One Saturday morning as our son woke up excited to go to Tia Graciela's and Miguel's, we told him he was going to be home because it was a weekend, and he went "awww" with a slight frown. That's how much both our boys have enjoyed being at Mi Second Casa. We consider Graciela and Miguel an extension of our family, embodying the "it takes a village to raise a child" proverb. Dropping the boys off at daycare has never felt like a drop-off -- more like, here's where we are going to enjoy the day and hang out with friends, and it just so happens that Mommy and Daddy will be away. The backyard garden has been the centerpiece of their play, making the most use of the warm California sun. They've brought back gardening tips & developed a healthy love for fresh produce. They've had the time of their lives with water play on really hot days. Through their play-based curriculum, our eldest (who is now in TK) has been doing well at school, learning to read and write ahead of his peers. He has developed fluency in Spanish, something he could never have gotten from us at home, neither of whom are native speakers. Before we landed at Mi Second Casa, we had been to other places (and we got in here as soon as a spot opened up). The biggest difference we found is something you can't really measure: the warmth, the affection, the dedication that Tia and Miguel have shown to the boys and to us over the years is beyond the relationship of daycare and parents -- much more like extended family, a second home, if you will -- Mi Second Casa. read more

We couldn't be happier with our experience at Mi Second Casa (MSC) daycare, and wouldn't hesitate for a minute to recommend them. From the moment we first toured their facility, we knew it was just right for us; and we had looked at 4 other care facilities by this point. MSC was also the only one to offer a reference call with a parent of a child who was currently attending their facility. They're a great mix of the attention you'd expect from a home-based option, but the structure from center-based care. Miguel, Graciela (Tia), and Michael went above and beyond to ensure that my child felt safe, nurtured, and loved throughout his time there, and their genuine love for what they do shines through in everything they do. Our son grew leaps and bounds in the year that he was with MSC. He went from crawling and babbling to confidently walking and becoming more sociable and talkative with their encouragement and guidance. They have helped him blossom into a confident and curious little explorer. They created an amazing environment that really fostered a sense of community with the other parents and children that attended MSC. The only reason our son isn't there right now is because we moved to another country, and we only wish we could take them with us wherever we go. We're truly grateful for the impact they've had on our family. read more

Our experience at Mi Second Casa has been outstanding, beyond what I ever could have hoped for in a childcare provider. They provide new and stimulating curriculum with a rotating set of toys. As well as a homey, "second home" feel, where they assist children in potty training and showing them the benefits of gardening. They make frequent trips to the park and the grocery store, teaching the kids real life skills. On top of this kids make best friends and there is a text community where the parents receive pictures daily. So far we have made lemonade, zucchini, and broccoli to eat, all from MSC's garden. In addiction to this, the kids are learning and speaking Spanish, a valuable skill in California and worldwide. Give Tia and Miguel a call, you'd be lucky to get a spot at this daycare. read more

Our daughter attended Mi Second Casa from 3 months old to 3 years old. As soon as we met Graciela and Miguel, we felt a genuine caring vibe that gave us confidence that they would take care of our daughter with love and individual attention. After 3 years as part of the Mi Second Casa family, we couldn't be happier with our decision. Not only does our daughter speak Spanish as fluently as you would expect any 3-year-old to speak any language, but we have seen her grow and flourish into a confident, communicative toddler who loves going to daycare every day! Graciela and Miguel (and their son Michael) have been excellent teachers to our little one. They also helped all the parents feel like part of a big family by organizing regular potlucks, activities and date nights. We will miss them dearly. read more

