Full Day Preschool near Berkeley?
Hello
Does anyone have any suggestions / advice on before & aftercare programs for preschools in the Berkeley area.
Most preschools I see are open only in the morning.... we need help from 8-5pm 3 days a week.
Any ideas / suggestions / thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time
Feb 7, 2022
Parent Replies
We really enjoy UC Berkeley ECEP. Cons: expensive, long waitlist, harder to get in if you are not UC affiliated, but not impossible. This year, slightly truncated hours due to covid/omicron/staffing challenges (8:15-4:45) but they are working towards extending it.
Pros: very high quality, has clear protocols, UCB has a very thorough vaccination policy for covid + other things (all faculty/staff AND guardians have to turn in complete vaccine records, including flu. Student assistants (UCB undergrads) are lovely. Teachers with lots of experience and advanced degrees in many cases. Parents are diverse, mix of UC Berkeley faculty, staff, postdocs, PhD students as well as some members of the community. My favorite part is they provide 2 snacks plus a great lunch. They use the same nutritionist as the university to prepare meals. My kid always eats so much and I love not having to plan this.
Check out Kensington Nursery School. My child went there 7 years ago. It is a well organized program with lots of indoor and outdoor space and terrific hours for working parents. I felt like the adults were all very professional, fun, loving and took great care of the kids.
Hearts Leap preschools have both part-time and full-time options. Our son has been on the 8:30a-5:00p schedule there for several years.
Step One School in Berkeley offers excellent full-day care. The afternoon program is so great the many kids (including mine) asked to stay for the afternoon program and never wanted to leave at pick-up. The teachers are very experienced professionals, the outdoor space is phenomenal, and every child is understood and seen. We were there for a total of five years and I can't say enough good things.
Hi! Our 3yo goes to Cedar Creek Montessori School in Berkeley. He started at the preschool this past November and we've been quite impressed with the teachers and their care. The preschool offers full days from 8am-5pm, five days a week, and are accepting new students right now!
Cheers!
Sara
There may be a waiting list, but Cornerstone Children's Center (CCC) of First Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, on Dana & Channing Way is a great preschool/care and has part-time and full-time care. My 2 grandchildren were part of this loving community since infancy. 8:30 am - 3 pm or 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. Good luck! http://cornerstonechildren.com/