My experience at Gan Avraham has been quite different than that of the person who posted a few weeks ago.

That parent seemed frustrated that the Gan was not working for their 2-working-parent family. When we were considering enrolling our oldest in the school, Wendy, the director, made it very clear that this was not probably the best choice of schools for a family where both parents work and there is no other family/community support. This was not kept a secret! That said, my husband and I both work, now have a second child at the Gan, and have had a very positive experience getting the days and hours we wanted/needed and with the preschool welcoming whichever member of our extended family dropped off, picked up, or attended shabbat any particular week.

The review I read also misquoted the price of Gan Avraham as something like $11/hr. I believe it's actually somewhere between $7/hr-$8hr, certainly not more expensive than other preschools we've looked into.

Lastly, the writer was concerned with the ''mix of children'', seemingly worried that the kids with ''special needs'' were detracting from the attention the children without those needs were getting. To this I'll just say that the world is full of all kinds of people with all kinds of needs, and it's a wonderful thing for my child to learn that now.

Gan Avraham has nurtured my children and helped them grow into self-confident, compassionate, proud Jews. I highly recommend the school. Tosha

Gan Abraham used to be a small wonderful loving place for kids. Since its growth last summer, we noticed a number of changes:
-- Cost - hourly rates are up to $11 per hour
-- Mix of children -- There are more teachers now, which means more kids, some of whom have special needs. With more kids in the classroom (the ratio is all legal, no worries there), the kids without special needs are not getting as much attention and care
-- Hours: the hours are not consistent until 6pm everyday. While the school is open until 6pm Mon-Thursday, there is not always room for your children.
This is really a pre-school that is best for families where both people are not working. Part-time, 9-1 seems to be fine, although still a bit expensive. But trying to cover a full-time schedule under the current circumstances leaves a lot to be desired. Two working parents

I'd love to hear about recent experiences families have had at Gan Avraham (pre-school part of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland) espcially the youngest class of 2-3 year olds. We are considering starting our son there next school year even though it will require some sacrifices in terms of time (commute to school and then commute to work) and money. We think it's worth it for the right community and school.My husband and I both have strong Jewish backgrounds and really like the idea of starting our son's Jewish ''education'' and experiences early.

We also both work outside of the home full time and need extended care. We plan to have our son at the Gan 8-5 M-Th and 8-noon on Friday.

Questions, Questions, Questions: Is the Gan community open and supportive of parents who work and need full time care? Think I can find any parents who want to carpool to the City after drop off? Does the school help nuture families and friendships? What are the teachers in the youngest classroom like? How is the Director, Wendy?

Thanks So much for your feedback, I really appreciate it! Nice Jewish Mom

The school has many families where both parents work and it offers extended hours to accommodate those families, which was another factor in my school selection, since I work 4 days/week. The kids who stay for the afternoon play in the yard, nap/rest, have snacks, etc. My kids have always loved when they get to stay late. A lot of parents volunteer, but there are lots of opportunities outside of the classroom, so even working parents can find a way to contribute.

The school building was refurbished over the summer and classes expanded. The curriculum is play based.

The director, Wendy Siver, is great, and I recommend you talk to her about the curriculum and teachers (they can change from year to year) and your other questions. She will also be scheduling tours for prospective parents at some point in the next few months.

You are also welcome to contact me with further questions. Susan

Our children have attended the Gan from 8:30-5:30 Wednesday and Thursday and 8:30-3:30 on Friday. I have always felt supported as a working mom; and the Gan works hard to offer hours that work for those of us who work. As the school is at a Conservative Synagogue, the school is closed for some of the Jewish Holidays. When we are in a pinch, we have found other families are always willing to help out, with playdates or childcare swaps. The teachers at the Gan are loving and wonderful with the kids and dedicated to teaching and to the school.

We love the community that the Gan provides for our children and for us. Our children have many friends at the synagogue from attending preschool there. Rabbi Bloom (who is wonderful with children and families) frequently comes to classes to celebrate holidays and sing with the children. And the Gan works hard to create a welcoming community for parents of children attending the Gan, with parent education events, evening events for families from the Gan, and evening social events for adults.

Wendy Siver, the director, is incredibly helpful with all kinds of parenting advice, both related to school and not related to school. She is always available for parents to drop into her office to chat before or after dropping off and picking up children.

In terms of carpooling, I don't know who works where, but I am sure Wendy would be happy to put you in touch with parents who work in the City and could talk to you about carpooling/commuting.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your decision. Laura

Any advise regarding choosing between Temple Sinai and Gan Avraham Preschool? Thank you for the help. jenny

My son developed a positive sense of being Jewish at Gan Avraham by celebrating holidays, including a special Friday Shabbat celebrations. The school has a number of kids from mixed religious backgrounds, and I think that their parents would agree that Gan Avraham is welcoming toward all kids.

I especially like the sense of community at the school. It is more than drop your child off or pick him/her up at the end of the day. Parents help out, as their schedules allow, both inside and outside the classroom, which allows them to get to know each other better. Parents provide meals and other support if there is a new baby, illness, or death in a family. The school has a good mix of stay-at-home Moms (or Dads), but is also very friendly toward working parents who need full-time child care. Many families belong to the synagogue and see each other at events outside of school.

A difference between the two schools is that Gan Avraham is affiliated with Temple Beth Abraham, a conservative synagogue, while Temple Sinai is reform. Having said that, I doubt the religious education at the two schools differs greatly, because 3-5 year olds are mostly celebrating holidays and learning basic Hebrew words, but not getting too in-depth into religious training. Gan Avraham is closed for major Jewish holidays (the number of days depends on the year and when the holidays fall), although childcare is available at an extra charge on most of these days.

The school also offers summer programs to current students. Feel free to email me if you have additional questions about Gan Avraham. Susan

(Reviews were also received for Temple Sinai Preschool

My daughter has just completed her first year at Gan Avraham, the preschool at Temple Beth Abraham, and we are very pleased with the school and the community that one joins when your child enrolls there. My husband and I have never been as courted as we were when we joined Temple Beth Abraham nearly 3 years ago and then started to consider preschools. Everyone we met raved about the school, and we found this enthusiasm to be accurate.

Gan Avraham is a play-based curriculum, which from our experience has allowed our child to develop as she wishes. The teachers are creative, caring, and very in-tune with what works with individual kids. One of the co-directors just celebrated her 20th anniversary, and many of the other staff have been there for many years. Additionally, there is a very active parents group that works on everything from meals to families with new babies or illnesses to teacher appreciation efforts to various holiday celebrations. We quite like everyone we've met through the nursery school.

You should know that Gan Avraham has a waiting list for this September, and likely will for the following year (we can count 10 babies already who are members and/or have siblings in the school). Priority is given to Temple members. It's also a great temple, as has been attested in other posts to this list. Good luck! Jody