Berkeley Parents Network: Keiki's Corner

Berkeley Parents Network

Keiki's Corner

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Preschools > Keiki's Corner

2001

I've heard about a great daycare for toddlers called Keiki's Place and would like more information. There is one brief listing about it on the website, but no location or contact information. Does anyone know of this preschool? Any comments/recommendations? Thanks! Nancy

Keiki's Corner is a family based daycare run in the home of Diane Ruyffelaere, her number is (510) 525-1919. We're new to the program with our second son and have been very happy with the care he gets. It is mostly 2 year olds from what I've seen and our son is one of the bigger kids at 2ys, 8 mths. Ed

Keiki's corner is a wonderful place. My daughter went there when she was 2,5 but they take children from the age of 18 months. Dianne Rufayler, the director, is a wonderful person. My daughter loved it there so much, I had a hard time taking her home at 1.30 pm almost every day. Her assistant Heidi whom we loved too (and babysat for us regularly) just left but apparently her successor is wonderful too and Heidi still comes back for science projects. My daughters love for art and nature comes from her time there. Phone: 525-1619, 1132 Euclid Ave, Berkeley. Anneke

Keiki's Place ("Keiki" means "child" in Hawaiian) is on Euclid in North Berkeley and is run by a wonderful woman named Dianne. I sent my daughter there from age 17 months to age 2 1/2 and absolutely loved it. It's like a pre-preschool with lots of activities, music, storytime, etc. Dianne and one other woman (whom I don't know, since she's new) care for up to 12 kids, age 18 months to about 3, at Dianne's house. I completely trust Dianne and wholeheartedly recommend her for daycare. The phone # is 525-1619. - Sarah Smith

We are in our fourth year with Dianne at Keiki's Corner on Euclid (two girls for two years). It is a wonderful place and my children have grown in special ways there. all i can say is that we will visit often once our last child has "graduated" and i will shed big tears when i leave for the last time. Susan

My two-year old son spent the last academic year at Keiki's Corner (on Euclid just above Cordonices Park), both he and we loved it, without reservation! It's a licensed day care in a home, 8:30 to 1:30 time frame, 18 mo. to 3 + years. The owner Dianne is wonderful, as was her assistant (there is a new assistant this year I don't know, but I totally trust Dianne to find an excellent one). It's cozy, clean, appealing, has a lovely outside play area, plenty of toys and interesting things for the kids to do, they did lots of great art projects. We were all ready to go back this year, but got a last minute acceptance at a full time pre-school which suited our needs better. The overall feeling was gentle and nurturing; we had a wonderful experience there, met lots of very nice people, and I would heartily recommend it. Phone is 525-1619 Amelie

2000

My son is there, too, and I agree that it is a great place. In addition to the music and movement mentioned, they have a gardening day (my son is thrilled about the compost and especially the worms) and they do lots of art, they have a turtle, salamander and fish, very nice indoor and outdoor play spaces, sandbox, etc. My son had some problems with separation when we first started and Dianne and Heidi were so warm and patient helping him get through that. Now he is always asking to "go to school...see Dianne and Heidi and kids!" And once we saw Dianne at the grocery store and he said to me "Oh, that Dianne...I love her a lot!" :) Anyway, I recommend Keiki's Corner very highly.

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