Berkeley Parents Network: Griffin Preschool

Berkeley Parents Network

Griffin Preschool

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Preschools > Griffin Preschool

July 2008

Re: need a preschool for my twins
Hi My daughter spent two years at Griffin nursery school. She is now starting second grade. I think Griffin is a wonderful place. The teachers are well trained, smart, thoughtful and kind. There is minimal scheduling and regimentation. The children have access to both inside play areas and outside play areas at all times. There is always at least one teacher inside and another outside to welcome the children and engage them. The kids have a lot of autonomy to pick what interests them. They have free access to their lunch boxes throughout the day and a teacher available to invite their friends to join them at the table. My daughter loved Griffin and still remembers it fondly. When I was choosing a preschool I remember thinking that it was the only preschool that I personally would have wanted to stay and spend the day in. The children seem focused, engaged, (mostly) calm and happy. I'm sure your kids will love Griffin if you can make their schedule work for you. It is a classic nursery school with a morning schedule for the younger ones and an afternoon schedule for four year olds. If you are wondering specifically about how the school would handle separation, I suggest you call the director, Betsy, and ask her directly. I think you will find the school to be as she describes it. Good luck. nostalgic Griffin parent

January 2006

Re: Preschools that value guidance and humor

Hello, I would definitely visit Griffin Preschool in Berkeley, South of Campus on Prince Street, just off Telegraph Avenue. Wonderful teachers. Play based, but the curriculum is socialization which is so important. It is play based but the children are directed in their play and negotiation skills day to day. The environment is calming for parents as well as children. They are empowered knowing they have choices in their day at school, a very special place away from home. They are listened to and known as little people, not merely shuttled from project to project in a day. Call to schedule a visit, you will surely be impressed. A very happy Griffin parent

Feb 2005

I was looking for some feedback on Griffin preschool. Specifically what the transition from such a play-based program to a more academic Kindergarten program, like Bentley, was like. Thank you.

Griffin is a wonderful preschool. I think it prepares children to enter any type of kindergarten program. At Griffin the teachers respect each child's own learning process and believe that children learn through playing. But, my child frequently writes length books as part of her playing! I believe that preschool is a time for children to explore, play and form friendships. The teachers at Griffin are wonderful at supporting a child in these endeavors. It's a warm, safe school with wonderful materials for children.

I can't comment firsthand on how a child from Griffin might transfer to a school such as Bentley since my child is still attending Griffin, but I think the transition would be smooth. I would just make sure that you are comfortable with a program which allows children to direct their own play and learning (as Griffin does). If that is what you are looking for, then Griffin is an amazing place for preschool! A Happy Griffin Parent

Sept 2004

Anyone interested in an outstanding traditional nursery school program should look no further than Griffin Nursery School. My daughter just finished two years there and I just learned that they have two openings in their morning program. Located in Berkeley (Prince St.), Griffin has been providing child care services for over 30 years. The program is child-centered, rich with materials for exploration, and marvelous, caring staff. I highly recommend it! Contact Betsy Nachman, Director at 845-2025.

March 2004

I am looking for current thoughts on Griffin preschool in Berkeley. I checked the archives, but the postings were older. Has anyone been involved with the school since the interim director (Carlyn) has been there? Thank you for your input.

I can highly recommend Griffin Preschool under the interim director, Karlyn Scott. Our three-year old daughter attended Griffin last year and she loved it, as did we. The teachers were very warm, caring and provided endless support to her during her transition period (she was having significant separation problems) and she loved the flexible schedule--the kids decide what they want to do, when they want to eat their lunch, etc. She did some amazing art projects and went from screaming when I left in the morning to begging me to sign her up for more school time there. We left when we needed full-day care, as their current program only allows half-days for kids under age 4. Karen

We have been a Griffin School family for the past five years-- our second child is finishing up this spring/summer. We are very, very happy there. We love the size of the school, its rich history and sound progressive philosophy. When I was looking for a preschool, someone told me that ''Griffin School raises good people,'' and I found that very powerful. As a Griffin School parent, I would agree. Their focus is very much on helping children develop their interests and passions, balanced with helping them navigate the world of social interaction and emotions. My kids have both emerged confident, happy people who are interested in the world and other people and comfortable with themselves.

The current staff is incredibly well-calibrated. The teachers are experienced, loving and deeply knowledgeable about children and committed to the ethos of the school without being preachy or overbearing. Betsy Nachman, the director, is a very special person and teacher, and she is away on a leave, but Karlyn Scott, the acting director, is strong, kind, responsive and wonderful in her own ways. And Rose Gilles, the director of the afternoon program, has been at Griffin for years and is one of the most wise and emotionally intelligent teachers I know. We are devoted to Betsy, but have been very, very happy the past two years despite her absence.

Be aware that the school is a play-based preschool, which means that there is no introduction of worksheets or other paper/pencil tasks. There's lots of learning and stimulation, but it emerges out of the kids' interests. Good luck in your search. lm

Hi, My daughter has been at Griffin for over a year now. We are all very pleased with it. The kids get a lot of individual attention, and the focus is on socialization, building community and creativity. The school has great indoor/outdoor space and an extensive and eclectic collection of toys and activities. The (temporary) change in director occurred just weeks after we signed up, so we have only really known the school under Carlyn's leadership. We think she and the other teachers (several of whom have been at Griffin for many years) are wonderful. Feel free to email me if you want specifics. Dana

Jan. 2004

Hi, I am looking at Griffin and am a little hesitant because of their apparent lack of structure could anyone please share some current thoughts on this. Also we will want our daughter to go to private like Head Royce and curious if anyone from there has found that a hard transition from no structure to Kindergarten at a private school. megan

Hi, My daughter has been at Griffin for about a year now, and we are all quite happy with it. When she started, I wondered about the lack of structure too. But now I see it more as a child-driven structure rather than a lack of structure. The kids tend to have their own routines and habits (when they like to eat, when they go outside, etc.) within the open school schedule.

In terms of curriculum (if you can use that word with preschools!), the only thing the school consistently puts forward is a focus on interpersonal relations: how to make and keep friends, how to get your needs met in a group, how to resolve conflicts, etc. They are very focused and adept at teaching these skills.

Beyond that, the kids bring their own interests into the classroom, and the teachers support those through their choice of available books, toys, and activities. They're able to do this because it's a small place. Having watched this in action for a while, I think the approach is effective because it recognizes that you can't really teach a four-year-old about something that doesn't interest them. I find it refreshing that Griffin doesn't adhere to a pre-planned program of seasonal content that may not be relevant to their students.

I don't yet have experience with the transition to kindergarten, but I am hoping that kindergartens are by their nature designed to help kids make the transition from self-driven activities to the more formal expectations that school will place on them. Feel free to email me if you have want more information. Dana

1998

Regarding Griffin Pre-School. My daughter attended the Griffin School ten years ago so my comments may not be accurate for today. However, it was great. The school concentrated on socialization. There were no real academics. Mrs. Griffin knew each child, their particulars, academic prowess, etc. Many of the children who attended the school are now very successful individuals/highschoolers. Carol

I had two wonderful experiences at Griffin. Two daughters (now 12 and 6) each went there for two years and loved it. The director (Betsy Nachman) takes great pains to know each child as an inividual and to bring out the best in them. What I enjoyed most is that it was not "teacher driven". The adults are there to help the kids work/play with each other and develop real social skills. They can be inside all day or oustide all day, they can eat when they want (big hit with alot of kids). There is limited "must do" activities. I highly recommend this sort of free play environment

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