Open Gate Parent Cooperative Nursery School

My daughter was taught by the amazing women and families at Open Gate Nursery School. The philosophy of children learning through play was very important for my husband and I. We dreamed of our daughter to be independent and self thinking being and OGNS brought out those qualities in her. It’s no joke when they say «it takes a village» as a first time young mom I learned so much from Teacher Lori, Teacher Kristi, Teacher Andrea and the other parents, many who are now great family friends. Open Gate truly opens the «gates» to friendship, play base learning and adventure. Today my daughter has no problem walking up on stage to perform in multiple dance productions and although the talent is all her, her confidence is the «I can do it» attitude from Open Gate. Thank you OGNS!!!

We just finished our first year and could not have found a better place for our son. He loved his teacher, as did I, and we learned a lot about what to expect from kids this age. The parent-​ed nights were super helpful in not only getting questions answered but also in getting to know the other parents. The play-​based approach is perfect for our son, and I am excited to return to see our old friends and make new ones in his multi-​age class next year!

We are in love with this preschool and what it has to offer for our son and for us! We had not been familiar with a co op preschool before but had heard great things about what it could offer. (Including lifelong friendships with other families and support for us parents.) We have not been let down yet! Although Open Gate is a small school it offers an unlimited amount of creative play and learning opportunities. Worth checking out for yourself!

Glad we found this school. The other reviewer is right, this school is a little gem. I’m new to the co-​op program, so it took a little bit of time for me to get use to. So far I’ve learned to appreciate it. I get to be with my daughter on the days I have to participate. It’s a great way to know the other parents and kids too. It’s like having a big family. On days that I’m not there, I’m comfortable to know my 2 ½ year old daughter is in great hands.

Open Gate is a GEM! I feel like I found the best little school that there is! My oldest daughter was part of the class of 2006, went through the entire 3 years starting with Teacher Lori, for 2-​day, Teacher Kristi, 3-​day and finally Teacher Pat, for pre-​K. Now my two littlest ones are both in the program (2-​day and pre-​K) It builds community teaches parents how to raise happier children and how to be more active in our parenting skills and choices, understanding their development and the why’s to how toddlers behave the way they do. My oldest daughter is now in Middle school with many of the children that graduated with her from Pre-​K and each and every one of these children including my daughter have all been on the principles honor roll in their middle school. Coincidence? I don’t think so!

