Wawasi is unlike anything else you will find! It is a wonderful center with a beautiful backyard dedicated entirely to the children. I cannot recommend them enough! Roxy and all the teachers are kind, patient, skilled, reliable, trustworthy, and create a wonderful sense of community. My older son started at Wawasi around 2.5 yo and my younger son started around 18m. Both have thrived under their care and we have had nothing but a positive experience. My younger son, even at a young clingy age, always went to the teachers with open arms. Wawasi has many sibling pairs and children that return during school breaks and I think this say a lot about the quality of their care. Roxy's doors have been open for several decades and it is a well run machine, not to mention the impeccable state licensing inspection record! Additionally, the child to teacher ratio is the lowest I have found across the Bay Area! Roxy takes a true pride in caring for her daycare, families and staff... and it shows! Wawasi is a sweet and caring daycare that provides amazing childcare and will become like family! read more

Roxy and all of the Wawasi staff are the best. Our child attended from age 2 to 4.5. We had just moved to the East Bay from San Francisco and were extremely fortunate to find Wawasi. Roxy and Wawasi were there for us through so much - they helped support potty training, keeping regular nap times, and made sure she ate healthy food. Our child learned how to swing on her own in their play area, how to regulate her emotions, and learned about so many topics, such as the human body, insects, mammals, among many others. When our child started TK this past year, her teachers wanted to know if we spoke Spanish at home because she was so fluent-- but she had learned all of the Spanish at Wawasi! Wawasi was also a great foundation for TK, because they introduced letters, numbers, circle time, and writing their names. We still hang up the beautiful art she made at Wawasi, and we are still friends with the families we met there. We highly recommend this preschool to anyone looking for caring staff, a play-based environment, a strong foundation for TK/Kindergarten, and being part of a kind, caring community. read more

My older child attended this preschool from age 2.5 to 4.5, and my youngest is currently enrolled as well. That alone says a lot -- when you find something that works, you stick with it. The teacher-to-student ratio is genuinely impressive, and the staff are some of the warmest, most nurturing and patient people I've encountered in childcare. You can tell they truly love what they do. The curriculum is strong and varied, with walking field trips to the library, the post office, and nearby parks -- my child was always engaged and learning -- The food is a highlight in itself. Breakfast and lunch are both included in the cost, which is unusual and a significant value add. Kids are served plenty of beautiful fruits and vegetables, and my child looks forward to the morning smoothie every single day. Roxy, the owner, is warm and lovresponsive, flexible, and accommodating whenever possible. When we first started, she helped us ease in gradually and offered support and reassurance along the way. She has always been willing to work with us on scheduling, which made a real difference for our family. One of Roxy's strongest emphases is celebrating diversity, inclusion, and community, and that is felt every day. As an LGBTQ family, we have felt safe, included, and celebrated from the start. The families come from a wide mix of ethnicities and backgrounds, and that was deeply important to us when choosing a school. There are so many more positive elements to highlight but this review is already long, so. A couple of honest caveats: communication could occasionally feel out of sync -- for example around potty training for our older child, where we weren't always on the same page -- though it worked out in the end. And fair warning: the location is an older house that hasn't been updated, so the physical appearance can be a bit of a deterrent on first impression for some. Don't let it put you off. What happens inside is what matters, and inside it's a warm, safe, loving environment where kids genuinely thrive. Both of my kids say they love and miss Wawasi -- and that kind of loyalty from a child is the most honest review of all. read more

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My family has been a part of Wawasi for the last 2 years and we have been very happy with our experience. My child is excited to go to school each day and learn. When we go on vacation, my child asks when they can go back! The teachers are attentive and caring. There is structured learning appropriate for their age and plenty of time to play and grow socially. Breakfast and lunch are offered and my child reports that they enjoy it! They also spek to the children in Spanish (though it is not immersion), so my child has picked up some language recognition. The caregivers/parents are also able to connect through different celebrations which has been a wonderful experience as well. My child will be exiting soon to enter TK and we will miss Wawasi greatly. Highly recommend! read more

