PreschoolWise
  • Find preschools
  • Ages
  • Cost
  • TK
  • K Age
  • Free Pre‑K
  • States
PreschoolWise

Clear, independent answers to the questions parents actually ask about preschool and transitional kindergarten — grounded in your state's real rules.

Transitional KindergartenKindergarten ageWhat is pre-K?Preschool ageRedshirting kindergartenPreschool vs Pre‑KTK vs Preschool vs KCostFree preschoolHead StartEligibility checkerBrowse states

© 2026 PreschoolWise. Educational guidance, not legal or enrollment advice — always confirm with your school district.

Sitemap
Preschools/CA/San Rafael/Old Firehouse School
Infant Center

Old Firehouse School

No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.

Ages
Infants (0–2 yrs)
Teacher ratio
1:4 (CA min)

1510 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901

Visit website ↗(415) 419-5479Directions ↗Licensed for 13
Own this preschool? Claim your listing →

Licensing & safety record

✓ Clean licensing record

No citations or complaint visits on file with state licensing as of 2025-09-29. Last licensing visit: 9/18/2024 (3 total).

Source: California Dept. of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (updated 2025-09-29). View official inspection reports →

About this preschool

Old Firehouse School operates five private preschool campuses in California (Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Mill Valley, and two San Rafael locations) serving children up to 5 years old. The school emphasizes nurturing relationships with consistent caregivers and bases its program on child development research and theory.

Philosophy
The quality of one's childhood predicts much about the quality of one's future. Children need nurturing, positive relationships with the same caregivers to develop a strong sense of self. The program cares about the whole child: heart, mind, spirit and body. Schools are designed to minimize transitions and caregivers in a child's life.
Ages served
Children up to 5 years old; San Rafael Fifth Avenue offers bilingual programs for ages 1-5; Mill Valley and Bayview have openings for ages 2-5
Hours
Full day, year-round programs
Outdoor
OFS Bayview Nature & Wildlife School focuses on wildlife and nature

Programs

  • •Bilingual programs at San Rafael Fifth Avenue campus
  • •Nature and wildlife programs at Bayview campus

Highlights

  • ✓Selected as Top Winner of Parents Press Reader's Choice 2017 for Best Large Preschool
  • ✓Top 10 Parents' Press Best of 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024
  • ✓Founded in 1996; five campuses across California
  • ✓Scholarship fund available for low-income families at San Rafael Fifth Avenue

Not stated on their website: Tuition, Teacher ratio, Meals, Religious affiliation. Ask the preschool directly.

Summarized by AI from the preschool's own website (Jun 24, 2026). Not written or verified by PreschoolWise — confirm details directly with the program.

Parent reviews

No reviews yet. If your child has attended Old Firehouse School, your honest review helps other families.

Write a review of Old Firehouse School

Share your honest, first-hand experience. Reviews are checked before they appear. Be truthful and respectful — no defamatory or false claims.

Helpful guides for parents

What age does preschool start?Typical ages, readiness signs, and state cutoffs.Is my child ready for preschool?The readiness signs to look for.Preschool vs. daycareHow they differ and which fits your child.Preschool vs. pre-KWhat comes when, from ages 3 to 5.

Listing facts from public CA child-care licensing records. Reviews are the opinions of individual contributors, moderated before publishing; they are not endorsements by PreschoolWise. Always visit and verify a program directly before enrolling.