Slippery Fish

My son is currently in his 3^rd year at Slippery Fish. We actually left earlier this year to be part of different school (a well-​established school with a great reputation). After 2 weeks at the new school, I begged to get back into Slippery Fish. I didn’t realize how good it was until I left. The teaching staff at Slippery Fish are utterly dedicated and engaged with the students. Because it’s a co-​op, parents are in the classroom supporting the learning environment and allowing the teachers to focus on each student’s unique needs. The program director is committed to professional development and allowing teachers to develop project-​based curriculum based on student interest. I think being a teacher, especially a preschool teacher can be a burn-​out job and Slippery Fish has created a supportive environment for teachers and parents. They are truly striving for excellence in pre-​school education.

We moved out of the Bay Area last May (2014) and I miss Slippery Fish almost every day. I knew it was a really strong school with a really strong teaching team and administrator, but I don’t think I realized just how special it was. The community that is fostered there is incredible! I miss my fellow moms all the time.
I have found schools with play based learning that is little more than a playgroup, and schools with curriculum that seems overwhelmingly and unnecessarily structured at the preK level, and I realize that the harmony of scaffolding kids individual learning on their individual levels and giving them the opportunity to engage in curriculum based learning while in a kid-​driven, play-​based setting, like you find at Slippery Fish, is an art form, and it is not as common as I’d hoped.
I could honestly go on and on about the things I loved and miss about Slippery Fish, and how I’ve found nothing comparable (to the teachers, curriculum, classroom, board, parent involvement, community). If you like the co-​op model, want to be engaged and involved in your kids’ school, and have a chance to be part of Slippery Fish … grab it and please know how lucky you are!
Teacher Mariella and Teacher Sara, if you’re reading this, Andy and I to this day find ourselves wishing we could run things by you, have your guidance on how to support what she’s working on or through now, or just have a parent-​teacher conference. We still look up ASQs online and do them on our own to know what’s coming and be conscious of how we can support her. We’re better parents because of you.

The Fish is rad.
My little boo has been attending for almost a year now, and he loves it. It is a hands on practice and you will definitely learn a lot about socializing and educating preschoolers. It’s like a formalized share care with school structures, schedules, routines and curriculum. Yes, your 16 month old can start on a curriculum!
The school is very dynamic and continuing to set the bar high, we’re finalizing the process of becoming a Preschool for All school, and operations across the board are improving consistently.

The month or so I spent at this school in 2012 was without a doubt my worst experience since childbirth. It was not a good fit for us. Only full-​time working parents positions were available when I started, and it seems that new parents get stuck with the worst, most time-​consuming, menial and dirty jobs, while the parents that have been there before get the easy, fun jobs. I was working for the preschool far more than the hours she was being watched when I was not there, and paying as much for the «privilege» as the current preschool we are at. They have no janitor so parents do all the cleaning. Half the working Moms were pregnant so sat around reading to kids while the others (me) did all the crap work til my hands bled. They were extremely disorganized and unprofessional, which they attributed to still being on the learning curve. One day I was working there the director was 45 minutes late with the key to the school and there was no backup plan in place, which seems a terrible safety hazard to me… what if there was a fire, earthquake, or a gas leak and kids had to evacuate quickly, so others were climbing the fence (parents get fined for being late, but no refunds if they are late!). They couldn’t afford safe sand so they had big boxes of dirt/​mud for the kids to play in, which IMO was unsanitary, filthy, and disgusting. Seriously, after working all day changing diapers, washing dishes, vacuuming and sanitizing tables (if it’s not the day I was doing the laundry for the whole preschool), who wants to spend an hour scrubbing mud out of your kids clothes and from under their fingernails? They would try to keep your kids out of the mud if you didn’t want them playing in it, but really, just get some sand! The teacher did not follow the philosophy and policies I was told they would at the informational meeting at all. And when we quit, despite the difference between the bill of goods we were sold and the actual experience, I had to pay a penalty fee and no refunds. So from my perspective it was HORRIBLE. On the positive side, the people and director are nice, even if disorganized, and some parents did seem to be happy there. I liked that they focused on healthy foods for snack (which parents provided). They don’t require potty-​training, which is great if your kids aren’t ready for that yet. I think it would help kids potty train too, seeing the other kids who did use the potty go. My child seemed reasonable happy there except when they insisted she sit through meals when she wasn’t hungry (she was barely two), and sit through activities that bored her. And they don’t allow milk. She would get upset when she wanted to play with things that were within the kids reach, but wasn’t the designated activity– tip– if you don’t want kids playing with something, don’t make it accessible to them, it just tortures them for no good reason– put it out of sight and out of mind. We are at a new preschool now and it truly feels like the difference between civilization and cave living. Policies are reasonable and not nit-​pickingly punitive. They have consideration for a parents time, lots of opportnities to meet and form relationships with other parents, and we still get to volunteer in the classroom– but interacting with the kids, not doing menial dirty work. I love it, and it is a great fit. So, for me, I truly hated my experience here. I learned that co-​op was not for me, and most especially this co-​op. But if you love cleaning up dirty messes and menial labor, being treated like a second class citizen as a new parent, and like your kids rolling around in dirt, you may love it! I honestly liked the people there though I didn’t feel like I clicked with the school, and don’t want to badmouth them, but I do feel that new parents should think very carefully about what they are getting themselves into there, and make sure that they are OK with (and their schedules allow) putting in more time than they get out, and don’t mind getting their hands dirty, literally. I think my child liked it more than she disliked it, but then she is generally very happy and easygoing… and it seems she likes things 100% at our new preschool. It seems like it would have been a nice opportunity to meet other parents and form friendships, if I hadn’t been so miserable there. As much as I hated it, I don’t think it is a bad school, and hopefully they have worked out the disorganization issues and «growing pains» by now. I wish them the best, and I do believe many parents and kids were very happy there, but I also think you will love it or hate it —just make sure you are in the first group before signing up.

