• Owner: Brianna Offill
• Phone: (510) 307-4365
• Email: brianna@sunshineplayschool.org
• Neighborhood: Alvarado Park/Wildcat Canyon
• Zip: 94805
• License #: 073405662
• Capacity: 17
• Website: http://www.sunshineplayschool.org/
• Ages: 2-5 years

I am considering enrolling my daughter in Sunshine Playschool this Fall. Can you please share your experiences? Did your child thrive emotionally, socially, physically and academically? Are the teachers nurturing? Will they give my daughter a hug if she needs one? Do you feel your child was well prepared for kindergarten? Curious, could your child read or almost read when s/he graduated? Thank you so much for any feedback you can provide. -ML

The directer Brianna, her sister Heather and Jocelyn are GREAT!!! They are patient, nurturing, caring and really let each child develop individually at their own speed. Although my son was not able to read when graduating I think he was well enough prepared for kindergarten. Their new space near wildcat canyon is awesome, yes a bit small but I think worth it for the garden, nature walks, and outdoor art area they are able to take advantage of...not to mention the school bunnies. One year they even hatched chickens.

There are always fun seasonal/family parties and Brianna does a great gob of organizing field-trips. Oh and last but not least we LOVE grandma and grandpa.

I feel so blessed to have found such an wonderful program. My son is constantly asking when we can go visit, so he definitely gives Sunshine two thumbs up. Please let me know if you have any other questions. hr

Re: Preschool with a low student/teacher ratio, willing to work with a child with behavioural issues
Hi. I would recommend Sunshine Playschool in Richmond. Its at the end of the Arlington. They have about 20 students and 3 teachers, but they specialize in social development. I have known kids who have done poorly at other schools, gone there, and thrived. The teachers, are quite amazing. I do not know if they have space. April

Re: Preschool/Playschool in El Sobrante Area
I would highly recommend Sunshine Playschool. It is located right at the entrance of Alvarado Park/Wildcat Canyon. The school is play based and has a wonderful staff who create a great community. Please check it out, it will be worth your time/effort. sunshine parent

Re: Preschool recommendation in El Sobrante area
I would recommend looking at Sunshine Playschool it is a fantastic school. I looked at 7-8 schools before I found this jewel. My son is so happy there he is having a great time. www.sunshineplayschool.org (510) 307-4365 Brianna is the director. happy parent

Re: Cozy, fun preschool for 2-year-old
Great school, a nice number of kids in the age range you are looking for (2-3 yo along with some older-they take up to 5), really attuned to the needs of the little ones- always have fun activities/themes for the month along with field trips. Rates and other info on website www.sunshineplayschool.org...It is about 6-7 miles from N. Berkeley-off the Arlington or if you take 80 E- it would be the Solano exit. It is really worth checking out! Good luck:) anon

Re: Preschool suggestions near El Cerrito or Albany
Sunshine Preschool in Richmond near the El Cerrito border is fantastic. My daughter has been there for a year and a half. Before I became a mom I taught preschool for several years and I have a good idea of what a preschool should be like. Sunshine is one of the best. The director and head teacher, Brianna Ofill, has this incredible balance of warmth and firmness that children crave. Prior to Sunshine my daughter attended a preschool that could not give her the attention she needed and she was not feeling good about school or herself. Within days after moving her to Sunshine she fell head over heels for Brianna, became enthusiastic about learning and a more confident person. I see the same enthusiasm from the other children there. The other teachers there a really great too and they work well together as a team. Not to mention Grandma Diane whose visits are always something to look forward to! A warm and wonderful family atmosphere. Happy Sunshine Parent

We placed our son at Sunshine when he was 2.5 years old and he has really blossomed in the last year. The staff is stable and confident. The turnover is low, In fact, the same aids have been there for the at least a year while getting their degrees in ECD. The director, Brianna Offill, has amzing energy, patience and an innate skill dealing with each individual child. Her sister Heather is an experience preschool teacher and their mother, Gramma, comes in every Friday to play and sing with the kids. It's a great place for learning and fun! The staff is warm and friendly, the parents are involved and the fieldtrips are fun. One Saturday night each month, the teachers host Parents Night Out where for $20 per child (all kids in the family are welcome) you drop off the kids at school for four hours. Parents have a relaxing evening out knowing the kids are safe and having fun (dinner served!). We visited other preschools in the area and we are more than glad we chose Sunshine. It's a nice neighborhood school. The school is accepting for fall 2009 and can be reached at 510- 307-4365 or email Brianna at brianna@sunshineplayschool.com
Casey

Re: Preschools with FT schedules/childcare?
Sunshine Playschool has full time. My son will begin in Sept and I was very pleased with the program. I had looked at 5 other preschools/home daycare. They offer full and part day programs between the hours of 7:30A.M.-5:30 P.M. Monday-Friday, year round. Please call Brianna at 307-4365 or email her at brianna@sunshineplayschool.org for more information. anon

I am interested in Sunshine Play School for my 3 year old son located in Richmond on Sonoma Street--any feedback about the program would be great the director is Brianna Offill. Thanks anon