Business Details
42 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Preschool in Berkeley & Oakland
Founded in 1984, Duck's Nest has been a trusted provider of early childhood education in the Bay Area. Our philosophy centers on social-emotional development, recognizing the critical role relationships play in a child's learning journey. With three campuses in Berkeley and Oakland, we offer intentionally designed environments that foster creativity, curiosity, and a love for learning through play. Our dedicated teachers, holding Pediatric CPR and First Aid certifications, maintain exceptional child-to-teacher ratios to ensure personalized attention. We implement a play-based emergent curriculum that adapts to children's interests while promoting cognitive, motor, and language development.Our inclusive program celebrates diversity, embracing all family structures and cultural backgrounds through an anti-bias educational approach. The natural elements integrated into our classrooms and outdoor spaces cultivate environmental awareness and hands-on exploration. Parent involvement is encouraged through associations, classroom participation, and collaborative communication channels. Financial assistance options and subsidies ensure accessibility to quality early education. Committed to safety, we conduct regular emergency drills and maintain comprehensive preparedness supplies.
Services
Preschool Programs
Play-Based Curriculum
Social-Emotional Development
Parent Involvement
Emergency Preparedness
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- Maintains one of the Bay Area's best child-to-teacher ratios (1:4-7)
- Offers play-based emergent curriculum developed through observation
- Implements culturally responsive anti-bias teaching approach
- Conducts monthly emergency preparedness drills with 3-day supply reserves
- Provides financial assistance and accepts multiple subsidy programs
What people say
Teachers are amazing
Beautiful grounds
Loving environment
Creative curriculum
Strong community
Services
Play-Based Curriculum
Our emergent curriculum develops critical thinking through child-led exploration. Teachers observe interests and provide materials that extend learning across cognitive, social, and motor domains. Documentation displays make learning visible to families.
Social-Emotional Development
We prioritize emotional intelligence through teacher-child bonds and peer interactions. Conflict resolution practices build empathy while respecting diverse backgrounds and family structures in our inclusive environment.
Parent Involvement
Parents participate through our Non-Profit Parent Association, classroom volunteering, and collaborative communication. Weekly emails and conferences maintain strong home-school connections supporting child development.
Emergency Preparedness
Monthly fire and earthquake drills prepare children for emergencies. Schools maintain 3-day food/water supplies, and staff remain with children during major incidents until pickup completion.
Financial Assistance
We offer financial aid through SSS applications and accept Hively, 4Cs, and Bananas subsidies. Our commitment ensures quality early education accessibility for diverse families.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We serve children aged 2-5 across five classroom groups: Ducklings (2), Wood Ducks (young 3s), Puddle Ducks (older 3s), Mallards (younger 4s), and Mandarins (older 4s/5s).
Is potty training required?
No, we support toilet training through collaborative parent-teacher efforts when children show readiness signs.
What safety measures are in place?
Monthly emergency drills, 3-day supply reserves, and staff CPR/First Aid certifications ensure child safety.
How does curriculum work?
Our emergent curriculum follows children's interests through observation, with documentation displayed in classrooms.
What parent involvement opportunities exist?
Parents automatically join our Non-Profit Parent Association and can participate in events, field trips, and classroom activities.
