ABOUT THE LOCAL PRESCHOOL
OUR PROGRAM
The Local Preschool in Mar Vista serves families with children ages 2.5 - 5 years of age. As a mixed age program, each child and family contributes to the context and identity of the school. We are located in the heart of Mar Vista in a single family home in a residential area. The school was established in February 2018 and has been dedicated to offering child care to families in and around the Mar Vista area. We welcome all families to our community and offer a financial assistance program.
Our program values the key principles of the Reggio Emilia approach which honors the whole child as a unique individual within the larger community. We believe in a strong image of the child and value the importance of child, teacher and parent collaboration. The environment acts a third teacher where children can explore, investigate and co-construct ideas with their peers using a wide variety of materials to express themselves.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
Our emergent curriculum is based on our constant observation, reflection and documentation of every child’s experience. Through revisiting their ideas, collaborating with their peers and through hands on learning experiences, children take an active role in their own learning and the development of the curriculum. We value the importance of social/emotional growth, developing problem solving strategies and supporting a strong sense of self identity.
OUR PROGRAM GOALS…..
To provide a nurturing and safe environment for all children.
Give children the opportunity to share their ideas and their creativity through the many languages of expression (music and movement, dramatic play, art materials, etc.)
For children to be active participants in the learning processes.
For every child to be seen as an individual in this larger community.
For children to build meaningful relationships with the environment, their peers and the materials
To develop confidence and a sense of self
To support children in developing problem solving and conflict resolution skills
For children to learn how to be part of large and small group experiences by listening to their peers Idas and sharing their own.
Build and strengthen fine and gross motor skills
To provide a space where children, parents and teachers are in constant collaboration/dialogue to support the child and their relationships at school.
April Estrada-Morgan Director, Educator
April has over 20 years of experience working with children ages 3mo-6 years of age. In 2000, she began teaching at The Growing Place - Marine Park, where they incorporated aspects of the RIE approach as well as the Reggio Emilia approach with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. During that time she traveled to Reggio Emilia, Italy for a study tour and St. Louis, Missouri for a conference to continue her learning about this approach with young children.
In 2004, April began working at First Presbyterian Nursery School under director Mary Hartzell, a developmental specialist, parent educator, and mentor to April. During her 14 years at First Pres she helped develop classroom curriculum and create presentations with her co-teachers showcasing her classroom projects for educator tours, school conferences, and class meetings. She has attended educator conferences throughout the country to deepen her study with other schools that are inspired by this approach. April has also participated in school collaboratives with several local schools in the Santa Monica and Los Angeles area.
April grew up in the Venice, California and now resides in Mar Vista. She is a wife and has three children; two girls ages 17 and 9, and one boy age 14. She is dedicated to her family and to the education of young children.
Rachael Gross Music Specialist
Music has always been a big part of Rachael’s life. She grew up loving to sing and sang in choirs from 5th grade at Franklin Elementary through 12th grade at Santa Monica High School. Rachael kept singing in college when she joined an a cappella group, arranged music with her fellow singers, and had the unforgettable experience of singing for Nelson Mandela.
After college, Rachael moved to New York City where she began writing original songs. She taught herself guitar and ukulele so she could play shows and open mics around the city. At the same time, Rachael got her first job as a music teacher at the Early Childhood Learning Center. There she discovered her love of working with young children and sharing her passion for music.
When she moved back home to Santa Monica, Rachael was delighted to join First Presbyterian Nursery School as the music specialist. At First Pres, Rachael learned more about the Reggio approach. She expanded her role to work more collaboratively with children and teachers, exploring instruments, investigating sound, inventing music games, and sometimes even writing songs with children. Rachael was thrilled to join the Local Preschool in 2018 and to explore music with children in a new environment.