LE PETIT JARDIN

1 St. Vincent Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: (415) 377-8541
Contact: Amber Smith-Lopata
Email: Office@LPJkids.com
Admissions Phone: (415) 295-7223
Website: www.lpjkids.com

School Information:
We believe childhood should be filled with play, wonder, creativity, and meaningful connections. Our unique program brings these precious early years of discovery together with a joyful French immersion experience.

At Le Petit Jardin, French language and culture come to life naturally each day through cooking, music and movement, art, science, nature exploration, stories, and play. We nurture the whole child—supporting each child’s social, emotional, creative, and intellectual growth while encouraging curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning.

And because families are such an important part of a child’s journey, we create meaningful opportunities throughout the year to come together, connect, and celebrate as a community.

Schedule a tour with us and find out what LPJ is all about!

Schedule:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.

We follow a 10-month calendar and offer summer camps to bridge the gap.

Admission:
We offer enrollment to children 18 months–6 years old, including toddler, preschool, private TK, and kindergarten programs.

Class Size:
Our classes are made up of approximately 8–12 students with a low student-to-teacher ratio of 4:1.

OLD FIREHOUSE SCHOOL

1510 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 419-5479
Contact: Cristina Blouin
Email: ofsfifthavenue@gmail.com
Website: www.oldfirehouseschool.com

School Information:
At Old Firehouse School we believe that the quality of one’s childhood predicts much about the quality of one’s future. Therefore, our goal is to give each child in our care a childhood rich in the kinds of experiences and relationships which optimally prepare them for their life’s journey.

Our program is based on a solid foundation of scientific theory, research and professional practice in the field of child development. Our teachers are highly skilled professionals who understand child development and respect children as individuals. Their concern is wide and deep, for they care about “the whole child”: heart, mind, spirit and body.

Primary Caregiving:
Children have one caregiver who develops a nurturing, special relationship with the child and the child’s family. As much as possible, our children will have the same primary caregiver for their stay with us.

Reggio Emilia Inspired Project Work:
At our school we encourage groups of children to decide on a project they would like to study. We then set about a long-term project in which we investigate the topic in depth.

We have three locations in Marin:
10 Olive Street, Mill Valley
1510 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael
10 Bayview Drive, San Rafael

Schedule:
Mill Valley: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Fifth Avenue: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:30 PM
Bayview: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

We follow a 12-month calendar, closely following the public school calendar.

Admission:
Tours can be set up on our website or by contacting the school directly.

Mill Valley: Ages 2–5
Fifth Avenue: Infants–5 years old
Bayview: Ages 2–5

We are taking admissions for 2027–2028 now, with rolling admissions where available.

Class Size:
Each school has its own capacity.
Infants: 3:1 ratio
Toddlers: 4:1 ratio
2s and 3s: 6:1 or 7:1 ratio
4s and 5s: 7:1 or 8:1 ratio

MILL VALLEY NURSERY SCHOOL

51 Shell Rd., Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 322-5993
Contact: Rachel Tolliver
Email: membership@millvalleynurseryschool.org
Website: www.millvalleynurseryschool.org

School Information:
Mill Valley Nursery School is a non-profit, parent participation preschool built on relationships and playful exploration. Our school philosophy fosters a child’s natural curiosity of the world, and the emergent curriculum empowers children to be life-long learners who contribute meaningfully in creating a more equitable world. Within our nurturing, inclusive and deeply engaged community, children and adults learn and grow beside one another. We believe in the power of community and that we can all thrive with families helping families and friends helping friends.

Schedule:
Program runs from September through the first week of June.

Morning Program:
Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
$700 per month
Optional Extended Care: 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
$50 per day drop-in

Full-Day Program:
Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
$1,200 per month

Admission:
Our program is open to all children ages 2.5–5 years old. We are a mixed-age classroom and cap enrollment at 24 students. We ask families to come for a one-on-one tour during school hours to see our program. We also offer open houses and playdates throughout the school year.

