Finding the right care for your kids has never been this fun.

Play-Based Preschool & Child Care in Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill

Kid Time has provided child-centered, hands-on early childhood education to East Bay families since 1984, with three locations serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and Pre-K children.

A little girl in a pink shirt with her hands covered in blue goop

A little boy in red shorts and red paint on his legs laughing at the camera

About us

Kid Time is a family-owned childcare company with three sites. We are not only a safe place for our parents to leave their children while they go to work, but also a community for our families and alumni as well.

Kid Time has been providing quality childcare in the Walnut Creek area since 1984.

Our Programs

Kid Time Junior

Ages 0-6

Kid Time Mayhew

Kid Time South

Ages 2-6

Learn more about our programs

What makes us unique

Child-Centered

Each child is different and learns at their own pace. We aim to meet the individual needs of all children.

A young child covered head to toe in pink paint

Play-Based Environment

We believe in letting children do what they do best: to play and interact with the world around them, learning as they explore.

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A post shared by Leah Rosenthal-Kambic (@kidtimeinc)

Community-Focused

We walk along-side parents as partners in caring for their children. We are truly a community and find the experience very valuable for everyone.

A group selfie of the Kid Time staff in a park

Kindergarten Readiness

We ensure children are well prepared in all aspects, from gross/small motor skills, academic learning, social and emotional development, to group play and activity, and working within a group.

Classroom wall decor featuring a large paper tree with leaves and apples, a calendar for August 2023, a whiteboard, a red chair, and window views outside.

What does play based curriculum look like?

What our parents say

You can leave your precious ones here with no hesitations, knowing that the teachers and every staff member truly, truly cares. They have a comprehensive program that focuses both on allowing your child's emerging personality to blossom, as well as preparing them for, well... life.
They also help you as parents keep those goals in front of you too. My daughter just "graduated" after 3 years here, and she and her fellow KT-ers who are now in Kindergarden are so READY and well-equipped for embarking on their new school adventures, and I know that so much of that is attributable to her time at KT.
If you are searching for a preschool program, go and visit. You'll feel the positivity and nurturing environment right away. It's not a mirage.
Carolyn G
My son went to Kid Time 13 years ago and to this day we are still connected with the staff and quite nostalgic for the three years he spent there.
It is truly a remarkable place where your child will be part of a very strong community, where the emphasis on acceptance and learning through play creates a very safe, secure and fun environment. I really can't say enough about how my now 16 year old benefitted from this experience!
Susan J
We fell in love with Kid Time the first time we visited.
I tell every parent that the only question you need to ask is how is the turnover of staff. With Kid Time, there is none. We had 2 kids there and were members of this exclusive fraternity for over 4 years and both of our kids were taught by the same great teachers.
When we visited the first time, Leah (the Director) told us that be prepared to have the kids covered in paint or grime or any other kid-friendly concoction and they'll probably need baths every night because we're here to let the kids be kids. While we didn't have to give baths every night, it was the attitude and declaration that their mission was to let the kids play and have fun was all we needed.
- David B
We were first attracted to the preschool by their wonderful yard, happy and engaged looking children, and cheerful staff. And we have not been disappointed!
Our eldest son has come on leaps and bounds in confidence! He very much enjoys Miss Jessica's pre-school learning activities (Ruff Dogs), loves the art projects, cooking fun with Miss Sarah and playing in the yard outside.
The staff at Kid Time are wonderful – they are warm, cheerful, have positive attitudes, and really care about the kids well-being and development. We like the 'learning-through-play' philosophy, the tasty on-site-cooked meals, and the helpful and 'can-do' problem-solving approach of the director, Leah. We would highly recommend Kid Time!
- Malgosia R