Re: Reviews of beacon day and lakeshore childrens?
I was in you shoes last year, and looked at both Beacon and Lakeshore Children's Center. My daughter is at Lakeshore now and I am very happy with the school. Lakeshore is very much a preschool. Each week has a theme: saftey, Autumn, friends, etc, and the kids do crafts and projects around that theme in small groups (my table was decorated with her leaf prints, clay pumpkins, clay turkey, and painted leaves for Thanksgiving). There is indoor play when the kids arrive, then circle time, small group time, lunch, outdoor play, nap, free play and reading time.

There is a fair amount of free play--but in the context of a 7 am to 6 pm school (catering to working parents), I think that is totally appropriate. It's all well and good for a half day preschool to be very focused on academics, but the reality is that I was choosing a school both as a school and as daycare (again, that's the reality for working parents). As far as TV goes, I haven't seen that much yet but I think it tends to come out when the weather gets bad. It's a 20 minute DVD, though, not hours of screen time.

I toured Beacon and didn't particularly see it as teacher-led but definitely as more academic. All the kids in the classroom were quietly focused on a few different learning activities. My daughter is very high energy, and I just couldn't visualize her in that environment. I am considering Beacon for kindergarten, though, by which time I expect my daughter will be ready for that kind of environment.

I'm happy with our choice, and particularly happy with the quality of the teachers at Lakeshore. Many of them have been at Lakeshore for years. Some of them had kids that attended Lakeshore. Happy Lakeshore Parent

Re: Pre-Ks in Piedmont/Oakland/Berkeley area
Check out Lakeshore Children's Center. They have pre-K, and also a K class. The K class worked well for us as a pre-K (started public school K the following year). Its a wonderful, diverse community, and Joni is a fabulous teacher! Debbie

Does anyone have any new reviews of Lakeshore Children's Center? Is it still a great program with diverse kids and staff? Thank you! Meena

We are considering Lakeshore Children's Center for our daughter this Fall. The most recent actual parent review is from 2004, and I know there are fewer enrichment activities and other changes since then. They do not admit students until July or so, and we have an opportunity right now to put a deposit at another (farther away, more expensive) school. Lakeshore is in our neighborhood, reasonably priced and diverse. It's not an organic snack, high-end fundraiser, this or that philosophy, all wood toys kind of school, but it seems to have friendly staff and happy kids. It isn't one of the ''in'' schools that other neighborhood parents I know are considering for their children (and thus talking about) so it is hard to know much about it. So, any parents or friends of current parents out there? Thanks! kim

Pros: (1) The school is open from 7-6, it's not terribly expensive, and they are hardly closed, which is incredibly convenient for working parents. There's an occasional holiday but no full week of closure (even at Xmas there were just 3 days closed). (2) They have a very nice play structure and yard, and a huge hall with loads of toys for running around in when the weather's bad -- a very needed thing for 3-5 year olds! (3) Some of the teachers are VERY loving and warm and I'm so happy to see the way my child interacts with them. (4) It's certainly a safe place for the kids to be. (5) They serve a decent breakfast every day, as well as semi-healthy snacks. (6) They have a fun music/movement program twice a month, which we pay for but it doesn't cost too much. (7) The parent group seems to be getting much more active this year, which can only make things better. (8) It is a nice community of families and the school occasionally has family gatherings which are very well-attended.

Cons: (1) They have a great-sounding calendar every month with loads of fun activities, but they follow through on doing the activities when scheduled maybe 50% of the time (a great disappointment to my child, who asks me to check the calendar every day to see what's going to happen). (2) Same with the daily calendar. They don't follow it at all as far as I can tell. They generally do not start ''small group'' sessions on time and many days it seems they skip them entirely -- this is the only ''academic'' portion of the day so it's a disappointment that they minimize it. When they actually do small group my child does get a lot out of it and I'm happy with it -- we've had good small group teachers who really make learning fun for the kids (we've been lucky -- all the teachers are not equal in this respect). (3) Much more of the day than not generally is free play, with only some guided projects here and there. (4) They put the kids in front of tv far too much -- ''movie day'' is on the calendar about twice a month, which I would be ok with, but some weeks it happens as often as 2-3 days (not on the calendar), and they'll have the tv on for an hour at a time. (This happens much more in Kinder Haus than I noticed in Kleines Haus) They do not respond to criticism about that other than to make snide comments to the child(ren) whose parent complains, which is quite unprofessional and unfair to the kids. (5) Communication is not very good.