I can write an anthology about how amazing Graciela and Miguel have been to our 1.5 year old daughter but instead I will give you the cliff notes. Two independent friends recommended Mi Second Casa. Each had the most glowing reviews. I was skeptical because how can anyone be that great? I learned for myself that they are, in fact, that great. Let me explain with specific examples.  Here are a few that stood out. (1) We informed Graciela that we were picking up our daughter right before lunch to catch a flight.  When we arrived, Graciela had prepared lunch not only for our daughter but also her two older brothers to take on our trip.  It was incredibly thoughtful for her to think about all our children, two of which weren't in her care. (2) I was running late one day to pick up my daughter.  Since my sister was in town that day, I asked my sister to pick up my daughter (my sister is an emergency contact). Because my daughter isn't that comfortable with my sister, she cried hysterically during the pick up.  I ended up telling my sister to wait outside at Graciela's until I came. When I arrived to retrieve my daughter, I saw Graciela outside holding my calm and happy daughter.  Graciela didn't need to wait outside with my sister until I arrived but she did because she cares. (3) Graciela sometimes holds parents night where we could pick up our daughter at 8pm so parents can go on date night. She kindly invited our other children (not in her care) to join so that we can truly relax.  She constantly goes above and beyond. Graciela and Miguel are truly as amazing as my friends had recommended but don't take my word for it.  Talk to them and see for yourself. read more

Our 2 year old daughter and 1 year old son recently left mi second Casa due to a relocation to Texas. Since then, my daughter frequently asks when she can fly back to California to see Graciela and Miguel again. They filled us with such rare peace of mind that all of our kids needs were met (academic, social and emotional) that we put off relocating for months, concerned that we wouldn't find childcare just as good else where. Get in early, if you can. For months, close friends of ours whose 2 kids also attended mi second Casa, strongly recommended we apply early but we put it off and as a result, we were on waitlist for a short while. That said, as soon as a spot opened up, they were very professional and reached out to offer us the opportunity. Our fav things about mi second Casa: - Felt like home away from home for our kids - Honest, proactive and collaborative partnership - Great curriculum! Our kids attend another Montessori school in TX, and are considered to be advanced for their age. My daughter also picked up Spanish there! - Delicious healthy meals - Personalized care. Great attention to detail on the unique needs of each child. - Parents night off events - so thoughtful! We'd have packed them up for our relocation, if we could. read more

I am so grateful for the love and care Graciela and Miguel have shown my son. As first time parents, seeking daycare for our infant during a pandemic, we wanted a small, safe, and affordable option for our 4-month-old. We were so thrilled to find Mi Second Casa! Their home is always clean, they make delicious homemade food, and the kids get lots of time outdoors whether walking to a nearby park or just playing in their fantastic yard. They will truly treat your child as their own! read more

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We started both our daughters at Mi Second Casa when they each turned 6 months, and we couldn't be happier. Graciela and Miguel have been caring, thoughtful, nurturing, and meticulous with our children from day one. We love their focus on holistic development - emotional, cognitive, and physical. They have a ton of experience with early child development and education, and it shows in the way they've helped our girls navigate all the various growing pains. For example, they started prepping our elder daughter for the arrival of the younger one well in advance. She is now 3 years old, and has become a caring, loving human being who likes to socialize with other people and being the elder sister. In addition to coordinating with us on the different milestones, Graciela always provided spot on suggestions for things like potty training. For example, as our elder daughter was going through potty training, Graciela emphasized how crucial it was to be patient and give her the space to develop confidence in her own time. There were good days and bad days but one fine day it all clicked and the process worked. On a day to day basis, the kids are engaged in various activities from art & music to gardening & water play. They cook fresh, healthy food for every meal and made adjustments for our vegetarian diet. Graciela shares pictures and videos throughout the day. Our girls come home happy and exhausted. On many days, they have such a good time that they don't want to come back home! We love Mi Second Casa and highly recommend them to any parent. We delayed our move away from San Mateo just so that our girls could spend more time there. Mi Second Casa is truly a second home to our girls. read more

I cannot say enough good things about Mi Second Casa. It is truly a home away from home for our son, who is a high-energy toddler. He is hesitant to be comfortable with others, but warmed to Tia (Graciela) and Miguel immediately. Graciela has a wealth of experience in Early Childhood Education as well as the educational degree to back it up. She and Miguel appreciate the uniqueness of each child and have special relationships with each of them. Not only do Graciela and Miguel maintain a clean, safe, caring environment for the children, but they are also very responsive, organized and a joy to engage with as a parent - just wonderful people. Graciela and Miguel have supported our son's social emotional well-being as well as provided him healthy meals, potty-trained him, and offered wonderful experiences such as gardening, art, dance, reading and learning Spanish. They also have helped our family by watching our older daughter on school breaks and with date-nights. Graciela and Miguel are truly wonderful caregivers, business owners and humans - I strongly recommend them! read more

