If you are looking for a home-based daycare in the Menlo Park area, I don't think you'll find a more loving, sweet place than Teddy Bears. We sent our toddler daughter and son here each for a year before they started preschool. We knew we could trust Gizela and her team whole-heartedly, since so many of our friends have also sent their children to Teddy Bears, and had rave reviews. The children's days are very well-structured, with plenty of time for outdoor play, reading, crafts, and music to name a few activities. We loved how much our children, both a bit shy, grew more confident socially and made friends. They even picked up a little bit of Spanish from their time at Teddy Bears. If there were any behavioral or health issues, or schedule changes, Gizela was quick to communicate that to us parents. We always felt like we were informed and in the loop. What we loved most about Teddy Bears is how much like a family it feels. Gizela works hard to create that family-like feeling, and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find such a loving daycare elsewhere. Our children adore Gizela and her team, always giving big hugs to say hello and good-bye. Now that we are moving on, we are sad to be saying good-bye, but are so grateful to have had two such wonderful years in daycare for our children. read more

I never imagined having such peace of mind dropping my baby off for the day as a first time parent. Our kiddo started with Gizela and the crew at 8 months old, and she's now a thriving 3-yr-old who is surrounded by friends and laughter every day. Gizela and her teachers effortlessly foster each child's individual needs and milestones (potty training, for one!). This is not simply childcare. This is a loving, friendly environment with activities and fun nonstop! They go above and beyond to make sure your child is loved and included. I'll never forget our daughter's first Halloween, and how guilty I felt for not dressing her up and taking pictures of her first thing in the morning before dropping her off. Not to worry, because we received several pictures throughout the day of her in several different costumes! It was exactly what *this* (gestures wildly) new mom needed to feel better after a hectic morning and busy workday. They had my back and I'll always appreciate them. Preschool is right around the corner and our daughter is well prepared. She's articulate, socialized, and she loves learning (in both English and Español). We never could have prepared her this well without Teddy Bears. We will always sing their praises! Thank you TBLC! read more

We absolutely love our daughter's daycare! From the very beginning, it has felt like a true community and extension of our family. The school is incredibly child-focused and does such an amazing job incorporating both Spanish and English learning into the children's daily activities. The teachers are all so patient, loving, kind, and supportive. They truly care about each child and meet them where they are -- especially during big milestones like potty training. Their patience and encouragement made such a difference for our daughter. I also appreciate how family-centered the daycare is. They provide healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, which gives me such peace of mind as a busy parent. Beyond the classroom, they create such a strong sense of community with monthly moms' nights out and family park days that help families connect and support one another. It's rare to find a daycare where you genuinely feel your child is loved, safe, learning, and thriving every single day. We are so grateful for this wonderful school and all of the amazing teachers who make it so special! read more

Our older one Vedu, went to teddy when she was 2, and the transition was perfect. Gizela is such a good care giver, our older one blossomed there, made friends, learnt how to talk, learnt how to draw, and so many firsts. She was also potty trained there seamlessly, one day she was done, magic! The food is great, the activities are engaging and our older one always wanted to rush in there. The Wednesday gymnastics class was her highlight. It's also a great community, I have recommended TBLC to everyone who has had kids in our area. And the best part is our journey isn't over, our younger one will start there in the summer. read more

Our little one has been to a couple of day cares and none came close to comparing to Teddy Bears. Zella and her staff are absolutely wonderful. They go above and beyond and you can tell they care so much about the kiddos. Our daughter constantly talks about them and she LOVES them too. They show up to birthday parties on weekends etc. point being you can tell they are passionate and care. The teaching is amazing too. They have pajama pancake Friday where they have you drop off your kid in their pajamas and they teach them to get dressed. Their potty training program gets the kids started early, which is so important for your child to move into the next phase of schooling. Our daughter learned the entire alphabet before she turned 2 because of them (credit to my wife too :) ) I could go on and on and on about how amazing this place is. It's 100% worth it and the best investment in your child's development. Highly recommended. read more

Teddy Bears Loving Care - They work on the alphabet with them and make fun projects everyday! - Child Care & Day Care Near Me

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I cannot say enough wonderful things about Teddy Bears Loving Care! From the moment I walked through the doors, I knew this was a special place. The staff are incredibly warm, nurturing, and professional. They treat each child as an individual and go above and beyond to make every day engaging, safe, and filled with love. My children (15m old and 3.5 years old) have absolutely thrived here--socially, emotionally, and academically. Gizela and her team provide structured routines while also encouraging creativity and exploration. The communication with parents is excellent--we always know what's going on through daily updates, photos, and thoughtful feedback. What stands out most is the genuine care and attention the staff give to every child. It's a joy to see my children so excited to go to daycare each morning, and I have complete peace of mind knowing they are in such capable and caring hands. Thank you, Gizela (TBLC Team), for being a second home to my children. You are a true gem and have made such a positive impact on our family! read more

