Guidance program helps with new bilingual day care in San Bruno

“A few years ago, if you told me I would have my own child care business, I wouldn’t believe you,” Torres said at the day care’s ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 24. “But this week, with Upward Scholars’ critical support, I will start enrolling kids, and words cannot express how excited and blessed I feel to embark on this new journey.” 

Losing her job during the pandemic ended up changing Torres’ life, she said. It was during this time her roommate opened a day care and Torres began helping translate for parents. 

“This experience made me realize I loved working with kids,” she said. 

Torres began working as a nanny while she took early education courses with the goal of one day opening up her own bilingual day care. Again, circumstances led her to make the first step when the family she worked for moved away.

With support from Upward Scholars, the Rainbow Corner Daycare is the latest neighborhood child care service. Care is available for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with various age-appropriate enrichment programs, including dance, meditation and gardening. 

“Today, while I continue taking classes in English and early childhood education and business administration, I am also making one of my dreams come true,” Torres said. 

On behalf of state Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, legislative aide Joan Dentler emphasized the need for early childhood care in the Bay Area and state at large.

“We know that in the state of California, there is a shortage of this type of care, especially in a  lovely and loving home like [Torres] has launched here in San Bruno,” Dentler said. ‘I think this is a model for the state of California.” 

This shortage is the exact reason Upward Scholars began its “TeacherUp” program that works to close the statewide child care gap and prepare bilingual and bicultural early childhood educators, Marlene Torres-Magaña, program manager for Upward Scholars, said. 

“It has not only opened doors for our adult immigrant community but it also highlights the critical need to diversify our early learning education spaces,” Torres-Magaña said. “Together, we are making a profound change in our community in the early learning sector.” 

Through the “TeacherUp” program, students create individualized plans for Bay Area community college students to envision their path to achieving career goals, receive one-on-one help by Torres-Magaña, and are connected with early childhood education academic counselors at school. The program also connects students with internship opportunities and financial support through stipends for textbooks or transportation or more pressing matters such as groceries and rent.

 Upward Scholars also offers similar programs for students to become Spanish coaches and interpreters, or aspiring entrepreneurs through capital support for new businesses. Since 2010, the program has served more than 1,300 students.

As someone who went to home day cares when he was growing up in San Bruno, Mayor Rico Medina spoke to the importance of having such a resource in the community. Having this local resource will “truly make a difference” he said.

“Dropping off a child somewhere is not an easy task,” Medina said. “There’s a lot of trust, there’s a lot of having to make sure ‘here, I’m OK.’ For you being here, I can appreciate that.”