Little b, Big B Daycare
Community SubscriberBerkeley, CA
We are located in a quiet N.Berkeley neighborhood walking distance to Live Oak Park and the Cheeseboard! Our focus is a play-based way to learning and experiencing through imagination and imitation. We believe in nurturing the early sense of wonder:) We provide a loving environment encouraging growth and exploration. We support the individual needs for each child in our loving home.
Parent Q&A
Parent Reviews
Parents, please Sign in to post a review on this page.I can't say enough wonderful things about little B, Big B. Our daughter has been there since she was 15 months old (she's now 26 months old) and she has thrived in this loving, educational, respectful environment. Betsy and Barbara are both mothers themselves, and you have never met two more nurturing women. Drop off is easy as our daughter always runs to get involved in whatever activity is going on (reading books, pretend play, breakfast), and whenever we pick her up she doesn't want to leave without giving both Betsy and Babi a hug and kiss. From the moment I walked in to tour it over a year ago, I realized this was a special place as they (and their alumni and guests, who love to visit) are always down on the floor, engaging with the kids - it's a very verbal environment and my daughter's vocabulary has blossomed! They have helped us with everything from potty training, moving to a "big girl" bed, temper tantrums/biting, learning letters... but more than anything I credit them with making my daughter a caring and compassionate individual - it's pretty impressive to instill empathy in a two year old, but it happens naturally here - you see it in all the kids who attend. They keep us informed about her days from nap times to new milestones, and I not infrequently get a text with cute pictures of what they're up to. The space itself is strikingly clean, and they have a beautiful huge deck for lots of outdoor play as well as a grassy front yard. Lunch is included and healthy, and my husband and I joke that the few times we've picked her up early at lunch it's like the Knights of the Roundtable as they all sit in high chairs around a big table in well-manned fashion. Betsy and Barbara have really become a part of our family - as an illustration of this, our daughter was excited about the petting zoo at her 2nd birthday party, but what she couldn't stop talking about for literally months was that Betsy and Barbara came to her party - she was beaming when they arrived, and she immediately took them both by the hand and led them on a tour. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
Geri
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Oct 2014
An intimate homey family daycare, run by the amazing Betsy and her wonderful second-in-command Barbara, and located in Berkeley, close to the Live Oak Park. My daughter was there and we just moved on and left an opening. My daughter was a year old when we started, which is pretty young, but I instantly knew she was in good capable hands and she felt right at home. She actually still asks about ''my Betsy and Babi'' As a preschool teacher I was very happy with the variety of activities offered: They go on walks almost every day, and play inside (books, puzzles, music, dress up and pretend play etc.) and out on the deck or on the grass (water play, toy cars to drive etc.). They make their own food, and everything is clean and well thought of. I feel so lucky to have found them and I know that as long as we stay in Berkeley, this will be my #1 first choice daycare. If you want more details feel free to contact me!
Anna
Sept 2014
We'd like to strongly recommend little b Big B daycare, run by Betsy Maisel & Barbara Randle. Our son started there when he was 6 months old, and graduated to preschool at age 3. Our daughter, 2, started at 6 months too & currently attends little b Big B. Like her brother, she loves it so much that it takes some convincing to "extract" her at pick-up time. We chose little b Big b in 2009 because we felt at home the moment we stepped into the house. We'd been looking for a small, family-run daycare that would be like an extension of our family (our families are overseas). We were also looking for people that shared our values. Betsy & Barbara are very loving, & the kids love them in turn. They're as honest & trustworthy as anybody you could find. During school holidays the house bustles with their "alumni", which tells its own story. We've been lucky having Betsy & Barbara in our lives, and both of our children, (1 outgoing, 1 shy) love them and consider them part of the family. The kids ask for Barbara to come over and babysit. A Berkeley local & a parent herself, Betsy has been a terrific source of information and guidance on all things Berkeley. We can't recommend little b Big B enough. We're only sorry that we've run out of kids to send there! phone: 510-898-1713
Aida & Steve
Sept 2014
My 21 month year old daughter has attended Little B, Big B daycare since she was 9 months old. When I was looking for childcare for my daughter I didn't think I would find a place that was going to love and nurture her the way that I would (of course) as her mom. Betsy and Barbara (the caregivers) have gone above and beyond my hopes and dreams for caring for my daughter. Their love and guidance is both gentle and fair. The children play together in a very loving way. Since my daughter does not have siblings, Little B, Big B has felt like an extension of our family. I just couldn't be happier! Outside there is a large, beautiful deck with outdoor toys for the kids to play and enjoy the fresh air. As well as light filled rooms with developmentally appropriate toys and a nap room with a grand piano. If you're looking for a safe, loving environment where you child will be cared for and nurtured so they can blossom into their little selves, this is the place! The phone number is (510) 684-1131.
Robin
Sept 2009
I am writing to recommend a family daycare run by Betsy Maisel and Barbara Randle. My child has attended this daycare for over a year and he goes there still. Simply put, Betsy and Barbara are two of the most warm and wonderful people I know. They are all about children. They know my son's food/ clothes/ sleep/ play likes and dislikes. They know what cheers him up when he is sad. They follow all is cherished rituals, such as knocking on the other side of the door when he arrives. They love him and he loves them. Under their care children have lots of outdoor play, make art, hear stories, eat healthy snacks, dance to live piano music and are cared for much like at home. They also learn important skills for interacting with other children. Overall, they have created a happy, positive environment where children thrive. Betsy and Barbara currently have openings in their family daycare. If you would like to question me further about my experience at Little B, Big B, feel free to contact me (Laurie). Otherwise, contact Betsy directly. Contact: Betsy Maisel, rabbittm2 [at] yahoo.com, (510) 898-1713
Welcome to the bay area childcare market! Typically nobody will contact you back if they don't have an opening, and even if they do it usually takes many tries. Good luck!
Hi, yes it is still active. The owner Betsy sometimes takes time to respond to emails, maybe better to call. BTW they were on a week long vacation last week, maybe thats why you havent heard back.