Gan Sameach Nursery School

We love Gan Sameach! I was referred to the school by a family who’s son goes to the same Karate school as my son. I had started my daughter a a Montessori school and she wasn’t happy. So when we found Gan Sameach I was thrilled.
It is a play based environment. The school is small and intimate and with some of the most caring and nurturing teachers ever! The took my daughter in and made her feel comfortable and loved. She loves all the arts and crafts activities, song and story times. They have a wonderful play yard. Each week they have a theme. She has come home knowing her shapes, colors, numbers and letters.
The best part is when I ask her how her day was she says «great!». Almost everyday she asks if it is a school day and always disappointed when I have to tell her, «No, it’s Saturday, no school today». Can say enough about how much she loves the school.
We are a non-​Jewish family and have been welcomed with open arms.
I have recommended the school several times and will continue to recommend the school. Please check out the school and find out for yourself.

Both of my children attended Gan Sameach. The staff clearly love their jobs and love the children. My kids were happy to be at preschool and seldom wanted to leave until they absolutely had too. I wasn’t sure about the mixed age philosophy when my first child started, but was completely won over. The younger kids learn from the older ones and the older ones gain invaluable feelings of pride teaching the younger ones. The director shared, when I asked, many useful tips as I confronted different parenting challenges. Both my kids continued to ask to visit long after they graduated. They were both well prepared for kindergarten in the highly demanding Mission attendance area. I would highly recommend this creative, warm, and loving environment.

My family loves the nurturing environment that Gan Sameach (GS) provides our 4 year old son. At first, my wife and I were apprehensive about sending our son to a religious based care facility. (My family is not Jewish). But GS welcomes families of other faiths and we wanted our son to know that everyone is the same regardless of their differences in faith, skin color, nationality, sexuality, or age. Since GS welcomes non-​Jewish families with open arms, we jumped right in.
After 2 years, here’s my impression. GS teachers are gentle and very patient with younger children. I found that some care centers that employ younger workers are higher stress (i.e., they tend to yell a lot more to the kids). But GS’s teachers and care givers have been patient and loving with all their children. I have never seen them upset or scold a child.
The indoor facility itself is a bit dated, but their outdoor play area is a tremendous asset. The grounds have the bouncy surface to reduce accidents, and they have plenty of trees, flowers, toys, play structures and shade. And Fremont has nice weather so the child get plenty of fresh air and supervised outdoor play time.
GS focuses on relationship development for your children. They are less focused on academic development. This is a welcome respite from the go-​go-​go attitude that permeates the Mission San Jose area of Fremont. GS provides supportive, gentle and a more informal atmosphere for your little ones to learn about friendship, respect, and developing their personalities.

Happiest place for my kid! She has moved to KG still wishes if her KG can be at Gan sameach! Absolutely love the warmth that the kids recieve from the teachers! Its a fun place for kids and they are treated with so much care and they learn all the basic good social skills (being polite and respecting others etc)!
Definitely recommend to others, if you want a happy and enriching growth of ur preschooler rather than just an academically excellent kid!

We are not Jewish but were attracted to the school because of it’s super nice play area, teachers, loose structure, abundant play material, art supplies, books and such. We are leaving the city and are looking to continue only in another Jewish preschool. That’s how much I like their program!
The atmosphere is very relaxed, safe, supportive and stress-​free. A great place for little ones that need lots of love and care as they learn to trust and be comfortable with others. The playground is big with shady trees, a vegetable garden in the summer and sometimes even butterfly growing activities. In good weather, the teaching comes outside and at times, even the lunches do too. It is very nature oriented — the Director, Beth, is big on hands-​on science education and their collection includes a range of Science, Geography, History and Art books. And the teachers? Excellent! My kids love them and have learnt a lot — and I have too. Just watching them in action or getting their advice in tricky situations, have helped me navigate my way through parenthood.

Love Gan Sameach!!! My 2 year old has been going to Gan Sameach for almost 6 months and she absolutely loves it! She’d even ask me to drive her to school on days that she’s not registered to go in for. She even tells me she loves going to school and school is so much fun.
I was a bit skeptical when I registered my daughter, as there isn’t any structure in this school. I mean, I’d like my daughter to have the freedom to do whatever she wants, but not too much. I thought it was just too much free play. I guess she’ll be fine for now, as she is still too young for any structure.
I signed my daughter up because the teachers are just great. On the day of my tour, I saw several younger children running up to Beth to hug her and just wouldn’t let go. I truly believe the children love Beth simply because she is very caring and attentive to them. And Karen, who also interact with my daughter on the day of the tour. Indrani seemed to be very nice and genuine too. My tours to other schools wasn’t as impressive.
And I was right. My daughter loves Karen so much. Karen is just great. She loves every children and is extremely nice to my daughter.
I highly recommend Gan Sameach!

It’s a Jewish developmental preschool, which means plenty of art and playing. Kids learn how to take turns, behave nicely, work together, If that’s what you want, this is a wonderful choice. There’s story time, singing, outdoor and indoor play, dress up, and all the things most would expect in a preschool. There is some structure, but plenty of freedom. ABCs and 123s get some attention.
If you’re looking for a highly academic or highly structured school where children sit quietly work at activities that supposedly build their brains, this is not the place for you. Then again, if you’re looking for such a school, you need to rethink what you’re looking for.
The facilities are well maintained. Kids get to make messes, but they have to help clean up. Appropriate and interesting toys keep children interested. The pleasant playground and garden beat going to the park. Several parents are highly involved, keeping things running and building community. It’s basically all smiles. We’ve found several playmates for my daughter.
The teachers, Beth, Karen, and Indrani, truly make it a great place for learning. They’re all wonderful in their own way so it’s impossible to choose a favorite. Each one treats the children with warmth, understanding, and respect, letting kids be themselves. The discipline is positive in nature, backed with solid limits. The impressive ratio of teachers and assistants to kids also means plenty of personal attention.
Judaism enters the classroom in a few ways. When there’s a Jewish holiday, the classroom theme centers on it. In winter, they color Hannukia pictures instead of Santa Claus. Shabbat is celebrated. Prayers are said before meals. As a non-​religious Jew, it’s good to let the kids escape the omnipresent Christianity in our culture while exposing them to Judaism, all without forcing it down their throats. Some students are not Jewish. All are treated equally.
All in all, it’s a great school. There are also many great preschools in Fremont.