values
ABOUT
Educational Philosophy
Reggio Emilia Approach
We draw much of our inspiration from the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Our school recognizes that the children that come through our doors will all likely one day join the K-12 schools local to us and as such we aim to use the tenants of the Reggio philosophy to best prepare the children of our community for what they will encounter in Kindergarten and beyond.
Our Core Values
Holding an image of the child as a competent and active participant in constructing their own learning and developmental growth.
Viewing the teacher as a guide who supports the child through inquiry, understanding, and growth.
Safety and Security
Paramount to our philosophy is the belief that relationship building between children and teachers as well as among peers helps children to feel safe and secure in their world allowing them the freedom to authentically express themselves.
School Overview
Through a project-based, child-led approach to curriculum planning, we are able to:
Support children in their individual growth
Enhance children’s innate love of learning
View children as full participants in their growth and development (per the Reggio approach)
Support children in all areas of development
Meet the Teachers
MS. MELISSA, Owner
Melissa began her work in Early Childhood Education 20 years ago after many years of social justice and organizing work. She sees ECE as a direct way to impact the world, by supporting one child at a time. She previously ran The Garden Community Preschool from her home (for 7 years) before finding the perfect center to hold her special school!
EDUCATION:
With a B.A. in Community Studies and a California Site Supervisor Permit, Melissa has planned to go back to school for her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
INTERESTS:
Married with three children of her own, Melissa loves traveling with her family, running with her dog, and attending live shows.
MS. HALEY, Director
Ms. Haley has worked as a mentor for growing teachers, planned curricula for large groups of children, and helped run a before and after school program for nearly half her life. She has been in the childcare field for over 20 years. She is a baseball mom of two boys (alumni of this school).
EDUCATION:
With 35+ units of Child Development and Psychology, Ms. Haley has an A.A. in Liberal Arts and an A.S. in Early Childhood Education.
INTERESTS:
She runs on coffee. Her favorite color is purple, and she has a genuine joy to teach and nurture children.
MS. MARCI, Assistant Director
Ms. Marci describes her teaching experience as “fascinating,” with there never being a dull moment in the classroom. She loves what she does because she knows that families can trust their children with her and her staff. She feels the most rewarded in this field when she can see the growth in the children from their first day to their last, and beyond. She finds joy in celebrating all of the children’s milestones, no matter how small, and considers each of them to be her babies.
.EDUCATION:
Ms. Marci currently holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and will soon pursue her Bachelor’s degree (also in ECE.)
INTERESTS:
She enjoys hiking and trips to the beach. She truly loves to have a good time, whether that’s a concert or testing out her baking skills.
MS. MARY, Lead Teacher - SUNFLOWERS
With over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Ms. Mary feels that the most exciting thing about being an early childhood educator is creating a good social-emotional foundation to ensure good, healthy self-esteem that will translate into elementary school. It gives her great joy to see the children’s eyes light up as they learn new concepts and master developmentally appropriate activities.
EDUCATION:
Details and information coming soon.
INTERESTS:
She is a wife and a mother of four and a dog mom of two. In her spare time she enjoys spending as much time as she can with her children and tackling some type of DIY projects.
MS. AUDREY, Teacher - SUNFLOWERS
Ms. Audrey has over a decade of experience working in a childcare center with children ages zero to five, and many more years as a nanny and swim instructor.
EDUCATION:
She has an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
INTERESTS:
Ms. Audrey enjoys birdwatching, snorkeling, and riding dirt bikes.
MS. LILLIAN, Teacher’s Aide - SUNFLOWERS
Ms. Lillian has a just over a year of experience in professional childcare and loves to see the growth in each child.
EDUCATION:
She is currently in school pursuing her credentials in Early Childhood Education.
FUN FACT:
Ms. Lillian is originally from the southern United States.
MS. VIVIANE, Lead Teacher - CHERRY BLOSSOMS
Ms. Viviane has three years of teaching experience and enjoys being able to learn from the children just as much as they learn from her.
EDUCATION:
Details and information coming soon.
FUN FACT:
Ms. Viviane is an introvert!
MS. RUDI, Teacher - CHERRY BLOSSOMS
Ms. Rudi has been teaching preschool for eight years, seven of them here at The Garden Community Preschool. When she was in her home country of Iran, she worked in a kindergarten for five years.
EDUCATION:
She holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master Teacher Certificate.
INTERESTS:
Ms. Rudi enjoys reading books and enjoying the outdoors.
MS. ASHLEY, Teacher’s Aide - CHERRY BLOSSOMS
Ms. Ashley has been with The Garden Community Preschool for over a year and has served as a supportive and nurturing addition to the program.
EDUCATION:
Details and information coming soon.
INTERESTS:
Details and information coming soon.
MS. SAMMIE, Teacher’s Aide
Ms. Sammie has over ten years of experience working in childcare and enjoys building meaningful relationships with her students and colleagues.
EDUCATION:
In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Ms. Sammie is also pursuing her Associate Teacher certificate in Early Childhood Education, and she is currently working toward becoming a fully credentialed Waldorf teacher.
INTERESTS:
She loves hiking, swimming, and traveling, and most of all she loves doing it with her family.
Interested in joining our team?
COVID Safety & Protocols
School Safety and Cleanliness Measures
Parents or caregivers are NOT to enter the building and are required to wear masks at drop-off
Each child is temperature-screened before entering the building
Teachers must perform a daily health assessment prior to work
Children continue to be assessed through the day and may be quarantined + sent home if symptomatic
Student hand-washing throughout the day as they change activities, move from one area to another, and before and after each meal
HEPA air filters with UV lights are utilized throughout the school, with a focus on fresh air and outdoor time
Proper maintenance of HVAC system
Children and staff wear masks while indoors
We maintain two smaller, stable groups of teachers and children, pairing siblings and friends together to reduce exposure
Each area is sanitized before it is used by another group
Stay up to date on Contra Costa County’s COVID recommendations and statistics.
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