Dinha's Place
Community SubscriberRichmond, CA
Our son started daycare at Dinha's Place at the age of 1 (before he could walk), and now he is almost 3.5 and about to move on to preschool. For 2.5 years we drove all the way from Oakland to bring our son to Dinha's and we feel that it was totally worth it!
Dinha, Eliane and Carmen are highly experienced and loving childcare professionals, and Dinha herself has an M.S. in Early Childhood Education. They have given us as first-time parents wonderful support along our son's journey through toddlerhood: help with potty training, guidance on challenges with sleep, and practice with skills to gain independence. When we drop our son off at daycare, he doesn't look back, and every time there is an extended holiday he asks when he is going to see his beloved teachers again.
We will truly miss everyone at Dinha's and everything about their program--from the artwork to the songs to the games that the children learn everyday. We were so fortunate to have our son in their care.
My 2-year old daughter has been at Dinha's Place since she was 15 months old. I had some anxiety about sending her to daycare, but I feel so fortunate to have found a loving and enriching place to send her to while I'm working. Before daycare, my daughter had only been cared for by my husband and I, so she had a difficult transition to daycare, but Dinha, Eliane, and Tia Carmen were so patient and loving with her while she adjusted. Dinha communicated well with us and provided helpful recommendations to help during the transition. Now, a year and a half later, my daughter loves her teachers and classmates at Dinha's Place. She has flourished socially, comes home singing new songs, and feels great pride in the artwork she brings home. It's also sweet to watch her build her first friendships here. We enjoy having playdates and sharing birthday parties with classmates outside of school.
When my husband and I were looking for a daycare, we agreed that the most important thing to us was that our daughter feel loved, safe, and cared for when she was away from us. We agree that we have absolutely found that and more in Dinha's Place and their wonderful teachers. I feel confident that my daughter will be safe, loved, and nurtured when I drop her off in the morning. I am truly grateful for the care Dinha, Eliani, and Carmen have given my daughter. I wholeheartedly recommend Dinha's Place!
My daughter was in daycare at Dinha's Place for one year, transitioning from nanny care, then transitioning to preschool. I can't speak more highly of the care she received there. It's evident in the way she handles herself in her new environment, how she approaches new situations and people, and most importantly, the genuine deep caring and nurturing that Dinha, Nani, and Carmen have had on her. That nurturing-- the little things-- is truly remarkable.
She was part of a special cohort of friends who continue to play together even though they have transitioned to different preschools. She regularly asks for playdates with her old friends to re-connect. In some areas, she had such a headstart in comparison to some of her new friends at preschool. This was due to the individual attention that Dinha, Nani and Carmen provided to help build skills and knowledge.
The caregivers were good with communication, set clear and consistent boundaries, and did amazing artwork that my daughter still pulls out to look at and talk about.
I'll echo what the previous poster said about pricing-- very fair. Not the cheapest, not the most expensive.
I'll also echo the gratitude-- thank you, Dinha, Nani and Carmen, for everything. We miss you!
I’m writing this review as my daughter graduates from Dinha’s Place, the same daycare her older brother attended a few years back. I feel it's my duty to share our experience, as I wish every parent could see what a wonderful place this is for children.
The setting at Dinha's is impeccable. It’s not just a daycare, it’s a well-crafted space for learning and growth. Each corner is designed with the little ones in mind, making it a engaging for children. It's full of color and creativity, with lots of books, toys, and resources for curious little minds.
The teachers? Oh, where do I begin! Dinha, Nani, and Carmen are what makes this place truly special. Their warmth is genuine and consistent, making each child feel like they are cared for and given enough attention due to the teacher-kids ratio. You can tell they love what they do, which resonates with the kids and makes them more comfortable and eager to learn.
As for the rules, Dinha's Place operates on a clear set of guidelines, promoting good behavior and setting up kids for success, not just at daycare, but in their future schooling and life. The communication is seamless; they keep parents in the loop about everything.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room - pricing. We all know that raising a child isn’t cheap and daycare can be a big chunk of the budget. I’ve found Dinha’s Place to be very reasonable, offering immense value for the quality of care and education they provide.
The impact of Dinha, Nani, and Carmen on my kids has been immeasurable. They’ve been loved, they’ve learned, and they’ve thrived. The personal growth we've seen in our children is a testament to the nurturing environment at Dinha's Place.
In a nutshell, if you're searching for a daycare that excels in warmth, quality design, clarity of rules, and fair pricing, then Dinha's Place is the answer. To the team at Dinha's Place, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We can't recommend you highly enough!
Our now 2.5 year old has been at Dinha's Place since he turned 1, and I highly recommend it as a daycare option for parents based between North Berkeley and Richmond. Every day, when our son greets Dinha, Nani, and Tia Carmen, he does so with genuine excitement. My wife and I feel confident when we drop him off that he will be safe, secure, and have every opportunity to grow both socially and cognitively. Daycare is expensive in the Bay Area, especially for parents like us who work in the non profit sector. Dinha's Place is much more affordable than the other daycares we toured, but does not sacrifice quality of care for affordability.
We are grateful to have been part of the Dinha's Place community!
