• Owner: Gloria and John Gardner
• Phone: (510) 234-5966
• Email: lrshpreschool@gmail.com
• Neighborhood: El Cerrito/Richmond View
• Zip: 94805
• License #: 070204312
• Capacity: 12
• Website: http://www.lrshpreschool.org/
• Bilingual:
• Ages: 2 to 5

I'd like to give a plug to The Little Red Schoolhouse, from which our daughter just ''graduated'' to go to kindergarten. I can't say enough good things about Little Red. Gloria Gardner has been teaching preschool for decades and has developed her own curriculum, which is absolutely terrific. The children do a variety of activities, games, and learning units, as well as art, dancing, singing, and lots of free outdoor play. They also learn quite a bit of sign language as well. John Gardner is an accomplished cellist and plays music for the children to dance to. We wish we'd known about Little Red when we were seeking preschool for our older daughter. She went to a pretty well-regarded preschool in the Lamorinda area, but after seeing the incredible experience our younger daughter has had at LRSH, we wish we could have had them both there! It's a gem. They're in the Richmond hills, on the Arlington just north of the El Cerrito border (510-234-5966; www.lrshpreschool.org). Margie

Re: Seeking excellent Pre K program with 2011 openings
We will be so sad to leave the amazing Little Red Schoolhouse as our daughter turns 5, and begins kindergarten. Gloria's decades of teaching experience, her multi-sensory lessons, and use of original songs, sign language, and dramatics with her students have been a highlight of our child's toddler, and pre-school years. John's cello playing for the children, his reading to them, and his gentle assistance with crafts, games (indoor, and out), and play add to the children's feelings of joy, and security. The pack of photos they give you every Monday of your child's previous week take the sting out of returning to work, and leaving your child for the day. Shall I mention the amazing events/performances? They sponsor the Little Red Apolis yearly with Big Wheel races, and ''driver'' biographies, they have multiple presentations around seasonal observations (a nut party, or other Fall theme for instance), and different units throughout including in past years Japan which included Children's Day, The Rainforest which included learning many animal names in Portuguese, Long, Long, Ago-- from the Big Bang, through pre-historic anthropology. Each unit includes sign language vocabulary, languages from geographical/cultural subjects, often with songs in foreign languages, or with sign accompaniment, and amazing craft projects. Gloria is creative, endlessly patient, has the personality required to be permanently enthusiastic in a room full of young children, and is a person of tremendous character. The class size is small-- I think around 10-12 total with several being part-time, and their hours are great: 7:30am-6pm. They are up in the Richmond hills, near the El Cerrito border, and have a lovely home, with a sweet yard. They usually sponsor visits in Winter, and accept students by early Spring, but a family with 2 children in the class moved unexpectedly, and so they have openings. Here's their phone (510) 234-5966, and their link: http://www.lrshpreschool.org/index2.php?page=look Beryle

Re: Structured preschool for 3.5 year old girl
From everything you said in your message, I think my daughter's preschool, Little Red Schoolhouse, might be an excellent fit for your daughter. She is also 3 1/2, and she is so happy there! I just posted a recommendation in the last newsletter, so you get can more details there or in the BPN archives. They are located in the Richmond hills, along the Arlington, near the EC border. Their website is lrsh.org. You can also email me for more info. Rachel

Gloria and John Gardner have created a wonderful environment for promoting social interaction and the joy of learning within our two children's lives. Thoughtful themes in subjects as Nature, Geography, and History run concurrent to learning projects that include baking, singing, sign language, sewing, dramatics and an endless array of art projects contribute to creating a foundation that learning is fun. We could not be more pleased with the care and education LRSH has provided for our children. www.lrshpreschool.org Pleased Parent Matt

Little Red School House a gem of a pre-school located in the El Cerrito/Richmond View Hills Gloria and John Gardner have created a wonderful environment for promoting social interaction and the joy of learning within our two children's lives. Thoughtful themes in such subjects as Nature, Geography, and History run concurrent to learning projects that include baking, singing, sign language, sewing, dramatics and endless array of art projects contribute to creating a foundation that learning is fun. We could not be more pleased with the care and education LRSH has provided for our children. www.lrshpreschool.org Pleased Parent

Little Red Schoolhouse - Best Bang for your Buck
The Little Red Schoolhouse(http://www.lrshpreschool.org/)in the Richmond View area (off of the Arlington) has been a phenomenal place of learning for my 3 daughters who have attended from 2004-present. The head teacher, Gloria Gardner, constantly infuses new content and learning into her curriculum. They learn in great detail about topics such as Italy, the Amazon, Space, and so much more. Each lesson plan is well thought out and comprehensive and the children do cooking related to the theme, learn signs, songs in other languages, and art projects. My girls have developed a love for learning from Gloria. ah

Re: Part-time affordable non-coop?
We have found the little red schoolhouse in richmond view (near el cerrito border off arlington ave) very affordable and with an inclusive environment and very interesting and active program. our son (3 this weekend) enjoys it a few mornings a week and the kids are very gentle, sweet, affectionate, and verbalize well in conflicts. Our son is thriving there, and it is a bargain financially. carol

My twins spent almost 4 years at the Little Red Schoolhouse and loved it - so did I. Every few months a new unit is begun e.g., China, Australia, Early Settlers/Native Americans, etc. and the kids do art and cooking, learn language and cultural issues etc. on that theme (in 4 years no unit was repeated!). Simple science experiments at circle time each morning stimulate creative thinking. I could go on and on. My kids were remarkably well prepared for kindergarten, both academically and socially, and three years later still clamor to visit Gloria whenever possible. It's tremendous value for the relatively inexpensive cost.
Contact: Gloria Gardner, 510-234-5966

My daughter has attended Little Red Schoolhouse for one year (from age 2.9 to 3.9) and we're so pleased this little preschool.

Part-time and full-time care is available, prices are reasonable, and there is a good balance between playtime and learning new skills to prepare children for kindergarten. In addition to science, language arts, and math skills, the children learn ASL, participate in theatricals, and do cooking projects together. Gloria, a former schoolteacher, is creative and inspired in her approach to teaching children.

My seven-year-old second grader is jealous of how much fun his sister has there.

They are located just off the Arlington near the El Cerrito/Richmond border.
Contact: John and Gloria Gardner, 510-234-5966

Re: Affordable Pre-school for Toddler
Try Little Red Schoolhouse in Richmond, off of the Arlington. The cost is about $150 each week for full-time care, 7:30-6:00. It is a daycare with a preschool curriculum. It has been a good program for my 2 children. Director: Gloria Gardner 234-5966 jc

Re: Preschool in Richmond
Try Little Red Schoolhouse, off the Arlington, in Richmond, 234- 5966. They may not have scholarships, but they are pretty modestly priced, about $30 for a full-day. anon

Re: Small part-time preschool
Little Red Schoolhouse is located on the El Cerrito/Richmond border one block from the Arlington. My 2.5 year old daughter just started there, loves the teachers and is making lots of new friends. It's been in business for over 20 years and is a warm nurturing environment. Gloria Gardner, 510-234-5966.
--big fan of small preschools

The Little Red Schoolhouse has openings for the summer. They are located in Richmond at 6344 Highland which is just off the Arlington. The age range is 2 -5. There is a strong possiblity for long term. Their hours are flexible M-F, 7:30a.m. - 6:00 p.m. It is a great place run by Gloria and John Gardner. They offer an interesting program with lots of play time. They can be reached at 234-5966. My two daughters (9 & 5) both attended there from age 2.5 on! Kathy