Meet Ms. Nancy
Ms. Nancy Harvey — affectionately known as “Ms. Nancy” to some and “Mama Nancy” to others of her West Oakland community — was born in Oakland, California and attended Oakland Public Schools, including Willow Manor Elementary School, Joaquin Miller Elementary School, Montera Junior High School, and Skyline High School.
After graduating from Skyline High School, Ms. Nancy matriculated on to University of the Pacific and Holy Names College where she graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration & Economics Degree. After working in Corporate American for many years, Ms. Nancy decided to pursue a teaching credential and taught in private elementary schools including the Diocese of Oakland where she taught Kindergarten through second grade.
It was at this juncture in Ms. Nancy’s life that she realized her strong calling to teach our youngest learners. She witnessed first- hand how crucial having a head start in learning and developing in the early years is for our littlest learners. While teaching elementary school, Ms. Nancy often encountered children who had not had an opportunity to be a part of a quality early education childcare program. She decided to make a difference in her own neighborhood for young learners in West Oakland and therefore in 2004 she opened Lil Nancy’s Primary Schoolhouse. Ms. Nancy also holds a Teacher’s Permit in Early Education.
Promotional Poster for the SEIU, featuring Ms. Nancy
Advocacy & Activism
Ms. Nancy’s advocacy work began approximately 14 years ago with the Child Care Law Center and Parent Voices.
Shortly after working with these two amazing organizations, Ms. Nancy was approached by an organizer from S.E.I.U. (Service Employee International Union). This organizer encouraged her to join and become a member of SEIU.
After realizing the union’s intent to form a union specifically for childcare providers, it didn’t take much to convince Ms. Nancy to come aboard. Ms. Nancy was a single mom working in a field that she truly loved, but she recognized that it was very difficult to make ends meet. She joined SEIU that day and has been fighting for the rights of families and childcare providers ever since. That first knock on her door by an SEIU organizer truly changed the trajectory of her future as a childcare provider.
Ms. Nancy and fellow SIEU members with California State Assemblyman Rob Bonta (now California Attorney General)
Ms. Nancy with fellow SEIU members and late Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan
Ms. Nancy testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Labor
Since becoming a member of SEIU, Ms. Nancy has stepped into a leadership role, speaking out about the needs of childcare providers. She has had the opportunity to inform countless political leaders on a national, state, and local level about the work that so many providers engage themselves in. She has also advocated for successful legislative efforts on behalf of childcare providers, such as Alameda County’s 2020 Measure C.
One of Ms. Nancy’s students, watching her testify
Ms. Nancy advocating for early education before the Oakland City Council
Some of the Leaders Ms. Nancy has spoken with include:
United States Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi
U.S. Representative Maxine Waters of California’s 43rd District
U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell of California’s 15th District
U.S. Representative Barbara Lee of California’s 13th District
Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
California Governor Gavin Newsom & First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom
Governor Newsom & Kim Kruckle, Executive Director of the Child Care Law Center
Former California Governor Jerry Brown visiting Li’l Nancy’s Primary Schoolhouse
Former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke of Texas
In addition to her advocacy work with SEIU, Ms. Nancy serves on the boards of BANANAS in Oakland and the Alameda County Early Care & Education Planning Council. She has also worked with The Childcare Law Center.
She has been featured by other organizations working in early childhood education, such as the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network.
Ms. Nancy also regularly speaks with members of the press about issues regarding access to childcare, equity for early childhood educators, and greater governmental support for all aspects of childcare.
You can find some of the articles for which she has been interviewed here: