• Owner: Karen Lee
• Phone: 510 525-6775
• Email: karenskiddos@aol.com
• Neighborhood: El Cerrito
• Zip: 94530
• License #: 070205112
• Capacity: 12
• Website: http://karenskiddos.com/
• Bilingual:
• Ages: 1-6 years

We've had our 3-year-old at Karen's for a year, and just love this place. Our son couldn't be happier.

It's warm and friendly, like going to a good friend's house, thanks to Karen, Christina, and Alexis. They're a stable team and the kids are happy, creative, and have a very firm structure as well. They've helped our son learn social and interpersonal skills with the other kids, as well as early letters and sounds, but their academic approach is just right for us. Not too pushy on the academics, but underneath quite rigorous.

They've been around long enough to have the nice aspects of a school--a generous play yard and equipment, large open plan room, cubbies, and large seasonal displays all give some of the excitement of a ''real'' school, but in the comfort of a home environment.

Our nephew went here years ago (he's now 15), and he loved it too. I can't say enough about how much we like this school!
David

If you are searching for a preschool in the Albany/Kensington/El Cerrito area, we wholeheartedly recommend Karen's Kiddos, a small, inviting treasure of a school that focuses on developing the whole child. Our son attended the school for 4 years, from around his first birthday until he graduated this year and entered kindergarten. We couldn't be happier with our experience and the effect it had on our child. Academically, he is extremely well-prepared for kindergarten, having developed strong reading and math skills and, more importantly, an intellectual inquisitiveness and a true love of learning. The teachers tailor each student's learning program to his or her own pace. To us, however, what makes the school stand out is its emotionally and socially nurturing environment. Teachers Karen, Christina, and Alexis identify and foster the gifts of each individual child while teaching respect and instilling self-confidence. In addition, much focus is placed on the children teaching each other. The younger children watch and emulate the example of the older children, who in turn learn empathy and feel pride in their own abilities as they assist the little ones. We give great credit to the school for our son's ability to play constructively with children of all ages. The parent community is also terrific. The school is housed in a lovely converted home in the El Cerrito Hills (near Fatapple's) and has a yard with swings and other play equipment. Lunch is served every day. Karen accepts both part-time and full-time students, and although the school is fairly small (around 15 children), there are a few openings this year. The cost is reasonable and the school is open from 8:00-5:00 M-F. We miss Karen's Kiddos, but we also know that it's a major reason we have a happy, well-adjusted kindergarten student now. http://karenskiddos.com/ Happy parents of happy Kiddos grad

I'm a parent of a recent graduate from Karen's Kiddos. I couldn't have been happier with the amount of attention and caring that my child received during her time there. The teachers are wonderful and have fully prepared my daughter for kindergarten. Each child receives 1-1 attention each day to work on their individual curriculum (be it learning their letters, reading, or writing). Lunch and snacks are provided, which is another huge plus as it means one less thing to worry about each day when sending your child off to school. Karen, Christina and Alexis make each child and their parents feel like family. It's a great place and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nurturing environment for their child. Amy

We moved from Norway to Berkeley for a year for my husband to do research at the university, and we were a little bit anxious about how our two-year-old son would take the transition to a new and English-speaking preschool. I can truly say we could not have been more satisfied with the preschool and the staff. Karen's Kiddos has the right balance between play based and educational preschool. The group size with 12 kids is ideal. There are always kids in the same age group to play with, but at the same time they learn to interact with children from early toddlerhood to kindergarten-age. I like the way the kids learn to respect each other, and how they are taught to solve their problems by using words instead of aggressive behaviours. As a foreigner to this country and to Berkeley I can't emphasize enough how much it has meant to me to go to "Ladies Night Out" to connect with other moms and the lovely ladies working at the preschool. I would whole-heartedly recommend Karen's Kiddos. hannesil

I couldn't be happier with the Karen's Kiddos Daycare and Preschool! My 2 sons (ages 31 mos and 15 mos) have been at Karen's since they were 11 months old and they love it. They look forward to going to ''school'' each day and have made some wonderful friendships. Karen and her staff are professional, caring, flexible and genuinely interested in the well being of the children. My sons have learned so much at a young age, from good manners to the ABC's. The children have lots of free time to play, as well as a structured learning environment. There is plenty of outdoor time to enjoy the large play space and explore their surroundings. I highly recommend Karen's Kiddos!
Kristen

