About Us
Welcome to our Russian-speaking home-based daycare in Castro Valley! At our daycare, we prioritize creating a safe and engaging environment for your child to learn and grow. Our experienced caregivers understand the importance of individualized care and provide it through small group settings and age-appropriate activities.
Keeping our daycare clean and following health guidelines is of utmost importance to us. We want to ensure that your child is in a healthy and hygienic environment at all times. Additionally, we understand that dietary needs vary, which is why we provide balanced home-cooked meals that accommodate different dietary restrictions.
Communication between parents and caregivers is vital, and we value open communication. We believe that keeping parents informed of their child’s progress is essential for their overall development. You can trust us to provide regular updates about your child’s activities and milestones.
Convenience is key, and that’s why our daycare is located conveniently in Castro Valley. We want our daycare to feel like a warm extension of your home, where your child feels comfortable, loved, and inspired. Our nurturing environment encourages growth and fosters a sense of belonging.
We would be delighted to have you and your child visit our daycare. Contact us today to schedule a visit and experience firsthand the safe, engaging, and nurturing environment we provide.
Program Information
Our daycare is dedicated to providing a nurturing and educational environment for children aged 2-5 years old. We offer a general preschool education program that focuses on preparing children for their academic journey. Our experienced and passionate teachers create engaging and age-appropriate activities to foster social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Through play-based learning, hands-on experiences, and interactive group activities, children develop essential skills such as problem-solving, communication, creativity, and critical thinking.
Our program also includes basic literacy and numeracy skills, language development, art, music, and physical education. With a balance of structured learning and free play, our daycare aims to create a fun and stimulating environment where children can thrive and grow.
Child Safety Details
At our daycare, safety is our utmost priority. We have taken various measures to ensure that your child is protected at all times. Our facility is equipped with childproof locks and gates, preventing any access to hazardous areas.
Additionally, we maintain a strict sign-in and sign-out procedure, ensuring that only authorized individuals can pick up your child. All our staff members are thoroughly vetted and have undergone background checks for your peace of mind.
Testimonials
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Absolutely hands down the best daycare. Homemade food, activities and best of all kiddos sleep in beds during nap time. Emma the owner is just so loving to my kids it was a home away from home. Thank you so much!” – Yana
“Our daughter loves Umka daycare and doesn’t want to leave when we come topick her up in the evening. Umka staff is super professional and really cares about the kids. They create a safe and fun environment where kids can learn and grow. Their educational programs are awesome – they make learning fun!Communication with parents is also a big thing for them. They keep you in the loop about everything that’s going on with your kid. If you’re looking for a top-notch daycare, Umka is the place to go. They’ll make sure your child gets the best care and support so they can thrive and reach their full potential!”
– Maria
“The best daycare ever!! Emma and Galya are so caring and loving; they were like a family to us. My daughter has so many great memories and friends that she has made while she was attending Umka for 4 years. They have amazing home made food, a great educational program, so many activities, and a super awesome music program with Ira! They have celebrations and concerts that kids enjoy getting ready for. My daughter learned so much while being cared for and loved! Highly recommend Umka in Castro Valley.”
– Diana
“Absolutely love our daycare. My son Philip felt comfortable there from the firstdays. Emma and Galya are feeling really like grandmas. Healthy food, interestingactivities, music and an atmosphere of love and care.”
-Ekaterina
“My son has been going to UMKA Daycare since January 2023. He and I absolutely love this place! From day one, he does not cry when I drop him off. He has so much fun, he doesn’t want to leave when we come to pick him up in the evenings. He has learned a lot during the past 10 months. He gets 3 home cooked meals every day. My son eats better at UMKA than at home. I’m very lucky my son is at UMKA Daycare.”
– Victoria
“My kid attended Umka Daycare and absolutely loved it. As a parent, it was very important to me that they offered a great balance of nutritious meals and engaging educational activities. I’m pleased with the positive experiences and growth my child has had there. I would absolutely recommend this child center to everyone.”- Nonna
“I take my daughter to Umka day care, and one of the main advantages is the food. My baby eats a balanced diet, not just chips and sweets. I always feel confident about my child’s safety when they are with Emma.”
-Nina
“This is a great daycare, lots of activities , birthday celebrations,music classes, activities for toddlers.The staff enjoys working with children and provides good environment. It is very clean and organized inside.”
-Anna
“I strongly recommend UMKA to anyone looking for a daycare.There are so many reasons why we love UMKA daycare/preschool: educational curriculum, music lessons twice a week, performances 4 times a year, home made delicious healthy food ( breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks), hours (7am to 6pm). Most importantly, it is the love and care the kids receive. The personnel goes above and beyond to ensure that every child gets the attention he/she needs,feels safe, comfortable, and loved. This is not just a daycare, it is truly a second home for kids!”
– Natalya
“Umka daycare/preschool is your rare find!My oldest has been attending Umka since August 2021 and now my second son started this week. I can’t really explain the feeling of the relief I am feeling this time around by knowing and loving this place like my own home. My husband and I feel truly blessed to find Emma’s Umka for our two boys. Emma provides them with healthy and balanced breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners. The place is open from 7am to 6pm which is a great find on its own! We have a professional music teacher twice per week with kids performing four times a year. There are daily fun and educational activities for each age group. Emma and Galya provide guidance with nap schedules, potty training and weaning of pacifiers. To be honest, we just follow their lead! Google should introduce the “rare find” badge like Airbnb offers on their platform 🙂 Umka daycare/preschool is your rare find!”
– Olena
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FAQ
- What are your operating hours?
- Our operating hours are Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-6:00PM. We are closed on weekends.
- What holidays is your center close on?
- Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Day After Christmas Day, New Years Day.
- How many staff members do you have?
- The daycare has 3 staff members, the owner Emma, assistant Gala and music teacher Irina.
- Do you provide healthy snacks?
- We provide 3 home cooked meals as well as snacks in between.
- What do you charge for childcare?
- Please, call for rates.
- Do you accept DHS programs?
- Yes, we have had children in this program.
- What activities do you offer for each age group?
- We have music classes twice a week, a professional musician comes and spends an hour with the kids.
- How do you handle sick children?
- If a child gets sick during daycare hours we will call their parents to pick them up. If a child is sick before arriving at daycare it is advised for them to stay home.
- Do you offer diapers for infants?
- We don’t offer diapers for infants, each family is responsible for bringing diapers for their child.
Contact Information
Emma Chelakhsaeva
Address: 20336 Anita Ave, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Telephone: (925) 725-5878, Cell (510)582-2751
Email: umkka2021@gmail.com