Pequeñas Semillas Wonderschool

Our Teachers

Maria Denova, Director & Head Teacher

Maria Denova has been working in the Child Development field for 13 years. She holds an AA degree in Child Development and has completed an Infant/Toddler Teacher and Preschool Teacher Certificate program. In addition, she has a Child Development Teacher permit.

Maria has worked with children ranging in age from infants through school age, but mainly with infants and toddlers. She recently went back to school to attend a Speech Pathology Assistant Program. Maria is the mom of three children: a teenager, a preschooler, and a toddler. Her own children were her inspiration to open an in-home program.

Maria is excited to open the doors of her home to do what she loves most – working with children! She believes that it is vital for children to grow in a fun, fulfilling, and enriching environment. Maria looks forward to working with your family!

​

Testimonials

“As a first time Mom, I was nervous starting my son in daycare at 18 months, but Maria put me right at ease. Her experience, demeanor and communication skills were perfect for easing our whole family into the school transition. After a few weeks we could tell how well my son was thriving. He asks to go see his friends at school everyday, has developed sharing skills, table manners (for a toddler), his language skills have exploded and he loves loves all the art projects he does with Maria and the other students. We couldn’t recommend Pequeña Semillas more highly. Thank you Maria!” – Naomi L.

“Maria has been so great with our 2.5 year old. We’ve been there about 6 months and our daughter ask every morning if she’s going to Maria’s. She has a great indoor as well as outdoor area with sandbox and water tables. There’s always some new craft that our kid brings home and she’s now onto counting to twenty in Spanish. I love all the pictures we get at the end of the week, from walks in the neighborhood in the buggy to craft activities with her buddies. Maria also prepares homemade healthy meals and snacks. Our daughter eats breakfast before she gets there but somehow she still eats another breakfast and another snack in the morning?! Maria has also been super patient with potty training. It’s a journey and it’s great to have a daycare that really supports us. Knowing our kid is in good hands during our transition to Los Angeles has made all the difference!” – Selina H.

“Maria is a baby whisperer!  She is peaceful, kind, loving, and all of the kids the in the school adore her. My 1 year old daughter clicked with her almost immediately and 6 months later, my daughter has grown in wonderful ways thanks to Maria’s influence. The school is pristine and utterly wholesome. The activities are creative and nonstop. My daughter is excited to go to “school”, is learning english and spanish, coming home with arts and crafts, eating wonderful, healthy foods, and even talking about her friends. Maria send pictures and is excellent at communicating and addressing any and all concerns. If you want a positive, uplifting environment for your child, with an exceptional teacher/parent who will care for your child as her own, check out this Wonderschool.” – Valerie L.

“Maria and Miriam are SO loving and wonderful. I can’t recommend this daycare enough - it’s safe, nurturing, and happy. I started my son here at 4 months and the experience has been A+” – Dina Z.

“We are so incredibly happy we sent our daughter to Maria’s. Maria and her staff are so nurturing, kind, creative, trustworthy and patient. The mix of structured activities (themed weeks, sensory activities, circle time) and independent play allowed for my daughter to learn to be with others, be interested and curious about many topics, and grow her own interests. The included healthy meals and snacks were a lifesaver and so appreciated. My daughter’s Spanish improved greatly and she enjoys speaking both Spanish and English. Mostly, our daughter was happy there every day and expressed how much she loved it.” – Vicky H.

“We feel extremely lucky to send our children to Maria and her staff.” -Eric L

Philosophy

Our philosophy is child-centered, play-based, and in unity with nature. Play is an active, child-initiated process that supports children’s learning throughout the domains of physical, social/emotional, creative, science, math, language and literacy.

Through play, children actively pose problems, explore solutions and develop understandings of real world concepts of form and function. By comparing and contrasting information gained from each new experience to what they already know, they are actively constructing their knowledge of how the world works.

We are Spanish bilingual program that focuses on immersive bilingual early learning. Children learn a language most successfully when it can be acquired in the same way as their first (native) language. We use Spanish consistently in everyday situations to make the language an integral, natural part of the children’s day at Pequeñas Semillas.

​

Location

Pequeñas Semillas is located in Glassell Park, in a quiet and family friendly neighborhood. We are bordered by Glendale, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Atwater Village, and Silver Lake. We are minutes from Downtown Los Angeles.

The school is based out of a single family home, with dedicated areas that have been arranged by age groups. We also provide an outdoor play area where children can ride tricycles, play in the sandbox, splash in the water table, and explore other age-appropriate materials. Part of our outside time will include going on a walk around the neighborhood a few times each week. Our garage has been converted into a mini art studio, where children can use their creativity to express themselves.

In our play spaces, children can make their own discoveries independently or with friends, and feel confident in the choices they make.

​

About our program

Pequeñas Semillas Wonderschool provides a safe, healthy, secure, and nurturing environment for children and families. We aim to be a home away from home.

We appreciate children as free, active, feeling, and thinking human beings. We want your child to experience joy, wonder, concentration, unity, and satisfaction. We recognize the importance of play as a central, integrating element in your child’s development and learning.

Our Approach to Discipline

Praise and positive reinforcement are effective methods of to manage children’s behavior. When children receive positive, nonviolent, and compassionate interactions from adults and others, they develop good self-concepts, problem solving abilities and self-discipline. Based on this belief, Pequeñas Semillas Wonderschool uses a positive approach to discipline.

​

Admissions

Join the Pequeñas Semillas community in four easy steps:

1. Explore our website

We’ve provided information about our philosophies and offerings to help you decide if our program may be right for your family.

2. Tour the school

Come see what makes Pequeñas Semillas unique. Please schedule a tour by filling out the “Schedule Tour” form.

3. Submit an Enrollment Application

If you would like to enroll, please submit an application. Please note that we require tours for all prospective families. Do not submit an application if you have not toured.

4. Enroll

After reviewing your application, we’ll send an enrollment invitation. Upon accepting your invitation, you’ll pay your deposit (usually equal to one month’s tuition), fill out enrollment documents and review our Parent Handbook.

​