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I would like to wholeheartedly recommend Oakland Garden School (OGS) to anyone looking for an incredible play based pre-school in Oakland. Our daughter has been attending OGS for a little under a year and she loves it. I literally toured 11 pre-schools in Oakland/Berkeley before finding OGS, and the minute I entered the premises I fell in love with the place. We love it so much that we've actually been commuting our daughter there after moving to Walnut Creek a few months ago. OGS has wonderful warm, happy, nurturing teachers whose love of their work is immediately evident. The grounds are amazing with fruit trees, goats, chickens, gardens and a yurt. The children spend quite a bit of time outdoors compared to the vast majority of pre-schools out there, which was a huge plus for us. Most of all - the kids are all obviously very happy there... which says it all. OGS takes kids starting a 2 years, and they offer a full day program that caters to working parents. Feel free to contact me directly with any questions. Katherine
For those looking for a preschool in Oakland, it's really hard to beat Oakland Garden School (OGS). After visiting six others, spanning everything from Montessori to Reggio Emilia, we found that the overall attitude, quality of care and the amazing outdoor spaces really set OGS apart. The school's outdoor area includes well-maintained play areas, a sunken boat, a yurt, chicken coop and goat pens and gardens with fruits and veggies the kids help plant, maintain, harvest and cook! Their focus on Reggio-inspired play-based learning and the integration of nature in their program is unlike any other school we visited. Another great aspect of OGS is the flexibility of the schedule. It's an all-year program with drop-off any time after 7:30 and pickup any time before 6:00. All of this taken with its constantly improving facilities, inspired and inspiring faculty and interesting, diverse and engaged parent community makes OGS a great choice. Maya
I have both of my children enrolled at OGS. Initially, I read the reviews here (on BPN) and had my own concerns about the care for my children. However, what OGS did before we ever committed to their school for our children was the following.
1. At the day care tour, they addressed the elephant in the room long before anyone asked questions at the end of the tour. They were very frank and open about the problems they had with staff turnover. Since, they have continued to be very honest and transparent about complaints filed with agencies and problems with previous staff. They have taken actions without prompting to make sure that my family was informed of all of the issues surrounding the day care.
2. They encouraged me and my children to stop by the day care at any time and spend a few hours at the school with no committment. I took OGS up on this offer and introduced my children to the school, other students and teachers long before they were enrolled.
Last, I enjoy talking with and meeting my fellow parents at the school. They are interesting and kind people who I am happy to know.
I find the allegations previously made about OGS to be
irrelevant today. My children love Tae, their teachers
and the other students at the school.
Abbigail
We couldn't be happier at the Oakland Garden School on Maybelle in Oakland. Our 3 year old daughter has been there for a month and is flourishing. The expansive outdoor space with a garden, chickens, and goats as well as the emphasis on a child-led learning and nature-based program was what drew me to the school. And now that my daughter has been there for a month, and I have had a chance to observe the teachers and director and all of the children, I am certain my decision was the right one. I wanted to make sure that anyone considering a play-based preschool for their 2 year old through pre-K children should seriously consider OGS.
The variety of experiences to be had are vast--feeding and taking care of goats and chickens, tending the garden and eating the ''fruits'' of their labors, raking the school yard and learning to compost--all of this can be had at the school. All the teachers, as well as the director, are kind, generous, and thoughtful and love the kids. I've seen several disputes handled with grace and patience. The children are taught to respect each other.
I can't think of a better environment--tons of fresh air, lots of space to really run around, the teachings of respect for each other and the nature surrounding you, love and joy from teachers--to have my daughter spend her preschool years. The fact that she immediately runs into her classroom to start partaking in activities, sometimes without so much as a ''Bye Mom!'' means that she is in the right place.
Come check Oakland Garden School out--it truly is a ''magical'' place, in my opinion, and everyone from the teachers to the director to the parents, work hard to make it so. Kimberly W.
I'd like to emphatically recommend OGS as a wonderful, nurturing, innovative and passionate preschool.
We moved our children to OGS in January and immediately saw the difference it made with them. They protested being dropped off at the old school, now we can barely leave in the afternoon because they want to stay. I believe there are a few reasons for this.
The staff is committed and passionate. Natasha, the site director, has a Masters Degree in early childhood development and a true passion for teaching children. Leading by example, her energy ''trickles down'' to the rest of the staff who are all very good with the children.
