• Owner: Co-Directors Claire Copenhagen Bainer and Liisa Hale
• Phone: 510-261-1076
• Email: monairet@blueskies4children.org
• Neighborhood: Fruitvale/Dimond
• Zip: 94602
• License #: 010209844
• Capacity: 85
• Website: http://www.blueskies4children.org
• Bilingual:
• Ages: 2 months to 5 years

One of my biggest worries when I was pregnant was finding a wonderful daycare for my son. I can't even begin to express how lucky I feel that we found Blue Skies for Children. From a practical standpoint, Blue Skies makes life easier for working parents by providing diapers, formula, and nutritious meals. I love not having to pack a lunch, and somehow my son will eat things at school (zucchini, for example) that he won't eat for me. From an emotional standpoint, there is nothing better than dropping off my kiddo and knowing that he will be well cared for. We've been at the school for 3 and a half years, so we've been in every classroom from baby to preschool, and we have loved it at each step. The teachers and staff are truly the heart of the school and absolutely know what they are doing. I have relied on their knowledge and experience to help guide me as I learn how to be a parent. They've pretty much seen it all, and so they kindly and confidently help you when you aren't sure how to handle a new behavior, etc. I know that at some point we'll hit the real world of kindergarten and all that comes after, but for now, we are so thankful to feel well cared for at Blue Skies. Erin

I have written a review of this wonderful daycare facility on yelp also, but figured I'd share with BPN as well. My daughters (ages 2 & 5) have been going to Blueskies since they were infants. The teachers are loving and educated and very importantly, have a long tenure with the school so the children have consistency with their caregivers and parents have folks with a WEALTH of knowledge to help us navigate the ins and outs of moods and feelings of our little ones. The parent community is fantastic and I can honestly say that the last 5 years have been made so much easier through the help of this wonderful daycare center. My oldest is getting ready to start kindergarten this year (and they have a great way of getting kids ready for the transition over the summer by making the class seem more like kindergarten than it has traditionally been...which is play-based). Luckily I still have one child at the school so I don't have to give up the great community and resources just yet. For anyone looking for wonderful childcare where you really don't have to worry about your child from the time of dropoff to the time you pick them up, Blueskies is it. Blueskies Parent

Why I Choose BlueSkies

In response to the posts in this week's childcare digest by parents seeking a nurturing and stimulating childcare program for their infants, I'd like to recommend BlueSkies for Children. Rooted in essentials of childhood development, BlueSkies meets each child at his or her own level, and provides structured support so that they can learn and grow.

The BlueSkies approach is timeless--instead of televisions and cartoon toys, kids play with blocks, dress-ups, things with wheels, sand, wind, and water. Bundled warmly or in broad brims and sunscreen, all but the very youngest children spend a good part of each day in vibrant outdoor play areas.

Kids who start in the program as babies will move through six distinct age groups before they leave for kindergarten. Each group gives the children developmentally appropriate ways to play, to interact, to observe, and to express themselves. Teachers speak respectfully to the children at all times. It's clear that they believe, as any good teacher should, that all children are valuable.

If you are even vaguely considering BlueSkies, I encourage you to take three minutes to watch the Virtual Visit video on their website at http://blueskies4children.org/about/virtual-visit/. The thoughtful, professional care you see in the video is what you would see if you popped into any BlueSkies group at any time. It's real, and it's very good.

Though the program has limited openings, due to the ''wait pool'' system, there's always a chance that your child will be the perfect fit for an open space. Call or email BlueSkies to learn more! (510.261.1076 / monairet@blueskies4children.org)
Lara

Re: Nanny vs. day care for 5-month-old 2-3 days/week
I missed the original post on this topic but wanted to respond when I saw all 4 responses recommended a nanny over daycare. This is a very personal decision for every family, but I strongly believe that both options can be good ones, and that daycare can be the better choice.

My husband and I chose a high-quality daycare (BlueSkies for Children, which I strongly recommend) over a nanny for the following reasons:

- Our daycare is structured to be developmentally appropriate for children as they grow. The environment is safe, the toys are appropriate, and the activities are geared towards the needs of the children. There is no TV, no personal phone conversations, no exersaucers, no bouncers, no sitting in strollers -- infants are free to move and explore.

- The teachers at our day care have far more experience, education, and supervision than most nannies would.

- I agree with the poster that said infants are too young for ''group settings,'' if group setting means coordinated play or instruction. But infants and young toddlers who are free to explore and move about on their own are perfectly content to ignore the other babies. They bond with their caregivers and do their own thing. Sometimes they watch and interact with other kids, sometimes they don't. Well-run infant (and preschool!) programs do not force group activities on those not developmentally able to partcipate; they allow the babies the space to be babies. It just happens that there are other babies next to them doing the same thing.

