Children's Pre-School Center is a not-for-profit child care center in Palo Alto, California. We support working families by partnering with parents to provide top quality child care through a carefully designed child development program that helps children on their journey toward confidence, competence, intelligence, and creativity from infancy to pre-Kindergarten.
CPSC provides an environment rich in national and international cultures with parents and teachers who work together to cherish and celebrate the children in our care. Every educator I've met has shown dedication and compassion for the children in their care. CPSC provides an environment of communication and learning among educators in which they meet to share ideas for lessons and different approaches for teaching styles.
CPSC provides an environment rich in national and international cultures with parents and teachers who work together to cherish and celebrate the children in our care. Every educator I've met has shown dedication and compassion for the children in their care. CPSC provides an environment of communication and learning among educators in which they meet to share ideas for lessons and different approaches for teaching styles.
Services
Our mission is to support families by providing high-quality child care. The CPSC program is based on the most current knowledge of early childhood development with play central to our core as our image of the child encompasses a competent, capable, and resourceful child. Our mission is to support families.
CPSC's non-profit corporation is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, elected annually by our families. Our strong parent board of nine along with 2 community members and our Executive Director set the pace for change, stability, consistency, and financial stability while paying keen attention to a very high-quality program for young children.
Children's Pre-School Center is centered around the building of relationships and creating dynamic partnerships. Our families and their many contributions to maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important in serving their children. Partnerships are formed early on between a dedicated and loving teaching staff whose passion for working with children in the younger years is felt throughout each classroom dynamic.
CPSC seeks to provide our current families with all necessary resources and information as is relevant to life at CPSC. Our policies will be posted below for future reference and best practices. As is necessary, these will be regularly updated and revised to reflect the evolving needs of our community.
CPSC's child development program is based on the most current knowledge of early childhood and brain development with an emphasis on play, shared inquiry learning, collaboration, and relationship building. Kindergarten Readiness is woven into our daily experiences. At the heart of our program is the belief that children are capable and construct knowledge with the support of caring adults and a carefully designed environment.
Reviews (21)
Venki R.
Oct 13, 2019
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My son (now in Kindergarten) went to CPSC for more than 2 years, spanning 3 classrooms. He really loved the experience there, especially in the pre-K class. CPSC has helped him develop excellent social and emotional intelligence, which have turned out to be *the most* important skills for transitioning to Kindergarten. Even though they are play based and do not have an explicit academic focus, we see that these skills transfer very well to academic learning. This goes to show that there are important skills beyond knowing letters and numbers. The play based approach has nurtured in him a deep
Valerie A.
Sep 09, 2019
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My daughter went to CPSC for pre-K and we absolutely loved it. She had a fantastic time, built great relationships and was prepped to be ready for Kindergarden. What I love the most about CPSC is the sense of community they focus on building amount students and parents. It makes our family feel included and helps our daughter thrive.
Richard B.
Jan 31, 2019
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Alexandra A.
Jan 31, 2019
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Our son has been at CPSC for over a year and he and we love it. The teachers and staff are incredible - knowledgeable, friendly, caring. It's a very diverse group of families and they are, for the most part, very involved with the school. They recently upgraded the indoor facilities and the classrooms are beautiful. Lots of outdoor play spaces too. Music, soccer, movement classes. Highly recommend!
Nora M.
Jan 31, 2019
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CPSC has been wonderful for my two children!
The preschool program is excellent. My older daughter's class has weekly science class (with the junior museum next door), soccer shots, and an optional dance class (at Dance Connection). All levels also have music with Mr. Wiley. The teachers are fantastic! The curriculum is child-led, which is really neat.
I have an infant in the school as well. The teachers for the babies are very nurturing and caring. They are also great communicators, so you really feel like you know what's going on with your child.
On a more practical note,
The preschool program is excellent. My older daughter's class has weekly science class (with the junior museum next door), soccer shots, and an optional dance class (at Dance Connection). All levels also have music with Mr. Wiley. The teachers are fantastic! The curriculum is child-led, which is really neat.
I have an infant in the school as well. The teachers for the babies are very nurturing and caring. They are also great communicators, so you really feel like you know what's going on with your child.
On a more practical note,
Kelly M.
Apr 07, 2018
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This review is based on my visit, not on my personal experience having a child in this daycare. I visited 5 daycares recently and felt like reviews on yelp were either glowing (from parents who picked the daycare because they obviously liked it and want to promote it) or terrible, so I want to offer the perspective of a shopper.
