Hearts Leap Beginnings

Community Subscriber

Berkeley, CA

To see Department of Social Services records on this facility, click on its DSS Facility License # below.

Type:
Childcare Center
DSS Facility License #
013422490
Website:
http://www.heartsleap.org/
Owner:
International Child Resource Institute
510-549-1422
heartsleapschool [at] gmail.com
Location:
Berkeley
94704
2640 College Ave
Maximum Capacity:
40
Language(s) Spoken:
English,
Italian,
Spanish
Ages Served:
3 months - 30 months
Monthly Cost:
$2300
Hours
8:00am - 5:30pm
Additional Services & Features:
Part-time available,
Year-round,
Snacks provided,
Organic options,
Vegetarian options,
Special diet support,
Cloth diapers accepted,
Potty training support
Editors' Notes:
About the Program:

Hearts Leap Beginnings offers responsive care for infants and toddlers (up to 30 months). At Hearts Leap Beginnings we believe that every child deserves a safe, loving, responsive, and dynamic environment where they can develop secure attachments and a sense of trust in the people and world around them. Through extensive communication with parents, we ensure that each child receives consistent and individualized care.

3 parent questions ▼
3 parent reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

Select any title to view the full question and replies.

  • Would love to hear about any recent experiences at HLB!

    –
    Jul 20, 2020

    Hi BPN! We are considering enrolling our child at Hearts Leap Beginnings (youngest infant group). We would love to hear about your thoughts and recent experiences, and also their efforts to minimize covid risk. Thank you!

    Jul 20, 2020

    Hi there! Our son started at HLB a few months after they first opened (March 2018), when he was around 10 months old. He was in both Willow (the infant rooms) and Aspen (toddler room). He's now 3 years old and at Hearts Leap main (the preschool, which is in the same building). Our experiences have been excellent across the board, at both Beginnings and now preschool. He just started back at the preschool a couple of weeks ago, in small group care.

    I can't speak to HLB specifically in terms of COVID practices, but HLB is a part of HL, so hopefully this is helpful. On the preschool side, children are in small groups, with the same teachers every day, and there's no mixing of either children or teachers. There are daily temperature checks, teachers wear masks, children are encouraged to wear masks if they'll keep them on, that sort of thing. The teachers are required to change clothes when they arrive every day, and they're following strict cleaning guidelines. There are various other regulations/practices in place as well. They have a document detailing the safety guidelines they've been following; you could probably make a request to review a copy of it. I'm guessing many of the practices will be the same at HLB, though I'm assuming that infants/toddlers aren't wearing masks if they're under 2 years old. 

    As an organization, they've also been very communicative and candid with the parents during the pandemic, which we've appreciated. In comparison, we have friends with children at other preschools/daycares where communication has been sub-optimal.

    I hope this helps, happy to answer any other questions. 

    Jul 22, 2020

  • Recent experiences with Hearts Leap Beginnings?

    –
    Apr 24, 2019

    We're looking into daycares for our son, and are wondering if anyone has experiences to share about Hearts Leap Beginnings in Berkeley. It looks like a newer program with fewer reviews here, any recent parent experiences would be very appreciated, thanks!

    Apr 24, 2019

    Hi there! We joined Hearts Leap Beginnings when my son was about 9-10 months old (a few months after they opened); he just turned 2 years old a couple of weeks ago. He'll move up to Hearts Leap (preschool) in September. This is an added bonus to joining the Beginnings program, as it helps in getting a spot for the preschool (we really didn't want to have to do a whole new search for a preschool when it came time for that).

    We love HLB -- it's a beautiful space, and the teachers and staff are truly wonderful. Generally speaking, they follow a RIE-inspired approach, but with genuine warmth and kindness. It's pricier than other options, but you get an extremely high quality of care. They also encourage/cultivate a sense of community by organizing regular breakfast events, and an annual picnic, so you can get to know the other parents and children at the school. 

    Parents in the program are expected to fulfill some volunteer hours every school year, as an FYI. This can be done by doing a few loads of laundry, going snack shopping (parents are reimbursed for this), serving as room parent, etc. 