The play yard is magical. Tae, the director, who once was a landscape architect, has really brought her vision to life. It's wonderful that our children can connect with nature - interacting with farm animals (chickens & goats), fruit trees and a vegetable garden - while living in the city! In my opinion, outdoor play is the best way for a child to learn and OGS emphasizes several hours of outdoor play everyday.
There's a nice sense of community. All of the parents are committed to volunteering for the betterment of the school. There's a lot of planned events to help raise money for teacher retention, supplies etc. Everybody's very friendly and there's always a pleasant atmosphere. Happier, less stressed parents = happier, less stressed kids.
They were very honest with some of the problems they've experienced in the past - none of which we've seen and seems to be a thing of the past. I also checked their licensing record and besides some small injuries which seemed like overreactions there was nothing that concerned me.
Go OGS! We're happy to be there Bryan H
Re: Reggio Emilia school in Albany, El Cerrito area?
I would like to recommend a school that is not in that geographic area but
is a Reggio Emelia-inspired school that I find totally worth the drive for
my daughter. I live farther than Richmond and drive to Oakland Garden School
because outdoor play and the Reggio experience are both very important to
me. I visited in the spring and my daughter and I both fell in LOVE with the
expansive outdoor grounds, the nature-based curriculum, and the beautiful
and magical classrooms. You will not find a school with a larger, more
stunning outdoor space, which includes egg-laying chickens and goats! It is
worth a look if you are truly interested in a Reggio curriculum. My
daughter, a gentle and somewhat shy soul, begs to go to school on the
weekends and comes home dirty and covered in paint. It is worth it for me to
make the drive for the one year she is in preschool before she starts
kindergarten. In full disclosure, since enrolling her, I have become a
parent volunteer and serve as the school's office coordinator.
Driving for the Reggio Experience
Oakland Garden School came to my horizon when I was almost too discouraged to look further after touring more than ten schools in the area for my daughter I might have been too specific in my search to measure up my childhood experience in Europe but I was truly committed to find the place where my daughter experiences Nature in her daily routine. What I saw was either too meticulously and commercially designed Montessori type of program with substantial tuition or mass daycare type of programs with more affordable price. I know other parents signed up here for the outdoor space and curriculum but I think there is a true vision to create a place like this. When the director talked about a child's need for day dreams and wonderment,I was so touched and decide to sign up for my daughter. I haven't heard anyone really talked about children in that way for long time..... human and kindness toward children A OGS parent
I have been a parent at Oakland Garden School since August 2010 when my daughter began in the ''Sprouts'' 2 year old class. As many other reviews mention, the grounds are magical and the classrooms are welcoming and imaginative. My daughter loves it at OGS and I feel she is very well cared for. She is what you might call a ''slow to warm'' child and transitions have not come easily for her. I was so impressed with how her teachers gently encouraged her to participate at her pace and helped structure her morning transition so it was less traumatic for both of us. When I come to pick her up at the end of the day, she is usually quite dirty, grinning from ear to ear, and cannot wait to tell me about her day. There certainly have been some bumps in the road administratively that as a parent have sometimes been frustrating. However, I have seen some efforts in recent weeks by the director to address the communication concerns many of the parents have and have witnessed some concrete steps to fixing these problems. My daughter will continue at OGS next year, not out of necessity but because I feel the strengths of the school outweigh it's challenges and that these challenges are fixable. The last thing I'll say is that I also love the parent community at OGS. It's a stellar group. Happy OGS Parent
The classrooms are divided up into Sprouts (2 year olds), Acorns (3 year olds) and Pinecones (4 year olds). My son loves his classroom teachers but he also enjoys interacting with all the staff members and they love talking with him. And teachers are accessible and friendly with parents letting them know what happened that day and working as partners with parents.
They have openings in each but I believe they are looking for girls for the 3 and 4 years olds and boys and girls for the 2 year olds. Their number is 510-531-4800.
Our child attended the Oakland Garden School for a year & a half. In that time, we witnessed almost complete turn-over of the entire teaching staff. 10 teachers (who all started out as vibrant & dedicated teachers), that our child had bonded to, either left or were fired in an 18 month period. In the time that we spent there, we attended countless emotional crisis meetings where parents resolved to work together to get things on track, but every three months or so, another crisis would arise (usually sparked by another teacher leaving), and parent's & teacher concerns would never quite get addressed by the administation.
