Country Day Little School

We sent both of our children to Country Day Little School and recommend it in the highest possible terms. Having explored many preschools in the Bay Area and elsewhere we feel so lucky to have found Country Day, which truly fulfills its mission of focusing on the well-being and flourishing of the children. The teachers are incredibly thoughtful, reflective, and kind. They bring joy to the children's lives, teach them about the natural world, nurture their social interactions in outdoor and indoor play, and are so highly attuned to the needs and capacities of each individual child. The community of parents they gather together is also a pleasure to be with and very supportive. Country Day is a treasure!

Both of my children attended Country Day from ages three to five/six. The teachers at Country Day are loving, caring, and supportive. They are experienced professionals who understand and care about young children, and it shows in every interaction. The teacher turnover rate is low, most of the staff have been with the school for over five years. The school provides plenty of outdoor time. Children spend their mornings outside in the garden, and often go out again in the afternoon when the sun isn’t too strong. The indoor environment is bright, airy, and thoughtfully arranged to support children’s exploration and independence. Country Day provides lunch and snacks which is convenient for working parents. Teachers cook fresh, hot lunches every morning using organic ingredients in the on-site kitchen. Older children sometimes get involved in the preparation. Snacks are usually healthy cheese and fruit, which is a big benefit for young children!

Our two sons attended Country Day Little School -- both spent three years there! This school offers a truly unique and caring environment for young children to grow. Firstly, the teachers at the school are exceptional. They are formally educated and trained, and have long tenures at Country Day. Their deep commitment to the children shines through in the detailed, thoughtful written reflections they share with the parents of each child. They host evenings for parent enrichment and are available to consult with parents and offer support when needed. Another aspect of the school that I love is how they nurture children's imagination. The school emphasizes year-round outdoor play, fostering a deep connection with the natural environment and instilling a sense of wonder and curiosity. Indoors, children also use natural materials in their play, further supporting their creativity. The school's strong sense of community is also a highlight. The children learn what it means to be good friends to each another — “there’s always room for one more!” Throughout the year, families gather for festivals and holiday events, and they support each other in welcoming new babies. I highly recommend Country Day Little School for families seeking a nurturing, imaginative play-based early education for their children. The school's commitment to fostering creativity and supporting children's development is remarkable, and the caring and well-trained teachers make it a truly special place.

Country Day Little School is a truly unique and special place. It is a Waldorf-based school that is kind to children and parents alike, has patient and wonderful teachers, and is accommodating of every child and parent's needs. From the moment you walk through the doors, you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself. The teachers and staff are all so welcoming and supportive, and they go out of their way to make sure that every child and family feels included. The Waldorf curriculum is truly unique. It is based on the belief that children learn best through hands-on experience and through the arts. Each day, the students at Country Day Little School spend time working in the garden, preparing and eating healthy/organic/nutritious snacks, and even growing their own vegetables or baking their bread. They also have plenty of time for free play and social interaction. One of the things I love most about Country Day Little School is its focus on social skills. The teachers teach the children how to resolve conflicts peacefully, how to be respectful of others, and how to work together as a group, steeped in developing good manners with the teachers often using their wonderful voices as persistent tools of persuasion and compassion. The school also does a great job of maintaining order and decorum. The teachers create a calm and nurturing environment where the children feel safe and respected. I highly recommend Country Day Little School to any parent who is looking for a Waldorf-based school that is kind, supportive, and focused on the whole child. Every child and their needs are unique and CDLS demonstrates that reality and takes into account these unique and special needs at every step of the way in a patient and loving way. Overall, Country Day Little School is a wonderful Waldorf-based school that provides a unique educational experience for its students. The Waldorf curriculum is focused on the whole child and helps children to develop academically, socially, and emotionally + without screens/media (which is both rare and important for complete and unassisted growth and development). I am so grateful that my child has the opportunity to attend Country Day Little School. It is a truly special place where children can thrive and learn to their full potential.

Country Day Little School is a real gem. We feel so grateful that our daughter can spend her preschool years at this school and experience all the magic that comes along with it. A whole range of things stand out when it comes to the design of the program: the emphasis on outdoor play and discovery of nature in the whimsical backyard with chicken and a bunny, the deliberate set up of both the indoor and outdoor space that allows children to dive deeply into their play, the daily ring that is thoughtfully designed around seasonal topics fostering the development of language, motor skills, rhythm and singing, home-cooked meals with organic ingredients that are being eaten together with candle lights, the intentional design of the day with its reliable rhythm (our child finds this incredibly reassuring and grounding), the beautiful celebration of birthdays, traditions and festivals to which families are often invited, the mixed age class where the younger children learn from the older ones and the older children take on the task to look out for the younger ones, the low teacher:student ratio, the focus on creative and imaginary play with natural materials. Most importantly perhaps, the teachers have a real gift in understanding who your child is at heart and what it needs to thrive and they create the environment to allow it to happen. Parent-teacher conferences are therefore very insightful: they go deep in terms of observations and are a testimony of how attentive, nurturing and deeply caring the teachers are.