We strive to create a warm and loving environment in which children can discover the richness and joy of growing up. The SSCC staff believes in providing a warm and safe environment so each child can fully express themselves, in an atmosphere with the necessary tools for exploration and rich experiences.
Our philosophy is rooted in the High/Scope program, originally developed in 1974 and used by accredited programs such as Head Start and many other outstanding programs located through Northern California. At SSCC, our philosophy also emphasizes a relaxing and nurturing environment, promoting personal self-confidence and mental growth.
Our philosophy is rooted in the High/Scope program, originally developed in 1974 and used by accredited programs such as Head Start and many other outstanding programs located through Northern California. At SSCC, our philosophy also emphasizes a relaxing and nurturing environment, promoting personal self-confidence and mental growth.
Services
Sugar and spice takes pride in preparing home cooked and well balanced meals for each and every child. We participate in the 4C's Food program which is a California organization that works with child care centers to plan out well-balanced meals. Your child will be provided with unlimited portions of breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks.
Reviews (19)
Jennifer D.
Dec 03, 2021
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Cali and her staff have been an extended part of family since we enrolled our daughter in Sugar & Spice. We enrolled during the pandemic after a cross country move, while expecting our next baby. Finding Sugar and Spice was such a blessing and saving grace during that time. Our daughter was happy, well taken Cared for and excited to go to school everyday.
They have been so accommodating and helpful over our time there. Lots of pretend play options, a great large yard with play structures, and parking for drop off/pick up is easy. They have also taken reasonable and measured efforts to protecting
They have been so accommodating and helpful over our time there. Lots of pretend play options, a great large yard with play structures, and parking for drop off/pick up is easy. They have also taken reasonable and measured efforts to protecting
Norbert S.
Oct 28, 2020
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Just providing a dad's perspective here about Sugar and Spice as I was and remain in charge of dropping off our youngest child aged 5 (total of 3 kids) here most days....We had enrolled in Aug 2019 after doing our research about childcare options in Alameda (lived here for over 15 years) and felt S&S offers the Best value of what we are looking for
-Facility: Easy to reach and great parking, yes it's a prefabricated container building but check out the very large playground in the back (more on that later)
-Staff: They are great and attitude of my daughter confirms that and believe
-Facility: Easy to reach and great parking, yes it's a prefabricated container building but check out the very large playground in the back (more on that later)
-Staff: They are great and attitude of my daughter confirms that and believe
Shayne M.
Aug 02, 2020
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Pro's
- Low cost compared to other childcare on the island
- Nice area, right by the tube, large parking lot
- Smaller groups so the kids form meaningful friendships
Con's
- Low cost for a reason. Any school / class celebration; you will be HOUNDED for potluck items. I would sign up to bring main pasta dishes, and would still be hit up for paper plates
- Will keep food from children. Where I really got upset; my daughter wasn't allowed to have a chocolate granola bar (due to the sugar) but would come home with oreos and cupcakes if it was someones birthday. Big no no, you don&apos
- Low cost compared to other childcare on the island
- Nice area, right by the tube, large parking lot
- Smaller groups so the kids form meaningful friendships
Con's
- Low cost for a reason. Any school / class celebration; you will be HOUNDED for potluck items. I would sign up to bring main pasta dishes, and would still be hit up for paper plates
- Will keep food from children. Where I really got upset; my daughter wasn't allowed to have a chocolate granola bar (due to the sugar) but would come home with oreos and cupcakes if it was someones birthday. Big no no, you don&apos
Mimi N.
Nov 13, 2019
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SO grateful for Cali & her wonderful staff,(especially Cali & Ms.Sally), in making me feel safe & at ease in dropping off my baby girl every day at preschool. Not only is their facility reasonably priced, their program is very educational & most importantly, the teachers & Cali are extremely kind, understanding & loving. I'm so sad to be leaving this facility,(due to a move to a different city),but plan on staying in touch with the staff because my daughter truly loves each of them. I highly recommend this school to everyone and anyone. Thank you Cali & staff for
Iris K.
Aug 30, 2019
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I highly recommended this preschool not only my little girl had a really great time there and the teachers are super helpful and nice. The programs are very well structured, with lots of fun activities. It built a good foundation for my little girl to advance to her kindergarten. Thank you Sugar'n Spice :)
Love M.
