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My kids old preschool has a few openings for fall. Zeze Cole, the director, is a wonderful lady, calm and good with children. Her school has a great outdoor play area where the kids can paint, play with ride on toys and play with the climbing structure. Inside they have a nice room with lots of toys. I really like that on Wednesdays they have a music teacher who comes and sings and plays instruments with the kids. Narnia is a great place, open to ages 2-5, M-Th from 9-1. It was really reasonable, and gave my kids a great preschool foundation- check it out. http://narniaps.com/narniaps.com/Welcome.html Former Narnia parent
Re: Part time preschools in Redwood Heights
I highly recommend Narnia Preschool. My son just finished 3 happy years there.
It's small, play-based and very nurturing. We miss it a lot!
http://narniaps.com/narniaps.com/Welcome.html
Good luck!
Paula
Re: Schools Using Non-Violent Communication
You might want to look into Narnia Preschool in the Oakland
Redwood Heights area. They are very small, they only have
about a dozen students, but they go all out in their efforts
of teaching the children. Most importantly to us, they do
not allow bullying behavior, e.g. hitting or kicking, among
the kids. Last year, we had to go through four (!) different
preschools to find one where our strong willed yet highly
sensitive toddler felt safe. I couldn't believe at what
behavior teachers (and other parents) look the other way!
Our son was afraid to go to school on a daily basis, we had
to go with him every single day -- and teachers would tell
us they let the four-year-olds work things out themselves.
However, that changed when we started him at Narnia. He
feels safe and nurtured there and he is thriving. They have
a music teacher and they do wonderful artwork. They have a
backyard area with nice shady trees, all the usual toys and
structures, and even a couple rabbits. We are so happy we
found them! Their director, ZeZe Cole, can be reached at
510.482.9614 or narniaph@me.com
Good Luck!
Re: Preschool 3 days a week, mornings?
For Nana's granddaughter I highly recommend Narnia Preschool in
the Oakland hills (on Tompkins). Zeze Cole is the director of
this fantastic school. Our now first grade son attended and our
youngest daughter is about to ''graduate'' to Kindergarten. The day
she leaves will be heartbreaking; she's already talking about
going back to visit every day and bringing one of her teachers
with her. Narnia offers full-day or part-time placement. It's
small and diverse with the most loving teachers we could hope
for. The kids are engaged in art, music, capoeira, learning
letters, numbers, cooking and a million other projects piquing
their curiosity. My car is full of Bea's artwork, as she brings
piles home, and daily she regales us with interesting facts about
animals, Portuguese language or books they have read. At first my
daughter had separation anxiety, but Zeze patiently helped her
through the transition. Now Bea cries when she DOESN'T have
school. I see that as a terrific sign. You should check it out.
hilary
Can anyone offer a current review or input on Narnia Playhouse preschool in the Redwood Heights area of Oakland? I am looking at for a 2 year old, who would hopefully fit in there until kindergarten. Is it an appropriate setting for a social 2 year old who has had undivided attention thus far? Do the children learn at an appropriate preschool level as they get older, to prep them for kindergarten? Thank you! mea
My son Phineas (3 in April) goes to Zeze's Narnia Playhouse twice a week; I wish we could afford to send him every day.I cannot say enough good things about his experience there. I was looking for a way to supplement his daily childcare situation with a caregiver with limited English. My good friend had sent her daughter(s) to Zeze years ago when Narnia first opened. I remember going with her and how her daughter hated to leave. Phin initially had severe separation anxiety-''I don't want to go to school!!'' But Zeze calmly assuaged his fears. After a few weeks he completely changed his attitude. Now he insists that we drive by Zeze's house every day just so he can wave and holler hello! With Zeze he gets music, art, creative play, time to socialize with kids his own age, and tons of healthy loving. It's a good sign when a child is grumpy and demanding to see his teacher. ''I want Zeze, mama!''
I love that he brings home piles of interesting artwork, and new songs in his repertoire. The kids even got a cd from the music teacher Zeze brings in! I appreciate Zeze's flexibility, her true love for our kids, the small size of the group. I only wish it were an all day affair.
Should you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to email me. Hilary
The group size of six kids was perfect for our son to transition from home to preschool. I feel that Zeze encouraged each kid to be independent about things like toilet training and feeding themselves but provided gentle intervention and supervision when necessary. She has a very calm, nurturing demeanor and the kids were very friendly and loving toward one another.
Narnia is a great place for kids to be kids! They get their ya- ya's out playing indoors and out, but at the same time have structure with a regular routine that includes morning snack, visits from an outside music teacher, lunch, etc. What really struck me most was that Zeze seems to really appreciate each child. Even though we were there for six short months, she took pictures that documented our son's time at Narnia and created a keepsake photo album for him that he cherishes to this day.
I think Narnia takes kids from about 18 months to preschool age. It's a great place for kids to socialize and bond in a small, play-based, familial environment. It was a fantastic experience for us.
Feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions. Noreen
I'm currently looking for a preschool for my daughter, to begin this Fall (she'll be 15 month but I could wait if necessary). I checked the website for recommendations and was wondering if anyone had any additional or more recent comments regarding Narnia Playhouse. Thanks so much! L. Mitchell
Zeze is a creative, loving, energetic caregiver. She devotes most of her home to the children, and even has a dedicated art room downstairs. Her shaded backyard has a climbing structure, a large sandbox built by parents, and plenty of room to run around. Music, dance, art, walks around the neighborhood, cooking, and both structured and spontaneous group activities provide a stimulating, but relaxing (no pressure) environment for the children. Most of all Zeze understands the importance of play in the development of children; she firmly believes that play is a child's work and values and respects the freedom that children have at this time in their lives. She has made a wonderful contribution to our oldest son's life, and we are truly looking forward to beginning with her again for our younger son. I would be happy to answer parents questions about the daycare. Ann
If anyone has questions, please write me or see my recommendation on the UCB Parent's Index of Recommendations for Narnia when we started in 1998. After all this time, my beliefs in the quality and heart of Narnia and Zeze remain firmly intact. Dorothy
The director, Zeze (SaySAY) Cole, is a licensed preschool teacher who opened Narnia about two years ago. She has two assistants, Graciela and Jo, who are calm and loving presences. I have heard the kids saying "I lobve you" to Zeze, who is warm and open but gently firm when she needs to be. (I know, I'm making her sound like a mattress..) Her home in the Redwood Heights area of Oakland has a gorgeous backyard with climbing gym and a huge new wooden sandbox that several of the parents built for her last weekend. Nearly the whole home has been given over to areas for kids to play in. There is a separate art room downstairs. Each kid's pace and style of play is respected; none must participate if they don't want. Zeze has Jane Timberwolf, a well-known local music teacher, come in for circle time on Tuesdays. Besides English, the children are exposed to Portugese (Zeze and Jo are originally from Brazil) and Spanish. Needless to say, there is no TV. This place is well worth driving a little out of your way for.
As far as I know, 18 months is the youngest age, although my daughter was just shy of that when she started. I know of at least two situations where parents came to visit significantly earlier than that an were so taken with the place that they simply waited for their kids to be old enough so that they could start at Narnia. While looking, I visited six caregivers and nothing else came close. Another parent told me that she'd tried twelve with the same finding.
Narnia Playhouse is closed from August 1-15 for Zeze's family's annual vacation. Patricia
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