South of Market Child Care, Inc. (SOMACC)

Our family has had a wonderful experience with SOMACC, where both of our daughters are currently attending. As our older daughter gets ready to move on to the next chapter of her life, the teachers and staff at Transbay have been incredibly supportive, working closely with us to prepare her for kindergarten. The thoughtful guidance, enriching programs, and strong sense of community have made this journey unforgettable. We are so grateful for the care and dedication SOMACC has provided to our family!

Somacc is a great organization that provides a wonderful environment for our children to grow in. The staff, the physical environment and the approach synergisticly create optimal conditions for growth and community.

Our daughter was so lucky to join SOMACC at their Transbay center in August, 2024. The teachers there are caring and working so hard on helping her adjust to the new environment. We can see that our daughter has grown so much in this past 4 months. She came home sharing so many interesting things that happened at school, and singing all the songs learned from school. She also said that she loves all of her teachers!

Thank you for all your hard works!

We continue to be amazed at the quality of education and the detail that goes into every classroom at SOMACC. Both of our children have developed so much under the guidance of SOMACC's wonderful teachers and staff, who dedicate wholly to making sure each and every child is growing. The community programs and resources available to us all are icing on the cake of such a special and nurturing learning environment.

Somacc has been an exceptional experience for our children. We deeply appreciate the dedication and passion of the teachers, and the strong sense of community within the school. Our children are thriving in this supportive environment.

As a former SOMACC parent and now a grandparent, I’ve seen firsthand how much this school makes a difference. When my kid attended, the teachers were caring, and the environment felt like a second home. He is not only learned but grew as individuals.

Now, with my grandchildren here, I see the same love and dedication. SOMACC provides a safe, supportive space where kids can thrive. I’m so grateful for everything this school has done for my family and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great start for their children.

I can go on and on about how wonderful SOMACC is. They are truly our family! My son Gauge had the best experience going there. He is now in kindergarten and thriving! SOMACC had a HUGE hand in this transition for him and I can’t thank them enough. He still asks about his teachers and classmates. They will always hold a special place in our hearts! Thank you for all you did and continue doing for our children!

SOMACC is incredible, the staff know our whole family by name and our son loves coming to school each day.

SOMACC is such a safe haven for families in San Francisco. They provide resources above and beyond daily child care. They have a dedicated staff and team that always have a smile on!

This was definitely a love at first sight situation, and we are still so happy and grateful every single day! Every interaction at SOMACC is a joy for us and our daughter, and we love seeing the daily app updates of all the fun activities her classroom hosts: pumpkin painting, enjoying new foods, infant drawing class, book-mobile & too much else to name. The pictures/videos are so appreciated (some are SO funny) and really help us feel involved in her learning & growth. Thank you to everyone at SOMACC for your time, kindness & compassion!

I can't say enough about this place, it's truly the best thing that has happened to our family.
My 2 kids had the opportunity to be here and they have been so happy

It's not only a beautiful place full of love and support for kids but also a place that is constantly helping us parents, to have the right tools to educate while also offering a great community involvement.
Every kid deserves being at this beautiful place

We and our child have had an wonderful experience with SOMACC for almost one and a half year now. When it comes to educating young minds, SOMACC really gets it right. The teachers in our kid's class puts a lot of effort into designing a curriculum that helps our child grow by leaps, make beautiful relationships with their friends and teachers, and transforms into the best version of themselves. I wish SOMACC the best of luck in their journey into expanding young education to the community, and would love to help them any way we can to become the greatest non profit around.

My daughter has been attending SOMACC since she was 4 months and is now almost 2. She has grown so much under the care and love of the staff there. The teachers are amazing and work so hard in helping the children and making engaging curriculums. The children have both indoor and outdoor environments that caters to their development and interests. They have special programs such as music classes and going on fields trips to the bookmobile, children’s museum, and even Bay Area Discovery Museum!

It’s not easy to take care of little ones, but the teachers make it seems like a piece of cake. As the saying goes “it takes a village to raise a child” and Somacc has become our village.

SOMACC is great. I absolutely love the teachers and the community. I am extremely grateful for the amazing support system my family has with the SOMACC community. Thank you for all you do.

My 3 boys went to SOMACC -YBG. They really had a very good memories of their friends and teachers. Thank you.

My daughter Aaliyah has been at the south of market childcare for almost a year now and when my husband and I was looking for a childcare we couldn’t find one that would help us financially and very good for our daughter. But luckily my mother in law works there and helped us find this childcare. It has had a wonderful impact on my daughter so much. I can really tell she has learned a lot everyday she goes. She scared of going because she hasn’t left from me a whole day until she went there but everyday she has went there, she has had fun and doesn’t say by to me no more because she has so much fun. I definitely recommend taking your child there and my son will be the next child of mine to be going.

All three of my children went to this daycare and absolutely loved it! I highly recommend

Both of our kids have been in SOMAC and we love the school. It's very diverse, the teachers and staff are friendly, kind, knowledgeable, and our kids have a lot of fun while also learning good habits and values. The school also organizes a lot of activities / outreach that makes it a fun and inclusive community - for example, the fall festival is a week long, the spring festival is open to all members of the public and has latin and lion dances, free games, books, etc. The school also has a lot of extra services (e.g. music lessons, art classes) and the kids really enjoy that

The best pre-school in sf, love how the teachers care for the kids.

Our daughter absolutely loves the care provided here. She is happy and excited to go to daycare. The staff go above and beyond to really to take care of her and create engaging activities for the children. I love the photos we get so we know what is going on during the day. The teachers and staff are all very open and welcoming, we love sending our daughter here.

SOMACC is such a gem! Compared to other commercial daycare centers which charge much more $$$, SOMACC provides better care, has better facility (the YBG campus is gorgeous with lots of outdoor space), and has a truly loving community. We are very lucky to be part of the community and both of our kids made some of their best friends there.

We feel very happy dropping our kid off every morning at SOMACC - it is such a warm and friendly environment and she is thriving there. The teachers in the caterpillar classroom go out of their way to organize fun activities and keep the children entertained and engaged. We love the weekly updates full of photos and stories.

The open door policy just came back and it's been amazing being able to spent a little time in the classroom.

