Re: Looking for Lamorinda preschool

FWIW, we've liked CDS just fine for our three. Good Luck.

Re: Looking for Lamorinda preschool

We currently attend CDS in Lafayette, and have for 4 years with two kids. I am happy with the program, although it is probably not for everyone. There is a certain amount of ''controlled chaos'' when you go in there, so you have to be able to accept that as part of the program. I feel the teachers are very kind and caring toward the children, and this year has been very low in teacher turnover. They emphasize the process of children planning their activities, as well as the process of an activity, not the product (you will not see a wall of identical art pictures at CDS!). They are strict on things like candy, and try to have no media-type influences or computers for the children. I also really like how they work with children on conflict resolution. If children are having a problem with each other, they really try to facilitate their working it out. And if there is an injury, the child who has hurt another one has to stay with his friend until he feels better and help find a way to make him feel better. As far as them being a ''chain'' of schools, yes there are several locations, but I would say I have never noticed any overriding corporate influence. Each school seems to run completely independently. It is not a glamorous location, but each play yard has been updated beautifully in the last few years and we are just starting to plan the auction for this years' fundraiser to update the kitchen area. Good luck with your choice! Also, re: Child Day School, they do serve a hot lunch three days a week, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Claire

Does anyone have any experience with the Child Day Schools? These are "child-centered" preschool-through-kindergarten programs that sounded good to me. I toured the one in Lafayette and liked it but they do seem to have high staff turnover. If anyone could provide some first-hand information about any of these schools I'd appreciate it. Thanks. Kathy