ROBIN'S NEST PRE-SCHOOL is a privately owned business, licensed by the State of California and founded in 1985 by Cindy and Rob Rowley. The school is named after their daughter, Robin.

Beginning in San Anselmo with just two children in one classroom, word spread quickly and enrollment grew rapidly. As the school's reputation for excellent programs and quality care spread, additional schools were opened throughout Marin and Sonoma counties. Today there are three locations: San Anselmo, Novato and Mill Valley. Each school is an extension of ROBIN'S NEST San Anselmo, taking on its own "personality", reflective of the individual teachers and children.

Many of our own directors and teachers have had their own children enrolled in our schools. We think of them as part of our "extended family" at ROBIN'S NEST and strive to maintain these same high standards we've set for our own children.

For many of you, this will be your child's first introduction to a school setting. Providing a caring and safe environment is our primary goal. It is essential for you to feel confident about entrusting your child in our care.

Play for the preschooler is an avenue for learning. To learn, your child needs many opportunities for looking, listening, touching and tasting. ROBIN'S NEST uses play as a process for discovery - discovery of likes and dislikes and how to manage feelings and ideas. In a school setting, children learn to master themselves and the world around them, learning respect for each other and the adults who care for them.

Our goal is to provide young children with an environment that is rich in materials and ideas. With that, children have the opportunity to initiate their own learning. This approach respects children's ability to learn at their own rate of development and gives them the freedom to explore. Developing good social skills and learning in a group setting is the best readiness for kindergarden.

Our talented directors and teachers plan monthly calendars and newsletters to create an innovative and exciting program. Special celebrations include: Mothers' and Fathers' Day Breakfast, Family picnics, Guest speakers, Holiday Programs, Child of the Week and birthdays. Parental participation is always welcome.

Our teachers are the most important aspect of who we are. Because of their dedication to early childhood education, our children are respected, nurtured and challenged. Our teachers are selected for their experience, education and commitment to young children - a sense of humor is essential! We look for different talents and experiences in each teacher to ensure a varied and stimulating program.

As your extended family, our teaching staff works diligently to communicate effectively and continuously with you.

Admission is available year round as class openings permit. Our schools offer a morning, mid-day and full day program. We work together with you to design a program that is flexible and, whenever possible, will meet your individual needs.

Being there for working families means being available to them. Therefore, we are open year round, closing only for the major holidays.

All of our schools offer a toddler program catering to the special need of the very young child. Children entering our toddler program do not need to be potty trained; our teachers will work along with you to train your child.

Children are welcome without regard to race, color, creed, national or ethnic background. To arrange a tour of our school, please call to make an appointment.