Our kid went to Teddy Bears for over a year and had the most amazing time. Gizela has a ton of experience with kids. She and the staff are genuinely caring and ensure the kids have a wonderful time. They provided fresh meals and updated us on how much our kid ate. They have fun play area which keeps the kids engaged for a long time. They also introduce kids to letters and numbers with meaningful associations to things like family, pets, etc. The kids do a lot of well structured activities that they get to bring home. Lastly Gizela hosts quite a few family events throughout the year which helps you get to know the other families and create a sense of community. We recommend this daycare to whoever has a kid around us :) read more

Our experience at Teddy Bears has been overwhelmingly positive. We discovered Gizela and her team through recommendations from multiple families at our older son's school, and we're very grateful to have been steered their way! Gizela creates an environment that is both structured and very accommodating of each child with his or her particular needs. My youngest son started part-time at 4 mos. and didn't take a bottle well; she navigated with us through early solids and persevered with attempts to bottle feed. He's now 18 months and is benefiting so much from his time there. He comes home singing new songs (Gizela brings in teachers for music sessions, which the kids love); hanging his jacket up unprompted; and deciding all by himself that it's time to clean up, putting his toys away as if it's simply part of the play. Even on mornings when he does shed tears after a week away for vacation or illness, Gizela takes it in stride and will make sure to get food in his belly and his energies focused on something else. Our middle son, who has a mild-moderate autism diagnosis and developmental delays, started at Teddy Bears after being asked to leave a larger Montessori program due to behavioral issues (e.g., some aggression, inconsolable crying). When we asked Gizela if she could take him full-time, she said yes without hesitating, assuring us that she'd worked successfully with kids on the ASD spectrum before. He has done SO WELL at Teddy Bears! The issues from the larger program disappeared right away, and we are continually impressed by his improving use of language and other skills (e.g., capacity to follow directions). She has been so welcoming to him and our whole family, and she also is quick to let me know if there is ever any cause for concern with either child, which I very much appreciate. We went to one home daycare in the area prior to finding Teddy Bears, and Gizela's entire program is far better than what we experienced before. The children do not have any screen time, and they are outside so much--I'd guess they spend more hours outside than inside. One of my favorite things about Gizela is that she is not afraid to let kids be kids: they go puddle jumping on rainy days, play in shaving-cream winter wonderlands, and dig in the dirt to plant a spring garden. Gizela has also been very flexible with regard to our needs (part-time, drop-in days, irregular schedules with doctor appointments, etc.). She has been running the daycare for decades and clearly has a well-ordered operation, but that order doesn't prevent her from working with each child and family in a way that fits their particular situation. She also does so much to make Teddy Bears not just a service we pay for but also a source of community, hosting occasional backyard parties and showing up herself at neighborhood gatherings. Gizela, Mari, Iris, and Glenda are a great team, and I definitely recommend this daycare. read more

Teddy Bears is a major part of our life and family and we feel so lucky to have found such loving, caring, experienced, wonderful childcare. Our daughter loves the caregivers and other kids like family. The small size and individual attention to each kid makes this such a gem. If you're looking for a small home daycare, this community has so many great things to offer: music classes, daily art projects, fun outdoor play, healthy food, moms nights out, holiday parties, support with developmental milestones like sleeping, feeding, potty training, dressing, etc. I cannot rave enough about this daycare, the amazing women who run it and the awesome community of families! read more

Teddy Bears Loving Care is an absolute Community gem! For the past 10 years Gizela and her loving team have cared for our three children from 4months old to their transitions to preschool. If you're looking for trusted childcare -- a warm, play based and encouraging environment -- it's Teddy Bears! When going back to work after my first child, I toured dozens of places and the quality of such a nurturing and magical environment is something that we truly appreciate. You'll connect with so many wonderful families -- for years to come and folks from around the neighborhood there to support you in the journey of parenting. Our kids have flourished learning Spanish, and enjoying the gymnastics, creative art programming and music time. Five stars + if Yelp would allow it! read more

