• Owner: Lauren Larsen
• Phone: 510-428-0833
• Email: laurenlarsen5861@aol.com
• Neighborhood: Rockridge
• Zip: 94618
• License #: 013415463
• Capacity: 12
• Website:
• Bilingual: Spanish
• Ages: 2 years to 5 years

Re: Preschools in the Rockridge/Elmwood/Piedmont Area
My older children both went to Home Away From Home on Birch Court. It is fabulous, and the woman who runs it (Lauren Larsen) is truly an amazing person. Many children stay there all the way until kindergarten, and they are completely prepared and do wonderfully. That said, you seem to be looking for a structured more traditional preschool. Home Away From Home is more of a home daycare than a preschool. There are 12 kids a day, and three adults. They are in Lauren's home. There is more structure than many home daycares (they have inside and outside time, breakfast, lunch, nap and snack, and over the years they've had art teachers, music teachers, yoga teachers, and/or dance teachers come at set times for one or more days a week). But it's a pretty open, mixed age, free play environment. By the way, she traditionally has a long wait list, but may have a two day a week spot opening up, so if you're interested you should call asap.

I'm considering Home Away From Home on Birch St. for next fall. Can't find any recommendations on this site, and I'm wondering what current parents think of this daycare. My child will be there 3-4 days/week and I'm curious about the general flow of the day- how parents feel about the lack of ''structure'' in the day. I like the informal and family-like feeling about the place, but wonder if it ever gets too chaotic in such a large space. Generally we really like the place and the staff, but would really appreciate hearing any feedback, positive and negative. Thank you. anon2

what appears as ''lack of structure'' is really just self-selected play, which is exactly what children need to exercise their brain and imagination. the day, however, is structured into a routine the kids understand: breakfast, indoor play (which includes music or art), outdoor play, wash-up, lunch, storytime, nap time, snack, outdoor play. in addition to the great outdoor toys (swings, sandbox, trikes, scooters, wagons, playhouses), kids also paint, draw, play with playdough, blow bubbles, and do art projects. i've known rambunctious kids there, but i think they do a great job at helping those kids burn off energy and act socially appropriate; i've never ever experienced a chaotic moment there. hope this helps. pamela fong

Re: Looking for small home based preschool next fall
Try Home Away From Home run by a woman named Lauren. It is based in her home on Birch street off of College. Very sweet, attentive, seasoned, enthusiastic staff (usually 3:1). Satisfied Parent