Another major concern of ours was the lack of a reliable substitute teacher pool which often resulted in very high teacher to student ratios. Often sick or injured teachers would come in to work instead of staying home to recuperate.
The school has amazing potential due to its unparalled outdoor space, and has a lovely mission, but it does not provide a stable environment for kids. Since we decided to leave the school a few months ago, two additional teachers have abruptly left the school. If you are considering enrolling at this school, I would urge you to visit the two older classrooms that are both under-enrolled (and almost entirely male) due to waves of families that have left the school for these reasons. -not missing the drama
The upside of this school is the strong parent community. In our year at OGS, we became quite close with the other families - perhaps as a result of the constant state of flux the school was in. We struggled to retain the staff we valued so much, we were constantly trying to remedy the issues with staffing, working with the director and the teachers to find a solution. Unfortunately, after a year of watching at least a dozen teachers come and go from the school, we decided to make a clean break and leave OGS.
It's my belief that a healthy, positive learning environment is one that is stable, an environment where the child feels safe and comfortable. With virtual strangers entering the classroom on a regular basis, this just wasn't the case at OGS.
The school itself is a lovely place with an inviting outdoor space and bright, friendly classrooms. Please don't judge a book by its cover though. Dig deeper if you're considering sending your child here. Do your research - talk to parents, both past and present. Speak with the teachers, ask them how long they've been at the school, how they are treated by the director and the board. There's more to this school than meets the eye.
It's unfortunate that I have to give this school such a negative review. We truly adored the one teacher who was a constant throughout our daughter's year at OGS, Maggie Becerra. Sadly, Maggie has also recently been let go.
Until OGS is able to sort out its issues, I cannot recommend it in good faith to anyone. -anonymousOGSparent
The most beautiful preschool!
My three year old son goes part time to the most beautiful and amazing
pre
school in Oakland. I grew up going to Waldorf and loved the experience
of being
surrounded by so much nature. When I started looking for preschools for
my
son, I saw so many that has little or no outdoor, natural environments
and felt
very saddened by that. Then I discovered Oakland Garden School and never
looked back! My son comes home covered in dirt and full of stories about
all the
activities he did out in the garden all day. He is healthy, happy and
full of good
energy when I pick him up from school. It is such a wonderful feeling to
know
that when my child is not with me, he is in such loving hands. I can not
say
enough good things about this place!
RE: Preschool with great outside space?
I recommend Oakland Garden School, where our three-year-old goes to
preschool. The outdoor space is large, with fruit-bearing trees as well as
shade trees, and chickens and goats living on-site. The school has a
nature-based, play-based curriculum that includes as much outdoor time as
possible. Children tends garden plots, have art and dance activities
outside, and eat lunch in the shade, weather permitting. The indoor spaces
are great also, with varied projects, learning activities, science
discovery areas, and fun-focused circle time. The school is accepting
applications for 2 year olds, and has openings presently for 3-4 year old
girls. Contact: ogs@oaklandgardenschool.com.
Garden School parent
I recently toured the Oakland Garden School for my two year old. While we were impressed I am having a hard time deciphering the past upheavel with many different directors and high teacher turnover. It appears the original director is back, Tae Ha. Can anyone provide insight, when did Tae come back (why did she leave?) and what was last year like in terms of turnover? Have any teachers been there for more than a year? What is the reason so many directors have left? Thanks!