This was the first daycare we visited. I thought the classrooms were really nice and I loved the separate sleeping space (this is not very common). I liked all the technology and the cricket/white noise in the sleeping room. It seemed cleaner than other centers I
This was the first daycare we visited. I thought the classrooms were really nice and I loved the separate sleeping space (this is not very common). I liked all the technology and the cricket/white noise in the sleeping room. It seemed cleaner than other centers I
Kristin B.
Sep 17, 2017
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Our family has been very happy at Children's Preschool Center. The director Ollia is a hard-working, compassionate educator and this energy trickles down to the teachers and staff. With it's organized potlucks, picnics, & lectures, the preschool has a real sense of community that we had been seeking. I can not think of a better daycare environment for my child.
K. M.
Sep 23, 2016
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This was the first preschool that our 2-year-old kids went for about six weeks. All the teachers were very warm, took good care of our kids. The principle and teachers tried to meet our needs personally and we were comfortable sending our kids here. One time we forgot to leave kid's lunch at school but teachers fed healthy meals they could prepare at school. This school also has a meal plan, which we used occasionally and was helpful for working parents. We heard about violations that had happened in the past but seemed like it's all good now. We transferred to different school
Andrew T.
Feb 02, 2016
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I'm really happy with our experience with CPSC.
Every educator I've met has shown dedication and compassion for the children in their care. CPSC provides an environment of communication and learning among educators in which they meet to share ideas for lessons and different approaches for teaching styles. It's great to see so much compassion for creating the warmest, most stimulating environment for our children.
I also love the sense of community among the educators and parents. Picking up or dropping off my daughter is always a positive experience. The parents and educators
Every educator I've met has shown dedication and compassion for the children in their care. CPSC provides an environment of communication and learning among educators in which they meet to share ideas for lessons and different approaches for teaching styles. It's great to see so much compassion for creating the warmest, most stimulating environment for our children.
I also love the sense of community among the educators and parents. Picking up or dropping off my daughter is always a positive experience. The parents and educators
Nick N.
Jan 23, 2016
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We enrolled our daughter at CPSC when she was not even 4 months old. Now she's 13 months old and loves going to school. The teachers are kind and caring, and she adjusted so quickly to life away from home. Today, when we drop her off, she practically races into the arms of the teachers and spends the day learning, playing, and socializing. Leaving your child away from family is a personal and important decision, and we felt that we made a good choice with this school.
In the last year, there has been some turnover, with new leadership at the center. Having said that, teachers seem happier
In the last year, there has been some turnover, with new leadership at the center. Having said that, teachers seem happier
Tom Riddle
Jan 05, 2015
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Appalled Parent
Jul 06, 2014
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Run away, do not just walk away! This establishment has allowed multiple incidents of child abuse, including alleged "inappropriate touching", and inappropriate child discipline (e.g. denying food to toddlers in order to punish them!), for which they rightfully lost their NAEYC accreditation not too long ago!
The directors either deflect or invent weak excuses when complaints about teachers' unprofessional behavior are brought to their attention and their core competence seems to be in orchestrating cover-ups and then making big empty shows of "taking action" when the issues cannot be contained
The directors either deflect or invent weak excuses when complaints about teachers' unprofessional behavior are brought to their attention and their core competence seems to be in orchestrating cover-ups and then making big empty shows of "taking action" when the issues cannot be contained
Dna T.
Jun 24, 2014
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I have put my son on waitlist for over a year now and have not heard back. Also called in multiple times to enquire about how the waitlist has moved - every time the director is not around and I am asked to call back later. Also asking around many friends/ acquaintances mentioned to me "I did put my son/daughter in their waitlist but never heard back." I do not have a problem with the relatively high charge($50) to be on their waitlist but at least have the courtesy to update the parent. Else whats the difference between this and a scam?
Cris O.
Oct 06, 2013
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It breaks my heart to not give CPSC 5 stars. Many of the staff members are extremely caring and experienced. I believe the caregivers in my infant daughter's room took great care of her. However, there was a serious violation in the toddler room that my daughter was scheduled to move into in a few weeks.
To CPSC's credit, that staff member was fired. But, it has now been several months since the incident and to date the management team has failed to provide any details beyond what licensing required them to tell us...so not much.
My husband and I simply couldn't place
To CPSC's credit, that staff member was fired. But, it has now been several months since the incident and to date the management team has failed to provide any details beyond what licensing required them to tell us...so not much.
