our Mission
To provide a social interactive curriculum, designed to support young children in language and social development, revolving around a diverse range of developmentally appropriate learning activities, within a safe, nurturing and caring environment. Our primary goal is to promote a child’s self-value and gradual social independence by guiding their own evolving ability to discover inner strengths, solve problems and make decisions.
our Philosophy
Our child development philosophy follows the theories of Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson. Over 50 years ago Jean Piaget, a Swiss developmental psychologist, established what is generally recognized as the foundation for current theory on children’s cognitive development. Several points are central to our philosophy:
• Observation is central to understanding children and identifying their level of development.
• In developing cognitive skills, children progress through stages and build upon their achievements in each previous stage.
• Experimentation and confirmation through repetition are central to the learning process.
• The process of each child’s development is unique to each child and dependent upon his or her mastery of each developmental step.
Erik Erikson, a leading figure in the field of psychoanalysis and human development, advocates a theory of developmental stages broader than Piaget’s, focusing on social and self-esteem development. Our program deals primarily with the first three stages that occur early in life. Erikson's humanistic approach provides guidance for our school's Parent Education component. His theories guide our parenting philosophy and offer the framework for our general membership discussions and individual conferences as provided by our Teacher/Director.
We believe that children learn best when they are confident in their social skills and therefore secure in their ability to comfortably interact with others. Only then will they feel free to thoroughly explore their current interests, ask questions, seek knowledge, reach for new experiences and stretch even further into the interests of their peers and especially the teachings of adults.
We believe in establishing bonds to create within each child a feeling of being ‘emotionally safe’ to express their needs, desires and innate abilities. Our beliefs are most apparent in our interactions with the children, as we extend our devotion to them with acceptance, respect and kindness.
We want our children to appreciate and develop a sense of community, to experience the love, caring and reciprocal responsibility of a true cooperative situation. We are confident that this experience will offer them the ability to care for themselves and others as a necessary and solid foundation for the larger world around them.
Parent education is a prime component within the program, emphasizing the process of parents and children learning together. Stemming from a place of advocacy for children and the family unit, our philosophy is dedicated to the support of that symbiotic relationship, working towards the social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual growth of all. While we wish to respect each parent’s individual approach to parenting, continuity between the home and school’s philosophy in regards to guiding children’s behavior and development is an integral part of our parent education component. Our collective effort to be compatible in viewing and responding to the whole growth of all the children supports the very core of the school’s cooperative objectives.
Our methodology strives to honor and cherish each child’s need to play through an emergent based or ‘child led’ curriculum interfaced with the governing principles of John Dewey’s Constructivist approach. His concepts of learning by doing, of working together as a community and evolving as mentors, are the key elements of our children’s learning experiences. The program we offer is designed to create activities that continually represent our children’s ongoing interests and needs. The monthly curriculum centers on disciplines of art, drama, math, music, literature, language arts, and science. There are also areas for self-exploration, observation and discovery, as well as gross motor activities. Inspired by the children and made available by the teachers and parents, these projects offer an intense level of interest and involvement. Routine field trips and enrichment visitors are also central to our ‘real life’ approach to learning.
Contact
The Garden Co-op Nursery School
3602 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90065
323-258-4525
Enrollment
Applications for fall 2010 enrollment are due March 8th, 2010
A downloadable application is available here
The Garden serves children ages 2 1/2 through 5.
The Garden is a cooperative school. One parent from each family works with the teachers and children one day each week, as well as holding a “job” at the school.
School Calendar & HoursSchool is in session from September through June. We try to follow the holiday schedule of the Los Angeles Unified School district. We also run a 4-week summer session in July.
School hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m
2010-2011 Tuition
Tuition Fees (Paid Sept. – July)
• $300 per month for 5 days per week
• $265 per month for 4 days per week
• $230 per month for 3 days per week
Partial scholarships are available.
Tours
Following are the dates of our upcoming tours. Please call or email membership to reserve your spot on a tour.
• Friday May 21st at 2:00pm
phone
323-258-4525
email
Donate
Fundraising is an ongoing activity at the Garden, and it is solely through the generosity and financial support of our friends, families, local businesses and corporations that The Garden School continues to
thrive. We greatly appreciate your contribution to this very special place where children, family and community are celebrated every day!
