• Poppins Family Services


    Gives families peace of mind by providing trusted, fingerprinted, background-checked caregivers and enriching experiences that help school-age children learn, grow, and thrive—all on a schedule that fits your family's needs.

  • Nurturing Relationships

    “Unstructured time allows Michele to have nurturing moments that foster feelings of safety, warmth, empathy, and joy with each child. Conversations about their interests and feelings are met with enthusiasm and ideas to further their curiosity. Mutual respect is built over time. --Michele Martin

  • Child Centered Approaches

    “Thank you for giving Sammi a space where she thrived and looked forward to every day! Knowing she was with her aunt to boot, gave me peace of mind as I transitioned into more of a traditional work time frame. Thank you for your gifts and for loving my little one the way you do.”
    --Jamie Allison, Parent and Sister

  • Individual and Small Group Attention

    “The quality of the experience is particularly strong in creative arts, community building, conflict resolution, and social in general. Since Hannah enjoys the play aspect so much and I study with her at home, I have relied less on the academics you offer and that’s fine from my perspective. The program is intelligent and has depth. There is a good balance of free play, art, academics, etc. The size and composition of the group as in different age levels, boys and girls, and different temperaments works.”
    --Dr. Sabine Frustuck, Professor at UCSB and Parent

  • Unstructured Playtime

    "Michele is one of those exceptional teachers who blends a genuine heart and resourceful mind to effectively teach and learn with children and parents. Her expertise with inquiry-based, instruction allows her to meet the unique needs of each student. She always involves parents in making the best decisions for their child.”
    -Dr. Anita Cruse, SBCC English Professor

  • Mentoring for Parents and Children

    “Michele is wonderful, thoughtful, mature, serious, warm, perceptive, and responsible. She has an excellent sense of humor.”
    --Dr. Sabine Frustuck, Parent and UCSB Professor

  • Tutoring

    “I can see you really enjoy the children and that’s so important to me as a parent. I loved all of the creative activities and so did Emma.”
    --Rhonda Coombs, Parent ”

Poppins Family Services gives families peace of mind by providing trusted, fingerprinted, background-checked caregivers and enriching experiences that help school-age children learn, grow, and thrive—all on a schedule that fits your family's needs. Feel free to get in touch.

About Us

Explore what makes Poppins Family Services a place where children flourish.

 

Child-Centered

Every lesson and project begins with the child — their interests, abilities, and unique way of learning. When children feel seen, curiosity follows naturally.

Cozy, Safe, and Dependable

Consistency creates comfort, and comfort creates the conditions for learning. Children thrive when they feel secure, warm, and genuinely welcomed.

Nurturing by Nature

At the heart of Poppins is a deep passion for children and families. Guided by observation, experience, and intuition, our approach meets children where they are — and grows with them.

Credentialed & Experienced

Poppins is led by Michele, a credentialed elementary school teacher with a rich background that includes directing two preschools and teaching reading, language arts, art, and P.E. She brings experience, perceptive intuition, humor, and creativity to every interaction — with great care for each child's dignity and individual needs.

Comprehensive Care

We attend to the whole child — nurturing cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and creative development together, not in isolation.

Abundantly Resourced

From fine art supplies and sewing machines to building materials, books, games, and gardening tools, children have access to a rich, hands-on world that sparks imagination and exploration.

MISSION STATEMENT

At Poppins Family Services, we help children and families grow through meaningful experiences that build confidence, curiosity, responsibility, and strong character. Through discovery-based learning, social-emotional development, and community engagement, children uncover their strengths, develop new skills, and gain the confidence to become independent, compassionate, lifelong learners.

- Michele Martin, Founder and Director

HIDDEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

Through challenges, we discover the magic that new perspectives offer.

Every child moves through difficult seasons — and every difficulty holds the seed of something stronger. At Poppins Family Services, we specialize in translating a child's needs into understandable, practical steps that families can actually use.

We are experienced in supporting children and parents through:

 

Learning challenges & advanced
curriculum needs

 Low motivation or not wanting to go to school
 		 Homework battles & inconsistent behavior between home and school
 
Developmental delays & social-emotional struggles
 		 Depleted self-esteem, anxiety, or depression
 		 Separation anxiety
 
Supporting healthy habits and overall wellbeingy

No family should have to navigate these moments alone. Michele works closely with parents to offer fresh perspectives, identify the right resources, and connect families with other professionals when needed. She is also available to attend Student Study Team meetings and IEPs — bringing her expertise and advocacy directly to the table.

The goal is never to fix a child. It's to help them — and their family — find a path forward that feels respectful and possible.