Dec 08, 2018
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We recently moved our son to this school and are really loving it so far. We like the smaller feel and individual attention that he seems to be getting. The teachers can tell me exactly how his day was, what he ate that day, if he napped and what he learned... A much different feel than being in the bigger day care centers.
Christine N.
Oct 17, 2018
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My daughter attended Sugar & Spice for almost a year and a half before starting Kindergarten and we had a great experience there. I was always amazed at the new things my daughter learned and at how full her days were. Cali and her wonderful teachers are warm, thoughtful, knowledgeable caregivers. We were very lucky to have found such a terrific school!
Kurt C.
Sep 05, 2017
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We moved back home to the Bay Area a year ago and we were very lucky that Sugar N Spice had room for our three year-old son. The staff here, the director Ms. Cali, also Ms. Ali and Ms. Ya-Ya, are absolutely lovely people that have never shown anything but love, affection, and patience to our high-energy little man. Whenever I've had the need to talk them about something that was going with our son I always found them to be very receptive and warm. Recently our family has had to deal with some sudden changes that required us to take our boy out of Sugar N Spice, but Ms. Cali was more understanding
Cedrick K.
Apr 19, 2017
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Jennifer C.
Nov 18, 2016
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I wish I would have found Sugar and Spice sooner. This is a wonderful, inclusive environment for children. Their behavior philosophy is the best I have seen, and they have been instrumental in helping my son control and channel his extra energy and mood. The facility is nice and there is a large, fenced in play structure and picnic area out back that my son loves. Communication home is great, and they genuinely care about the well-being and success of my child. The summer program is fantastic and they bring in science projects, tumbling, and end of the year jump house/ice cream party that coincides
Cece W.
Jul 05, 2016
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4.5 stars.. rounding up to 5 stars!
I was most worried about my 3.5yr-old daughter's social skill development when we first came to Sugar and Spice after switching out from a Montessori preschool in the mid-year. It amazed me how much she blossomed at Sugar and Spice! She went from being a super shy and frustrated kid who was afraid to talk to anyone to becoming a confident and happy kid who was eager to play with everybody and share in front of the class. Sugar and Spice did a wonder for my daughter!
What we liked about the school:
1) Intimate school with 25-30 mixed-aged kids. All
I was most worried about my 3.5yr-old daughter's social skill development when we first came to Sugar and Spice after switching out from a Montessori preschool in the mid-year. It amazed me how much she blossomed at Sugar and Spice! She went from being a super shy and frustrated kid who was afraid to talk to anyone to becoming a confident and happy kid who was eager to play with everybody and share in front of the class. Sugar and Spice did a wonder for my daughter!
What we liked about the school:
1) Intimate school with 25-30 mixed-aged kids. All
Katherine A.
Nov 28, 2013
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I had a tour scheduled here on a trip from NYC a month before moving to the area. Based on the reviews, my only concern was the director. I showed up at 9am which was the time Cali asked that I come and she was not there. Her staff called several times and she did not answer until 9:30am. I spoke with her on the phone and she said she was getting her mammogram done and apologized saying she would not have scheduled a doctor's appointment if she'd had a tour scheduled. I found this confusing and insincere since we did have a tour scheduled. We emailed and spoke by phone 2-3 weeks prior
Jennifer R.
Nov 03, 2013
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Great PLAY-BASED preschool! Both my boys went here and were well prepared for kindergarten both academically and socially.
The teachers are warm, attentive, and friendly and actively engage the children. This isn't just a daycare with adults babysitting kids. This is an engaging environment with a curriculum where kids are given some structure and a lot of playtime and guided through activities that help them develop motor skills, learn their ABCs, color, etc. and learn to get along with others. They also have a full-time Spanish teacher and extra curricular programs like soccer, gymnastics
The teachers are warm, attentive, and friendly and actively engage the children. This isn't just a daycare with adults babysitting kids. This is an engaging environment with a curriculum where kids are given some structure and a lot of playtime and guided through activities that help them develop motor skills, learn their ABCs, color, etc. and learn to get along with others. They also have a full-time Spanish teacher and extra curricular programs like soccer, gymnastics
Teresa D.
