Sugar and Spice Childcare (Alameda, CA)
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Sugar and Spice Childcare (Alameda, CA)
- Owner: Cali Ruffin-Espinello
- Phone: (510) 865-1055
- Email: cespinello@hotmail.com
- Neighborhood: Mariner Square
- Zip: 94501
- License #: 013417441
- Capacity: 40
- Website: http://www.sugarspice.com/
- Bilingual:
- Ages: 24 months - 5 years
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Sept 2010
I enrolled my daughter at Sugar and Spice when she turned
two. Previously my daughter stayed home with grandma and/or
nanny. When interviewing several day cares in Alameda,
Sugar and Spice stood out as far as how much they wanted to
help with the transition of my daughter from home to
school. Separation anxiety was harder perhaps for me the
mom but I could not be happier with the transition help
kindly given by all 4 teachers. And after a year later, I
love this place even more due to the following reasons:
Their open door policy, seamless transition from one year
to the next because all 4 teachers get to know each child
as they enroll and the safe, kind and loving environment
the school provides for all the children. They are now
helping with potty training my daughter. My daughter loves
all the teachers especially her first teacher Ms. Van.
TK
June 2010
For all those parents looking for a safe, fun and exciting
preschool experience for their precious little ones, I
would like to recommend Sugar and Spice Preschool in
Alameda. We currently have both our girls enrolled there
and couldn't be happier!
These are just a few of our favorite reasons why:-
- The teachers are extremely kind and patient (def plus
points when dealing with toddlers). Hugs are a part of the
daily routine which my girls look forward to:-)
- Potty training is NOT a MUST when joining and there isn't
an additional fee either which majority of the other
schools that I've visited insisted on.
- They are a year round program with just a handful of
national holidays so parents need not worry about where
they are to send their kids when summer comes around.
Last but not least, our older daughter starts
kindergarten in the fall and the teachers were amazed at
how well prepared she was at her assessment interview -
Thanks to the dedication and the committment she got from
the staff at Sugar and Spice
We are extremely satisfied with everything this
preschool has to offer and are hoping you will be too once
you visit the school. Good luck!
PVL
May 2006
Hello,
Just wanted to ask a question to any parents of children who attend or
who have
attended the Sugar and Spice Preschool in Oakland. Let me first say
that I
absolutely love this school. The teachers are loving and attentive.
I'm just
wondering if it's time for my child to move onto something a little
more formal. She
will be turning 4 soon. I've noticed that there aren't any 4 year olds
in the program.
Why is that? Do most parents take their kids out at this age and opt
for a more
formal preschool setting? I'm just wondering if I should leave her in
their program
until she is ready for kindergarten. Do you feel their program is too
play-based and
not academic enough to prepare my child for kindergarten? If you did
decide to put
your child in another program, I'd love to know which preschool you
selected. Any
thoughts would be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
Anon
My son goes to S&S, and my older son did too. We did send him
(the older one) somewhere else at age 3 1/2, because many of his
peers also left at that age. I think I would have kept him there
if there were other kids his age that stayed, as I love it there
too, and I think Marni is well-equiped to teach all the more
formal preschool basics (letters, numbers, social skills). But I
did not want to keep him where he would be the oldest, and I
think many parents felt the same. Plus he's a boy, full of boy
energy that I don't always feel they have the space to let off.
If there are other kids your daughters age that are staying, I
would definitely consider staying, but if a lot are leaving,
then I would consider that too. When we first started, there
were several 4 year olds, and a few that stayed until it was
time to go to kindergarten. Talk to Marni. She's not blind to
the fact that many kids leave at age 4 and I think will be as
candid as she can. When I talked to her about it once, she
mentioned that it was cyclical.
As for where people go - my son went to Skyline, some of his
friends went to Chatham, Smiles and Lakeshore (Lakeview?
Grandlake?) Montessori. I have seen some former parents around
town who have not found something they liked as much as S&S,
based on how many times their kids changed preschools after
leaving S&S (or so it seems)....
Luke's mom
hello,
i have been lucky enough to have sent two kids to sugar and spice. the teachers are
lovely. my kids have had positive experiences at the school but i have noticed a few
differences from other preschools. have you noticed that they never do any field
trips? parent conferences? it would be nice to have a little more feedback about the
kids. activities or outings in the community would also be very enriching. i'm not
sure why they don't do that. if you think that is something your child might want or
need, than another setting may be appropriate. good luck
anon
Nov 2005
Hello,
I've just recently heard of a preschool called Sugar and Spice run by
two ladies
named Marni and Cali. It's located in Oakland. Just wanted to know if
anyone has
had any experience with this school. Is it more of a daycare or
preschool setting?
Thanks in advance!