Class Size:
We are a mixed-age classroom with a Director, Lead Teacher, and parent volunteers.
Our ratio is 5:1.

MARIN PRIMARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL

20 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur, CA 94939
Phone: (415) 413-9075
Contact: Brian Barish
Email: bbarish@mpms.org
Website: www.mpms.org

School Information:
Our play-based program provides each learner countless opportunities for social, emotional, and intellectual growth. The result is students who are ready for kindergarten because they see school as a joyful place, filled with adults who know them and care for them. In addition, preschool students benefit from two outdoor art areas, an expansive garden, fields, a music studio, a library, and MP&MS' proximity to trails, walking paths, and natural beauty. Our preschool curriculum also includes weekly Spanish, garden, outdoor education, music and art classes. Our program supports the cognitive and social-emotional growth of young children, guided by the principles of Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young Children from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Schedule:
Half-Day Option: 7:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Full-Day Option: 7:45 AM – 3:30 PM
Extended-Day Option: 7:45 AM – 6:00 PM
We also offer preschool aftercare classes like movement, music, STEAM, Spanish and soccer clinics.
We follow a 9 month calendar. We also offer a 6-week preschool summer camp.

Admission:
We are currently accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year. Applicants must be 2 years old by September 1st, 2026. We offer weekly tours starting the first week of October running through mid January. We also offer Open Houses in October and January. A playdate is required as part of the application process and will be scheduled after an application is submitted. Applications are due on January 15th and decisions are released on March 11th.

Class Size:
Our enrollment is 240 students (preschool to 8th grade). We have 3 sections in each of our preschool grade levels (2 year olds, 3 year olds, PK) with average class size of 12.

EDUCARE CHILDREN'S CENTER

50 El Camino Drive, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Phone: (415) 924-9902
Contact: Rossana M. Broll
Email: rossana@educarecc.com
Website: www.educarechildrenscenter.com

School Information:
Educare Children's Center has been serving our Central Marin community for 17 years. We welcome families who are looking for a nurturing, hands-on Montessori education with exposure to both English and Spanish. We take pride in offering a rich, thoughtfully designed curriculum that encourages children to develop independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning, while allowing them to grow and learn at their own pace.

Schedule:
Educare is open Monday through Friday, year-round, from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Families may choose a 3, 4, or 5 day schedule.
The school does close for designated holidays and school breaks.

Admission:
Educare serves children from 18 months through 5 years of age. Enrollment is year-round and is based on availability. Families interested in enrolling are encouraged to schedule a tour to see our campus, classrooms, and outdoor spaces. Tours are offered daily at 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 10:30 AM.

Class Size:
We offer one young toddler classroom for children 18 months through 3 years old, with a ratio of 1 teacher to 5 children or better.
We offer one older toddler program for children ages 2 to 3 years old, with a ratio of 1 teacher to 6 children or better.
We have two large preschool programs for up to 24 children with 3 teachers, and one small preschool program for up to 12 children with 2 teachers.
Generally, the preschool-age ratio is 1 teacher to 8 children and the toddler program is 1 teacher to 6 children.

THE NEW VILLAGE SCHOOL

100 Ebbtide Ave., Ste. 144, Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 289-0889
Contact: Sam Wilder
Email: sam@thenewvillageschool.org
Website: www.thenewvillageschool.org

School Information:
At The New Village School, our starting point is the child. We ask what children need at each stage of development and seek to educate the whole child: head, heart, and hands. Our curriculum is developmentally responsive, informed by our understanding of child development and, most importantly, by careful observation of the children before us.

We believe childhood is not a race. Children learn deeply when they have time to wonder, explore, create, question, practice, and experience the world directly. Academic learning is woven together with story, movement, art, music, handwork, practical work, and time in nature. Children encounter ideas through their whole selves, moving from experience and imagination toward abstraction, critical thinking, and increasing intellectual independence.

