Berkeley Parents Network: Blue Skies for Children (Oakland, Ca)

Berkeley Parents Network

Blue Skies for Children (Oakland, Ca)

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Preschools > Blue Skies for Children

[Note: Blue Skies was formerly called Association of Children's Services (AOCS)]

http://www.blueskies4children.org/

Oct 2008

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

March 2008

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?

Our 4-year-old has been at Blue Skies since last summer. We've been very happy with the program.

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 switched my son from our Jewish preschool to Blue Skies For Children when he was 4 years old and it was the best decision I've ever made for him. He was struggling to complete the ''projects'' and reach the ''benchmarks'' that so many pre- schools judge kids progress by and he simply wasn't happy. Blueskies welcomed my son with complete non-judgement - ready to follow his cues and help him by working from his strengths. Blueskies follows the developmental track of each child, they won't ever compare how your child fits with the group- they will honor and appreciate her as an individual. Blueskies not only provides developmentally appropriate play opportunities for the kids, but, more importantly, teaches kids self-reliance, reslience and respect for oneself and others. In the classroom, the teachers provide a safe, loving and supportive atmosphere that encourages communication and creativity, thus the atmosphere is relaxed and the kids are very happy because the theachers don't hover over and constantly direct the kids - rather, they watch, listen and help guide them to make the right choices for themselves. So, your daughter may not bring home too many themed art projects but she will be a happy, communicative, well-adjusted, adaptable child who loves school. We held our son back from Kindergarten last year for many reasons - Blueskies staff were totally supportive of this and our son was thrilled to stay an extra year at Blueskies. My son LOVES Blueskies and so does our family - I really can't say enough good things about Blueskies - they are the gold standard for Early Childhood in the Bay Area. We will be very sad to leave this fall when he starts kindergarten. I hope this helps! Happy Blueskies Mom Jenn C

Both of my children went to Blueskies, my older one starting when she was 15 months old, and my younger one starting when she was 7 months old. (Now they are in 3rd grade and kindergarten.) It is a fantastic program and my children were happy and thrived there. The directors, Claire and Liisa, are amazing and they are experts at what they do. The teachers are also great and they tend to stay at the school for years and years. The school has just completed a major remodel and it's quite nice. I found the other parents to be supportive and friendly. My children were well prepared for elementary school. I'd be happy to answer more questions in person. Andrea G

We have a 5 year old daughter about to ''graduate'' from BlueSkies in August who has been there since she was 6 months and a 20 month old daughter who has been there since she was 5 months. There is so much thought, experience, and detailed planning that goes into setting up the play environment that I think the description ''play-based'' doesn't do the program justice. The kids are getting constant stimulation and learning/developmental opportunities from practicing their fine and gross motor skills in the play itself, developing confidence and a sense of mastery in their self-directed play, learning social skills when interacting with each other, using their imaginations, working out feelings, etc. I think this kind of program is more enriching than if they had lots of directed activities. There is also a routine which makes them feel safe--a predictable schedule of rotating into different play areas (inside, outside, etc.), snack times, lunch time, nap time, etc.

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

I highly recommend BlueSkies for Children, the new name for Association of Children's Services. This center is by far the best, in my opinion, daycare in Oakland. It is NAEYC accredited, has low teacher turnover, a great support staff (teachers don't have to prepare meals, giving them more time to plan and schedule daily activities), teachers have either their BA's or the highest level of units in ECE units, freshly prepared meals daily, food, milk, formula provided! The best part is that children learn through play, thus the new logo, a duck squared, which means that while it may seem they are only playing, the activities are well thought out and they are actually learning their basics, reading, math, writing, and most important their social skills. I have two daughters who attend and I couldn't be happier!

Re: Preschool in Alameda or Downtown Oakland (Sept 2004)
You might check out AOCS. It's right off Fruitvale, near 580, so pretty accessible to both Alameda and downtown Oakland. (There are several Alameda families who attend.) It's a very well-thought out, play-based preschool that focuses on social development. There's no 'circle time' or 'lessons', just lots of age-appropriate activities for the children to choose from (with careful assistance/direction from great teachers). It's a full- time daycare center, so geared toward working families. But, most kids start there as infants, so it can be tough to get in as an older child. There are a few openings each year, though, so it would be worth contacting them. 261-1076

August 2003

Re: Best Daycare Centers for Infants

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

Re: Preschool for 4-year-old who needs lots of support
Have you looked at Association for Children's Services on Brookdale in Oakland? I am not sure if they have room for a child in that age group as there is usually a waiting list, but the directors are very helpful and may be able to discuss options/ideas of what to do with you. The school itself is terrific.
A special needs parent

March 2003

I highly recommend AOCS (Assoc. of Children Services) 510/261-1076 or aocsweb.org. We have 2 children there & love it; both kids started in the ''Baby House'' at 8 mos. Classrooms are designed by age. AOCS has been in existance for over 20 yrs., and is a ''model'' day care center, meaning AOCS trains caregivers thru a program at Cal State Hayward. Students & parents can observe kids thru one-way mirrors (so as not to disrupt children & caregivers). Caregiver turnover is extremely low. Directors have masters degrees. AOCS supplies meals & kids spend lots of time outside (no TVs). Caregivers don't discuss kids in front of the them. Get on the waiting list and check back frequently. The more flexible you can be with your start date the better chance you probably have of getting in, but really it is sort of a lottery--selection is based on birth date and what the school needs at any particular point in time. Anon

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

Association Of Children Services (AOCS) is a nice preschool, particularly for the younger children. It's near Fruitvale south-west of 580. They don't stress `academics', and certainly don't use workbooks or flashcards, but they have very skilled management and know what they're doing. The son of a good friend attends it, and we almost sent our daughter there ourselves (she ended up at Lakeview Preschool, near the Grand Lake Theater). Luigi

2000

I highly recommend: AOCS (Association of Children's Services) 3021 Brookdale Avenue Oakland, CA 94602 261-1076 ask for Lisa Hale My daughter, Charlotte, is two and a half, has been at AOCS since September, and we love it.

Sept. 1998

My son's childcare center, Association of Children's Services (AOCS) is having their annual Open House on Sunday Sept 27th 2-5pm on its campus at 3021 Brookdale Ave. at Coolidge in Oakland. The public is invited to attend, enjoy a potluck meal, meet AOCS families and learn about this wonderful childcare center. My son Keith 18mo. has been attending AOCS since he was 4 months old and I can highly recommend them. Keith has thrived at AOCS, I can't say enough wonderful things about the care he has received. The staff is wonderful and loving and treat the children with respect and warmth. AOCS is nonprofit and I believe pay their staff a livable wage and provide health benefits so they have a very low turn over in staff which I feel is important to good childcare. On the flip side I believe we pay a little more than at most centers but I've always felt the security of knowing Keith is getting the best care is worth it. If you are looking at childcare options in Oakland I would highly recommend AOCS. Their phone number is 261-1076. I would also be happy to speak directly with anyone interested. Shoshana

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