Our Services for Children

After-School Support

After a full school day, children need space to just be.

At Poppins, the after-school hours are designed around decompression — time to play, rest, connect with friends, and follow their own curiosity. Children instinctively know what they need, and we trust that. Whether it's quiet time alone or lively time with peers, there is room for both.

A healthy organic snack is offered each day, and children are always welcome to bring their own food from home. Past favorites have include fruit smoothies, veggies and dip, bagels, yogurt, and quesadillas.

Learn more

TUTORING or IN PERSON OR VIA ZOOM

Great tutoring is about more than covering material—it's about discovering how each child learns best. Michele provides personalized one-on-one or small-group instruction, tailoring each session to a child's unique learning style, strengths, and interests.

Whether a student needs extra support, homeschooling enrichment, academic challenge, or the opportunity to explore a favorite subject more deeply, Poppins offers patient, encouraging instruction that builds confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Learn more

Art Classes

Art and science begin with observation. Both encourage children to slow down, notice details, ask questions, recognize patterns, and explore with curiosity. Through drawing and creating, children strengthen observation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—skills that help them better understand both the world around them and themselves.

Learn more

Kindergarten Readiness

A strong, confident start to school makes all the difference.  

Working one-on-one or in small groups, children build the skills they need to enter kindergarten feeling ready, confident, and excited. Sessions are primarily sensory-based, strengthening early academic foundations—including reading skills developed through a literacy program while also fostering the social skills essential for classroom success.  

Children practice taking turns, cooperating with peers, following directions, and expressing their feelings with confidence and balance, helping them thrive both academically and socially from day one.  
Learn more

ART IMPACT SUMMER CAMPS

Summer is the perfect time to explore, create, and discover what you're capable of.

Art Impact Summer Camps invite children and teens ages 5–17 to dive into the world of fine arts in a fun, comfortable, and genuinely inspiring environment. Camp is intentionally kept small — 10 to 12 campers — so every child receives individual attention and the freedom to develop at their own pace.

Learn more

TEEN CIRCLES

The teenage years come with a lot of feelings—and not always the words to explain them.

Teen Circles provides a safe, supportive space where teens can explore what's happening in their lives, individually or in small groups. Through thoughtful, teen-led conversations guided by Michele, participants are encouraged to reflect, connect with peers, and express themselves openly in a judgment-free environment.


Learn more

OUR AFTER-SCHOOL SCHEDULE

We follow the Hope District Calendar: https://www.hopeschooldistrict.org/en-US/district-calendar-3b096400

  • 1:30pm

    Kindergarteners are picked up promptly once their teachers and Michele have connected.

  • 1:45pm

    Kindergarteners settle in with a snack and self-directed free play.

  • 2:30pm

    1st–3rd graders are picked up from school.

  • 2:45pm

    Arrival at the house — snacks and downtime for all.

  • 3:00pm

    4th–6th graders walk to Michele's home independently, then snack and unwind. Enrichment for grades K-3.

  • 3:30pm

    Homework time and help. The enrichment activity is optional for upper grade students who may have homework to get through.

  • 4:30pm

    Clean up.

  • 5:00pm

    Students wrap up and prepare for pickup.

  • 5:15pm

    Parents pick-up.

  • 5:30pm

    Closed.

Check Our Prices

Parent Services

     Parent Mentoring

Mentoring is useful for maximizing parenting skills and communication with children. The aim is to increase parent awareness and determine options. We’ll question what’s been tried, observe the present situation, and use a combination of intuition and research, to discover “what works.” I am an optimist and part terrier! My experiences as a mother, student, and teacher, have taught me to build on what a person “can” do. Persistence in spite of difficulty and opposition, is how I locate pieces to the puzzle that fit. Having undergone my own difficulties as a young child, with learning to read phonetically, I have an intimate understanding and a deep compassion for children coping with learning and school frustrations and the parents who love them and need ease.

     Parent Circles

A small group of parents meet to discuss topics they would like help with in relation to parenting. The aim of the meetings is to listen to each others parenting narratives, and discover the truth of what will bring the most support and happiness to the situation. The guided attention, intuition, exploration, and collective experiences are productive and useful. My primary goal is to have parents to meet and collaborate with one another. We’ll cultivate parent awareness, identify parenting options, and design specific tools for you and your child. Child development stages, current research, psychology, and our collective experiences will inform our methodologies.

Photos 2013 to Present

Mixed age groups offer many benefits to children. The primary advantage is that the group functions cooperatively as a “family.” Having older and younger children together creates more developmental niches for satisfying friendships and supported growth, especially emotionally. Mixed age groups provide natural opportunities for leadership and mentoring, both of which boost self-esteem. You will see their connections in these photos. Enjoy!