Relationships are at the heart of education. Our small classes allow teachers to know their students deeply, understand how they learn, recognize their individual strengths and challenges, and meet them with both support and meaningful expectations.

Our classrooms are intentionally beautiful, uncluttered, and screen-free through sixth grade, protecting space for imagination, concentration, creativity, movement, and direct human relationships. Children work with real materials and real tools. They paint, garden, sing, play music, sew, build, carve, perform, experiment, write, calculate, and create.

Learning extends far beyond the classroom. Through our Classroom Without Walls program, students regularly learn in the farms, forests, beaches, mountains, and communities of Marin County and beyond.

Parents are an essential part of this work. We see parents as a child's first teachers and seek a close partnership between home and school. Through direct communication, parent evenings, community gatherings, and shared experiences, we work to create a village of adults supporting children as they grow.

Ultimately, our purpose is larger than preparing students for the next grade or even for high school. We want our graduates to know themselves, remain curious about the world, think deeply and independently, work with their hands, engage meaningfully with others, and recognize that they have something of value to contribute.

Schedule:
Preschool: 8:30 AM–3:00 PM (no aftercare)
K–8th: 8:20 AM–3:20 PM, with aftercare from 3:30–5:30 PM

Admission:
Our Preschool program welcomes children ages 2 years, 9 months through 4 years, 8 months.

1. Start with an Inquiry
Complete the Admissions Inquiry Form to tell us a little about your family and begin the process.

2. Come Experience New Village
Morning Circle Tours are offered on select Friday mornings from 8:30–9:45 AM.

Open Houses are offered from 10:45 AM–12:00 PM on:
October 17, 2026
November 14, 2026
January 9, 2027

3. Submit an Application
The application deadline is January 25, 2027.

4. Meet with Our Teachers
After the application is reviewed, families meet with two teachers, typically after the school day.

5. Connect with a Current Parent
Families are connected with a current NVS parent who can share their experience with the school and parent community.

Admissions decisions for the 2027–2028 school year are sent in mid-March 2027. For mid-year applicants, decisions are made as soon as possible after the admissions process is complete.

Class Size:
The New Village School has approximately 120 students total.
The Preschool program has 24 students with 4 preschool teachers.

TAMALPAIS PRESCHOOL

410 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 388-4286
Contact: Tamalpais Preschool
Email: director@tamalpaispreschool.org
Website: www.tamalpaispreschool.org

School Information:
We have been operating since 1956. Our school is a private, non-profit corporation, governed by a Parent Board of Trustees. Our school promotes the development of children through an integrated program designed to stimulate and enhance creative, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. We give each child many opportunities for working and learning through structured play. We call this philosophy “Play with Purpose.”

Our school is more structured than most play-based preschool programs. We have created a combination child-directed and teacher-directed schedule to help children learn skills in an age-appropriate way, while still benefiting from classroom structure. We focus on getting children ready for kindergarten and work on pre-academic skills.

Our learning goals include independence, social skills, classroom skills, and pre-math, science, and writing skills. Children are encouraged to develop skills while enhancing independence and self-confidence. Through this method, our school strives to lay the foundation for social adaptability, creative achievement, problem-solving ability, and a joy of learning. We strive to educate children to become great people, not just great students.

Schedule:
Tamalpais Preschool follows the Mill Valley school calendar as closely as possible. Our school year starts at the end of August and ends at the start of June.

We are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the school year.

We are not a year-round school, but we have a camp schedule available. Camp has a slightly shorter day schedule.

Admission:
Children must be 2 years old to start school at Tamalpais Preschool.

Our tour season is from October through January. Registration for the Fall program starts in January.

Class Size:
We have 3 classrooms. Each classroom has 5 teachers with 2 groups of 11 students. We tend to have a 6:1 ratio.

