Our philosophy

At El Jardín de los Niños , we believe that the early years of life are crucial for children’s linguistic, cognitive, and social development. Our philosophy is based on full immersion in the Spanish language, providing a nurturing and enriching environment where children can learn and grow while naturally and spontaneously acquiring a second language.

At our childcare center, we welcome every child and family as part of our community. We celebrate the unique backgrounds, cultures, and traditions that make each family special, and we create a space where differences are embraced with love and respect. Our teachers nurture kindness, curiosity, and empathy, helping children learn not only academics but also the joy of understanding and appreciating one another. By working hand-in-hand with families, we ensure that every child feels safe, valued, and supported—because when children feel at home, they can truly thrive.

Our Spanish immersion approach aims to immerse children in an environment where Spanish is the primary language of communication. Through daily activities, games, songs, stories, and routines, children learn the language in an intuitive way, similar to how they learn their native language. We also integrate cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world to provide a complete and diverse experience.

Linguistic and Cultural Immersion

Holistic Development

In our daycare, we support the holistic development of the child, focusing not only on language but also on social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. We value each child’s individuality and tailor our activities to meet their unique needs and learning styles.

Active and Participatory Learning

We believe that children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and respected. We are committed to creating a warm and familiar environment where every child feels valued. We establish clear and consistent routines that provide structure and confidence, promoting autonomy and self-esteem.

Safe and Loving Environment

We promote active learning, where children are the protagonists of their own educational process. We use play as the main tool to teach linguistic, mathematical, scientific, and artistic concepts. Each activity is designed to be fun, relevant, and connected to the children’s daily lives, facilitating language acquisition and other knowledge.

Collaboration with Families

Respect and Diversity

We believe in the importance of close collaboration with families, as they are the children’s first and most important teachers. We maintain open and continuous communication, sharing progress, experiences, and strategies to support learning at home. We also invite families to participate in cultural events and special activities, strengthening the connection between home and daycare.

We foster an environment where diversity is valued and respected. We celebrate different cultures, traditions, and languages, teaching children to be respectful and empathetic towards others. We promote inclusion and understanding, ensuring that all children and families feel welcomed and represented.

At El Jardín de los Niños our goal is for children not only to learn Spanish but also to develop a love for learning, a strong multicultural identity, and social skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. We are committed to guiding them with care, patience, and professionalism on this exciting journey of learning and growth.

They are diligent about each developmental goal and very communicative with our family to help our child grow both inside and outside the classroom.

Adip & Kayla S.

The communication is great. The teachers are happy to update at the end of the day and they are happy to make time if you need to communicate something with them.

Nuria C.

★★★★★

★★★★★

About Us

Introducing our staff and teachers

Celia Hernandez Co-founder & Center Director

I am originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, and I am very proud share her culture and language with the children in our care. I am currently studying Early Childhood Education at North Seattle College which allows me to keep learning and to stay current on early childhood development practices which I bring to our program. I live with my her husband and son, Romeo. As a family, we love spending time together, exploring nature and celebrating our traditions. My family inspires me every day to keep growing as an educator.

Together with Sinead, my co-founder, our dream is to create a safe and welcoming space where every child feels love, care and respect. A place where they are always heard and valued. My commitment is to work in collaboration with you to support your child's development, always with love, respect, and open communication.

Sinead O'Donoghue Co-founder & Managing Director

I am originally from Cork, Ireland and have lived in Seattle since 2014. My professional background is in Human Resources Leadership and I have worked across many industries and in many countries. My path into the world of early childhood education is as a parent of two. I have been part of a number of nanny share partnerships over the years and have always loved interacting with the children and creating friendships with the other families. Starting El Jardin de los Ninos with Celia has been one of the most fulfilling and satisfying stages of my professional career.

My youngest child currently attends El Jardin de los Ninos and so I approach the work that we do both as a childcare provider and as a parent. Creating an experience that gives children the best possible start in life is one of our main goals. We focus on helping the children in our care to develop a strong sense of their own self worth, as well as a respect for the people, community and environment around them.

Our Location

Visit us at El Jardin de los Ninos, where children thrive through immersive, playful learning experiences in a nurturing environment.

Address

2354 N 57th Street, Seattle, WA, 98103

Hours

Mon-Fri 8am - 5.30pm