Our 2-year-old daughter was only at Dinha's Place for a few months before we moved, but we had a great experience there. Dinha, Eliane, and Carmen are all great with the kids. Dinha also enforces strict COVID protocols, which was very important to us.
Both of my kids (4 and 1, years old) have attended Dinha's place and they have thrived there emotionally and academically. They loved their teachers and their diverse community of friends. Dinha offers the perfect balance between space for free play and directed activities. The teachers take care of the children as if they were their own. Dinha has vast knowledge and studies in different areas related to children's development. I see in my own kids that her expertise, together with her warm personality, is a wonderful equilibrium. I am a Ph.D. candidate in education at UC Berkeley, I have myself studied kids' development and when I drop off my daughter every morning at Dinha's Place I know that she is in excellent hands.
I would highly recommend Dinha's place for early childcare. My now 2 year old son has been there over a year and, in that time, has grown leaps and bounds in his social, intellectual and emotional skill development. Dinha's philosophy is play-based-- and the kids do lots of art projects, dancing, singing, and outdoor time. My son is always surprising me with new things he learned at school--including numbers, reciting and writing letters, and songs. Perhaps more importantly, he has developed a strong sense of compassion for his peers, good manners, and a willingness to 'help' and clean up. I also really appreciate Dinha's years of experience and perspective, and that she is communicative and, if asked, will provide advice for getting through various developmental/behavioral issues. My son loves talking about his fun times with his teachers and friends at school! It can be so hard leaving your baby for the first time, but Dinha is very mindful about making the transition easy on the child and parent. I trust Dinha, Eliane, and Carmen implicitly and am confident that under their watch my son is well-cared for, safe, and happy-- what more could a parent ask for!
We found Dinha’s place on BPN when searching a home-based daycare for our two year old. He stayed home with me longer than anticipated due to the pandemic. When we finally felt comfortable to send him to daycare, it was important to us to find one that had sensible COVID safety protocols along with warm, friendly, knowledgeable staff who would help our little guy socialize and adjust to a daycare environment. We found that and more in Dinha’s Place. I left my meeting with Dinha and tour of her facility with such a good feeling and great confidence in her experience and knowledge. Our son has been there nearly one year now and is thriving. He’s thrilled to go play with his friends and the tias (aunties). Many days they do art projects as well as lots of outdoor play. We’re so grateful to have found Dinha and happily and confidently recommend her daycare!
I wanted to recommend Dinha's place to any parents considering childcare for their 1-3.5 year old. This is an update to my review from 2017 (see more detailed review below). Both of my children have attended Dinha's place (spanning the last 4 years) and we cannot say enough wonderful things. The staff are warm and friendly and oh so helpful with the transition to a new childcare. We love the community of parents that we have found at Dinha's including lasting friendships that have continued past our daughters tenure at the school. Dinha plans lots of special events and activities for out kids beyond just day to day childcare. Also, the space is awesome! Dinha has two play yards and a warm and inviting indoor space. I feel so comfortable and confident leaving my son in the loving care of Dinha and their staff. I am happy to be a reference and answer questions for anyone considering childcare at Dinha's.
Dinha's Place has been the daycare we trusted with both of our kids' early education and care. After trying a few other early childcare providers, we felt lucky to find Dinha's Place and their talented staff. They offer structure that we couldn't find with other providers from language lessons to art, from music to fundamentals to prepare them for preschool presented in an engaging way that our kids really responded to. Dinha's Place does a great job communicating with parents regarding day to day events as well as long-term development helping us to seamlessly continue their education after they get home. Dinha's Place transitioned well to continue providing care during Covid-19, implementing safety protocols and procedures that made us feel comfortable with sending our younger daughter back once regulations permitted. We feel very fortunate to have Dinha's Place in our lives.
My son started going to Dinha´s Place some months ago and we love it! Our first daughter went there some years ago, and we are so happy that our son is now going to Dinha. She is so engaged in her work with the little ones. Dinha´s Place daycare is a place where little kids can feel safe and loved. The schedule combines free indoor and outdoor playing along with music and dancing classes once a week. Dinha makes sure the kids have story time and develop creativity through art projects. Meals are provided and the children listen to English, Spanish and Portuguese! All staff is kind, warm and extremely nice. Dinha, Mila and Carmen enjoy working with the children and they feel like family to us. We love Dinha´s place.
Our daughter started at Dinha's Place when she was 10 months old and has been going there for almost a year. We looked at 4 other daycares in the area (Albany - Richmond) and found that Dinha's was above and beyond the best place for us. Here are some things we love about Dinha's
- Dinha, Mila, and Carina are warm and caring and you can tell they are good people the minute you meet them
- The daycare is clean, well managed, has amazing outdoor and indoor spaces
- The days are well structured with lots of variety - Art time, music time, outdoor time, story time
- our daughter is very much in love with the music classes they have twice a week and talks about them constantly
- she comes home with art projects almost every day, including special gifts on the holidays
- MEALS ARE PROVIDED
- Our daughter is learning Spanish in addition to the English we speak at home
- The monthly fee is very reasonable compared to other places we had looked at
- Our kid naps really well there even though she is a terrible napper at home
- Our daughter loves going there, and although it was hard transition for her at first, Dinha never made us feel like her struggles adjusting were a burden. She is very understanding and even keeled, which makes any parent with concerns about their kid feel right at ease
- Schedules are flexible and can accommodate two working parents. Sometimes she get's pickup up at 3:30, other days at 5.
