Our son was at Wildflower Toddlerhouse for nearly 2 years, and we found it the perfect transition between staying home with mom and attending preschool. With Pam’s encouragement, our son grew from a rather shy/clingy 2-yr-old into a confident and sociable little person. The atmosphere among the kids is delightful, and our son still talks about his “buddies” at Pam’s house. In addition to the activities mentioned in other postings, Pam offers a generous amount of story time with an ever-changing selection of library books. The toys provided are a mix of imagination-based and Montessori-inspired, which allowed our son to experience the joys of both. Parents of very active children (especially boys) will appreciate Pam’s ability to manage that high energy through dance/movement, outdoor play, and walking trips to the park at Harding. Pam has the gift of making younger children feel safe, nurtured, and included, while challenging older children with more advanced language and other skills and concepts. We are grateful for everything our son experienced at Wildflower. A 3-day-a-week spot will be available soon. Contact: Pam Gilkison, 510-525-1443 or pgilkison[at]gmail.com.

Our daughter has attended Wildflower Toddler House for over a year and we highly recommend it. Wildflower is a cozy home setting with a nice play yard and a wonderful group of families. The kids are exposed to nature, music and art, and the school has a wonderful collection of toys and learning materials. The director has a great way with the needs of toddlers and lends a special touch to everything. Our daughter has felt safe and has thrived there. The school currently has an opening beginning this summer
Contact: Pam Gilkison, 510.525.1443

Our son has been at Wildflower Toddlerhouse for the past 2 years. Pam does an amazing job creating an environment that is nurturing, enriching, fun, peaceful, and respectful. They do all kinds of great activities (afternoon tea, sing- along time, dance, puzzles, book reading, gardening, art projects, and butterfly watching). The other day I got there early and the kids were taking turns making their own tortillas in a tortilla press for snack. Pam is very attuned to the natural world and points out cool objects and creatures in the environment. She takes the time to understand each little person, and if something seems just a little off with your child, she’ll call and check-in. Then she’ll know that he woke up at 4am and didn’t go back to sleep (ah, toddlers!). She strikes the perfect balance between necessary structure and happy toddler fun. Our son has thrived there, both socially and intellectually. We're going to be sorry to go. Tetine

I wholeheartedly recommend Wildflower Toddlerhouse for 18 month-3 year old children in El Cerrito/Albany, near the El Cerrito Plaza BART station. Wildflower offers a fun, relaxed learning environment that nurtures children's curiosity, social skills, and language development, within the Montessori-based tradition, but modified to fit the kids and the age group. The owner and care provider, Pam, is warm, delightful soul, with loads of teaching experience and great instincts. She is particularly skilled in turning every day activities like gardening, eating, music, etc. into wonderful learning opportunities. Many of the toys are those you'd find in children's museums (like LHS) that are entertaining with an educational bent. My daughter thrived under Pam's tutelage, and we were heartbroken to move away. Carolyn

We've had a wonderful experience with Pam Gilkison and Wildflower over the last year. Our son has really thrived and loves going to Pam's every day. Pam is a very intuitive, skilled, creative and hip woman with years of Montessori teaching experience. She accepts kids in the 18- 30 mo range so they're all in a similar developmental stage. They spend their days together playing, reading, singing, dancing, going to the park, doing art projects, etc. The kids are constantly learning, whether it's about fruit (tangerines are juicy...), counting (5 pushes before it's someone else's turn on the swing), respect for one another, responsibility to help clean up their toys-- all in an age appropriate and loving way that flows very naturally. The kids all seem really happy and enjoy playing together and with Pam. She's got openings-- I highly encourage you to check it out. Call Pam at: 510-525- 1443.
patty

I would like to offer an unsolicited and wholehearted recommendation for a relatively new home daycare, Wildflower Toddler House. Pam Gilkison, the owner and care provider, was a Montessori teacher for 20 years and runs a great daycare for 2 year olds. My son had a excellent experience with Pam and it is visible among the other kids how comfortable they feel in her snug little home. There is often music playing, they do art everyday and there's a wonderful outdoor space where they have planted a garden. When I pick up my son at the end of the day he is glowing and full of stories. Pam has openings for the fall, she's right near the El Cerrito BART, and her number is 525-1443. Amy

If you are looking for a small, high quality and personal toddler program for your 18-24+ mo. old, then I recommend Pam Gilkison's care, at Wildflower Toddlerhouse. I find her rates very reasonable and I know she has openings. My 27 month old son has been there for 5 months and we have been very happy. Not only is she a very experienced teacher (lic. Montessori), but she is very loving and nurturing. Her home is on a quiet street, is cosy and child-friendly, with a great backyard + a veggie garden. She definitely put all my fears about leaving my son in someone else's care to rest. Her number is 525-1443. Maren

I'm writing to recommend my son's preschool, Wildflower Toddlerhouse. There are openings so I'd encourage you to check it out! Wildflower is a home-based preschool and Pam Gilkison is the wonderful teacher. Contact her at (510)525- 1443 or pgilkison@earthlink.net. She offers a peaceful setting and does a fantastic job of keeping the children active with games, art & music (Pam plays the guitar & teaches them songs). Pam is well- respected throughout the Berkeley Montessori community, having taught for nearly 30 years-most recently at Growing Light in Kensington. Pam is also knowledgeable in Homeopathy and can offer helpful advice in treating common toddler sniffles! The school is play-based but Pam has all the skills to keep the older kids stimulated with Montessori-style activities. I just can't say enough about how happy we have been with her, it means so much to have a reliable place that my son is also excited to go to! Andrea