My son started at TBLC since May 2020, just after aging out of his previous daycare at 2 years old. Since he joined, my son has blossomed under their care. He is potty trained, fluently recites the alphabet, counts to 100, and even writes his name. Once in a while, he'll even clean up after himself (!) Gizela has a deep understanding of how children think and behave. One example of this is when my son started exhibiting tantrums when I dropped him off at school. She coached me on steps to bypass a tantrum/meltdown, modeling it for me in real time. My son went from the brink of a nuclear meltdown to smiles and waving goodbye. This knowledge comes from her many years of experience and I am grateful for her wisdom and guidance in helping me be a better parent. I love how communicative Gizela is. She sends monthly curriculum updates, has an app to share updates of curriculum and daily meals. I love seeing pictures and videos of the kids and the creative activities they do on a daily basis. Gizela and her staff are absolutely wonderful and I wish I had found them earlier (they accept infants at 6 months) - but we are thankful for the time we were so fortunate to have with TBLC and highly recommend it. read more

One of the things I like most about Teddy Bears is the enriching experience babies and toddlers get from their day-to-day activities. There are activities like field trips, interactive learning, reading, music and dance, and plenty of other fun things happening around the daycare center. Teddy Bears also helps babies and toddlers reach their milestone potentials, from tummy time to potty training. The staff members' experience and expertise makes first time parents feel confident and at ease. I really admire the dedication and devote that takes place behind the scenes. I am so happy to have my child be part of Teddy Bears. The daycare staff members are phenomenal at caring for babies and toddlers. Gizela does a wonderful job running the daycare center. She's very attentive to the needs of each child. My child started daycare in February 2023 and it's been a great experience since then. I plan to have my future children attend Teddy Bears. You can't go wrong choosing to bring your little ones here! read more

All three of our children have attended Teddy Bears and we are so lucky to have found Gizela and her daycare. As a working mom, there is no better feeling than not having to worry about your baby while you're at work. The children are so loved and have their own little pack of friends to play with every day. It's truly a built in village. We tried a couple nannies with our first child and daycare is a much better fit for our family. I love the app that allows us to check in to see what they're eating, doing, and how long they napped. There are crafts, music classes, and lots of creative play. Our youngest knows her ABC's, numbers, and colors in spanish and english. Friday is the best with PJ's and pancakes! Two of the staff members have been there for years and I think that speaks to how well everything runs. Extra love for Judi who has become our youngest favorite teacher. read more

We are so grateful that our son (4 YO) had the opportunity to go to TBLC. Our son started there in August 2021, and has excelled since. Gizela is AMAZING and is like a second mom to our son. She LOVES all the kids and takes an interest in all of them and they're special needs. My son has a developmental delay but has flourished with Gizela in every arena - speech, cognitive, etc. He went from 3 words to six- amazing. Most of all he LOVES school because of Gizela. She's a part of our family and we'd be lost without her. read more

Our son started at the Teddy Bears Loving Care when he was 3 years old. He loves going to school and he is very excited to go to school every day. The teachers are very nice, caring, and fun. They focus on both academics and social skills. The children spend a lot of time outside. Extra bonus is that the children are learning Spanish. We looked at different preschools/daycares before we decided that the Teddy Bears Loving Care was the best one for our son read more

We absolutely loved Teddy Bears Loving Care! We sent our daughter there starting at 3 months and it was obvious how much they loved and cared for her (...and us, as nervous new parents!). She flourished there in their music classes, lovely outdoor space, and cozy playroom. I can't say enough about all of the caregivers - they were simply wonderful. And Gizela, the owner, was so kind and responsive. You could not wish for a better place to send your child! read more

Amazing. I do not have words to explain how Teddy Bears and Gizela (and staff) is with our child. She has fantastic communication with the parents and rapport with the kids. She is super creative and imaginative. Highly recommend! read more

Our son has been at TBLC since January 2018, right before turning 2, and every day I'm thankful to be part of this amazing daycare. Gizela and her staff are amazing and they truly care about the children. I can't say enough good things about this wonderful place, from all the activities they prepare for the kids to the welcoming and fun environment Gizela has created for the kids. They have a music teacher that comes once a week and the older kids (2+) go to gymnastics with Gizela. They do so much to stimulate the children, both intellectually & physically -- it's been a ton of fun to watch my son grow and thrive there. They also provide nutritious meals + snacks every single day. This place is a hidden piece of paradise for little kids (and for the parents). I will be forever grateful to have found TBLC! Thank you! read more

Our child flourished at Teddy Bear in potty training, interacting with friends on the playground, sharing, and learning to transition from each activity/scheduled event. Gizela and her amazing (longstanding) team have been so amazing with our child. Gizela has an amazing ability to interact with babies and toddlers by providing clear boundaries and routines in a loving environment. The children are always doing stimulating activities--gardening, cooking, crafts, and imaginative play. Gizela provides great meals that increased our child's exposure to different foods. What I loved about Gizela most was her open and approachable communication style. We love Gizela, and she will always be a part of our family. read more

