Kathy Conrow, Center Director
Ages: 18 months to 6 years
Open:
Neighborhood:
Close to Contra Costa Center and a short walk from the Pleasant Hill BART station. Next to the new John Muir Urgent Care.
Elementary Schools Bussed To:
Before- and after-school care is not available at this location.
Our center is accredited by NAEYC.
Welcome to Walnut Creek KinderCare
Welcome to Walnut Creek KinderCare, located in California. We are one of only two small KinderCare centers in the area, and our smaller center offers a home-like feel while still enriching your child's learning experience with our world-class curriculum. We build a warm, welcoming, and supportive classroom for children of all abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. Everyone belongs in our circle!
Our classrooms are places to thrive!
In our safe and healthy classrooms, your child will be engaged in learning experiences that meet them where they are, both socially and academically. With fun daily activities, passionate teachers, and great friends, a lifetime of confidence starts here. Contact the center director to learn more about our child care options and schedule a tour!
Meet Kathy Conrow, Our Center Director
At KinderCare Since: 2022
Education: Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Site Supervisor Permit
Favorite Children's Book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Meet Kathy Conrow! She is the Center Director at Walnut Creek KinderCare in California. Kathy holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a Site Supervisor Permit. She joined KinderCare in 2022, and before that she was a teacher and a director. Outside of work, Kathy enjoys traveling, exploring new places and restaurants, and spending time with her family. Her favorite quote is, "Play is the highest form of research." - Albert Einstein
AMERICA’S MOST ACCREDITED
We’re so proud!
Nationally only 10% of daycares are accredited - nearly 100% of our learning centers are. That’s a big difference, and that means KinderCare kids are getting the very best. Here’s why.
SCHOOL-READY
What Learning Looks Like
Our talented early-childhood teachers set kids down the path toward becoming lifelong learners in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment.
Walnut Creek KinderCare Programs
Toddler Programs (1–2 Years)
Everything in our toddler classroom is designed for little explorers. That’s because a lot is going on at this age. When your child is wandering all over the place, that means they’re learning and discovering new things every day. We’ll help them explore their interests (and find new ones!) as they play and learn.
Discovery Preschool Programs (2–3 Years)
This age is filled with so much wonder and curiosity. That’s why we offer a ton of books and toys and bring artwork down to kids eye level. Children in discovery preschool also begin to learn how we all work together in a classroom. Simple math and science, pretend play, and group play help them get used to a more structured school setting.
Preschool Programs (3–4 Years)
This age is all about expression, when kids really start to form their own ideas about what they want to play and how they want to create. Every day in our preschool classroom, your child will explore science experiments, create artwork, and play pretend—all the skills needed for their big next step: kindergarten!
Prekindergarten Programs (4–5 Years)
When you walk into one of our pre-K classrooms, you’ll see artwork and writing displayed around the room. Labels are everywhere to help kids connect letters with words. You’ll also see pictures on the walls that reflect the families in our community. Your child will also deepen their knowledge in language, math, science, Spanish, and social skills.
School Break Programs (preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age)
Winter break, spring break, summer break—when school’s out (but you still need to work), you can count on KinderCare to provide a safe and supportive learning environment that’s focused on fun. We welcome children ages 5–12 during school break times and make sure they have a sensational, screen-free experience they won’t forget.
Participating Child Care Aware Center
KinderCare partners with Child Care Aware® of America to offer fee assistance for Active Duty military families and flexible support to fit their needs when care at a Child Development Center on the installation is not available.
Learning Adventures - Enrichment Program
Cooking Academy™ (3 – 12 Years)
In Cooking Academy, kids learn new recipes from cultures around the world and develop a healthy relationship with food. They’ll whip up everything from Southwest rainbow lettuce wraps to pumpkin muffins, building their skills in STEM, communication, and more along the way. And yes—little chefs get to eat their culinary creations!
Music Explorers™ (2 – 4 Years)
KinderCare families are already giving a standing ovation to our newest Learning Adventures program: Music Explorers! Kids will learn to sing, move, listen, play instruments, and even create their own tunes. Our original curriculum blends math, science, social studies, literacy, and mindfulness (think yoga!) for a uniquely KinderCare way of learning the foundations of music.
Phonics Adventures® (2 – 4 Years)
Learning how to read is a whole lot of fun at KinderCare! We help kids grow to love books and words (and get ready for kindergarten) in our Phonics Adventures program. From discovering the basics of vowels to practicing poetry, kids learn all about letters and sounds in small-group lessons made just for their age group. (Bonus: Kids who attend our phonics program are more prepared than their peers for school—and we have the data to prove it.)
STEM Innovators (3-8 Years)
You’ve probably heard a lot about how important STEM education is for your child, but what does that really mean? Our STEM Innovators program takes kids’ natural ability to make sense of the world and applies it to robotics, chemistry, coding, geology, and more. While your child experiments, they’ll discover how to use technology to do amazing things!
Toddler Sign Language
Our Teachers
We're the only company in early childhood education to select teachers based on natural talent. Being a great educator isn't enough though. KinderCare teachers are also amazing listeners, nurturers, boo-boo fixers, and smile-makers. Put more simply, we love our teachers and your child will, too.
Meet just a few of our amazing KinderCare teachers!
