Our Team
Kathy Yanez
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
Gabriela Melara
Toddler Educator
With a nurturing personality and hands-on approach towards learning, we are thrilled to have Gabriela Melara as a part of our team.
Gabriela is a passionate Spanish Early Childhood Educator with many years of experience. During her time in the classroom, Gabriela enjoys facilitating children in co-learning and collaborative skill-building activities. She is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and curriculum. Gabriela is also an experienced yoga instructor and loves to apply yoga principals in the daily curriculum.
*Yoga increases children’s body awareness and mindfulness. Going through a variety of yoga poses helps children learn about their bodies and the movements they’re capable of doing.
She enjoys reading, painting, and riding her bike. Gabriela is pursuing her life long dream of becoming an international teacher. One last thing about Miss Gabriela; she is refreshing her memory in playing her guitar again.
Indira Aceves
Infant Educator
My name is Indira Aveces and I was born in Nicaragua. My native language is Spanish. I am a wife and a mother to two wonderful high school children and a dog named Bruno. Before Covid 19 I was a preschool teacher’s assistant at Siminski Park in the city of Inglewood. I find it exciting to working with infants and watching their development and growth.