Berkeley Parents Network: Duck Soup

Berkeley Parents Network

Duck Soup

(Becca Rae Calato, Rockridge)

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Preschools > Duck Soup

Editor note: there are 2 other preschools with similar names: Duck's Nest in W. Berkeley and Oakland- Piedmont Av, and Duck Pond Oakland - Park Blvd.

Jan 2004

I'm looking at preschools in Rockridge for my soon-to-be two-year-old daughter, and I'd like to hear about people's recent experiences with Duck Soup on College. I'm particularly interested in hearing from parents whose children attended before and after this change or from those whose children began there in the last few months. Thanks very much. Looking for Preschools

My daughter attended Duck Soup from age 2 1/2 until almost 5. The director (who is still Beccarae Calato, as far as I know) does a great job creating a loving environment for little kids and teaching them social skills. A lot of the expressions she uses with the kids have made it into my everyday vocabulary. My daughter entered kindergarten with very little academic preparation, but confident, enthusiastic about learning, and able to be compassionate yet hold her own when dealing with other kids. Duck Soup gets a lot of the credit for that. Even so, my daughter and a number of other kids seemed to outgrow Duck Soup between 4 and 4 1/2 (at which point it can be difficult to find an opening somewhere else, since the 3-and-4yo preschools have very few openings for that second year). There were some organizational issues that really could have been handled better, too. If you would like more detail, you can e- mail me directly. Jennifer

August 2003

Re: looking for preschool openings
I am in the same boat. I just looked at a preschool yesterday that I liked-- Duck Soup in Rockridge. It is a play-based program, and she does offer a little Spanish in her morning group session. She has openings for Sept. Good luck! Elizabeth

Nov. 1996

I remember a lot of parents asking for good childcare places in the College area I know of Duck Soup!!

They are a "family" day care, in a beautiful old house in Rockridge. Great play areas, organic foods, loving environment, fun learning activities. They focus on social skills and conflict resolution. Please call Becca Rae Calato for more info - she is the owner - such as ages, hours, etc. 653-7430 Mary

To the folks who were looking for childcare in Rockridge: about a year ago I visited Duck Soup (near College and Broadway), which is a small in-house daycare, and really liked it and Becca Rae (the caregiver/teacher) alot. She does lots of activities (cooking, gardening, art, etc.) so it's like a preschool in certain ways. We ended up going with something different, in part because I didn't want full-days and she only took kids for full- days. Anyways, you might want to contact Becca Rae if you haven't already. Judy

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