Get stuck in the middle of all those preschool brochures and reviews, wanting someone would simply tell you what’s really going on? Finding My spanish village, the perfect Walnut Creek preschool can be like trying to find Goldilocks on a caffeine high: neither too tight nor too loose, just the right amount of firmness. So, let’s cut to the chase and discuss the three preschools in this California enclave that are causing a stir among parents and students alike.

Little Ducklings Day School is upon us first. A mountain of artwork and the cheerful attitudes of the employees exude an atmosphere of “kids first.” Squatting down next to their young charges, teachers will ask them strange questions like, “Why do you think the frog wears boots?” etc. In a good manner, it’s loud. There is an abundance of science projects and worn board books in the cubbies. A mud kitchen, rocket launch pad, and platform for spontaneous concerts—the playground is a patch of green with tenacious dandelions. There are no posh iPad stations here; just filth, mirth, and a plethora of inquiries.

After that, we have Creekside Friends Preschool. The Montessori devotees will like this one. Leave your shoes at the door and put away your phone; this is a place where kids use blocks to create miniature kingdoms and splash water onto chalkboards. Like knowledgeable owls imparting cryptic riddles, teachers talk gently. Bell peppers, cheese, and miniature pitchers of milk make the snack table resemble a Pinterest board. The policy is to give them a chance, and if they mess up, they can try again. You might hear that same little person asking a shocked granny, “May I pour you some water?” if you manage to get past the nerve-wracking experience of seeing your two-year-old handle real scissors.

Next, we will discuss Sprout Hollow Cooperative. At this point, things start to heat up. The power of parents drives Sprout Hollow. Snack duty, art cleaning, and story time are all tasks that every adult helps out with. For no other reason than that someone had asked, one Thursday a father showed up to circle time dressed as a purple dragon. The group texts here are like a river after a spring rain; the community is deep. They trade footwear, carpools, Christmas cookie recipes, and even recommendations for pediatricians. Almost never are classrooms flawless. Occasionally, finger paint gets into one’s hair. Every week, the playground’s mosaic of discarded materials transforms into a different theme; for example, a dinosaur museum one week and a pirate ship the next. Here, children develop self-assurance. Also, grown-ups do it. You may receive an excessive amount of potty training advice along with your cup of coffee if you show up for a tour.

While you consider your alternatives, keep in mind that preschools aren’t fortresses with moats. Kids returning home with acorns in their pockets and parents exchanging phone numbers beneath the swing set are two examples of how the greatest ones seep into city life in peculiar ways. Preschool at Walnut Creek offers more options than you would think. #3 also caught me off guard. On occasion, the most untamed gardens produce the most vibrant blossoms. Explore, inquire, and occasionally say yes to a muddy child. No regrets will be felt.