A Small World Infant & Toddler Center

My daughter started at about 4 months of age. As a first time parent I scoured the area to find a place where she (and I) would be happy. After visiting many (many) other options, i knew this was the place for us. Haseena and all her staff are truly amazing! They helped us with the transition of leaving our little one for the first time. They were sensitive to our feelings and comforting with our daughter. She very quickly adapted to full days at school.
They’re very thorough with special instructions from home (from transitioning from BM to formula to milk to learning the word gentle.) The esthetics pale in comparison to the love and comfort and care my little kiddo receives. She loves going to school in the morning and is in no particular rush to leave when I pick her up. Everything from the art projects that come home to the songs she happily claps to, to her relaxed demeanor when she goes, I attribute to the staff of A Small World. I recommend this to anyone looking to find a loving supportive place for their little one.

My daughter started going to Small World when she was 4 months old. Haseena and the teachers at Small World are amazing! We recently moved out of state but we miss Small World’s wonderful staff.
I saw a review that mentions the setting of the school and although yes it’s an older facility and not a big school, the teachers are very good to the children and my daughter loved being there. Also, my daughter learned how to say «please» and «thank you» and other great socialization skills. To me, that along with the care and love she got well makes up for any aesthetics.

I never actually sent my child here, so this is just based on my visit. The place looks dark, gloomy and has disgusting carpeting all over. The staff doesn’t seem very warm or friendly. The program runs until 2 years old, which is fine, but they don’t do anything with potty training. So if your child is potty training at home expect daycare to make it even harder on you since they will be in diapers while you’re at work. I asked why and she said it was «too messy» … To top it off, the rate is ridiculously high ($ 1340 for full time!), there’s a $ 100 non-​refundable «registration fee». I like that no meals or snacks are provided as I wouldn’t want my child eating food provided there anyway, but for that steep price I’m surprised they have so many children attending the program.

I have been with A Small World since it’s current owner, Haseena took over the business as it was once known as (Baby Steps) about 7 yrs ago! My oldest son was at the school back then and now I have had my second (now 5yr) and third (now 2yr) go there too! Haseena is a wonderful, knowledgable business owner, caretaker and mother herself. She has the most professional and friendly staff. Most of the teachers have been there for years and even remember my oldest son. They are wonderful!
Haseena and her staff have always had a caring ear to any parenting heartaches and child-​rearing questions I have ever had. They are all so very attentive to each and every child. At morning drop off the teachers and Ms Haseena are always there to share how much they enjoy your child and all the new things they are learning.
I especially love that there are 3 separate sections for the kids based on their milestones, the infant room, crawlers room and toddler room. And because each child is an individual, Haseena allows kids to flow to their «next» room when they are ready, not by age alone. The staff are so experienced that I have always known my kids are in great hands. It’s such a wonderful, positive environment I can’t say enough great things about it. I love that it’s a «school» but feels so loving and private.
Now that my third daughter is 2 yrs old it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to A Small World and move on to our next «school.» I couldn’t be more pleased with the love and care that all 3 of my children have received at A Small World. Thank you always and forever Haseena!

My eldest son started at Small World when he was only 12 weeks old. As a first time mom, I was so worried and visited him during my lunch hour every day for a week. But there was really no need to. Over time I realized the Director, Haseena, cared about each child as if it were her own. Most mornings, she would chat with me about my son, his habits, likes and dislikes, and then carry on with cute stories about one or more of the other children.
Small World has a separate baby room for all the infants (babies that are not yet mobile). It’s a nice peaceful, quiet, environment where they can play with toys, eat, and nap peacefully without interference from the «bigger» kids. As my son started crawling, he was moved to the crawler room where they have toys/​play structures that encourage crawling, climbing, and active play. Finally, he became one of the «big kids» and was taught to count, identify colors, sing, and dance!
He stayed until 2 years old, and now years later, my younger son is at Small World and being taught by many of the same teachers. It was hard being a full time working mom, but leaving each of my sons at Small World every day gave me the peace of mind that they were in a safe and loving environment.

I have two daughters, ages 5 and 2. Both attended Small World from age 4 months through 2 years, full time five days a week.
I agree 100% with the previous two reviews posted. Put simply, I could not have asked for a better child care experience. Haseena, the owner, is absolutely terrific. She is very hands-​on, there every day working side by side with the caregivers. She listens to the parents and knows the children so well. Every day during drop-​off, Haseena would share a story about my daughter from the day before. All of the teachers are so loving and caring (every single one!), and there is very little teacher turnover. My daughters eagerly looked forward to going to «school» every day.
There is no question in my mind that the positive experiences my daughters had at Small World helped shape them into the happy, secure, delightful girls they are now.
I am so grateful to have found Small World. Because of Haseena, I had complete peace of mind, knowing my children were safe, happy, loved, cared for and secure, every day.
Thank you Haseena!
I highly recommend Small World.

My child has been at a small world since he was 3 months old. It is always hard to find a center that would meet all your needs. Haseena was very kind and answered all my questions and concerns. One of my concerns was being able to raise my child on organic foods and products as he got older in a day care setting. Haseena was very kind and reassuring that she would respect my wishes and she has (my son is almost 2) A small world has become like a family to my son, they have been there to give him hugs, help him explore his environment and teach him manners like please and thank you. As a working mom the hardest thing to do is find someone who can care for your child with the same love and values that you would have. I have found that with A small world and am so thank full

My son has been attending Small World since he was 6 months old. We have been very happy there. We looked at several places in the neighborhood and liked Small World the best because it has an «at home daycare» atmosphere with loving caregivers, while still being a formal daycare that you can rely on being open for working parents like us. We also liked the fact that the children at Small World are all under the age of 2 and that the center is mindful of keeping children who are in the same learning stages together, i.e., infants with infants, crawlers with crawlers, walkers with walkers. Similar to Samantha B.‘s review, Haseena, the Director, and the other caregivers at Small World always greet the children with smiles and lots of hugs. Its hard to find a daycare for your child, but Small World is a place I would recommend to anyone looking for a childcare center in the area of walnut creek/​pleasant hill.

I normally do not post reviews, but since I frequently use Unilocal for information and recommendations for everything from restaurants to dentist, I thought I should contribute back to my source. That and the fact that A Small World is an phenomenal place that has cared for my baby girl since she was 3 months old. She is now a well-​adjusted, happy 16 month old toddler.
A Small World is basically like an extension of home for my daughter. Hasseina, the Director, is a loving and caring provider that oversees operations and steps in to provide care for all the babies/​toddlers. This entire time, I don’t remember Hasseina ever taking a single day off (I supposed after so many years in the daycare business, she’s immune to all types of viruses and germs that plagues the average person…).
She and all the other care providers always greet the kids with warm smiles and hugs each morning. It is tough for working parents to leave their young ones, so I am so grateful to have found A Small World. It gives me great peace of mind to leave my daughter with a team of capable loving providers. She has thrived under their care. Where to put their child in daycare is one of the most difficult decisions a working parent makes and A Small World will not disappoint if you want a place that will give your child lots of love and care.