Oakland
Phone:
510-658-7353 (Main) 510-658-0381 (Child Care Referrals)

BANANAS is a nonprofit child care resource and referral agency serving Northern Alameda County. We provide free education and resources to families and child care providers.

Parent Reviews

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Bananas used to offer these types of classes.  If they don't still, they would probably have good recommendations.  https://bananasbunch.org

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We took a free class offered by BANANAS (https://bananasbunch.org/) "Hiring a Nanny 101" that was super helpful and done in partnership with a group called Hand in Hand (https://domesticemployers.org/) that advocates for ethical employment of domestic workers. There are sample contracts at their website (though we edited ours a bit to make it a little less formal). Not sure if you are wanting to do a share or not, but very helpful advice we got for doing a share was to first find a like minded family and then jointly recruit the nanny. We provide 10 sick days, 10 vacation days, federal/state holidays over a year. Also, we pay "above the table" and use Poppins Payroll to handle properly withholding for taxes, etc., but many nannies want to be paid "under the table". Something to think about and make explicit in the interview process to make sure you/they are on the same page. Usually nannies are looking for employment 6-8 weeks out so you have a little time before you need to start recruiting. We used both BPN and a facebook group called "Bay Area Nannies and Mommies" to recruit. Good luck! 

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Bananas On Claremont in Oakland. It's easy. And they help families and caregivers in lots of great ways.

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More detail of what you want to donate would be useful, but in general, Bananas is a good place for lots of things.  Both families and child care providers can take what they need.

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You'll probably get lots of recommendations for them, but BANANAS on Claremont (https://bananasbunch.org/donate/other-ways-to-give/) is a good place to donate baby things to help moms in need. Loved Twice (https://lovedtwice.org/) is another option - they only take newborn clothes and blankets, while BANANAS takes a wider range of things.

Hello! I went to Bananas for their new parent support group (near Temescal/Rockridge). The sessions are weekly for 4 weeks, and the babies are about 3 weeks to 6 months old, generally (mostly parents that are on leave, so that is probably why they are in this range). It was totally worth the commute from Berkeley, got me out of the house, and now I have several friend with babies the same age. We made a facebook group, and then got each other's phone numbers, and started meeting weekly on our own after the 4 sessions ended. Also keep in mind that 2-4 months difference feels so huge right now, but once they get to be about 1 year old, they will be so similar so don't hesitate to friend a mom with an older or younger baby! 

Have you heard of Bananas? They’re a nonprofit childcare referral place. Great resource...

http://bananasbunch.org

Archived Q&A and Reviews


Sept 2018

RE: Seeking Mom's group NW Berkeley - 10 week old

Hello! I went to Bananas for their new parent support group (near Temescal/Rockridge). The sessions are weekly for 4 weeks, and the babies are about 3 weeks to 6 months old, generally (mostly parents that are on leave, so that is probably why they are in this range). It was totally worth the commute from Berkeley, got me out of the house, and now I have several friend with babies the same age. We made a facebook group, and then got each other's phone numbers, and started meeting weekly on our own after the 4 sessions ended. Also keep in mind that 2-4 months difference feels so huge right now, but once they get to be about 1 year old, they will be so similar so don't hesitate to friend a mom with an older or younger baby! 


May 2013

RE: I'm looking for a new mom's support group

I've attended new moms groups at Bananas, Support Group for Mothers, and Kaiser Oakland. I really liked the Bananas group and we continued to meet afterwards, but things sort of fizzled out when everyone went back to work...


July 2012

RE: Babysitting classes for a 13 year old

My daughter took a great babysitting class and a CPR/first Aid class through Bananas on Claremont. It was reasonable and well-taught. mom of baby lover


Have you tried BANANA's in Oakland? www.bananasinc.org, (510) 658-0381 Love BANANAs


March 2010

RE: Where to take a parenting class?

Bananas has a group parenting class on Wednesday, March 3, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm Living With Threes And Fours Meg Zweiback returns to Bananas to address the questions and concerns of parents of three and four year olds. Learn how to encourage and preserve the spontaneity and curiosity of this delightful age group while teaching them to cooperate. Sign Up Limited child care is available for this workshop. The fee is $5 per child. Please call 510-658-7353 to register.