I have been sending my 2 kids for the past 2 years and the quality of the education and love from teachers and staff in what they do, is unbeatable. Best place I could wish for this year's if early education

In a blink of an eye, my daughter has gone through 4 classes: Catepillar, LadyBug, BumbleBee, Butterfly at SOMACC. As she is growing into a witty and smiley lady, we felt indebted to the extraordinary efforts of all SOMACC staff, including the teachers, principal, admins, maintenance staff, etc. They remembered every single kid's name and their personality even though it is a big daycare center with many classes. This is truly the home away from home for my kid. She loves coming here.

Our child has been going to the SOMACC for about ~3 months now, and we couldn't be happier with them. The school is, in our experience, miles ahead of peers in terms of both the quality of learning and empathy to the child, and coordinating with parents. In a short time, we have noticed a significant amount of growth in our child. They have aced potty training, their use of the English language has grown quite a bit, and they have made meaningful relationships with other kids in the school. Their approach to behavior issues is also extremely emphatic to the kid, they know the issues expected at the age, and they handle those issues in a most friendly and calm manner, while coordinating with parents closely on what happened and how to take it forward. The school also keeps parents in the loop constantly, organize events with parents to make them part of community and share regular updates. The effort to keep the parents updated is exemplary. I wish the best for the school.

SOMACC is a great place for kids! Our daughter loves the teachers and she loves her new friends. Great place to prepare for kindergarten.

I am happy with the treatment and care that my son resides, since I registered him to somacc my son has developed many skills.

Somacc has helped my family in may more ways that just teaching and carrying for my only child. All of the programs available through the family resource center are astonishing. The teachers and staff are the only people I trust with my loved one. The environment is welcoming and vibrant. Love this place.

Our daughter had a very hard time adjusting to new environments but loves it here she loves all her peers and even has best friends she loves her teachers and I know they love and appreciate her she is always welcomed with a warm hug and good morning from them. We have been here for a year and we appreciate and love it so much thank you so much for being part of our daughters life ������

As we look back on my child's three years at SOMACC Yerba Buena, we know that we made the right choice and would do it again. Our child is a confident, curious, social person whose personality and abilities have been nurtured at YBC. All three SOMACC sites have the same great administrative staff whom could not make parents lives easier. When asked what he would write about SOMACC, my child said "They have really great teachers. They bring us on fun trips like the merry go round. Unlike other schools my friends go to where you have to bring your own food, they have delicious meals for us and tasty snacks like empanadas. I wish I could stay at school all the time though I like being at home too." So while he is excited to go to kindergarten, he still wishes his friends could come with him or that SOMACC went all the way up to university. Lastly, the community of parents is strong and diverse in every way. The parents committee is led by the most wonderful parents and great parents participate in school activities throughout the year. Because the school is well designed and hidden away, most people would never know it was there, if not for the happy children staying after school to play on the steps during pickup time or the kids happily waving bye out the windows as their parents leave in the morning. SOMACC, you're the best. Thank you for everything.

I thank my lucky stars EVERY SINGLE DAY that my two children have the opportunity to learn and explore at this amazing school with the most dedicated, loving, patient, and creative teachers I have ever met. The sense of relief I have knowing that the most precious humans in the world (my children) are receiving outstanding care and instruction all day while I'm away is beyond priceless. Thank you, SOMACC, for everything you do!!!

Both of my sons started in SOMACC's infant program at 3 months old. My oldest is now in Kindergarten and his brother is in pre-school at SOMACC. You can't overstate the profound affects that SOMACC has on the children during these crucial developmental years. The program foster creativity and exceptional development every step of the way. My Kindergartner is thriving and it's all because of the preparation, care, and love from SOMACC. We couldn't be more grateful to have found this place.

We have our preschooler and baby enrolled here and couldn’t be happier with the community. So happy that when we decided to keep them both enrolled after moving to the east bay. The longer commute is a small sacrifice for enrichment, love and support we get from Somacc each and every day. With our preschooler, we are so thrilled with how much she is learning-from literacy to health and safety. She will definitely be ready for kindergarten when she graduates. And with our 10 month old, he lights up every morning when we drop off.

Truly somacc has been one of the best parts of raising young kids

An exceptional child care facility focused on allowing each child to flourish and thrive. Their facilities and teachers are top-notch, their pricing and long days are supportive or working parents, affording our child growth, exposure and diversity that he wouldn't find elsewhere. We are so pleased to be a part of the SOMACC community :)

My son has been going to SOMACC for 9 months now. He loves his teachers and learns new things everyday. Amazed at the range of activities the children partake.

My 28 months old daughter has been enrolled in SOMAC and she loves the school and the teachers. The most surprisingly, she shows more growth in her abilities more than I expected before her entering the school. I would highly recommend SOMAC.

My daughter goes to preschool at SOMACC - Yerba Buena Gardens and she is so incredibly happy there. What is amazing about SOMACC is that they take care of the entire family's well being. The teachers and staff at SOMACC are so warm and caring in all our interactions. 10/10, highly recommend.

My son has been at SOMACC for 1.5 years and we are very fortunate to be a part of the SOMACC community. The teachers and so kind and truly care for the kids. My son loves going here. They have a wonderful environment for learning. They also provide healthy and nutritious meals everyday. They provide all kinds of support to the SOMACC families in need. I am grateful to each and every person here for taking such good care of my son, loving him and providing the foundation for him to grow up to be a good and kind person.

Yo como madre de familia de dos hijos Mellizos estoy súper feliz con este hermoso daycare SOMACC YBG  desde que ingresaron a los 8 meses al salón de gusanito, el carisma, Profesionalismo, respeto, toda las actividades que a diario realizaban con los niños. mi gran admiración.... mis niños de 4 años continúan sus estudios en otra aula con otras profesoras tienen un aprendizaje, desenvolvimiento. Seguridad personal, capacidad de hacer sus cosas ellos solos, hablan español, inglés perfectamente, sociables con sus amigos, padres de familia, profesoras, todo el personal de SOMACC YBG. Tan lindos, yo como mamá me senti desde el primer dia que entre a SOMACC YBG , una Seguridad total al dejar a mis dos bellos hijos estudiando, desenvolviendose dia a dia ... ya tenia recomendaciones de esta institución por mi cuñada, mis dos sobrinos estudiaron aqui en SOMACC YBG, estamos súper felices de pertenecer a este gran equipo familiar, administrativo, profesoras, limpieza, personal de recepción, padres de familia y todos los estudiantes..... lo recomiendo 100%%% y ojos cerrados, que sus hijos se sentiran como en casa y aprenderán muchísimo ������������������������ gracias a Dios habia vacantes para mis hijos mellizos....
Felicitaciones y bendiciones para cada uno de ustedes SOMACC YBG 

Not only the best teachers and program, but all the projects and environment is truly perfect.
You can see how loved children feel and all the support and resources for family it's outstanding. Great community.

