New Flexible "Playcare" Offers On-Demand Preschool and Child Care to Local Families

After three years in the making, two Silicon Valley moms are offering a fresh take on child care in response to the growing trend of local parents juggling work, volunteer and other commitments with caring for their families.

Since March 23, Toddle (www.toddle.org) has provided high-quality programming to children ages two through entry in first grade in its newly renovated, earth- and kid-friendly facility located in West Menlo Park. This “preschool hybrid” staffed by credentialed preschool teachers will offer both “Open Play” programming (supervised play by reservation) and a traditional half-day preschool program as well as vacation camps. Parents can make reservations for as few as five hours per month up to five days a week.

Toddle’s unique model allows parents the flexibility to schedule care on demand rather than committing to long-term arrangements or constantly chasing down babysitters. “In my work as a realtor, I’m out and about showing property…often, my schedule is unpredictable and it’s difficult to plan for child care,” says mother Courtney Charney. Adds Jennifer Sweeney, mother of two, “I work part-time from home for a couple area non-profits and am planning to start my own for-profit business.” Toddle “would allow the flexibility to not only uphold my work commitments but also be free to spend more time at my [older] child’s school.” According to Jennifer Gafke, “There are many stay-at-home moms in this community who don’t have a need for or can’t afford a nanny but still need the option of flexible childcare for either weekly scheduled appointments or last-minute appointments and commitments which inevitably come up.”

Toddle has been a long time in the making and fulfills an unmet need for Peninsula parents. The property search, permitting and construction took a little over three years, during which local parents have been anxiously awaiting Toddle’s opening. “Toddle would be a lifesaver for me,” commented Susu Ribaudo, mom of two young boys. “I would use a place like this regularly -- for the occasional doctor’s appointment, for the days when I have to work at my older son’s pre-school, or just for some ‘me’ time…Toddle would be a ‘gem’ for all of us.”

Active community volunteers themselves (Heather founded My New Red Shoes and Amy sits on the board of Fit Kids) Toddle’s owners are committed to supporting local nonprofits. Toddle will donate 1,000 hours of child care per year to volunteers through nonprofit partnerships and at least 10% of profits to San Mateo County children’s charities through the It Takes a Colony program.

Tours of the facility are available; visit www.toddle.org for more information.