To address your questions: Tae founded/envisioned the school, is the landlord/owns the property which she converted from a single family home, and is personally responsible for the aesthetics, inside and out. The child care license is owned by an LLC made up of a 2-member ''board'' (more accurately called the ''owners'' of the school), not by Tae. 2010-11 is the 4th school year the school has been open, and Tae became director at the end of August 2010. Prior to that, she was a consultant to OGS but couldn't teach/direct until 8/2010 due to a previous licensing issue (unrelated to OGS) from the family day care she previously ran (Sundance). The director turnover in the first 3 years was under the supervision of the owners/LLC, and the turnover wasn't always for the same reasons. The director who was there briefly when we first started was asked to leave for improper $ issues, the next one I still don't know why she disappeared with no notice, and the next one left due to a combination of personal/health problems and not doing what he said he'd do when we (committee of parents/teachers/owners) hired him. I do wish that the owners had handled communication with the parent community differently and better in each case than they did. In the end of our first year there, the owners did begin to get parent input into hiring for the director and teacher positions (committee mentioned above which I was on), and overall parent-school communication has improved gradually and steadily since. The best decision I saw the owners make was to hire one of the (director-qualified) teachers, Wendy Sosa, to be director last year - she directed and taught my kid's class (great teacher! love her!) and did a TON to stabilize the school for a year until turning things over to Tae in August. From what I have seen this year, the owners have totally stepped back from getting involved in anything day-to-day since Tae began directing.
As far as recent turnover and staff longevity - of the current 6 main classroom/morning teachers, Wendy and her co-teacher of the pre-k/4's class have each worked there for 3 years (with my kid's class the whole time - looping/moving up with them), the 2's class core teachers have been there for 2 years and 1 year each, and the 3's class teachers are new (this class is the only one with core teacher turnover this school year). The afternoon/part-time teachers and aides/subs are all ones that Tae has hired since she started in August. I hope that with the original founder now directing the school, the curriculum, teaching staff, approach, and community will get more and more stable and cohesive over time. my .02
We recently left because of the high level of teacher turnover, which was negatively affecting my kid. Along with the turnover, there just weren't enough teachers for a workable ratio. OGS says they have 6:1, but that's not what we saw. We saw that teachers were too busy with logistics and breaking up fights between kids to effectively teach or attend to children. We never got a single ouch report though our child came home with new cuts and bruises nearly every day. Like the last person who responded to your question, we found that there were not enough teachers when the kids were in the yard, so fights, accidents, and bullying happened and were not effectively handled. And like the last responder, changes were promised again and again, but the chaos continued, so we left.
Many parents feel that that their kids are resilient and don't notice things like teachers leaving, etc. However, my kid was not happy at OGS and made it known to us everyday. Now that we've left, the kid I once knew is back! The change was almost immediate. After rereading old BPN reviews, I kick myself for not paying attention to all the red flags.
To anyone who is considering enrolling their child at OGS, I recommend observing all the classes when they're indoors and out. Don't just take the tour. That was the mistake we made. And know that even if you really like a teacher, she may not be there when your child starts. Former OGS parent
Drama aside, OGS has a lot to offer. I appreciate the diversity among staff as well as children. I appreciate the nature-based, play-based philosophy, with activities like gardening, yoga, dance, Spanish and Mandarin, food prep, feeding the chickens and goats---and of course the story time, songs and crafts. And I have to echo another parent who wrote that they can barely convince their child to leave at the end of the day. It's been hard to find the right school because I do not want to push our child academically. OGS invites learning through discovery, nature, movement, and enough structure and fun academics to gently keep them on track for kindergarten. From what I see, the commitment of teachers, director and parents is making OGS a special place. OGS by choice
Re: Waldorf style preschool - but full day
I don't know of any full-day preschools (centers) that are
specifically/officially Waldorf - probably because Steiner
believed children shouldn't start school until age six,
which doesn't really work for the reality of most of today's
working families! There are several Waldorf-inspired family
day cares - check the BPN listings if that interests you.
That being said, you should definitely check out Oakland Garden School (my kids go there). While not Waldorf, it is a nature-based, play-based preschool that is great for working families (same price for any hours 7:30 am to 6 pm - don't have to pay extra for ''extended care''). The kids spend a LOT of time in the amazing outdoor yard and garden, with natural play elements, huge sand area, fruit trees, and chickens and goats - no foam mats, asphalt, or huge plastic play structures there! Indoors, the classrooms also use mostly natural materials and teachers are eco-conscious with daily tasks (recycling & compost in every room, reusable cups/plates, etc). They also do not use electronic or commercial media-based toys, and discourage families from sending lunchboxes or blankets with licensed characters on them to school. They don't follow a Waldorf curriculum, but they do have seasonal family celebrations and encourage lots of art, movement, and open-ended play.