- They have special celebrations for birthdays and holidays and a holiday potluck every year.
- The other parents and children are spectacular people - kind, warm, fun, and well behaved (the kids)
When we started a search for a daycare, we had looked at daycares that were closer to our home and daycares with smaller capacities, but in the end there is no doubt in our minds that we have made the right decision in selecting Dinha's Place for our child.
My daughter has been going to Dinha’s for 8 months, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful daycare to send my daughter to! Dinha and her staff are incredibly warm and caring individuals; they make time to talk to parents at pickup and drop off. The children do art projects, dance, singing, and have lots of outside playtime. I’m always impressed to hear my daughter sing songs she learned at daycare and see the artwork she brings home. The daycare is a fun environment for the children and in their activities they learn about colors, shapes, and numbers. I’m also very happy with how professionally the daycare is run, the staff is punctual and reliable and the daycare is well maintained. The environment at Dinha’s is nurturing and a fantastic place for children to learn and develop.
I would love to recommend Dinha's place. Our son joined the daycare shortly after his first birthday and will soon turn three and move on to preschool. The staff at Dinha's place are very loving and communicative. In the beginning, they took extra care to make sure that my son adjusted well to the daycare, including one-on-one time. In addition, it is very easy to speak with Dinha and Mila about anything (i.e. milestones, transitions to preschool, general health). They are truly warm people and wanting to support parents in any way that they can to raise healthy and happy children.
I appreciate the balance of play with structured activities like music time (Spanish/English), art, and dance at Dinha's Place. My son often comes home singing new songs or talking about an art project. Also, Dinha's place has been great for our family, as it has allowed my son, who speaks primarily Spanish and another non-English language at home, to learn both English and Spanish in an environment in where he has support and is understood. I have watched my son and his little friends truly thrive at Dinha's place thanks to Dinha, Mila, and the other staff and the nurturing and wonderful environment that they provide.
I would like to recommend Dinha's Place because we couldn't be happier with the daycare for our daughter who just turned two. Arriving from another side of the country and with no experience with American daycares since our daughter stayed home with one of us before we moved to the West Coast, it was hard to know where to start looking. We got a reference and got in contact with Dinha and right away it felt great. It turned out to be the best choice. Our daughter wasn't sleeping on a regular time during the day and was fussy when we put her to bed but Dinha, Mila and Veronica just handled her calmly and sure enough it didn't take long before she just went to sleep like all the other kids. It took her about a week to settle in, but whenever she cried, there were loving arms to hold her and show her that everything was ok. I think Mila held her for the first couple of days, also during meals and naps ;) and after that she was fine. It made it not so hard for me to leave her at the daycare.
I love a lot of things about Dinha's place. First of all Dinha, Mila and Veronica who take care of the kids as if they are their own, really loving. And then there is the music class, the dancing, the reading, the singing, the fact that there is English and Spanish spoken to the kids (my daughter easily picks it up and understands three languages now!), arts and crafts, and much more. Every morning our daughter asks to go to Dinha's place... that is the best sign that she is loving it too!
We love Dinha's Place!
We moved from Brazil to the East Bay about 1 and half year ago (by the time, Elisa was 10 months old). We are both studying at UC Berkeley; my husband is completing his master’s in Public Policy and I’m a visiting scholar at School of Education. In 2014, our daughter Elisa went to nice early childhood program affiliated to the University. It was a good start, but when the winter began she had too many colds. Every other week she had running nose, coughs, etc. So, after a good talk with her pediatrician, we decided to try a smaller daycare.
After looking around at many schools in this area, we decided by Dinha’s Place.
First of all, the school’s atmosphere and the energy are amazing. Always clean, organized. It is clear that Dinha makes sure to create a separate space between her house and the school.
After 9 months with the daycare, we have found that they foster a good balance between curiosity-led exploration and structure. Something that we really like is that there is some structure to the day. The children have a schedule for the day's activities, as work time, outside time, lunch and nap time, which occur around the same time every day. There are some special activities that break up the week, like music or art-project time. Elisa has been learning so much from the music classes (in Spanish and English, both once a week) and from the circle time.
Another characteristic from Dinha’s Place that we really enjoy is the diversity of the students and parents. In additional, the mixed-age grouping has been a wonderful experience for Elisa. She is crazy about the babies and she has developed a sense of caring and nurturing with the younger kids. On the other hand, she learns a lot by observing and interacting with older children.
About the instructors, I need to say that we couldn’t have a better relationship with them. Always very nurturing, very attentive. We feel completely safe and happy by trusting our daughter at Dinha’s Place.
Our Elisa started Dinha's when she was 11 months two years ago! The truth is we looked to a bunch of places at that time but we had amazing references for Dinhas and when we toured we liked it but we also felt really good about Dinha herself. And we were so right! It has been a real privilege for us to go to work feeling confident that our daughter is safe and happy there. What I love the most of Dinha's place is that the caregivers are all very kind and committed to their work. They have helped me all the way from stopping breastfeeding, helping her to eat solid and grown up food, potty training, etc. The thing I love about Dinha? Elisa loves it and that is the most important thing for me.