• Become a "Friend of The Garden" today! Your generous monetary donation assists us in paying for play equipment, curriculum supplies, operational costs, teacher salaries, scholarships, community
enrichment activities, and ongoing site expenses.
(You don't need a paypal account. If you are presented with a Paypal login screen just fill in the amount you wish to donate and then select their option that says: "Don't have a PayPal account? Click here")
• Do you shop on Amazon? - Earn money for our school by simply clicking on our Amazon link and shopping as you normally would. A percentage of each sale goes back to The Garden! Be sure to tell friends and family!
Shop at Amazon and raise money for The Garden!
• Magazine subscriptions - Order or renew your magazine subscriptions online and 40% of the proceeds go to our school!
http://www.magfundraising.com/GardenNurserySchool
• e-scrip.com - Sign up online to have percentages of your purchases go directly to our school. It's quick and easy!
http://www.escrip.com
• Our store @ Café Press - Order apparel, stamps, mugs and all sorts of great stuff featuring our fun logo!
http://www.cafepress.com/thegardenschool
• Recycle your cell phones, used ink-jet and toner cartridges @ the Garden - Recycle these items and be good to mother earth while helping our school at the same time! Just bring your items to the school and put them in the bin with the green lid.
If you have any questions, ideas, or additional fundraising resources please contact our fundraising chair:
Upcoming Events
You are cordially invited to attend the Fourth Annual
THE GARDEN ENCHANTED AUCTION & FUNDRAISING GALA
benefiting The Garden Co-op Nursery School
Sunday, December 6th, 2009 | 5:00-8:30pm @ The LA River Center & Gardens
570 West Avenue Twenty-Six, Los Angeles, CA 9006
Contact
Join us for our cocktail party gala and enjoy scrumptious appetizers,
drinks & live music while shopping during our auctions.
SILENT & LIVE AUCTIONS feature collectables, art,
entertainment and travel packages, gift items, services and more.
The perfect stop for early holiday shopping.
TICKETS $15
Available from The Garden Families or email: Event Information
Credit cards accepted - but Cash & Checks preferred!
The Garden School is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). Your donations are tax deductible
A partial list of current items:
(2) Tickets for Dream Girls at the Ahmanson Theatre Opening Night
Shepard Fairey "Adopt" Poster, Signed
Signed book of "Gardens and Glass" about Dale Chihuly and His Glass Creations
Lake Arrowhead Cabin Rental
Silkscreen poster art signed by artist Shepard Fairey:
"Peace Bomber"
"Duality of Humanity"
"Immigration reform"
10 Week Session of Foothills Music Together
Parent Support - One Hour Coaching Session from CNVEP
LA Kings Tickets
Date with a Model with $50 in Drinks and Appetizers at Reservoir Restaurant
Giclee print by artist Anthony Ausgang, Signed
Hand Painted Serigraph by artist Richard Duardo
Limited Edition Serigraph Print by Artist Becca, Signed and Numbered
Junior Miss Acoustic Popsicle Purple Guitar
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Improvisation Course or Sketch Writing Course
Gift Certificate for FUNdamentals of Music and Movement
6 Free Play Visits Pass to Amy's Playground
Rock Toddler Classes at Studio A in Silver Lake
8 Free Passes to Little Barn Indoor Playground
$100 Gift Certificate to Bodybar Spa
Sewing Machine Intro Class with a Class Kit Gift Certificate to Sew LA in Silver Lake
$50 Gift Certificate toward a Sewing Class of Your Choice with Sew LA in Silver Lake
Fine Knitting Supplies from The Little Knittery
Gift Certificate to Arroyo Seco Golf Course
(2) Guest Passes to The Huntington
2 Gift Certificates for Scrapbooking Services with Creative Memories Consultant Karen Corrigan and Various Scrapbooking Products
Craft Gift Pack from Zinnia
Horseback riding for 2 from Griffith Park Horse Rentals
Family Subscription to the Geffen Playhouse’s Saturday Scene (2009-2010)
Skirball Family Membership for a Day: Up to 2 Adults and 4 Children
Two Free Admissions to the LA Zoo
$180 Gift Certificate for Child’s Studio Art Class at the Armory for the Arts
Two Tickets to Pasadena Playhouse
Heartbeat House 4-class Package
Mother Echo Band Package
5 Peekaboo Playland Passes
Scott Alibi Bronze Chrome Limited Edition Ski Goggles
Scott Cascade Ovalized Ski Poles
Kid Art Painting by Local Artist Ashley Bonneau
Elephant Painting (a painting done BY an elephant) and a Hardback Children's Book "Elephants Can Paint, Too."