Meet Michele

See the face behind the success of Poppins Family Services.

 

Michele Martin, Founder/Director

Michele designs environments for children to explore their interests and think for themselves. She encourages children to take intelligent risks, learn about their emotions, and fine tune their social skills by interacting with children of multiple ages. 

Michele has worked professionally with children since 1985. She has directed two preschools and taught elementary school since 1988. The intention of her work is to bring joy and insight to children about how they learn with the most ease. Michele received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Northridge, earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a coaching certification from University of California, at Santa Barbara. She is a California state advisory member for First Five, representing Santa Barbara County. Michele is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

As the director of Poppins Family Services, Michele integrates her experiences as the eldest of 8 siblings, the mother of two grown sons, life-long learner, and teacher of grades K-6th for over 30 years. She has taught specialized areas such as: English as a second language (ESL), reading interventionist, art, physical education, and Gifted and Talented programs.

Michele’s interest in children and learning spans newborns to adolescence. She is a certified lactation educator who volunteers at Cottage Hospital and helps family and friends who have questions or need assistance. She has directed two preschools and developed a children’s camp at El Capitan Canyon.

In 2010, Michele founded Poppins Mentoring, a service for parents and children needing assistance with academic and behavioral challenges. In 2013, the mentoring program morphed into Poppins Family Services, offering parents after-school care for their children, ages 5-12 years. The program supports children with homework help, reading instruction, enrichment activities, tutoring, child and parent mentoring, teen circles, and art classes.

Michele integrates children’s strengths into what they are working on. This style of guidance improves children’s feelings of connectedness, communication, self-esteem, academic attitudes, and discovery skills.

Michele honors each child and helps them integrate into a multi-age community. She models respect and acceptance, to foster trust and encourages children to do the same. There is a routine to snack and clean up time. The remainder of our time together is free form, based on child-directed interests that foster natural growth.

HIGHLIGHTS

"Being with children means constantly receiving new perspectives. Their perspectives are fresh and endearing. They make me happy! and teach me a lot about how to approach their care. Sometimes feeling "seen and heard" is all it takes for a child to trust and move forward in numerous areas of development."

  • Director of St. Mark Preschool - During Covid
     
  • Reading Interventionist, Vieja Valley Elementary School
     
  • Founder and Director of Poppins Family Services
     
  • Founder and Director of Poppins Mentoring 
     
  • Art Impact Summer Camp
     
  • Classroom teacher in Hope, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria Districts
     
  • Directed Beit Ha Yeladim Preschool, for Temple B’nai Brith 
     
  • Founder and Director of El Capitan Canyon’s Children’s Camp
     
  • Certified Lactation Educator, Volunteer at Cottage Hospital 
     
  • Founder and Director Santa Barbara Junior Triathlon

A few of our extremely happy parents

"The quality of the experience is particularly strong in creative arts, community building, conflict resolution, and social in general. Since Hannah enjoys the play aspect so much and I study with her at home, I have relied less on the academics you offer and that’s fine from my perspective. The program is intelligent and has depth. There is a good balance of free play, art, academics, etc. The size and composition of the group as in different age levels, boys and girls, and different temperaments works."

-Dr. Sabine Frustuck, UCSB Profesor and Parent		  “Thank you for giving Sammi a space where she thrived and looked forward to every day! Knowing she was with her aunt to boot, gave me peace of mind as I transitioned into more of a traditional work time frame. Thank you for your gifts and for loving my little one the way you do.”

-Jamie Allison, Parent and Sister
"Poppins Day Care is the best in the area. Michele creates a safe and loving environment, balancing fun, curiosity, teamwork and kindness...and it shows on our kids, smiling faces everyday when we pick them up!"

-Nicki and Bryan Costa

“Michele is one of those exceptional teachers who blends a genuine heart and resourceful mind to effectively teach and learn with children and parents. Her expertise with inquiry-based, instruction allows her to meet the unique needs of each student. She always involves parents in making the best decisions for their child.”

-Dr. Anita Cruse, SBCC English Professor

“Michele is wonderful, thoughtful, mature, serious, warm, perceptive, and responsible. She has an excellent sense of humor.”

-Dr. Sabine Frustuck, Parent and UCSB Professor

 “I can see you really enjoy the children and that’s so important to me as a parent. I loved all of the creative activities and so did Emma.”

-Rhonda Coombs, Parent
“My son went to the Poppins after school program with Michele for several years and we could not have been more pleased with his experience there. He got help with school work, had fun gardening, doing crafts and developed several close friendships. Michele and her helpers clearly have a passion for working with children, I highly recommend this program to any parent."