BELVEDERE-HAWTHORNE NURSERY SCHOOL

15 Cove Road Place, Belvedere, CA 94920
Phone: (415) 435-1661
Contact: Kathleen Parker
Email: kathleenparker@belvedere-hawthorne.com
Website: www.belvedere-hawthorne.com

School Information:
Established in 1939, Belvedere Nursery School is the oldest nursery school in Southern Marin. Our play-based curriculum turns hands-on exploration into lifelong learning. With the loving guidance of our teachers and the active support of our parent community, we foster the social, emotional, and cognitive growth children need to build self-esteem and thrive in school and beyond.

Schedule:
We follow a traditional 9-month calendar that conveniently aligns with the Reed Union School District, plus a 5-week summer camp in June and July.
To best support your child's developmental stage, our schedules vary by age.
Our Hawthorne campus features a comprehensive 5-day-a-week program.
Our Cove Road campus offers Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday/Friday options.

Admission:
Programs begin at age 2, with placement tailored to your child's age and development:
Age 2: Tuesday/Thursday program
Age 3: Monday/Wednesday/Friday program
Pre-K, ages 4–5: 5-day program at our Hawthorne campus
Please contact the school to schedule a personal tour.

Class Size:
Ratios are approximately 6:1.
We have two campuses, both complete with indoor and outdoor space.

TRINITY PRESCHOOL

333 Woodland Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 453-4516
Contact: Natalie
Email: natalie@trinitypreschool.com
Admissions Phone: (415) 453-4526
Website: www.trinitypreschool.com

School Information:
We know that children need to feel love and be loved. A Trinity child learns to be confident and sure of him/herself. They feel like they belong and are proud to say, “This is my school!”

Children experience the Love of Learning through all of the many experiences we offer. The arts are critical to a child’s development and, therefore, integral to our curriculum.

We value developing the whole child. We plan our school day so your child will have choices within structure, which encourages creative exploration and builds self-esteem and self-regulation.

We are not here just for the kids, but for the whole family! We want your time at Trinity to be something to be cherished, so we offer many opportunities for all of our families to spend quality time together.

We have a large playground behind our classrooms and a newly renovated outdoor space with natural play equipment.

Schedule:
Trinity is open Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–6:00 PM.

We offer part-time and full-time schedules with flexible extended care. Our regular school year is 9.5 months, with a flexible summer camp option.

We close for major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Federal Holidays. Our complete calendar can be found on our website.

Admission:
We offer classes for 2-year-olds through Transitional Kindergarten.

Tours are provided as needed by contacting the office. We recommend touring before the end of December, as class planning for the next school year begins in January.

Applications are accepted year-round.

Class Size:
We have approximately 75 students in our school.

Each classroom has approximately 12–18 students with 2 teachers. Our 2-year-old classroom has 2 teachers and an aide.

SAUSALITO NURSERY SCHOOL

625 Main Street, Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 332-0174
Contact: Veronica Maier
Email: veronica@sausalitonurseryschool.org
Website: www.sausalitonurseryschool.org

School Information:
Founded in 1939, SNS is one of the nation's longest-running cooperative preschools. As a cooperative, parents work alongside our experienced teachers, creating a community where children see the playful side of the adults in their lives. For over 85 years, our experienced teachers and families have partnered to create a community where curiosity is nurtured, creativity is celebrated, and childhood is honored as the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Schedule:
Our school day runs from as early as 8:30 AM to as late as 5:00 PM.
Toddler Class: Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Sea Otters, our 3-year-old class: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Redwood Class, our oldest children: 5 days a week.

Admission:
The application window is September 1 through December 31, 2026 for the 2027–2028 school year.
Admissions decisions are sent out during the first week of February.
We serve children from approximately age 2.25 through 5 years old.

Class Size:
Most years, we have approximately 35–38 children in the school across three classes.
Class sizes generally range from 12–14 children.
The Tidepool and Sea Otter classes have a 1:4 ratio, with three adults.
The Redwood class has a 1:6 ratio, with two adults.

