Woodside West School

Woodside West School offers arts and crafts, music and drama, science exploration, field trips, recreational play and games, and a Homework Club. The program includes preschool, pre-kindergarten, transitional kindergarten, and a Big Kid’s Club with creative, hands-on learning every day. Teaching methods at Woodside West School are inspired by Piaget, Gesell, and Montessori, and every child is treated like family in a home like atmosphere that is not business like and void of life.

• Ages: 2–12 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 6:45 a.m.–6:00 p.m., with transitional kindergarten morning classes from 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and enrichment available until 2:30 p.m. or for a full day

Woodside West School is a privately owned and operated, state-licensed facility offering year-round preschool and childcare programs for ages 2–12, with flexible before- and after-school care and transportation. The program serves children ages 2 to 5 in preschool and pre-K classes divided by age and learning needs, including a Little Twos program that welcomes toddlers starting at age 2 with potty-training support. The Big Kid’s Club is a year-round program for ages 5 to 12, including children who attend nearby public schools, and the transitional kindergarten program serves children ages 4 and older by September 1, 2025, with a focus on pre-reading, early math, science discovery, and social development. Field trips and real-world learning experiences are key parts of the approach, and the environment is described as vibrant, inclusive, and loving.

Founded on June 14, 1974, by Patricia Dumbadse, Woodside West School has served families for over 50 years and continues in the same tradition and vision under owner and director Diana Dumbadse. The mission since 1974 has been to provide developmentally appropriate care and education that supports the whole child. The team includes credentialed teachers, experienced early childhood educators, early childhood education specialists, seasoned preschool educators, former public school aides, college students pursuing degrees in education, and high school students in occupational training programs. As a California state-licensed facility (Lic. #490108547 and Lic. #490103579), all staff members meet or exceed required qualifications and have undergone fingerprinting and background checks as required by California state licensing.

Woodside West School accepts subsidized care through many different city and state programs. One parent, Renee E., shared that she attended Woodside as a child, noted its long-standing reputation, and described the teachers as professional and innovative with their lessons. Another parent, Claudine Bibeau-Parks, said her son enjoyed his time there, mentioned that the teachers and team were amazing, and highlighted the Big Kids Club and summer activities. A third parent, Claudia P., said that children are well loved there, that kids are encouraged to play, read, ask questions, and have fun, and that kids learn respect, manners, how to be a good friend, and why rules are important, while noting that many teachers have been there a long time.

Last updated June 26, 2026.