For CNRA parents
Built for the rhythm of natural-resources work.
If you work at the Resources Building, your day might involve a 7:30 stand-up, a stakeholder call with a tribal council at 11, lunch reading a draft EIR, and a 3:00 site visit that runs late. We've built a school that fits inside that day, not around it.
Pick-up runs through 6:00 PM. When a hearing or stakeholder meeting runs to 5:30, you're not stressing about a 5:45 daycare cutoff. You're walking calmly back to N Street.
Field days are accommodated. Many of our CDFW and DWR families have unpredictable site visits. Brightwheel keeps you connected to your child's day in real time, and our teachers know how to handle a parent who texts mid-afternoon to say a meeting ran long.
Mindfulness, woven through the day. Mindfulness practice begins at six weeks. For families whose work involves long-horizon thinking and difficult tradeoffs, the early scaffolding to notice, breathe, name, and pause matters at home, too.
A school that fits inside a stakeholder day,
not around it.
A typical morning
What drop-off looks like for a Resources Building parent.
You park near the Resources Building or in a nearby state lot at 6:50. You walk south on 12th, west on N. Drop-off opens at 7:00 sharp. The handoff is unhurried by design, RIE-paced, no rushed goodbye, and you walk two blocks north to 1215 O. By 7:15 you're at your desk, draft EIR open, with the day fully ahead of you.
If a 4:30 site briefing runs to 5:45, pick-up is still inside our 6:00 window. We've held an infant past the cutoff more times than we can count, without anyone losing their cool.
Field Notes
Questions from Resources Building parents, answered.
Which CNRA departments qualify for the VIP Rate at the Resources Building?
Anyone whose primary work address is 1215 O Street qualifies. Historically that has included staff from California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Delta Stewardship Council, the State Water Resources Control Board, and several smaller boards and commissions housed at the Resources Building. We don't require a particular department, only that 1215 O Street is your primary work location.
How far is Growing Mindfully from 1215 O Street?
About a three-minute walk. We are on the top floor of 750 N Street, two blocks south and slightly west of the Resources Building. Most parents do drop-off on their way north to the building.
What proof do I need to qualify for the VIP Rate?
At enrollment, we verify with either your state-issued ID or a recent pay stub showing 1215 O Street as your work address. That's the entire process. No application fee, no separate VIP application.
What if I work for CDFW or DWR but at a different location?
You still qualify for our State Employee Rate, which is also discounted from our standard tuition. The VIP Rate is specifically for employees whose primary work location is one of the four neighbor buildings, including 1215 O Street. If your role rotates between locations, contact enrollment and we'll work it out fairly.
Are infant spots actually available?
We are now enrolling infants for fall 2026 (ages 6 weeks through 7 months). Apply to the waitlist as early as possible, pregnant Resources Building families regularly apply during the second trimester. VIP-eligible families receive priority consideration alongside our sibling-priority list.
Do you accept dependent care FSA contributions?
Yes. We are a licensed California childcare facility (CDSS, Title 22), which qualifies us for both DCFSA contributions and the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. We provide receipts and EIN documentation at year-end.
What does drop-off look like?
Drop-off opens at 7:00 AM. Walk in with your child, hand off to a teacher at the door (RIE-paced welcome, no rushed goodbyes), then walk two blocks north to 1215 O. Most Resources Building parents are at their desk by 7:15. Pick-up runs through 6:00 PM.
Can I do field-day or off-site work and still pick up on time?
Many of our CDFW and DWR families have field commitments. Pick-up runs through 6:00 PM and we communicate via Brightwheel throughout the day so you always know what to expect. For genuine emergencies, our team has held an infant past the standard window more times than we can count.
What's included in the VIP Rate?
Full-time tuition (Mon–Fri, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM), two organic snacks daily, weekly yoga and music, monthly gymnastics, all classroom materials, the Brightwheel parent-communication app, and our integrated mindfulness curriculum. Lunch comes from home. We are a nut-free facility.
Is there a part-time VIP Rate?
Yes. We offer 3-day (Mon/Wed/Fri) and 2-day (Tues/Thurs) schedules at proportional VIP pricing for Resources Building families on hybrid arrangements.
How do I start?
Apply to our waitlist at any time. In the application, mention you work at the Resources Building / 1215 O Street and we'll route your file as a VIP applicant. We'll reach out within a few days.
Is there a Resources Building childcare benefit or daycare discount in Sacramento?
Yes. Growing Mindfully is the mindfulness-based preschool and daycare with a structural VIP Rate exclusive to Resources Building employees at 1215 O Street. The discount applies to infant care (from 6 weeks), toddler care, and preschool, on every schedule we offer (full-time, MWF, TuTh). Verification at enrollment is by state ID or pay stub, no application fee. The arrangement is written into our agreement with the State of California for the four neighbor buildings.
How much does childcare or daycare cost for Resources Building employees?
At Growing Mindfully, the VIP Rate for Resources Building employees is $425 per week for infant or toddler care (Mon to Fri full-time), $364 for young preschool (24, 36 months), and $332 for preschool (36, 72 months). Part-time MWF and TuTh schedules are proportionally less. See the rates ledger above for the complete grid. Resources Building staff who work elsewhere (not at 1215 O Street) qualify for our State Employee Rate, also discounted from standard.
Where can I find infant care or toddler care for Resources Building employees in Downtown Sacramento?
Growing Mindfully runs a true infant and toddler program from 6 weeks of age, on the top floor of 750 N Street, a three-minute walk from 1215 O Street. We are RIE-informed for infants and toddlers, with a 1:3 staffing target in the infant room and 1:4 in toddler rooms. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We are an eligible dependent care provider (CDSS Title 22 license).
Can I use my dependent care FSA (DCFSA) for preschool tuition as a Resources Building employee?
Yes. Growing Mindfully is a licensed California childcare facility (CDSS, Title 22), which qualifies us as an eligible dependent care provider. Resources Building employees can apply DCFSA pretax contributions toward tuition and also claim the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. We provide W-10 receipts and EIN documentation at year-end for tax filing.
What's the closest preschool or daycare to 1215 O Street?
Growing Mindfully, on the top floor of 750 N Street, is the closest mindfulness-based preschool to 1215 O Street, a three-minute walk. We serve children ages 6 weeks through 6 years (infant care, toddler care, young preschool, preschool) and are the only Sacramento-area preschool with a structural VIP discount written into our agreement with the State for Resources Building families.