About Us
Nuestra Casita Nursery is an in-home childcare and preschool program serving infant to 5-years-old. It offers a beautiful, safe and nourishing, homelike environment for children to experience the world at their own pace. Materials and natural elements are displayed beautifully and thoughtfully throughout the environment. Children’s work is given value and importance through documentation and display. The atmosphere conveys the clear sense that children and their work are valued and appreciated.
We have a passionate commitment to promoting the Spanish Language to young children. We provide English-speaking children with an excellent introduction to a second language and help Spanish-speaking children maintain their native language.
Our small group setting and high teacher to child ratio allow for ample attention and guidance. Families experience the richness of an intimately warm and supportive community.
Our Mission
Quality Child Care
We believe that children thrive in an environment which values their own uniqueness, while providing support and opportunities to grow emotionally, socially and creatively. By building on each child’s strengths, interests and curiosities, we guide each child to explore the world around them as well as develop new abilities and form close relationships. We do not approach learning from a traditional standpoint, but rather follow current research that supports what works best for young children is to support their curiosity and exploration, and to meet each child where he/she is. Therefore, we do not teach Spanish; we speak and live the Spanish language as we guide the children through their everyday experiences. We engage the children through interactive activities and allow them to explore and discover new skills sets, and learn through experiences.
We are inspired by The Outdoor Classroom Project, Waldorf Education, Montessori, and many more. Working in our Outdoor Classroom and connecting with nature is at the heart of our curriculum. We spend ample time in our gardens and explore all the elements that nature provides throughout the year.
Our approach is one that embraces the principals of community and family because we believe that a strong bridge between the home and school environment leads to effective learning. We believe that children learn best by following their own interests as they are guided in a developmentally appropriate way. Research shows that children who are pushed to perform tasks they are not developmentally ready to do tend to have later problems with school, learning, and happiness. This is why we believe and support each child's thirst for knowledge from a non-traditional approach. Our unique teaching approach, which combines Spanish Immersion, child-centered learning, constructivist, progressive philosophy is a great combination to help a child flourish in their early years.
Tuition
The tuition is a yearly tuition with monthly installments spread equally over the twelve months for the 47 weeks school is in-session. Parents are responsible for the child’s tuition regardless of vacations taken by the family, illnesses of the child, center holidays, school closures and staff development or preparation days.
Our Programs
Programs at Nuestra Casita Nursery were created with our children’s needs in mind: to mature and develop in a safe yet stimulating environment. Take a look below to learn more about each program.
*Full-Time Programs
Monday - Friday
8:00 am to 5:30 pm
-Full-Time Infant Program
4-month to 20-months
Monthly Tuition $1977.20
-Full-Time Toddler Program 20-months to 3-year-old
Monthly Tuition $1,877.20
-Full-Time Preschool Program
3 to 5-year-old
Monthly Tuition $1689.00
Morning and Afternoon Snacks are Provided. Parents must provide nutritious daily lunch. Please, avoid sugary snacks.
*A deposit of half your monthly tuition is required.
*There is a non-refundable registration fee of $75.
*There is a yearly material fee of $150.00 $200.00 for the Infant program
Nuestra Casita Nursery Team
Team Member
Director and Educator
Dear families,
Welcome to Nuestra Casita Nursery. Nuestra Casita is Spanish for "Our Small Home". I have created the program with the children's best interest in mind. As a native speaker and a parent of a Spanish Immersion Middle school graduate, I understand first hand the many benefits of a second language. A second language can help develop the growing brain into a robust and skillful problem solver, develops confidence in children, strengthen decision making, deepen connections to other cultures and empathy toward others.
I am proud of my program and its simplicity. Through its simplicity and low ratio, there is plenty of time for our children to reach their full potential, and for the educators to genuinely nourish our children's' social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and language growth.
In my 21 years as an Early Childhood Educator, I have worked in wonderful centers that have equipped me with a strong foundation and vast knowledge of Early Childhood. My vast education in ECE, Special needs, and the Outdoor Classroom Project have prepared me with the right tools to support children's developmental growth.
Bienvenidos!
Kathy Yanez
Testimonials
My experience of 20 years as an Early Childhood Educator has been in Center based program.
I was always at ease knowing my son was working with Kathy, and I always felt I could go to her with any questions or concerns. Kathy helped me as a parent while helping my child navigate from moving to a toddler to an older child (2-4 years old). He grew to have a strong bond with Kathy, and I could see how clearly he loved her. He was safe in her care, and she was an amazing part of his life for two years. We couldn't have been happier. Kathy is an amazing person, an amazing educator and she truly wants what is best for children.
Sincerely,
Carrie Hurley
We LOVE Teacher Kathy & all the co-teachers at NCN!!! Our 2-yr-old daughter has been attending M-F mornings for the last eight months. They play in the sandbox & do crafts & bake & play in the mud and develop fine & gross motor skills and learn big life lessons about empathy for one another, self-reliance, & coping with "big feelings." Not only is the outdoor space a veritable wonderland of play equipment & reading nooks & nature, but the staff here is SO loving. They helped our daughter transition to their care with so much tenderness (after six straight months of quarantining with mom & dad!!), and they continue to help her with & through milestones. Yesterday, in the midst of a temper tantrum, she told me, "Mama, I need something to help" ... Kathy & Lizbeth had taught her that squeezing a stuffed animal could help her cope with & manage her frustration or sadness... and I nearly teared up. The ability to recognize her emotions and ways to cope with them is such a gift. I would recommend NCN to any baby, toddler, or preschooler parent. It is truly a special place
Oh & they have done a phenomenal job keeping the kids safe through Covid! We cannot say enough good things about NCN, Kathy, & the other teachers!
Current Parent
Lyn H.
If I could give this daycare 10 stars, I would! My daughter absolutely LOVES Nuestra Casita Nursery! I am a new mom and not originally from the CA area, so the process of going back to work and finding a daycare for my very first child was daunting. I toured an extensive list of daycares in the area, and nothing came close to Nuestra Casita. Everything was either way overpriced, or the daycares were dirty and the staff unfriendly. The minute I took a tour of Nuestra Casita I felt at home. It was a very loving and caring environment. The owner, Kathy, was very welcoming and the place was immaculate, with an absolutely beautiful backyard for the kids to play in and to learn about growing fruits, vegetables, and plants. Even though my daughter is in the youngest group, the day is still very structured and there is time for developmental play, meals and snacks, reading books, music, etc. And I was so happy to find a place that teaches the children Spanish. I had always wished I was brought up bilingual so I'm happy they can teach this skillset to my child. I brought my daughter when she was 3.5 months old and now, she is 8 months and thriving. When I drop her off, she is always smiling...ready to see her teachers and friends for a fun day! Kathy and her staff are like a second family to my daughter. I highly recommend!
Current Parent
Ashly O.
Contact Us For A Tour of Our Program
Phone Number
310.912.5475
Santa Monica 90405
