Looking for Good Preschool in Los Gatos/Cambrian Area

I really liked Bright Horizons in LG. We had out daughter go part time and the teachers are very nice. Good Luck!

Hi C.,

We love Grace Preschool in Los Gatos. It is at the United Methodist Church right near the high school. It has a play based philosphy and great, nuturing teachers. This is our second year there, and we will attend again next year as well. It is only a preschool, but they do offer an extended afternoon where children can stay through lunch. Registration for new families starts the middle of this month - you can set up time to visit. I would highly recommend it! Good luck!

Check out St. Stephens School, 420 Allegan Circlem, san jose. I've had two daughters there from preschool - 8th grade. The program covers all that you mention - academic, social they're also taught spanish! Its episcopal school, so spiritual based but with wonderful diversity everyone is welcome and accepted. There is also daycare and full day preschool offered.

Hi C.
I'm not sure if you have checked out ATLC preschool, located right off of Union Ave. I'm a former teacher and mommy of four girls now, and all of mine have loved it there. Our youngest will going in the Fall. The acronym is short for A Tyson Loving Care Preschool. Good luck.
M.

St. Elizabeths Day Home in San Jose is wonderful. The teachers and staff are very loving and they have daily activities such as art, science, woodshop ect. as well as educational curriculum. They are located near Fruitdale and Meridian. They are worth checking out.

Our 3-1/2 year old son goes to Little Oak two mornings a week, and we're happy with it. This was our son's first experience in a group daycare setting, and he loves it. Little Oak takes infants, so that would be a plus for you.

Our daughter, who is now in 2nd grade, went to St. Elizabeth's Day Home over in Willow Glen from ages 2-4-1/2 (kind of between Leigh and Meridian, right near 280). We used to live near SEDH and continued taking her there even when we moved to LG -- we loved it that much. The youngest they take kids is 11 months, so it might not work out for you just yet, but if you can make it work, I highly recommend SEDH. Caring teachers and faculty, great program, huge campus, incredible sense of community.

This is not in the Los Gatos/ Cambrian area but if you are at all able to commute I recommend checking out the Children's Center in San Lorenzo Valley on the web at http://www.cclsv.org
We are a NAEYC accredited preschool serving children 1-4 years of age. We have a meal program, built-in parent participation, a primary caregiver system philosophy and low teacher to children ratios. I know because I work there and it is the most phenomenal school I have ever worked for! Good luck.

Hi C. -

While not in Cambrian or Los Gatos, my two kids 2 and 4 go to Park Avenue Preschool located near the Rose Garden at 1080 The Alameda in San Jose. I absolutely love it! The teachers are wonderful and the combination of learning and play is great. They have full time days and most parents work full time but are very participative. The do talk a bit about God but not enough to be offputting or overboard - more of thanking God for the food, etc... I cannot say enough great things. They have full and part time programs.

Their number is ###-###-####.

Thanks,
C.
mom to Connor and Will

Hi C.-

We also live in Los Gatos and we have both of our kids enrolled in the APJCC (Jewish Community Center) on Oka Road in Los Gatos. Although we are not Jewish, we love the school and the teachers. Our kids are learning about different cultures and they enjoy it. It is a brand new building with great security. They also have music and gym classes during the preschool day at no extra charge. I feel totally safe with having my kids at the JCC.
Hope this helps. I toured a lot of preschools before finally deciding on this one. I know it can be overwhelming and a lot of work to find the right fit.

Hi C.,
I am also looking for a pre-school for my 3 1/2 year old son for the next school year. Harwood Hills Country School in Los Gatos was recommended to me. His father has already been there as he and his wife are looking for a place for their son (he's 15 months). He said it was run well, fairly reasonable class sizes and a close knit staff. I've looked over their curriculum and it seems to have a good balance of academics and free play interaction for the kids. They have a website if you are interested.
I have also recently been hired on at the APJCC/Club One in Los Gatos, which also has a school. I believe it starts at pre-school, although I'm not positive. It is a very safe place for kids and has a number of after school activities. I haven't checked this out for my son, but I have been told it is an excellent learning facility. In my experience at work I have seen how wonderful their extracurricular activities are. The staff is extremely friendly as well! I am not Jewish and it is not criteria for being an employee, a member, or student. Good Luck!

Hi C.,

Check out Learning Springs Academy. They are in the Cambrian area on Ross and Andover. Their info is 1718 Andover Lane ###-###-####. I love the staff and my son loves his teacher and going to school. I like that they are very close to home and VERY affordable. They do not require that the kids are potty trained but they do charge a little extra for potty training help. They also have a website www.learningspringsacademy.com. Good luck.

K.

Try Regard in the Willow Glen area. It is phenomenal! They are open Monday-Thursday, 7:30am-6:00pm. They have a great staff (alll credentialed teachers) and it is very structured with a theme of treating others with respect. The have part-time and full-time schedules. My daughter has been there since age 2.5 and will "graduate" from their pre-K program this summer at age 5. It is located at 2021 Lincoln Ave, San Jose ###-###-####. Good luck!

Our son has also attended the APJCC preschool for 3 years and our daughter will start in the Fall. In addition to what Kirstie said, it offers a wonderful community of parents and after-school enrichment programs for 3-4 year olds. They will escort your child directly from the preschool to the enrichment program and back to aftercare, so even if you are working full-time, your child can still take sports, cooking, art or dance classes.

Good luck with your search!

My 2 daughters went to the preschool at Church of the Chimes, located off of Cherry. They both loved it there. The teachers are very accommodating and feel that this is not only a ministry to the children but to the parents as well. Good luck!