Bright Beginnings

When my son was turning 3, I spent a couple of months visiting preschool programs in the San Mateo/​Belmont/​Burlingame area. I was looking for a high quality preschool that was a Montessori program (full-​time) and had a strong community atmosphere. Bright Beginnings was the perfect match for our son and our family. The Preschool Owner/​Director, Ms. Joanne, provided a tour and invited us to the school a few times to observe the classroom. She even invited us to some of the school events so that we could meet the children and families. Ms. Joanne and her teaching team are excellent with the children and they work hard to meet their individual needs. We love that all of the parents in the program know the names of the children and all of the children know the names of the parents. The classroom environment is highly engaging and switches themes every month. I was impressed with their outside playground because it is an extension of their inside classroom. There is a lot learning and joy happening at Bright Beginnings. We feel that our son is socially and academically ready for Kindergarten.

Every time I pick up my kid, I watch him having such a great time! He never wants to leave. And that’s how I feel too as we get closer and closer to Kinder. The teachers make everything so much fun, the learning seems effortless. My 4 year old is doing so well in his pre kinder skills, he even wrote Valentine’s cards to his teachers. Even more important than his academics, his social and emotional growth is beautiful to watch under the guidance and support of all his teachers. They are also really great at communicating with parents.

My son went to this school for 3 years and my daughter is in her 2^nd year. It’s amazing how both of them developed socially and mentally in such a short time. The kids are so kind to each other and you can tell that good manners is fostered in this environment. The program includes activities that allows them to develop as a whole including physical, social, emotional and cognitive. It truly does feel like a family here. The kids put on numerous performances throughout the year which is so fun to watch. Ms. Joanne and the other teachers have a great way of bringing everyone together. I highly recommend this scool. My son had a great start at kindergarten after attending Bright Beginnings.

My daughter has been at Bright Beginnings a year and a half and my son is starting in the fall. We have been very happy there. I love the small school feel. They are so family centered created a tight community for children and parents. My child has grown both academically and emotionally. Can’t say enough great things!

Bright Beginnings is an AMAZING preschool! My son graduated this year and is doing great in kindergarten thanks to Ms. Joanne and her wonderful teachers. Bright Beginnings really prepared my son, not just academically, but emotionally for school.
One of the other things I love about this school is the parent involvement. Whether its volunteering for school projects or attending one of the fun social events, all the parents come together and it really feels like a community. I highly recommend Bright Beginnings!

Both of our children attended Bright Beginnings, starting at the age of 2. Our youngest just graduated this year; and doing so well in Kindergarten just like our oldest, who is now in 4^th grade. Because of the amazing job and preparation that Ms Joanne, Mr Jerry, Ms Jacqueline and Mr Kevin did for our first child, the extra drive from Belmont to San Mateo was very much worth it. We believed in sacrificing convenience for great education. At this stage (preschool years), great academic foundation is the key in successful lifelong learning. It is not just a matter of books but how the social aspects of learning can play such a huge role in our lives. Learning is so much easier when you are having fun! and you can clearly see this just from watching the kids.
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND Bright Beginnings to our family and friends. They treat every family like their own.

If I could give them no stars I would. So I tried calling to get information on their school and the woman who answered seemed as though she didn’t want to bother Now if she was restless with dealing with me I’m not too sure how it will be with 3 year olds who need more patients. I’m hoping she is just someone who answers the phones and does not deal with the children. So disappointing. I have read all the great reviews and just by my 2 minute phone conversation I just can’t understand why. I had plenty of questions to ask but limited to only 2 questions and I had to hang up, I couldn’t deal with her unwillingness to help.
This proves my hunch with if there are less than at least 100 reviews don’t believe a word.

I have two girls attending this school right now. My older daughter started at the age of 2 and has thrived in the loving and caring environment provided by this family-​run Montessori preschool. The schools hours are perfect for working parents (7:30−5:30) and I love how the children learn from each other in this mixed-​age environment.

Nothing can replace peace of mind when it comes to your children. Joanne and the rest of the Bright Beginnings staff have our complete trust and admiration. They have been doing this work for close to 30 years, and keep putting off retirement because they love what they do. Their dedication and love of each child is abundantly clear. My older daughter began school at Bright Beginnings when she was 2 ½, and is now in her third year. Our second daughter started this Fall. They are both so happy spending their days there. After we moved to a new home, we kept making the drive (half an hour each way) because we can’t imagine our children in a better environment! It’s a family-​based school that puts family first.
One of our daughters has ADHD, and the patience that the entire staff gives her, no matter what kind of day she is having, means the world to us. They are tirelessly working with her to teach her how to do things that come easily to other children: paying attention, taking turns, waiting patiently, etc. You might not expect a school to put in that kind of caring and time with a special-​needs child, but this is not an ordinary school. Bright Beginnings is extraordinary.