I cannot speak highly enough of Wawasi! What I appreciate the most about Wawasi is the loving, supportive and nurturing environment. Roxy and all the teachers put so much care into their work. Every day my child is happy to go to school! I love how many fun art projects my child gets to participate in, and really like how big of a backyard there is for my child to explore. I also love the focus on healthy nutrition. We are so happy to have found Wawasi! read more

Roxana created such an amazing loving space for our children. They are both in their 20s now and still speak fondly of her. I came here to recommend this to a friend with a young child. read more

We're so lucky to be a part of the wonderful community at Wawasi! Roxy and her staff are so caring, kind, and committed to the positive development of all the kids. They really focus on what each kid needs, offer a variety of activities from art to singing to neighborhood adventures, and feed the kids really healthy lunch and snacks. They also speak to the kids in Spanish, which was a priority for our family. Our son has been there 6 months and loves it so much; we'll definitely be staying until he heads off to TK read more

My son attended Wawasi when we recently moved to the Bay Area. We loved the environment, the teachers and overall we had a lovely experience preparing my son to move on to kindergarten. Wawasi is a great place for kids to play and grow in the best care they can get. read more

We love Wawasi! Roxy and the other teachers create such a warm and welcoming environment for all the kids. The level of care and dedication she pours into Wawasi is simply unmatched. She prepares and serves delicious and nutritious meals and snacks, is very attuned to the individual needs of specific families/children, and always has new activities for the kids to participate in together. It's a very kind and positive environment; I'm so thankful that my son will get to spend a good chunk of these super important years with Roxy and the rest of the teachers and families at Wawasi! read more

We love Wawasi. My oldest started going there when he was ~1.5 and stayed until he moved on to kindergarten. And my youngest just started going in January of this year. Both of them love going to Wawasi. Roxy creates a wonderful warm environment. It's like a family. She keeps the kids engaged with a full range of activities: arts and crafts, music, yoga, playground time, and learning to read/write letters and numbers for the older kids. She cooks the most wholesome foods for the kids - all the parents are amazed as to how healthy the kids eat at school and wonder what her trick is! All the caregivers there are very loving. We feel lucky to have found Wawasi for these formative years for our kids. read more

I love Wawasi, and am so glad we found it for my son. A lot of aspects of it made it easy and convenient, especially for working parents. They provide healthy (and mostly organic) breakfast, hot lunch, and snacks, which was a huge time saver for us, and we were glad to be comfortable that he wasn't being given junk food. The hours were flexible (we were able to pay a bit extra to pick up at 5:30 instead of 5), and the block it's on is quiet with plenty of parking. My son often enjoyed going for walks around the neighborhood before going home. Even more important, he enjoyed a variety of activities - art projects, tons of time to play outside, weekly yoga and music, and even cooking! When it was hot they set up water play in the yard, and did other seasonal activities, like decorating pumpkins, in the fall. Our son was one of the younger ones, and the mixed age aspect seemed to work really well - we noticed a huge leap in his development after he started there - he started talking more, cleaning up his toys, and wanting to be more independent! But by far the best part of Wawasi is the amazing director Roxana and the group of teachers! They are all warm, loving, nurturing, and have so much fun with the kids. They really went out of their way to make my son feel safe and welcome, especially as he adjusted in those first few days. It felt like he was being cared for in a big family rather than a "school." Very highly recommended. read more

It's been almost 5 months since my boy left Wawasi due to relocation. Roxanne is a very passionate educator. Not only is she transparent in communication, she also puts the interests of the children first unlike most business minded childcare centers. They serve only organic (and yummy according to my son) food in here. I am thanksful for this experience for my son because it really feels like family members taking care of him instead of a business. read more

We will be "graduating" after 2.5 years this June. Roxy, Yureny and Lulu are like family for my daughter. They love her and she loves them. They have been incredibly supportive of diversity and trans kids. Yoga and music both twice a week. Highly recommended! read more