It is located above the Laurel neighborhood of Oakland on a quiet residential street - Maybelle - easy to miss if you're not looking for it. Like many new schools, it has undergone growing pains & staff turnover (this is the 4th year) - we have stayed for 3 years because we agree with the vision of the school and our son has loved it so much. Give them a call at 531-4800 and go on a tour to see if it might be a good match for your family. OGS parent
Oakland Garden School has been an absolute blessing to our family, and I wanted to recommend it to families looking a pre-school, especially as the school has a few openings.
We are absolutely impressed by and grateful for the level of caring, insight and intelligence in every aspect of the school. Teachers are devoted and talented, and the school's director has a stunning level of commitment and involvement. The school's physical design is basically dreamy -- an incredible garden, and inside rooms that are bright, clean, and perfectly tailored to the kids' multiple activities.
Our children (ages 2 and 4) have loved the school from day one, and often resist being taken home (and away from lovely friends, teachers, and even baby goats and chickens who live in the school's yard). Camille
I noticed the posts for OGS are all old so wanted to add my thoughts here. We started at OGS just this past Sept. 2009 and love it. Our son is doing great there and loves it! The teachers helped him with his tranistion and into their routine beautifully. The indoor and outdoor spaces are great--the outdoor yard is amazing and provides an incredible opportunity to the children for open exploration and discovery of nature. The teachers are qualified, warm, and energetic. The school has gone through transitions, yes, but the staff there now are committed and with Wendy now at the healm it feels really right. While there may be a learning curve for her as a new and young director, the whole staff is very dedicated to the philosophy of the school and the good of the children and we feel it. Please come check it out for yourself. anon
Re: Any openings at your preschool for a 2.5 year old?
Hi There!
The Oakland Garden School has openings in its 'Sprouts' class
(ages 2 to 3). OGS is a wonderful school with an amazing huge
yard- where they grow tons of fruits and vegetables for healthy
snacks- they even have chickens and goats that are a big hit
with the children. The teachers are fantastic, and they are
going bi-lingual in the Sprouts class- with one of the teachers
speaking to the kids in spanish. You should make any
appointment to check it out- you won't be dissapointed.
Happy OGS Mom
I would like to give an update on the Oakland Garden School. My daughter has attended OGS since fall 2008, and she loves it. Our Interim Director and Site Supervisor since March, Wendy, is now our permanent director. We are thrilled by her permanent appointment because Wendy has been both a teacher and administrator at the school for a year, bringing a great deal of stability I encourage anyone interested in the school to visit and see for yourself how our children are thriving. The teachers care deeply about the children, respect individual differences among students, and encourage children to learn independence while at the same time coming to understand themselves as part of a larger community. One of the most amazing features of the school is its outdoor space. There is a huge yard that includes lots of space to roam, sandboxes, imaginative play structures, animals, bikes, and a brand new play area just for 2 year olds. You can't beat the outdoor space anywhere else in the area, and using it is an integral part of the overall program. The parent community is great, and we're having more social events and options for parent participation, including monthly potlucks and forming volunteer committees. I can't say enough about the teachers' abilities and care for the kids, the kidsC- relationships with one another, and the physical space of the school. When my daughter started a year ago she was terribly shy, reluctant to initiate play, uncertain how to voice her feelings, and reluctant to do active play that involved gross motor skills. She has grown so much at OGS- she can identify her feelings, express them to other kids and adults ''using her words,'' can lead and join in play, and has greatly improved her gross motor skills with the time she spends outdoors, running, climbing, and digging. If you're looking for a thoughtful school, I recommend you check out OGS.
I would like to know if anyone know of Oakland garden school. I
was impressed by their website
em
We thought we were interested in Oakland Garden School and wonder about the
situation there. Can any families provide perspective on their experience
either current or past? Thanks!
anonymous
In general, OGS is really great. The physical space is really unique- a large outdoor space that has gardens, animals, play structures and sandbox for kids to play in twice a day. The inside is charming as well. The rooms are set up thoughtfully in more of a ''station'' style, and allow kids to access things that naturally interest them throughout the day.