What a great place!
Our son has been going to Slippery Fish since they moved to their new location out by Lake Merced. Their campus is great! Half indoors and half outdoors, and it is nestled in a quiet little park on a church property so it is totally free of the trials of city life… plus TONS of free parking. The kids eat very healthy snacks, and always come home happy.
But let’s get real, Slippery Fish is about the kids not about the snacks or free parking. The teacher student ratio is 1 to 4 (in our class, different depending on the age), so there is always quality attention being given to the kids. To be honest, I have always looked at school for a 2 year-​old as «an organized play group,» but this is where I was wrong. At SF, the kids are learning valuable social skills and they are working out the complexities of toddler-​hood in a very supportive and thoughtful environment.
Through guidance of excellent and dedicated teachers and staff our son has grown in ways that is at once remarkable and heartening. However, perhaps the most valuable lessons at SF are what the parents take home. As first time parents, SF has taught us how to be better parents, how to interact with our toddler, and deciphered some of the mysteries rolling around in our toddler’s emerging brain!
This is perhaps why we love SF the most, because we know we are taking away skills that we can use for the rest of his life.
So in short, go for the great campus, stay for the skills your whole family will learn!

I love Slippery Fish! My son joined as a Minnow in Sept 2012 when he was 13 months. I love that they have such a robust pre-​preschool program for 1 – 3 year olds. I truly feel like my son is thriving socially, physically and emotionally there through our work on separation, the array of fine & gross motor toys we don’t have at home and the introduction of healthy snacks daily, to name just a few things.
The teacher, administrator and fellow parents quickly became mentors and friends. I was looking for a community for our family, a place for me to be active since being a SAHM was feeling isolating, and a place for me to have a job. And it has delivered in every way. I had a baby in December and my Slippery Fish family was paramount in helping my family and my toddler with that transition.
The coop moved into a new space in 2011 and I love it. Lots of parking and green outdoor space. I really like the location as it seems like a little oasis of green within the concrete jungle.

Great program! Sarah, the director, REALLY cares and works to make sure the program is excellent, the children are safe and the parents are doing their co-​op roles right (she helps in a kind and respectful way). My daughter attended this program last year and loved it. She «graduated» and still asks for her slippery fish friends, mommies and teacher Angela all the time. Teacher Angela is amazing, she has a great teaching background and is a very calming presence. She is also super respectful and caring of the children and their families. We felt very lucky to be part of such a great program for our daughter and a wonderful community of people.

