Auntie's House
Community SubscriberBerkeley, CA
Choosing the right daycare for our little one was a daunting task, but we couldn't be happier with our decision to enroll our daughter at Aunti's. From the moment we stepped through their doors, we were welcomed with warmth and kindness that instantly put our minds at ease.
Aunti and Kandi are truly exceptional caregivers. Their nurturing and loving approach created a safe haven where our daughter thrived. They treated her as if she were their own, showering her with affection, guidance, and patience. It was evident that each child's well-being was their top priority.
Despite being a home-based center, Aunti and Kandi offer a rich and diverse range of activities that stimulate both physical and cognitive development. We were thrilled that they incorporate daily outdoor adventures, such as taking the kids to the nearby park, allowing the children to explore nature and burn off their boundless energy. During the hot summer days, they even take the kids Berkeley Marina, and do other outings, providing a refreshing change of scenery and opportunities for water play.
What truly sets Aunti's and Kandi's apart is their commitment to fostering a strong sense of community and nurturing the children's love for music. Kandi, a professional drummer, incorporates music into their daily routine, introducing the kids to various instruments and rhythms. From clapping games to drumming circles, the children are exposed to the joy of making music, which not only enhances their creativity but also develops their cognitive and social skills.
They effortlessly create a family-like atmosphere, where parents can connect and build relationships with one another. The open communication and collaboration between Aunti, Kandi, and parents fosters a diverse community.
We couldn't be more grateful for the love, care, and enriching experiences our daughter has received at Aunti's. It's a place where she has blossomed.
Truly an outstanding daycare. We feel so lucky to have sent two kids to Auntie and Kande's. They are warm, loving, thoughtful and amazing people, not to mention how sweet their kids are. We felt so comfortable with them and love all the little touches - Kande's drumming with the kiddos, daily outdoor excursions to Grove Park and Auntie's delicious cooking just to name a few. My daughter, who is now in preschool, loves picking up her little brother and saying hi to Auntie and Kande - they formed a special bond. Auntie is truly a professional and very experienced - my wife and I seek her advice on all sorts of child raising matters and she is always spot on. I highly recommend Auntie's House and am available if you want to discuss with a parent.
We sent both our kids to Auntie‘s House when they were 4 and 7 months old. Auntie, her husband Kande, and their 3 kids provide the perfect second home for both of our sons, it truly feels like family for us! They provide such a social, loving, and stimulating environment with some African vibes, music, drumming, and lots of outdoor activities. This is exactly the way we wanted our kids to grow up. They always treated our kids like theirs and we always felt that they really enjoyed caring for our kids. Auntie has a lot of experience and has always good advice for new parents. Our 3.5 years old started preschool 4 months ago and is still talking about going back to Auntie.
Auntie and Kande are incredibly flexible and work out plans with the parents as needed. We are very very thankful for all the support provided by Auntie’s House and can highly recommend her daycare. Currently, there are 2 openings for baby’s and toddlers.
Auntie's House is such treasure for our family. Mariemou has been a primary care provider for our 3 year old since he was 5 months old, and for our one year old since he was 3 months old. Our kids are with her all day 5 days a week and Auntie's House is their second home. Mariemou and her husband Kande work together to provide a safe, cozy, stimulating environment for the kids. They get to play outside much of the day, regardless of weather, and go back to Auntie's cozy home for yummy healthy food and naps. They're among a small group of kids who get a great balance of social interaction and one on one care. At drop off, our kids are almost always smiling and eager to get busy playing. Even on cranky days when they want to stay home Auntie wins them over within a couple minutes. The joy and peace of mind we get knowing our boys are so happy and cared for is immeasurable. Our 3 year old will be heading to preschool in June, and there will be a few spaces open!
Mariemou is the best partner you could ask for in raising a happy, healthy, loved, and well-socialized child. She had my 1st daughter from 6 months (she's now 3 and continues to go for occasional days/half days after preschool) and has my new 5 month baby 3 days a week. My 3 year old is a wonderfully confident, well-adjusted child, and I give so much credit to "Auntie" for her integral help. My new baby just adores her- you can see the look on her face and how she hugs Auntie upon arrival. The kids spend lots of time outside, and she puts a big emphasis on getting them plenty of exercise (their consistently long naps prove it!) She just LOVES the kids and every aspect of caring for them, whether it's bottle feeding, changing, or going above and beyond by getting that lovey washed for you. One visit with her and you can tell she's a pro- nothing ruffles her feathers and she speaks to the kids with such respect that they learn how to listen and do things for themselves. She has helped me become a better parent, and I still find myself asking her advice, even with my second. She is located near Ashby Bart and the Berkeley Bowl.
My family was so lucky to meet Mariemou before our daughter, now almost 4, was born. It took the anxiety out of finding a childcare provider out of the picture entirely. Mariemou took care of my daughter from 3 months to 3 years, and now takes care of my 1 year old son.
Kids absolutely love Mariemou. She fills the day with games, songs, yummy food, and adventures in the neighborhood. She is a big kid at heart, and loves to see kids have fun and learn important social skills. She works with kids to help them learn about their surroundings, from babies up to preschool-age. The kids I know who she has taken care of are grounded, confident, and socially engaged.
I often find myself comparing her to other child care providers and parents I see at our neighborhood park because she is consistently one of the more active grown ups out there.
Look no further for a loving home for your little ones.
Our daughter is starting preschool in September, which means you might be lucky enough to get a spot in Mariemou Toure's family daycare! Mariemou is one of the warmest people I have ever met, and has been spectacular at filling our kid's days with love and adventure since she was 7 months old. She is now 3, and Mariemou has helped us shape her into a well behaved, smart, thoughtful, fun loving kid. Mariemou has a huge amount of experience with babies and young children, but more than that, she has a natural ability with them and genuinely loves spending time with them. She takes them outside every day she can, sometimes just to the park, and sometimes on long walks full of discovery. Mariemou has an endless imagination for what to do to stimulate the kids to learn about the world around them. The kids call her Auntie - we think of her as part of our extended family. Since she only takes a few kids at a time, there is a perfect balance of a close loving one on one connection with her and a social atmosphere. Since there is a range of ages (from babies to 3 year olds), the kids get the benefit of either learning from bigger kids or "helping" with the littler kids. Mariemou is willing to work with any rules that are important to you. She has been incredibly flexible with hours as long as we commit to 30 hours/week, which has been a lifesaver for us, since my partner's work schedule shifts week to week, and I sometimes have to work late with little notice. Every day we drop her off knowing that she is in a place where she is happy, safe, well cared for, and loved. We feel like finding her was the luckiest thing that could have happened to us! She is looking for more kids for September 2015. Call her at (510)809-6097.
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