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Roxie is very loving and really cares about the children. My daughter loved going to the daycare - tea parties, pool play, she fondly remembers the fun times even after we left. The staff are very caring and make sure the kids are all taken care of. My daughter was very picky about food and they helped a lot to encourage her to eat. Even during the pandemic, Roxie created Zoom classes and engaged the kids in a way ( even coming up to our door to do a unicorn dance and read a book!) that they felt listened to and cared for. Roxie has taken great care during the pandemic to follow rules of hygiene- washing hands, mask wearing , separate toys etc. to keep the kids in her daycare safe. Will highly recommend this daycare for anyone. read more

We love Wawasi and want everyone in the Berkeley/Albany community to know how excellent it is. You will not find an atmosphere as personal, or a team as genuinely devoted to your child's happiness, as Wawasi provides. In the one year our son was at Wawasi full-time (age 1 to age 2), he thrived emotionally, cognitively and socially, and even absorbed a lot of Spanish even though he is still on the cusp of speaking in sentences. They are not a "child care provider"--they are a loving community. As a Wawasi parent, you will feel your child is a part of their family. From the quality of the food served every day to the idyllic backyard garden, from the comfortable play and rest spaces, to the activities and projects: a yoga instructor! a harpist! Songs and dances to celebrate the seasons and holidays. Wawasi is a Spanish-immersion program, but as a non-Spanish speaking family ourselves, we never felt alienated by the Spanish orientation. The team is fully bilingual. Art projects for even the youngest children were a constant part of the program. Every day had a clear program of activities, and were thematically linked to one another. Wawasi's unique spirit is a function of its talented, ever devoted, and creative leader Roxy, a Peruvian woman whose joy in life and children is infectious. We were blessed to have her 20-year old daughter on the team, whose energy and temperament were exemplary. She has also employed other members of her family, a younger daughter and niece. We've thought so highly of her team that we continue to call on her niece for babysitting, because our son's attachment to her is still so strong after more than six months apart. Yureny and Leide are also incredibly strong, capable, kind and joyous members of the team. The whole team is youthful, flexible and resilient. She is also completely professional, completely trustworthy in all matters financial. The facility is safe and the block is calm and easy to park on. We were broken up when we left, and only left because we moved too far away to make it practical. We love the parents we met and will always hold Wawasi close to our hearts. For that reason, I urge you to check them out. Though their services are totally reasonably priced, a bargain really, Wawasi's team are the highest quality people you could want caring for your children, modelling behavior for them, and teaching them how to manage their own emotions, they reemotionally big-hearted and even-keeled. Wawasi is a true gem. Look no further. read more

My older child recently moved on to kindergarten and my younger has now been at Wawasi for a year and a half. Since my last review, Wawasi has improved the backyard, increased the frequency of music/yoga lessons, and continues to provide well-rounded, loving care and instruction to all the children who attend. Wawasi also provides extended care from 7:30-8 and 5-6 if necessary - a huge help to working parents. We all love Roxy, Yureny, and Lulu, and are so happy they're a part of our lives! read more

Wawasi has been a loving, supportive, creative, and fun second home to my daughter for the past 3 years. The teachers are as warm and attentive as they can be, and my daughter has flourished here! There are beautiful outdoor spaces, and the kids are provided healthy (mostly organic) breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The kids have music and yoga multiple times/week, and are taught English, Spanish, and even some American Sign Language! Wawasi has been a true blessing for our family, and we can't recommend it highly enough! read more

This review is long overdue! My son attended Wawasi a few years ago and loved it. Whenever we walk by the school, we recall fond memories of play, delicious homemade food, and the family-like environment created by Roxy and other caregivers. Roxy is incredibly flexible and empathic. When my son had intense separation anxiety, she worked with me to create a plan that was comfortable for me, but most importantly, sensitive to my child's needs. She has many, many years of experience, and she brings a natural joy and love of children to her work. I can't think of anything more important than that when it comes to choosing childcare for your children. Of course, Wawasi is also a safe environment, and I always trusted the supervision. I should add that the home-cooked food was a total hit (and life-saver for parents who don't love packing lunches), and my son developed an enduring passion for rice and beans at Wawasi! Highly recommend! read more

