Cole Valley Gan Preschool
1300 Shrader St, San Francisco 94117
Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that children learn best when they are active participants in their education. We’ve designed a space that honors their curiosity, allowing them to communicate their ideas through everything from painting and drawing to music and movement. Here, your child will build a foundation of resilience and critical thinking, gaining the tools to navigate the world with confidence.
At a glance
What this means
Play-based means children learn through free and guided play — social skills, problem-solving, and early academics emerge through play rather than direct teaching. An academic (or structured) program has more teacher-led lessons and routines to prepare children for the structure of kindergarten.
This school teaches primarily in English.
Tuition shown is as of 2024 and may have changed — confirm with the school.
Good questions to ask on a tour
- 1What does a typical day look like, and how much of it is child-chosen play vs. teacher-led?
- 2What are the exact drop-off and pickup times, and is there any flexibility?
- 3Beyond the listed tuition, what other fees should I expect (application, deposit, materials, field trips)?
- 4How do you handle the transition for children starting mid-year or moving up from a younger classroom?
- 5What is your potty-training policy, and how do you support children who are still learning?
- 6How do you handle discipline, conflict between children, and big feelings?
- 7Does having an infant/toddler program give siblings priority or a guaranteed spot later?
- 8What is your application timeline, and when do families typically hear back?
- 9How large is each class, and what is the teacher-to-child ratio?
- 10What does parent communication look like — updates, conferences, opportunities to be involved?