Mt. Taylor Children's Centers

Mt. Taylor Children's Centers offers a play-based program where children take part in art, music, storytelling, and outdoor exploration. Classrooms are set up to encourage curiosity, creativity, and confidence while also providing structure. Children have outdoor play and active learning opportunities, and snacks are included as part of the daily care, with diapers accepted for those who need them.

• Ages: 2–6 years old
• Schedule: Mon - Fri 7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Mt. Taylor Children's Centers has been caring for Sonoma County’s children with preschool and childcare since 1991 and operates as a licensed preschool and childcare provider with three locations. The program has an average ratio of one early childhood educator for every eight children and offers full-time and part-time childcare options, as well as before- and after-school care and support for children with special needs.

Owner Varala Durai has a business degree from Madras University in India, completed child development education at De Anza College and UCLA, has worked with preschoolers, toddlers, and kindergarten-age groups, volunteered hundreds of hours in public schools as a Spectra teacher, and is a trained member of the YMCA Project Cornerstone Silicon Valley. Director Karen Guerin has been working with children in Sonoma County since 1979 and has experience with children ages 2–10 years. Director Amberly Bunch has worked with children since 2010, holds an associate degree from Santa Rosa Junior College and a bachelor’s degree in human development from UC Davis, and has experience teaching at-risk kindergarteners, preschoolers in private and public schools, providing special education services to preschool-aged children in their homes, and co-managing a preschool with seven classrooms and 100 children. Director Martha Avina joined Mt. Taylor in 1998 as an assistant teacher while attending Santa Rosa Junior College, later became a full-time teacher, has worked at all three locations, is skilled in helping children self-regulate, and is bilingual. The leadership team includes owner Varala Durai; director Karen Guerin at the Slater St. site; director Amberly Bunch at the Vineyard Creek site off Airport Blvd.; and director Martha Avina at the Rohnert Park and Mt. Taylor Too locations.

The program’s stated purpose is to provide a safe and caring environment where each child may develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically at his or her own rate, with consistent loving direction, appropriate activities, and encouragement. The mission also includes serving as a resource for parents and aiming to offer care, guidance, and education for young children in an atmosphere of love, respect, and cooperation, with the belief that being responsive to children’s emotional, intellectual, physical, and developmental needs supports positive self-esteem, confidence, and a caring attitude toward others.

Mt. Taylor Children’s Centers operates licensed facilities (License Numbers: 493010316, 493010315, 493010314) and has been awarded Sonoma County’s Small Child Care Center of the Year three times. Owner Varala Durai’s community involvement includes volunteering as a Spectra teacher in public schools and training with YMCA Project Cornerstone Silicon Valley.

Parent feedback includes comments that children have learned to write letters, gained confidence, and been excited to attend each day, and that families have found the program affordable and flexible with scheduling. Parents describe their children as thriving in the play-based curriculum, enjoying time with friends and teachers, and leaving the program ready for kindergarten.

Last updated May 15, 2026.