WPENS - Westside Parent Education Nursery School - Preschool 313 Swift Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

"WPENS is everything I wanted in a preschool program: small class sizes with kids able to move around and play independently or cooperatively at different tables and stations with a large outdoor play area. Parents are very involved in every aspect of the program. It is a true cooperative. You can stay, or leave your kids when you're not working in the classroom, which is great if you have sensitive kids. Parents with newborns or small infants can take their with babies with them to school. This is our second year and I can say I came away with a lot of parent education tools to help support my little ones. Highly recommend."

"As a rule, I never write reviews, but WPENS is my exception because it has given our family so much and I want others to know how wonderful it is. We have spent more than five years at WPENS and I cannot imagine a better preschool for our two (very different) children. My husband and I have made lifelong friends at WPENS because volunteering in the classroom truly creates community--you really get to know the people you are working with, and of course all parents of preschoolers can use more support and camaraderie. Our two different teachers have been the dream early childhood educators--playful, compassionate, gentle, encouraging, and insightful. WPENS teachers care so deeply about your children that they feel like family members. I visited and interviewed at four different preschools when we were in the process of choosing WPENS, and it was clear to me from the teachers' interactions with the children that this was the right place for us. Every morning, my preschoolers were so excited to come to school and hug their teacher, practice writing their letters, sing songs and learn the sign language alphabet, play with play-dough and sand, build towers out of blocks and Magnatiles, play dress-up, ride around the track, read books, share snack, and do a variety of ever-changing creative art projects--and that is all just what happens in one morning at WPENS! We are so grateful to our teachers and this beautiful preschool community for the educational and social foundation you have given our children, and by extension, us as a family."

"My son has only been going to WPENS for a few months, and since then he has made such a wonderful transformation! Teacher Cory has such a gift, and my son is always so excited to go to school and never wants to leave. My family and I have met so many amazing people so far, and what’s great is it’s not just the children who are learning. If you want your child to be part of a loving and supportive preschool, WPENS is the place to be!"

"Learning helpful parenting skills and working together with other parents makes WPENS great! Both kids and parents learn and make friends. The teachers are wonderful and the speakers at parenting meetings are excellent. My 2 year old son wanted me to stay with him until he was comfortable and I was able to. I recommend this school for every family who wants to be involved in their child's school and work together with teachers and parents to make this school great!"