Resources for Parents/Families
When moving to a new place with your family, especially with school-aged children, we appreciate the extra layers of concern you may have. We hope you find these resources useful as you and your family navigate acclimating to the Bay Area community you decide to live. Visit our housing page for curated information and tips from a trusted local rental expert.
Be Well at Work
The Be Well at Work program's website has a wealth of university and community resources for postdocs and visiting scholars with childcare needs.
Be Well at Work also has the Breastfeeding Support Program for breastfeeding mothers who need assistance while they work on campus.
Basic Needs Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is an emergency food relief supply for the UC Berkeley community. The pantry offers items such as rice, pasta, milk, cereal, freezer items, and fresh produce. Campus community members are welcome to take as much as needed whenever needed, while being mindful that it is a shared community resource for emergencies. There are no eligibility requirements and all you need is your Cal 1 Card ID. International scholars and students should review information on Public Charge before accessing these resources.
Cal Youth Programs and Camps
Whether you are looking for a new adventure, opportunities for healthy play and learning, or just a fun, safe place for youth to develop new memories and make new friends, Cal Youth Camps has you covered. Cal Youth Camps offers a multitude of diverse camps and youth programs that are suited for every kid, year-round.
Berkeley Parents Network (BPN)
The Berkeley Parents Network (BPN) is a popular online email network for 34,000 parents who live in the San Francisco Bay Area. BPN provides advice and support to local parents on a wide range of topics including reviews of Bay Area neighborhoods, schools, childcare, and doctors, as well as parent-to-parent advice about children, families, and community actvities.
UC Berkeley Bear Cub Map
Campus should be a comfortable place for your and your family. The UCB Bear Cub Map helps identify family-friendly areas from changing tables to kid- friendly museums, gardens, and play areas.
Berkeley Spouses, Partners & Parents Association (BSPPA)
The UC Berkeley Spouses, Partners & Parents Association (BSPPA) is a VSPA program that supports our affiliate families. It was created to help spouses and partners of postdocs, visiting scholars and visiting student researchers navigate the UC Berkeley experience and to support those with children and families. The BSPPA community is open to all kinds of families, including those with and without children. The group organizes informational meetings, career development opportunities, social events, off-campus excursions, and informal meet-ups. Their goal is to serve the large and diverse community on our campus by creating an inviting and supportive environment for UC Berkeley families. If you would like to become a part of this group, email us at bsppa-vspa@berkeley.edu or click here to complete the BSPPA Interest Form.
510Families
510Families is a collective of "real-life East Bay parents dedicated to finding fun things to do with kids in our local area." Check out their website for the latest events this month!
Mothership HackerMoms
"Mothership HackerMoms is the first-ever women’s creative life lab for mothers (broadly defined). We make, we hack, we start businesses, we collaborate and commiserate, we fail together, and we grow together." Visit their new space and learn more about the community events coming up.
Bananas
Bananas is a local childcare referral and information resource.
Nearby School Districts
Albany is very close to the city of Berkeley and has a great small-town feel, perfect for families who want to be near the campus and a quick bike or bus ride away.
Berkeley Public Schools offer quality kindergarten-12th grade high school education to the local faculty, staff, and students who live here.
El Cerrito is a little further from the campus but many from the UC Berkeley community reside here. Learn more about the West Contra Costa School District if this town is the place for you and your school-age children.
Kensington has only one elementary school, Hilltop, which serves children from Kindergarten through sixth grade, and then students move on to El Cerrito schools for middle and high school.
Oakland may or may not assign students to the elementary school nearest home, as some of the more popular elementary schools in north Oakland (closest to Berkeley) may be oversubscribed in certain grade levels.
Great Schools: A website that assists in selecting a school district that suits your family's needs.
Some Pre-schools in and near Berkeley
There are several preschools in and near Berkeley that UC Berkeley academic parents have liked: In Berkeley: Cornerstone, Woolly Mammoth, Sprouts, Little Beans, The New School, and The Berkeley School (Montessori) to name a few. Then there is the Claremont Day Nursery, with facilities in three locations (the Kensington location is off Colusa Circle, right at the borders of Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito/Kensington), Albany Preschool in Albany, and Pride and Joy Preschool in El Cerrito.
This is by no means a complete list. For more information, subscribe to the popular Berkeley Parents Network and contact Bananas, both excellent resources for information on infant care and preschools.