Finding Their Voice: How Daisy Broke Down Barriers and Built Up Confidence for Her Twins—with the Same Program that Changed Her Life.

In their search for the perfect preschool for their 4-year-old twins, Daisy and Jairo chose a familiar setting—Oakland Family Services' Children's Learning Center (CLC). Daisy attended the CLC when she was a young student, marking the start of a path that would shape her future.

She remembers her experience more than 20 years later: "I have core memories of being there. Walking in now brings me back." Miss Ira, one of Daisy's former preschool teachers, still works at the Children's Learning Center today. "It feels really nice to see a familiar face from so long ago," Daisy shared.

As parents, Daisy and Jairo felt a bit nervous about their son and daughter, Jovanny and Jazmyn, transitioning to preschool. Jovanny and Jazmyn were born during the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited their socialization and independence. "We were always at home, and they were really attached to us," said Daisy.

The twins, especially Jovanny, were reluctant to tackle tasks on their own. They consistently wanted mom or dad to feed them, take them to the bathroom, or help clean up messes. Encouraging them to try new things without assistance often led to tantrums.

"I was worried Jovanny would go to school and do the same things he does at home," Daisy shared. "If I asked him to do something, he would drop to the floor, like, 'I'm not even going to try. So can you do it, Mom?'"

Daisy and Jairo were also apprehensive about sending Jovanny and Jazmyn to preschool due to a potential language barrier. The twins' first language is Spanish, and their family primarily speaks Spanish at home. "It's scary to just kind of throw them into an environment they're not used to, and then they don't speak the language," Daisy expressed. "That is something hard about our community."

Thankfully, Daisy and Jairo's concerns were eased once Jovanny and Jazmyn joined Oakland Family Services' Children's Learning Center. According to Daisy, they are excited to go to school every day.

Teachers at the CLC utilize the nationally recognized HighScope model of early learning, which focuses on creativity, confidence, and independence. The twins are currently enrolled in free 4-year-old preschool through the Great Start Readiness Program.

Jovanny and Jazmyn have learned how to be more self-sufficient. They no longer need help with simple responsibilities. For example, they willingly put away their own toys (and without tears).

Miss Samina, Jovanny's teacher, reports that he is trying new things and following instructions. Jazmyn's teacher, Miss Lilian, says the same about her. "Jazmyn even has a new trick," Daisy shared. "She can zip up her winter coat by herself."

Miss Lilian is one of the CLC's bilingual teachers, and she has been an incredible help with the twins' adjustment to preschool. Daisy and Jairo were relieved to know someone on the staff could communicate with their children in Spanish.

There are also other Spanish-speaking children in the twins' classes. "At first, Jovanny thought the kids only spoke English, so he stayed quiet and kept to himself," Daisy explained. "Then, one day, another student said something in Spanish. Jovanny turned and said, 'Wait, you speak Spanish, too?'" This revelation made it easier for him to mingle and make friends.

Being around bilingual teachers and classmates has advanced the twins' English and Spanish skills, setting them up for success in kindergarten and beyond. "Their English is more fluent now," said Jairo. "We hear them speaking at home and understand what they are saying."

Daisy and Jairo are thrilled with Jovanny and Jazmyn's progress at the Children's Learning Center. They are also thankful for the CLC staff. "The teachers care about the kids," Daisy shared. "Everybody is a team, and I really like seeing that. It's a very warm, comforting, and safe space."

Enroll your child at the Children’s Learning Center today!