The best things about OGS are the quality of the teachers, the nature-based and play-based approach to learning, the development of everyday social skills, and the teaching of ''responsibility'' to oneself and one's community (cleaning up after yourself; helping others; composting; recycling; avoiding being wasteful; friendships and accountability to friends; conflict management & resolution). It is a kind, warm, positive environment where children have fun and learn how to be part of a larger community. The teachers know each child intimately, and are always willing to communicate with parents about both their child's strengths and weaknesses. Teachers and parents work hard to work together if a child is having difficulty, and the teachers listen respectfully to how parents understand their children as well as offering their own take on the child's experience. At OGS there are no ''bad'' children- kids are seen as operating in developmentally appropriate stages/issues that children need guidance through. The natural environment is also a core value/teaching point at the school. The children not only learn about our natural environment, but help care for the grounds, recycle, compost and develop a more conscious relationship with the outside world.
We came to OGS after six weeks at another preschool that was just horrible for our child. At OGS, I see the staff work tirelessly every day to lead by example, guide children through feelings and actions and relationships, and instill in the kids both self-confidence and accountability. When I leave my child at OGS, she is happy, I am happy, and I can go to work without feeling uncertain about whether or not my child will be okay. I see her own social confidence growing because each child's personality is seen as unique- you don't have to be the fastest or the funniest or the most social to have a good preschool experience. Teachers build on the kids' strengths and encourage them where they need help.
Though there is current changeover in the Director position, I highly recommend that you visit OGS yourself to see the grounds, the classrooms, and meet the teachers and staff. For us, the good outweighs the challenging things exponentially. I would not leave my child at OGS if I did not feel she was well-cared for, happy, safe and thriving. anon
The last straw for us was when the last of five directors to leave resigned in mid February of 2009. Myriad teachers (we stopped counting after 20) and all these directors were hired and left in 17 months. We have been there for most of the changeovers, except those in the first two months.
We have been very misled by the Board that runs this school. Each time they go through a major changeover of staff, they consult with parents in the form of a Parent/Staff or Parent/Board meeting, asking us to help them improve the school. Despite hours and months of involvement, nothing ever changes - meaning that disgruntled employees leave. The Board is the only group that has been there since the beginning (after they purchased it from the former owner, Tae Ha, who was put on probation from Community Care Licensing, having had her licensed revoked for her previous school and having been taken out of this new school of hers, OGS).
We advise people to be wary of promises of change. They haven't happened - except that each time a new director is hired, things get better ... only to have them be fired or leave later on. We advise people to contact licensing to learn about the school before they go there, including the licensing lawyer assigned to this case.
So, the yard is great, the classrooms look great, the website is promising ... but these are NOT main constituent of learning. We don't trust the Board to build a place that's stable, and children need nurturing in a stable environment, where they can trust and blossom, and learn good lessons in life. This is not that place, despite the teacher doing a good job and children being attached to them - it's just that so many of them have left. In fact, there is only one person who remains since the beginning - a regular substitute. Signed, Parent who has had enough!
I cannot say enough positive things about the teaching staff at OGS. My son has bonded strongly with the three teachers in his room, but he knows every adult in the building. He feels safe and happy at school, talks about his friends and teachers incessantly, and is learning critical social skills as well as preacademic skills. I am a teacher myself, and I feel utterly confident about the work the teachers at OGS are doing with my son.
The grounds at Oakland Garden School are exquisite; the rooms are always clean and brightly decorated. Teachers clearly take pride in the space they occupy with the students. Snacks are healthy and freshly prepared. Parents are constantly circulating at the school, and there have been many school community get-togethers organized in recent months.
It makes me sad that some parents have had negative experiences at OGS, but from my perspective, this is a positive, upbeat new school with unlimited potential. I would recommend it to any family. All schools have their share of growing pains, new or not. I think it is the response of parents and staff to problems that is most important, and the OGS community really seems to be working together to move the school toward its vision. I am glad my son will be there for the next two years to take advantage of what OGS is and is becoming. Johanna
I am interested in updated feedback on the Oakland Garden School. I am particularly curious to hear how the fall has gone at the school since the staffing changes that are referred to in the postings from August of this year. Thanks. Curious Parent
I am delighted that my 3 year old attends OGS!! I have felt incredibly deep respect and unwavering nurturance from the director and the teachers toward my son and our family. I feel the staff is comprised of unique, knowledgeable, creative, enthusiastic, and above all, genuinely spirit-filled, loving educators. OGS with it's amazingly beautiful garden, goats, chickens, and bunnies, provides a profoundly enriching atmosphere. It feels to me like a kind of home away from home; a haven in the heart of Oakland. The environment at OGS supports what the children are learning: respect for nature, for their bodies, for their emotions, for each other as individuals and as a community. OGS has truly undergone a magical and creative transformation!!
