It’s the time of year when families of 4-year-olds focus on the next big step in their child’s schooling—Kindergarten and choosing a school! Here in the San Francisco Bay Area we are very fortunate to have lots of choices for both public and private schools. The bad news is that it is sometimes hard to figure out what all these choices might be and navigate the process of registering, entering lotteries, or applying to the schools that interest you for your child. Choosing an elementary school is such an important choice for your child, and it is also like joining… Continue Reading

Every year over 500 parents attend Parents Place’s Preschool Preview Night in Golden Gate Park at the Hall of Flowers. What are they hoping for? To find a first school that provides their child with a safe, stimulating learning place and allows them to connect with other children like themselves. Parents in the Bay Area and in many parts of the country require full or part time preschool to accommodate their diverse work schedules.  Schedules can range from  part time to very full time, sometimes averaging 40-50 hours a week. Looking at different preschools involves a multi-layered approach to finding… Continue Reading

Choosing an elementary school can feel like the most important decision of your child’s life … when they are five. There are so many factors to consider: questions about the school’s philosophy, if there’s a personalized approach, too much homework, whether lunch is included, etc. I want to share my experience of choosing a school for my child because a lot of families are searching for a school that is the best fit for their child at this time of year. A few years ago, when my son Eli was four years old, I began doing some research on schools… Continue Reading

Choosing an elementary school for your child can be a daunting process. In the Bay Area, we have many choices, which is good and bad news. The good news is that there are many options and types of schools in both the public and private arenas. The bad news is that it takes a lot of time to research the options, many private schools are selective, and you don’t always get your first choice. Here are a few tips that will help you get started in the process and make a decision that will work for your child and family…. Continue Reading

Every year over 500 San Francisco parents attend Parents Place’s Preschool Preview Night in Golden Gate Park at the Hall of Flowers. What are they hoping for? To find a first school that provides their child with a safe, stimulating learning place and that also allows them to connect with other children. Parents in the Bay Area, and in many parts of the country, require full and part time preschools to accommodate their diverse work schedules. Schedules can range from very part time (eight hours) a week to full time, averaging 40-50 hours a week. Looking at different preschools involves… Continue Reading