SmallTrans Bears
Oakland, CA
- Jan 2022: new license for new owner
- Infant Center: 013423128 capacity=40
- July 2024: license was suspended due to numerous license violations; https://www.ccld.dss.ca.gov/transparencyapi/api/FacilityReports?facNum=…
Parent Q&A
Parent Reviews
Parents, please Sign in to post a review on this page.Wanted to provide a different perspective on SmallTrans. We've been sending our daughter to SmallTrans for 8 months (from 6mo old). So far we've had a good experience there - our daughter is very happy to go into the facility each day (super excited to see the teachers, laughing and clapping, clings to them when we come to pick her up). They provide advice on various transitions (e.g., bottle weaning, sleep, etc.). We've had positive interactions with all staff, administrators, and the director. This is definitely not a 'hold your hand' crew - the director is direct, no nonsense. But she cares about the kids, and her business.
I do not want to negate the experience of other families that have attended - but just want to emphasize that the experiences shared in other reviews are not universal.
Do NOT send your kids here. There are credible allegations of physical and verbal abuse by the owner and staff that has been corroborated by older kids and former employees.
If you are considering SmallTrans Bears, I recommend you look at the most recent yelp reviews. There have been very credible allegations of verbal and physical abuse in the toddler room of the daycare. If you want to know more, feel free to contact me.
DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE. I sent my child here before learning about the abuse at the hands of the staff members happening here daily, including to my child. They are under investigation for these allegations. This daycare is under new ownership since 2022, so all of the positive reviews are under a previous owner. The current owner is Cynthia.
We love SmallTrans. The teachers have been there for a very long time. They love the babies as their own.
This daycare has been renamed SmallTrans Bears. Feel free to message me for questions!
We love SmallTrans.
My wife and I both work full time so we started our daughter at SmallTrans when she was only 5 months old. We were nervous first-time parents, and a little unsure how to balance our professional careers with being the type of parents we wanted to be.
When we chose SmallTrans, we knew we picked a place convenient to BART, with good hours, that we felt confident would keep our daughter safe and stimulated. What we didn’t realize is that we were stepping into such a warm, relaxed, and nurturing community: experienced staff (low turnover!) that really got to know our child and helped us become better parents.
I’ve recommended SmallTrans to friends, and I will continue to do so. Happy to answer any questions.
I am in love with SmallTrans Depot! I cannot sing its praises enough. My eight month old daughter has been there for the last three months and they have made the transition to daycare quite painless. I feel good going to work everyday and knowing she is in good hands! Feel free to message me if you have questions.
My daughter joined Small Trans when she turned a year. As four of our friends had sent their children there, we had been on the waiting list for about 8 months, I was so happy to finally get a spot! My daughter really flourished there! The teachers in the infant room hold the babies a lot, they are so caring and nurturing with them. Teacher Aresha, Daj, Wayfen, Akili and Arlene took great, great care of my little girl when she was a baby. As the babies meet the milestones (walking, no bottle, 1 nap a day on the cot, self feeding) needed to the transition to the toddler room, they take the older infants over to spend an hour with the toddlers doing activities in their room. The toddler teachers are also wonderful. Teacher Kim is the head teacher and she is so kind and energetic. Teacher Debbie (my daughter bonded with especially), Teacher Van and Vickie are also lovely women. There are so many activities for the toddlers, they learn colors, the letters, they celebrate holidays, they dance, they have a covered playground, they have many parties, they do circle time--they have really mastered the structured play environment. Every thing is so well run, so professional. A huge plus is the lack of teacher turnover (Teacher Kim has been there 20+ years and many other teachers have been there 15+ years) and the fact that many families enroll siblings because they love the center so much.--Small Trans Fan
Archived Q&A and Reviews
April 2010
5 Stars for Smalltrans Depot (Oakland)
I was so nervous about leaving my newborn baby with anyone. I searched high and low for a place where I would feel comfortable leaving my newborn-since I had to return to my full-time job. Nothing was as comforting as finding Smalltrans Depot. The high security building with guards, cameras and coded door locks were extremely reassuring, and the staff is as good as it gets! (Hours are great too! 7:30-5:30) The director Vanessa is a kind, generous and professional mother hen. She spends time with the infants and toddlers and they love her. The infant room is filled with nurturing attentive motherly women who are always holding and playing with the babies.
It's so comforting to be able to hand your baby to someone who you trust- who you know will be protecting, holding and caring for your baby. The toddler room is a wonderful place filled with happy children. The children are learning and playing in a very fun environment. SmallTrans is a 5-Star facility with 5-Star staff. They are so welcoming to moms dads and grandparents. What a wonderful way for kids to start off in life, and for parents to have peace of mind.
August 2006
Has anyone used Smalltrans Depot (aka Honeybee Childcare Center) in Oakland's Caltrans building? We will soon be first time parents, and could use advice. Our baby will be 3-1/2 months old when s/he enters day care. Thanks
esther
My son (now 9 y.o.) went to Small Trans from age 1-3. It was a long time ago, but we loved it. The staff was great, very professional, loving and attentive. When he was older, the program was especially amazing. Plus the kids really enjoyed having the covered outdoor play area so that they could get out even when it was raining.
another esther
It's been about four years since we were at Smalltrans, but our memories are good. Weyfin, Kim, and Martha stick out in our memories as exceptional caregivers. Weyfin and Martha are in the infant room and are very kind and warm people. Weyfin is ''baby magic'' and I never felt bad leaving our son with her. I knew he was cared for and loved.
Kim runs the toddler room and is a very warm and knowledgable person. She made the transition easy and friendly. She has a lot of experience and my son grew to love her own two kids as well. They are older and came after their own school days on occasion. He still talks about his friends and we've been back to visit.
It's a good place and we've made lifetime friendships with other kids that attended Smalltrans with us. Hope that helps
Karen
We started with Smalltrans three weeks ago when our son was 5 months old. Within a week he went in everyday with a smile. All the teachers greets him warmly every morning. We get a report sheet daily for his naps, diapers, and food intake. Other parents noted that their kids are happy there and there seems to be a good number of younger siblings joining Smalltrans. So far, our experience has been great.