Two kids and 9+ years later, we are still so grateful for SOMACC. We loved it so much that even after moving to the Glen Park area we commuted in. There were several other families who did a similar commute as well. Although it’s in the heart of SF, the school is peaceful and the children benefit from plenty of outdoor time because it’s on the roof. And yes! There are grassy areas and play structures to enjoy. Teachers are very kind and truly care for the children. Healthy meals and snacks are provided. The senior preschool class spends a lot of time writing letters, talking about kindergarten, sitting quietly on the mat and exploring their environment. It’s an all-year preschool which was fantastic…. We also experienced SOMACC during the height of the pandemic and I was very pleased with their response. With two younglings and aging parents we take safety protocols seriously and SOMACC did great. I wish SFUSD had followed their model!

Hello,

My name is Melissa and I am very thankful and blessed to have the opportunity to have both of my kids at somacc. My now 5 year old was the first to start at somacc at 4 years old and entered into preschool in the dragonfly class and graduated in 2021. The love, support and care that he received was unreal. My son loved going to school everyday and loved his teachers. Now my 14 month old is also at somacc and is also super happy at somacc she quickly smiles when she sees her teacher and happily reaches her arms to her. I’m super thankful to have my children in this school and would strongly recommend it to everyone.

We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to send our two children to SOMACC YBG. Our family has been at the school for five years, and the experience has been truly wonderful. The teachers and staff are loving skilled. Everything about the school is designed to support the children of working families from a wide variety of backgrounds. From the airy urban oasis of a campus, to the full-time schedule, to dental checks, to services in many languages, SOMACC walks the walk. I have worked in nonprofits and in education my entire career and have never encountered an organization that so embodies the best of what our diverse society and community could be. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to be part of the wonderful school.

My daughter started attending SOMACC YBG when she turned three and grateful that YBG had an opening for us. All of the teachers, administration and staff are warm, welcoming and absolutely great at what they do. SOMACC's re-opening procedures during the pandemic were well thought out and made drop off/pick up quite easy. Kudos to my daughter's Teachers Beth, Jenny, Lady and wonderful group of classmates. My daughter has learned and matured tremendously from the curated weekly curriculums, catering of the child's interests, engaging peer activities, thoughtfully weaving in current events and lastly, my daughter's favorite day which is when she can be the class leader. There have been numerous times when my family has been amazed by SOMACC such as her 1st on stage performance, field trip to BADM, virtual COVID birthday party, PAC involvement and the school spirit. SOMACC YBG will forever be a special place for our family.

This is a wonderful child-care center! My four-year-old is always eager to get to the center in the morning and many times, he argues, I should just pick him up as late as possible! The teachers are caring, the activities are engaging, more directed towards STEM. Every day, when I read the newsletter, I feel very happy since it seems the kids are always engaged with activities that I would have been happily been engaged in myself when I was a kid (or even now). My son thinks his teacher is his best friend and she is always part of his pretend-play at home as a special character. I don't think I could have asked for more.

We loved our time at YBG. We sent our son to a preschool classroom. The child-led pedagogical approach, caring staff, experienced and confident teachers, diverse and invested community and great kids made our experience so wonderful.

This was by far the best school that my son has attended. The teachers are real teachers. It feels like a school not a wild day are center. They are very at gauzes, super polite, and excellent with the kids. Not once did anyone call me during the middle of the day to complain about my child’s behavior. So often at the other preschools and daycares they seem to do this, it’s very disruptive. If we didn’t leave San Francisco I would still have my kids enrolled there. Thank you for being so amazing somacc!

SOMACC is a little oasis for children in the middle of San Francisco. The teachers and staff have so much respect for children, and they show it not only in their daily interactions but in the decisions they make as an organization. The facilities support a truly diverse community, and from my own experience I can say that my son gained a love of school, teachers, and community through his time as a preschooler at SOMACC.

Very good preschool and friendly stuff and teachers. Thank you for your outstanding service.

SOMACC has been taking the best care of my 5 month old daughter! Whenever dropping her off or picking her up, you can tell the staff really cares about all the kids that go there. There is never a day that they don’t do educational and enriching activities with the kids. It is truly a pleasure to send my daughter to the carers at SOMACC.

Our child has been going to pre-school here for over a year now. It's a wonderful place with amazing teachers and a strong parent community.

Both of my grandchildren attend SOMACC and I can’t give the school anything but rave reviews. The quality of educational opportunities as well as the positive social development they continue to receive is exceptional. As an educator, I continue to be impressed with how the teachers assist with discovery and are supportive of creative learning. What a wonderful nurturing environment. I have witnessed my grandchildren become independent, confident, creative and equipped to navigate the challenges they face today.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, my son's preschool held "movie day." They screened the film on Zoom, so that no one would have to pay to rent it from Amazon... and they sent each and every family popcorn and sweets, so that every single kid at the childcare center, without exception, would be able to watch a movie with family and eat snacks.

This care and thoughtfulness is emblematic of the marvel that is SOMACC. The administrators and teachers don't talk empty talk: they do real good in the real world, quietly and humbly, in transformative and amazing ways. They tuck into one of the rooms basic food supplies for all the families. They look out for the kids who are in foster care. They spent several lockdown months coming up with inventive online programming for families. They have gone out of their way to reopen in a safe, sensible, sanitized way, and accustomed the children to good hygiene protocols so that they could continue learning and playing with their friends. And when the San Francisco sky turned frighteningly orange, they threw a rave party for the kids with flashlights and lightsticks, so that they would play and not be afraid.

