Re: Waldorf Preschool in East Bay
I can recommend a good program in El Cerrito which was previously called a Mother's daycare and is now Monkey flower early childhood. Colleen Turrell is the director of the program. Good luck. Catherine

I want to submit an enthusiastic review of Monkey Flower Preschool, which used to be called A Mother's Care. It is a Waldorf-based program with a great adult/child ratio, great activities, relatively small and mixed age, nutritious organic food, and loving staff. There's lots of singing, sign language, art, reading, stories, spanish language exposure -- and good for any type of child. Colene, the Director, has openings right now for older children (3, 4 and 5 year olds). My daughter is 3 and loves it there, as do we. Please feel free contact me if you have any questions. Jennifer

Re: affordable childcare for single mom
I would highly recommend Colene Turrell's daycare/preschool (all ages - infants to Kindergarten age) in El Cerrito. It's called Monkey Flower Preschool and is Waldorf based. She serves (included in the price) organic meals, uses cloth diapers while the kids are in her care (her diapers - you can use disposable when you pick up your kids) and welcomes kids in diapers still; she also ''teaches'' all of the kids at the same time to potty train. The kids have lots of outdoor time, watering the garden, playing chase, baking, doing arts, etc. Her fee is a bit higher for kids under 2 but not much - kids over 2 are something like $6.75/ hour and siblings are HALF off. monkeyflower parent

Excellent Waldorf Family Day Care (El Cerrito)
I'd like to recommend ''A Mother's Care'' family day care home in El Cerrito. Colleen Turrell, the owner, is an intelligent Waldorf-educated mother of two. She and her aides are fantastic, smart and gentle women, really good with juggling the needs of infants along with older kids. Wonderful natural-food home-cooked meals are served. They coped marvelously with my developmentally-delayed daughter's needs (above average needs) without batting an eyelash. I believe they have an opening or two, for kids 3 mos. thru age 6 or older

My 19 month old son has been at A Mother's Care, a Waldorf inspired daycare run by Colene Turrell, since he was 5 mos old. I am completely at ease knowing he is in the capable hands of Colene and her helpers. Colene is a gifted caregiver and mother of 2 children. She serves wholesome, organic meals, uses sign language, has Waldorf-style toys and respects the individuality of each child in her care.

Deborah