EVERGREEN CHILDREN'S ACADEMY

30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross, CA 94957
Phone: (415) 349-2126
Contact: Emma Norris
Email: emma@evergreenchildrensacademy.com
Website: evergreenchildrensacademy.com

School Information:
Evergreen Children’s Academy is a nature-inspired preschool serving children ages 2–5 on the beautiful Marin Art & Garden Center campus in Ross. We believe young children learn best when they have the freedom to wonder, explore, create, and follow their curiosity—both inside the classroom and out.

Our play-based, emergent curriculum grows from the interests, questions, and discoveries naturally unfolding among the children. Teachers thoughtfully build on those interests, weaving in early literacy, math, science, art, problem-solving, and social-emotional learning in ways that feel meaningful and exciting.

The outdoors are an extension of our classroom. Children spend a significant part of their day outside—exploring the gardens, getting messy, moving their bodies, observing the natural world, creating, and simply having the space to be children. Our unique setting at the Marin Art & Garden Center gives children opportunities to experience nature as part of their everyday school life, not just as an occasional activity.

With small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio, our teachers are able to truly know each child—their personality, interests, strengths, and the areas where they may need a little more support or encouragement. Evergreen was created and is led by moms, and our teaching team is made up of parents themselves. We understand firsthand what it means to entrust your child to someone else each day, and we want every child at Evergreen to feel deeply known, cared for, and loved.

Above all, we believe preschool should feel like childhood: joyful, wonder-filled, active, messy, creative, and full of connection. At the same time, we are intentionally building the confidence, independence, curiosity, foundational skills, and genuine love of learning that children will carry with them into kindergarten and beyond.

Schedule:
Evergreen Children’s Academy is open Monday–Friday from 8:30 AM–1:00 PM and follows a school-year calendar running from August through June.

For families who need a longer day, after-school care is available through a separate program conveniently located on the Marin Art & Garden Center campus, allowing children to transition directly from their Evergreen school day into afternoon care.

Our school calendar includes traditional holidays and school breaks, including Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Break, along with select staff development days. Summer camps and programming are also available outside of the regular school year.

Admission:
Evergreen Children’s Academy welcomes children ages 2–5, including children who are still in diapers. Full-time and part-time enrollment options are available.

We encourage prospective families to schedule a tour to experience Evergreen firsthand, explore our classrooms and outdoor spaces, meet our teachers, and learn more about our approach to early childhood education.

Admissions are rolling throughout the year, with most students starting in August. There is no single application deadline, though families interested in a particular school year are encouraged to apply early.

Class Size:
Evergreen is intentionally small, with a maximum of 30 children enrolled across three age-based groups: 2s, 3s, and 4s/TK-Pre-K.

Across the program, we aim to maintain an approximately 1:5 to 1:7 teacher-to-child ratio.

SAUSALITO NURSERY SCHOOL

625 Main Street, Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 332-0174
Contact: Veronica Maier
Email: veronica@sausalitonurseryschool.org
Website: www.sausalitonurseryschool.org

School Information:
Founded in 1939, SNS is one of the nation's longest-running cooperative preschools. As a cooperative, parents work alongside our experienced teachers, creating a community where children see the playful side of the adults in their lives. For over 85 years, our experienced teachers and families have partnered to create a community where curiosity is nurtured, creativity is celebrated, and childhood is honored as the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Schedule:
Our school day runs from as early as 8:30 AM to as late as 5:00 PM.
Toddler Class: Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Sea Otters, our 3-year-old class: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Redwood Class, our oldest children: 5 days a week.

Admission:
The application window is September 1 through December 31, 2026 for the 2027–2028 school year.
Admissions decisions are sent out during the first week of February.
We serve children from approximately age 2.25 through 5 years old.