My 3 year old daughter has been at Wawasi since January 2014, and she couldn't be happier. Such a sweet, warm, nurturing environment for young children. I love that she gets to play with kids younger and older, it feels like a family. Roxana provides an organic homemade lunch plus smoothies and other snacks. With yoga and music teachers visiting every week, walks, celebrations, and endless love and tenderness, Wawasi is idyllic. The assistant teachers are wonderful, very loving. I honestly can't find a fault, and we're very picky parents. read more

Wawasi is a warm and caring environment for young children to grow and explore. I have 2 children who have gone to Wawasi, starting at the age of 15 months old until they were old enough for Kindergarten. Roxana and her wonderful employees care for children of a range of ages and they tailor their care and instruction to the children's developmental needs. They focus a lot of attention on the social emotional learning of the children, but also teach about various subjects and themes. Children play outside in a clean and cheerful play area, and learn gardening, yoga and music. Wawasi provides nutritious and delicious meals and snacks. Roxana's home feels warm and inviting, often smelling of delicious homemade Peruvian food. When I come to Wawasi, I feel like I am coming to my Auntie's home, and I leave knowing that my children are given love and support by employees who are like family to us. read more

Our 3 year old son has been here a little more than a year and he's flourished. They provide a warm and fun environment for the kiddos. I love that he's learning Spanish. The staff and owner Roxanna are lovely and caring people. I highly recommend! read more

The personnel was warm and inviting when providing us a tour. I put my son on a list to reserve a spot one year prior. A few months before I needed the childcare I reached out, requested the application packet and returned it approximately two weeks later (or less) only to be told my spot was given away because I did not provide the application in time. I was not given a timeline for returning the application nor was I given a courtesy call or alert that I could lose my spot. Therefore even after trying to plan a year in advance all of the sudden, with no prior notice, I was left with no childcare. The owner did tell me to check back in if I couldn't figure anything else out to see how she could be of help. read more

I very highly recommend Wawasi Children's Center in Albany, CA. It is run by Roxana Ferreira, truly a hard to find gem in east bay child care. My daughter has been in her care since 16mo and has really thrived. The day is very educational and creative, with lots of puzzles, games, and songs. Whenever I drop off my daughter the children are enjoying a healthy breakfast, or occasionally already in circle time which always begins with saying Good morning to yourself, and "I like myself." Roxana takes development very seriously and serves the whole child, from healthy organic foods to cultivating an emotional intelligence. I particularly like the mantras the children say before going out to play in their (beautiful) back yard. "I like my friends here. I will not push or yell, I will play nicely." I am always amazed at how well-behaved and loving the children are. Roxana is a wonderful care giver!! read more

Wawasi has been a true blessing for our family, Roxana is such an amazing and loving caregiver. The spirit of the center is so loving and thoughtful. My son has enjoyed everyday there. I love it when he comes home singing a new song in Spanish:) Aside from the wonderful organic meals, beautiful art projects and kind spirits, the center is full of welcoming,loving arms everyday. You would be blessed to have your precious gem in this loving and educational environment. read more

I had two children who went to Wawasi for almost two years and in the beginning we loved it; the warmth, organic meals, gardening, yoga, music. But things started to get worse as time went on. There was very little communication between Roxana and the parents; it was hard to talk to her because she was never there at pick-up or drop-off. A few weeks before my children stopped attending one of the helpers stopped working there, which parents didn't find out about until she was already gone, and new helpers started coming in with no warning or introduction to the parents which made me very uncomfortable. I also felt really uncomfortable when I was picking my children up at noon one day. We were playing in the front yard outside for a few minutes before getting in the car while the teachers and the rest of the children were inside and I heard very clearly Roxana screaming angrily at one of the children for not getting in his bed for his nap. A little bit after that, my children (2 at the time) started complaining of someone hurting them at Wawasi pretty consistently. When I talked to Roxana about this her response was pretty much that it hadn't happened and that children like to make up stories to get attention. My children started saying that someone had hurt their private parts. It became incredibly consistent and I pulled them out and an investigation was started. Soon after, another investigation was started by a different parent for similar reasons. The investigation started for my children was found inconclusive, but I believe my children. As soon as they stopped going all talk of getting hurt immediately stopped. I think it's important that other parents know my experience. I don't want any other family to go through what we did. read more