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About Edgewood House Preschool
Edgewood House Preschool is a small preschool at 493 West Charleston Road in south Palo Alto. It calls itself a "home-like child care center" with the tagline "Home Sweet School." It runs what it describes as a child-centered, full-day preschool program in an intimate small group setting. Its website footer gives the business name as Edgewood House Preschool LLC.
The school traces its start to programs run out of its founders' own homes and backyards. Its current welcome message, for the 2026 to 2027 school year, says it opened its doors 18 years ago with founding owner Tanya Stabinsky. Today the school lists Mallory Brown Tinsley and Janessa Kats as its co-owners and directors. Its teacher page also names Jaime Timberlake, Lala (Laura) Escobar, Maria Salas, Melissa Ng and Miranda Duval.
This listing describes the program as the school publishes it. It is not a recommendation or a comparison with other programs.
Approach and curriculum
Edgewood House describes itself as a relationship-based community of teachers, parents and children. Its program is play-based and uses what it calls family-style learning, with hands-on exploration and academic and social concepts introduced "within a non-competitive environment." Indoor and outdoor spaces are open throughout the day.
The curriculum is built mostly from themes the teachers notice in children's play. Teachers then add books, art, science, field trips or long-term projects around those themes. When no clear theme appears, they offer seasonal and age-appropriate activities. Activities the school lists over the year include:
- Gardening, composting and bird feeding
- Sand and water play and block building
- Gross motor physical play
- Recycled-material art and other art exploration
- Early writing, journaling, language and literacy
- Number sense activities
- Animal care and pretend play
The school states an adult to child ratio of 1:5 and keeps groups small. It names seven core values, among them respect for individuality, a constructivist approach, interdisciplinary learning, a parent and teacher partnership and mixed-age groups in which older children help younger ones.
A typical day
The posted daily schedule runs from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
- Arrival and free-choice activities with morning stories, with a snack table open midmorning.
- Morning meeting and small-group study at 10 a.m.
- Inside and outside exploration until 11:30 a.m.
- Circle time at 11:45 a.m., then lunch together at noon followed by free play.
- Rest, nap and quiet activities from 1 to 3 p.m.
- Afternoon snack, activities and more indoor and outdoor exploration.
- Cleanup, small-group games and stories and an afternoon circle before goodbyes at 5 p.m.
Ages and assessment
The school's pages do not give an exact age range. The schedule refers to pre-kindergarten children and "younger friends." The core values also describe mixed-age groups. Ask the school directly about the youngest and oldest ages it enrolls.
Teachers track each child through observation and documentation, using portfolios, photos and notes from parent and teacher conferences. The school says it assesses children both informally and formally and adjusts expectations over time.
Tours and enrollment
Enrollment starts on the school's Tours/Waitlist page. Families choose a tour time, fill out a waitlist form and submit a payment there. The website does not list a phone number or email address. Questions go through the contact form on the Contact Us page. The contact page lists a state facility number, 434414438. Ask the school about its license when you visit.
Tips for families
The website still mixes older text from earlier school years with its 2026 to 2027 welcome. One older passage mentions an extended day program, for example. Confirm the current program type, schedule and ages directly with the school. Spots in small programs can be limited, so join the waitlist early if you have a start date in mind. Bring a list of questions to the tour, such as ages served, tuition, the school calendar and how naps and lunches work. The school is about 0.9 miles from the San Antonio Caltrain station, so most families drive. Our South Palo Alto guide describes the area. Our schools guide covers Palo Alto's public schools for later years. For weekend ideas, Palo Alto with kids lists family outings.
Location and getting there
Edgewood House Preschool is at 493 West Charleston Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the South Palo Alto area of Palo Alto. Our South Palo Alto guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the San Antonio Caltrain station (Mountain View), about 0.9 miles away. That is roughly a 22 minute walk or a short bike ride.
Parking: street spaces or a small lot nearby; check posted limits.
What is nearby
- Palo Alto Advanced Dentists, practice, under 0.1 mi
- Kitchen at Palo Alto, restaurant, 0.1 mi
- Heavenly Nail Spa, salon or spa, 0.1 mi
- Hobee's Restaurant, restaurant, 0.1 mi
- Walgreens El Camino Real, practice, 0.1 mi
- Robles Park, 0.3 mi
- Juana Briones Park, 0.4 mi
- Terman Park, 0.6 mi
Other everyday services nearby: Jiffy Lube El Camino Real (under 0.1 mi); McLaren San Francisco (under 0.1 mi); America's Tire (under 0.1 mi); Volvo Cars Palo Alto (under 0.1 mi). Browse the full everyday services list.
Before you go
- Call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment.
- Ask for a written estimate before any repair work starts.
- Bring an ID and any paperwork you may need, such as a receipt or account number.
About this listing
Checked October 29, 2026 against Edgewood House Preschool official website; About EHS; Curriculum; Daily schedule; Tours and waitlist. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Edgewood House Preschool in Palo Alto?
Edgewood House Preschool is at 493 West Charleston Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the South Palo Alto area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the San Antonio Caltrain station (Mountain View), about 0.9 miles away.
How do I tour Edgewood House Preschool?
The school's Tours/Waitlist page asks families to choose a tour time, fill out the waitlist form and submit a payment. The school does not list a phone number, so use the contact form on its website for questions.
What are the hours at Edgewood House Preschool?
The school's daily schedule runs from 8:15 a.m. arrival to 5 p.m. goodbyes. It describes a full-day program with lunch, a rest period and afternoon activities.
Who runs Edgewood House Preschool?
The school lists Mallory Brown Tinsley and Janessa Kats as co-owners and directors. It names Tanya Stabinsky as its founding owner.