This is a difficult review to write. Our daughter has been with Graciella and Miguel at Mi Second Casa for just two years. During that too short of a time, we have come to know the depth of learning, socialization, and love that our daughter was shown. She has truly thrived there. Our only reason for leaving was our move away from the Bay Area and it is possibly our greatest loss. Our daughter made friends, had stories to tell after every day, and looked forward to returning every morning. Just yesterday, Graciella called so our daughter could Facetime with her friends to see and talk to them. The level of individual and group caring and empathy runs deep. We cannot recommend this daycare enough. read more

Tia and Miguel have been family to my Son for 2 years. Our immediate family is 2,000+ miles away, and having amazing adults he can trust and interact with is a great thing in our lives. We love Mi Second Casa and I appreciate all they have done to help develop our confident, kind and healthy child. The environment is pleasant, consistent and caring. The children are allowed to develop personality and enjoy playing with each other. There is music, learning, great outdoor time, and fun. I have noticed that the positive habits we hope to instill in our son are reinforced and in many cases learned at Mi Second Casa. The other children are pleasant and the diversity is a great way to learn to respect everyone. We also value and love the Spanish education component. We are disappointed to be leaving California or we would have put our new baby in their care as well. I can think of no more ringing endorsement than to say I trust Mi Second Casa with the most important thing in my world. read more

Mi Second Casa - In Home - Preschools Near Me - San Mateo, California

I should have written this a long time ago because Graciela and Miguel are the best! We have had both our son and daughter with them since they were each about 5 months old. They have continually been thoughtful, nurturing, and involved in the overall well being and development of our children. As a parent, I have seen the hugely positive impact they have played in our children's lives. Our kids are able to explore, have fun and learn in a positive and loving environment. Our daughter loves going every day, and even on weekends our daughter asks if she's going to daycare. Without a doubt, I highly recommend Mi Second Casa and Graciela and Miguel. There is no substitute for authenticity and support in a child's life and we are grateful that we found them. read more

Mi Second Casa is a great daycare! Mi Casa offers both part-time and full-time care. This review is based on full-time care for my 3 year old daughter. When on my search for a daycare for my daughter I was looking for a place that was educational, safe and fun. I was hoping to find a daycare that was bilingual in Spanish and English. Mi Casa met all of my expectations. Both Graciela and Miguel both have an education in early childhood development. They incorporate education into their activities. I like that they limit the "screen time" to little or none. Also, Graciela occasionally sends pictures throughout the week so you can feel like you are apart of your child's day. When my daughter joined Mi Second Casa in November 2018 she was not potty trained. Graciela has been patient and has helped me potty train my daughter. Another thing I really like about Mi Second Casa is they provide home cooked meals daily (which is also included in the tuition). They have a little garden and teach the kids about gardening. They even grow fruits and veggies that the kids really enjoy. I would recommend Mi Second Casa to anyone who wants their child to be apart of a educational and fun community. Thank you Graciela and Miguel! read more

We sent our 3 year old daughter to Mi Second Casa with Graciela & Miguel at the beginning of Summer 2022. They have a very structured program for the kids (w/ arts & crafts, group time, education periods & organized breakfast/lunch, and on time of they carry a big heart for the children. The environment is also very clean and super organized (you'll be able to tell when you do a tour). They even take the kids to the park on very cute 6 seat stroller everyday. Our daughter comes home happy everyday! If you have questions, please private message me. thanks! read more

We moved to the Bay Area for a new job, and found ourselves looking for childcare in a city/world completely unfamiliar to us. We were so nervous as we interviewed childcare facilities, and then a Yelp review led us to Graciela & Miguel, at Mi Second Casa. Our son's reaction to meeting them and running around and touring the facility helped us feel comfortable sending him there. Time spent getting to know Graciela & Miguel made our confidence even greater, knowing our son would be well loved and well taken care of. There was never a concern when we dropped him off or picked him up. He was excited to go to daycare every day and made great friends. We were relocated again for work, and we all cried when it was time to say goodbye. We can't say enough good things about the people (and incredible facilities!). They have a great mix of educational and hands on activities, and we would recommend Mi Second Casa to anyone. read more

