Audrey's Nest, Oakland

I am Audrey Kossak the Owner and Primary CareTeacher of Audrey’s Nest. I love what I do and I have lots of love, energy, and passion to share with you and your loved ones. I grew up in the Redwoods of Arcata, CA and was raised alongside 4 sisters and 2 brothers. At a very young age I learned to put others before myself and compromise for the good of the group. My mother is a huge inspiration to me; she has taught me patience and compassion. Growing up I learned to appreciate how unique every individual child is, even when they come from the same gene pool. Growing up in such a big family has definitely influenced my desire to reach out to help my community and make them feel like an extension of my family. I have a long history of working with children; babysitting as a preteen, counseling school age children in the wilderness of Whiskeytown Lake and teaching preschoolers crafts in Arnold, CA during my college summers. In the last 7 years I have been: a positive role model and now full time step mom to 3 teenagers. I taught preschool at Learning Bridge in San Francisco. I worked beside CCSF faculty to facilitate a free play space for kids and to advise parents; All while going to school to become the State Certified Site Supervisor that I am today. I assisted in the development of Nonna's Family Child Care in SF, and was a Care Teacher there through the pregnancy of my daughter Natalie. I spent her first year of her life enjoying the luxury of being a stay at home mom, and prepared my home to be your child's home away from home. Audrey's Nest has been open since August 2012 and life couldn't be better. Prior to my education in Child Development and Early Childhood Education; I earned a B.A. in Studio Arts, with a minor in Communication Design. I put those degrees to good use for a few years in the Advertising field of San Francisco. I fell out of love with a desk job and in love with my husband and his children who encouraged me to pursue a career that would make me truly happy. In my spare time I enjoy yoga, running, hiking, tennis, painting, dancing in the kitchen while cooking, and being crafty.