There are several preschools right in the Grand Lake/Lakeshore area that you might want to check out. Our son, 3 years old, just started at Lakeshore Children's Center. We were drawn to the place because of rave reviews on the UCB website (take a look). When we visited, the affectionate relationships between the staff and the kids were very evident. We also knew another family there. Aaron seems to be settling in nicely. It is a play-based center.

If you are looking for something different, you might try Montessori Casa dei Bambini. It's gotten AWFUL reviews on the parent's website. People on this list seem to think it is WAY too rigid. Our little boy was there for the summer program, and really enjoyed himself. They have really great materials. No question that the environment is richer than Lakeshore Children's Center. Money was a major factor in our switch. Montessori Casa dei Bambini is about $1000 for full-time care, while Lakeshore is less than $600.

I haven't visited the center, but another one in the neighborhood that a friend of mine's daughter went to, and just loved, is Lakeview Preschool. I don't know if it has any reviews on the parent's webpage.... I think in terms of cost it is somewhere in the middle.

I do not know about the pre-schools in Montclair itself, but I have two wonderful pre-schools to recommend. The Mills College Children's School, located in the Mills College Campus (a short drive from Montclair) is fabulous. ...

The other pre-school that I was impressed by is a co-operative in Berkeley called Dandelion (I realize that this is quite a commute for a Montclair parent, but...).