Small Size Big Mind

This review is long overdue. I started my son at Small Size Big Mind when he was a little over a year old. He was enrolled here for about a year, until we had to move.

The daycare is very well-organized and the Director and the teachers were very communicative. Emails went out regularly to keep families up-to-date and informed. We especially appreciated the high touch care we received from the Head Teacher/Administrator.

The location is also centrally located in Alameda, and there are actually 3 SSBM locations. We were at the Santa Clara location.

SSBM is like no other daycare in that all the rooms and play structures are hand-crafted and specially-made for the daycare. Each daycare room has an inviting and playful theme for the kids (camping class, coral class, market class... just as a few examples). The team puts a tremendous amount of heart and soul into making this a nurturing place for your little ones. You will not experience this type of 'magical' touch at another daycare.

We are also a military family, and at our request, the Director was so great and supportive in helping set up their daycare to be part of a subsidized military childcare program. This was a lot of administrative work for them. But with their help and support, our family saved a significant amount of money.

I feel so fortunate that my son was able to make his first 'school' memories at SSBM. Even though we've moved, we still keep in touch with friends and parents we met through the school. We were sad for my kiddo that he's not able to see his same friends and teachers, but we are grateful to have been part of the SSBM community and make some special childhood memories during our time in Alameda.

Thank you Small Size Big Mind! :)

Small Size Big Mind is magnificent!
Such a gorgeous waterfront location. Such wonderful handmade lovingly-crafted environments, indoors and out. And best of all are the caring and creative and patient teachers. Our son loves it and we highly recommend it.

In selecting a preschool for our son, my husband and I toured many facilities in Alameda. We found a lot of them to be cookie cutter and lacking something special. The second we first toured SSBM2 we were in love. The campus offers a whimsical and creative atmosphere and our son instantly fell in love with all of the handmade playground and classroom features. It's clear a lot of thought and love went into the design.

The owners and staff are also a continued selling point for us. All of the teachers seem to genuinely love what they do and consistently provide an engaging experience for the children. My son comes home every day talking about the new things he's learned and it's been amazing to watch how quickly he's grown intellectually, socially and emotionally since starting in July 2019.

Overall we can't recommend this school enough!

We have been blown away by this place. Small Size Big Mind has been a great experience all around, from their remarkable owner, Malyka, who is always responsive, informative and welcoming, to the excellent teachers who my daughters love.

I moved across the country with my two daughters and wife. We were very nervous about where to send our kids for daycare/preschool. They were very happy back home and we wanted to make sure they were in a good place. After literally contacting dozens of places, we settled on Small Size Big Mind, and It has been one of the best decisions we have made since moving.

Malyka, the owner, in particular has been paramount to this decision. He truly cares about the children and the centers and it shows right away. He designed a lot of the classrooms and the playground and they are remarkable works of art. This is not a cookie cutter school, they do not feel commercial at all, and we love them for that. This is a community that cares about the children they take care of.

Their COVID-19 policy is safe and also practical. They follow guidelines, and make sure that everyone is staying safe.

The school is always clean and well organized.

Pick up is a breeze and everyone is very kind.

I have no negative comments to make, honestly it is great. You can feel confident that your children will learn and have so much fun at the same time.

Both our kids go to school here. Our daughter is almost 4 and our son is almost 2. I cannot say enough good things about this school. The amount of work they put into the play yard has created a dream place for all kids. Everything in the play area is handmade and you can tell so much thought goes into each item which is mentally stimulating for the kids.

The play yard however does not overshadow the superior staff, curriculum, and structure they create for our kids every day. The fact we are moving brings tears to my eyes that they will not be attending a school like this. The love and care the owners put into this school is so apparent from drop-off and pickup every day. Both my kids come home with a new school project every day and get excited every morning to go to school. Outside of an amazing environment they have created I am also impressed with how they have handled COVID. There has never been a single issue, they send constant updates making each parent feel comfortable during these uncertain times.

The staff is caring, the school is clean and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect place for our children to attend. This school truly is a gem and we will miss it. I cannot thank them enough for making our experience as parents positive and for our kids a nurturing and loving place where they definitely thrived.

We are beyond grateful that our child to able to be attending Small Size Big Mind. Their teachers are so kind, compassionate and caring. The director of the school is so wonderful-always there to greet our child with warmth and enthusiasm.
This preschool is full of love and laughter and a place we absolutely adore. This has become a sanctuary for our child who has made so many friends. We appreciate how the teachers help each child foster friendships among all the kids calling everyone friends.
From the thoughtfully decorated indoor classrooms which have toys but also lots of space to play and learn, to the hand made outdoor wooden play structures -this is hands down a child's wonderland and perfect place to learn through play and from the teachers.
We have recommended this preschool to so many people-always singing it's praise. Do yourself a favor and contact them today to see about any availability. This place is a gem.
My husband and I also have made so many close friends amongst the other parents-which we are grateful for. The monthly happy hours for the parents help make it so easy to get to know everyone at this school. The community here is strong, vibrant and a bright place in our lives.

Small Size Big Mind is a gift to our daughter and our family. As an educator myself I was really looking for a school where my young daughter could go to focus on her social emotional skills and be inspired through play. We found this and so much more at SSBM. Malyka and Laurence have fostered a community for families to get to know one another, they communicate effectively, nurture the kids, and go above and beyond on a daily basis to make their school a magical and supportive environment. The teachers at the school are some of the most loving and caring educators I have ever known. They love the kids and their jobs and it shows on their faces and the faces of each child. I never was worried when I dropped my daughter off, I was always excited for her and personally relieved that I get a little bit of a break! Thank you for all you do Malyka and Laurence!

Our kids love Small Size Big Mind. Everyday they are excited to arrive there and meet their teachers and friends. We are very happy with the teachers, our kids love their teacher especially. The curriculum is age appropriate, and exactly the right level. In PreK our kids love learning Spanish and to write letters and numbers. The outdoor and indoor play spaces are so fun, this is the school everyone wishes they had as a kid!

The owners are so talented in creating a place where kids are stimulated to learn through appropriate play. The school is well organized, administration is straight forward and communication is open and easy. The first campus of Small Size Big Mind on Bridgeview was so successful, and the waitlist so long, that luckily for us a new campus opened near Alameda Point.

There is also a great community of families, with regular parent and family events at school. Having experience of a few other preschools I can high recommend Small Size Big Mind - both campuses.