333 Dolores Street
San Francisco, CA
CONTACT US 24/7
San Francisco's Premier Preschool for Your Growing Child
Inquiry-driven learning, expert teachers, and a nurturing community.
Learn More About Preschool at CDS
Discover a School Where Joy, Justice, and Academic Excellence Thrive Together
Welcome to Children’s Day School , A Progressive K–8 & Preschool in the Heart of San Francisco
Learn More About CDS
San Francisco's Premier Preschool for Your Growing Child
Inquiry-driven learning, expert teachers, and a nurturing community.
Learn More About Preschool at CDS
What Makes Our Preschool Different
Expert Teachers, Lasting Relationships
20+ years average teaching experience
With an 8:1 student-teacher ratio and three teachers per classroom, your child gets the attention they deserve from educators who truly understand child development. Our preschool teachers average 21 years of experience in early childhood education and 15 years teaching preschool at CDS. The experience, professionalism, and dedication of our preschool teachers make our program truly unique!
A Space Purposefully Designed for Little Ones
Classrooms crafted to support curiosity
Our new Early Childhood Center, aka the Treehouse, was designed specifically for how preschoolers learn. From our rooftop playground with the city's biggest sandbox to indoor and outdoor space for multiple learning areas, every detail was created for curious 3-5-year-olds to explore in a safe, secure environment in the heart of the city. Plus, they'll feed chickens and visit our sheep in the Farm & Garden right outside their classrooms!
Real Learning Through Play
Inquiry projects that follow your child's interests
When preschoolers wondered about wheels and how things go, they spent weeks building ramps, testing angles, and creating stop-motion animations. At CDS, preschoolers learn to explore their world, think critically, test ideas, and solve problems creatively. They’re making sense of the world in meaningful and memorable ways, developing a genuine love of learning.
Full Day, No Added Cost
8am-6pm included for all preschoolers
No scrambling for aftercare. No extra fees for staying past 3 pm. Just one consistent, enriching program from morning drop-off to evening pickup. The school day ends at 2:15 pm, and then preschoolers have a special after-school program with dedicated preschool staff. Your child gets stability, you get peace of mind, and it’s all included in tuition.
Your Village for 11 Years
The longest relationship you'll have with a school
Join in preschool, graduate in 8th grade. That's 11 years of families growing together, teachers who watch your child bloom from sandbox to student leadership, and a support network that knows your family well. From your child's earliest days in preschool, you gain not only a trusted partner in parenting through our expert teachers and dedicated staff, but also a circle of families who share your values and are invested in growing together.
Preschool Today, Ready for Tomorrow
Competency-based curriculum that builds key skills starting at age 3
From their earliest years, CDS students learn to investigate with curiosity, navigate conflict with compassion, and engage meaningfully with their community. These skills, part of our unique curriculum that nurtures nine key competencies, are developed and nurtured as they grow, connecting their learning from age 3 through grade 8.
What others are saying
"Our family has been part of the CDS community since our children were in preschool. We have two very different children who learn in really different ways, and we've been so impressed with how well their teachers have supported and nurtured their growth. We have really loved and appreciated the families and friendships we've made at the school, and feel incredibly supported by administration."
- Current Parent
"Being a student at Children's Day School in San Francisco has been incredible for our son. We started in preschool, and from day one, he has been very supported by a strong academic curriculum, an excellent community of teachers and administrators, and all in a beautiful environment (a farm AND garden onsite) right in the heart of the Mission. The school truly lives out its mission and values. The focus on progressive education, diversity, and social justice is reiterated in the curriculum, events, groups, and the larger school community. Our son is thriving, loves his school, and loves to learn. We feel so fortunate to be a part of it all!"
- Current Parent
“Children’s Day School is a truly special place, where children thrive while learning in an incredibly supportive environment. They have found the magic of combining an inclusive community, supportive social/emotional learning, and strong, challenging academics. In addition, it is an oasis of beauty, calm, and nature in the center of a vibrant city. Watching our children grow and discover a true love of learning, while being challenged to be their best selves, has been an exceptional experience."
- Current Parent
Searching for the Right Preschool? Start Here
Personalized High School Counseling
At CDS, graduation is just the beginning.
Our students leave 8th grade not only academically prepared, but also confident, compassionate, and equipped to thrive in any high school environment, public or private, large or small, progressive or traditional.
At CDS, we are proud of how our high school process celebrates each student’s individuality. By eighth grade, CDS students know themselves deeply and are able to advocate for their needs and interests. Students take an active role in identifying schools, applying, and making choices, with a strong support system behind them.
High Schools our students attended in the past 5 years.
Only at CDS
Farm & Garden
CDS students are grounded in the natural world and working toward a more sustainable future, inspired by life-changing experiences in our on-campus Farm and Garden. In their early years, students learn to care for the plants and animals that live on our campus, discovering the science behind how things grow and what animals need.
Outdoor Education
Every fall, middle schoolers embark on an outdoor adventure to Pinnacles, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, or somewhere similar. Steeped in the values of risk-taking and courage, students navigate challenges with resilience and integrity during our trips, fostering a sense of responsibility towards each other and connection to the natural world.
Tinkering & Making
Starting in preschool, students use the design process to make and test ideas. With dedicated tinkering and arts areas in preschool classrooms, a special kindergarten and Lower School makers’ Hub, and Innovation Lab in the middle school, CDS students have opportunities to use physical and digital tools to bring their ideas to life, both in classroom collaborations and during their free time.
