Leadership
Kaamil Bey Isles, Founder/CEO
Kaamil Bey Isles is the Founder and CEO of Child's Play. She is an Alameda native, mother of two young boys and wife to a kind and supportive husband.
Kaamil received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Spelman College (on a full scholarship funded by NASA) and her MBA from Duke University (with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship). Prior to starting Child's Play, she served as a middle school math teacher for 5 years, a principal for a private school (preschool through 8th grade) for 4.5 years, and an Operations Director for an education non-profit for 3 years.
As someone who is passionate for both education and business, Kaamil is excited to found a child care program where children can explore and grow and where their interests can be nurtured and cultivated.
Camila Bevilaqua, Director
Camila was recently promoted to Director at Child's Play after serving as Head Preschool Teacher for over 2.5 years. She earned her Bachelor degree in Nutrition from Anhembi Morumbi University in Sao Paulo.
Camila, originally from Brazil, served as the Lead Teacher at Bright Horizon Marin Day Schools for nine years, where she planned, implemented and documented all aspects of the curriculum and routine for children ages 1-2 years old.
Staff
Fikirte “Fifi” Erena, Founding Teacher
Fifi is a Founding Teacher at Child's Play. Fifi moved from Ethiopia in 2001. She lives in Oakland with her husband and two children.
Most recently, Fifi served as a teacher at Miss Molly’s Daycare for over six years, where she helped support the growth and development of children ages 4 months to 3.5 years. Before teaching, Fifi was a stay-at-home mom. In her free time, she enjoys cooking.
Marcela Martinez Garcia, Infant Teacher
Marcela Martinez Garcia is an Infant Teacher at Child's Play.
Marcela, a native of Mexico, received her Bachelor's degree in Business from the Institute of Technology at La Laguna (ITL) in Torreón, Mexico. Before becoming an au pair for the Isles family (and helping to raise Alexander for over two years while Kaamil went back to work full-time), Marcela organized summer camps for children ages 3-6 years old and babysat regularly.
"I am excited to be a part of an inclusive community and have the opportunity to work with children every day."
Blanca Gomez, Head Preschool Teacher
Blanca Gomez is a Head Preschool Teacher at Child’s Play.
Blanca served as a nanny for infants and toddlers for the last 20 years. She also ran her own home childcare program for three years in collaboration with her mother. I imagine we'll benefit from her wisdom, experience and many lessons learned.
“Anything that has to do with working with kids and teaching kids…it’s amazing. It’s like a dream job.”
Enrichment
Beth Houghton, Yoga
Beth Houghton (Co-Founder of Yama Kids Yoga) offers a 30-minute yoga class to our preschoolers. Beth has been practicing yoga for over 17 years. Over the past ten years, Beth has taught over 2000 kids in local school, at fundraising events, yoga studios, libraries and recreation centers.
Claire Gendler, Music Together
Claire Gendler offers a 45-minute whole group Music Together class. Claire has been a Music Together teacher since 2009 and has been working with children for over 17 years. Claire graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. She did masters studies at California Institute of the Arts also in Vocal Performance from 2010-2012.