Our daughter has been attending Dinha's place for the last 1.5 years, since she was 10mo old. Honestly, this place is just great. Dinha, Mila and Veronica provide a loving, happy and warm environment and my daughter is just thriving there. The staff really is extremely responsible, taking care of the kids as if they were their own. Dinha is a very caring and thoughtful person, always trying to accommodate for any needs that arise. There is a lot of art and music exposure, and a nice backyard to play in, and whenever I visit the daycare, the atmosphere is very calm and welcoming. Next year my daughter will be turning 3 and we will have to search for a preschool. I can only hope to find a place as good as this one!
Our daughter has been in care at Dinha's Place since she turned 1 in 2013 and we honestly could not be happier with the care that she gets there from Dinha, Mila and her other staff. Dinha is an incredibly conscientious, responsible warm and thoughtful person, and cares for the children as if they are one of her own. Our daughter loves going there and loves the staff and all of the friends she's made. We love knowing that she is well cared for, given healthy mostly organic food, gets music classes and has learned to speak Spanish, makes lots of fun art projects, and gets a lot of time to play in a safe cheerful environment that includes the outdoors. Our daughter is also learning so much each week from Dinha's play-based curriculum - she is almost 3 and loves singing her ABCs, counting, identifying her colors, and letting us know what songs or parts of the body or animals she's learning about when she's at home. Our daughter was tough to get to nap on her own - usually needed to be in a stroller or car seat when she first went to daycare. Dinha and her staff were able to get her to nap with the rest of the kids immediately. Dinha constantly impresses me with the thought she puts in the program - she really goes above and beyond to make things fun and engaging for the kids. Having our daughter at Dinha's is such peace of mind for us. We had a nanny when I first started back at work when our daughter was 6 months old and I was anxious about the transition to daycare. Almost two years later I can not imagine having done anything else - she is so happy and thriving there. We will be sad but grateful to leave such a wonderful place when she turns three.
We love Dinha's Place! Our boy has been with Tia Dinha, Mila and Veronica since he was 6 months old. Here is why we love them:
-Loving caregivers! Our son loves them like family and we know he is safe and cared for while we are at work.
-Stimulating, clean environment. They have music class once a week, spend lots of time outdoors and with art projects.
-Primarily Spanish. We have a bilingual household and we love that our son is getting more Spanish during the day.
-Flexibility. Dinha has been so accommodating for our family. She took us in right away when we needed emergency childcare when our son was a baby, she works with my part-time work schedule and with the vegetarian diet we requested for our son.
We are a happy family at Dinha's!
I'd like to highly recommend Dinha's Daycare in Richmond/El Cerrito border. It is run by Dinha, an energetic, very giving and sweet mother of two young boys herself. My daughter is 2.5 years old and has been there for 10 months now and LOVES it. When I drop her off she runs off to the play area and into the arms of Dinha and her assistants. Dinha has a great curriculum of arts & crafts, music and play. My daughter loves the music classes and comes home with artwork every week. They have an indoor play area and a large outdoor space with a play structure. I know my daughter is in good hands when every morning she is excited to go to Dinha's and when I pick her up she doesn't want to leave. The daycare is small enough so that each child has enough individual attention - yet big enough so they have a variety of activities and play. Dinha also makes sure to celebrate large holidays such as Christmas and Halloween with all of the families. Happy family!
Archived Q&A and Reviews
March 2015
I want to recommend Dinha's Place childcare in the Richmond Annex. After visiting a few other daycares, I knew there was something special about Dinha's. My child has attended since she was 10 months old, and she's acquired a second family there. I couldn't recommend another childcare center more highly than Dinha's from the nurturing staff to the countless activities and enrichment my child receives. Anon
Aug 2014
I want to recommend Dinha's Place, which now has a couple of lucky fall openings! We visited many nice daycares in the area for our daughter before finding Dinha's Place, and the minute we walked in the door we knew it was the place for us. Dinha runs the daycare out of her home, but it is its own big, bright room that opens to two great play areas outside, one with grass and an apple tree. It is the perfect combination of homey and stimulating, with the kids' artwork on the walls, well-organized toys, and plenty of space to move around in. Dinha, her assistant, Mila, and the other part-time caregivers are warm and loving, and the kids have their complete focus. They have circle time, songs, art projects, nutritious meals, and lots of free play outside. Amazingly, a music and movement teacher come once a week in addition, all provided in the tuition. Our daughter loved ''school'' and came home singing songs and talking about her teachers and friends. It truly is a wonderful little community, and we couldn't recommend it more highly! Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Molly
May 2014
I want to recommend Dinha's place. It is an adorable daycare in Richmond near el Cerrito Plaza, very close to UC Village. My daughter has been going there for some time now and she loves it. My husband and I are students at UC Berkeley and we needed to be safe and sound regarding the place where we were going to leave our daughter during the day. At Dinha's they have helped me with my daughter's routine and also she has learned a lot, she has started communicating more to others and the best thing is that everyone there is responsible and caring. I wanted to share my happy experience, because I know many people have a hard time finding and starting daycare. There will be openings in Summer and Fall.