I would give 6 stars if that was an option! Gizela is gifted with children and her daycare is a dream come true for parents. It reflects community, friendship, kindness and love. Gizela has fantastic energy, truly loves the children and has an amazing ability to remain calm at all times. What's more, she hires staff that are partners in care giving and the families she attracts form wonderful friendships that, in my case, are thriving 10 years later. Both our son and daughter went to TBLC and still ask when date night is so they can go back, see Gizela and hang with friends. Gizela and her team taught them every sort of life skill (with simple discipline when needed), preschool reading, potty trained them and did more art than our walls could take. She got my son off his pacifier and heated my breast milk in a pot of warm water... you name it, she did it and did it well! All this, healthy meals and a cute little report card at the end of each day. Words cannot express how strongly I endorse Gizela and her team! read more

Our son started going to Teddy Bears right before he turned two years old. His grandmother had been watching him regularly, but my husband and I agreed it would be best to get him in at least 1 day a week to better his social interactions with other kids and adults. Luckily Gizela called me back almost right away with an opening for once a week. At the time, we didn't know how lucky we would be. Teddy Bears has been such a blessing in our lives. Not only do Gizela, Vanessa and their team take such great care of the children, but they are proactive when it comes to helping each child with their individual needs. Our son struggles with speech and has many sensory issues. They are constantly working with him and make a point to tell us how his day went and if there were any struggles as well as giving us advice on how to work with him at home. The changes we've seen in our son are unbelievable. He is now very well mannered, saying please, thank you, no thank you. He's grown to be much more independent and we have seen so much improvement with his language and behavior. One of our biggest and more recent accomplishments with our son was potty training! We both have to give all of the credit to Vanessa and Gizela. They helped us so much with potty training because of their consistency. I was having such a hard time at home being consistent because we had a newborn, but they jumpstarted it for us and made it easy for us to continue at home with him. He is now fully potty trained and my husband and I will be forever grateful. We can't say enough about this place. If you want your child to be in the best hands possible, then I recommend Teddy Bears Loving Care. They are the absolute best. There's love, there is trust, and these are some of the best people I have met. They are like family. Thank you Gizela, Vanessa, and your team for all you have given our family and our child. We are truly blessed. read more

Our son went to Teddy Bears Loving Care when he was around 2. He loved his stay there! Gizela and other caregivers are very experienced and I can tell from the way they treat children that they truly love kids. They have a spacious outside play area and lots of toys inside. One day a week, they also have music lessons provided by an external instructor which my son loved. Parents also have an option to send their children to gym classes. Perfect daycare/preschool for infants and young toddlers. Among dozens of daycares I visited in the area, Teddy Bear is one of my favorites! read more

Gizela and her team soon became like family to us. Ever since we enrolled our 2 year old in her daycare, he has developed so much. The dedication and care Gizela and her assistants show toward each student is above and beyond what I expected and I couldn't be happier anywhere else. read more

Our son is going to Teddy Bear for six months and we couldn't be happier. He easily transitioned into the daycare and loves going there. The kiddos have many activities, including gym, arts, music and more. The daycare is easy to work with and provides with full transparency. read more

My husband and I feel so blessed to be part of the Teddy Bears Loving Care family. We joined Teddy Bears when our daughter was 21 months old, after being on the waitlist. Our daughter was a late walker and talker, and overall a bit timid. Within the first month at Teddy Bear's, she gained a level of confidence we had never seen before. She was walking, running, climbing on the jungle gym, talking and so happy! She has blossomed while under the care of the Teddy Bear's care givers. Every day she receives healthy, organic meals, does art projects, reads stories, plays outdoors, explores instruments and singing, and so much more. Once a week they take her to gymnastics in Menlo Park which she absolutely loves. The hours are very friendly for working parents, and daily rate is very reasonable considering all that they provide. We really feel that Teddy Bears goes above and beyond in all aspects of child care, and we couldn't be more happy we found them. read more

Gizela and her team are amazing caregivers that I am happy to wholeheartedly recommend. My son started at Teddy Bear Loving Daycare when he was an year and a half old. At that age he was pretty needy, crying whenever one of us were out of sight, and I worried about him going to daycare. However, thanks to Gizela's warm and supportive environment, he adjusted much more quickly than I could have imagined. Gizela and her team are pros: her home is loving, safe, and accepting, and she knows how to talk to children in a way that is straightforward and never condescending. Now, two years later, my son is excited to go to daycare every day. Even when he has an occasional off day and doesn't want us to leave, Gizela works her magic and he's all smiles a few minutes later. She even handled potty training for him: we didn't have to lift a finger, and now he's so proud to be able to use the toilet on his own. Teddy Bear Loving Daycare is a fantastic daycare and we have nothing but good things to say about Gizela and her team. This care of this quality is extremely difficult to find, and we feel very lucky to have been able to send our son there. read more