This is the village you need to raise your child! A supportive community for children and parents. The play-​based approach gives children space to develop at their own pace, gaining skills that translate to success in elementary school (social skills and conflict resolution come naturally through the play interactions, guided by parents and teachers; pre-​literacy and analytical skills are gained in a fun way that generates a love of learning and excitement about going to school). Meanwhile, the cooperative of parents and teachers give vital support to the parents – support you might not have even known you needed!
My first child started in the 3-​day, 3-year-old’s program. When I made the decision to enroll, I groaned a little bit about the «parent ed» commitment – the night class was a hurdle because my husband works evenings. But I am so glad I jumped over the hurdle. The twice monthly classes feel like a social night out, meeting with the parents of the other children and sharing and problem-​solving parenting challenges together. I find the environment very open and accepting. I value the advice I get from these parents more than any other source – we’re all striving to do the best we can as parents (but can sympathize with each other when the reality of parenting does not meet our ideal). Input from the teacher and parents who get to know my child is more relevant than what I could read in parenting books or research online. So much better than asking one parent friend for advice, I get realistic advice from all these parents who are in my community with kids the same age, brainstorming together.
As our children grow through the program as friends, we parents build up trust and support each other so that by the time our children are old enough to be in a booster seat, we are carpooling and babysitting each other’s kids on playdates. Vital community support, especially if you don’t have local family.
Despite my earlier doubts, «Why would a child need more than 2 years in preschool?!» I went on to enroll my second child in the 2-​day, 2-year-old’s program, and found it to be a major gift. Wish I’d started sooner with my first child! Before my experience with Open Gate, I would have argued, «What could I gain from a preschool program at that age that couldn’t be garnered for free by setting up playdates for my child and playing with him at home.» But then I had to admit to myself that no matter how much I intended to set up playdates for my younger son, being stretched thin with my older daughter, I never made time for it. The Open Gate 2-​day program was just the right commitment and a consistent, stable play environment to help my youngest child’s social development. We got a lot out of the 2-​day program.
The teachers here are so committed – if you have questions about your child, they will answer e-​mails or meet with you one-​on-​one outside of class. I’ve had a great experience with every teacher at Open Gate; they really get to know every child individually. Teacher Kristi especially seems to intuitively know where she needs to be at the right time to manage conflict or draw children out of their comfort zones to try new experiences. I appreciate the way they handle separation. There is a designated place for parents who aren’t ready to drop off to sit to anchor their children, with the hope that gradually the child will begin exploring farther and farther away from the parent. It works. And if it doesn’t (at a certain point in my son’s development, it wasn’t working), they will work with you to make a plan that you agree on.
FYI, the preschool is housed in, but not affiliated with, a Unitarian church. Because the space is used by the church on the weekends, Open Gate cannot guarantee a nut-​free environment. That said, my son has multiple/​severe food allergies, and I was comfortable once I worked with the teacher to create a plan. If there is a child with a peanut or tree nut allergy in the class, they will keep the whole class’s snacks nut-​free. If your child has other allergies, talk with the teacher. I never heard any grumblings from the other parents about all of them having to avoid nuts for the classroom.
The yard is a bit small, but they make the most of the space – the teachers are always changing around the gross motor equipment and bringing out new stuff to keep it interesting. I’ve heard more than one Open Gate graduate say their child came back on a visit a couple of years later and commented, «I don’t remember the yard being that small!» It’s big enough for them at that age!
Now that I’ve told you everything you could possibly want to know about Open Gate, just one last endorsement, from my son. On the mornings that I tell him, «We’re going to Open Gate,» he drops what he’s doing and runs gleefully straight out the door to the car, calling out, «Let’s go to Open Gate!» Don’t hesitate, just call to take a tour!

Our family loves Open Gate. My older daughter, who finished her three years at Open Gate a year ago, still talks about how much she loved it. My younger daughter will soon start her second year there and has been asking all summer when she can go back to Open Gate. «I go to Open Gate» is one of the first things new friends learn about her.
For me as a mom, Open Gate has been the community and source of support I wanted and needed. I have learned so much from our parent education, where we learn about child development and also focus on practical approaches to the challenges of parenting young children. The wisdom of the Open Gate teachers and my fellow parents has sustained and guided me through many tough moments, and my community there has been a place to share my joys and successes too.
Our Open Gate friends are the ones we turn to for playdates, a helping hand with carpools or coverage for that odd half-​hour, and being a part of Open Gate has helped me feel rooted and connected in Redwood City.

Open Gate has been such a gift for our son and our family. My son has grown leaps and bounds over the past year. His confidence and social skills are improving with every school week. He is gaining a love for learning and for school that I believe will last a lifetime. Thanks to wonderful and knowledgeable teachers he is learning how to solve problems for himself in a loving and self-​assured manner.
In addition to the growth my son has shown over the past year, I have grown in my abilities as a parent. I am amazed at the knowledge base Teacher Lori possesses and the way she teaches me as a parent to help my son succeed.
The co-​op portion of Open Gate is a great way to get involved in your child’s education. You work in the classroom one day a week, so you get to watch as your child interacts with peers and see how he or she learns best. It is a great insight into your child. The night classes meet up to twice a month and provide such great insight into raising productive, self-​assured children. I have learned so much and feel a confidence in my parenting that I did not possess before starting Open Gate.
The parents and community that Open Gate provide can’t be beat!

Attending Open Gate Nursery School has been an extremely positive experience for my family. Through the parent education I’ve become a more confident and capable parent. In getting to know the other parents I’ve found a supportive community of people who know my child so well that they are uniquely poised to help with my parenting challenges. During the two-​day class my daughter became comfortable separating from me, grew very close with Teacher Lori and the working parents, and learned how to assert her needs when in conflict with another child. While Open Gate provides an incredible preschool environment, parents also enjoy a practical and comprehensive education. I can’t think of a better community to call my own!

