Our two sons (now 2 years and 9.5 months old) have been going to Isabella's daycare since they were each 3 months old and it has been a fantastic experience for them and us. Isabella and Chella (who helps out) are both so beloved by our boys that they jump into their arms when we arrive each morning. And my husband and I have also been thrilled with their laid-back personalities, enthusiasm, and flexibility in accommodating any complicated scheduling issues, etc, that come up. I highly, highly recommend this daycare.
We first found Isabella because close friends were sending their son there. We were hesitant at first because there weren't many reviews and many of my colleagues were sending their children to fancy daycare facilities with defined track records and curricula. Initially, we tried to get into a couple of these places in Berkeley (we both work in the East Bay) and just ended up paying money to sit on waitlists. So we figured that in the meantime, we'd try Isabella's place and then move our son when we got into one of the fancy spots. Ten months later, when we did finally "get in", we had no trouble telling the other place that we no longer wanted the spot and would rather stick with Isabella.
Why do we love this place so much? Well I've already mentioned how kind Isabella and Chella are and how much my sons love them, and that's most of it. But also, I truly believe they love the kids like their own. One day last year, for example, I came for pickup at around 5pm and Isabella was sitting in a chair, cradling another boy who she said had a fever. She had called his parents (our friends) who were on the way, but in the meantime, she was just concerned that he felt as comfortable as possible. If a stranger had walked in, they would have thought this boy was Isabella's son, based on how she was caring for him. Other days, you can find Isabella running around singing with the kids as they giggle their heads off. Almost every day, when I pick the kids up, I ask my older son what he did that day. He always says something like "had fun playing with Isabella and Chella!"
It's clearly great that the kids have fun there, but I also think it's worth pointing out that they're learning a lot! My older son was naming alphabet letters at around 19 months and could count to ten in English and Spanish shortly afterwards, as well. My younger son was a problematic eater during the COVID quarantine- we couldn't get a spoon near his mouth without him flinging it away. Within a week of being back at Isabella's, he suddenly ate great and was interested in all sorts of new foods. These guys just really know how to communicate with kids.
I must also mention the aspects of this daycare that make it so convenient for parents. First, they provide all diapers and food, which makes life logistics a lot easier. Second, their price is very reasonable, which is rare for daycares in the Bay Area. Third, pickup and dropoff times (7:30am and 5:30pm, respectively) make it possible to work a full day, which was not true of other places that we looked.
I'm sure I'm missing something, but the bottom line is that Let's Play Daycare is wonderful. I consider us lucky to have found them. read more