Options for 2 Year Old Preschool?

My youngest couldn't wait to go to preschool because he saw his older three siblings going to school. My kids went to Merry Moppet in Belmont. They are academically based, but things are done so that it is fun. The little kids love to learn what they see as big kid stuff - like the letters and numbers. Lots of arts & crafts - which for me was good because I am not creative. I love the atmosphere. The teachers know the kids well. To us it was having caring adults in my child's life.

Not sure how far south you would want to go, but Children's House in Los Altos has a 2s program. Also, the Children's Center at Los Altos United Methodist Church has a 2s program. My daughter was ready for some kind of preschool when she was 2-1/2, I thought, too. She was on a wait list and ended up in preschool just before she turned 3. She loved it! Good luck.

Try New Beginnings in Menlo Park. One of my good friends has sent all of her kids there before their Montessori year at their private school.

We moved here at the tail end of pre-school for my little one. She went to Marin Day in San Francisco, which is a Bright Horizon facility. I have to say that she played for 10 hrs a day. I started work and she needed to be there for both commutes and a full day of work. She seemed happy. She enjoyed doing what every she wanted when ever she wanted....dress up area for 2 mins, move on to art, move on to building, move on to.... she could start and stop when she wanted.There was a curriculum, but it didn't start until March because of teacher turn over.

They are in the area and usually attached to some corporation, but hold places for community members. You can also sign up for 1/2 days and any # of days you want.

Each one is different. Here are two and there is one in Cupertino.
Center/School Name & Address
Tamien Child Care Center
1197 Lick Ave
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: ###-###-####
Fax: ###-###-####
Email: ____@____.com
Open to the Community

Bright Horizons at San Jose
6120 Liska Lane
San Jose, CA 95119
Phone: ###-###-####
Fax: ###-###-####
Email: ____@____.com
Open to the Community

S

Sunnyvale Christian School is great. You may have to wait list at this point though.

If you child is up to it, there is no harm. you will have some time for yourself and your kid will come home tired and happy.

My children attended Little Hands in Belmont and Open Gate Nursery School in Redwood City. Both programs are fantastic, but Open Gate starts at 2 yrs and goes to Pre-K, while Little Hands is more of a toddler program (parent attends with the child). Both are parent cooperatives, which include parent participation and education. They are awesome places to meet other engaged parents while allowing the children to learn through play.

By the way, my oldest son just graduated from high school and still remembers his Open Gate teachers and still socializes with some of his preschool classmates. It's heartwarming.

Regards,
L.

I sent my oldest at 2 because she was so social and like you, just wanted a playgroup type thing. Both she and her younger sister now have gone to Dreams Come True in San Mateo by the Hillsdale Mall. It's not fancy in the slightest but accordingly, not expensive. But the owner is great and it fit the bill for early years. Let me know if you want details.