Elvia’s Child Care

When my partner and I first arrived in California, we had a very difficult time locating child care facilities for children under 18 months. However, we were fortunate enough to have a licensed social worker visiting us who specialized in child care (my partner’s mom). Following procedure, she went down her checklist of important features and certifications necessary for any child care facility to earn the right to keep her precious grandson (our then ten month old). She gave us two options in the Novato area at the top of her list, and one of the two really gave her «a good feeling.» We visited both, but Elvia’s (grandma’s preference) won us all over.
Elvia cares for children in her home, which has a dedicated, sunlit area for the kids, ample yard space, beautiful lemon trees and grapevines on site, and lots of indoor and outdoor activities. Elvia and her family are extremely loving and nurturing folk who give the kids excellent attention and care. Seriously, there is just so much love for the kids here. Her husband is a fantastic man who maintains the kid’s area, and he can come up with brilliant ways of keeping everyone safe. He also cooks for the kids sometimes, and I have been told by some of the older kids that they can’t wait until they get to eat more of his bread (now I want to try it). When their own, adult children visit, they also help with the kids, and they exude the same care and attention to the children as Elvia and her husband.
I joined Unilocal just to spread the word about Elvia’s in case there are other transplants in the Novato area looking for quality, licensed child care. I highly recommend Elvia’s. The rates are fantastic, the service is unbeatable, and the location is both quiet and very conveniently located right off of 101. When we desperately needed top-​quality child care, and had no idea where to look — we found the perfect solution with Elvia’s.

I can’t say enough about Elvia. She is such a loving and sweet caregiver. My son was in the midst of major separation anxiety at a year old when we first visited Elvia, and somehow he went right to her. On our first visit! That was unheard of for him. He was never very upset when we were leaving him and I knew that Elvia would be there to comfort him if the goodbye was a little tearful. It is so hard to leave your child with someone when you have to go to work, but it is a blessing to know that they are with someone they feel loves them. In addition to all that, the environment is great. There is a big back garden with a huge sandbox and slide to play in, and there is a front cushioned patio with loads of toys and grapevines overhead (shade from the sun). Elvia always provided breakfast, lunch and snacks which was also very helpful for a new mom! Thanks to Elvia and her family for showing ours so much love and kindness. I would highly recommend her.

Both of my sons went to Elvia’s Child Care beginning at 6 months of age. She provides lots of love in a fun and stimulating environment; lots of outdoor play time; and nutritious meals and snacks. Additionally, both boys understand and speak some Spanish — big plus! My oldest who no longer goes there still wants to visit all the time. I cannot say enough good things about Elvia and her family. I feel like my boys are part of it. Over the past 5 years I have had the pleasure of getting to know her husband and her four grown children — all great people. My youngest is «graduating» this week and it is a bittersweet moment, as I will miss seeing Elvia and her family everyday.

My son Benjamin has been with Elvia since he was four months old and he is a little over a year now. It is such a blessing to know he is in a loving environment. I have met some of the moms who have been with Elvia for a long time and through multiple children and they say the same thing — she is wonderful. I have had the pleasure of meeting her grown children — now adults — who are a testament to the way she raised her children and to how she takes care of mine. It is my pleasure to recommend her.