TOPS, The Orinda Preschool, providing play-based preschool education in the Orinda community since 1938. TOPS's play based learning experience is rich with history and progressive opportunities. Our classrooms and curriculums are set up to enable learning with your child's safety at the forefront. Learn more about how play-based education is integral to early childhood learning and development.
Creating a healthy and safe environment for learning is important at TOPS - contact us to learn more about how we are planning a safe re-entry to the classroom. The outdoor classroom is TOPS' shared community space. TOPS is a preschool that highly regards the outdoors as indispensable and central to all children's learning.
Creating a healthy and safe environment for learning is important at TOPS - contact us to learn more about how we are planning a safe re-entry to the classroom. The outdoor classroom is TOPS' shared community space. TOPS is a preschool that highly regards the outdoors as indispensable and central to all children's learning.
Services
TOPS believes that learning and play are not separate activities. Play is essential for a child's cognitive, emotional and physical development. We focus on developing the whole child and offer a unique environment for them to blossom. Learning through play is a term used to describe how children make sense of the world around them.
The outdoor classroom is TOPS' interactive learning environment. TOPS is a preschool that highly regards the outdoors as indispensable and central to all children's learning. Our primary goal is to provide an outside classroom that offers a stimulating, challenging environment for children to explore their abilities.
As a play-based school, your children spend their time interacting with materials and others in self-directed play. Our staff focuses on the development of the whole child. We plan our curriculum to meet the transitional levels and interests of the children. All areas of your child's development (social, emotional, physical and cognitive) will be challenged daily when interacting with other children and the materials provided.
Experience the joy of summer while learning through Play! During our summer break, TOPS offers a mixed age, play-based educational program for children who are three through five years of age.
With the support of daily participating parents, the summer teaching staff provide a stimulating and engaging indoor-outdoor learning environment that promotes children's physical, social, emotional, creative, and cognitive growth while cultivating and strengthening their relationships with peers and teachers.
With the support of daily participating parents, the summer teaching staff provide a stimulating and engaging indoor-outdoor learning environment that promotes children's physical, social, emotional, creative, and cognitive growth while cultivating and strengthening their relationships with peers and teachers.
Reviews (9)
Momma N.
Aug 28, 2019
Report
Curtis S.
May 30, 2019
Report
Both of my children have been very happy at TOPS. I always describe it as exactly the kind of childhood we dream of providing our children: messy, free-spirited, playful. We were new to the area and seeking a school where we could meet other families with children the same age, which is why we sought out a parent-participation program. We've met a lot of friends through TOPS and continue to meet new families all the time. I will add that I've become laundry expert :) There's a big emphasis on social-emotional development, which is what preschool is all about!
Margaret C.
Dec 03, 2018
Report
As a parent of a pre-school aged kid you look around at all of the options for pre-schools and you wonder, "What is going to be best for my child's development?" or perhaps more accurately, "What will make my kid happy while still preparing her (or him) for school in an affluent competitive community without screwing up her changes to get into a great college later in life while still making sure she has a tight friend group as she grows?" Sound familiar? It's natural to want the best and to try to find the best fit! Because you're asking these questions you
Joe S.
Sep 13, 2018
Report
TOPS is an amazing place. Last year, my wife and I moved to Orinda from San Francisco in July (a month before school started) and we were welcomed with open arms.
The school is play based. TOPS may not be for everyone. In fact, our oldest daughter would have been a deer in headlights in this unstructured environment. However, our son loved the cornucopia of all the wonderful activities inside and outside the classroom. He's so excited by all his options that he's eager to get going after getting dropped off. Which has been wonderful, because we were worried about teary eyed goodbyes
The school is play based. TOPS may not be for everyone. In fact, our oldest daughter would have been a deer in headlights in this unstructured environment. However, our son loved the cornucopia of all the wonderful activities inside and outside the classroom. He's so excited by all his options that he's eager to get going after getting dropped off. Which has been wonderful, because we were worried about teary eyed goodbyes
Lily V.
Apr 19, 2018
Report
Initially I sent my son to a Montessori school nearby. They did not meet his social and emotional needs. Everyday during drop off he would vocally tell me he didn't want to be there.
So for a few reasons we decided to switch him to TOPS. His demeanor instantly changed. Although this school isn't "academically focused" he gained self confidence and doing much better in social settings. For him, that was exactly what he needed to continue to thrive and "learn" from all the interactive and magical activities that occur at TOPS.
Our son is now more confident than ever
So for a few reasons we decided to switch him to TOPS. His demeanor instantly changed. Although this school isn't "academically focused" he gained self confidence and doing much better in social settings. For him, that was exactly what he needed to continue to thrive and "learn" from all the interactive and magical activities that occur at TOPS.
Our son is now more confident than ever
Laura D.
Feb 09, 2018
Report
We adore TOPS! The outdoor classroom is truly magical. The educators and directors are all highly trained in early childhood development and it really shows. My daughter loves each and every day there. It's a parent participation school, which means about once a month you get to work in the classroom. I love the opportunity to see my child at school as well as get to know the other kids and parents. There are lots of pre-school choices in Orinda, but we are so happy to have found a family at TOPS.
Lisa S.
Feb 27, 2013
Report
My daughter has attended TOPS for three years. She is currently in the TK (transitional kindergarten). It is almost impossible to put in written word how incredible our experience at TOPS has been. We have received more support and kindness than ever expected. My daughter would not be near the child she is without the guidance and love she has received from every single teacher and administrator at the school.
My daughter has some developmental delays that her threes teacher was quick to bring to my attention. This was instrumental in our getting help for her fast. I am eternally grateful
My daughter has some developmental delays that her threes teacher was quick to bring to my attention. This was instrumental in our getting help for her fast. I am eternally grateful
Serena M.
Feb 19, 2011
Report
TOPS has been the very best preschool for our child. He has blossomed within the play based system, his interests are supported, he feels safe and comfortable during our separation. Our experience with the teachers has been superb, with excellent communication during child conflicts, child development and child evaluation meetings. They have listened to my concerns, and our dialog has always been open. TOPS can be a custom experience for your child, and there is plenty of flexibility.
We actually had a very bad experience at a different preschool, and I came to TOPS with a frightened child. He
We actually had a very bad experience at a different preschool, and I came to TOPS with a frightened child. He
Tamiini S.
Nov 15, 2010
Report
I had one child here and he loved it. I know that should probably be all that matters but the reality is that as parents of preschoolers, we practically spend as much time in preschool as they do, especially if it happens to be a co-op like TOPS.
There were many reasons why I didn't put my other children at TOPS. First, the two's program was terrible. They subscribed so much to the 'let every child grow at their own pace' that they felt it was okay to leave my child standing in a corner of the playground everyday for a month because 'every child develops differently
There were many reasons why I didn't put my other children at TOPS. First, the two's program was terrible. They subscribed so much to the 'let every child grow at their own pace' that they felt it was okay to leave my child standing in a corner of the playground everyday for a month because 'every child develops differently