We absolutely love this school! We’ve been with the school for 4 years now and will continue to put through our youngest until she attends elem school. The school provides a loving yet stimulating environment. In addition to the skills they need for elem school, my children have established great listening habits and good manners and I attribute most of this to the school (with the reinforcement at home). The teachers are all like family to us now and I appreciate their insight, support and dedication they have given to us and the other Bright Beginnings families.

We love our daughter attending at this school. In her three years here, she has learned so much academically, socially and emotionally. We love the family celebrations. The kids perform for the adults which really helped her grow out of her shyness.
The staff is so nurturing and knowledgeable. They seem to really enjoy being with the kids.
We will be sad to leave.

Both our children attended this school for a total of six and half years altogether. We feel so blessed and lucky to have found a place like this that has a program that nurtured and developed our children to the fullest — intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and their physical well-​beings. Never mind all the impressive degrees and numerous credentials Joanne Adan (director and owner) has, but her way with the children is so natural, that I just know it comes from her heart. The tuition is not cheap, but the constant care and love they provided our children, that’s priceless. Not only my husband and I could attest to this but, the real critics here are my children. They were happy and just looking forward to coming. When they graduated, we left the school with a lot of great memories and souvenirs :) I highly recommend this place because it’s a sure win not only for you, but most especially, for your precious child.

My 5 year old son is finishing up his first year at Bright Beginnings and we love it so much that we will be sending our 3 year old son there in the Fall. For us I needed some place that was education oriented when I held my son back from Kindergarten. He has really excelled there in terms of his letters, numbers, and writing knowledge. He has made some really great friends, loves the teachers, and the outdoor space for play time is unbeatable! Joanne was also extremely helpful in making suggestions about possible Kindergarten choices for my son that would be alternatives to his public school. This knowledge turned out to be a life saver as it led me to examine more options and my son will be going to a wonderful Catholic school next year. I feel that he will be very ready both socially and academically after all of his experiences at Bright Beginnings to go onto Kindergarten and excel. We are so grateful to have found such a well rounded school for both of our children.

My daughter is in her second year of attendance at Bright Beginnings and loving every moment there. As parents we enjoy so many aspects of the learning environment, but most of all we all love the daily sharing that encourages the children to be comfortable speaking in front of a group. In addition, the teachers are loving, the yard is amazing, and the Montessori techniques allow each child to grow at his/​her own pace.
We also feel the routines (such as clean up after lunch) that are in place are key for us parents to effectively encourage good behaviors at home.
Some other benefits are the hours they offer (7:30am-5:30pm) –which is great for working parents, allowance for non-​potty trained children at a reasonable fee, and all the wonderful celebrations that we all look forward to attending.
I highly recommend Bright Beginnings to anyone looking for a quality pre-​school.

I have two children who have attended Bright Beginnings and I couldn’t be happier with the school. When my son entered kindergarten last year, he was one of the most well-​prepared children in the class. In my parent/​teacher conference, the kindergarten teacher said he entered kindergarten at a level they hope most of the children will reach by the end of the school year. This is a testament to the quality of the preschool education he received at Bright Beginnings. Beyond the academics, my son developed at Bright Beginnings into an independent, confident, social, and compassionate child. My daughter is in her second year at Bright Beginnings, and is having a wonderful experience. She looks forward to going to school and often isn’t ready to leave when I arrive to pick her up. The teachers do a wonderful job of creating a nurturing, educational, supportive and FUN environment for the children. As a small school, there is a great sense of community among all of the families, children, and staff. The facility is great, with an amazing outdoor play area. I am so thankful my kids have been able to attend Bright Beginnings and I give it two big thumbs up!

I can’t say enough good things about Bright Beginnings. Both of my sons have gone here and absolutely loved it. It is a warm, loving environment in which my kids have learned about independence, creativity, kindness, respect (for themselves and others) and community involvement. Bright Beginnings has also prepared my older son, who just entered Kindergarten, perfectly with the fundamentals necessary for reading and writing, science, and math skills. Joanne and Jerry Adan have done a tremendous job with BB — they have developed a school that offers a warm and nurturing environment, great preparation for kindergarten, and a fun atmosphere.