Berkeley Parents Network: Diverse Preschools

Berkeley Parents Network

Diverse Preschools

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Preschools > Diverse Preschools

Berkeley preschool that is racially diverse?

March 2007

Can someone recommend a Berkeley preschool that is racially diverse? My son is 2 years old and African American. I am having a hard time finding a school that is 'truly' diverse in its student and teacher population.

My son goes to The Snuggery on McGee near University. The Snuggery, although it seems to have a lot of girls right now, is really a very diverse place. My son has and has had friends who are white, black, asian, female, male, foreign--you name it. The staff is also diverse (black, white, asian, hispanic) and the school's curriculum focuses on celebrating a wide variety of holidays and events (e.g. Black History Month, Lunar New Year, Cinco de Mayo, etc.). Snuggery Mom

New School, on Bonita at Cedar is as diverse as any private preschool I've seen, in both students and staff. The staff has a good gender diversity, too. happy parent

Culturally Diverse Preschools

May 2002

I've researched fairly thoroughly the postings on the site for preschools and it appears they don't go beyond 2000. I'd like to know what experiences people have had with preschools over the last year or so. I'm looking for a place for my child that emphasizes art and movement as well as respect and cooperation. Also a site that is not small and crowded. Cultural diversity would be a big plus as well as bilingualism, but not a must. Thankyou, MB

Recommendations received:

Pacific Academy Nomura School

Lakeshore Children's Center

Children's Community Center

May 2000

Can anyone recommend a pre-school with an understanding of what it means to affirm cultural identity in young children, and addresses issues of cultural diversity in deeeper and more thoughtful ways than celebration of holidays. I'm a single Jewish mom of an adopted daughter from China and am looking to enroll my daughter in a pre-school by January when she'll be 2.6. (I'm open to September 2000) We live in El Cerrito so programs in our area, Albany, Berkely, Richmond would be possible but I have yet to find anything even close. Are my expectations realistic? If I hear one more instructor respond to my concerns saying 'Well we celebrate Chinese New Year, Cino De Mayo, Chanukah.....' I think I'll scream or cry. While it is important to me that the kids in the pre-school come from diverse racial,cultural AND class backgrounds, (something that is also hard to find in these geographic areas) it is also important to me that the books, visual images, music and styles of teaching also reflect that diversity in a CENTRAL way. As a parent and an educator myself I bring this into my child's life and have seen the positive impact it has on my daughter in many ways, and would like to see this as part of her pre-school experience as well. The closest thing I know of is HEADSTART which while our economic situation is not pretty,we don't qualify for. I do see pre-school as a time for her to play, create, explore, develop and strengthen social skills and am less interested in an academic emphasis. Any recommendations/ suggestions would be much appreciated.

I am Chinese American educator and have just finished selecting a preschool for my 2 and 1/2 year old son so I recently visited the schools I will suggest. Although I did not pick either of these school, I thought they might be possible for your daughter. When I toured Step One (with its infamous long waiting list) in Berkeley, I was favorably impressed with one of the teachers in particular who had activities and images throughout her classroom of racially diverse people. Also, Step One has a small scholarship fund and likes to recruit children and families of diverse background. You seem to fit. In addition, I understand that there is a program in downtown Oakland but I don't know its name which also has instruction in Mandarin and Cantonese and there is a Cantonese English Bilingual preschool in Oakland Chinatown, probably too much of a schlep for you. While I know it is difficult to pick the perfect preschool program, I would encourage you to pick a school or perhaps other enrichment that would allow your daughter to be exposed to or learn some Mandarin Chinese if you do not speak the language yourself for the simple reason that language and culture or so inextricably tied. Logically, your daughter will have better access to her country and culture of origin later in life when she may have more questions and issues with cultural identity if she has some facility with the language. Kudos to you for considering such an important issue.
Pat

I'm not sure how much this preschool provides an understanding of cultural identity, but the school has a very diverse staff from many different nationalities and also has several men working there. Try New School of Berkeley, 548-9165. I totally love New School.
Toby

I recommend Cedar Creek Montessori School on Sacramento Street at Cedar. (see Cedar Creek Montessori School page for the rest of this review.)

I'd recommend you check into Via Nova. When looking for pre-schools I found Via Nova, located on MLK in Berkeley, to have a real understanding, appreciation of and participation in diversity. Ages 2 to 5. Minimum 3 full days.
Lisa

Have you looked into Children's Community Center on Walnut Street in Berkeley? I don't have a child there, but I did my dissertation research with their children a few years ago, and I remember the teachers talking about something they called a "diversity curriculum." It's a parent co-op, so if that appeals to you, you might want to look into it.
Lauren

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