LauRiece
I have always been inspired by children and had a passion for inspiring young thinkers. In 2010 I began my work in education in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a Performing Arts Teacher at Central High School for the Performing Arts. It was extremely fulfilling to contribute to the lives of young people each day in the classroom. When my family moved to California in 2012, I continued to work in education both as a teacher and support role for students in the Bay Area.
After having my second child in 2017 and returning to work full-time, I felt like I was missing out on my children growing up. I knew I needed to make a career shift if I was ever going to have the amount of time I desired with my two young children.
In the summer of 2019, I decided to use my experiences in education to open my child care business. October of 2019, I opened the doors of my Richmond home to children from my community to learn alongside my children and become part of our family. I began meeting families across the East Bay Area and learning more about their individual needs. The more families I met, the more interest was built in our program. Now, The Point Playhouse is growing more than ever and impacting the lives of children everyday as we expand into a childcare center.
Each year I continue to bring new ideas to our the program through Early Childhood Courses, professional development and as a member of the First 5 Quality Improvement Program.
Esmeralda
I was born and raised in Richmond, CA. I am dedicated and passionate about my career in childcare. Each day as I am teaching the children, I also find myself learning from them. Over the last 3+ years I worked with The Point Playhouse as a Teaching Assistant while also attending college for Early Childhood Education.
During my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and my son Uxikiel. I am also a sports enthusiast. Go Giants!
I’m very excited to continue my work with The Point Playhouse.
Carlota (Ms. C)
My name is Carlota Jiménez-Guccione. I began working in the field of Early Childhood
Education as a Teacher’s Aide in 1988 in Ecuador where I started my major in Early
Childhood Education at Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. In 1990 I
came to the Bay Area and had the opportunity to work as a Teacher’s Aide until 1993
when I went back to Ecuador. In 1997 I moved to El Cerrito which has since been my
permanent home. I am passionate about the field of Early Childhood Education
because it sets a strong foundation of long term (socio-emotional and cognitive)
benefits for the lives of young children. After overcoming some challenges, my love for
learning and my commitment to professionalism drove me to return to school and
obtain my BA in the Interdisciplinary Studies Field with a focus on Child Development.
During my free time I enjoy baking, gardening, long walks, and Zumba. I am very
excited to join The Point Playhouse team.
Alondra (Ms. Alo)
As the eldest and only daughter, I was raised in the beautiful bay area, but my roots trace back to
Guanajuato, Mexico. My journey has been deeply intertwined with the coffee industry, making
me the perfect person to geek out with if you share the same passion! Currently, I am a part-time
college student majoring in Child Development, with a strong dedication to kick-starting my
career in child care. Nature is my sanctuary, and I relish every opportunity to immerse myself in
the great outdoors. Hiking, camping, and leisurely walks with my adorable puppy Charlie are
some of my favorite pastimes. Additionally, I have a passion for dancing, caring for animals, and
playing soccer. I consider myself a creative and adventurous individual, always open to new
experiences!
My upbringing involved taking care of my younger siblings, which ignited my passion for
working with children. Witnessing the profound impact of their environment on their growth and
development inspired me to spread love, care, and joy to more kids in the future. Being around
children has always filled my heart with warmth and happiness, and I am thrilled to embark on
my career journey by joining The Point Playhouse!