We are very grateful, every day, to have SOMACC in our lives, and for the first-rate education our son receives there. It is so remarkable, in a city so rife with inequalities and imbalances, to have a place dedicated to provide everyone, of all economic abilities, with such a fantastic start to life. Our association with SOMACC is a source of immense joy and pride for all of us, especially for our son, who loves going to his preschool in the morning.

All the staff is great at SOMACC. They take great care of our little ones. Everyone is very profesional, and my daughter and I love the place.

I am an extended family caregiver for 2 children enrolled at SOMACC. I consistently see attentive and caring teachers in every classroom, who give personal attention to each child. Their focus is on honoring the unique person each child is and providing enriching and diverse educational and social experiences. They welcome all members of the child’s family and support network into the school.

My second child is currently attending the school and loves it. My first one is a former student and loves to come back and visit the teachers and old friends. The staff is loving and caring; the teachers are very open and respectful to different cultures. They have music, dance and drama classes for the children. It’s a wonderful place.

SOMACC has been an incredible support system for our family! Everyone has helped us feel cared for and supported as we have navigated parenthood. The family resource center is great and the school is incredible

I am very thankful that my twin girls are accepted to the SOMACC-JB . They love going to school with so much learning and activities everyday. They love their teachers so much and their teachers love and treat them like their own. We, as a family also has access to all the resources, food distribution, case management. I love everything about SOMACC-JB.

Outstanding program led by teachers who truly care about the kids. Also a great sense of community among parents.

SOMACC has been a great place for my daughter to grow and thrive. It's a welcoming community for San Francisco parents with caring teachers who are excited to see the kids every morning. The events and field trips are a big hit and the social growth we've seen in our child has been tremendous in a short amount of time

My son has been going to SOMACC for over a year, and this place has truly helped him thrive. The quality, love and attention they devote to all their programs—from their attention to social skills development to their carefully curated toys and environment that foster curiosity and a sense of exploration—is truly top notch. The wholesome education my kid has received here has helped him blossom and become more independent and confident. The teachers are loving, attentive and respectful of the children’s unique needs. Everyone from the director to the cleaning staff are incredibly warm, helpful and dedicated to seeing the children thrive. My son loves this place, and so do I. It’s honestly a joy to walk in here everyday.

SOMACC is a truly unique and wonderful school and child care facility. Our son started going to the Yerba Buena Gardens center this year. Every single person who works there is with the children. Not just the teachers; every single person. The teachers do a great job of balancing giving the kids love and care with giving them the freedom to learn and grow. They put a lot of thought into everything they do there, from what to feed the children to how to decorate the room, to how to ensure every individual child's needs are met. They are simply excellent in every way.

My daughter started at the YBG location 2 months ago and already I'm amazed with the school. They only onboard a few kids at a time so they can dedicate their attention to gaining the trust of my LO. She is normally so hard to warm up to people and now she not only quotes the teachers, but also tries to dress "like Teacher Winnie". Everyone at that facility is amazing. My daughter insists on saying "Hasta manana" to the custodian whenever she sees him. She is definitely thriving there.

My son started Somacc Judith Baker for preschool and he's been thriving. He loves his teachers and his friends, and looks forward to going to school. His teachers are attentive and caring, and Dianne the site manager is an amazing and warm person.

Wonderful preschool! We are very pleased with the teachers, staff and nurturing environment. Happy to enroll our daughter at SOMACC.

Our (now) 4yo son started going to SOMACC a year ago. After trying 2 other local child care orgs prior to SOMACC, it's been entirely clear that SOMACC's curriculum promoted a 'learning is fun' mentality and our son has seen improvement in his willingness to learn and social interactions. We highly recommend SOMACC for any families looking to take a new approach to teaching their kids.

I am so so happy with SOMACC, can't say enough of the teachers and education given. There is so much love in every single detail, my daughter is so happy here, a very nurturing environment, full of imagination, games, art and music. I trully believe is the best place for a kid.

SOMACC creates community in a city like San Francisco among diverse families. The Judith Baker director, Dianne Alvarado, on Natoma St. is amazing. She goes above and beyond on what is needed create a safe and friendly environment for the families.

JBC has been and continues to be an amazing asset in our lives! Both of my girls can’t wait to go to Judith baker in the morning! The teacher are amazing and have so much love and knowledge to share with each and every kiddo! Judith Baker is truly amazing and god sent!!!!

Our kid is happy in this place! He attends 1+ year already and we see the great progress! He likes to come back and all teachers!

Thank you!

Gordei's family :)

We recently moved to the area and somehow we were lucky enough to get a coveted spot for my son at SOMACC. I cannot tell you how thankful and grateful we are that my son was able to get into this school. The teachers, classrooms and the staff are all wonderful. My son is exposed to so many different things and experiences -- they even went on a field trip the first month he was here! Excellent program, teachers and staff. I highly recommend this school!

I am so happy we enrolled our 3 yo in preschool here! The teachers are warm, engaging, and creative. The reggio emilia approach is a great fit for our kid. One of our main priorities is to nurture her social emotional intelligence and curiosity. The kids get to do so many wonderful activities and they get additional enrichment classes like music, soccer, and drama. There's diversity with the staff and families, which is important to us. My kiddo has thrived here and we can't wait to see her grow even more in the next couple of years.

My son loves going to SOMACC. So many events and classes are held frequently.
The staff are flexible and communicative. We know what he did through the day including menu of breakfast and lunch.
The class blog is a very nice as well. It's a blog for the class activities and pens for only family of the class. I always enjoy seeing pictures of my son and his classmates learning music, soccer, dramas, various things introduced to the class!

My children have been lucky enough to attend YGB during their formative years. I see how happy and confident they are in school. Their teachers are so loving and attuned to creating an environment safe for exploration and learning. We will always be grateful to SOMACC for its amazing work!

My daughter has attending somacc for a year. I can honestly say so has learned so much. And seems to amaze me more everyday. The staff is friendly, cheerful and is so patience with the children.

My three year old started at SOMACC this September 2018 and she is already an integral part of her class, has many friends, brings home fun artwork and absolutely loves her teachers. She wants to bring all her princess dresses to show her teachers and often talks about them and recalls various activities they did together. I love getting weekly blog posts with photos of kids in the classroom and stories behind these pictures. I also like that parents are encouraged to be involved with various activities and volunteering opportunities, and I enjoy helping out with these.