April 2014
I would like to highly recommend Dinha's daycare for all parents looking for a clean, safe, dependable, and loving environment for their infant or toddler. My eighteen-month old son enrolled in Dinha's daycare and has been attending full-time for the past year.It is definitely one of the best decisions we have made for both my son and my family. Dinha provides a very stimulating environment filled with language learning, creative art projects, music classes, and dance and movement classes.I also love the physical space.Dinha's personal home is completely separate from the daycare facility, which is located at the rear of the property and includes a large indoor classroom, a spacious outdoor backyard and an exterior play/patio area.All the kids are learning songs, colors, numbers, and letters together-both in English/Spanish.I feel compelled to point out that Dinha's Place is a ''nut-free'' daycare. Dinha is extremely sensitive to these types of ''specific'' family issues and always open to discussing any concerns we might have which unfortunately was NOT my experience when looking at childcare facilities. We have been very happy and blessed to have found Dinha which is now my younger son's ''home away from home''best, Catherine A.
Catherine
March 2014
We visited many nice daycares in the area for our year-old daughter before finding Dinha's Place, and the minute we walked in the door we knew it was the place for us. Dinha runs the daycare out of her home, but it is its own big, bright room that opens to two great play areas outside, one with grass and an apple tree. It is the perfect combination of homey and stimulating, with the kids' artwork on the walls, well-organized toys, and plenty of space to move around in. Dinha, her assistant, Mila, and part-time caregivers Rita and Eliane are warm and wonderful, and the kids have their complete focus. They have circle time, songs, art projects, nutritious meals, and lots of free play outside. Amazingly, a music and movement teacher come once a week in addition, all provided in the tuition. Dinha really goes above and beyond for the kids and families, hosting potlucks, giving special gifts during the holidays, sending photos--and all the while managing to be present and easygoing. Our daughter loves ''school'' and comes home singing songs and talking about her teachers and friends. It truly is a wonderful little community, and we couldn't recommend it more highly! Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Molly
July 2013
Our son was at Dinha's Place (License: #073405444) for nearly two years. He developed a very tight bond with Dinha and Mila (another teacher) and both treated him like he was their own. I have never felt my child was so well-cared for and I never trusted another care facility so much; I wish we would have discovered Dinha's when our oldest was going through care.
As a busy parent of two young ones, I have strongly desired a loving and stimulating environment for my kids. Dinha's was more than I had hoped for. Leaving was a very sad day.
The immersive spanish environment was great for my son. It wasn't long before he was speaking equally in english and spanish and counting in both languages as well.
I cannot convey the greatness of having a nutritious snack and lunch provided by Dinha. Not only was my son well-fed, it made the shopping and the mornings so much easier.
As my son went through various challenging phases (climbing, pulling hair, ''NO!'', etc) they were responsive, understanding and firm. I could not have asked for better care.
I highly recommend Dinha's Place as the source of care for your child. She will not disappoint. I know I could not have been happier.
Vicki
April 2013
My son has developed very well by going to Dinha's Place Daycare. Dinha provides a safe and stimulating place for all the kids, including structured programs such as circle time with reading/music/crafts, snack times, outside play, and music and dance lessons. The daycare is a warm community with holiday festivities. My child comes home with a penchant for lots of books and talks in English and Spanish from exposure to both in daycare. He is well adjusted to social interaction because of the dynamic environment. When I pick him up I can tell that he is still absorbed and happy in his environment. When I drop him off, he is eager and excited to start the day. The caregivers are extremely loving and he has grown very close to them, especially to Mila (there full-time) and Maria, who both take care of the kids day-to-day and are both exceptional and attentive(we love them!). Dinha provides healthy lunches and snacks (my son learned to eat many fruits here). The facilities are clean--there are plenty of stimulating toys, a nice indoor space and a great backyard. The kids also nap well here. Please feel free to contact me for any questions! Khai
Jan 2013
I would like to recommend Dinha's Place Childcare to any parent who is looking for a small home based daycare. We have now moved on to pre-school and I look back at our experience at Dinha's as being nothing but wonderful. My son had a rough start at Dinha's - in part because we had just moved cross country. Dinha (and her staff) were absolutely wonderful during that time.There were lots of hugs and kisses - for both him and me(!)and after a few weeks, my son settled right in.It was a breeze after that and we now consider Dinha to be family. She is trained in early childhood development, is a mom herself and most importantly is a wonderful person. The daycare is a warm, loving environment with a great caregiver to child ratio. All snacks, meals and diapers are provided so I never had to worry about packing anything. There is an emphasis on healthy food with fresh, home cooked meals. (we are vegetarian and this was never an issue) I could go on and on but the bottomline is that I would recommend her childcare facility in a heartbeat. Feel free to get my email from either the moderator or Dinha if you need more information. Shilpa
Oct 2012
Dinha's Place is a wonderful, warm and loving daycare. I have sent both my sons there to be cared for by Dinha, Mila, and the rest of the staff. They are very attentive to the children, and provide a nurturing and stimulating environment, filled with music class, age appropriate toys, crafts projects, and free play outside on the jungle gym and swing set. They seem to approach each child's individual needs with attention and care. There is a lovely apple tree in the backyard, and the daycare is kept very clean. I highly recommend Dinha's for children ages 6 months to 2.5 years. My second son, 19 months, is thriving there just as my older son did, and I have many fond memories and photos from their time at Dinha's. Please contact me if I can answer any further questions!
