teachers and always comes home with amazing art projects. She also just started writing letters on her own and using the proper writing technique.

For a totally opposite experience, Alamo Creative Learning Center is also a great school. It is in Alamo, but a bit closer than Dorris-Eaton since it is off of Danville Blvd right on the border of Danville and Alamo. It is much more free flowing and relaxed with tables set up with different project that the kids can choose from. I really liked that they have visiting musicians, scientists, etc. We didn't end up going there because my daughter as the first is very organized and focused and I didn't think would be that comfortable in that type of environment.

Another option that is very easy and close by is the preschool at the large Community Presbyterian Church in downtown Danville. It is a very nice program, close enough to walk, depending on where you live, and reasonably priced. The negative for us is that it is only a 21/2 hour program with no extended care. We go to church there and my daughter loves the Sunday school program, but we needed a bit more time than that.

Finally, close by, there is also the Garden House and Diablo Hills Country School. I've heard good things about both, but didn't spend too much time checking them out.

Hope I didn't deluge you with too much information and feel free to email if you'd like to talk further. I'm happy to talk on the phone as well and would love to get our younger ones together once you move out here. (If you can find any time!)

K.

My son, who is now in kindergarten, enjoyed 2 very good years at Garden Montessori School on Verona Ave. in Danville (West side). The school has been in this location (an appropriately converted house) for many, many years. The Director and head teacher have both been there for well over 10 years and have many years of Montessori experience behind them. It's a small-ish school with a.m. and p.m. classes. with a good teacher-student ratio. Compared to other schools in the area, I found it to be one of the more affordable. I didn't mind driving from San Ramon where we live for my son to attend this school. I loved the Montessori approach for both of my kids, and feel Garden is an exceptional program. Check them out at www.gardenschool.net. Good luck!

Noah's Ark and Stratford are really good.

welcome to the burbs! my family and i live in diablo (a pretty little area on the east side of danville). i have been looking for pre-schools for my almost 3 year old daughter and have not found one that i am in love with yet. the problem is that most of them have already had registration! I have heard many wonderful things about community presbyterian pre-school (cpp), but their hours were just not enough for me (8-11). I looked at Acorn, and i liked them, but we missed the enrollment date, so that will not work. i was trying to find a school close to our home. the west side has a few montessori schools that are supposed to be great as well. when we looked to buy on the westside, there was one right down the street from where we were looking that looked great. i forget the name but it was on verona street sort of behind trader joes. sorry that i am not much help. anyway, welcome to Danville, would be happy to show you the parks and fave kid places once you get here!

take care and best of luck!

J.

Hi P.,
I sent my kids to different schools in this area. The one I am most pleased with is Community Presbeterian Preschool in Danville. Especially for 4 and 5 year olds. They cover a range of subjects. Autumn Creek Learning Center is also one school that is recommended. I also liked Ressurection Lutheran Preschool in Dublin. For the price, you can't beat it!
M.

I actually experimented with several preschools because my four year old is very bright and social. I found he is thriving at Danville Montessori because they know how to channel all his energy into productive playing and learning.

P.,
Welcome to Danville! You moved to a great community. My husband and I have lived here for almost 9 years and will never leave:)
My children went to CPP community presbyterian preschool. It is probably the biggest preschool in the area but has a great, small community feel. Almost all the teachers at CPP have been working there for over 15 years, which I think says a lot for how the school is managed. They have 4 different rooms and each has its own feel. Depending on what your looking for, I could fill you in to which room might best suit your needs. Feel free to ask any more questions. You can email me directly at ____@____.com.
Sincerly,
G. C.

My daughter attended Community Presbyterian Preschool in Danville years ago. It's kind of expensive but very nice.

Creative Learning Center in Alamo. Both my boys went there and it gave them a great start. Their pre-kindergarten program really prepares the kids for what is expected of them in kindergarten.

Check out www.eastbaypreschools.com. It's my good friend's website and she has done all your research for you. Great resource.

I have 4 kids, and have sent the first 2 to Methodist Preschool in Alamo. The 3rd goes to Walnut Creek Presbyterian, and I'm not sure where I'll send my 4th.

Other preschools that my friends really like are: Noah's Ark (although not as close to you if you live on the west side of danville). Community Presbyterian Preschool is also a good one. Creative Learning Center in Alamo is also supposed to be good as well as Meadowlark in Alamo. Then there are some Montessori ones that some people love...

Whatever you choose, you know from your many older kids that preschool is all about playing in a safe setting. Can't go wrong wherever you choose. All these preschools are great.

Good Luck
Dianna

Hi P.,
My name is K. and I have been living in Danville for the last 8 years and have 3 kids 7,5, and 2. We have gone to CPP (comm. presb. preschool) for the past 5 years with my older 2 kids and my youngest will start there next Fall. We have been very happy with it. they have a developmental approach to learning with lots of crafts, singing, etc. There is a small religious element, so I don't know if you have a preference about that... But, they are very nurturing and my children have thrived there. they have a 3 morning program for 4 year olds. And it's in Westside Danville.

We have also gone to Creative Learning Center in Alamo for their Summer programs a couple of years. My kids have also enjoyed it there. And I know other moms who have been very happy with CLC for their kids year round. They have really flexible schedules - I think its 5 mornings or 3 afternoons.

Noahs' Ark is also a great one which is more similar to CPP. It's also through a church. I have heard wonderful things about Noah's Ark from everyone that goes there.

I hope this helps. Westside Danville is really great, we lived over there for the first 5 years we were here and really miss it now that we have moved to another neighborhood. Our goal is to move back over there (o:

Send me another message if you need anymore help with the transition! Good Luck..

Savvy Source has parent recommendations for preschools across the nation. Their compilation of activities is also fabulous.