Au Beau Séjour French Preschool

Au Beau Séjour
French Preschool

Cultivating Global Citizens in a Caring & Safe Environment in Oakland, California

Our Philosophy

At Au Beau Séjour, we go beyond language learning; we nurture the whole child. Our French-speaking teachers motivate and guide children in becoming independent, confident, and caring in a 100% French immersion setting for students aged 0 to 6. Our thoughtful approach provides a safe environment from nursery to Kindergarten, preparing students for the next phase in their learning. Since September 2024, ABS has proudly followed the updated Éducation Nationale 2024 Program, ensuring an authentic, world-class education.

Social Emotional Learning

Children learn self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empathy while fostering strong communication and problem-solving skills, essential tools for success in school and life.

Positive Discipline

An encouraging approach that teaches children self-control, respect, and responsibility through connection and mutual trust, not punishment.

Whole Child Approach

Development of every aspect of a child — including their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive well-being.

Au Beau Séjour West Campus

Explore the West Campus in this video.

Student Life

Our curriculum includes a wide range of activities designed to engage children’s minds, bodies, and hearts.

Social Emotional Learning

Sports

Music

Open-ended Art

Cooking

Gardening

Yoga

Academics

Au Beau Séjour Mountain Campus

Explore the Mountain Campus.

A Commitment to Healthy Eating

We believe that great nutrition is key to a child’s development. That’s why we serve our students a daily gourmet hot meal made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Our menu is designed to delight young palates and introduce them to new flavors, helping them build healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.

Our Programs

Flexible options with 2, 3, or 5 days per week and two dedicated teachers in every classroom. Single-day fee for special holidays and school closures.

Infant & Toddler

0-24 months

A nurturing environment that fosters independence while supporting early development.

Early development

Toute Petite Section (TPS)

Ages 2 • Nursery

Gentle introduction to school routines, social emotional development, and sensory exploration.

Toilet Training not required

Petite Section (PS or Junior TK)

Ages 3 • Junior Pre-K

Structured activities building foundational literacy skills & introduction to music and arts.

Early academic readiness

Moyenne Section (MS or TK)

Ages 4-5 • T-K

Kindergarten readiness with literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking development.

Essential pre-K skills

Grande Section (GS or Kindergarten)

Ages 5-6 • Kindergarten

Intensive First Grade preparation with literacy, math reasoning, and independence.

Elementary school transition

Eat Well, Play Well, Learn Well

We offer a unique and nurturing environment for your child, rooted in the French tradition of the Maternelle program. By having two teachers in every classroom, we can ensure a low student-to-teacher ratio, allowing for
personalized attention for each child. Our classes are intentionally small, with just 10 to 15 students, to foster a
supportive and collaborative atmosphere where children can thrive at their own pace.

Teachers per Classroom

Ensuring personalized attention for every child

Small Classes

Small classes sizes for optimal learning

Gourmet Meals Daily

Fresh nutrious food served every day

Our Staff

Coralie Leclerc Sobhani

Executive Director & Founder – And Director of the West Campus

Audrey Altese

Assistant Director, West Campus & Director, Grand Campus

Chloe Charbonnier

Director, Mountain Campus

Wahiba Belkhous

Head Teacher, West Campus

Zohra Boutalbi

Head Teacher Mountain Campus & Assistant Director Grand Campus

Our Campuses

Au Beau Séjour French Preschool has two beautiful campuses in Oakland, located in Leona Heights and Hoover Foster, in Oakland, California. Each is designed to provide a safe, stimulating environment for children to learn and grow.

Mountain Campus - Leona Heights

Our original campus is located near Lake Merritt, featuring spacious classrooms and a beautiful outdoor play area.

West Campus - Hoover Foster

ABS French Preschool has a West Campus located in the Hoover-Foster neighborhood of Oakland, California.

What Parents Say

Loved by Kids, Trusted by Parents

ABS has changed our lives! My son loves going to school every day and has a lot to tell me about all the happenings. He learns new French words every week and is increasing his social and emotional skills. The space is wonderful - with lots of room to play, a garden and chickens on site! Whenever I pick him up, he's riding his bike in the play area and always wants to stay longer. I have always had a great experience with the teachers and administration -- quick and clear communication, and lots of care for the kids. We are also grateful for the staff who clean daily, make delicious meals and manage the property (they grow strawberries and have chickens on site!). I highly recommend ABS!

Our daughter started Au Beau Sejour when she just turned 2 and barely spoke English. When she graduated, she was a thriving toddler who was bi-lingual (neither parent speaks French) and passed her French language assessment at Francophone. Much of her development was because of Au Beau Sejour's caring teachers and well designed program. The credentialed teachers helped her grow educationally, emotionally and physically. Each teacher is so caring and thoughtful. Coralie and Chloe are strong leaders with vision. They are communicative and responsive about upcoming events, emergencies and 1 on 1 communication. ABS has a strong sense of community and it was fun to see our little one grow with friends. The school facility is well kept/clean and the pride in ownership shows. Lastly, the lunches and snacks are healthy and delicious - as a parent, it's one less thing to worry about. We highly recommend Au Beau Sejour!

Such a great school! The teachers are caring and so kind to each individual child. They really put in the effort to make sure the kids have educational, healthy, and fun activities each and every day. My son is always grinning when he arrives and happy with the day he had when we left. Highly recommend this school, especially when compared to other options locally.

My son spent three amazing years at ABS, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. The teachers are absolute superstars - caring, patient, and brilliant at making learning fun. What makes this place special isn't just the excellent French education, but the warm community feeling. The admin team knows every child and parent personally, and everyone from the cooks (who make delicious meals!) to the gardener goes above and beyond. My little one has blossomed here - gaining confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning that he will carry through to his big kid school. And we've made some incredible friends! We're genuinely sad to say goodbye. This preschool has been like family to us, and we'll miss everyone terribly. If you're looking for a place where your child will be truly nurtured and happy, look no further!

Great preschool!! Our son loves going to ABS and it's so fantastic that we can have him go to a French scool on Oakland as it's my native tobgue. But it's more than just about the language, teachers are friendly and go beyond just "babysitting" which is the key value of a preschool over daycare. Children get to learn in a great environment!

My child has attended this preschool since the age of 2 and is learning so much French. Beyond that, it is a lovely campus with excellent teachers. The head of the school is a very good communicator. We get along well with the other parents. It's a wonderful community. I plan to send my second child to ABS too. I highly recommend it.