Testimonials
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When my daughter Lila was 18 months old, we moved to Petaluma and I looked at over 10 day care options. I stopped looking after meeting Maayan and observing Open Arms PlayGarden. The environment is like bringing your child into a warm, loving home of a trusted family member. The children are busy all day long and engaged with nature, animals, song, stories, baking, knitting, play, gardening, art, and lots of outdoor activities. Mostly, I love that kids can truly be kids here. Maayan does not mind if that means 3 changes of clothes in an afternoon because of mud pie making or water play. The kids are given delicious, healthy, organic foods (imagine your child asking for third helpings of Quinoa)!
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Maayan has a true gift with children and a lot knowledge about child development. She really gets to know the children and celebrates them. She teaches them respect for each other, themselves, and the environment. She loves her work and it shows. I have watched my daughter thrive in this environment for almost 3 years and cannot recommend it enough.
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Laura Kellison, Psy.D., Parent
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You have created the most loving and nurturing environment for young children. We feel so fortunate to have found this wonderful school for our daughter. Thank you for all your sage advice and ongoing parent education too. Your strategies have really helped us through some challenging behavior.
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Erin N., Parent
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My daughter, now age 4, has attended Open Arms since she was 2 years old. She tells me that she likes Ms. Maayan and Ms. Nellie because they take good care of her. My son (age 2) loves to eat the warm organic lunches and peruse the garden to pick and eat the vegetables. Both kids are eager to share their enjoyment of storytime, painting and playing in the sandbox with their friends. Open Arms is a wonderful program where our kids are welcomed each morning with open arms and it is a place where they truly love to play, create and learn. My husband and I are thrilled to have found a warm and emotionally nurturing environment for our children. The teachers make the children feel special and loved by creating a natural rhythm and routine for the kids to participate in and enjoy.
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Debbie M., Parent
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