Señorita's Preschool & Child Care

Our Teachers

Meet Gricelia Castillo/Ms. G:

As Owner of Senorita Preschool; Ms. G is completely honored and proud to assist children and their families as well as her staff thrive and succeed in life.

Ms. G taught at La Maestra Amnesty Center as a preschool teacher for 2 years. At La Maestra Amnesty Center, Ms. G enjoyed teaching low income and disadvantaged non-English preschoolers where she applied a variety of educational activities to enhance their English language skills.  Through activities, songs and games, Ms. G improved the overall development of the students in her classes with a mix of fun and educational curriculums.  

Ms. G has also had the privilege of continuing her work with youngsters as Girls Program Director and Summer Day Camp programs with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego-William J. Oakes Branch. During her 3 years working with under privileged youth at the Boys & Girls Club, she implemented enrichment and educational programs to instill positivity and confidence in these young ladies.  

In 2009, Ms. G graduated from San Francisco State University with honors in Psychology.  Her studies in child psychology brought her back to her true passion-working with children.   It was during her studies where she fostered a proactive approach and hands on immersion in children’s social and cognitive development.  This passion for children has developed her belief that positive psychology is a driven force in healthy growth and development in a child.  The #1 goal for Ms. G is to ensure that every child feels safe, seen, heard and worthy each day.  

Ms. G has extensive training in First Aid/CPR and AED in her years working in the hospitality industry.  Although she has enjoyed her successful career in corporate America, she has always maintained her passion for working with children.

Her 2 wonderful daughters were dedicated Girl Scout from second grade and all through high school where she volunteered as a leader.  The rewarding experience with Girl Scouts led to their wonderful experience traveling to Switzerland and London with their troop as Girl Scout Ambassadors.  This experience taught them all about volunteering, nature and the exposure to cultures aside from their own.  Upon her daughters’ graduation, she began a new chapter in her life and a commitment to working with children.  

We’d love to welcome you to Señoritas Preschool! We’re thrilled to meet your family and explore how our nurturing community can support your child’s growth and development. Our dedicated dream team is passionate about providing a safe, engaging, and personalized learning environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and joy. Let’s work together to give your child the best possible start! Contact us today to schedule a visit and discover how Señoritas Preschool can become your partner in shaping your child’s bright future.

Thank you! 🎉

Testimonials

Inna K, San Francisco, CA 7/24/24

Our experience at Senorita’s has been nothing short of exceptional. If you are searching for a daycare that offers a gentle transition for your child’s first experience, look no further.

The staff, especially Ms. Grecilia (Ms.G.) have provided a nurturing and supportive environment that has made our son’s transition incredibly smooth. Their approach is gentle and patient, ensuring each child feels comfortable and secure.

What truly stands out is their ability to adjust to the needs of each family. When our son needed extra support, they were incredibly accommodating and attentive, ensuring he received the care and attention he required. The science activities have been a highlight, sparking our son’s curiosity and love for learning. He has thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on experiments and the engaging lessons that make learning fun and exciting.

We highly recommend this preschool to any parent seeking a warm, engaging, and adaptable daycare environment. Thank you for providing such a wonderful start for our son!

With deep appreciation, Inna

Vasudha N. San Francisco, CA 4/12/2024

Our daughter started going to Senorita’s at 14 months of age and it was the first daycare experience for our family. Right from the beginning, Miss Gricelia put us to ease - she spent an incredible amount of time and energy to get our daughter comfortable, with a very clear and functional ramp-up plan.

It has been a delight to watch our daughter grow and learn at the preschool. Miss G keeps such a high-energy, playful environment and she makes learning so much fun. In our time, we’ve seen our daughter and her friends learn ABCs, counting, colors, shapes, songs, etc. in English and Spanish.

Children also get a lot of outdoor time (Miss G even takes care of applying sunscreen, sun hat - little things that really makes us feel our child is well cared for). They go to the library for story times and get exposure to be with other children in a larger group. Kids have such a rich interaction with each other, our daughter even knows the spellings of the names of all her classmates!

