Nestled in Concord on the borders of Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill is a licensed in-home child care facility. My name is Karen Roemer, and I have been providing care in Contra Costa County for 32 years. While my program is considered play-based, children are fully prepared for kindergarten as they are allowed to create, explore, and practice autonomy in a safe and watchful environment. The program is structured around indoor-outdoor play, mealtimes, and naps with room to adjust as needed. Organized activities are provided, such as watercolor painting, Play-Doh, drawing, and science projects. Children are given the choice to participate or not in organized activities, providing them the opportunity to spend time on their interests. Television and tablets are not provided.

Technology is forever changing, but the knowledge of what the young child needs to thrive remains the same. I am often asked if my program is identified as Montessori (multi-age classes), Reggio Emilia (self-guided curriculum), and Waldorf(holistic, arts-based approach). My program draws on aspects of all of these programs, along with my own experience of what works for the individual child and their families.

Life is stressful, daycare shouldn’t be. I understand how difficult it is to leave your child in daycare, so I have an acclimation process that eases the child in; Frequent visits with a parent beforehand, followed by the child attending short days before heading into full days.

Dinner parties are provided to welcome new families to our daycare community.

Karen comes to family day care from a distinctive perspective. Her mother, Joan Roemer, had provided family day care for 26 years in Oakland, and is the author of Harper & Row’s book, Two to Four From 9 to 5, The Adventures Of A Daycare Provider.

Wholesome meals and diapers included.