Berkeley Parents Network: New House Day School

Berkeley Parents Network

New House Day School

(Mabel Perez, N. Berkeley)

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Preschools > New House Day School

March 2004

I've read the many positive reviews of New House Day School in the archives, and we are thinking about it for the fall when my daughter will be 2.4 years. I'd love to talk to the parent of a current (or recently graduated) New House child about your experiences there. Anyone willing to take a few minutes would be most appreciated. Thanks! Kathleen

My son, now 3yr 2mo, has been at the New House Dayschool since he was 21 months old and I can highly recommend it. The owner and director, Mabel, and the two other teachers, Chantal and Lulu, are all wonderful teachers and mediators of young folks. While they are particularly good at making first-time preschoolers feel comfortable away from their parents, they also do a marvelous job of catering to the needs of the older kids with more challenging experiences such as field trips, a series of classes at the Lawrence Hall of Science, weekly trips to the North Branch Library, music, dance and swim classes. The curriculum is completely age-appropriate, in my opinion -- around 75% free play, 25% structured time (meals, circle time). I'm constantly and pleasantly surprised by what my son has learned through play and song -- bits of geography, reading, writing, languages, social traditions, etc.. Not to mention interaction skills. I also appreciate that Mabel hosts potlucks every few months so that you have the opportunity to get to know the other families. There is much more for me to rave about, but I'd better stop there. You may contact me if you want more details. Alison

February 2004

My family is moving to Berkeley next month and we are considering sending our 3 year old to New House Day School. I read the wonderful reviews of it from last year. Does anyone have any info/advice/experiences they could share with us on the school? We are looking for a small community oriented place for our child...Thanks. star

I can't say enough good things about New House Day School! My son went there for about a year...we only changed to Centro VIDA because he'd been on the waitlist there forever and we wanted a bilingual school. My son still talked about Mabel and New House for many months after changing to the new school. It's a small school with a wonderful family feel. I loved the friendly, informality of the school -- Mabel could recount from memory everything my son did and said during the day. She and Chantal were genuinely warm and caring with my son and they always planned interesting projects and field trips. I'd be glad to tell you more if you wanted to email me. Tana

My two-and-a-half-year-old daughter just started at the New House Day School last month, and while our experience is therefore obviously limited, I've been quite impressed so far. I was fully convinced my daughter, who does not especially enjoy being around (a) strangers or (b) other children, would last about 15 minutes in whatever preschool we chose, but Mabel and Chantal (and, presumably, Lulu, the third teacher who I haven't actually had much contact with) have been fantastic at engaging her in activities while also respecting her desire NOT to participate, or to participate in a limited way that feels safer for her, when she's feeling anxious. I can see that their gentle approach to integrating her there is making her more and more comfortable each day. The last time I went to pick her up -- only her 4th or 5th day at school -- there was no request that we leave, and in fact it was all I could do to entice her to get into the car! The facilities are beautiful -- light and airy, with wonderful toys and art supplies -- and the yard is full of fun toys, play-houses, a trampoline, etc. We are very happy with our decision. (And the other kids seem nice, too!) Anonymous

Oct. 2003

The New House Day School has an opening for a girl, age 3 to 3+, and if you have never heard of or visited this in- home center you are in for a treat. Our older child spent 2 years there, still talks about it, and is jealous of his 3 year old brother who is currently there and who, the other morning, was literally begging me to hurry up so we could go to his school. It is that kind of place. Mabel strikes a perfect balance of free-play and some structure (regular singing circle and snack time) with the 8-12 kids she and her loving assistants, Chantal and Lu Lu, care for. She has converted the entire back of her sun-filled home and backyard into a kid heaven - endless trains, trucks and sandboxes, dress-up corners overflowing with costumes, forts, pillows to flop on, books and blocks, all impressively organized and clean. Mabel and her school are a treasure. An opening is hard to come by. Call her for more information and further references. Contact: Mabel Perez, 524-3465

February 2003

Re: Intimate, warm preschool with fewer than 20 kids
The preschool where our daughter goes, The New House Day School, is just as you describe -- very warm, friendly, great kids and loving staff. It is operated from a home, though this past year a remodel has given the school its own space, with three playrooms and a large play yard (complete with swings, sandbox, a grassy area, a vegetable garden box, and a large two-story play house). We have about 12 kids and three teachers (two have run the school together for many years). We take field trips to the Little Farm, classes at the Lawrence Hall of Science, weekly trips to the North Berkeley library across the street, weekly dance class, and for the older ones, summer swimming classes at the King pool. The kids do lots of arts and crafts, circle time, puzzles, games and free play. It's a very happy place! And the school particularly needs 3 and 4-year-old girls for this coming year for an ideal balance. Contact Mabel Perez at 524-3465. Kate

Sept.2002

Re: "Traditional" school 2-3 mornings a week
I think our preschool, the New House Day School in North Berkeley, would be worth checking out. This school is a traditional model, small home-based, with around 12-14 children. Some attend part-time, others full-time, in all configurations. Part-time has its own tuition. The program includes lots of art, lots of pre-academic skills building, field trips to the Little Farm and such, walks around the neighborhood, weekly trips to the library (across the street). They take the older kids to weekly workshops at the Lawrence Hall of Science in the spring (you have to be three for that, I think; there are always several who don't go, and one teacher stays with them and does other activities). They grow things in the garden and harvest the vegetables, and have a large play yard with different activity areas. A dance teacher comes once a week. The teachers speak Spanish and French, along with English. The two main teachers have run the school as a team for many years. Of course, what really counts is the happiness of the kids, and they seem very happy indeed there, secure and stimulated. My kids love their teachers, the school, and their schoolmates, and are always excited to go there (even my son, who is now in kindergarten, but loves to visit). For more information, call Mabel Lopez at 524-3465. Kate

Feb. 2002

We are considering sending our daughter to the New House Dayschool on Hopkins Street, run by Mabel Perez. We couldn't find any information on the UCB website about this particular school. We'd appreciate hearing any recent experiences, positive or negative. We prefer a preschool setting where most children are not attending full-time so that we can develop friendships with other families who have one stay-at-home parent. Because Mabel does offer full-time car, this could be an issue at New House--so we'd appreciate hearing from part-timers especially. Do families get to know each other? Are part-time children upset when their friends stay and they have to go home?

Regarding the parent who was considering sending their child to Mabel Perez's New House Preschool on Hopkins - our response is an unequivocal YES! Our daughter Sylvie attended Mabel's (pronounced mah-belle) pre-school for 2 delightful years. It was amazing what an enriching program she manages to run, and we had a very difficult time when it was time to leave. We especially appreciated the afternoon spanish and sign language classes, and the Hall of Science workshops. The kids also go to the North Branch library weekly for story hour and the older kids attend swim classes for 6 weeks at King Pool in the summer. The head morning teacher, Chantal, is French and there are many languages accomodated. Mabel is determined that the families get together and she hosts many hilarious potlucks. Her warm and engaging personally, as well as that of the other teachers, is a big part of what makes her school such a hit. You and your child will both be lucky if you choose The New House Preschool. Kristin

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