Anon
I sent my older son to S&S for a little over a year, and will
send my younger one there very soon. Marni is great. Cali is
nice, but is not on-site (unless Marni is sick), so in
evaluating the teachers, get to know Marni and Olivia - the
other teacher, who is also great. It has all the conveniences
you could want as a working mom. Great hours, they serve meals,
no ''spring break'' or ''winter break'', no extra fee for kids in
diapers, etc. etc. In that way, it is more day care than pre-
school; however, the kids learn their letters and numbers, do
crafts, have circle time and interact socially. (I'm not sure
what else there is to pre-school). I have known several kids who
stayed until they were ready to start kindergarden, but also
know many who left for more ''formal'' pre-schools. There are 12
kids, so after a while, depending on the ages of the 12 kids,
your child might start to outgrow the space (it's a converted
house), like mine did. But I would have kept him there there if
more of the other 12 kids were closer to his age. (Due to some
turnover, he would have been the oldest at 3 1/2). After the
initial resistance to a new routine, he thrived while he was
there, and has done well in his more formal preschool. Because
of the small size, Marni is able to give you a run-down of your
childs day, and even keeps a sporatic journal of how he/she is
doing. Bigger places are way more hands-off (in my experience).
I'm a big fan of S&S for the 2 to 3 1/2 year old set. After
that, it would depend on what other kids are there.
audrey
Jan 2005
Re: Looking for an Alameda preschool
Our son goes to Sugar & Spice in Mariner's Square in Alameda
(near Webster Tube and across from Peter Pan) It is play based
and my son (and we) LOVE it. The teachers are great and
caring. Our son has learned a lot and is really happy - Check
them out. They take kids 2 and up - they don't have to be
potty trained (they help)
zeta
Nov 2004
To the mom seeking feedback on Alameda preschools (you
didn't leave your e-mail) My 2.3year old son is at Sugar
and Spice - a new preschool by the Webster Tube in
Alameda. He (and we) love it!!! The owner owns another
pre-school in Redwood Heights which has a waiting list.
The teachers are very caring and lovely and my son has
learned a lot. You should check it out. (It's across from
Peter Pan
Oct 2004
I just want to recommend the new Sugar & Spice Pre-school
in Alameda. We are very happy with the caregivers/teachers
and the facility. My son is very happy there and has
learned so much from his new friends and teachers. The
teachers, Ms. Kori and Ms. Michelle are very warm and
loving. They are conveniently located near the Webster
tube in Alameda. Check it out if you are looking for a
great preschool.
Contact: Director, 510-865-1055
Feb. 2002
Does anyone know this daycare in Oakland? I am looking
for full time care for my two year old boy and I liked hte
look of it, but was interested in others reactions to it.
Is the parking situation as bad as it looks?
Thanks.
Redwood Heights Mom
I have not used Sugar and Spice Daycare myself, but the
woman who runs the daycare, Marni, was my daughter's
caregiver for the 5 years prior to the opening of Sugar
and Spice. I highly recommend Marni. She is very
conscientious, dedicated to her kids & loves to have
fun with them. If you have further questions, you can
e-mail me.
Tina
My son has been attending Sugar and Spice Day Care two
days a week for the past six months. We've had a great
experience so far. I was looking for a family day care
and did a lot of research and visits to various places
- and really found what I was looking for in Sugar and
Spice. It's very personal, clean, safe and the kids
definitely have fun. Since my son was less than two
when we started, I was only looking for a place where
he could meet other kids his age and play. I figured
that he has plenty of time to learn to read and write
- now is the time to have fun. Sugar and Spice lets
the kids do their own thing if that's what they want
(as my son does). Or, they can join in the group
activities, sing songs and learn the alphabet. And
even though my son isn't too interested in circle time
yet, he comes home talking about his new friends and
reciting the alphabet. But, its not forced, which is
what I like. Also, before my son started at Sugar and
Spice I was convinced that he would never take a nap
unless Mom or Dad lied down with him, read him books
and waited for him to drift off to sleep. Marny, the
head teacher, was very patient with me and assured me
that my son would follow the other kids at nap time.
To my surprise she was right. And now that he has
learned to fall asleep on his own, bedtime at home
happens alot easier than it used to.
I have plenty of other positive experiences to share
with you if you'd like - feel free to e-mail me to hear
more.
rliebler
My daughter has been at Sugar and Spice for the last
year and a half and we have been extremely happy with
the care she receives. Before she attended Sugar and
Spice, she stayed home with me full-time and we were
very concerned she would not do well in a day care
situation. We were pleasantly surprised when from day
one she went happily off to ''Marni's''. Marni is
wonderful with the children as are Cali and Idola.
Parking has never been an issue, either pick-up or drop
off. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Lara and Michael
this page was last updated: Oct 28, 2012
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