Blue Crèche Fest Brings the Central Coastal Together to Support Young Families

The Little Blue Crèche, an up-and-coming nursery school and co-work space in downtown Ventura, is proud to announce the inaugural Blue Crèche Fest. 

The event will take place on Sunday, October 19, from 12 pm-4 pm and will showcase a vibrant gathering of local doulas, birth workers, afterschool and extracurricular programs, parent support groups, yoga and wellness practitioners, and other family-centered resources. Families are invited to explore offerings that nurture motherhood, parenting, and early childhood—all within a warm, coastal setting. 

“Blue Crèche Fest is about more than just a fair—it’s about creating a true village of support for young families right here in Ventura,” said Melissa Bates Wilder, CEO and founder of The Little Blue Crèche. 

Melissa’s inspiration for The Little Blue Crèche came from her own experience as a new mother balancing career and family. “When I went back to work, I knew I couldn’t keep teaching and directing in Santa Barbara, so I took a remote curriculum-writing job in my basement. After a month or two, I was lonely and depressed. I tried going back to the office, but there was nowhere to pump. I remember thinking, ‘How do I choose between feeding my child and keeping a career to pay the mortgage?’ One morning, the idea came to me… cowork + nursery school, and suddenly Little Blue Crèche was born.” 

The name “crèche” reflects a European tradition where the village supports families as they transition into parenthood. A crèche is not only a school for babies and toddlers but also a resource for parents—a place to meet others, share wisdom, and build lasting community. “It’s the village that everyone needs when parenting,” Melissa explains. 

Blue Crèche Fest is proud to welcome an inspiring group of local businesses and wellness providers who share our commitment to nurturing families from pregnancy through early childhood. The vendor village will feature holistic care and therapeutic services such as Dynamic Flow Physical Therapy, Balanced Physioga, Pelviwell Physical Therapy, Nurture Therapy, and Amy Hess Acupuncture Wellness, alongside innovative approaches from Bioactive Wellness, Stoked Regenerative Wellness and Mobile IV, and Ocean Perinatal. Families can connect with doulas and birth workers, including Happy Hannah Doula, Done in Love Doula Services, and Lotus Doula Tribe, while exploring support networks like Ventura Mamas, Ventura Trail Mamas, and Coastal Mamas Collective. Meena Izadpanah, an Arbonne Independent Consultant, will bring clean living products, while The Beauty Garden, Ingrained, Pure Living Children’s Store, and Milk & Moon showcase natural, family-focused goods. Pilates Lab, Sage Society, and other community leaders will round out the day with movement, mindfulness, and resources designed to uplift parents and little ones alike.

In addition to vendor booths and resource tables, the festival will include family-friendly activities, opportunities to connect with other parents, tours of the space, and a welcoming introduction to the philosophy behind The Little Blue Crèche. 

Event Details: 

• What: Blue Crèche Fest: Nurturing Bump, Bebe and Beyond 
• When: Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 12-4 pm 
• Where: 557 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura Beach, CA 
• Parking: Free public lots in downtown and near Plaza Park 
• Cost: Free and open to the public 

For more information, visit www.bluecreche.com 

About The Little Blue Crèche 
The Little Blue Crèche is a unique nursery school and coworking space located in downtown Ventura. Its mission is two-fold. The nursery school is inspired by the Reggio Emilia model, which connects children to nature and to community, and aims to rewild childhood to save the planet. The cowork space is designed to nurture the modern family. Inspired by the European crèche model, Blue Creche serves as both a school and a village—a place where families can grow together.