Mi Second Casa - In Home - Always playing outside! - Preschools Near Me - San Mateo, California

Fantastic care with loving caretakers. Graciela and Miguel are experienced, thoughtful and observant. They have great communication with parents and invest in building the community. Best of all, my child loves going and has grown so much as a result! Feel free to message me directly if you have more questions, I could go on and on! read more

Fantastic. Loving. A premier choice if you can't be a stay at-home parent. Mi Second Casa was the optimal 'second home' for our daughter. With full awareness of how comically stereotypical this is of Silicon Valley parenting, I admit the following: My wife and I researched and visited dozens of daycares and tracked our findings on spreadsheets from which we would then discuss and debate the pros and cons. And did so over the course of a couple of months. To the our best abilities, we graded the providers on an array of attributes. First and above all else was safety -- as delivered by the caregiver(s) as well as the physical environment -- and ability of the caregivers to be genuine and focused love-givers. From there we added evaluations regarding the exposure to language, reading, music, culture, and comprehensive social skills. Graciela came out the winner of our analysis. And everything that Graciela provided for our daughter afterwards confirmed our conclusion. Our daughter thrived at Mi Second Casa, receiving all the love and attention we desired. This yielded the secondary benefit of piece of mind -- which allowed my wife and I to meet the demands of our careers while being confident that our daughter was being exceptionally cared for and nurtured. All our meticulous data analysis and debating gave us comfort that we did our proper due diligence... but the truth of the matter is that -- now looking back with four years' worth of perspective -- Graciela clearly established her qualifications upon our first interaction. On our first meeting, Graciela greeted our daughter with the same focus as she greeted us. Stooping down to talk to our daughter directly (who was three-months-old at the time), she balanced her engagement with us with an equal degree of direct interactions our daughter. This focused, lovinging-care and attention Graciela gave our daughter on that first visit continued throughout the entire time our daughter was enrolled there. I highly recommend Graciela and Mi Second Casa unequivocally. read more

Graciela and Miguel are the most caring and loving daycare providers we have ever met. Our daughter loves Mi Second Casa and now can speak 2 languages as a result of her time there. The peace of mind that Mi Second Casa provides is invaluable for busy Bay Area parents like ourselves. Everything is covered here from the ease of drop-off to the wonderful playtime activities. The daycare even goes out of their way to provide a Date Night for parents, Picnic days to hang out with other parents and children, and lots of Holiday themed take home arts and crafts. Graciela is always looking to improve and grow along with the children that she cares for. Our daughter has a step up in life thanks to the care-taking that Graciela and Miguel have provided these past three years. read more

Graciela and Miguel are amazing! Our son was in their care for about a year starting at 6 months old; unfortunately our situation changed with the pandemic and we can no longer keep him enrolled, but we all miss Mi Second Casa. Graciela (Tia) and Miguel care for the kids with such love; it truly is like a second family. Tia is so sweet that she thought of our son on his birthday and even gave him a Christmas gift, even though he is no longer enrolled. I can't say enough good things about them and the genuine love and excellent care they gave our son. read more

Graciela and Miguel are amazing owners. My children love them, it's like we're all part of one big family.