Note: If this class is not suited for you or you want one on one classes call Meg Zweiback directly 510-836-1450. She is a specialist in all parent/child issues and she is wonderful with children. oakland parent


Bananas, located on Claremont Ave in Oakland. From their website: '[we] are a non-profit support agency... We provide free parenting information, workshops ...' http://www.bananasinc.org/ Looking at their calender, they have classes such as 'Positive Parenting', 'Living with Threes and Fours', 'Children with Challenging Behavior' And if you miss a class, I bet they have a free hand-out or other referrals. Mom of Two  


May 2009

RE: Babysitter classes for young teen

My son took a babysitting class and a babysitting first aid class at Bananas last summer. It was inexpensive and well done. http://www.bananasinc.org/ Carrie


2008

Re: How to Find Childcare
All I can say is--Bananas! (A free child care resource, referral, and support service). They are the goddesses of those needing help in figuring out how-to do anything re: childcare. Their focus is Alameda County--because that's where their funding comes from--but El Cerrito squeaks in a bit around the edges. Set aside a couple of hours and go there if you can (to get your how-to talk & handouts and have time to look through cards of family/center/in-home providers). Call them if you can't. They won't find childcare for you but they'll give you the tools to find it for yourself. (Caveat: there are no quick and easy solutions, but there are good solutions.)


You will get better info and be less frustrated if you _visit_ Bananas, rather than call. They have a card for each provider, showing approximate location, which you can match up to the maps they have there. This is really important if you are trying to find daycare on a specific travel route. Also, remember that you may look at things differently after your child arrives, and you have developed specific concerns/issues that are important to you and to him/her. I looked at places when I was pregnant that seemed fine, but I felt differently after my boy was born, so I felt like I had to re-visit and re-interview some places, just to be sure. So...it doesn't hurt to get on more waiting lists than you need, and turn down their offers of a spot later.


Sept 2007

RE: CPR and First Aid classes for Teen Sitters

BANANAS in Oakland offers such classes. My son took one several years ago and it gave him more confidence when babysitting kids. Their website is: http://www.bananasinc.org/
Dianna


Jan 2006

RE: Help parenting an exuberant 3-year-old

Try Bananas. Meg Zweiback, who is a great teacher, holds classes there almost every month on dealing with specific age groups. I've gone to a few, and have found them quite helpful. I believe she also has a private practice, so if you need more specific help, she can meet with you one on one. Kim


Oct 2001

RE: Infant/CPR class in Spanish needed

Bananas on Claremont teaches an infant/child CPR class in Spanish. Also try the Red Cross on Broadway in Oakland, they may have a class. Nancy


Feb 1999

Re: Therapist for Step parenting issues
There is a drop-in stepparent support group that meets the first Thursday of every month 7:30-9:00 pm at Bananas on Claremont in Oakland. I believe the phone number is 433-9404, but check a Parents' Press to be sure. The moderator, Anthony, is a stepfather, father, and professional counselor. He is very knowledgeable and does a good job of running the group. I attended for about a year until my son was born. I haven't been able to make it back since (he's 15 months old now). One drawback to the group is that attendance was very irregular. Only three people came on a regular basis, me and a couple (who also now have a toddler and aren't able to make it).

And, yes, being a stepparent can be very hard. I've been one for about 5 years now. If you want to talk more about it, please feel free to send me e-mail. Lucy


October 1998

RE: parenting classes
You should check Bannanas... They offer short topic related classes from time to time. They are usually free, and taught by really good folks. They have a calendar at: http://www.bananasinc.org/


Bananas offers great parenting classes. They are either free or at a very reasonable price. Bananas is located at 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland, Ca 94618. Phone number 658-0381. It is easier to write to them or go to their agency than to make a phone call. This is a very popular agency and the phone line is always busy. Their newsletter, which cost about $5 a year, has great referrals for classes, workshops, activities for children, etc. Good luck!! Zeze


June 1997

Regarding the inquiry about first aid, she could try BANANAS in Oakland. They regularly run courses on child and infant first aid and basic (not certifiable) CPR. It is comprised of two evening sessions and is relatively inexpensive. I found the first aid pretty basic -- a good refresher. The CPR training was done in one evening and I learnt a lot, but I think one would need longer training to feel confident to use those skills in an emergency. On the whole, I feel better having done some kind of training. You can call BANANAS at 658-0381. By the way, they are a wonderful resource for parents and their warm line (658-6046) for advice on just about anything child related is great! Harald