Amazing team! Very appreciated with how they caring our kids

Providing healthy food, offering creative activities everyday, enough staff and teachers, reasonable tuition, pleasant to parents, good facilities, outdoor playground. It is an ideal preschool!

My three grandchildren all attended SOMACC from infant to pre-K, and now as successful teenagers, I am certain that their foundation as loving, trusting, confident children nurtured at SOMACC was crucial. The teachers and administrators are very special, giving each child individual attention, and creating an inclusive and nurturing family. After all these years, I ran into one of the teachers at the store, and was greeted with big smiles and hugs. It was a privilege to serve on the Board of this wonderful school.

SOMACC is an amazing program! The teaching staff is top notch. My daughter has thrived on the Reggio inspired program. The child driven teaching, play and ability to experiment has enriched my daughter life so very much. I cherish the relationships I have built with the entire staff and families. Zoe stared when she was 8 months old in the infant room, now a very active preschooler. I have never had to worry about her at school, in fact the complete opposite. I feel thankful for being a part of this SOMACC family and know being there only adds to her developing brain and body. The teachers, admin staff and family resource center staff have always been a wealth of knowledge and displayed complete professionalism. I highly recommend all SOMACC programs.

My 3 year old has been at SOMACC since she was 4 months old, and my 4 month old is just starting. Since the moment we stepped foot in SOMACC (which is a children's oasis in the middle of busy San Francisco), we have been in love! Leaving a child in someone else's care is scary. From day zero, we were welcomed in with loving and competent arms. SOMACC's culture puts children first and at the center of everything they do. Each child is respected, nurtured, and loved beyond measure. The staff get to know all of the children and families. I've never had a doubtful moment since initial enrollment. In addition to the focus on child development, the center is SOOOO clean and SOOOO fun. They are thoughtful about investing in the environment and engage families along the way. We are so grateful that this place exists for our girls, their friends, and the families.

My daughter has been at SOMACC since she was 2 years old. They are the most communicative, caring, fun, dedicated to children place that you could send your child too. I LOVE them and highly recommend them to any parent.

What I love the most about SOMACC is the dedication of the teachers and staff. My daughter is in the Dragonfly class and is thriving and learning so much. She loves her teachers! This center is committed to providing high quality care and education. They value the importance of professional development for the staff, and support them in their studies of the Reggio Emilia approach and the RIE philosophy. Their Family Resource Center is truly a blessing in the community and has helped so many families.

One of the best "modern style" schools for small children, in the Bay area. We are proud to have our daughter in this program, and she loves it there!

The many things I love about SOMACC:
The teachers genuininely care about all students. All SOMACC staff know the children and it truly feels like a community. The building and outdoor play areas are scaled for small children. Unlike most early childhood care, SOMACC provides care so that two parents can actually work full-time - hours are good and there aren't months of break in a given year. The school is already awesome, yet they continue to make improvements based on what they think would better serve the school community. Everyone is warm and inviting.

Great child care center that feels more like a play-based school with very intelligent, caring teachers. They work hard to create a community between classrooms and the parents, and also take great advantage of the wider community in the SOMA area and field trips further away. One thing I particularly appreciate is how often the kids go back and forth between inside and outside during the day, its much more fluid than others daycares concept of "an hour or two of scheduled outside time". The tuition is very fair given the quality of this center, and the fact that they provide all meals. I in fact found it slightly less expensive than the other preschools we considered, and we pay full price. While I have not participated, I also like supporting a Center that is so supportive of families in the SOMA area who have fewer resources or otherwise need assistance.

Our 4 yr old son has been going to SOMACC for the last 3 years and is currently in the Butterfly classroom. We are extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful resource so close. The staff have built a great program and genuinely care about the children.

Our son attends this childcare and it has been an incredible experience. The teachers not only just care but they are invested in his future. They work on emotional and behavioral health which is very important to us as a family. The teachers are also supportive of the parents and help us to better teach and grow our child. We’ve been beyond thrilled to have our son grow in this facility. The families who attend are very friendly and supportive of one another and we find that the most exciting. It feels like a true community that we all can depend on each other and are invested in each other.

Our family LOVES YBCDC/SOMACC. It's very important for us that our child is surrounded by teachers whom we can trust and feel that there's a real partnership in raising her. All the teachers that our daughter has had from Ladybug to Bumblebee are all very thoughtful, caring, understanding, and loving towards all the children. We've seen so much growth in our child- socially, emotionally and academically. We love that our daughter can express her emotions and name her emotions at the age of three! Additionally, we are a bilingual family and it helps that some teachers can help us harness that important aspect of our child's life. YBCDC/SOMACC also cares about the parents! SOMACC provides culturally competent and comprehensive services for families who are looking for additional resources (community activities, housing, parent support, etc). I would highly recommend SOMACC to any family, and please consider making an appointment to talk to them about their program. Thank you to ALL the staff and teachers of SOMACC!

Yerba Buena Gardens Child Development Center is a treasure. Surrounded by skyscrapers and the bustle of downtown San Francisco on the outside, it is cozy and welcoming on the inside. From the first time we visited the school, we knew we wanted to send our children there. After some time on wait list, we were overjoyed to find out there was a spot for our daughter. We came in with high expectations, and they have been met and exceeded. YBG just works. Our daughter loves it, and when we think about her during the work day, we know she's happy and well cared for.

South of Market Child Care, Inc. has provided the best social, emotional, and developmental environment I could imagine for my son. He absolutely loves coming to school for his friendships and bonds with the staff. This school is certainly his home away from home and I couldn't speak higher of any child development Agency. The emphasis on my child's development has made me one happy mommy. We appreciate the teachers so very much! Their dedication and genuine care for the children make this school special! Anyone lucky enough to be a part of this community knows what I am talking about. Thank you SOMACC for giving my son the best opportunity to learn and grow!

We are so happy to be part of the SOMACC family. The quality of care and level of learning for my child over the last year has been amazing. Creativity, art, imagination, and play are values that I can know with confidence are being taught.

SOMACC is much more than a school, it's a family and we are so lucky to be part of the SOMACC family. The teachers are incredibly loving and talented making each child feel special. The community is warm and welcoming. Our daughter has been going there for 2 years and started at 3 month. She has grown up in the school yard and we couldn't be happier.