My husband and I simply couldn't place
Michael B.
Mar 29, 2012
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We feel so fortunate to have found CPSC. As most parents are, we were terribly selective about what would be the right fit for our daughter. I never thought preschool could matter so much.
Other reviewers have noted CPSC's accreditation and I'll do the same. These are the highest national standards for early childhood development facilities, staff, process, parental involvement, and quality of teachers with attention to developmental milestones, knowledge of the latest research, and techniques for helping children reach their fullest potential. It isn't the accreditation that the
Other reviewers have noted CPSC's accreditation and I'll do the same. These are the highest national standards for early childhood development facilities, staff, process, parental involvement, and quality of teachers with attention to developmental milestones, knowledge of the latest research, and techniques for helping children reach their fullest potential. It isn't the accreditation that the
Lis B.
Jan 06, 2012
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Stephen M.
Sep 03, 2009
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I have two children at the CPSC. Our son Sammy is nearly four as I write this, and has been attending CPSC for two years. Our daughter Sophie is nearly two, and has been at CPSC ever since she was a tiny baby.
We love CPSC. We think it's a warm, nurturing environment, with a very dedicated and experienced staff of teachers and administrators. It may be a little more expensive than some of the preschools in the area, but that's because to a huge extent you get what you pay for. The director, Rachel, is an invaluable asset to the school due to her immense expertise as an educator.
In
We love CPSC. We think it's a warm, nurturing environment, with a very dedicated and experienced staff of teachers and administrators. It may be a little more expensive than some of the preschools in the area, but that's because to a huge extent you get what you pay for. The director, Rachel, is an invaluable asset to the school due to her immense expertise as an educator.
In
Cynthia B.
Sep 02, 2009
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I can't say enough good things about CPSC. My son has been there for the past 3 years, since he was 1. The teachers are warm and caring. All of them know my son and greet him by name. They really have his best interests at heart. In addition, the curriculum is excellent in many ways, especially in the area of socialization; people are always commenting on how well-behaved and empathetic my son is. CPSC really feels like a family to us. We have established close friendships with many of the parents at the school.
I want to respond to Katie T's experience. It is totally different than
I want to respond to Katie T's experience. It is totally different than
Nima B.
Aug 14, 2009
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My 4 year old son has been happy here since we joined when he was only 1 year old. It was obvious after the first week or two just how happy he was at the school. All the teachers we've had are wonderful, supportive and friendly. That probably sounds like an exaggeration, but it isn't. The teachers are loving and warm and sweet and they truly enjoy being with children and bonding with them.
CPSC seems to have consistently warm and caring, well-qualified and engaged teachers. Rachel and the head teachers especially made an extra effort to make sure our experience at the school was nothing
CPSC seems to have consistently warm and caring, well-qualified and engaged teachers. Rachel and the head teachers especially made an extra effort to make sure our experience at the school was nothing
Katie T.
Jul 15, 2009
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If I could give this place minus stars, I would. Let's just say that NAEYC doesn't even mean anything to me anymore...
My daughter had an accident there, leaving her unable to walk for 2 months. We kept getting lied to by the staff (trying to be very careful of what they say so they wouldn't get slapped with a law suit... um... we're dealing with kids and babies... that's more important...), stories never matched... and in the end, the director signed off on a lie. They are very lucky we didn't bring a law suit upon them, although it often crossed my mind. When I
My daughter had an accident there, leaving her unable to walk for 2 months. We kept getting lied to by the staff (trying to be very careful of what they say so they wouldn't get slapped with a law suit... um... we're dealing with kids and babies... that's more important...), stories never matched... and in the end, the director signed off on a lie. They are very lucky we didn't bring a law suit upon them, although it often crossed my mind. When I
P. T.
Feb 07, 2007
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This is a quality center. It is NAEYC accredited, so you know they do more than just the basics. It is a bit on the expensive side, but if you can afford it, it's worth the money.
The staff really takes care of the children like family. They care about your child and your family - always wanting to help the parents raise happy and healthy kids.
The director has a hands-on approach and makes the effort to get to know the incoming parents and children. There is nurse on-site, so she is in charge of all things medical - definitely a plus to have that expertise on hand.
The Children&apos
The staff really takes care of the children like family. They care about your child and your family - always wanting to help the parents raise happy and healthy kids.
The director has a hands-on approach and makes the effort to get to know the incoming parents and children. There is nurse on-site, so she is in charge of all things medical - definitely a plus to have that expertise on hand.
The Children&apos
