Friends Nursery School - Palo Alto

How can I even begin expressing my gratitude for this school? We were lucky enough to find it for my older son (pre-pandemic) and now my younger son is set to graduate from here too! It is a gem and has been in the community for generations.

It's a play-based school centered around social and emotional development. Having been a part of this community for 5 years, I've seen such growth in all the kids that come through here and prepared for Kinder.

I've noticed that the kids graduate here with their creativity in tact, with an insatiable appetite to learn new concepts and ideas.

The teachers are nurturing and kind, but most importantly focus on conflict resolution rooted in communication and open dialogue.

The kids go into the 3s and 4s every day with new projects and discover new ways to collaborate and creatively play.

Lastly, it is a Co-Op which doesn't suit everyone, but I often found that as parents we set examples. And being in a Co-Op gives an opportunity to show service and volunteering to our children.

I will be forever indebted.

My children attended Friends, many years ago. It a Palo Alti staple.

Amazing teachers! Such a caring staff.

The most knowledgeable and caring teachers!

Wow -- what an amazing school! Anyone who wants the most caring, nurturing, creative, and intellectually engaging community for their children, then this is the preschool for you. I have twins -- a boy and girl -- who was at this school from age 3 to 5 and they have thrived. The teachers, facilities, the executive director, the other parents -- all of it -- just extraordinary and outstanding. My husband and I are both working professionals with thriving careers and we needed a special place but not one with too much work demands. Friends worked out for us!

Here are some highlights:

*All day programs -- I researched all of the nearby preschools (Parents Nursery School, Preschool Family, Grace Lutheran) and many did not have full day programs or had outrageously unrealistic work demands on working parents (seriously, don't they know how many of us have careers!). Friends has a twice a week morning program for 3 year olds but then an afternoon program for all days. In the 4 year old programs, my twins were able to go 4 days a week from 9-3 pm and then half day (12-3 pm) on one day and it was fantastic!

*Reasonable work commitments -- Because I have two at this school, I needed to work out the work commitments that preschools often require. Indeed, while there are 2 of my children, there is only one of me (I have a more flexible work schedule than my hubby) so I worked out an arrangement with the executive director, Anne Horgan (who rocks) -- they work with individual parents for their individual needs.

*Excellent teachers -- they select only the best teachers and work to develop these kids in terms of their emotional and creative development and self-reliance. Just fantastic -- my kids love to learn (not the academic pressure of learning but instead they are intellectually and socially curious)

They can work with families on their needs and they have such a terrific community. We even went to summer school at Friends and are doing another summer school session there this year!

For parents of twins or multiples, this school can work with you to help you and your work schedules. The cost was reasonable and well worth it . . . .

Just a wonderful preschool -- we would do it all over again!

Call Friends Nursery School now -- there is no better school in the area!