My 18mo daughter recently began attending Slippery Fish, and we’re very happy with it. She gets to interact with children her age (18 – 24 months) in a pleasant environment under the leadership of caring teachers and with the help of parents as committed as we are to their children’s emotional and intellectual well-​being. My husband enjoys his time in the classroom, and I’ve enjoyed working with parents through my co-​op duties and expect to make some long-​lasting friendships.
Many aspects of this pre-​preschool are refreshing: open admissions, no donation/​fundraising responsibilities, and low cost. The only downside is that the location is out of the way for us (Lake Merced area), but at least there is plenty of room for the children indoors and outdoors and parking for the grown-​ups.

This program is amazing for not only the kids, but also the parents. The teachers are fantastic and my son wants to go to «school» every day. We’ve been part of the program for over a year and have watched our son thrive.

My son has attended Slippery Fish for the past year and we have loved every aspect of the program. He has grown socially, emotionally and developmentally in ways we could have never imagined. The staff is so incredibly warm and caring, the curriculum is spot on for the many age groups they serve (12mo-​4 yrs) and the space is clean, joyful and inviting.
We are so excited that the program is expanding to be a preschool (not just pre pre-​school) so we can stay! I also look forward to starting my baby when he turns 1!
Can’t say enough good!

My son and daughter have been going to Slippery Fish for a year now and we love it. The community of kids are great. The teachers are amazing. The parent community is amazing.
It’s such a great place to learn how to parent your and other’s children. A great place to learn about developmental experiences. It is a wonderful first school that allows the wee ones to socialize and play and learn in a safe and friendly environment.
Now that Slippery Fish is expanding into a full preschool we are more than excited.

Six months ago my husband attended a Slippery Fish open house and paid $ 35 to submit an application for our daughter. Six months and we have never received any communication from Slippery Fish of any kind.

My daughter has been at Slippery Fish for over a year now, starting at one year old in the Little Fishes program, and it has seriously been tremendous for her and for me. I don’t have family in the area, and I didn’t have any «mom friends» or any sort of parent community. Slippery Fish offers not only a great part-​time play-​based co-​op pre-​preschool, but also an instant in to a close-​knit parent community. You really get to know the other parents because you work with them as part of the co-​op, not like just chatting at music class or the playground. The teachers at Slippery Fish have taught me so much about toddlers and early childhood development, and the parents at least as much as well. And the space is fabulous — it’s housed in Recess Urban Recreation, which has a huge amount of toys and play equipment and a messy art room and pillows to jump in and books, etc. We have loved being part of Slippery Fish and I’m just hoping I can find a co-​op preschool that’s anywhere near as good for when my daughter turns 3!

I don’t know who loves Slippery Fish more, me or my daughter, it is a wonderful co-​op pre-​pre-​school! My daughter has been there for over a year and cannot stop talking about her teacher, friends and parents who have all become more like family to us. I can’t believe how much she has learned since attending.
The founder of the school is amazing with both caring for and disciplining children as well as mentoring first time parents. The parents have all been very accomodating and loving to my daughter and are extremely personable to work with. The teacher is incredible and the kids all love her. She is very good at calming children who are upset, re-​directing children who are misbehaving and most of all having fun with the children while teaching them valuable life skills.
The school has taught me and my daughter so much, there should be more co-op’s like Slippery Fish.

It was pretty much love at first sight with Slippery Fish. At our first visit I was so impressed with the clean, spacious facilities at Recess. And after watching all these sweet, adorable toddlers playing and eating together I knew my toddler would have a blast.
My boy just turned two when he started at Slippery Fish and had strong separation anxiety. The teacher Nicki worked with me, my husband and our boy to help transition our son over the course of a couple of weeks. At first it felt like we would never be able to leave him, so when we finally did it felt miraculous! Nicki was so patient and calm and all of the parents were understanding and helpful.
My boy started coming home with paintings and crafts. His speech has really developed. He tells me about yoga, snacks, music and all the games he plays. Parents are asked to occasionally provide the snack and are asked to make it healthy, balanced and organic. It has really exceeded my expectations of what a preschool designed for toddlers could offer.
As a co-​op we have to work one out of every four shifts as well as put in hours outside of class time in your assigned area. There are mandatory meetings but they are occasional and actually pretty pleasant. Well worth it, especially considering how affordable it is. Parents may request to work more and pay less, or vise versa.
It has been a wonderfully rich experience for us. I am sad that he will be too old to continue in the fall, but feel confident that this has been an excellent precursor to preschool. A+!

