Woodside West School

Woodside West School offers activities such as arts and crafts, music and drama, science exploration and experiments, recreational play and games, outdoor play, homework club, and themed field trips. The program also includes field trips and real-world learning experiences as part of its approach.

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

Woodside West School offers year-round preschool and childcare programs for ages 2–12, with flexible schedules, before and after school care, and transportation. The program serves children ages 2 to 5 in preschool and pre-K, with class divisions based on age and learning needs, including the Little Twos (Scooters) class for toddlers starting at age 2 with potty-training support, the Scooters class for ages 2 to 3+, and the Rockets class for ages 3+ to 4+. The Big Kid’s Club is a year-round program for ages 5 to 12 that includes flexible before- and after-school care and blends creativity, academics, and physical activity. The transitional kindergarten program serves children ages 4+ by September 1, 2025, and focuses on pre-reading, early math, science discovery, and social development, with enrichment offered until 2:30 p.m. or for a full day. Teaching methods at Woodside West School are inspired by Piaget, Gesell, and Montessori, and families can view examples of crafts, outdoor play, science experiments, and themed field trips on the school’s Instagram.

Woodside West School was founded on June 14, 1974, by Patricia Dumbadse and continues in the same tradition and vision under owner and director Diana Dumbadse. The school has served families for over 50 years and is a privately owned and operated, state-licensed facility (Lic. #490108547 and Lic. #490103579). The staff includes credentialed teachers, 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, and all staff members meet or exceed state licensing qualifications and undergo fingerprinting and background checks. The program states a mission of providing developmentally appropriate care and education that supports the whole child, inspiring a natural love of learning, positive social skills, and a healthy self-image in a warm, nurturing, home-like atmosphere where every child is treated like family. Woodside West School describes its environment as vibrant, inclusive, and loving, and it accepts subsidized care through many different city and state programs.

Parent feedback includes comments that teachers are described as professional and innovative with their lessons, that the Big Kid’s Club and summer activities are a highlight, and that children are encouraged to play, read, ask questions, and have fun. Parents also report that children at Woodside West School are expected to learn respect, manners, how to be a good friend, and why rules are important, and that many teachers have been at the school for a long time.

Last updated March 28, 2026.