Relocating to SF: Need Help Finding Good Preschool for 4 Yr Old for Fall 08

Hi C.,
Try Belvedere Montessori in Cole Valley,
near the Haight.
It's a hidden gem, has a waiting list but owner is partial to theatre folk(secret)!!!
see the description on yelp.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/belvedere-montessori-pre-school-s...
also,
5 day a week
about 18 kids (2.9 -5 years)
its 9am-3pm may work something out-
600 month
daily fieldtrips to cultural exhibits/parks
playbased
montessori-waldorf style
###-###-####
for Barbara

3 moms found this helpful

I'm not sure if you're looking at any immersion-type school, but I sent my daughter to a Spanish immersion pre-school in the city called "The Crayon Box", 65 Ocean Avenue, SF 94112, ###-###-####, www.thecrayonboxpreschool.com. Right now, we're paying $50/day, $1000/month. I know that you set a budget, but I think you should still check it out! It has been a great experience for her and the people, parents and kids, have all been great (we have playdates w/ her classmates)! The teachers are nurturing and kind to the children w/o condescension, they treat the kids like little adults. It's close to 280 (Ocean Avenue exit), police and fire station, hospital, main streets of Mission and Alemany. They provide breakfast and lunch (nutritious, of course!) The parents are involved and the teachers are very easy to talk to. Don't let appearances fool you, while the school needs a new coat of paint, it's an absolute diamond in the rough! There's a play area for the kids, fenced in surrounding, parking out front and daily activities to keep your child busy! It's a year-round school so you don't have to wait until the Fall of '08 to get him in! You can drop him off @ 8 (not sure if you can do it earlier) and after school care is available until 6pm There's a google group for parents to communicate in to discuss what's going on in the school, activities that are getting set up and ready for, a chance for everyone to catch up on things. Check out the website (created by one of the mom's who happens to be a fabulous graphic artist!), take a tour, speak w/ some of the parents (I highly recommend this if you want to get the information that the school is unable to provide), bring your child to see. If you come before 1 pm, you'll see the kids finishing lunch and getting ready for nap time (until 3). Come in the morning and you'll see the kids in action w/ an activity (ballet or yoga - Wednesday and Thursday). I have to say that I'm glad I sent my daughter there, she just finished her Kindergarten evaluation at a Catholic School nearby and did really well! The teacher was impressed that she could answer her questions both in English and Spanish! Good Luck! :) (P.S. The school is still "The Discovery Center" if you're looking at it from the street. There's another school in the next building which is called Little Bear and they share the Playground space w/ the Crayon Box)

2 moms found this helpful

hi C.,

i am a native san francsican and i only know of 1 preschool that i truly love. it's little star preschool, too in the sunset district of san francisco. here is there website: http://www.littlestarpreschoolsf.com/
there website tells you everything you need to know about them. The cost of this preschool is about $890.00.

the reason, i love this school is because, they are well rounded and the outdoor playarea is in the school. the teachers at this school are very nice and answer all your questions. the directors are very involved with the students and make sure things run smoothly. the director and owner of this school are sharon and richard moy.

my son who is now 8, attend this preschool and my daughter now 2 will be attending next year.

i also found this website that might be helpful to you:
http://www.metrodaycare.com/index.php?main_page=index&amp...
or you can check the san francisco unified school distict:
http://portal.sfusd.edu/template/?page=home.spotlight_more

good luck,
bonita

1 mom found this helpful

Hi C.,

The main bit of advice that I can give you is to not concern yourself with past deadlines. There are many, many good preschools in the city, and spots open and get filled throughout the year. Personal favs of friends are Montessori Children's House, Marin Day School and The Parker School-all near Western Addition, and there are lots more, also all good. Best of luck.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi C.,

I have a 4 yr. daughter and currently attends The Crayon Box near Ocean and Mission. She enjoys it very much and I highly recommend it for preschool. It is played based with a little spanish program. Nearly every day she brings home some art project. Also the school is flexible, they open @8am with circle time starting at 9:30 and close at 6pm. Nap is 1-3 and they serve breakfast lunch and snack. Here is their website. thecrayonboxpreschool.com

Good luck and feel free to ask for any other Info you may need.

Take care,

O.

1 mom found this helpful

check out larel hill co-op, in larel heights. i used to work there, as did my sister rose and her son went there as well. very amazing outdoor play area and very dedicated staff. don't know about $ or parent commitment requirements. good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

We were VERY happy with the coop nursery schools, particularly Playmates in the outer Sunset. I have no idea if they have space but try calling ###-###-####.
Good luck!
D.

1 mom found this helpful

I am a Director of a family daycare in the Richmond. There is a brilliant Montessori based in home pre-school in Cole Valley that several of my children have gone to and loved. It's called Belvedere Montessori. The director is Barbara Alexandar and the phone number is ###-###-####. They take the children out everyday, by buss or walking. They go swimming on Wed, and go to openings of museums .... some of the children's art work has been shown in the de Young! It's an amazing program! I think you should try there.
Good Luck and Welcome Back
E.

1 mom found this helpful

Try 150 Parker, located just down the hill from USF.

1 mom found this helpful

Katherine Michels School on Guerrero is really lovely. Our son went there for 3 years. I highly recommend it.

1 mom found this helpful

Hello C.- If you're open to SSF, my children have been going to the Early Years Preschool for the last 2 years and we love it! The school is small, with maybe 65 students, and they focus on building the children's social skills. They firmly believe that children all learn at their own pace and they focus on the creative side to bring out their individuality. The price is very reasonable, their hours are flexible, and the director and all the teachers are warm and nurturing. If you'd like more information, you should contact them at ###-###-#### and ask for Joanne.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi....you should check out the Marie Montessori Preschool on Portola Drive in the Twin Peaks area. It's sort of in between some of the areas you mentioned. Here is the info.....678 Portola Drive, San Francisco, CA .... ###-###-####........I think this is the website... www.SFmontessori.com

1 mom found this helpful

Hi there, I teach at a wonderful pre-school called the Little Bear School. Many of the kids in my nieghborhood go and my children as well have gone, when they were little.The school is off ocean ave and has easy commute Their number is ###-###-####.
Good luck!

There's one in the Presidio that a friend of ours who works at USF used. Apparently it's quite popular with parents who work at USF. I'll try to get the name, but perhaps you could call a few people at USF and see if this rings a bell. I don't know anything about costs, etc.

As Montessori is a worldwide movement, have you asked your school in London if they have any sistership with schools in the US and can you "transfer" as into a montessori here as an already enrolled student there?

We are moving back from Seattle and have the same trouble. I am trying to find daycare/pre-schools as well. its tough. maybe we can connect off of the website and share information. My company ran a search for me and I am going through this list now. Our daughter is 18 months. my number is ###-###-####.