I didn’t know what to expect with joining a co-​op preschool initially, but quickly found out that this is a great way to really get to know some cool families and be part of a community. Slippery Fish is located in Recess Urban, which is such a great space with art, dress-​up, music, make-​believe play, and physical activity. On wednesdays, Recess Urban is closed to the public, so Slippery Fish gets the run of the entire place and has double the number of kids than the other days. At first, we were a bit nervous about the potential chaos and but I think now, our daughter prefers those days, because there is so much to do and so many friends to play with.
I think the person who wrote the negative review that is on this page is confused because there is No Cubes and Crayon during the time that Slippery Fish has been at Recess Urban and so never had a relationship with them. Slippery fish just rents the space from Recess Urban. I think they must be trying to comment on Recess Urban.
Also, I think they did a great job with giving parents more flexibility with the work commitments. The commitment is generally to work 1 out 4 times that a child attends. But now, they have pay less, work more options where you can buy out of doing some work shifts. Or, if a parent wants to pay a little less, then can work extra shifts.
The teacher, Nicki, is also great. She has a fun sense of humor with the kids and they really look forward to seeing her. My daughter talks about her and the other teacher, Zenda, with excitement and even tries to dress like them.
There are many more examples of how we have really been enjoying Slippery Fish and wish we were attending more days.

confession: when i heard the word «co-​op,» my first thought was: hippies. crazy hippies.
i was wrong.
my son has been at slippery fish since he turned 2, and to say it’s been a lifesaver would be a huge understatement. as a stay at home mom, most of my son’s time was spent with me (guaranteeing him a lifetime of therapy). with another child on the way, we decided it was time for him to a) learn how to socialize well with other kids, b) get used to listening to directions from other people, c) discover (although maybe not embrace) sharing and taking turns, and d) give mom a small break so i didn’t go insane.
slippery fish was the perfect environment for my son’s first «school» experience. the teacher, nicki, is involved and patient and kind and, fortunately, easily amused. she is enthusiastic with the kids who want to jump around all over the place and warm and comforting for those a little more reserved.
the parent network is nothing short of amazing. as reluctant as i was at first to join a co-​op, i have met some truly incredible families — both children and parents alike. the nice thing about a co-​op is that parents really and truly care and, when they’re working (or not), take care of your kids like they were their own. in a word? priceless.

My daughter has gone here for almost a year, starting at 18 months, and it has been a wonderful experience for her. Slippery Fish gives her a safe, fun environment where she can play with other kids, and watching how she’s developed socially and creatively has been a real joy.
The teacher, Nicki, is great with these kids – they really relate to her and trust her. She leads them in art activities you’d never guess pre-​preschoolers could do. (Painting at 18 months? It’s pretty abstract, but they can sure do it. Play dough? Heck, yeah. Beading projects? I witnessed that myself last week.) And then there’s the reading and the dancing and singing and – oh, it goes on.
The last year has been a great experience for me, too. SF is a co-​op, so you stay and watch the kids one day for every four that your child is there. You get to know a lot of other parents (very few of my long-​time friends here have or intend to have kids, so that’s been huge for me), and you get to know the other kids, too. It’s been amazing watching them all grow over the year.
We’ll be a little sad this fall when it’s time to move on to real preschool, but Slippery Fish has been essential in helping my daughter be ready to go.

I guess you don’t get much when you don’t pay much.
The day that I was there has been written about in two of the other reviews here. Kim is right in that there was one Slippery Fish person trying to be helpful, but that doesn’t excuse the behavior of other Slippery Fish members.
The person with whom I had the most contact was immediately hostile. She gave the impression of someone who really just wanted a break, but it was her turn to be stuck ‘watching’ the kids. Pretty sad.

Looks like a fun place but one of the parents as caregivers staffed there on the day we stopped by were completely rude to my husband and I and even worse, made my child cry. Don’t come here.
The user who says that they tried to help us out really needs to understand that we were genuinely offended. And it’s true — you actually do have to climb 4 flights of stairs without an elevator to get to the Cubes and Crayons space. With a lack of coordination (between Cubes and Crayons and Slippery Fish) and a less-​than-​pleasant encounter with Slippery Fish staff, it all amounts to an awful first impression and their actions made my daughter upset. I left in tears.