Class Size:
Most years, we have approximately 35–38 children in the school across three classes.
Class sizes generally range from 12–14 children.
The Tidepool and Sea Otter classes have a 1:4 ratio, with three adults.
The Redwood class has a 1:6 ratio, with two adults.

THE MARIN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL

50 El Camino Drive, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Phone: (415) 924-4661
Contact: Brenda Palmer Novick
Email: director@marinmountainschool.org
Website: www.marinmountainschool.org

School Information:
We are the first Waldorf preschool in Marin County. For the last 36 years, we have welcomed families with love and educated our children using the Waldorf early childhood curriculum, with an emphasis on nature, play, healthy, organic food, and imagination. We are the amazing neighborhood school that parents talk about at the park.

Schedule:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:45 PM.
We follow the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District calendar.

Admission:
We accept children who are 2 years and 9 months through 6 years old.

Class Size:
We have two robust classes, each with approximately 18–19 children and 2 fully qualified teachers in each room.

CHRONOS ACADEMY

110 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur, CA 94939
Phone: (415) 548-0654
Contact: Celeste Ezell
Admissions Phone: (415) 383-2283
Email: celeste@chronos.academy
Website: chronos.academy

School Information:
Chronos Academy is a TK–8 independent school where gifted students make meaningful connections. Chronos Academy nurtures bright, gifted, and driven TK–8th grade students with nearly limitless opportunities to increase their curiosity in a safe and respectful community. Their proprietary curriculum weaves a history of diverse peoples, ideas, sciences, and arts through weekly chronological unit studies. Motivated by history’s innovators, students acquire skills to recreate their discoveries and make some of their own.

Our TK & Kindergarten students learn rich content through songs and sign language; build self-paced math, reading, and writing skills; use real tools in Maker Workshop every day; give a presentation to their classmates every week; visit museums, hike trails, and perform on stage; gain confidence through interwoven SEL lessons; are celebrated for engagement, effort, and curiosity; and thrive in a multi-age class of ten students.

Schedule:
Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
Before & After Care: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
9-month calendar

Admission:
Chronos Academy serves students from TK through 8th grade, beginning at age 4.
Parent tours are offered Fridays at 9:00 AM.
Priority application deadline: January 22.
Rolling admission is available until a class is full.

Class Size:
Chronos Academy has 23 students total in 5 classes.
Classes are limited to 10 students with 2 teachers.

BRIGHT HORIZONS

80 Lomita Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 720-0537
Contact: Annie Gaffney
Email: annie.gaffney@brighthorizons.com
Website: Bright Horizons Mill Valley

School Information:
Bright Horizons provides quality child care and education at two centers in Mill Valley for children 2 through entrance into elementary school. One is on the Edna Maguire campus, the other is across from Old Mill Park. Bright Horizons also runs EDS (after school) programs at 4 of the MVSD elementary schools.

Admission:
Ages 2 through entrance into elementary school.

MY LITTLE KIM'S

25 Thomas Dr., Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 717-0455
Contact: Kimberly Escobar
Email: Care@mylittlekimcare.com
Website: mylittlekimcare.com

School Information:
Welcome to My Little Kim's Family Child Care. Early childhood education is more than just babysitting; it’s about laying a strong foundation for a child’s future. During the early years, children’s brains are developing rapidly, and they are highly receptive to learning. Our provider understands this critical period and creates a stimulating environment where children can explore, learn, and grow.

Our provider is known for her patience, kindness, and deep understanding of children’s needs. She recognizes that each child is unique, with their own strengths, interests, and challenges. By tailoring activities to suit each child’s developmental stage, she ensures that every child receives the personalized attention they deserve.

Kimberly has 14 years of childcare experience and has completed 15 units of early childhood education coursework. She also incorporates Spanish instruction into the program.

Schedule:
Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–5:00 PM.

Vacations are discussed with parents 2 months in advance.
We are closed on holidays.

Admission:
All children from 3 months to 5 years old are welcome.

