• Owner: non-profit parent cooperative
• Phone: (925) 932-3173
• Email: membership@creativeplaycenter.org
• Neighborhood: Pleasant Hill Rd.
• Zip: 94523
• License #: 070200186
• Capacity: 48
• Website: http://www.creativeplaycenter.org/
• Bilingual:
• Ages: 2.6 - 5 years

Re: Suggestions for a preschool in Walnut Creek
We live in Walnut Creek and our son attended Creative Play Center in Pleasant Hill (two years + their developmental kindergarten). Our neighbors recommended CPC to us, saying that it was the only preschool they'd been to where the preschoolers didn't look up when visitors arrived because the kids were so engaged in the activities! It's a co-op with a ratio of one adult to four youngsters, making it easier to provide a ''curriculum'' that is rich, varied, and fun. In all fairness, I should say that our son just finished his first year of high school, so it's been a while since his preschool days, but CPC has been around since the 1940s -- we're not the only ones with fond memories of preschool experiences and happy kids who are doing well in school! Anon

We are going to be moving out to the LaMOrinda area this Spring and are looking for a developmental kindergarten program to sign our son up for. He would be starting fall 2007. I am fearful that programs are already full for next year and would appreciate any and all advice families in the area might have on particular programs and tricks on getting in. Thanks in advance for your time!

Re: Developmental Kindergarten -Lamorinda area
Hurry over to Creative Play Center in Pleasant Hill. My daughter has been in the preschool for 2 years, but will go on to Kindergarten in the fall. It is a co-op, so that might be helpful for your child (I think you end up co-oping one day a week). They have, by all accounts, an excellent DK program - nature and science, pre-academic focus on daily living activities. It is a 4 day a week, 3 hour a day program. It will fill up with ongoing families, so you have to act quickly. The school will be represented at the PH/WC preschool fair this weekend. Sharon

I can highly recommend Creative Play Center (a co-operative school) in Pleasant Hill for your child. I have had both my children there for the past three years and just absolutely love it! My first concern was also the teacher to child ratio, as it is 1:24 at CPC. Once I actually got involved and saw that there are also six parents there every day carrying through the teacher's directions for at least four different stations of planned activities my concerns went to the wind and never have returned. It has been such a rewarding experience not only for me but for both of my girls. They just love having their mom there as well as all their good friends' parents! Having a community of families to which you actually belong and participate with in running the school makes a tremendous difference in the entire family's life. If you haven't seen our school please contact us and come for a visit or two. We also have a pre-kindergarten class which has far exceeded anything my daughter has gotten in public schools subsequent to that experience. Farrside4