-Mandy McCoy Phillips

“Our kindergartener attended Michele's aftercare program, and from the moment he started, it was clear he felt he belonged. Michele's space is welcoming, engaging, and full of all kinds of wonderful activities for the children to explore and experience. Our son made connections with children of a variety of ages through a variety of interests. Michele's ability to connect with children is unique and palpable, and we feel so lucky to have found this gem of a program. We couldn't recommend Poppins more highly!"

-Chelsea Siciliano
“My children and I have all benefited from Poppins’ after school program. They looked forward to unwinding while gardening, cooking, doing art projects, playing sports and board games, and walking Michele’s dogs. I have also valued Michele’s insights into my children’s development.”

-Clare Kimblin

AFTER-SCHOOL HOMEWORK RELIEF & ENRICHMENT — FEES

All after-school programs run Monday through Thursday, following the Hope School District Calendar.

Kindergarten (1:30pm – 5:30pm)

 

4 Days

1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

$1,195per month

OR

3 Days

1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

$898 per month

OR

2 Days

1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

$600 per month


1st – 3rd Grade (2:30pm – 5:30pm)

 

4 Days

2:30 pm - 5:30 pm

$965 per month

OR

3 Days

2:30 pm - 5:30 pm

$730 per month

OR

2 Days

2:30 pm - 5:30 pm

$500 per month


4th – 6th Grade (3:00pm – 5:30pm)

 

4 Days

3:00 pm - 5:30 pm

$855 per month

OR

3 Days

3:00 pm - 5:30 pm

$655 per month

OR

2 Days

3:00 pm - 5:30 pm

$465 per month




 

Now excepting Venmo: Michele Martin @micheleemartin21

PRICING — TUTORING, MENTORING & ART CLASSES

We offer flexible plans to suit every family's needs. Monthly retainers and sliding scale options are available across all services — please reach out to discuss what works for you.

Mentoring

$125/hour

Meaningful relationships have powerful positive effects on children. Mentoring at Poppins offers consistent, caring support that helps children grow in every area of their lives.
powerful positive effects on children

 

Active listening, availability, and thoughtful analysis

 

Insight into challenges and how to navigate them

 

Improved academic, social, emotional, and physical skills

 

Greater confidence and self-esteem

 

Monthly retainer and sliding scale available

 

Tutoring

$50/hour

Individuals

 

Small groups

 

Home school groups

 

Zoom availability

 

Monthly retainer and sliding scale available


  Tutoring Hours
  

Art classes

$120 per month for 4 classes

Complements and enriches academic learning

 

Builds concentration and critical
thinking skill

 

Develops visual-spatial perception and inventiveness

 

Enrollment is prorated for new
students who begin mid-month.

 



 

Now excepting Venmo: Michele Martin @micheleemartin21

SCHOLARSHIP FUND & FAMILY DISCOUNTS 

At Poppins, we believe every child deserves access to quality care and enrichment. We are committed to making that possible for as many families as we can.

•    Sibling discount: When two children from the same family are enrolled, the eldest child receives a 20% tuition discount.

•    Partial scholarships: Available for families who need financial assistance, space permitting.

We encourage you to reach out — there is no pressure to enroll, and no push for a child to start before your family is ready. Michele is happy to answer any questions and help you explore whether Poppins is the right fit for your family.

To speak with Michele directly, please call (805) 448-6289. To send a message, fill in your name and inquiry below.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE COVERAGE

During parent-teacher conference weeks in October and March, additional program hours for homework relief and enrichment classes are included as part of annual tuition — included with tuition.

If you have joined for the month, program hours are available so your child's routine stays consistent even when the school day looks different. The additional hours for conferences will be added to the monthly tuition.

Please contact Michele in advance to arrange coverage during these periods.

ENROLLMENT

Getting started at Poppins is a warm, unhurried process. Here's how it works:

Important Link to download Enrollment Files: CLICK HERE  to download enrollment forms.

Forms to complete and return:

  1. Licensing Forms 
     
  2. Intake Form
     
  3. Signature Page 
     

Forms to keep at home for your reference:

  1. Poppins Parent Guidelines
     
  2. Poppins Covid-19 Practices
     
  3. Health and Illness Guidelines

GET IN TOUCH


We'd love to hear from you. Whether you have questions or are ready to get started, Michele is just a call or message away — no pressure, just a conversation.

Our Location

3803 Connie Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Contact Us

michele@poppinsfamilyservices.com

Call us

(805) 448-6289

Drop us a line

Drop us a line and we will contact you as soon as possible.