My son attended Karen's Kiddos for 2 years. The director, Karen, was a teacher in the public schools before opening her daycare. She accepts children between the ages of 1-4. It is truly a wonderful place! The setting is beautiful with an inviting outdoor space. Karen and her staff nurture the younger children while preparing the older ones for kindergarten. Most of all, she offers an amazing sense of community by welcoming parents and families to visit as well as providing plenty of extra functions to bring families together. In fact, my son is now 15 years old and the Karen's Kiddo's moms still meet once a month for a ''Mom's Night Out''. I can honestly say that some of my best current friendships started at Karen's Kiddos. I would highly recommend it!
ebschnur

Karen's Kiddos Preschool, a home-based preschool, has a lot to offer to preschoolers. It has plenty of toys & manipulatives, a reading corner with chairs, calendar and circle/singing time, letter of the week activities, lunch time, TV time, nap time, snack time, outside play, and help with potty training. My 4.5 year old son attended the preschool for 3 years and my daughter attended for 2 years. I feel my children are well-adjusted and they looked forward to going to preschool everyday!

What I like most about Karen's Kiddos Preschool is 1)the professional and nurturing teachers, 2) mealtime- lunch is provided daily and my children like to eat vegetables, 3) the emphasis on good manners and routines, and 4) the spacious layout of the school, both indoor and outdoor. I recommend Karen's Kiddos Preschool for your child's preschool needs!
Lily

My daughter attended Karen's Kiddos Preschool from the time she was three years old until she graduated and began attending kindergarten. I have to say, Karen's Kiddos was such a blessing to us as a family. Our daughter had attended other preschool/daycares before and we had never felt so comfortable with the curriculum, the cleanliness, the way the staff deals with behavioral issues and the communication we received from the people who were caring for our daughter. I made friends with many of the parents whose children attended Karen's Kiddos at the same time and engaged in activities with them outside of the school. It really feels like a family there. Now that my daughter is in kindergarten I can really see how the time spent at Karen's Kiddo has helped her to be prepared academically as well as behaviorally; she is very helpful and courteous and she is a very good listener AND she already has the basics of reading and math. I highly recommend Karen's Kiddos.
Meigan

Several months ago I enrolled my now 2 year-old daughter at Karen's Kiddo's based on a friend's recommendation whose 2 kids are KK veterans. Karens Kiddos is a small family childcare for kids 18 months - 6 years. Can't recommend them highly enough. They are really dedicated to each child, taking the time to get to know each one. Karen and staff have a strong background in early child development and are enthusiastic, loving and easygoing. They really focus on helping the kids grow intellectually, socially and emotionally. This was my (slow-to-warm)daughter's first daycare experience and she loves it --it provides the right balance of a gentle environment with just the right amount of stimulation. And they feed the kids healthy lunches and afternoon snacks (and it's really nice to not have to pack a lunch!).And if all that wasn't enough, the parent community is equally great. I really wish I had found Karen's Kiddos sooner. Hours are 8:00-5:00pm and they have part and full-time openings (take advantage of it - they don't often have many openings!).www.karenskiddos.com or 510-525-6775.
Patrice

My son (who will be 16 next month)spent the first 5 years of his life at Karen's Kiddo's pre-school in El Cerrito. It was the basis for his upbringing and I could not have been more pleased with Karen and her staff, all of whom I continue to have contact with. The pre-school is the perfect blend of home and school. It is structured yet homey and the perfect environment for learning and play. The children are taught to be polite and respectful and all the skills needed to get along in the real world. Karen and her staff taught me a lot about raising a happy healthy child. Two of my cousins sent each of their two children to Karen's Kiddos also. I would highly recommend Karen's Kiddos to parents of children of all different personalities and interests. Contact: Karen Lee, 510 525-6775

Does anyone have any experience, advice or knowledge regarding Karen's Kiddos home based pre-school in El Cerrito-run by Karen Lee? I have searched the archives but found nothing. Thank you!