Our facility

    A little history of our building

      Our sustainable preschool started with finding a facility well suited for our use; so minimum modifications to the building were required. The layout was perfect with two wings separated by what later became a cubby room and a bathroom. Backyard was huge with a slope perfect for creating a terraced garden. The back of the parking lot was too narrow to use as a parking space but ideal size for a sandbox. Even though previous tenants were an ambulance company and even before that there was a fire station, we knew at first glance that deep inside this building always wanted to be a preschool.

    Sustainable change of use

      And so we started working with architects, contractors and landscape designers. Our requirements for all those professionals were that they maximize the use of existing features of the building to meet code and safety requirements imposed by various departments. As an example; children's toilets recommended height is 11 inches from the floor to the seat. Instead of replacing two perfectly functioning toilets we built a two inch high plywood platform around them, raising the floor. We did the same with the sinks.

      There was no heating system present, so we had put in an efficient floor heating system. It is perfect for classrooms because children spend a lot of time on the floor. Compact fluorescent lighting and solar powered outdoor lighting were installed throughout the building.

    Educational opportunities

      Our three dear chickens Doro, Ryaba and Maria provide plenty of educational opportunities besides laying two fresh eggs a day to supplement our organic menu.

      Toys and furniture we use in our classrooms are made of natural materials and are mostly purchased from Goodwill stores or have been donated to us.
      Because of the recent water shortage crisis in California, we researched some ways to conserve water. Our landscape designer selected native drought resistant plants that thrive in our dry climate for the front yard. Just recently we have installed our first rain water collector for our garden. It is a simply but brilliantly designed large container that turns storm water run off into an irrigation system.

      Composting is a fun activity to do with the children. Compost produced by our worms is used in our organic garden.

      We grow fresh vegetables and later use them in our lunches. There are kale, peas, potatoes, squash, turnips and strawberries. We also have fruit trees. Recently with the help of parent volunteers we expanded our vegetable garden to our front yard.