Lucecitas Daycare
Berkeley, CA
Parent Q&A
Parent Reviews
Parents, please Sign in to post a review on this page.Lucecitas Daycare AKA Maria's is a wonderful, family-run place for your child to spend the day. Our kid attended for almost 3 years both pre- and post-pandemic. We were so thankful for the love and joy that Maria's provided our kid during such trying times. Our kid frequently wanted to stay longer at the end of the day and always has little stories to tell about their day - books read, stories sung, sights on walks, games played at the park, etc.
Our kid would be so happy with all the delicious food they ate everyday, along with the variety of different age-appropriate activities they would be offered each day. And it was delightful to see our child able to interact with kids of different ages (and prepared them for becoming a big sibling). And we valued that the adults at Maria's mostly speak Spanish with the kids, but can speak English as needed (and with adults who don't speak Spanish.
We are so thankful for the gem that is Maria's and how they helped us raise our kiddo!
The kids usually range in age from infants to 4 year olds. They currently have full and part time openings for 2 year olds if anyone is looking! Hours are 8am-5pm.
Maria's daycare is a dream. Maria, Veronica and 2 other women run the daycare and each child is seen, cared for and loved intensely. My son is so incredibly happy when i pick him up everyday. He has thrived from being there.
The kids go to the park everyday, they play, sing, dance and read. The kids are fed home-cooked meals (heavenly for the working parents) and the atmosphere is always calm and warm.
I can't rave enough about this place, it truly is a miracle we found this amazing family to trust with our baby each day.
Hi! My two year old attends Lucecitas Family Daycare, also known as "Maria's" and run by Maria Gonzalez. She and the three other women there are warm, loving, kind, and such amazing caregivers and teachers. They speak Spanish with the kids but also speak perfect English to communicate with parents who don't speak Spanish. They feed the kids breakfast and lunch, and two snacks. They cook homemade food, fresh hot food for breakfast and lots of soups for lunch. My daughter has been there since she was six months old, and my older daughter also went there until she went to preschool.
You said you're moving to South Berkeley--the daycare is near San Pablo Park, -!; they walk there to play every morning
I think they might have space for your daughter's age--they did a few months ago. The number is (510) 356-4474 and you'll probably reach Veronica.
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Jan 2014
Maria runs Luceitas Daycare and is a kind, gentle person who cares so much about her work. My daughter is 2.5 and is leaving Maria's for preschool. There are other openings because several other kids (3.5 year olds) are also leaving for preschool.
I dropped my daughter off every morning for almost two years knowing that she would be safe, cared for, fed healthy food (soup, fruits and vegetables, yogurt, etc), and would get exercise and get to play with wonderful friends. They walk to a nearby park every day, and the caregivers really engage with the kids both at the park and in the house. They do a lot of songs, music, and games.
Maria and her helpers speak Spanish exclusively with the kids, and my daughter has learned a lot of Spanish words and songs there, even though we don't speak it with her at home.
Being a working parent can be hard, but I truly felt good about leaving my daughter in such a nurturing environment that felt like a second home to her. We will miss Maria so much and I hope that a new family can take our place and get a lot out of the daycare, too.
Both of my daughters attended Lucecitas with Maria. The most recent number I have is (510) 356-4474. If that doesn’t work, I would recommend stopping by if possible.
The number posted is correct so just try again another time. My kid goes there (and we love it). I asked Maria yesterday if she had changed her number and she said no and that she's make sure the landline is working. So give it another try.