Aug 06, 2013
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We just enrolled our 4yr old daughter and 2.5 year old son in this facility, after looking at a few different places in Alameda. We just moved here, and were on a tight deadline to find childcare.
We ended up choosing Sugar and Spice because the center director seemed very knowledgeable and the place had a calm vibe that works well for our family. We also like that the teachers have been at the school for years. We are in our second week here, and I am very happy we chose this center.
My daughter was having a tough time with the move, and Cali and Ms. Michelle were sensitive to her feelings and
We ended up choosing Sugar and Spice because the center director seemed very knowledgeable and the place had a calm vibe that works well for our family. We also like that the teachers have been at the school for years. We are in our second week here, and I am very happy we chose this center.
My daughter was having a tough time with the move, and Cali and Ms. Michelle were sensitive to her feelings and
Sally C.
Apr 03, 2013
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My 4 year old daughter has been at Sugar & Spice since she was 2 years of age. She wakes up each morning excited to go to school! In addition to learning a significant amount on the academic side, she has blossomed in her social interactions. Having a young child understand the importance of manners, sharing, and being considerate of others is priceless.
The instructors are warm and loving towards my daughter and incredibly patient. I can leave for work and know that my 4 year old is in a caring and nurturing environment.
I highly recommend Sugar & Spice!
The instructors are warm and loving towards my daughter and incredibly patient. I can leave for work and know that my 4 year old is in a caring and nurturing environment.
I highly recommend Sugar & Spice!
Jeanette W.
Jan 28, 2013
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I strongly recommend Sugar 'n Spice Center for Children for its wonderful teachers that create a loving, educational, and fun environment for kids. I have two children enrolled and have observed how the center has worked for both my 4 year old and my 2 year old, that have very different needs and abilities.
While from the outside the center doesn't look like anything special, the inside is always vibrant and thoughtfully decorated with the kids' art and seasonal decorations. There's a wonderful array of toys that encourage imagination, reading, gross and fine motor skills
While from the outside the center doesn't look like anything special, the inside is always vibrant and thoughtfully decorated with the kids' art and seasonal decorations. There's a wonderful array of toys that encourage imagination, reading, gross and fine motor skills
Melissa I.
Jun 05, 2012
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We've had two kids enrolled at Sugar & Spice in Alameda. And we've experienced other preschools too, including home based. Our daughter enrolled when she was 4 and I was worried that they didn't have enough kids her age. While that may have been true, I feel as though Ms. Michele really prepared her for kindergarten. Our daughter always loved going to school and she felt very safe and cared for. Which meant we were very happy. We had only wished we found it sooner!
Our son is now enrolled and started at age 2 and this time I was worried he was much younger than most of
Our son is now enrolled and started at age 2 and this time I was worried he was much younger than most of
Erin R.
Aug 12, 2011
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My 2.5 year old daughter has been at Sugar & Spice since she turned 2. All the teachers are spectacular, and my interactions with Cali, the owner have been very positive. She's committed and caring and the events they put on for the children and parents are delightful.
We are thrilled at our daughter's intellectual and social development. She is very happy here, she has made several good friends and enjoys going to school. She sleeps well, loves her teacher and can count to 20 in English and 10 in Spanish and recites her ABCs and sings a new song to us every day. She is currently
We are thrilled at our daughter's intellectual and social development. She is very happy here, she has made several good friends and enjoys going to school. She sleeps well, loves her teacher and can count to 20 in English and 10 in Spanish and recites her ABCs and sings a new song to us every day. She is currently
Gina L.
Jul 06, 2010
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My 2 year old has been attending this center for a few months now and he loves it! We have tried home day care (which we loved, but we moved) and another larger center. By far this has been a great experience! My son has not had any issues being there all day and actually asks to see his friends (even if we drive in that area).
Both Michelle and Cali are awesome! Well the entire staff is great! They go above and beyond to make the experience comfortable for all of us. I travel out of state for work and when I am gone they send me or my husband pictures and a short text to let us know how
Both Michelle and Cali are awesome! Well the entire staff is great! They go above and beyond to make the experience comfortable for all of us. I travel out of state for work and when I am gone they send me or my husband pictures and a short text to let us know how