Visits are guided by the owner and available by appointment.

Class Size:
My Little Kim's Family Child Care opened a few months ago and offers a small, nurturing environment with limited enrollment. We currently have six openings. Please contact Kimberly to learn more or schedule a visit.

FIRST FRIENDS PRESCHOOL

86 Mono Avenue, Fairfax, CA 94930
Phone: (415) 459-7028
Contact: Jenny Bradshaw
Email: info@ffpreschool.com
Website: www.ffpreschool.com

School Information:
First Friends Preschool offers a year-round program for children ages 2 to 5 in a mixed-age classroom with up to 24 children. First Friends Preschool is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment rooted in care, respect, and safety for each child and family within our community.

We believe that relationships are the foundation of all learning, and that each child deserves individualized care and attention in order to thrive, learn, and grow. Our goal is to provide learning experiences through play that allow children to develop the skills to become confident, active, connected, empathetic, joyful, and curious lifelong learners in a warm, loving, and inclusive environment.

Schedule:
First Friends Preschool offers a year-round, 12-month program (August–July) with flexible scheduling options to meet families' needs.

Core School Day: 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
Early Care: 8:00–8:30 AM
Aftercare: 3:00–5:00 PM
Half-Day Option: 8:45 AM–12:15 PM

Our year-round calendar provides children with consistency in their routines, relationships, and learning experiences while supporting working families. We observe major holidays and have scheduled school breaks throughout the year, including a winter holiday break. Families receive an annual school calendar outlining all closures and important dates.

Admission:
First Friends Preschool welcomes children ages 2–5 years old. Our admissions process is designed to help families get to know our school, philosophy, and community before enrolling.

Enrollment is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to currently enrolled families and siblings. We welcome families of all backgrounds and abilities.

School Tours: We offer in-person tours on Mondays and Tuesdays at 10:00 AM. Tours provide an opportunity to explore our learning environment, learn about our play-based, relationship-centered approach, and ask questions.

Application Deadline: We have no fixed application deadline and accept applications on a rolling basis, depending on availability. Enrollment for the upcoming school year typically begins in December or January. Families are encouraged to tour and apply early, as space is limited.

Class Size:
First Friends Preschool is a small, intimate school with a maximum enrollment of 24 children. We have one main classroom, with children spending much of their day in smaller groups organized by age, developmental stage, and individual interests.

We believe that high-quality early childhood education begins with low teacher-to-child ratios. We maintain exceptionally low ratios of approximately 1:4 to 1:7 throughout the day, among some of the lowest in the Bay Area. Our teaching team works collaboratively across the classroom and small groups, allowing for individualized attention, meaningful relationships, responsive care, and a deeper understanding of each child's unique needs and development. This intentional approach creates a nurturing environment where every child feels known, supported, and valued.

THE CAVE

412 Tamal Plaza, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Phone: (831) 331-7125
Contact: Kevin Bull
Email: kevin@inthecave.com
Website: inthecave.com

Information:
The Cave has been a staple in the Corte Madera community for close to 20 years, teaching Parkour and Gymnastics to youth after school, toddlers in the morning, and offering CrossFit programs for parents.

Our Gymnastics team has become the most robust in the area, and last year we opened our second location in San Rafael, a 15,000 sq. ft. facility with high-level equipment for both Gymnastics and Parkour.

We teach the joy of movement to all and offer paths to advance for interested athletes.

IN HARMONY MUSIC

PO Box 1653, Benicia, CA 94510
Phone: (707) 492-5795
Contact: Justine
Email: admin@inharmonymusic.com
Website: inharmonymusic.com

Information:
In Harmony Music is more than a program—it’s a community. We bring families, children, and schools together through joyful music experiences that nurture connection, growth, and a lifelong love of learning.

We are educators, facilitators, and composers creating original music to engage, educate, and inspire our youngest learners. Through family classes, school programs, and community events, we use music, movement, and play to support the whole child socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically.

