North Bay Children’s Center Programs

North Bay Children’s Center Programs offer full-year and part-year child care and early education programs that run on set weekday schedules. The programs include AM and PM half-day preschool options as well as full-day options with different opening and closing times Monday through Friday.

• Ages: 0–10 years old
• Schedule: Full-year options Monday–Friday with hours ranging from 7:00am–6:00pm, plus part-year AM preschool (8:00am–11:00am, Monday–Friday) and PM preschool (12:00pm–3:00pm, Monday–Friday)

Since 1988, North Bay Children’s Center Programs have operated with 38 years of experience preparing children for success. The organization states that 100% of its graduates have the proficiencies needed to enter kindergarten. Its mission is “Because every child deserves equal access to a bright future… Providing high quality, affordable child care and innovative child development programs to 650+ Marin and Sonoma families.” North Bay Children’s Center is a 501(c)(3) certified organization and provides child care and early education across sites in Novato, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, and Sonoma.

The programs report that annually they provide 4,410 hours of child care for single and working parents and serve 303,000 healthy meals to children across 13 school sites. North Bay Children’s Center highlights “Garden of Eatin’® Goes to Sacramento,” NBCC’s Award Winning Programs, and NBCC’s Four Pillars for Optimal Development as unique features of its work.

The leadership and site teams include Laurel, who leads all financial strategy, contract management, budgeting, and planning; Donje Fields, Marin Area Director; Leydis Mata, Area Director; and Irma Mendoza, Enrollment Manager. Site leadership includes Nicole Porter, Site Director (Al & Lisa Brayton Campus); Jajuan Jaymes, Site Supervisor (Tinker Way); Laura Avila, Site Supervisor (Hamilton); Viviana Martinez, Site Supervisor (Lu Sutton); Christy Chum, Site Supervisor (Olive); Jessica Fenech, Site Supervisor (Valley Vista); Kristie Lueza, Site Supervisor (McDowell); Bobbi Cardenas, Area Director (El Colegio Early Childhood Center); Margarita Vazquez, Site Supervisor (James Monroe); Katie Peterson, Site Supervisor (Steele Lane); Kristen Berg, Site Supervisor (Pacific Campus); Jamie Howlett, Site Supervisor (Prestwood); Michelle Johnson, Site Supervisor (Sassarini); and Joleynn Smith, Site Supervisor (Fitch Mountain). Emily sits on the board of North Bay Children’s Center, while Beth has served on the board for 8 years and Jeanne has served on the Resource Development Committee of the Board for six years.

Staff experience and education include Laurel’s more than eight years of nonprofit finance and accounting expertise and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of San Francisco, along with dual bachelor’s degrees in business/accounting and political science from Dominican University of California. Donje Fields has over 7 years of experience in early childhood education and a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development. Leydis Mata has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development, and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. Irma Mendoza has over 13 years of experience in early childhood education.

Parent feedback includes a report from Christine L., who states that her son Henry has been attending the NBCC After School program for over a year and that she appreciates NBCC’s curriculum that incorporates many of the educational approaches of their elementary school, and that he is having a great time playing with friends in the program while learning academic and social skills. Another parent, Wendy N., states that the staff at North Bay Children’s Center show care and concern for her child and for her family, and that during a difficult time the program “saved my life.”

Last updated May 11, 2026.