As a parent of this community, i can confidentially state South of Market Child Care, Inc. (SOMACC) exceeds expectations! SOMACC provides a safe and nurturing quality program and environment for my infant to learn and grow. The well educated, experienced, and professional teachers provide wonderful care for my child. I can trust the time he spends at school is filled with enriched and stimulating activity, while also supporting his emotional needs. I am grateful to be a parent within this child development center and community.

My daughter has been going there since she was only three months old, she loves her teachers. Everybody from the administration to the teaching staff is loving, friendly, caring and provide the best care for children. They have adopted the best known child development philosophies (RIE and Reggioe Emilia philosophies) to provide a natural, friendly, and a great developmental environment for the children. We love SOMACC!

My 4 year old son started here 2 months ago & from the first meeting with the staff before we officially enrolled I was at ease. The facility is wonderfully well kept up (both in / out door space for the children) & most importantly you can instantly tell how the mgmt team / teachers are warm, caring and kind. I couldn't have been more comfortable leaving my little one to their care while my husband & I are at work. By the end of the first week of transition my son was already asking us if he could go back to preschool the next day!!

We are very happy with the attentive and loving care that SOMACC offers. Our daughter has been attending SOMACC since she was 4 months old. The teachers in the infant and toddler room are very experienced, knowledgeable, and patient. Our daughter loves going to SOMACC. We are well-informed of her daily routine, including mealtime, naps, indoor and outdoor activities, and so on. SOMACC offer excellent daycare service to families who live or work in SOMA neighborhood.

My granddaughter is in her third year at SOMACC. We are so very impressed with the teachers and program. She is safe, secure and oh so happy in this program. They provide a nonjudgmental environment to explore, learn and grow. She is so eager to learn and to share what she has learned with us so that we can also be knowledgeable. The teachers and program fosters critical thinking skills which is such an important tool for life long learning and exploration. They also help the children to identify their emotions and strategies for dealing with their various emotions. They celebrate each child's individuality and help the children to accept and work & play happily with their peers with diverse backgrounds. We wish every child could have these experiences! Thank you for all you do!

My daughter recently entered SOMACC and she seems to be enjoying it very much. She loves the teachers, they all seem to be very attentive and know Ella already. The school provides many fun activities such as baking, library book checkout/story reading time. soccer practice, drama, art, and music. Ella enjoys going to school and I wished we found this school earlier. Thank you SOMACC!

I could not be happier for my son to attend SOMACC. It meets all the criteria that you would look for in a good quality preschool. A genuinely caring and engaging early child establishment.

The teachers and staff at SOMACC are so incredibly warm and caring. My daughter loves going to school and talks about her teachers and classmates after she gets home. As a parent, leaving your child in another's care is one of the most difficult decisions to make, but everyone at SOMACC made it easy.

The teachers and staff at SOMACC strive to create a supportive, compassionate learning environment for the children. In addition to the attentive care the children receive, they foster a sense of community among the diverse set of families.

All three of our children have gone to this wonderful preschool. We love it. The teachers are outstanding -- dedicated, professional, caring, and supportive. We couldn't be happier about this diverse, warm, welcoming preschool. We are lucky to be part of the community!

We love SOMACC! The staff are friendly, helpful and you can tell they really care about the children in their care. My son doesn't want to leave every time I pick him up which I think is a good sign. He has learned so much while being in their care. We are so grateful!

SOMACC has wonderful staff that cares about the families they work with. Our son thrives with his teachers and I feel happy that he is in their care. He's only been in the infant and toddler classrooms and I can't wait to see how he thrives in the preschool.

Our daughter is entering her third and final year at SOMACC and it has been an amazing place to watch her grow and blossom from a toddler to a self-confident pre-kindergartener! I couLdnt think of a better place for her to learn in these crucial early years - SOMACC provides a ethnically, culturally and sociology-economically diverse play based Reggio inspired environment that is a microcosm of how all San Francisco schools SHOULD be. The teachers foster such a nurturing, loving and creative environment and take time out to share the children's with parents and extended family. This is truly is an amazing school!

I totally love this center. The teacher/student ratio is awesome. My son felt in love with this center from day one. The patio has a nice recreational area for the children to play around. This center has so much to offer for the growth and development of the child.

My little boy couldn't be happier. I couldn't be happier. I visited many preschools in San Francisco and none compare to Somacc. The activities are creative, the environment enchanting, and most of all, the team is outstanding. Many of the teachers and staff have been there over ten years. When they say it takes a village to raise a child, I go off to work each day confident that my son has his village. This non-profit far outperforms for-profit schools in the area.

Both our daughters have had the pleasure of attending SOMACC for 3 years each, with my youngest in her last year now. We have always been pleased to be part of the SOMACC family - all the teachers and staff are caring and helpful. They are always taking the time to share little tidbits and stories about how our children have done though the day and they meet with parents several times a year to discuss progress. The children are encourage to explore topics that interest them from their surroundings and they use those topics to teach all the other fundamentals. SOMACC really concentrates on the whole child - socially, emotionally and educationally.

Our son has been with SOMACC for almost 2 years and we couldn't be happier. Our 2nd will be starting in November soon, just as our oldest hits their pre-school.

Our family has had a wonderful experience as this great school. This is a real community experience with everyone working together to nurture and bring out the best in each child.

SOMACC does an amazing job of providing mentoring, support, and leadership in both the school community and the community at large. The children thrive there!!

Love South of Market Child Care! They are always so attentive and loving to the kids. My son enjoys being there and likes all the activities they have planned for their group. They are extremely organized and definitely keeps the parents in the loop with all their developments and daily activities. I would recommend this daycare to anyone. We feel so blessed to be part of this daycare!

We've been attending SOMACC for several years. It's a great school right in the heart of a bustling downtown. While you may think being downtown, there would be less opportunities, SOMACC conquers this by having a great outdoor space, frequent trips to the nearby carousel, playground, museums and gardens.

The teachers are loving and kind and my children always feel safe and welcome.

