• Owner: affiliated with Congregation B'nai Shalom
• Phone: 925-934-9510
• Email: preschool@bshalom.org
• Neighborhood: Eckley Lane off Walnut Blvd.
• Zip: 94596
• License #: 073405006
• Capacity: 30
• Website: http://www.bshalom.org/preschool.html
• Bilingual:
• Ages: 2 - 5 years

I would like to recommend our children's preschool, Gan B'nai Shalom, in Walnut Creek. The school is an intimate, warm, loving, play-based Jewish preschool that takes children ages 24 mos.- 5 or 6 (don't need to be potty trained up till they are ready for K). Both of our very different children have thrived here over the last five years, and the community of parents is like an extended family. I can't tell you the number of parents I've seen over the years who switched preschools until they came to GBS. The quality of what they learn and experience is unparalleled; the art and hands-on projects have kept our house in impressively elaborate decorations. Because it's a small school, every child's whole personality is really understood, and it helps each child blossom. The two wonderful young Rabbis on our campus as well as our Hazan are in frequently, and the kids truly have a Jewish home here, and celebrate all the holidays with great enthusiasm and knowledge. There is also a good level of Hebrew sprinkled in, and our youngest adored her after-school Hebrew class at GBS. Our youngest is headed to K confident and sure, with this great start! Call Gan B'nai Shalom at 925-933-7633 Families of all levels of Jewish observance attend and are welcome including intermarried and same-sex couples. You don't need to be a member, although it is discounted for Gan families if you'd like to be members of B'nai Shalom. ~Janna

I would like to recommend my kids' preschool: Gan B'Nai Shalom. My 4 year old twins are in their second year at this school and love it! The school provides a warm, creative environment. The class size is small--each class (2s, 3s and 4s) has only 10 kids and 2 teachers per class. The teachers are all warm, dedicated, and loving. The program offers creative art projects, science exploration, critical thinking activities,and outdoor play, including a children's garden. Judaism is integrated into the daily activities through art, stories and songs. My kids are constantly learning, growing, devloping their curiosity, and establishing and maintaining friendships. I attribute all of this to their experience at gan b'nai shalom. If interested, please call the director, Liz Kaufman at 925-933-7633
harriet