I would like to highly recommend Marisa Beltrao's Little Bear's Day Care. My son started at 6 months old and has been there for two years. She is a warm, effusive, energetic, fun, caring and affectionate woman whose spirit touches all the children there. Marisa and her staff can tell you what made your child laugh on any given day. They genuinely care about each child and are unbound in their attention and affection. Marisa provides a safe learning environment and is good with teaching the children social skills. She provides a home-cooked hot lunch and snacks too. Reasonably priced and strongly recommended. Her number is 510-526-8543.

LIttle Bear's Daycare (lic # 013419081) is a wonderful day care (with F/T or P/ T openings) run by Marissa Beltrao. Little Bear's is located in the neighborhood near Marin Elementary School on the Albany/N.Berkeley border. Marissa is Brazilian and speaks english, portugese, and spanish. She has 2 assistants, one of which is her grown daughter. Marissa is patient, loving, warm, funny, and firm when necessary. The kids in her care get nutritious snacks (grapes, cheese, kiwi, crackers etc) a hot home cooked lunch (chicken, rice, veges etc) plenty of fresh air, quiet naps, a lots of time to play, crayons, playdough, crafts, and interaction. We love Marissa and all her kids seem so well adjusted and ready for school when they ''graduate''. We highly recommend Marissa to anyone looking for that daycare that feels like home. Please call Marissa directly at 526-8543 or you may try me (although she would have more specific information, I'll just give you more warm fuzzies!) Thanks. Carolin

Little Bears Day care is a licenced day care, our beloved Marisa takes care of 8 kids during the week. And although her daycare is booked for weekdays, she is taking kids 2yrs old & older on Saturdays on a contract or drop in basis. She is wonderful, a very happy and cheerful person, loves what she does and provides a safe, nurturing environment for the kids. The area she is in is quiet, and she takes the kids to the park, 2 blocks away, regularly. She provides great food and a quiet nap area. We are a graduate of Little Bears day care, but still stop by when we need help, let me know if you want more info: cynthia
Contact: Marisa Beltrao, 510-459-3712

Marisa Beltrao’s Little Bears Daycare in Albany has openings for infants and toddlers. I brought my daughter to Marisa’s when she was four months old; two years later she still adores going to Marisa’s. Little Bears is housed in a quiet Albany house with lots of sunshine and separate sleeping spaces so naps are uninterrupted. A small backyard offers a play area with lots of toys. My daughter comes home most days with sand in her shoes from the playground just around the corner from the house, and an art project she’s completed during the day. The kids also listen and dance to music every day. Marisa provides breakfast, lunch, and snacks, as well as lots of hugs and love. If you need dependable, loving care for your child, please call Marisa at 510-526-8543 Contact: Marisa Beltrao, 510-526-8543

Our fantastic DC has openings for todllers. Little Bears day care, run by Marisa Beltrao, a Brazilian, is a warm, fun, stimulating and safe environment for our son, who has been there since 09/04. Marisa has been in child care over 7 years, works with 2 other experienced assistants in a very low child/caregiver ratio. On the Albany/Berkeley border, Little Bears currently has 6 children from 8-28 mos. in a variety of days and schedules. She is expanding her licence to accomodate up to 12 and will be taking 3-5 more in the coming months. Marisa has 3 grown kids of her own who are all in college now. The house is warm and completly set up for the little kids, lots of toys and drawing tables, the back yard has slides and cars, mornings they walk to a playground. Her food is wholesome and freshly cooked every day, each child sleeps in their own pack and play. I could not recommend a better place for your todller! E-mail me or call Marisa at (510)526-8543. Contact: Cynthia

Little Bears Day care has two opening for 20-26 months children. Our son enjoys the joy, care, play yard and great homecooked food. We consider Marisa Beltrao's house as our second home and appreciate the way her family cares for our lill' one. She has good, clean, light indoor and outdoor play spaces, goes often to the playground weather permitting and each child naps in a quiet room in their own crib. She is very loving and cheerful, patient and resposible. I feel fortunate that we've been with her since September 2004 and I highly recommend her. She works with 2 assistants, one of them being her daughter. Marisa is licenced and cares for 5 6-12 month children and 3 20-24 months. Please ask Bananas, or e-mail me for a reference. Or call her directly to make an appoitment for a visit: 510- 526-8543. This is a fantastic place!
Marisa Beltrao: 510-526-8543
Cynthia