Karin
March 2012
Our son started going there soon after he turned 1 yr and is now almost 20 months. We have seen our baby thrive in a very loving, caring, and mentally stimulating environment. All of the caregivers are very caring and loving. Dinha is very open to hearing parents' concerns (if any) and accommodating any special diets (food provided is mostly organic). Since our son started going to Dinha's Place we have noticed that he is more social and more talkative. There is music class once a week which he loves (my baby even sang me happy b-day at 19 months!), circle time every morning where the children are taught new things such as colors, and art time. There have actually been many days when I went to pick him up early and had to stay there 30-40mins because he did not want to leave! Comforting sign for any parent. The place is very organized and clean. We do not regret our decision and have recommended it to other parents/friends who now have their son/daughter there. When you visit Dinha's Place you will know you have made the right decision! Make sure to visit and address any fears/concerns you might have. As first time parents, we know how stressful the childcare search can be! Les
Jan 2012
I am writing to highly recommend Dinah's Place Childcare. We were nervous about sending our toddler to daycare for the first time and visited several home daycare programs. None of the places impressed us as much as Dinah's. The daycare space is very clean, inviting & spacious (and completely separate from the owner's living quarter) with a large outdoor backyard for the kids to play in. The owner, Dinah, and her assistants are wonderful with the kids and a pleasure to work with and communicate well with the parents. They love kids and enjoy their work and it shows! All meals and diapers are included in the tuition which is very competitive with other programs in the area. Dinah makes delicious home cooked meals and uses organic food. A music teacher comes once a week to sing and play her keyboard with the children. They do a daily circle time and lots of arts & crafts. My child was very happy and thrived during the time he was there! Please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions. Best of luck with your search! Stella
August 2011
My son has thrived at Dinha's Place under her engaging, loving, and patient hand. She gives each child her utmost individual love and attention and she is very personable with all the children and their unique traits and needs. Dinha's other employees are also wonderful. It has definitely relieved my fears over the past year and a half, dropping him off in such great hands. The kids do wonderful art projects (in school, Dinha specialized in art for children) and seasonal activities, many of which I have now decorating my kitchen. Dinha has taken some great pictures of my son engaged in various activities at the daycare which really are treasures. He has met some very good friends there too! There is a lovely small backyard with a nice play structure and the daycare is incredibly neat and tidy. Dinha keeps it very well organized. I strongly recommend Dinha's place for your child.
Karin
August 2011
Hi parents, My son has been in Dihna's place since last August, and I am very happy with the place, so I decided to let you know about it. Dihna and her assistants are very good with children, and take care of each kid with so much love and dedication. The place has a lot of toys and a wonderful backyard with slides. Every day the kids have circle time, art and play outside. There is also a weekly visit from a music teacher. Now my son has to go to preschool, but I am so happy with the place, that my daughter will start this year. Thanks! Carolina and Rodrigo carolina
August 2011
When I went back to work after 2 years at home with my first born, I was looking for a place that felt warm and caring, clean and organized, and all for a reasonable price. After looking at 10 different places, I told myself that I was just going to have to settle, that I was asking for too much. And then I visited Dinha's. Located a just a few blocks off of 80 on Carlson Blvd., Dinha has a license for 12, but only ever takes 8-10 at a time. She has 3 wonderful helper teachers who my son adores. Her hours are 8:00-5:30 and her fee is one of the lowest I encountered. The fee includes all diapers, wipes, art supplies, breakfast, lunch and two snacks. Dinha has a B.A. in Human Development with a minor in Early Childhood Education and has 11 years of experience working with young children. My son comes home every evening talking about all his friends and the things they are learning about at Dinha's. If you are looking for a daycare, save your time, visit her first! Feel free to email me, Sarah
April 2011
As 1st time parents, we searched high and low for daycare options. After visiting many places, talking to many parents (and generally stressing), we are so glad we selected Dinha's Place for our now 3 yr. old boy. Dinha and her assistants are incredible with the kids, from infants to active todlers. They provide warm, intelligent care, and recognize each child's capabilities. The facility (Dinha's home) is clean and safe, and the kids are given high-quality (often organic) food. The activities are well balanced, with some structured time doing things such as art, music, circle time, reading books, and numbers, colors, animals and the like. They also have much general play and fun time, usually outside in the beautiful yard (weather permitting.) There's no TV, which we believe to be a big plus. Our son loves it there, he's made friends and he's developed physically, mentally, and socially, much of it due to the great situation at Dinha's Place. To repeat, we highly recommend Dinha's Place! Thanks, Marc
April 2011
Hi parents,
