A Warm Welcome
Orinda Afternoons Preschool FCCH Lic. #073407526
Orinda Afternoons is a boutique preschool providing an exceptional educational experience for children ages two to four.
About Us
Introduction
Orinda Afternoons is a boutique, in-home preschool in the hills of Orinda,
providing the highest quality experience for young children (ages two to four). In our small and enriching program
your child will receive loving, individualized attention designed to nurture his or her growth and
development. Orinda Afternoons offers a warm and professionally staffed
care environment - complete with a dedicated playroom and art studio,
climbing gym, sandbox, thriving organic garden and playhouse in a parklike
setting. All food (mainly organic & locally sourced), diaper service and other incidentals (e.g. sunscreen, etc.) are included in tuition.
Please check this website for enrollment information in SPRING 2025. We are unable to respond to email or inquiries at this time.
Dedicated Staff
Orinda Afternoons is owned and operated by Bekki Van Voorhis-Gilbert, a married mother of college-aged children, a lawyer and former tenured Associate Professor at CSU Hayward (now CSU East Bay) in the Department of Sociology and Social Services. She earned her Bachelor's Degree, as well as her law degree, from the University of San Francisco, and a PhD from UC Berkeley. She opened Orinda Afternoons in 2012 and loves working with preschoolers. Prior to opening OA, Bekki served on the board of Camp Galileo, the Friends of the Wagner Ranch Nature Area and founded Save Environmental Education in Orinda (SEE). In her spare time she enjoys traveling with her family, gardening and hiking in the Bay Area.
Excursion to our thriving organic garden
All About Orinda Afternoons
Our Philosophy
Orinda Afternoons is a year-round, home-based, mixed-age preschool utilizing a homeschooling curriculum and several early childhood philosophies (including elements of the Scandinavian Forest School model) geared toward nurturing the whole child. After two and a half years of being almost exclusively outdoors, we have started to use our dedicated classroom again on a regular basis.
Admissions
Orinda Afternoons will be CLOSED from MAY 1, 2024 with a planned RE-OPENING August 2025. Please check back for updated information in Spring 2025.
Tuition
Tuition for our Morning Program (hourly rate for time in attendance only) includes a full diaper service, all food, art supplies and curriculum.
Meals and Snacks Provided
We serve healthy, largely organic, kid-friendly fare. Breakfast is served at 9:00am; a light snack is offered in our 2s program at 10:30am and lunch begins at noon. All meals and snacks include a choice of organic milk or water.
Holidays and Calendar
Orinda Afternoons follows the Orinda Union School District calendar and closes for thee weeks in late May.
Well-Child Program
Orinda Afternoons is a well-child program. Parents are expected to keep their child at home if ill - fever above 99F, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, etc.
Contact Us
If you have questions about enrollment or openings, feel free to send us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Please include the first name and DOB of your child, and we will reach out as soon as possible to answer questions.
Orinda Afternoons
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 1pm beginning in AUGUST 2025
Friday - Sunday: Closed
