RIE Groups

3 parent questions ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • Outdoor RIE group for 8 month old

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    May 2, 2022

    Hi!

    We are RIE parents (respectful infant educaring) and we did a RIE group for our now 4 1/2 year old. Because of covid it has been difficult to find RIE groups and especially outdoor groups for my 8 month old. I have done several searches but I have not been able to find ANY groups (much less groups outdoors). Does anyone have any recommendations or know of anything in the area? We would really like to avoid indoor groups if at all possible. We are in Oakland but I would be willing to travel a bit if there were a group that I could join. 

    Any recommendations would be great!

    May 2, 2022

    We have a 13.5 month old and am very interested in joining whatever you find or start! 
     

    thanks,

    luxi

    May 4, 2022

    Hello! I don’t know of any, but recently started learning about REI through Janet Lansbury’s podcast and would be interested in doing a meet up with other parents exploring this style and also wanted to follow your thread in case anyone has any suggestions. Thanks!

    May 4, 2022

    I would check in with Jen Lumanlan at My Parenting Mojo. She is a child development expert who is a big fan of the RIE approach. Her primary output is her podcast, but she lives locally and is very tapped into the local RIE community. https://yourparentingmojo.com/author/jennylumanlan/

    May 4, 2022

    I've heard of some classes, but not groups:

    This is the one I've heard that offers an online option: https://heartfulbirth.com/free-to-be-parent-child-support/

    And these are the two that I know of in the area, but I believe both are indoors: https://forbabyandme.com/parent-baby-classes/ and https://www.naturalresources-sf.com/collections/baby-and-beyond-classes…

    Not sure if that helps at all. I'd be interested in joining a group if you wanted to form one! Best of luck.

    May 4, 2022

    I would also love something like this but my child is two. Two things I know of (also classes) are Natural Resources in SF which seems like it is indoors and this woman in Walnut Creek who might have something in the future https://respectbasedparenting.com/offerings/ola/services/respect-based-…;

    May 22, 2022

  • How to find a montesorri/RIE nanny?

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    Sep 8, 2019

    Hi all, new to the group after relocating from the East Coast...

    Has anyone been successful in finding a montesorri/RIE nanny? Any advice/ tips/ recommendations? Particularly in Walnut Creek area...

    thanks in advance!

    Sep 8, 2019

    Cassie Ford just opened Blue Leaf Preschool in the Berkeley Hills (https://www.blueleafschool.com/). She is RIE trained and incredibly diligent and thoughtful about her approach (the other day, the kids were cutting their bananas with wooden knives on very elegant little wooden board "plates"; not being RIE trained myself, I'm always extremely impressed with what my daughter is fully capable of, when given the opportunity and the right set-up, which Cassie always provides!).  It might be a little far from Walnut Creek to go to her school, and I don't know if she even has any openings right now, but you could reach out to see what she knows. From what I understand it is a rather small community, and she might be able to point you in the direction of some local resources.

    Sep 11, 2019

    Check out Christina Vlindler at respectfulcaregiving.org.  She's a RIE associate who until recently held regular RIE classes, until she lost her affordable class space that allowed her to offer sliding scale parent-infant classes.  Since then, she has returned to nannying and may have some part-time availability still.  She also trains nannies - she has a RIE for nannies course, so if you find a carer that you like elsewhere and would like to pay for them to get some RIE background, I believe she has a course coming up sometime soon that should be on her website, and/or may know the names of some she has worked with or trained in the past that she could put you in touch with.  She was our RIE playgroup facilitator and we all loved her class, and my 2yo is now in a 1day/wk nanny share with her and wants to go there every day :)

    Sep 15, 2019

  • RIE/Reggio-friendly toddler/early preschool programs in Berkeley?

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    Sep 19, 2017

    I'm looking for a RIE/Reggio Emilia-friendly toddler and early-start preschool program located in Berkeley for my child. I'm specifically looking for something that would allow kids to start sometime between 12-18 months, has a great outdoor environment and lets kids get messy, is truly play-based and child-led (rather than just giving lip service to these approaches), has an emphasis on social-emotional growth, and would take kids on a part-time basis (4-5 hours/day 3-4 days/week). I know that is a long list :) Location close Strawberry Creek Park is a plus but not necessary. Would love to hear any ideas people might have! 

    Sep 19, 2017

    Aquatic Park School (APS) in Berkeley is a wonderful Reggio daycare/preschool.  My 4 year old has been going there since he was 18 months and he is thriving.  Check out the reviews on BPN (one is mine).  I believe the tuition rates are for full time only until you get to the 3-year old group, which you can then pare down to 3-5 days/week.  Not so much with the hourly thing, though. 
    Good luck!

    Sep 20, 2017

    We are a RIE family that attends a weekly playgroup. Some families in our group with older children have graduated their children to Happy Baby Small School in Berkeley.

    Sep 20, 2017

    Child Education Center http://www.childeducationcenter.org is an excellent program. My two grandsons attended there and I have been very impressed.  There is lots of messy play - not sure about all of your requests it is an excellent play- based program. 

    Sep 20, 2017

    Look up Happy Baby Small School in Berkeley! It incorporates almost every trait you describe. The only catch is that your child needs to be 18 months to start there. My daughter is there now and is having a great experience.

    Sep 20, 2017

    I checked out St John's on College Ave not too far from the UCB campus, which seems to meet most of your criteria and is highly rated by parents.  From what I saw when I visited, they're definitely play-based and child-led, and the center director has attended RIE trainings.  We didn't end up switching to them because my daughter is pretty content where she is and I didn't want to pull her out in the middle of the year, but we're still on the interest list for later. Their fee schedule includes PT in terms of days, but not hours per day--check it out and see if any of the options might work for you.  https://www.sites.google.com/site/stjohnit/enrollment

    Sep 21, 2017

    I was told good things about Happy Baby in Berkeley they fit alot of the things you are looking for. Hope you find the perfect place!

    Sep 24, 2017