I would like to highly recommend Dinha's Place Child Care. This is a great day care with 10 kids around the ages of 1-3. My daughter has been there for the last 9 months, since she was 18 months and she loves the place, her teachers and her friends. Every morning she runs straight to her teacher's arms and I can see that she is happy there which means the world to me. The day care is very clean and colorful. The kids do art works and have 2 music classes each week. There's a big yard with several swings and slides as well as many toys and books. The day care supplies food and diapers. Overall, this is a great day care. I know that my child is in good, loving, warm and protective hands. Dinha will have spots available for children two years and older starting on summer. All the best, Ifat
March 2011
When I went back to work after 2 years at home with my first born, I was looking for a place that felt warm and caring, clean and organized, and all for a reasonable price. After looking at 10 different places, I told myself that I was just going to have to settle, that I was asking for too much. And then I visited Dinha's. Located a just a few blocks off of 80 on Carlson Blvd., Dinha has a license for 12, but only ever takes 8-10 at a time. She has 3 wonderful helper teachers who my son adores. Her hours are 8:00-5:30 and her fee is one of the lowest I encountered. The fee includes all diapers, wipes, breakfast, lunch and two snacks. My son comes home every evening talking about all his friends and the things they are learning about at Dinha's. We wish he could just stay there until Kindergarten, but one of the reasons we are so happy there is that she takes kids from 0-3 so she can provide the special care that they require. If you are looking for a daycare, save your time, visit her first! Feel free to email me, Sarah
Feb 2011
The past two years of my son's life have been blessed by the loving care that he receives at Dinha's Place. There are not enough words to thank Dinha and all of her loving assistants. The place is ultra clean and organized. Dinha and her staff make eye contact and really care about the thriving kids. The food is exactly what a kid needs, healthy and nutritious; I know they accommodate for special requests (i.e. vegetarian and other). They have several activities during the day that educate the kids in many different ways. They grow to be polite, caring and patient. Kids also taste different cultures due to diverse backgrounds; different languages are a plus. Kids are encouraged to share and respect other kids. As of today my son is now ready to begin a new adventure somewhere else. I'm confident that he has the tools to succeed in the next step: Preschool. If you're looking for the best Childcare for your kids up to 3 years, contact Dinha. Once you schedule a visit your gut will tell you what to do; mine didn't fail me. Eva
June 2010
As 1st time parents, we searched high and low for daycare options. After visiting many places, talking to many parents (and generally stressing), we are so glad we selected Dinha's Place for our now 2 yr. old boy. Dinha and her assistants are incredible with the kids, from infants to active small children. They provide warm, intelligent care, and recognize each child's capabilities. The facility (Dinha's home)is clean and safe, and the kids are given high-quality (often organic) food. The activities are well balanced, with some structured time doing things such as art, music, circle time, ''reading'' books, and numbers, colors, animals and the like. They also have much general play and fun time, usually outside in the beautiful yard (weather permitting.) There's no TV, which we believe to be a big plus. Our son loves it there, he's made friends and he's developed physically, mentally, and socially, much of it due to the great situation at Dinha's Place. (He's also learned bits of other languages, due to the diversity of kids.) To repeat, we highly recommend Dinha's Place! Please contact me with any questions. Contact: Dinha Baldiserella, 510-525-7792
June 2010
I would like to highly recommend Dinha's Place Daycare for children ages 6 months to 3 years. Dinha and her teachers are so loving, kind and wonderful with the children. There are many activities each day, including circle time, art projects and a large outdoor play area. There are also weekly activities including music and dance. Dinha is studying her degree in child development and uses her knowledge and skills to create a very supportive, happy and stimulating environment for the children. I have had two children enrolled with Dinah since they were 6 months old and both were very happy to go each day and developed lasting and loving relationships with Dinha and her teachers, as well as great social skills. Please contact Dinha if you are interested in visiting the Daycare.
June 2010
Dinha's Place Childcare in Richmond is a wonderful, caring, nurturing, and well- structured environment. My second daughter is now there--she is currently 14 months--and she is always thrilled and excited when we're still driving the last few blocks! My older daughter, who is now 4, went to Dinha's prior to preschool and she was well-prepared for the transition and still loves going to Dinha's for a visit. Dinha offers a structured day with circle time, free play time, lots of outside activity, art, music, and mini- lessons that teach colors, days of the week, etc. I cannot recommend Dinha's place more! I could go on and on about the wonders of Dinha and her staff (especially Mila, who my youngest is lovingly attached to).
Joanne
June 2010
We are very happy to recommend a great daycare. Our 3.5 year old daughter goes there for the last 18 month. Dinha runs her own place in her home, with two nice warm helpers. Dinha loves the children, and treats them with respect.
The place is extremely nice, most inviting and very clean. Our daughter loves staying there everyday till closing time, so she doesn't miss the fun. Dinha puts a lot of effort in building a comprehensive educational program. The kids learn about a different topic every week (family, fruits, pets, the sea, etc.). Dinha provides diapers and more important the children eat healthy home-made food.
Dinha cares very much for the children. She will go a long way when a child needs special attention and provide the parents with all the information and tools (books, advices, a shoulder to lean on, etc.) to deal with the problem.
