• Owner: Monica Berry
• Phone: 510-698-4200
• Email: mb@harmonyhouselearningcenter.com
• Neighborhood: Redwood Heights & Mills
• Zip: 94619
• License #: 013420437
• Capacity: 14
• Website: http://www.harmonyhouselearningcenter.com/
• Ages: infant to 5 years

Harmony House is a magical place to be a kid. My daughter has been going here for nearly a year and a half and the separation anxiety lasted about two days! Most evenings she hardly wants to leave and she sends me off in the morning with a happy hug and kiss. Harmony House provides art activities based on a monthly theme and the program is enriched with music, dance, yoga, and meditation. They have a great little play yard outside with rotating outdoor activities. The teachers are all very in tune with the developmental needs of the children and my daughter has really learned some amazing ways to communicate and express what she is feeling and what is happening around her. The environment is warm and clean and familial. My daughter who is 3 1/2 has just started to show great interest in writing letters and the teachers recognized this immediately and started working with her in the most appropriate way. These teachers have a great ability to see both your child and the family they come from. Harmony House is very special indeed.

My son attended Harmony House (and was with a group of 8 kids for close to 3 years) and I know that he has been given a solid start to life. He has ingrained so much about knowing himself- what he is good at, what he wants help with, how his body lets him know what he needs, and so much more. I chose HH for the teachers and their nurturing capabilities. They believe in nurturing a child's true spirit so they can face whatever challenges come their way confidently. I know I made the right decision- all I have to do is watch him learn something new and look at the pictures of him from his time there. The fieldtrips and parties are meaningful and well done and parents are very much part of the community. Katy

We love every aspect about Harmony House Learning Center. Our 3+ yo son is incredibly happy there and we are amazed that he has learned so much during the past year, including writing, rhyming, counting, math and going to the potty on his own. (Yes, they help with potty-training!)

Monica, the director, and the teachers are fantastic with the children (and parents). They are warm, loving and full of energy and our son adores them all. Monica is always available to answer questions and concerns. She is great at keeping the families involved and updated with regular emails. We especially enjoy receiving photos of our son and his HH friends at field trips, working on projects, and simply, having fun.

HH is a phenomenal preschool. We couldn't be happier with all the wonderful things they offer, including enrichment programs, environmentally-friendly materials, organic snacks and parents night out. We look forward to another school year. Alice

My daughter graduated from Harmony House Learning Center last month and I wanted to tell others about this little gem in Oakland. Harmony House (HH) opened in the spring of 2009; we were one of the ''original'' families. Monica, the director and one of the teachers at HH, put a ton of time and energy into creating a fantastic environment for the children to thrive and have fun. HH is a home-based preschool (~12 students, Redwood Heights) that allows children to actively participate in multi-sensory learning centers (new materials purchased and integrated on a regular basis), teacher-lead activities, as well as good old-fashion playtime with friends. The children have many enrichment programs, including: daily meditation, weekly yoga and music/movement classes, monthly field trips (e.g., Tilden Park, Oakland Zoo, Chabot Space and Science Center, farm in Brentwood), and guest musicians. HH provides 2 snacks per day that are truly healthy (typically organic, many gluten- free). HH also has ''Parents Night Out'' (small fee - includes dinner, movie and babysitting) on the last Saturday night of the month; my daughter calls it ''Kids Night Out'' because she sees it as a special night for her and her friends.

The children at HH constantly surprise guest musicians and adults who interact with them. Most guests do not have enough prepared material for HH students, because other preschool children are only able to focus for ~15 minutes. At HH, the children are capable of staying in their seats and participating for an hour! I believe the daily meditation teaches the children to be still in their bodies, while at the same time allowing them to be children.

My daughter flew through her Kindergarten assessment and I know that HH played a major role. HH provided the environment and materials/activities for my daughter to work on her fine motor development as well as her large motor, emotional and social development since day one. We are happy that we found such a nurturing environment for our daughter during her preschool years. We are sad to leave, but we are confident that our daughter has the necessary building blocks to move forward. Happy HH Family