Oak Center Little People Academy

My almost 3yo transitioned away from a 1 on 1 sitter to daycare a year ago and I have been endlessly grateful to DLPA (first West, now at Oak Center). She loves her teachers, and refers to them as hers. “My Ms.KeyKey” “My Ms Pheobe” etc. There’s enough structure that she is not bored, but enough free flow that she can be herself. So glad we have a great Daycare in our community that I was able to get into with short notice. 

My 19-month old daughter has been attending Oak Center since they reopened in January. I have so many good things to say about this daycare! I actually had my daughter enrolled elsewhere and changed at the last minute after taking a tour here - I had such a good feeling about the staff and facility. I'm so glad I followed that instinct as my daughter has been so happy. 

So, here are a few fantastic things about this daycare:

- The food! My daughter has always been at the lower end of the weight percentile. But since attending Oak Center she has jumped up from the 10th percentile to the 21st! They eat breakfast, lunch and two snacks. Everything is healthy, homemade, lots of organic choices. I feel so good knowing that she is going to eat well all day.

- The facility! This was previously a community center and it is perfectly laid out for younger children with a large outdoor area. My daughter started in the infant room, which is smaller and less overwhelming for younger infants. Now she has graduated to the larger toddler room, which she is really enjoying. Everything is age-appropriate and fun without being totally overstimulating.

- The staff! My daughter absolutely loves all her "teachers" at "school," and is particularly attached to Miss Kiki, who she talks about at home. They are so loving, caring and tuned in to the kids. They send updates throughout the day, including pictures and videos of what they're doing. The children have lots of time for free play inside and outside, but also have some structured activities, including art-making, and circle time and story time. My daughter has learned some songs and numbers, and has learned lots socially/emotionally. She loves to sing and dance like they do at Oak Center. The staff have been flexible and understanding and sensitive towards my daughter when she's had difficult moments and always keep me in the loop.

What more can I say? There's flexibility around part-time and full-time attendance, the price is affordable for the East Bay, the administrators are attentive and kind, the staff are fantastic, I wish I could eat the food that my daughter gets all week. The family behind Oak Center also run a nearby preschool, so your child can stay with them until age 5. 

I'm so grateful I found Oak Center. 

I have nothing but admiration and praise for the staff at Oak Center Little People Academy. My child who has social anxiety has absolutely blossomed here. The support they offered us at every step was nothing short of amazing. Ms. Pat, Ms. Deltrina and Ms. Grace have gone above and beyond for our children - 4 and 2 years old.

The most heartfelt thanks to everyone at the school for being there for us and for caring for our babies with all your heart and with such joy. Even when things got tough, they just fought harder to understand the situation and find solutions.  My kids have made such great memories there and often talk about the wonderful teachers and the friends they're leaving behind. We are moving soon and so have to say goodbye with a heavy heart. But the beautiful people at Oak Center Little people will never be forgotten.
I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a perfect mix of a fun and enriching environment for their children. And I wish the staff there all the best.

We truly appreciate the care that our daughter, and our family, have received at Oak Center. The sense of community provided to us as transplants to Oakland will forever be a positive influence on our move to The Bay. Pat Jordan and her staff have real talent as caregivers and their love for the kids is evident based on how excited they all are to go to school each morning, not to mention how happy they are at pick-up time. Our two year old talks about her teachers on a daily basis and has always thrives under their watch.