Magic Cottage Preschool 1662 11th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122

"Context: our son has attended Magic Cottage for two years, and we considered 5-10 other local options before choosing Magic Cottage. We've been extremely happy with the program - Jane and the teaching staff are warm and provide the right balance of structure and free play, and our son clearly adores them. I especially appreciate the amount of outdoor time the kids get, since they have Golden Gate Park two blocks away."

"My son loves this preschool and his teachers! I wanted a play based school and am thrilled with the education he's receiving. He's learned so much exploring Golden Gate Park with his class, creating art, singing songs, and most of all, learning how to communicate and resolve conflicts in a kind and respectful way. He's learning academics through his own curiosity with the guidance of his teachers which makes him more excited to learn. Bonus: they provide 2 snacks and a lunch so no packing food! :)"

"We have loved having our son at Magic Cottage these past 2 years. We were new to the city and Magic Cottage became a second home to us where we’ve made lifelong friends. Other than providing a loving and caring environment by the teachers, my son has learned all the important pre-school skills I expected. He looked forward to each school day. We have and will continue to highly recommend Magic Cottage for preschool."

"Magic Cottage Preschool has been an absolute dream for my daughter, Helena, for the past two years! It's like a burst of sunshine and love every time we walk through those doors. The place has this cozy, homey vibe that instantly puts you at ease. The teachers are not just educators; they're nurturing angels who have played a huge role in Helena's emotional growth. Plus, they're big on sustainability! From eco-friendly crafts to teaching the importance of nature, they're creating a safe, magical environment. I'm thrilled that my younger daughter will soon be joining the Magic Cottage family, too!"

"Our son attended Magic Cottage for more than a year prior to kindergarten, and we were very happy with the school. He came from the non-English speaking pre-school, and spoke no English. He was in teacher Star's class, and teacher Star was so patient, caring and attentive to his needs. Our son was a bit frustrated at first since he could not express himself efficiently, and teacher Star helped him with self-control, and taught him the techniques of how to manage his feelings and successfully connect with his classmates. He is now in kindergarten and doing very well in the public school setting. While at MC, our son enjoyed the cooking and the baking, community garden trips were always a highlight of the week, as well as field trips to the Golden Gate park and neighborhood playground. Our son made wonderful friends at MC, and still recalls the times that he spent there. The school graduation ceremony was a warm event that took place at the community garden, where parents, kids and teachers gathered to sing songs, listen to teacher Bianca's reading the book that she authored, and have a potluck picnic. Jane, the owner, takes quite a thoughtful approach to hiring teachers and assistant teachers, who have to go through the trial period prior to getting hired or dismissed. Teachers work at school for many years, and there is no quick turnaround, as at other preschools. Jane also provides professional development days to the teachers when they have the opportunity to take additional classes and deepen their knowledge in child psychology and educational methodologies"