Our son has been attending the pre-school portion of the school for over a year now and he is as happy as can be. There are so many stimulating activities that the teachers incorporate daily and the center does a great job of bringing in outside specialists as well each week (drama as well as a music instructor), weekly walks to the carousel and surrounding gardens various field trips each year and so much more. The center itself is full of light, fresh air and sunny spaces for the children to grow and play and each room has a balcony as well. The staff cares genuinely about each child and his/her family and really works hard to make sure that every family is comfortable and part of the community. We really couldn't be happier sending our son to school each day and he will be sad to move on when he graduates next summer.

Our son has been attending SOMACC for the past 2 years and we continue to love the school. Thoughtful, patient, ever-adaptive teachers are such a great, positive part of our son's life. I love the focus on respect for the diversity of others, and the consistency with which the school's staff teaches good social skills. I have unabashedly recommended SOMACC to several other parents and will continue to do so! I feel truly privileged to be a part of the SOMACC family.

Wonderful, loving, and diverse school. Between two kids, we've been with SOMACC for more than four years. We switched preschools 3 times before finding the right place for our daughter, here. SOMACC is well-run, with caring teachers and a child-led curriculum that prepared our daughter well for kindergarten. One of my favorite things is how the school really makes each child feel like they belong to a community right from the first day they attend.

I love how the school makes its urban setting one of its greatest strengths. The preschool children visit the nearby carousel and explore Yerba Buena every week. They take field trips to the nearby museums (SF MOMA, the Contemporary Jewish Museum), and learn from the art installations all around them. We recently took public transportation to the Academy of Sciences for a field trip.

I think that SOMACC works hard to make sure that this is a great school for working parents. The hours are good, the school is year-round, and the teachers and staff are flexible and understanding. The FRC is an amazing resource for neighborhood parents.

We feel extremely lucky to be a part of SOMACC.

Our daughter has been a student and received care here since she was 9 months old. We feel that finding a home for her SomaCC has been among the best parenting decisions we've made! She is absolutely thriving under the loving care, creative activities, and thoughtful teaching that she receives at SomaCC. The team there does an incredible job, and we are very grateful for all they have done for our family.

words can never tell how much i appreciate the help we got from them in preparing our child for his education. Jared had been awesome from the kindergarten up to now... and i know i owe it the teachers of Somacc, who taught him his basics... we are working parents and as much as we wish to be there, in tutoring him, time is not our friend! Thank you so much Somacc for the wonderful job on getting my son ready for learning!

Nothing without joy! From circle time to nap time, the wonderful teachers plan unique learning experiences. The small ratios allow teachers to really get to know the students and families with whom they work. Its a great place for parents, children, and teachers to grow together!

This is a wonderful infant/toddler through preschool center. We have sent our two daughters here for the last three years and couldn't be more grateful for their quality care and instruction!

My daughter went graduated from here and now my 3yo goes here! Before my 5yo went here, she was shy and kept to herself but now she is very outgoing and lively! i am so impressed at how they prpared her for kinder, she is well above her reading level, great at math skills, etc. and very respectful to teachers, she is always a star student at kindergarten. a true testament of the hard work from SOMACC teachers and staff.

i love that they offer a lot of fun activities that children really learn from..they learn hands on science with tree frog treks to reading with the librarians!

SOMACC is an incredible non-profit that has impacted our family greatly. The attention our son receives and the diligence of the teachers is truly unmatched. I highly recommend SOMACC!

My son loves it here! The teachers and staff are wonderful, that class has a great mix of kids, and the facilities are in excellent condition. The kids really enjoy their time together, their teachers, and all the materials in the classroom. Very happy to have found this place, and plan to be there for another few years.

My Daughter Love has been attending SOMACC since she was 4 months old she is now 14 moths, and i have NOT 1 complain. The Facility itself is always clean and presentable, The Staff are always welcoming and pleasant, very friendly and helpful, The teachers are very knoledgeable about their jobs sincere and caring. This is an environment that I feel safe to bring my child in, I know that she is learning and in safe hands I feel more than appreciative of the care level they provide and each and everyone really go the extra mile for the kids. We are so bless to find an affordable daycare that never lacks in quality in care that also caters to Low Income families such as myself. everyone here are proffesional and great people. Love and I are looking forward to many more years of learning and growing in the one of the BEST daycare in the world :)

My son Elix started in SOMACC by 2012 and he had this "gibberish" words that a little bit hard to understand plus he was very choosy in greetings people. After a few more months, we were marveled at how Elix can go from saying just a few words to suddenly producing full sentences in just a short matter of time. The curriculum and program fits well to my child. Teachers are compassionate, understanding and helping our children to be ready in Kindergarten. The outside yard is so gorgeous. How lucky we are to get a spot in one of the high quality school and program like SOMACC. Our family love this school.

I have 2 boys here, and we all think this school is wonderful. The teachers and staff have worked with my family to make sure we know what is happening with my kids each day, and I love their approach to kids and learning. The teachers tap into the children's creativity and together they come up with cool, fun projects. The classrooms and outdoor spaces are the best I've seen for a downtown preschool -- I believe it was actually designed as a school, not converted from an office. My older son has gone through some rough patches, and the teachers and administration have gone out of their way to help us to find the best ways to support him. I can't imagine a school being a better fit for us.

Our son has been attending SOMACC for the past year and we couldn't be happier. We consider ourselves lucky to belong to community of dedicated, very skilled teachers and caring parents. That the learning environment uses Reggio Emilia-style learning is evident in the class intentions and projects; this style of learning has encouraged the development of our son's social and language skills to an extraordinary degree-- I'm delightfully surprised! I would- and indeed I have - recommended SOMACC to other families looking for a fantastic daycare/pre-school.

Our son, Trent - started SOMACC in Sept, 2014 and the difference in his social and learning skills is remarkably noticeable. The teachers and staff are extremely passionate about allowing the children to develop their abilities to discover, learn and teach. Also, the facility is safe and has a great open space with lots of activities and room for the kids to enjoy. Highly Recommend!!!

My child has attended South-of-Market Child Care, Inc. (SOMACC) since she was a "Bumblebee" (age 2). I have been so pleased with her development at the SOMACC these past three years. We definitely hit
the lottery when we were accepted to SOMACC. It's more than a school, it's a community with the shared values of contribution, respect, and concerns for others. The staff models these values. Additionally, I have no doubt our daughter will be ready for Kindergarten. We have also met some wonderful parents.

