Welcome to Nihao School
A small school where children feel known, build friendships, and grow with confidence.
Nihao welcomes children from approximately 3 months through 5 years into a small, educator-created school home in the San Mateo Village. Mandarin is our shared family language, and children grow through familiar relationships, varied experiences, and a sense of belonging.
Familiarity and Variety
Familiar people, spaces, and routines help your child feel at home. A teacher who knows how to comfort your baby, a friend at the table, or a familiar song before rest makes everyday care personal.
Fresh toys, stories, projects, outdoor discoveries, and celebrations bring variety to that familiar school home. Teachers adapt experiences to each child’s interests and pace, with opportunities to learn alongside younger and older companions.
Growing at Nihao
Care and learning grow with your child, from a baby’s individual routines to a preschooler’s ideas and decisions. These age ranges guide developmental support; placement in our flexible, family-style pods is discussed individually.
Infants
0–1 year · From approximately 3 months
We get to know your baby’s cues, comfort needs, and individual feeding and sleep routines. Gentle conversation, songs, and exploration bring connection into everyday care. Close communication with your family helps us support milestones and changing needs together.
Toddlers
1–3 years
Building, pouring, movement, art, and pretend play invite curiosity. Teachers help children express feelings, join play, and try everyday tasks with support nearby. We learn about your child’s family routines and coordinate changes in meals, sleep, and toilet learning as they become ready.
Preschoolers
3–5 years
Projects, stories, and imaginative play make room for ideas, decisions, and problem solving. Children practice independence and thoughtful leadership, including helping younger companions with adult guidance. We work with families on meaningful next steps as children look ahead to TK or kindergarten.
Our School Family
Children grow within a familiar school family, with care shaped around who they are and the relationships they bring.
Flexible, family-style pods
Pods typically include 3–6 children. We consider development, interests, personalities, friendships, support needs, and sibling relationships when planning each child’s place. A familiar primary pod provides continuity, with opportunities to connect across ages for meals, outdoor play, music, projects, and celebrations. Placement and transitions are discussed thoughtfully with families.
Mandarin as our family language
Mandarin is woven into play, meals, songs, stories, and caring moments. Some children grow up hearing it here; others encounter it for the first time. We welcome all Mandarin levels and home languages. English is also part of our environment, and children build understanding and expression through relationships and everyday experiences, without tests or handouts.
Meet Alice and Cora
We look forward to knowing your child and welcoming your family into our Nihao home.
Our story
Alice
Director
Alice leads program design and personalized learning. She founded i-Immersion and brings its child-centered approach into the everyday life of Nihao.
Cora
Site Supervisor
Cora leads daily operations and routine family communication, helping keep families connected with their child’s day at Nihao.
2004 — Alice begins her education work as an instructor in UC Berkeley’s undergraduate Taiwanese language program.
2005 — Alice’s parents join her to offer a bilingual English-Mandarin daycare program for toddlers and preschoolers.
2008 — Alice’s two brothers join, and i-Immersion is officially founded in response to growing community demand.
2016 — Nihao School is established, responding to families’ demand for Mandarin learning and building on the work that came before.
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Nihao today — Our small school home brings children together in flexible, family-style pods. Mandarin is woven into everyday care, while familiar relationships, varied experiences, and close partnerships with families help each child feel known and grow.
Planning Your Child’s Care
We work with you to plan a consistent schedule and care that fits your child’s routines, needs, and stage of growth.
Tuition and the year ahead
Monthly tuition for September 2026–August 2027 is based on your child’s age and agreed weekly schedule. Tuition age brackets are separate from learning-pod groupings. Our Prospective Family Guide includes the rates, planned closures, and enrollment terms.
Location and hours
San Mateo 94403 · The Village
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Core program: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Attendance options
Choose five-day enrollment or a consistent part-time schedule of two to four days within Tuesday–Friday, subject to availability and program fit. Placement is discussed individually, considering your child’s needs and the children currently enrolled.
Everyday care
Morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided. Families supply infant milk or formula, bottles, and appropriate infant foods until their child transitions to school meals. Our campus is currently egg-free and nut-free; dietary needs are discussed individually.
Beginning together
Before your child starts, we learn about their routines, interests, comfort strategies, and your family’s priorities. Shorter days or gradually increasing attendance may help within your agreed schedule. Full contracted hours are also available from the start, with ongoing conversations about how your child is settling.
Getting to Know One Another
We look forward to learning about your child and helping you explore whether Nihao is a good fit for your family.
Read the Family Guide
Explore our everyday care, learning approach, attendance options, tuition, and enrollment terms.
Join a virtual information session
Meet us, ask questions, and share your child’s age, desired start date, and preferred attendance schedule.
Arrange a playdate tour
Bring your child so we can get to know your family and discuss routines, interests, support needs, and placement.
Receive our Family Guide and upcoming information-session dates.
​Nihao School · San Mateo 94403
Questions? Contact Alice
alice@i-immersion.org · 650-666-2598
Child Care License No. 414005183