Bernice & Joe Playschool

I am not sure how things used to be at this school but Bernice and Joe have retired from the school. My son started there as his first ever preschool experience after they retired, first week of 2016. He just couldn’t get the hang of the afternoon schedule… drop off at 1:00 and nap immediately begins. My review is really only for the afternoon program which begins at 1:00.
They worked with him for less than two weeks and he had a couple bad days and a couple good days but ultimately they just couldn’t give any time beyond two weeks for an adjustment.
I have never felt so bad about my own kid. I have spoken to my son’s pediatrician and even behavior counselors who agree my son is an energetic three year old without any clear developmental disabilities and putting him in a school with so many kids was probbaly just «too much, too fast» for a first timer. Plus, the expectation of a nap in such an exciting environment wasn’t realistic. I would assume a preschool would be ready for this kind of transition, but don’t think they were and as a mom of any only child in his first preschool experience I certainly didn’t know what to expect.
On the «not cool» side I noticed scissors and batteries in clear reach of the kids and the place smells terribly of mold. My son came home smelling like mold every day. I know the new director has a vision for a more organized and upgraded scene but it’s not in place yet.
At the same time I liked the laid back, funky vibe and the kids and parents all seemed nice. The yard is awesome and the teachers seemed nice but there wasn’t much bandwidth to help my son. the Director said she was shadowing him in the yard but that couldn’t continue. It’s a pretty chaotic environment so if your kid is cool with that it might be a good fit. I don’t think my kid knew how to handle that much excitement and I think he needed a smaller program.
I wish I didn’t have to give a star rating, it’s probably the right place for some kids. but not mine!

We love Bernice and Joe Playschool! My daughter, who just turned three, started at B&J’s one year ago. She has a LOT of fun in the AMAZING backyard and in the comfy and toy-​filled indoor area. She has made wonderful friends with the down-​to-​earth and kind children who attend B&J’s and we have made friends with the down-​to-​earth and kind parents. This is a most unpretentious preschool but I am very satisfied with the intellectual stimulation that my daughter receives. Meals are included here and they are all vegetarian, which I like (although we are not vegetarians). The teachers are engaging, nurturing, funny and incredible with the children. I really cannot say enough good things about this place. I know our family will cherish our memories of B&J’s when my daughter is grown up and we will be so grateful for our good luck in finding it. A wonderful place for children.

I love the video that Joe posted about our preschool! And I really, REALLY love how he emphasized the stellar teachers we have and the important role they play here.

My family and I love Bernice and Joes Playschool. I knew that it was the school for us when we were touring schools with our 2 year old son and he asked that same evening when we’d go back. He started the next week and began to thrive immediately.
What I love about Bernice and Joe’s is the home feel. Many other schools have an institutional feeling and we as a family weren’t ready for that with our son. B&J’s feels a lot like sending our boy to an extended family member’s home, except he’s got a ton of friends there and he’s learning his numbers and letters.
The teachers are creative and fun and work well together as a team. The small setting allows for the students to get to know each other and bond in a way that makes the children feel safe and included.
Finally I love the affordability and flexibility that the school offers. With a minimum of two mornings a week we were able to ease our son into a the school setting successfully. My husband and I are both self-​employed and over the last year and half we have experimented with lengthening days and adding some to see what was best for our family. Joe has been so gracious about working with us to find the best fit.
We are very happy and B&J’s and are so appreciate of the program that they have been developing for 30 years.

This is a great, homey school. The double lot yard is definitely a main attraction; lots of room for kids to run free. It is a laid back school, but there is a structure to every day as with most preschools; circle time, nap time, outdoor play time, etc. There are extra curricular classes offered for a few dollars more: gym, Spanish and music.
My kid really enjoys her days here and has made a lot of friends. The school is good at letting kids work out their differences and only intervening when appropriate.
Vegetarian lunch and snacks are provided which is great because I have a hard enough time just getting us out the door in the morning and I am relieved I don’t have to make lunch as well! They offer both half and full days and they are flexible in terms of which days your child can attend.

This is the playschool of the casual, homey, outdoor set. The main attraction has got to be the yard. It is chockful of childhood memories waiting to happen. There is a rocket ship, a garden, animals, swings, tricycles, a sandbox, and more, more, more. I can’t imagine a kid NOT having fun there.
The vibe is a little bit hippy. I don’t think Martha would approve of the mismatched cubby-​holes or random masking-​tape labels with scribbled penmanship all over stuff. But the essentials are all there, it is a place with a lot of heart and warmth. (And about four thousand books – oh, how those wee buggers love to read!)
The community is very strong and for all the spiffy-​spit-​shiny-​new-​ness it lacks, there is an air of completeness which seems calming almost. But if you think there is something missing, you are definitely welcome and invited to offer your time and energy to any on-​site projects you deem necessary. There are lots of parent meetings and email communications as well as newsletters and events.
To be perfectly honest, I rather like the idea that the stuffed animals get patches instead of trashed. Lord knows, I have been around a while and I don’t want anyone pitching me in the circular file just for a few open seams. If you share my sentiment, you’ll like it there alot. If you want «the best» for your children, it is probably not for you.
It’s been a learning experience for me and my son. I am not really the meet & greet type. I expected «hello» and «goodbye» but, I have really come to enjoy seeing the other parents and realize I actually like these folks, beyond our obvious genius in picking this school. I am even making a playdate which feels almost sinful to me, taking advantage of another mom’s toys! So, we’ve both made new friends.
Oh, and if you want to know what my son thinks… he wakes up every morning asking to go. We have learned about the concept of «tomorrow» thanks to school. And being thankful when you go to bed because when you wake up… it’s here!