My daughter has thrived these past years with Graciela and Miguel. They're the most loving and child-friendly people I know. They have created a very family-friendly atmosphere, serve home cooked, healthy meals and they have a fantastic garden modeled so that the kids can bike or roam around, with lots of plants that the kids help tend to. They embrace the kids and have created a big family in their house. I also love the fact that they do this together as a couple - it's great for the kids to have a male role model - something you almost never find in other daycares! My daughter is now three years old and she has learned a third language, Spanish, which is so useful and a great gift. Last but not least, they also listen and respond to the needs of the parents. We love this daycare/preschool and couldn't give them a higher recommendation. read more

Mi Second Casa - In Home - Biking in the backyard! - Preschools Near Me - San Mateo, California

We had an excellent experience at Mi Second Casa. Graciela and Miguel have created a loving and happy environment for the kids to learn and play. I facilities are clean and beautiful. It's a home daycare, but there is a lot of space both inside and out dedicated to the kids and all of their activities. My daughter really loved playing outside and learning about the garden. Not only was Mi Second Casa great for my daughter, but for me as well. Graciela is extremely helpful and accommodating. She understands the difficulties of working parents and helped make my life much easier. Mi Second Casa is truly a special place. read more

Mi Second Casa is truly a second home for the children attending it. My daughter started there a year back and she loves it. She looks forward to going to daycare every morning. Graciela, Miguel and Taana helped her settle in with a lot of love and care. They love and nurture the kids. Mi Second Casa is the perfect introduction for a child to the world outside of your home. read more

my daughter has been at mi second casa since she was about 2 1/2. she recently graduated and I have to say i was extremely happy with graciela and her husband Miguel. and her help along the years with educating my daughter! love love that they are bilingual !! we have a hard time speaking Spanish constantly at home so I was very glad my daughter learned spanish & can count and reply in Spanish. She comes home singing all the songs from school!! graciela. and Miguel have a great curriculum and keep everything neat and clean. they make home cooked meals and let the kids join in all activities indoor and outdoor ! my son had to be a part of mi second casa as well and he has been with them since he was about 6 months. he's almost 3 now !! we love. graciela. and Miguel and all their help they make each and every kid feel special and they love them like their own. we are glad we picked them for the beginning of our kids school experience. read more

Mi Second Casa has been part of our family for 3 years and we absolutely LOVE them! We sent both our son and our daughter to this daycare beginning when they were 3 months old and we cannot say enough good things about Graciela (Tia) & Miguel. They are both such warm, caring people who truly care about the children and their families. When we had our first baby, we were so scared to leave him with anyone and we had no idea what to expect from a daycare. I remember crying my eyes out on my first day of work as I left my 3 month old baby at Mi Second Casa and Graciela actually held me as I cried! She was so comforting, understanding and kind knowing it was a hard day for me and made sure I had updates throughout the day of how my baby was doing (which she continued for years). When we had a second child, we were so happy they had the space for her and our kids could be together every day. Our kids run into Tia's in the morning and it is the highlight of their day. They run into her arms, give hugs to Miguel and truly consider them as family. There is often music playing and the kids are always having so much fun with Tia & Miguel and with one another. Every morning our son asks, "are we going to Tia's?" even on the weekends! It is his absolute favorite place to be with all of his friends playing, reading, painting, helping out in the garden, playing with toys, singing songs, dancing and having so much fun. We absolutely love that they speak english and spanish and both of our kids have picked up on both languages rather quickly. They provide breakfast, lunch and snacks (which made our lives so much easier) and the kids often come home with crafts and paintings that they have made during the day. They also organize family pot lucks so families can get to know each other and every once and a while will do a date night where they will keep the kids until 7 or 8pm so parents can have time time alone (this was really great because we didn't have a sitter who we felt we could trust as much as Tia & Miguel!) Every time we pick up the kids, they are so happy and that was something that stood out to me from the beginning until our final days at Mi Second Casa. We had no intention of leaving Mi Second Casa until our kids went off to school but sadly we have moved away from the area. They are the absolute kindest, warmest people who will love your kids so much and it will be heartbreaking when you have to leave them. We will miss you Tia & Miguel and any family that is able to join you is so lucky!! read more

