Marin Day Schools

We can’t be more pleased with this daycare, a few highlights;
— the classrooms have a head teacher assigned to each student… and the teachers really do this as a vocation, not just a job… they partner with parents in giving great advice and choosing developmentally appropriate, fun activities on a daily basis
— the location lends a lot; convenient to public transport, easy drop off/​pick up even via car, the kids even get a walk around city hall when its raining and the security obviously can’t get any better!
— the on-​site play area is so great and the kids spend about 2 hours a day outside playing
— the school has regular classes for music, yoga and other enriching activities
— the teachers are so creative, I’m constantly blown away at the fun things they think of to do with even the smallest kiddos, and each child is really respected and appreciated as their own individual
— parents and family are encouraged to visit and participate in the classroom
— the management is so exceptional — we really are starting to feel like «family» here, not «just“a daycare.
— as working parents, we feel that the school does understand our hours and needs and really helps support us in parenting our daughter, this is so appreciated!
— the price is very fair SF market rate for the quality, hours and supplies/​location

Having had some bad experiences with other preschools, and having talked to many parents feeling confused or overwhelmed with the process of choosing and getting into a preschool in SF, I want to share some of the reasons this school has been a great match for us and my daughter.
First and foremost, from the moment I first toured the school, the co-​director, Greta, remembered me and made me feel welcome. I had a similar experience when, after being waitlisted for about a year, I called and spoke with the director, Kathleen, who was amazingly friendly and warm while also being professional and informative, and not just about their program; we also discussed some of the other Marin Day campuses and whether they would be a fit for us, as my daughter was on the older side.
Next, the teachers: We started in the oldest classroom, so I cannot comment on the others, except that I have heard positive things about them from the 3 – 4 neighbors I know who have had kids there. But in our classroom, I have been very happy with all of the teachers. The lead teacher, Jennifer, spoke with me after my daughter had been there for about a week and showed more wisdom and awareness of her than her previous teachers had after 9 months.
Overall, the teachers are experienced and warm and seem to truly love what they are doing (I didn’t realize until I saw this that it had been missing at the other schools we were at). They are patient but also clear about boundaries and rules, and the classroom is, to me, amazingly peaceful as a result. Not that the kids aren’t exuberant, but they’re not screaming at each other when I come in. They’re having fun exploring and learning together, and if they have a conflict, they are handled calmly.
I also got the opportunity to spend a good amount of time in the classroom when they were dealing with transitions, and it was gratifying to see the care they gave to the younger kids who were sensitive about being in a new environment with new people.
I am not an expert on early education (which I am very aware of since I have four sisters and sisters-​in-​law who are) but in terms of curriculum, I can say that my daughter is having fun and that I am gratified to hear her happily report what she is learning and to see what’s going on in the weekly curriculum newsletters. We were previously at one school that had too much structure for us and then one with so little that my daughter’s language skills went backwards. MDS strikes the perfect balance for us, letting the kids’ interests dictate projects (like creating their own library) but also having enough structure that my daughter’s language and math skills are progressing, as well as her current passion for science-​related topics.
Also very important to me is that I feel completely comfortable asking questions of the teachers, and if I needed to go to Kathleen or Greta, I would feel comfortable talking with them too. The environment is just a very positive and open one overall, and I see that reflected in the interactions the staff have with each other too.
I wish in some ways that I had sent my daughter to this school sooner, and avoided the negative experiences we had at other places, but on the other hand, those experiences meant I could more fully appreciate the quality of Marin Day at City Hall. I’ve discovered that for me, personal connection is really the basis of all education. If the teachers don’t have time to do that because they aren’t sure what they’re doing or are distracted by other tasks or are not supported by the administration, then nothing else really matters.
Marin Day isn’t big and flashy, but they have quality where it matters: In the people who are going to engage with your child every day.

My baby is not there, but I am giving 5 stars for their kindness, thoughtfulness, and professionalism.
I heard many good things about the infant program (at civic center location) from my friends whose babies were in the program or the branch program.
Their waiting list is long and give priority to city workers, so it is hard to get in. I put my baby’s name on the waiting list when I was 3 month pregnant, and there was no opening until my child became a 4 month-​old. I needed a day care when my child was 3 month-​old, so I had to enroll my child to a day care out of city where my husband’s company is.
I believe that she couldn’t do anything to get my baby earlier in the center because of the long waiting list and their priority system. However, the director, Linda has been excellent to return to the calls and emails, and always friendly and caring. She assured me that she was checking the waiting list and my baby is still active. When I called her she called me back right away if she couldn’t answer the phone at that moment. The tour of the program was excellent, and she allowed my husband to come by anytime to look at the program. Teachers were kind when we were there.
It is too bad that timing didn’t work out for my baby. I absolutely have my baby there if there were an opening for him in a timely manner.

My daughter’s first school and she loved it. The staff was very knowledgeable, responsive and great with the children. You felt the genuine regard they felt for the children, it wasn’t just a job for the teachers and directors.
Alyson thought it was cool to attend school at City Hall. We appreciated the parking spaces in front of the school and the security. Since the school is physically located within City Hall, you have to pass through metal detectors to enter the school. At least it’s not as bad as SFO, you still get to keep your shoes and belts on.
The staff is great and the facilities are also excellent. The playground is accessible only to the school. On rainy days, the children are allowed to play within City Hall so they can still burn off all that energy. Field trips take full advantage of the school’s proximity to the library, Farmer’s Market, Asian Art Museum, and City Hall exhibits.
The only caveat about this school is the waitlist, it can be hard to get in. I’d advise applying as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, don’t worry about a name or even the sex of the baby, fill out the form as «Baby X».