Our daughter was also provided with nutritious food (cooked in the daycare kitchen) and she learned basic things like eating with a fork.

Miss G is also very careful with the spread of germs. Though it is so common elsewhere, our daughter actually did not bring very many germs back from daycare. If your kid is sick, they need to be symptom free or get a doctor’s note before resuming school. This prevents the spread of germs - which is so critical if you have any other infant or at-risk population at home.

If you’re looking for a very caring, fun-filled, nature inspired environment for your kid to learn, look no further than Senorita’s!

Swathi M. San Francisco, CA 8/10/23

As a parent, it’s hard to trust someone else to take care of your child as well as you would. But Señorita’s daycare is the next best thing. Our son had been to multiple daycares before Señorita’s and it was quickly obvious how much he LOVED it here over his previous day cares -which was telling of the kind of care and attention he was receiving right away. He was so incredibly fond of Gricelia - at every morning drop-off he ran over for a hug, readily waving us parents away.

It was really important to my husband and I that he have meaningful socialization with other kids, especially due to the pandemic. Gricelia goes over and above to do this - with creative arts/crafts, sing-song, games, dancing etc. It warmed our hearts to have our son come home talking fondly of his playmates and what their favourite colours were!

Gricelia was very perceptive and would regularly check in with us on things she’d observed, adjusting the play and curriculum accordingly. She provided an incredibly engaging and stimulating environment where he learnt alphabets, numbers, phonics, shapes etc. and at 2 years old he was spelling his name!

But ultimately what really filled us with joy was that our son felt seen and understood. He was getting not just physical safety/stimulation but also a deep meaningful level of care and connection.

If you want the utmost peace of mind that your child is in good hands, look no further.

Greg Kuwaye, San Francisco, 4/13/23

“Señorita’s Preschool is a special place. Ms. G has amazing energy and a true gift for understanding and caring for children. Both Ms. G and Ms. Kenji are wonderful teachers.

Our two year old daughter attended Señorita’s for just a month before we moved out of state, yet in that short time daughter’s verbal and writing skills grew tremendously. Ms. G taught her how to draw any letter with just lines and curves and nurtured her interest in reading. (We still hear “line, curve, curve!” every time we write letters.) We loved seeing our daughter come home every day eager to share with us what she had done.

We also loved Ms. G’s play oriented approach to learning and how much outdoor time she provided for the kids. We could see from the photos they sent throughout the day just how much fun the kids were having doing everything from science experiments to just getting their wiggles out in the sun. Thank you, Ms. G, for opening your home and sharing your love with our family!”

Charline Bianchi, San Francisco, CA 12/18/22

We enrolled our little girl at Señoritas at 5 months, after a disappointing experience at a daycare centre. It was hard and emotional for us. From the very beginning, Ms.G and Kenji showed genuine care and very open communication. The school looks amazing: clean, safe, colourful and beautiful. They both are very approachable and they right away became true partners in our baby’s day to day. Their approach is fun and educative: daily outdoor activities, music, books, group plays… And throughout the day, they share some updates on what they are up to! Once our baby started solid food, they supported us all the way and provided lunch. How amazing! Our baby girl was excited to see Ms. G and Kenji every morning, and was rested and happy every day at pick up. And that says everything. Our family moved and we had no other choice but transition to another childcare option. We would recommend Señoritas to anyone looking for the best care for their child. We could not thank you enough Ms. G and Kenji!

恵美. Berkeley, CA 6/20/2022

Señorita preschool was great. would definitely recommend to others with toddlers! Ms.G and Ms. Maya took really good care of my daughter for 5 days, when we needed urgent care. The welcoming atmosphere and tons of educational activities made it very easy for my 3 year old to quickly adjust. The BIG smile on my daughter’s face from pictures shared during her care was the biggest proof that she really had fun.