Classes are led by talented local musicians, with active participation at the core, so children and families don’t just learn music—they experience it together.

GILA C DOROSTKAR, DDS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

650 E Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 448-8120
Contact: Gila Dorostkar
Email: FrontDesk@DrDorostkar.com
Website: www.drdorostkar.com

Information:
We are an award-winning pediatric dental practice dedicated to taking care of children, adolescents, and children with special healthcare needs. Our team is composed of six pediatric specialists and we have two locations—Greenbrae and Mill Valley.

We are excited to attend and support the SMMC Preschool Fair. We will be handing out kids' toothbrushes and are happy to answer any questions about our pediatric practice.

CULTURAL CARE AU PAIR

392 Richardson Way, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (707) 494-7948
Contact: Enricka Garcia
Email: enricka.garcia@lcc.culturalcare.com
Website: https://culturalcare.com/lcc/egarcia 

Information:
Cultural Care Au Pair connects families with young people from around the world who live with them as extended family members and provide childcare.

For over 35 years, we've facilitated meaningful cultural exchange—au pairs experience life in the U.S. while families gain flexible, trusted childcare and the joy of welcoming someone new into their home.

It's a government-regulated program built on mutual growth, cultural discovery, and lasting connections.

THE SOCIAL KLUB

2650 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA
Phone: (415) 860-1014
Contact: Tatiana O'Donoghue
Email: tatiana@thesocialklub.com
Website: www.thesocialklub.com

Information:
The Social Klub is an indoor play space in Sausalito for children ages 0–7 and the grown-ups who come with them.

By day, our space is calm, screen-free and built for open-ended play, with plenty of room for climbing, building and exploring at each child's own pace. For little ones who haven't started preschool yet, it's an easy way to practice being around other kids. For parents, it's a place to sit down, relax and get to know other local families.

In the evenings, The Social Klub becomes a space for grown-ups, with events and gatherings for adults. We also host birthday parties and parent workshops.

Visit us at 2650 Bridgeway, Sausalito.

GYMWORLD MARIN

3040 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (646) 325-5455
Contact: Jill Sherman
Email: jill@gymworldmarin.com
Website: www.gymworldmarin.com

Information:
GymWorld Gymnastics & Parkour is a family-owned kids’ gymnastics and movement center in San Rafael, serving families throughout Marin County. For more than 25 years, GymWorld has been a place where kids can move, play, learn new skills, and build confidence.

We offer gymnastics and parkour classes for kids from toddlers through teens, along with competitive team training, camps, Open Gym, birthday parties, private lessons, and special events. Whether a child is taking their very first tumble or training for competition, our goal is to create a fun, welcoming environment where every kid feels encouraged to try, learn, and challenge themselves.

We believe gymnastics and movement are about much more than athletic skills. Kids develop strength, coordination, body awareness, resilience, confidence, and teamwork—and learn that falling down is simply part of getting back up.

GymWorld is proud to be a community-focused “yes space” where kids can be themselves, try something new, and have a lot of fun along the way.

JFCS / CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

200 Channing Avenue
Phone: (650) 688-3030
Contact: Mary Tiamzon-Lee
Email: maryt@jfcs.org
Website: ccy.jfcs.org/services-for-families

Information:
The Center for Children and Youth (CCY) is the Bay Area's leading family resource center. We help families, caregivers, and educators support children of all ages.

CCY professionals offer parenting workshops, parent coaching and consultation, child behavior and school support, clinical and special needs services, parent/child activity groups, and child and family therapy.

MT TAM PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

700 Tamalpais Ave., Corte Madera, CA
Phone: (415) 329-6780
Contact: Stephanie Hardwick
Email: hello@tamteeth.com
Website: mttampediatricdentistry.com

Information:
We are a boutique pediatric dental office located in Town Center, Corte Madera.