- I personally am uncomfortable with not paying social security for or providing health care to someone as important to my family as a primary caregiver. By using a quality daycare center, I know our caregivers have sick leave, vacation time, health care, and even some retirement benefits.

- While this is not universally true, I have found that my daycare does help take care of my whole family. Our daycare provides homemade food and cloth diapers, so I don't have to worry about those things. The teachers and co-directors are a knowledgable resource for parenting questions. This doesn't help with home chores, as (some, not all) nannies might -- but it does provide a great deal of relief.

- I have never worried about either of my children, even once, while they were at our daycare. For me, this piece of mind is priceless. Good luck with your decision. Happy Daycare Parent

Re: Full-time, playbased, preschool near Glenview
We live in Glenview as well, and send our daughter to BlueSkies in the Fruitvale district. It is a full-time daycare and pre- school program geared toward families with working parents. The focus is on developmental play and socialization, and the environment is amazing. The teachers are highly qualified professionals. They have an amazing understanding of what is developmentally appropriate for each age, and gear each classroom to that in an incredibly thoughtful manner. I wouldn't say it specifically emphasizes art, but the kids have lots of opportunities for creative expression on a daily basis. The outdoor spaces are great (the whole school was just renovated). We moved our daughter there after a less positive experience with another pre-school, and our daughter has thrived. Please don't hesitate to contact me for more information, and check out their website at: http://www.blueskies4children.org/
T

Hi Parents, I'm considering placing my 3 year old daughter in BlueSkies for Children preschool. I've toured the school and it looks lovely and the kids seem really happy and relaxed. There's not a lot of recent feedback on BPN and it would be great to hear from parents of children who are either among the older kids (3-5) or who have graduated. They don't have projects or themes or much in the way of group activities, just a strong focus on developmental play according to the child's interest. It is the most play-based school I have toured to date, and I'm just wondering if the children are stimulated enough on an ongoing basis?

One of the things that I find most admirable about BS4C is that the entire program is run in a very thoughtful, conscious way. This is a marked contrast with other preschools we've experienced.

I mention this because I believe that the relative lack of structure is very deliberate. My understanding is that the relative lack of structure in the BS4C program for kids this age is based on the belief that the main thing kids at this age need to be working on is how to develop and manage relationships with peers, and that they do this best without a lot of structure. That would have sounded a little far-fetched to me a year ago, but after having our child in the program for about a year, it sounds exactly right. When our child entered the program, she was rather shy and cautious. In less than a year, she's really come into her own. For example, we recently observed her very politely but firmly holding her ground with an older, somewhat dominant classmate who wanted her to switch to a different activity.

One more thing I want to mention: BS4C is extraordinary in that it is run in an extremely professional manner. We've had experience with two other preschool programs, and in both cases things fell apart for us when the administrators were unable or unwilling to address issues that came up. In contrast, I see the co-directors of BS4C anticipating issues before they've become serious, and taking appropriate action. Parent

I encourage you to come by the school at the 3:30 pick up time. There is always a group of friendly parents in the school courtyard who stay to talk while their kids play. They would be happy to talk to you about their experience at the school and give you their impressions about the program. Also, the directors are wonderful to talk to and are very approachable. They have each child's best interest in mind and will give you honest, straightforward information about the program so you can make the best choice for your child. Our kids are very happy there and I am so grateful for all the dedication of the directors, staff and parents at BlueSkies. It is such a wonderful place. Good luck! Helen Thomas

August 2003

I highly recommend AOCS in Oakland. It is an incredible child care facility. Both of my children started there around 3 months of age. They received (and continue to receive) loving, respectful care in a wonderful setting. Several of the caregivers in the ''baby house'' have been there for 10+ years. AOCS offers a supportive environment for both kids and working parents. They have a long waiting list, and it's expensive, but worth it. I'd recommend you sign up for a tour. Even if AOCS doesn't work for you, seeing it will let you know what to look for in other infant/childcare centers. worry-free working mom

July 2003

March 2003

February 2003

Re: Preschools run by Mills College Grads
The Association of Children's Services (AOCS) in Oakland is a wonderful preschool and daycare co-run by a Mills grad and founded by one of the people who taught child development at Mills. They provide full-time care for children from infancy until they are ready to go to kindergarten. They can be reached at 261-1077.
Parent of 2 AOCS graduates

2001

2000

Sept. 1998