Oakland, CA
BlueSkies for Children formerly AOCS

Director's Comments

Question to director: Do you have any additional thoughts on what parents should consider when looking at your school? Is there any advice that you would like to provide to prospective parents?


Children in full day care should have the best care that we can provide.

AOCS was founded with that principle in mind. Seeking to combine the best of a part-day preschool experience with the consistency, nurturing and attached relationships that are vital to the healthy growth of young children.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
All of our children enrolled in what was called AOCS, now Blue Skies in the 1980's and early 1990's when we were living in the Oakland Area. We thought so much of the school that after moving over the hill to Contra Costa County, we continued to bring our youngest to AOCS for several more years. The teachers were very nurturing, caring and all of our children were well prepared to enter kindergarden. The oldest ones have since graduated from college and are now in professional school and the youngest is finishing up their undergrad schooling at a large UC in SCAL. Only weakness I remember was the dropoff/pickup parking, but that was a small price to pay for a great school.

Parent #2
As a parent of a Blue Skies alumnus, I can honestly say this place is magical. My son was at Blue Skies (then called AOCS) from age 6 mos. to 5 years, and man did we all learn a lot from the experience. The teachers are great; there's really low turnover among the staff, and they prepare nutritious meals on-site daily. The approach may seem unstructured to the untrained eye, but the curriculum is actually very well thought out and developmentally appropriate. Without being explicitly taught lessons daily, he was more than ready when he got to Kindergarten. I have nothing but good things to say about the place! If you're thinking of getting pregnant, you may want to get on the waiting list today :-)

Parent #3
The learning style really fits both my (and my wife's) and my daughter's style. They have done an excellent job of instilling a sense of confidence in her that allows her to freely explore her world. Her ability to realize and verbally communicate her feelings has been amazing and I attribute this to Blue Skies. The new construction is beautiful as well. Only minor complaint is that the parents have to initiate some of the communication with teachers more than I would like. I would like more initiative from them to communicate issues or concerns from their perspective.

Parent #4
AOCS is exceptional in every way, from guiding/caring for the children to educating the parents so they can be better parents. Every step imaginable is taken to ensure the growth, creativity, safety and well being of the children and the parents are keep informed every step of the way.

Parent #5
I could go on an on about the strengths of AOCS, and am hard-pressed to think of any weaknesses. Reflecting the school's overall philosophy, each teacher truly respects each child for their unique little selves. Disputes between children are handled with patience and caring -- children are never sent to the principal's office or called 'bad.' My son left AOCS prepared emotionally, socially and academically.

Although AOCS does not have an academic curriculum, my son was pretty much at the same level academically as the rest of the kids in his kindergarten.

Montessori? Waldorf? Play-based?

What school type is right for your child? Is one model better than another? What does the research say?

View an example from the Savvy Source guide to learn more.

Trace around your child's foot, with shoe on, on a piece of white construction paper or card stock. Have child cut out the shoe print and add a spooky face. Glue it to a popsicle stick and you have a ghost stick puppet!

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