Basics
Language(s) supported are languages that the provider or staff members are able to communicate in with parents/guardians. This is not indicative of instruction language(s) and/or language-based curriculum at the program.
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Our Teachers
Maestra Emma (she/her) Director, Teacher Emma Zevin grew up in San Francisco and graduated from SFUSD’s Buena Vista Dual-Language Immersion program. She holds a Bilingual Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Master’s in Teaching from USF. Emma brings over a decade of teaching experience to her program, including two years in a Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood program and ten years as an SFUSD Dual-Language Immersion elementary teacher. Emma is a passionate educator whose teaching has been recognized for its excellence and impact. In 2020, she received the Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching from the Masons of California. When Emma became a parent in 2024, she began envisioning what she wanted her daughter’s very first experience of school to be like. That vision inspired her to create the Spanish immersion early childhood program of her dreams: La Casita.
Maestra Edilma (she/her) Teacher Maestra Edilma is a native of Guatemala. She has three children attending Spanish Immersion programs in SFUSD. She is studying early childhood development and has decades of experience caring for young children. As an educator, she is warm, loving, and intentional.
Achievements
Testimonials
“Emma is one of those rare gems in this world…My children blossomed under her care…I cannot recommend her enough.”- Natalie, mom to Misha and Annika “[Emma] always intuitively knows what children need to feel safe and comfortable and she meets them exactly where they are…Anyone who gets a chance to work with her and have their children in her care are truly lucky.”- Alex, parent
“Emma is a dream teacher!…My kids loved her…She still has a relationship with my now adult children and they’ve never forgotten her.”- Jenny, parent
“We feel incredibly lucky we worked with Emma. She provided a safe and caring environment for our son. She helped our son build confidence, empathy, and curiosity. Emma is a gift and we feel so fortunate to have worked with her.”- Stephanie, Ryan’s mom
Philosophy
La Casita is a relationship-based and play-based Spanish Immersion environment where language is acquired naturally through everyday experiences, relationships, and meaningful interactions. We develop an emergent curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and guided by children’s interests. Our teaching style is warm and responsive and our educators are mindful and reflective. Outdoor explorations and gardening are a meaningful part of each day. Family Partnerships are an essential element of our program which includes home visits before school begins and enrichment evenings for families throughout the year. La Casita is a community where every child and family is seen, valued, and respected. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is at the heart of who we are.
Location
We are located in San Francisco’s Ingleside neighborhood close to Balboa Park (BART, MUNI) and the 280 Freeway. La Casita is a warm and intentional space with an outdoor classroom featuring a sensory learning garden and interactive rainbow chalkboard wall.
About our program
La Casita is a relationship-based Spanish Immersion early childhood education program in San Francisco’s Ingleside neighborhood. La Casita runs Monday-Thursday 8:30AM-4:30PM. Both 4-day and 2-day program options are available as well as additional early and late care. With a total of six children and two educators, we have a 3:1 ratio of children to teachers.
Admissions
Step 1 Attend an upcoming Open House or book a Private Tour. Step 2 Submit an application, which will be given at an open house or school tour. Step 3 After your application is received, your family will either receive an offer letter or be placed on the waitlist. You can expect to hear from us within 1 week of submitting your application. Step 4 Once you sign your offer letter, you will receive the registration package and will be invited to schedule a home visit. Your child will attend several La Casita playdates and Half-Days at the school in the first two weeks of August and the full program will begin on Monday, August 17th.