Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Child's Educational Journey Starts Here
Temporary Tot Tending has been a pioneer in experiential learning since 1951, dedicated to nurturing children's emotional, social, and intellectual growth through immersive, hands-on education. Our programs integrate outdoor exploration, social-emotional development, and innovative curricula tailored to each child's unique needs. With locations across the San Francisco Bay Area, we serve families seeking a community-focused educational environment that values diversity, creativity, and holistic development. Our team of experienced educators emphasizes personalized attention, fostering confidence and resilience in students aged 4 months to 12 years. We prioritize safety, inclusivity, and family engagement, ensuring every child feels valued and supported.Our legacy of excellence is built on decades of refining educational practices that balance structured learning with natural curiosity. As a trusted institution, we maintain transparency in operations and uphold ethical standards that align with our mission to prepare children for lifelong success. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures we remain at the forefront of early childhood and after-school education. Through regular family events and community partnerships, we strengthen connections that enrich the learning experience. This enduring dedication to educational innovation and community engagement defines our identity as a leader in specialty education.
Services
Early Learning
School-Age Programs
Summer Camps
Preschool
After School Care
Pre-K Preparation
Toddler Development
STEAM Enrichment
Summer Adventure Camps
Parent Engagement Workshops
Details
- Year established: 1951
Highlights and features
- We implement a patented experiential learning methodology since 1951
- Our programs integrate outdoor exploration with academic development
- We maintain a 5:1 child-to-teacher ratio for personalized attention
- Our staff includes CPR and First Aid certified educators
- We offer community-focused programs across 10 Bay Area locations
What people say
More confident
Special place
Respect and kindness
Personalized approach
Joyful learning environment
Services
Early Learning
Our Early Learning program nurtures infants through pre-k students with age-appropriate curricula focused on sensory exploration and foundational skills. Certified educators use play-based learning to develop motor skills, communication abilities, and social-emotional awareness. Each classroom provides a secure environment where children build confidence through structured activities and free exploration.
School-Age Programs
After-school care combines homework support with STEAM activities and physical play for grades TK-8. Our staff facilitates collaborative projects, creative arts, and leadership development in a safe, supervised setting. Programs operate at 7 locations with flexible scheduling to accommodate working families' needs.
Summer Camps
Full-day summer camps offer themed activities including science experiments, art exploration, and sports. Campers participate in swimming sessions, field trips, and leadership training at three Bay Area locations. Programs cater to children entering TK through 12th grade with age-specific curricula.
Parent Engagement
We provide family orientation sessions, regular progress updates, and community-building events. Our directors maintain open communication channels for parental concerns and offer resources to extend learning at home. Enrollment specialists guide families through program selection and admissions.
Specialty Programs
Specialty programs include ELO-P qualified services, teen leadership training, and therapeutic interventions. We offer bilingual support, special needs accommodations, and financial assistance options. Our curriculum integrates cultural education and environmental awareness activities.
People
Rachel Heck
Executive Director/Partner
Rachel Heck leads Temporary Tot Tending with 20+ years of experience, holding degrees in Education and MBA studies. She oversees operations while maintaining community engagement initiatives.
Ty Durekas
Strategic Advisor/Partner
Ty Durekas brings educational leadership expertise from founding Children's Creative Learning Centers. He focuses on community engagement and strategic growth initiatives across all Happy Hall locations.
Taylor White
Director of Operations
Taylor White manages staffing and internal processes with a psychology background and 8 years in child development leadership roles.
Shelley Marquez
Director of Learning Success
Shelley Marquez directs educational programming with 22 years in early childhood education and a teaching credential from Santa Clara University.
Colleen Rocks
Director of Programming
Colleen Rocks develops curricula as a Happy Hall alumna with a degree in Childhood Development and CPR certification.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We serve children from 4 months through 12 years old across our Early Learning, School-Age, and Camp programs.
Are meals provided?
We offer nutritious snacks and meals following dietary guidelines, with accommodations for allergies and special dietary needs.
What safety measures are in place?
All staff are CPR/First Aid certified with background checks. Facilities maintain secure access and emergency preparedness protocols.
Do you offer financial assistance?
We provide need-based scholarships and participate in the ELO-P program for qualifying Millbrae families.
How do you communicate with parents?
We use daily updates, family portal access, and regular conferences to maintain open communication with families.
What makes your programs unique?
Our experiential learning approach combines outdoor exploration with academic development in a diverse, inclusive environment.