I cannot overstate how awesome Open Gate has been for our 2 year old daughter and for us, her parents. I have not met a more humble and loving community of educators and parents. Teacher Lori (2 year class) is incredible, charismatic and magnetic. Our daughter adores her and for good reason. Parental education nights have been very influential for us, and the guest speakers and special events have been inspiring and delightful. This school, the teachers and the co-​op officers are great. No negatives … this place is awesome and we’ll be back next year for sure.

If you are interested in a co-​op preschool, I highly recommend Open Gate. My oldest son spent thee years there and grew so much. He had a very smooth transition to kindergarten and I attribute a lot of that to his experience at Open Gate. The curriculum is play-​based and very developmentally appropriate and the teachers really get to know each child’s individual strengths and needs. Great foundation for going out into the bigger world of elementary school. My second son just finished the 3-​day class and will be starting Pre-​K in the fall.
We have loved our Open Gate experience! It is a wonderful community of teachers, parents and children. As a parent you work in the class once a week and attend night classes twice a month usually with your child’s teacher and the other parents in your class. As a mom I’ve found the experience to be so helpful. I’ve learned a lot that has helped me be a better parent and feel supported. Both my boys and I have made some very special friends through Open Gate and are better people for the time we’ve spent there.

I am a mom of three boys and am lucky enough to of had the co-​op experience with my middle son and now my youngest son, just starting in the two day class. It is a wonderful school for kids and adults who want to be involved in their children’s school from a early age.

This is a great school. Our son is the 3^rd to go through this program, with 1 more after this. The afternoon classes scare me a bit since next year I will have 4 in 3 different schools. But I’m sure with the great community we wil be able to make it work just fine! I enjoy the wonderful supportive parents and staff. That’s what makes the school run so smooth.

My daughter is in her third year at Open Gate. We’ve loved every minute and will be sending our younger daughter there when she’s old enough next year.
The school is an established, non-​profit parent cooperative school for children ages two through five. The school features a play-​based curriculum founded on the developmental readiness theory, as well as a comprehensive parent education program. In addition to assisting in the classroom, parents are asked to contribute a number of service hours toward maintaining the school.
Because of all the time that parents put into the school, a great sense of community is fostered. Parents really count on each other and turn to each other for help, support, and friendship. More importantly, the kids love the school. Through play, they are learning the fundamental elements of social skills like sharing and conflict resolution. Because their play is largely self-​directed, they are learning about using their imaginations and developing a sense of accomplishment. I can’t believe how I’ve seen my cautious daughter blossom at Open Gate.
Healthy, nut-​free snacks are provided each day by parents. This is an important point. As you start to research other preschools, you’ll find that very few have a nut-​free policy in place and won’t accommodate children with serious nut allergies. Open Gate is one of the few that does — and we parents take it very seriously.
Co-​operative schools aren’t for everyone — they require a higher level of commitment than many preschools. Not only are you required to work in the classroom each week, but you must put in about 6 hours of parent education time each month. But if you’re looking at this route for your child, I can’t imagine that you could do better than Open Gate.
Oh, and one last thing that I almost forgot to mention: Open Gate has a nursery for younger siblings during a parent’s workday. That is, when I have to work in my daughter’s classroom, my baby can stay in the nursery with a full-​time licensed nursery aide. When I was nursing, she was just in the next room and I could get to her when she needed me. Now that she’s older, she can play with the other kids in the nursery. It really makes the co-​op a viable solution for many parents as it eliminates the need for a babysitter. You won’t find this perk at every co-​op, so I consider us very lucky at Open Gate.

A parent co-​op nursery school, where you’ll REALLY get an education. Parents meet twice a month in the evening for parenting classes taught by college-​level instructors (who are also the nursery school teachers). Parents work in the classroom once a week, applying the skills they’ve learned in the parenting classes. Curriculum is developmental — children learning through play and interaction, not through early academics. The skills you, and your child, learn here will help you your whole life.