Bright Horizons at Garner

I have tried multiple times over the last several months to contact this facility regarding childcare for my toddler and have yet to hear back from an actual human being.
They did add me to their e-​mail list though, so I receive newsletters from them weekly. Great.
I understand if your facility is full and you are only accepting children off of the wait list. Just let me know, yeah? Poor communication says a lot about the type of business that you run.

My son has only been at Garner since December but it’s been wonderful so far. So much so that I wish both of my kids had gone here from the very beginning.
I’m confident that my son will leave Garner fully prepared for kindergarten.
The staff is amazing. The facilities is clean and up to date.
We are very happy here and so glad that we chose Garner.

Overall:
Our son Gavin has attended Bright Horizons at Garner for the past 3 years (Butterflies, Dolphins, and Pre-​K6).
We are very happy with the strong curriculum that Bright Horizons offer.
The curriculum does an excellent job in incorporating programs that foster children’s creativity, music, arts and science that is fun and easy to understand.
It has been a joy watching our son grow and develop while attending Bright Horizons. He loves his class and has developed great friendships through the past 3 years.
All Gavin’s teachers (Ms. Rosi, Ms. Gladys, Ms. Cheng, Ms. Carmen, Ms. Kyra, Ms. Regina) have been wonderful. They all have communicated well, letting us know what’s going on in the classroom as well as updating us of our son’s development.
The Admin, (Ms. Theresa (director), Ms. Sheryln, and Ms. Shiela) are always friendly, warm and welcoming. They are available and willing to help us with whatever we need. We really appreciate all the support they have given our family.
Pre-​K experience (Ms. Agnes & Ms. Claudia):
In the classroom, Ms. Agnes (pre-​K teacher) has put together a strong curriculum that creates growth and incorporates programs that foster children’s creativity, such as music, arts, and science.
Ms. Agnes & Ms. Claudia are wonderful. They are both open, warm, friendly and communicate with us on the happenings in and out of the classroom.
Knowing that it is important, both Ms. Agnes and Ms. Claudia make it a point to inform us on our child’s development academically and socially.
It is obvious, that our son has been impacted by the positive influences that Ms. Agnes and Ms. Claudia brings to the classroom each and every day.
The past year has been a joy watching our son grow. His language changed, he can spell, his creativity is off the charts.
Best of all, Gavin loves his class and is super happy to get to school each and every day to share his stories with teachers and friends.
Closing:
We have been so pleased with our experience here at Bright Horizons that our second son has started the journey of his brothers early education. Only 3 months into his early education and we are seeing close bonds forming with his friends and teachers (Ms. Rosi and Ms. Judy).
We love Bright Horizons Garner, and so will you!
Jose Cerda-​Zein
510−523−5673

Garner is fantastic. After visiting/​interviewing 9 other preschools in Alameda and Bay Farm (some more than once) we settled on Garner. We moved our 3 ½ year old into Garner after being in a home daycare for two years (she’s now 4 ½) and just this week we moved our 2 ½ year old into the younger class as well. Some of the great features: coded, keypad entry… computer sign-​in upon entry… a very large, comfortable common room amidst the 7 classrooms for various age groups… a.m. and p.m. snacks provided free of charge… various, recurring «extra» classes including Soccer Shots, Ballet/​Dance, Gymnastics (all are about 9-​week sessions for around $ 100)…three wonderful, large playgrounds with structures, bicycles and toys for all age groups. They go outside as often as they can. Occasional holiday «shows» or sing-​alongs are put on for the major holidays, holiday parties are the norm – some for just the kids, some for families as well.
Most classes have a nap/​rest time in which almost all the kids sleep on padded nap mats, sort of like the gym mats you used to play on. Sounds uncomfortable, but all centers use this and all the kids seem to sleep just fine – you provide blanket/​pillow/​snuggly toy. Parents are welcome to visit at any time, unannounced which is a MUST. We interviewed one daycare provider who said, «We prefer you call first.» Talk about your red flags.
Overall a very clean, friendly, warm and educational school for your child. Teachers and staff know you and your child’s name within days, always say Hello and are phenomenal people. Feel free to message with specific questions and good luck!

My daughter started at Garner at age 2, and has been there close to a year. She absolutely loves it! The teachers are fun, energetic, with creative ideas. The teachers and all the staff seem to really love to be there, and are super-​friendly. The space is quite big – which you generally won’t find on the main island – inside and out, and it is very clean and well-​run. I love that there is a front desk and always someone around to help with your questiosn or concerns. It is a play-​based structure, which we chose given our daughter’s personality. Another thing: I am always welcome in her classroom, which I love, and I try to spend at least ten minutes in the morning with the kids. We plan on sending our daughter here until it’s time for kindergarten. I’m so glad we found it.

I love this place! Such a bright, cheery environment. Lots of varied outdoor play space, with a separate yard for the younger kids. We love the Bright Horizons’ philosophy of child-​centered learning. The most important aspect for us, though, is the genuine enthusiasm among the caregivers. They engage with the children in a respectful, loving, and supportive way, helping them learn social skills and life skills in a positive setting. I can tell right off the bat that they love what they do. Dianne and all the front desk and administrative staff greet everyone with a cheerful smile, and are very responsive to the needs of the parents. Just a great place all around for you little one. I couldn’t recommend it more highly!