Hi - We are planning to send our 2 year old son to the Oakland
Garden School part-time this fall - we fell in love with the
location and outdoor space, especially, but know that it being a
new school it probably has it challenges (and only one post on
the preschool archives which refers to the previous/founding
director, Tae, not the current one).
I would love to hear from any families who had kids there last
year about their experiences. Are you planning to continue this
year or not, and why? General overview of the quality/style of
teachers, diversity, ''vibe'' of families, and of the director,
Elizabeth, also appreciated.
thanks!
Mom new to preschool
This is all extremely sad since this is probably the most beautiful preschool ever. However we have decided it is just not fair to our child to have to face a new teacher every few months.
Of course all of the above is only our experience and your mileage may vary, I look forward to seeing what others have to say about OGS. We are very sad that it just couldn't work out there. looking for a new preschool
Problems:
Three teachers left the school right before the Fall session began, including one of the teachers that was to be my child's teacher. There was no explanation and no forewarning - or even an introduction of the new teacher. We just walked in and there was a new teacher greeting us.
There is another post on BPN regarding the founder's file at Child Care licensing. Would suggest referring to that post. We did not see this post until after we had started our child there.
The second to last day we were there we spoke with the director about the file we found at CCL and she reassured us things were different. My girl was having some problems adjusting so she offered me her cell phone number to call the next day to check and see how she was doing. I left forgetting to get her number. My husband dropped her off the very next day and asked to speak with the director for her cell phone number and was informed that there was a NEW director. He then spoke with the new director and she said this transition was in the works for a long time - which was odd because the old director NEVER spoke of leaving and was offering me her cell phone number the day before. When I came to pick up my daughter I went to speak with the new director to let her know we were pulling our child and even the teachers were asking ME where the old director had gone!!
Needless to say we felt there were too many things going wrong within the first couple of days AND without any communication with parents. We did not feel comfortable at all with our child being there with so many changes. (Also, FYI - the founder who has the file at CCL is very much involved with the school and it's vision - as told to us by the new director) -Unhappy with OGS
Importantly, she also brings with her exceptional references in preschool management and she is working very, very hard to clean up all past issues. The staff turnover has been a real problem though I hardly think, based on conversations with other preschool directors, that it is unique to OGS.
The new Director, Monica, has a strong long-term vision for the school and is a capable manager and team builder. We are quite confident that given some time (more than 3 days to a few weeks!), OGS, with the cited beautiful facility and compelling philosophy, will become one of the most desireable schools in the area. I'm equally confident that the parents that have decided to stick it out will contribute to this process. While I am sorry for their experience, most of the people who have posted represent a true but seriously incomplete picture of the school. They give no context to the reasons for the changes, which were significant, not capricious, most likely because they didn't know the reasons, evidence of the communications challenges. HOWEVER, the bumbled communication here was not the responsibility of the new Director and she should not be judged by it. In fact, several of the problems (e.g. being told teachers all had one year contracts) noted speak to the lack of transparency (putting it nicely) of the previous Director. OGS is not perfect but it is in the process of becoming truly wonderful. Since Monica has come on board as Director, the level of communication has increased 1,000 fold with frequent email updates, a much more substantial newsletter and very direct parent contact. Monica actively encourages all parents to communicate with her, unlike previous less-than-responsive management, and gets back to parents as quickly as possible with her full attention.
I would encourage any parents considering OGS to visit, meet with the new Director and ask her your tough questions. She is extremely responsive to concerns and is forthright in her answers. I would also encourage you to speak with families who have been there for some time. As parents, we want families who recognize how special the school is and truly want to be there.
It hasn't been an easy road and yes, there certainly have been challenges and there may be a few more bumps before harmony is achieved. That said, we had other options such as Mills and Blue Sky and decided against them because of the authenticity and yes, even ''magic'' at OGS. I'm proud our child goes there and I'm looking forward to the school's ongoing improvement. A proud mom of an OGS student
Hi - Has anyone had experience with the Oakland Garden School in the Maybelle neighborhood of Oakland? I'd love to hear about it. Thanks in advance!! Curious
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