For us, the pros still generally outweigh the cons and we're sticking it out until kindergarten but I know others who have pulled their kids out earlier than planned, and a number of long term members of the community believe that LCC has gone downhill in the last few years. Hopefully the revived parent group will make some improvements. Lukewarm on Lakeshore

Re: Preschools with Male Teachers
I visited a preschool with (if memory serves correctly) at least one male teacher as well as a male director. That is the Lakeshore Children's Center, on Lakeshore Ave near Mandana in Oakland. A friend of mine whose son goes there recommends it highly. I was also favorably impressed. It is a full-time, full-day preschool -- it has a very nice play yard, lots of great enrichment activities, and field trips about once a month. Their rates are very reasonable. Children must be at least 2.9 and must be potty-trained. If those specifics match what you're looking for (sorry, I didn't see the original post, just the responses) then I definitely recommend checking it out! another mom looking at preschools

I am looking for very recent reviews from parents about Lakeshore Children's Center (LCC). We are considering it for our son next year. Although the school seemed a bit ''grungy'' the staff seems very friendly and the children seemed happy and well attended to. Also, the curriculum seems very rich in cultural diversity and awareness. Our son will be one of the younger students 2.9. Any comments Good or Bad?? Propective Parent

You are right about it being a bit ''grungy'', but part of that is because they are one of the cheaper preschools, and the landlord is the church next door, so I don't think they have lots of cash for that sort of thing. However, the church has been working to fix some things up. Also, the playstructure in the back is only a couple years old, and really improved the physical nature of the place.

The staff for the most part are great. John Dixon who runs Klienes Haus is fabulous. I'm not as wild about the other two women there; they seem a bit disengaged at times and not as warm and fuzzy as you would like for kids that age. But my daughter didn't seem to mind. And Joni and her staff in Kinder Haus are great.

Overall, I obviously like it if I am sending my youngest one there. They have a Parent Action Committee that seems to be suffering from lack of involvement these days as far as I can tell (including me to some degree; Crocker sucks it all up!) so you could get involved and make things (the physical plant) better if you really want to. They love it when people help them out with that. Anon. today please.

Re: Special Needs Summer School/camp While not specifically special-needs, you might want to look at Lakeshore Children's Center summer program. I think it might be a nice alternative to regular camps for a special needs child... It's a year round program so it has a real indoor space, it has a professional staff with lots of experience with kids, and seems to be quite a nice program generally. Oakland Mom

Re: Culturally Diverse Preschools
For what it's worth and since I did not see your original post, I would like to recommend Lakeshore Children's Center on Lakeshore Ave. in Oakland. It is a play based preschool that emphasizes play, arts and crafts, dance/movement, music, and peace amongst friends. Nonviolent communication is used and children are encouraged to be peaceful problem solvers. No toys that resemble guns or other violent activity are allowed at the Center. Many of the families come from all walks of life. I truly love the diversity that so represents Oakland and our world! Contact the Klieneshaus Program Director, John Dixon, for more inforamtion or Rae Rita Thompson, School Director, at 510-893-4048 to schedule a tour.

My oldest is an alum and my youngest currently attends. The teachers and all of the staff are ethnically diverse as are all of the families. The love the teachers have for the kids and the numerous of happy smiling faces abounds! My children have just blossomed there! They offer field trips 2x/month, dance 1/week, and art & music daily. The kids are never in a hurry to just bolt out of there when I arrive - that is always a GOOD thing!

Trish

The recommendation I wrote last October, endorsing Lakeshore Children's Center on Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland is on the website. At that time, my daughter had been at LCC for only about six weeks. Ten months after she began, I am delighted to report that my assessment of the school is even more enthusiastic. My daughter has grown emotionally and cognitively, and we have found LLC to be a warm, committed and diverse community of parents and staff. I think so highly of LCC and its staff that I chose to have my daughter continue there in the accredited Kindergarten program, beginning in September. The person to contact for information and appointments is Chris Rymer. His number is (510) 893-4048.

