What is BlueSkies for Children?

BlueSkies for Children is an Oakland-based early childhood education center. Its stated mission is to practice and share an optimal approach to the education and care of young children, grounded in the interrelated disciplines of human development. In practical terms, it is both a child care and preschool program for young children and an educational center for caregivers and the community.

What the organization does

BlueSkies describes its approach as blending the nurturing of a home with the enrichment of a preschool. The program was originally developed for an extremely underprivileged population and is now in place for children from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. The organization's position is that all children thrive when given respectful, developmental support by educated, caring adults in a healthy environment.

The site frames its purpose broadly: good child care lasts a lifetime, and the center aims to sustain and support today's children and families while serving as a resource for caregivers and the community.

Where it came from

The organization's history began years before official incorporation. The founder ran a center in East Oakland caring primarily for the children of young teen mothers in residence — babies starting life in fragile circumstances, without financial resources, whose teen mothers were seeking parenting skills. During her six-year tenure, she developed the philosophical foundation that BlueSkies still uses.

Community commitments

BlueSkies points to three ongoing commitments that reflect its history:

• Liisa Hale Scholarship Program — offers significant financial support to families who qualify for aid.
• Castlemont High School partnership — offers training and course credit for volunteering in the program.
• Staff development — provides courses toward staff degrees at no or low cost, with the aim of making child care a viable long-term career choice in a field dominated by hardworking women of color.

Who it is for

Families in the Oakland area seeking early childhood education and care for young children, including those who may need financial aid. Because the site references a scholarship program for qualifying families, cost is worth asking about directly rather than assuming.

What to check before applying

The site lists four sections relevant to prospective families: Our Approach, Steps to Apply, Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid, and a Virtual Tour. These are the places to confirm current program details, eligibility for aid, and how to begin the application. Specific tuition figures, ages served, hours, and application requirements are not stated in the available material, so verify them with the center before relying on any assumption.