Website for Greenhouse Childcare: http://greenhousechildcare.com/

Note: This page refers to Greenhouse Childcare in Berkeley. There is a childcare in Oakland that has a similar name: Greenhouse Nursery

Greenhouse Childcare, a small family daycare (6 children) in N. Berkeley, is not just a great space for the kids to spend their days (sun-filled, lots of interesting and engaging toys, pretend play and games, and a warm and lovingly cared for home and garden) but an amazing experience that I think is rare to find. Andre, who is a most patient, wise, kind and loving caregiver, really understands little ones and gives them just enough structure, and just enough freedom to feel confident, challenged, safe and nurtured. Our three year old son has spent almost two years with Andre and has thrived under his care, we will be very sad to say goodbye when he heads to preschool. As my son's group ''graduates'' this Fall, Greenhouse will have two slots open for toddlers ages 20 - 30 months beginning September 2007. I cannot recommend Greenhouse and Andre highly enough! Contact: Andre Julien, info[at]greenhousechildcare.com

Our son started attending Greenhouse in January 2007, at around 17 months. We knew about it through good friends. Andre is absolutely wonderful with the kids, and our child has a smile on his face every day that we go there. It is a nice, home-based childcare a block away from the Thousand Oaks tot park. I feel that he gets a lot of attention and love. I believe there are still one or two openings for fall 2007. Contact: Andre Julien, info[at]greenhousechildcare.com

Greenhouse Childcare is an incredible place, run out of the home of Andre Julien. Despite the energy of six children running around, there is always an underlying sense of calm in the place. Andre provides a very nurturing environment, and it is clear that he cares deeply about the development of each child. While the general philosophy is one of free play, there are plenty of educational activities. In addition to daily art projects, book reading (etc), there is a weekly music class and frequent visits to Thousand Oaks Park. The kids are free to try on the numerous costumes, play with the many toys and musical instruments, or to roam in the garden and play in the sand box. In addition to being very nurturing, Andre is the master of conflict resolution and does a fabulous job fostering good socialization and communication skills. He is always gentle and intuitively finds creative ways of redirecting activities. I can’t recommend this place highly enough! My whole family loves Greenhouse and all that comes with it - Andre, his family, his dog, and his cat. Contact: Keren Stronach keren[at]eaconsult.com or 510.540.5147

I want to recommend Greenhouse Family Home Childcare. It is located in a sunny, clean, and vibrant north berkeley home. My son loves it and asks to go everyday. Karen and Andre have lots of great toys and learning materials collected over years of teaching and parenting. They are just a half block from Thousand Oaks School and the toddler park there, so there's good outdoor time. Karen is an education specialist, very smart and experienced. Andre is boisterous and patient and focused. He is exceptionally skilled at teaching toddlers conflict resolution tools: taking turns, trading, waiting, asking. As a single mom I love my son getting such wonderful male attention and role modeling. Greenhouse Family Home Childcare 510.526.9686 www.greenhousechildcare.com