Almaden Parents Pre School

This is long over due from my side. My 3 yo has been going to APPS since Sep 2025. The program is fantastic for kids. For those who do not align with the play , observational learning this might be a shocker initially, however you will slowly begin to understand the strengths of this program. It very well shapes the child's personality. If you have the time to participate or if you can arrange for someone to participate in this school for your child, then I would highly recommend this place. I got to meet some great people.

My daughter loves APPS. We started in 2 day year last school year and are now in 3 day with Ms. Ellen. The play based and positive discipline foundation creates such a wonderful and safe environment for our littles. It is comforting knowing that my child is well supported by fellow (positive discipline) parents on the days I am not working in the classroom. APPS is a gem and unlike most schools out there.

My son started in 2 day, moved to 3 day and we are excited to have kids in 5 day and early explorers this year! Teacher Sanyoo is incredibly calm, patient and engaged with the kids. Teacher Ellen is devoted to children's development, passionate and warm. I wanted a place to join a community, be actively involved with my children's learning and focus on play. I found that with APPS! The parent participation requirements and volunteering is rewarding and makes it possible for tuition to be lower than other preschools. This school teaches not only the kiddos, but is a Positive Discipline Lab School. Cathy is our positive discipline coach and does monthly observations and trainings with us as parents to help us understand our children and how to best communicate with them. Cannot wait to see how my kids continue to grow this year!

I enrolled my son in the 2-day class at APPS half-way through the 2018-2019 school year after a disappointing experience with a more traditional drop-off Montessori style preschool, and I'm so glad I did. From the moment we arrived for our tour, I have been so impressed with the quality and passion of the teachers and the warm, family-like environment. Because the parent-volunteers take care of a lot of the basic care of the kids during classes, the teachers are free to really focus on the children's social, emotional, and academic development. The teachers turn every conflict and struggle that the kids have into a valuable learning opportunity for the children and the parents. The classroom set-up is fun and encourages the kids to try a variety of sensory experiences, fine and gross motor skills, and cognitive skills. Daily art projects (painting, gluing, beading, coloring), science projects (static electricity with balloons, winches and pulleys, observing silk worms make cocoons and hatching chicks, for example), various kinds of play-dough, sensory bins, building sets and materials, and musical instruments are all available at each class session. It's all play-based and entirely up to the child's interest, and there's plenty of opportunity for outdoor play and physical play if that's what your child needs. At the same time, the circle times start to introduce more traditional school skills of listening, turn-taking, pattern-recognition, rhymes, songs, and finger-plays. APPS is a positive discipline "lab school," and this what sets it apart from the other participation schools in the area. There is a positive discipline coach on staff who comes to each class several days a month to lead positive discipline education for the parents, as well as speaking at the general meetings and offering more in-depth workshops. It's so valuable to learn how to set firm and logical limits with your child and hold them with compassion and calm. As a first-time parent, I find it incredibly helpful to watch the teachers and my fellow parents talk to and interact with the kids in this way, and get to practice in a supportive environment. If you're looking for a school that respects and nurtures your child, teaches key social and emotional skills as well as school readiness, and supports you as a parent, take a look at APPS!

My daughter started at this school for her first preschool experience and she loved it! She was in the 5 day class. It is a parent participation school so all of the parents were very involved in the activities the children did. I love how close knit and supportive the community of parents/teachers were. It made me a lot more comfortable to send my child somewhere where I knew the other adults. She was also very comfortable and welcomed from her first day. We will miss our time here.