Having to go back to work, finding daycare for my 5 month old baby was the most difficult and fearful experience. I wanted a place that would treat her as precious as I would. As soon as I walked into MSC, all I heard was laughter and fun and all I saw were smiles and hugs. Right away it felt like home - warm, safe, and loving. This was the only daycare I'd visited where the kids looked so happy and wanted to be there. The teachers were constantly hugging and playing with the kids. Graciela and Miguel are the most giving and loving caregivers we could ever ask for. It is a home daycare with 2 large different play rooms, a giant backyard, and a large kitchen where kids eat and play at the large table like a true home. There are so many activities done daily - art projects, cooking, science (homemade play doh), singing in Spanish, gardening (we've brought home tomatoes and zucchini!), and tricycles to bike in the backyard. The best part is the giant buggy the kids ride to the nearby park. My daughter is now 3 and has so many friends and loves to be there. Some days she doesn't want to leave. With Graciela's masters degree she truly understands a child's development and has created a curriculum to help them thrive. With her warm heart she has truly made it a second home for our family. They are the greatest! read more

The reason I give 5 stars is because my kids always come out happy from the daycare. I recommended to everyone who have children.Daycare is clean and a nice environments. Great locations read more

My kids still remember their time with Graciela fondly and they are now in grade school. Highly recommend, Graciela has studied early childhood education and is a very loving, creative caregiver. read more

Graciela and Miguel run the best daycare on the Peninsula. I dropped off a nervous 1-year old two years ago and now have a proud, happy 3 and a half year old. They taught her how to crawl, walk, dance, speak Spanish, and go potty. The kids listen to music, plant vegetables, tend to silk worms, bike in the backyard, paint, make their own playdoh, bring home gifts they have made for Mother's Day, Christmas, Easter and every holiday under the sun. My daughter feels safe, loved and well-cared-for with Graciela, Miguel and Veronica. I know she eats better homemade meals at Tia's than when she is home with me. The kitchen often smells of fresh homemade bread when I come for pick-up. The place is cleaner and more organized than a church or hospital. I could not be happier with the job they have done. I feel like they are family. I would highly recommend Mi Second Casa to any parent looking for a place to have their child learn, grow and be happy. read more

Mi Second Casa - In Home - Playing with one of the many many toys and games in the toy area. - Preschools Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I completely echo Mel M's comment about Graciela and Miguel running the "best daycare in the Peninsula." They are the most devoted, committed and loving caregivers to our 2 children. We started with our son when he was 5 month's old (now almost 2 years ago) and now our daughter is there too. They are a dynamic team that is focused on working alongside parents to become a "second home" to the children. They focus on building a wonderful curriculum designed for each age group. The children learn and grow through interactive play, storytime, art, music, work on the garden, backyard playtime, and so many more wonderful activities. They are in such a loving, safe, and nurturing environment. And they also learn spanish and eat amazingly healthy and delicious meals. Graciela and Miguel have truly become a part of our family and I am so grateful to have found this wonderful daycare. read more

Graciela and Miguel, proprietors of Mi Second Casa are the most caring and loving childcare providers we have met. On our first meeting with them, we knew that we would have peace of mind that our kids will be well taken care of, and taught good family values at a tender age. My kids were also able to understand Spanish at an early age. We are very thankful for that. I highly recommend Mi Second Casa to anyone looking for childcare in the Peninsula. read more

Our 2 children attended Mi Second Casa. We felt that our kids were receiving the best care and education during their early childhood development. Tia Graciela is so loving and caring that she treated our children like her own. The set up of the daycare is conducive to indoor & outdoor activities. The lawn outside was big enough for my son to play soccer and kick a ball around as well as tricycle around a paved path. I would highly recommend Mi Second Casa to anyone looking for a great, safe place for their kids. A huge plus is that the kids learn spanish. read more

After our two girls were under the care of Graciela and Miguel from age 3 months to 5 1/2 years, I can warmly say that Graciela and Miguel are truly part of our family. Things we love about the two of them and Mi Second Casa: Graciela and Miguel's gentle and kind approach with the children, the small size of the daycare allowing for individual attention for each child, the healthy food that they serve that our girls love (vegetable smoothies, soups), hosting parents' night out ("jammie night at Tia's!"), exposure to Spanish (helping both of our girls develop confidence as they began the Spanish immersion school in San Mateo), and the genuine love and care that they not only show the kids, but also the parents (they offered to watch the girls into the evening when my mother-in-law was hospitalized). We feel so blessed to have them in our lives, and cannot give them a more positive review. Thank you Tia and Miguel! read more