• Owner: Sara Jean Schweitzer
• Phone: 510 428-1344
• Email: sj@growingcircles.com
• Neighborhood: Piedmont Av. area
• Zip: 94611
• License #: 013417252
• Capacity: 14
• Website: www.growingcircles.com
• Bilingual:
• Ages: 3-5 years

I am writing this letter to share our families experience with Growing Circles Preschool. We have sent both of our children through Growing Circles. Being parents that would rather be home with their children than work, Growing Circles was the perfect fit for us. I always knew that they would be safe, loved and nurtured. I also knew that they would get plenty of outdoor play and excellent nutritional food. Sara Jean and her staff are bright and truly engaged with the children. One of the most of many amazing things about the school is the curriculum. Art, science and nature education are plentiful plus a lot of alphabet and counting practice. I cannot recommend Growing Circles highly enough. Conscience Mama, Kate Growing Circles Parent

(A letter from a parent to the Growing Circles Preschool Director)

Dear Sara Jean,

First, let me just say how thankful I am to you and your teachers for all that you offer to the children, you guys are awesome! I love the projects my daughter's involved in as well as how much freedom she seems to have. I was feeling happy the other day when she came home with a bag of dirty, wet clothes after being allowed to splash around in the creek with her friends. Yay...she gets to act like a kid at school! Plus, it's a treat for me to see shining faces in the morning and to walk into a school with the smell of something delicious being cooked for my child filling the air.

Second, every time I'm packing my daughter's sister's food for her nanny share, I'm singing your praise (seriously!) for providing my daughter nutritionally minded meals and snacks with no sugar. I get a lot of peace and comfort knowing that while my daughter's in your care, she's eating similarly as she would at home. I can't think of many other places I could send her (including to extended family's) where this would be true. Plus, I have a little more time in the evening to sit and write e-mails rather than packing her food ;-)

Thank you for doing all that is necessary to continue providing an enriching environment for our preschoolers.

Sincerely,

Amanda Growing Circles Preschool Parent

I just wanted to rave about Growing Circles Playschool on Howe St in Oakland. It's been a happy 1.5 years that my daughter has been attending. (She wants to go even when she is sick!) We feel that we found the perfect fit for her. We toured several preschools before we found out about this one and for us it was the small size (10 kids and 2+ teachers), delicious organic vegetarian snacks/lunch/milk included, no sugar/TV policy, and the great balance between academics and social play. They do activities outside whenever possible weather-permitting but they do go on an outing every morning, rain or shine. (My daughter loves taking her raincoat/boots on rainy days!) Sometimes they go on great field trips and keep up a good variety of activities and learning opportunities with things like yoga, art, etc. They also learn unique other important life values through composting, recycling, and appreciating what the Earth provides us. The rate is very reasonable (even low considering what you get) and the enrollment is ongoing (though students tend to stay for an academic school year at a time) so I suggest you call Sara Jean for a tour and get on her waiting list, if you are interested. I believe she has a spot opening very soon and then a few in the Fall starting August and/or September. Her number is 510-428-1344. If you want to talk to me or other parents of the school, she will provide referrals! Here is the website: http://www.growingcircles.com/ G.

Re: Looking for Healthy, Loving Preschool for Son
We have had a very good experience with a small home-based preschool in Piedmont called Growing Circles. The food is lovely, organic and often from a farmers' market that the children visit. Breakfast is cooking in the kitchen when the children arrive in the morning and my boys always charge the kitchen to find out what's in store. There are science and art projects and lots of local walking outings and explorations. The 6-8 children get to know each other and become very much like a family. After going to a larger Montessori program with a great reputation and having my boys run over by older children and ignored in the herd, I was so glad to happen upon this happy, cozy little gem. I believe that Sara Jean, the owner/director has at least one opening starting in August. It is 3 days per week, MWF, 8:30-5:30. mama of 2 preschool boys

I would like to recommend Growing Circles Playschool to parents of children aged 2-5. My daughter has been attending this program for 8 months now. Sara Jean Schweitzer, the program director, provides the children with a loving and stimulating environment. It's a home based program that is small enough to give each child lots of individual attention. Sara Jean also brings in art and music teachers, schedules fun field trips and cooks delicious, mostly organic, vegetarian cuisine. Her approach is very professional, fun and educational. You can contact Sara Jean at: 510.428.1344
Iris