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. 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.
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 School, 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.
“In 2006, I left teaching middle school math to go to business school at Duke with dreams of opening my own school. Little did I know that, 13 years later, I would open a school for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. In 2019, I left a toxic job and finally made a bet on myself. Child's Play School opened its doors on September 10, 2019. I am so proud of what we've built. We've created a school home for over 65 children and families. We've built a solid team of exceptionally qualified and loving educators. And we survived the pandemic! Thank you for helping me realize my dream!”
Camila Bevilaqua, Director
Camila Bevilaqua joined Child’s Play School as a Teacher in September 2020 and was promoted to Director in April 2022. She has been a steady, grounding force for both our children and teachers—bringing adaptability, flexibility, and unwavering support to our school.
Originally from Brazil, Camila earned her Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from Anhembi Morumbi University in São Paulo. Before joining Child’s Play, she spent nine years as the Lead Teacher at Bright Horizons Marin Day School, where she planned, implemented, and documented all aspects of the curriculum and daily routines for children ages 1–2.
“Since joining Child’s Play School, I have loved the warm, home-like atmosphere. Having previously worked in larger schools, I found that being in a smaller setting has given me more time to observe, learn, and explore each child’s development. It has been a rewarding experience to connect more deeply with the children and support their growth in a nurturing environment.”
Staff
Fikirte “Fifi” Erena, Founding Teacher
Fifi Erena is the only Founding Teacher still at Child’s Play School, having been a dedicated part of our team since we first opened our doors in September 2019. For nearly six years, she has been a caregiver to every single family who has joined our community—a testament to her commitment, warmth, and passion for early childhood education.
Fifi moved from Ethiopia to the U.S. in 2001 and now lives in Oakland with her husband and two children. Before joining Child's Play School, Fifi spent over six years as a teacher at Miss Molly’s Daycare (which has since closed), nurturing and supporting the growth of children from newborn to preschool age. Before that, she dedicated her time as a stay-at-home mom. Outside of work, Fifi enjoys cooking and creating delicious meals for family and friends.
"At Child's Play School, I am a dedicated and passionate educator who thrives in working with children. My warmth and enthusiasm make me a favorite among the kids (in my humble opinion), and I find deep mental satisfaction in nurturing their growth and development.”
Marcela Martinez Garcia, Teacher
Marcela Martinez Garcia joined Child’s Play School as a Teacher in August 2023 and quickly stepped into a leadership role. She has fully embraced our new Experience Learning Curriculum and is the first warm and welcoming face our children see each morning. The strong bonds she has formed with them are truly special.
Originally from Mexico, Marcela earned her Bachelor's degree in Business from the Institute of Technology at La Laguna (ITL) in Torreón. Before joining Child’s Play, she spent over two years as an au pair for the Isles family, helping to raise Alexander while Kaamil returned to work full-time. She also organized summer camps for children ages 3–6, babysat regularly, and played a significant role in raising her niece and nephew.
"Working at Child's Play has been a transformative learning experience. I've discovered the profound impact of patience, observation, and play in creating a safe, loving environment for infants and toddlers. Seeing them grow and learn is incredible, I'm grateful to grow alongside them. Beyond that, this community has also provided me an invaluable sense of belonging."
Blanca Gomez, Teacher
Blanca Gomez joined Child’s Play School as a Teacher in September 2023, bringing warmth, joy, and an infectious enthusiasm to the classroom. Whether leading activities or sharing in the children’s excitement, Blanca’s energy makes every moment engaging and fun—for both the kids and her fellow teachers.
With over 20 years of experience as a nanny for infants and toddlers, Blanca has a deep understanding of early childhood development. She also ran her own home childcare program for three years in collaboration with her mother, gaining valuable insights into creating nurturing learning environments. Her wealth of experience and thoughtful approach enrich our school community every day.
"Before joining Child’s Play School, I worked with kindergarten to third-grade students, but I felt like something was missing. Child’s Play reminded me why I love my job—it brings me back to the time when my mother and I ran our own childcare program. It was a place filled with fun, love, and nurturing care, where little ones could explore, grow, and feel at home. At Child’s Play, I strive to create that same warm and supportive environment—a second home where children feel safe and parents have the peace of mind knowing their child is in caring, trustworthy hands.”
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 - ON HOLD
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.