Anna O. San Francisco, CA 6/9/2022

Senorities Preschool and Daycare is a top notch childhood development school! It’s everything a parent wants for their child’s education – a safe place that provides a nurturing and supportive care for every kind of child.

Under Ms G., director and head teacher, the children thrive with her enthusiastic and creative leadership. She always manages to make fundamental learning components fun and exciting, and leaving the kids wanting more. Whether it be a phonics lesson, reading out loud, showing science through cause-and-effect with color vinegar and baking soda, or a hackney sack game to learn colors and numbers . . . the fun and learning never stop! One of the first things my 3.5 year old asks in the morning is to go to Ms G.’s school. As a parent, I feel so relieved and happy that my child’s eagerness to learn is stimulated and fostered by Ms G’s incredible learning tactics. It feels like a dream to hear my daughter wanting to go to school and learn.

Ms Maya and Ms Gabby also share the enthusiastic and warm spirit of the school. They provide responsible guidance and care for the children at the park and during classroom instruction. I feel completely at ease to leave my child under the care of any of the teachers.

What can I say, Senoritas School is simply the best!

Dalena B. San Francisco, CA 5/21/2022

If I could give this school 10 stars I would!!! We recently needed the service of single-day emergency care for my son who had just turned three. When he got home he rave about his day and how much fun he had!

Apart from myself and my husband, my son has never been cared for by anyone else. So I was quite nervous and worry that he would cry the whole time. I was put at ease by Ms. G at drop-off. She prepared a welcoming atmosphere which makes the drop-off a quick and stress-free experience.

I got updates about my son’s process every hour, every photo update was with him smiling and having fun! The day was jam pack with lots of outdoor activities, they did a little field trip to the local police and fire station. My son absolutely loved it! All the activities indoor were both educational and fun! He keeps going on about how much fun he had with the lava explosion activities.

I would highly recommend Señorita’s Preschool to any parents who are looking for a care provider that is thoughtful, fun, and has a genuine interest in children.

Emily K. San Francisco, CA 5/12/2022

I can’t say enough wonderful things about Señorita’s Preschool (shoutouts to Ms. G and Ms. Maya!). My son, who is a little over two, recently participated in an evening session at Señorita’s (Date/Self-Care Night for the parents) with three other children. If he could tell you himself, I’m sure he’d say it was one of the best nights of his life.

As a parent, I’ve seen Ms. G care for her students with intentionality, respect, and an unmatchable energy. Her presence lets you know that your child is in excellent hands. She is always creative (and has me wondering, “Why didn’t I think of that?”) and thoughtful in the activities that she prepares for the children. On this particular evening, she did a colorful lava explosion/science demonstration, story time around the tent, and also welcomed them with balloons and color wheels. She also somehow manages to incorporate learning into many scenarios (e.g. colors via bean bags and balloons), making learning a blast for the kids.

Aside from myself and my husband, my son has only been cared for by close family members a handful of times (in addition to one babysitting night). I had a lot of anxiousness going into the night… not because of his care providers, as I knew he’d be in good hands, but because while I know him to be a party animal, he is very selective about who he warms up to, can take quite some time to warm up, and has a very hard time leaving my side. Luckily, my mind was put at ease by Ms. G (who thoroughly prepared to provide a welcoming environment that told the kids that they were going to have the time of their lives), as she assured me that he’d be fine, and facilitated a quick and seamless drop off.  She sent me intermittent updates throughout the evening, putting my mind at ease.

Ms. G is also very observant, and in reflecting things that I did not tell her (and only which she would know if my son was truly comfortable being himself, i.e., he will dance for balloons, snaps to music, and loves all things round), I knew he was having a blast. At the end of the night, she shared his dislikes (Elmo and being hot), which made me laugh and appreciate how well she got to know him within a few hours. At pick-up, Ms. Maya also told me that I have the happiest and most chill kid, which made my heart swell. I know my son to be this way, but being very much a Covid baby, he hasn’t had much of a chance to break out of his shell, and it seemed that socially, he grew tremendously in the course of a few hours (as well as tremendously fond of Ms. Maya).