We have been sending our children to SOMACC for the past 3 years. Our eldest daughter started when she was 3 yrs. in the Preschool division; our middle daughter started when she was 18 months in the infant/toddler room; and our youngest child is set to start next year. SOMACC has been a huge part of our family. When my husband and I are at work, we know our daughters are in a very safe and loving environment. The teachers and staff members truly care about making sure the child's needs are put first and always met. The facility is warm and inviting. The children love the outdoor spaces and the light and bright classrooms. We feel extremely lucky to be a part of the SOMACC community. There are so many wonderful aspects about SOMACC and we are forever grateful for helping us nurture and care for our children.

~Lori, San Francisco, CA

A review on behalf of Karima B.

Our family has a legacy at the South of Market Child Care Center. My eldest brother who is now 40 years old attended South of Market as well as my younger brother and sister (and her cousin – they are all in their 20’s now). My daughter just graduated and she now attends Transitional Kindergarten; she will be 5 years old soon. My daughter had the same teacher as her aunts and uncles – that say’s a lot to have staff stay there over the years! The school is amazing and there is a wonderful sense of community as well. I attended Parent Meetings, Parenting Support Groups as well as field trips to the Bay Discovery Museum, Zoo and Symphony and so on. They take the kids to the library and professionals come into the class and teach them how to eat healthy, music, dance and more. Optometrist and Dentist also come in for wellness of the children; they even brush their teeth during the day :) . The classroom made my daughter feel welcomed in the morning and she was met/provided with a healthy breakfast, lunch and snack every day. I don't trust many with my child and I always felt secure leaving her there. I recently asked her which school has better food and she replied, “South of Market”! They have a song about “South of Market Spirit” and she was humming while brushing her teeth earlier this week; although she graduated. The staff is culturally diverse: Asian, Caucasian, African, Pakistani and everyone is celebrated at a yearly Multi-Cultural event with food, song and dance. She graduated with a binder full of photos that reflects her development over the years; it is a truly amazing gift that we review and will cherish for years to come. I now have out spoken, kind, loving and well-rounded beautiful daughter and we are part of the South of Market Family. We will be back to visit. South of Market is deep in our hearts, because we got the South of Market Spirit (part of the song J). I could go on and on, but the aforementioned are some of the immediate highlights that come to mind.

We moved our now 4-year old son to YBG when he was 3 years old and we were frustrated with his prior preschool. For a very sensitive, picky child, our son's transition went shockingly well and he has been incredibly happy every single day since then. He has made great friends, loves going to school, thrives with all of the incredibly thoughtful experiences there (weekly walks, carousel rides, growing/releasing butterflies, weekly music lessons with an outside instructor that the kids all adore... etc.). The teachers and staff throughout the school are so warm and welcoming, so loving and happy there and there seems to be very low turnover for what I've come to see in the field. We couldn't be happier and expect to keep him there until he is 6 rather than move him to a T-K program -- just so that he can have an extra year of thriving with his adoring teachers and friends and be in such a warm and happy environment. The setting with so much sunlight, outside time, field trips etc. is just unparalleled. We feel incredibly lucky to have been given a spot in their preschool.

Our son recently started at SOMACC (he is 4) and we have been thrilled with the teachers, staff and facility there! The thoughtful attention to every detail and respectful philosophy that shines through their activities has impressed us. My son is excited to go every day and doesn't want to leave when I pick him up. He has nothing but exciting and interesting stories about his days at his 'new school', and I have the same, I am really welcomed to spend time there with him and be a part of it.

The transition from a home daycare to preschool at SOMACC was really fantastic, so much careful attention was given to my son and our family to ensure it was smooth and positive in every way. They really gave us time and coaching that was beyond our expectations. I cannot say enough about this place and how it has changed our lives by providing such an enriching environment for my son. He has learned so much already and so have we by being able to experience the truly exceptional teaching that happens at SOMACC!

We are so lucky to have SOMACC in San Francisco! Our daughter, now 3 years old, has been attending SOMACC since she was 4 months and has thrived under their care. The teachers and management are passionate about their work and really care for the children, it's obvious from all the hugs and smiles we see every day... it's quite often that our daughter would even prefer to stay at school than come home. The school provides a lot of activities centered around play/independence/social skills so the kids are nicely stimulated. There's a good amount of parent involvement (more is always needed since the school is a non-profit) and it feels like a small yet friendly community. Our family couldn't be happier with this school and it feels like we've found a gem.

South of Market Child Care Center is an outstanding preschool program. The Center exceeded our expectations in every regard. It is housed in a newly constructed building behind Harvest Market at 8th & Natoma. The classrooms, furniture and toys are all new, and the fact that its in a newly constructed building is reassuring in the event of an earthquake. The entire staff does a great job of welcoming each child in the morning. You will see each child feels as though they are being left with family in a nurturing environment. Curriculum was regularly adjusted with my son's development and I received regular feedback on his performance socially and academically. Staff are extremely professional and wonderfully, culturally diverse. Also impressive is the number of no-cost special events and activities non-profit orgs have access to. There were frequent trips to the Bay Discovery Museum private Holiday performances at the Symphony and regular lectures and classes led by accomplished musicians, zoologists and cultural groups. Our son truly flourished in this program. He made many friends we still keep in touch with and became very prepared for his elementary school years ahead.

I was an intern for SOMACC for 4 months and thoroughly enjoyed my experience with this non-profit organization! This was my first experience in a non-profit setting and I learned so much from the volunteers and workers that I will remember for the rest of my life. The teachers, case mangers, volunteers, and everyone in and out of the Family Resource Center, deeply care for the families and community members utilizing the services of SOMACC. I also spent a large amount of time at the Natoma site, where I also experienced the hard-work and dedication the teachers had for the pre-schoolers. I highly recommend anyone needing family assistance or looking for community services to visit SOMACC - a safe, warm, and inviting setting for everyone and anyone in need of a helping hand.

This place was very enjoyable and great to work in. I volunteered for a while here and learned a lot about children. The workers are always upbeat!! They also have great energy, which is why the children here are always happy!!! Once in a while, a child would have there down times and the people here are very understanding and they do there best to care for these kids when they are down. They listen and provide loving care. This place is great! What more can you ask for!?