    If I had to nitpick, I would say that it's a bit of a bummer that they don't provide lunch. I understand why they can't provide lunch, but it would be nice if they did. They provide plenty of snacks, however.

    Happy to answer any other questions! 

    May 2, 2019

    We started our 18 month old there last fall and he loves it. Teachers are caring and attentive but also great at steering behavior and dealing with toddler emotions.  

    Only downside is parents have to pack food, cost, and they close more often then other centers.

    But overall we have been extremely happy and our child has flourished.

    May 2, 2019

    We have two kids at Hearts Leap and have really enjoyed our experience there. A lot of the teachers have Masters degrees and encourage the children's development in all areas by constantly changing the environment and toys available, taking the children outdoors (even the really young ones) and constantly interacting through singing, reading, etc. They have also been great with potty training, which not every daycare is willing to do. 

    May 10, 2019

    Our 2.5 year old daughter has been at Hearts Leap Beginnings since it opened Jan 2018. She will move up to the preschool in the fall. We have had an incredibly positive experience. I fell in love with HL during my tour on a rainy day when all students played outside on the large playgrounds under a canopy of trees. Dressed in rain boots and rain jackets, they stomped in puddles and watched the rain pour down from the gutters; when they later came inside to change into dry clothes, one student dumped a boot full of water on the ground. A nearby teacher giggled playfully with him and together they wiped up the water. It was a joyous moment, and a true reflection of the childhood I envisioned for our daughter.

    Our hopes have been surpassed since joining the program nearly a year and a half ago. The children are given incredible care and attention. The teachers are warm, thoughtful, attentive, qualified, and above all have taken the time and care to really know our daughter and family. They are always there to support her and/or us on a rough day. Children are supported in moments of challenge and given language to foster their development. The classrooms are developmentally appropriate, with a variety of spaces and activities in which students may engage freely. On any given day there is a water table, art table, climbing space, swing, reading nook, and more for the students to enjoy. They take walks in the neighborhood, to Willard Park, and enjoy all Elmwood has to offer (even a field trip to the fire house!).

    The Beginnings program has worked through a few minor kinks as it synced programs with the preschool and crafted its own identity and staff while also embodying the philosophy of Hearts Leap.

    Similar to other comments on here, I would be happy to answer any specific questions.

    May 13, 2019

  • Hearts Leap new beginnings program

    –
    Mar 27, 2018

    hi all,

    we’re considering hearts leap for our child and wondered if anyone had experience with their new “beginnings” program for infants/toddlers. 

    And for those who have been at the regular school for multiple years, have you ever had challenges with getting the schedule you wanted from year to year?

    Thanks in advance!

    Mar 27, 2018

    We're new to the Beginnings program (on week 4 now), but we're really pleased! Caretakers are great with the little ones, and the space is beautiful.

    Mar 28, 2018

    We've been really happy with HLB. The teachers are responsive to the needs of each child and are respectful in their caregiving. There is a lot of independent play time but with thoughtful activities set up that the kids can choose to engage with. In the older Aspen Room, it feels more like a 2's preschool class but with a little extra love (which could be a challenge if your child isn't ready for that). They are a few downsides - they aren't flexible with things like switching schedules and there are some administrative hiccups / lack of responsiveness that seem related to the fact that the program is so new. But overall, it's been a wonderful experience and we're happy to be there. 

    Apr 16, 2018

Parent Reviews

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RE:
Daycare/preschool for under 2 y/o? (Apr 3, 2023)

Hearts Leap Beginnings on College takes infants starting at 4 months. Both of my kids went there and we love it!

Apr 5, 2023
RE:
Best preschool in Berkeley for 19 month old (Sep 4, 2018)

We sent both of our kids to Hearts Leap, which is part of the International Child Resource Institute. There are two schools and they have several sister schools. It's one of the higher priced preschools, but the environment is nurturing and loving and the teachers are excellent. 

Sep 5, 2018
RE:
Best preschool in Berkeley for 19 month old (Sep 4, 2018)

We love Hearts Leap! http://www.heartsleap.org/infanttoddler-care/ 

Sep 5, 2018