If you are looking for a caretaker who is thoughtful, energetic, intentional, and who makes both you comfortable and ensures your child has a blast, I’d highly recommend you check out Señorita’s Preschool.

Adrianna H. San Francisco, CA 4/20/2022

The day rate was high, fortunately, I was given a discount since I needed care for two kids. The preschool seemed a bit small for my active children, but I was reassured that they’d have plenty of outdoor time. It was true! My children loved the outdoor activities Señoritas offered. Ms. Maya and Ms. G are some of the sweetest people you will ever meet. My children spent 3 days in the program and wanted to stay longer. I was really impressed with how much they learned in the short amount of time. The school really cares about teaching. The staff at Señoritas left a great impression on all of us and we look forward to returning. I highly recommend this Preschool/Childcare.

Senait A. San Francisco, CA 4/12/2022

Gricelia/Ms. G is an extremely trustworthy childcare provider. As owner of Nick’s Foods here in the city, I work long days & I’ve always felt peace of mind leaving my child in such a happy environment. The small class size allows for individualized attention, learning and follow-up. We speak several languages at home & her Spanish program supports the importance we place on expanding our childrens minds. Ms. G’s creative and customized learning styles are priceless; I would recommend Senoritas Preschool to any parent who truly values education, social skills and diversity.

Philosophy

Señorita’s believes in their core mission statement:

To establish a positive sense of self in our students. Within our mission we seek to Validate, Support, Encourage, Empower, and Celebrate each child on a daily basis. Our curriculum reflects this, as we tailor each organized activity towards your child’s individual developmental goals.  

The synergy of children learning & playing together is an opportunity for growth that you simply cannot create at home. For many of our students, this will be the first time leaving the home. With this known, Señoritas offers a sense of safety & belonging with new people in new places, while instituting social norms expected of a school environment. Señoritas staff are dedicated providers with a passion to provide the best preschool experience for your child.   We would love the opportunity to not only care for your child but to create a home away from home at Señoritas.

Location

We’re in a prime location; one of the fastest growing hip and attractive neighborhoods. With easy access to transit, everything from library’s to beautiful children’s parks are just a short distance away. We’re a few blocks away from the Exploratorium, the historical ferry building and UCSF Mission Bay campus. Surrounded by sensational nature walks and spectacular views. Walk to incredible Mission Bay Parks, check out the friendly dog parks or stroll to McCovey Cove. A parents dream, just steps to CalTrain and a block to Hwy 280 on-ramp, yet in a QUIET location. Also near the ++10/30/45/47++ & 83x bus lines and E/K/N/T trolleys. If you’re looking to commute from the South Bay or East Bay we are located on a tranquil street near the 80, 101 and 280 on ramps.

About our program

Our Preschool & Child Care program is built with your child in mind.  We understand that every child has different needs and we strive to meet every one of them.  We have designed an inclusive curriculum for every child that is fun, interactive and positive for all. Cooking projects, arts & crafts activities, nature walks, dance classes and more are just a few of the various activities we plan each day.

Admissions

Join the Senorita’s Preschool & Child Care 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 Senorita‘s program

Come see what makes Senorita’s Preschool & Child Care unique. If we are currently hosting tours, you can request or schedule a tour at the top of this page. If we are not currently hosting tours, you’ll see a “Request Info” button at the top of this page; if you submit your information using this button, we will notify you when we start hosting tours again in the future.

3. Submit an Enrollment Application

If you would like to enroll, please submit an application – note that we require tours for all prospective families. Please do not submit an application if you have not visited the program.

4. Enroll

After reviewing your application, we’ll send an enrollment invitation. Upon accepting your invitation you’ll pay your enrollment fee, fill out enrollment documents and review our Parent Handbook.