A KINDERCARE TEACHER WITH
An Artist's Heart
"My classroom is full of art!” says Mary Annthipie-Bane, an award-winning early childhood educator at KinderCare. Art and creative expression, she says, help children discover who they really are.
We put our best-in-class teachers in a best-in-class workplace. We're so proud to have been named one of Gallup's 37 winners of the Great Workplace Award. When you put great teachers in an engaging center, your children will experience an amazing place to learn and grow.
Family Stories
Don't take our word for it. Hear what our families have to say about our amazing center!
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My son has been at Walnut Creek KinderCare for over a year. I work two blocks away and I pop in unannounced all the time. I have never seen anything negative - they are always happy to see me. My son LOVES the teachers and is really having a positive learning experience. He was so shy before attending this school and now he has just opened up so much. But honestly, I give them five stars because I love the teachers. They really care about each child (and each family) so much that they really feel like extended family. There is a good core group of kids, with some turnover, but the core kids all know each other and play pretty interchangeably (meaning not clique-y). The first day my son was there, he was so worried and not sure how to wash his hands and one little girl came up and showed him how everything worked. It was really very touching.
”Mother - KinderCare Parent
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We always feel very supported by the wonderful teachers at the Walnut Creek KinderCare. We know our child is in loving, caring hands, and he learns and grows everyday he goes to school. As parents, we couldn't ask for anything more.
”Corinne and Graham S. - KinderCare Parent
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I would like to send a big thank you to all the wonderful staff at Walnut Creek KinderCare. You are all amazing and very much appreciated. You are all fabulous and so easy to talk with. We love the regular updates and always appreciate any advice you suggest. Over the past year we have seen tremendous growth and development within our son, from increasing his vocabulary, writing, learning to use his words and sharing/playing with others... in fact the list is endless. At four years old he's like a little sponge and amazes us with talk of the fantastic things he's learnt during the day. We love the happy and friendly vibe you always provide, and of course it helps that everything is clean and orderly. As we are new to the United States (recently relocated from New Zealand), it has been reassuring to know that Joel is safe and getting the most out of each KinderCare day. Thanks for helping our son be the best that he can be!
”The Jansen Family - KinderCare Parent
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Three years ago we made the decision to enroll our then eighteen month old daughter at Walnut Creek KinderCare. After touring the facility and choosing KinderCare, we nervously dropped our daughter off on her first day with the hope and anticipation that she would be cared for, paid attention to, and most importantly, safe. Three years later, and now with our son also attending, our family has received so much more. Not only does Walnut Creek KinderCare continue to provide a safe environment for our two children, but the staff consciously builds a physical and emotional environment that is filled with love, attention, and a desire to help grow our children into individuals who have a deep-seeded joy for learning and play. As parents, daily, we see and feel the direct impact that KinderCare has on our family. We see the impact through the school-learned songs our children share at the dinner table, through watching them happily practice their letters and numbers, and through hearing their stories of playing with friends on the playground. We feel the impact through the warm hugs our children get as they greet and depart the Center each day, through the open communication we have with their teachers and directors, and through the attentiveness to the planned curriculum that is carefully executed throughout the year. As our daughter nears the start of kindergarten (and eventually our son) we are confident that she will be walking in to her first day of school possessing the skills to confidently help her continued learning, and growth, that all began and was nurtured at Walnut Creek KinderCare.
”Janet - KinderCare Parent
Who Are KinderCare Families?
They hail from hundreds of cities across the country from countless backgrounds, and proudly represent every walk in life. What our families have in common, though, is the want to give their children the best start in life. We are so proud to be their partner in parenting.
Hear from just a few of our amazing KinderCare families.
A Globe-Trotting Family Finds A
Home in Houston
Four young children, four different passports, two languages, two full-time jobs…oh, and a few triathlons thrown in for good measure. Meet the globe-trotting Colettas—a family on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accreditations does KinderCare have?
We are your trusted caregiver. Our centers are state-licensed and regularly inspected to make sure everything meets or exceeds standards, including child-to-teacher ratios and safe facilities. Our centers aren’t just licensed—most are accredited, too! Find out more.
Do you offer part-time schedules at Walnut Creek KinderCare?
Everybody’s schedule is different. We’re happy to offer quality, affordable part-time and full-time childcare. Drop-in care may also be available. Reach out to your Center Director to learn more.
How does naptime work at Walnut Creek KinderCare?
Our teachers meet every child’s needs during naptime. Our teachers know how to get babies to nap. In fact, they are pros at getting children of any age to nap. Visit our article on "10 Ways We Help Kids Get a Great Daycare Nap" to learn more.
Do you support alternative diets?
We strive to be as inclusive as possible. To that point, we provide a vegetarian option at mealtime, take care to not serve common allergens and can adapt menus based on your child’s food sensitivities. If your child has additional needs, we’ll work with you to figure out a plan.
Are meals included in tuition? Can I choose to send my child with lunch?
We provide nutritious meals and snacks developed by a registered dietician to meet the needs of rapidly growing bodies and minds. If your child has special dietary requirements and you would prefer to bring in their lunch, please make arrangements with the center director.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
Every child begins toilet learning at a different age. Until your child shows an interest in toilet learning, we’ll provide diaper changes on an as-needed basis. When your child shows an interest, we'll discuss how to work together to encourage toilet learning.