Pickles Family Preschool (Albany, CA)
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Pickles Family Preschool (Albany, CA)
- Owner: Maria Scatina
- Phone: 510-528-7495
- Email:
- Neighborhood: off Solano
- Zip: 94706
- License #: 013415531
- Capacity: 14
- Website:
- Bilingual:
- Ages:
Sept 2011
Re: Full day preschool that closes in the summer?
You didn't mention where you live, but my twins went to Pickles
Preschool in Albany, and loved it. It is a full day 8:00-5:30 program.
The summer is a separate session. It's a very sweet place.
LK
Jan 2011
Recent reviews of Pickles Family Preschool wanted
... Tell me all: the good, the bad, the so-so. I'd love to hear from current
or recent parents.
Albany mama
My daughter is in her third year at Pickles and we absolutely
love it! It is a very warm, loving, nurturing environment full
of songs, art and stories. The school is run by Maria, her mom
Laraine and her sister Amber. On the very rare occasion two of
them can not be there together, sister Debbie has subbed, who is
also an early childhood educator in Berkeley. Staff turnover NOT
a concern! Maria cooks everything from scratch and the majority
of produce is from her CSA box so the kids are constantly
getting local, organic veggies. They were amazing about potty
training and always super flexible about almost everything.
Discipline / conflict resolution all done with great respect.
The kids (and families) are all loved and appreciated. This was
the perfect choice for our family and I know we'll be back to
visit often once we move on to K. Feel free to contact me for
more info if you have a specific question.
jessica
Feb 2009
I would love any recent feedback on Pickles preschool. We are
looking into options for Albany based preschools, and I noticed
that a lot of the reviews are a bit dated. Any recent comments
would be greatly welcome.
Many thanks
I wholeheartedly recommend Pickles preschool to any parent
looking for a holistic, truly child-centered approach to early
learning in a homelike and cozy environment. Maria, the director,
and co-teachers Amber (Maria's sister) and Laraine (Maria's
mother) have a wealth of experience and create a warm, safe
atmosphere where children feel safe and free to blossom. Lots of
singing, art, play and other confidence-building activities.
Mostly vegetarian, healthy lunches and snacks. My daughter is now
in kindergarten but she still asks to go to Pickles because she
has such good memories of being there.
HM
My daughter went to Pickles Preschool in Albany for 2 years. She
is now in 2nd grade. We loved Pickles. Maria and Rainey are
awesome. They both have years of experience and complement each
other's strengths. They are mother and daughter so they
communicate very well. When we were there Rainey had the kids
perform the Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. It is amazing
the performances she can get out of the kids. And they all loved
it. When my daughter was having trouble settling down for naps
(and disrupting the other kids!), they both worked with me and
with her to resolve the problem. They are attuned to each child's
needs and personalities and are firm, loving and attached
caregivers. The food is awesome. Hot lunch (vegetarian) cooked
everyday with all the children sitting and eating together. My
daughter tried foods there that I couldn't get her to try at
home! Basically, while we were happy to move on to Kindergarten,
both my daughter and I were sad to leave Pickles (and we still go
back for visits!).
Sue
March 2006
Hi, we are considering Pickles Family Preschool (also previously
known as Pickles Family Daycare) in Albany for our child. The
reviews on the website are from 2001, and we'd appreciate some
more up-to-date information! One of the owners, Laraine, was a
teacher/director at the now closed McGee's Farm on Grant Street
in Berkeley. It would be wonderful to get more recommendations
from the BPN community.
Potential Pickles Mom
My older daughter has been at Pickles since she was 16 mos. and
will graduate this August and has loved every minute there!
Maria Scatina and her mother Laraine are so loving, warm,
patient and encouraging with the kids, and are a wealth of
knowledge about child-rearing. Many of the kids have been
together for 2 - 3 years. There is a good mix of ages, and
they arrange activities in separate rooms appropriate to the
age group. For the 4 yr. olds, there is a lot of focus on
kindergarten readiness - letters, numbers, calendar, circle
time. Every month they study a different subject - right now
they are learning about dinosaurs. Different holidays and
cultures feature prominently into the curriculum - Chinese New
Year, Hannukah, Thanksgiving and the Native American culture.
When my older daughter heads off to Kindergarten this fall, my
younger one will take her place! I wholeheartedly recommend
Pickles Preschool - feel free to contact me privately if you
have more questions.
Patricia
Our 3.5 yr old son has attended Pickles since August 05. We
love the immediate warmth and connection that both teachers
exhibited starting from the first moment we visited. It is a
small, family run, play-based preschool, which we liked. There
is a nice amount of structure. Lunches and snacks are provided
and are healthy and balanced (almost entirely vegetarian, I
think). They take the kids on walking field trips, to collect
leaves, etc., and to the nearby park. I like the curriculum
they have presented there; my son is very interested in science
and they have nurtured that interest. It is an interesting,
cozy environment with many options for kids. It was a good fit
for us for many reasons, but especially because of the warmth
and connection to the kids. I'm in the field of education and
appreciate the way the two teachers approach learning.
pleased pickles parent
My 2-year-old son attended Pickles last year and loved it -
Director Maria and her mother Lorraine are so warm and
energetic and the kids spend a lot of time outdoors in the
backyard. The pinnacle was the production of Peter Pan with the
kids singing and dancing along - really amazing fun; my son
loves listening to the musical on CD still.
emr
November 2001
We are considering Pickles Daycare for our 11 month
old and would appreciate hearing about any and all
experience with them. Our most likely scenario would
be to enroll our baby there in six-eight months or so,
so whatever age your child was when there, we'd love
to hear what you thought/think.
Thanks.
My son attended Pickles Family Daycare (in Albany, off Solano) from 1.5 to
4 years old. It is a true family business, owned and run by warm and
energetic folks who are talented with kids. I highly recommend it. Feel
free to contact me for more details.
Deb
Our daughter was at Pickles from 20 months to 3.5 years.
She loved it and we were very comfortable with the quality
of care she received. Vegetarian meals were served with
mostly organic vegetables. Children often help with cooking.
There are lots of art projects and drama and dancing almost
everyday. Trips to the park down the street are frequent.
She still talks about "Mama Maria" and Lorraine. It is a
family run business, and the turnover for children seems
very low.
Susan
July 2001
I am looking for a friendly, homey, stimulating day care for my 15 month
old daughter. I have appointments to see "Nini's Place" (on Carlson in
Richmond) and "Pickles" (on Ramona in Albany). Has anyone had
experience with either of these day cares, particularly for babies my
daughter's age? Also, any other suggestions would be greatly
appreciated!
enozick
I am the mother of a 4 y.o. boy who has been at Pickles Family Day Care
since he was 4 months old. My son has thrived there under the care of 2 very
experienced teachers/care givers. This is how I would describe them:
tremendous
love, affection, fun, stimulation. wonderful activities. appropriate
limits. Currently
there is a really nice cohort of children in your child's age group, and
they love
being around the older kids. I recommend it very highly if you are seeking
a family
day care situation. Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Mona
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