I enthusiastically recommend Lakeshore Children's Center (510-893-4048) on Lakeshore Avenue, near Mandana.My daughter started at LCC in September, after more than three years in family daycare. I was worried about the transition to something larger and less restrictive than what she was used to, but my daughter was blossoming by the end of the first week. She used to come home cranky from her old childcare; now she's bubbling to tell me about her day. Lakeshore's students and the staff are as diverse as Oakland itself, and the shool's self-description is as a "Peace Academy." The staff is warm and loving, and this seems to affect the children, too. I used to regularly pick up a friend's daughter who attended a preschool on Park Blvd., and in three years I never saw as much hugging and affectionate "good-byes" as I observe daily at Lakeshore. There are lots of projects, field trips, and outdoor play, and a very involved and supportive parent population.

One of the list questioners asked about Spanish-English bilingual programs, and that was an interest of mine,too, because my daughter is Guatemalan-born and her family care was bilingual. Lakeshore used to offer Spanish classes twice a week, but its Spanish teacher couldn't renew her commitment to LCC this year. Lakeshore is still looking for a replacement. Personally, I'd love to have another family with a strong interest in Spanish-English education join Lakeshore to keep the pressure on (gently, of course... it's a Peace Academy).

Both of my sons (now ages 13 and 8) were there from ages 3 to 5. My info is therefore dated, but I know that some of the staff (Jon Dixon) I knew then are still there. Back then, it was a very warm and nuturing place that I remember very positively. When my kids were there, the staff, parents and children were a wonderfully diverse group and committed to a curriculum that encouraged the development of children as peacemakers - emphasizing interpersonal conflict resolution skills, and age-appropriate cross-cultural education. When my kids were there, Jon Dixon headed the program for the youngest group of kids. He is one of the kindest people I have ever met, and a real pro. My kids adored him. The Lakeshore Baptist Church, which provides the school facilities, didn't impose any religious training on the program and was very supportive of the school generally. For me, (again, when my kids were there), LCC's emphasis on warmth occasionally meant less order, but I happily accepted the trade-off. Other parents might not. Good luck!

I want to second the rave review of Lakeshore, and I have a somewhat more recent experience there. My son was there from 94-96, from the time he was 3 1/2 till kindergarten. I absolutely loved it and so did my son (we still go back and visit, on his request). The staff is great in general, and there are a few incredible people there, like John Dixon, who have been there forever and are truly gifted with young children. The diversity was a plus for me too, as well as the opportunity to be part of a warm community of families. I never perceived it as disorderly, but they are flexible--kids (like mine) who can't usually do circle time, may be playing quietly while the other kids are in circle. There are clear limits and expectations though.

There is a new director now, and a few staff changes since my son was there, so of course check it out, but it's definitely worth a first and second look--don't be put off by the somewhat grungy facility.

My older son (five) is just about to finish two years at LCC and my younger (three next week) will start there in September. I am extremely happy with the preschool program and would recommend it highly. My kids won't be going to Crocker Highlands elementary school so we won't be taking advantage of the after school program, although I know several kids there and have heard good things about it.

I'll just mention a couple of things that I believe speak highly of the preschool program there:

The program directors of Kleines Haus (preschool) and Kinder Haus (pre-K) have been with Lakeshore for many years. John Dixon, the director of Kleines has just completed twenty years with LCC and if there is anyone that embodies what early childhood education should be, it is John. Joni Nomura, the Kinder Haus director, is in her 8th year at LCC, and she's also an extremely gifted teacher, loving, very perceptive and creative. She has, among other exceptional qualities, an amazing ability to zero in on each child's strengths and really build them up. Now I know that that is what teachers are supposed to do, but I think John and Joni, in conunction with Chris Rhymer, the LCC Director (of Kinder, Kleines and the School Age Program) work very hard to try and fulfill that mission more completely than most. Chris has been with LCC for a couple of years now, and I think he has made the Center even better than it was before. I cannot praise him enough.

I could go on and on, so let me conclude by saying I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have. If you haven't gone and visited LCC, I urge you to do so. Chris gives parents a comprehensive tour. I think LCC is one of the very best decisions we've made for my kids so far.