Stay-at-Home Parent? This Daycare is for You

A “stay-at-home parent” still conjures images of a calm, collected mom or dad at home raising a child, surrounded by a cloud of uninterrupted pure bliss, while the partner toils at work to bring home the bacon.

But in this increasingly fast-paced and globalizing world, these “stay-at-home parents” are often working part-time jobs, and are just as busy as their full-time counterparts, juggling the demanding duties of stay-at-home life. Shuttling one child to an appointment can be nearly impossible with another one—or two—children in tow.

The modern-day stresses of raising children are what Julia Gnegel hopes to alleviate. Monday, she opened Peninsula Playcare with a modern-day concept. The flexible daycare center allows parents to drop off their children without an appointment. There are no rigid rules that require parents to plan a monthly schedule or sign up for certain days. If Gnegel has room that day, parents can drop off their children for a set amount of time in half-hour increments.

“There are so many moms who need to drop off their kids for just a few hours,” Gnegel said. “And this is perfect for them.”

Check out more photos of a regular day at Peninsula Playcare on our Facebook Page.

Gnegel speaks from personal experience when she says that spending alone time with the first child is quite manageable. But once the second is born, that quality time suddenly evaporates. This daycare allows for a parent to drop off one child, ensuring time with the second one.

And at a $16/hour rate, or $12/hour for a ticket of 20 hours, many part-time mothers still can afford to pay this rate.

“I can go to work and still earn money!” said client Cissi Hansen, comparing the Peninsula Playcare to other daycare centers in Redwood City.

Kelli Agnich, a “stay-at-home” mother of two in Menlo Park, wrote on Yelp, “The girls had such a wonderful time at Peninsula Playcare that next time, I'll skip running through our list of sitters and call [Gnegel] first!”

Hansen said she really loves the flexibility. Parents need to drop off any diaper bag or food that the child will need to eat, and the rest is taken care of. Children also have a designated nap area with blackout curtains if that’s part of their routine.

Gnegel also has a routine of her own, with certain activities, like storytime, at 1:30 p.m.

“[Gnegel] doesn’t care when I call,” Hansen said. “I’ll call if I have a dentist appointment, and she’ll say ‘Yeah, I’m open.’”

Agnich added, “She was so warm, totally understanding of my situation and was able to take the girls even on last-minute notice!”

Gnegel also has two young girls of her own, Hannah, 3, and Charlotte, 11 mos., who act as playmates. Hansen said this was also a bonus because Gnegel has also gone through it all with her two daughters, and knows exactly how to handle situations.

For those parents who have difficulty parting with their precious child, Gnegel has been a kindergarten teacher, and is certified.

“I was worried Emilia, [my daughter] would get stranger anxiety,” Hansen said. “But she never cries, so I really trust [Gnegel].”