If we did not leave the bay area, We would definitely send our baby son there! It is an amazing place for kids! Dinha's Place (510) 525 7792
Nilly
Jan 2010
Hello BPN members! Are you looking for daycare for your little one(s)? I want to share my wonderful experience with Dinha's Place Childcare in El Cerrito in hopes you'll have to look no further for excellent childcare. Dinha owns and operates the daycare from her home in El Cerrito. She along with her assistant, Mila, offer a loving, secure and inviting atmosphere for the kids. My son and daughter both started with Dinha at about 4 months old and absolutely loved it. As a first time parent finding infant care was scary and overwhelming. What a relief to find someone who is genuine and caring and not just doing a job. Dinha and Mila love the kids as their own. The kids thrive with the structure that they provide such as circle time, arts and crafts, playtime and even music and dance. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Or contact Dinha to set up a visit and hopefully end your search! Her phone number is 510-525-7792.
Carmen
Nov 2009
Our son was at Dinha's from 7 months until he ''graduated'' to preschool. It is a wonderful, loving place in a clean home-like environment with tons of indoor toys and a large outdoor area. My husband and I really valued the daily feedback from Dinha about our son's day, his development, and his interactions with other children and regular excellent caregivers at Dinha's. My son loved the outdoor play and especially the music programming He (and we!) still miss ''Dinha's''. The cost is extremely modest, especially considering that Dinha supplies all the diapers, wipes, meals (even formula if you specify it), and snacks. Meals and snacks are home cooked and organic; she had my son eating healthy foods he still won't eat at home. Dinha has a BA in Human Development with a minor in Early Childhood, is a preschool teacher, and has over 10 years of experience working with young children. The age range of children in her care is 6 months to 3.5 years old. We have older children and have seen other places; we could not recommend anyone more highly than Dinha's. Contact: Emilde Baldissarella (Dinha), 510-525-7792 baldissarella [at] sbcglobal.net
June 2009
Our 3.5 year old daughter has been at Dinha's full-time for 15 months. Dinha has room opening up after July 6th and has places for either full-time or part-time. The ideal age is between 1 and 3 years old. This is a fully licensed home-based daycare with a large backyard and the children are given breakfast, snacks and lunch. Every morning the children have circle time, and arts & crafts but also have an opportunity to run around and play outside. There is also a weekly visit from a music teacher and optional weekly yoga. I couldn't have been happier with the experience and my daughter loved her time there. We're putting her in a preschool this summer and I'm comfortable with that because I believe she learned at Dinha's a solid foundation of verbal, physical and artistic skills. Contact: Dinha Baldissarella, baldissarella [at] sbcglobal.net
LGJ
March 2009
Our daughter has been with Dinha since she was four months old. Dinha has been a pivotal person in our daughter's life as she has grown and, if we could, we would never leave! She adores our daughter and all of the other children she cares for. Her day care is located in the Richmond Annex right on Carlson. Her rates are competitive. She provides all meals and snacks. They are organic and cooked in her kitchen. Diapers are provided. Dinha is in the process of earning her credentials in early childhood education. Our daughter comes home singing her circle time songs and counting in English and Spanish. Now that she is old enough, I have a window in to what happens at day care as she plays with her babies and dolls. She imitates the way she is cared for. I hear the love and patience that must be extended to her throughout her day. Yoga, art, and music classes are offered. Most importantly, you walk in to Dinha's place and feel the love and preparation that she infuses in to the environment. I wouldn't have been able to go off to work with a clear conscience if it hadn't been for her.... Contact: Dinha Baldiserella, (510) 525-7792
Feb 2009
We are parents of a two-year-old boy and we are writing this recommendation to support Dinha's Place. We are extremely pleased with the work done by Dinha and Mila. We have seen how loving and caring they are with all the children. We truly believe that that Dinha's place allows children to develop all their capabilities. Dinha's place has impressed us with the extracurricular activities they organize (for Halloween, Christmas and Eastern) and with the enthusiasm showed by the participating families.
Somos los padres de un nino de casi dos anios y escribimos para recomendar el Childcare Dinha's Place, ya que estamos muy contentos y satisfechos con el trabajo que Dinha y Mila realizan.Hemos visto lo carinosas y preocupadas que son con nuestro hijo y lo feliz que el es en ese lugar. Creemos que es un espacio donde el ha podido desarrollar sus capacidades; sociales, cognitivas y motrices. Nos ha impresionado tambien, la dedicacion en la organizacion de las fiestas que anualmente alli se celebran; Halloween, Christmas y Eastern, ya que es una oportunidad para que las familias se conozcan.
Maria and Alejandro
March 2008
For anyone with toddlers looking for an amazing home daycare, I highly recommend Dinha's Place in the Richmond Annex on Carlson. Our 1 year old daughter is there now and her older sister was there from age 1-3 a few years ago. Dinha (pronounced ''Jeenya'') is an amazing woman from Brazil - she is warm, caring, loving, intelligent and the kids thrive under her care. Next door is Nini's Place and the two home daycares spend time together. She has space for 2+ year olds right now and usually has a wait list. Fabulous outdoor space, lots of music and wonderful playing. Contact Dinha directly or feel free to contact me as a reference - Tammy.
Contact: Dinha, 510-525-7792
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