An Evening with Lil' Cher!
Gift Certificate for Pilates Membership
Gift Certificate for Pilates Sessions
5 Class Pass at Karuna Yoga
Acupuncture Treatment at FLOAT: Chinese Medical Arts
One Week of Unlimited Yoga at Yoga Works
Holistic Practitioner - Energy Healing/Reiki/Meditation
2 Tickets to Chamber Music or Green Umbrella Event
1 year Membership Filmmakers Alliance
One Chiropractic Consultation & Treatment with Dr. Cheryl Revkin
Curves, Free Month + Free Registration
Original Organic Rockin’ Baby Sling with the Wings of a Butterfly Print
Rockin’ Kid Shop $50 Gift Card
Gift Box from Dragonfly Dulou
12 Boutique Toddler Hairbows from CelyElliJ
Gift Certificate to All' Aboard! Boutique
Curious George Book and Plush Set
Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever and Transportation Set
Where the Wild Things Are Book and Plush Set
Dinosaur Farm Toy and Gift Certificate
Gift Certificate to Mila-a Boutique for Little Tots
Grow Kid Grow Gift Certificate
Wee Soles Gift Certificate
Gift Basket of Starbucks coffee and other coffee products.
Handmade Glazed Ceramic Flower Pot and Cotton Knit Gardening Hat
Potted Gift Certificate and Plant
Starbuck's Coffee Gift Pack in an Attractive Handmade Cotton Canvas Tote Bag from Rwanda, Africa
Green Hornet Water Bottle
Atwater Farmers' Market $35 Gift Certificate
One Box of 24 Brownie Points from Sweets For The Soul
Wine Tasting for 2 at 55º Wine in Atwater Village and a Bottle of Tenuta Di Lilliano’s Chianti Classico, DOCG 2004, Camlpione Da Boute
Gift Certificate to The Eastside Market Italian Deli
Swork Coffee Gift Box
$25 Gift Certificate to The Oinkster
Gift Certificates to IN N OUT BURGER
$50 Gift Card to Costco
$100 Fresh & Easy Gift Card
Gift Card to Ciao Trattoria and Babysitting by Karen
Wine Tasting for Two at Silver Lake Wine
(2) Gift Certificates to The 101 Coffee Shop
Gift Certificate to La Grande Orange Restaurant
Gingergrass Restaurant Gift Card
Dream Dinners Gift Certificate: Six Dinners
$30 Gift Certificate to Daisy Mint
Dinner for Two to President Thai
Black Holiday Dress
Two Gift Certificates for Haircuts at Little Kuts
$100 Gift Card with Hairstylist Sarah of Salon MIX
$100 Gift Card with Hairstylist Melissa of Salon MIX
Master Hair Cut with Hairstylist Gina of Salon MIX
1 (Organic) Signature Custom Facial at The Garden Spa ‘T
Deluxe Manicure & Pedicure at Madamoiselle Nails
$50 Gift Certificate to Stark
Two (2) Microcurrent Facial Sculpting Treatments
Gift Certificate to Bokaos Aveda
1 Hour House Call for Computer Repair
Ballroom Blitz Lessons
Environmental Portraiture Session with Sehyung Kim of Studio AJ9
Recording Studio Time at Eggplant Studios
Peak Performance Coaching
Gift Certificate for Bikram Yoga Downtown LA
One Full Grooming Service for Your Dog or Cat by Pet Express
Private Session Dog Training from Devil Dog Ranch
Gift Certificate for Doggie Daycare at Wagville
Children's Christmas Dinnerware and "Silent Night" Pillow
Four Gymnastics Classes at The Klub Gymnastics and Klub Gymnastics Gear
Charlie Rocket Girls and Boys Clothing
Haircuts by Fandango Salon
Salon Services by Primrose Organics
Two Tickets to "The Wake" by Lisa Kron at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
Theater, Opera, Jazz... Two Tickets of Your Choice to Broad Stage Theater
Two Tickets to "Stage Door"
Private Stage Combat Class
8 hand beaded earrings for pierced ears.
Gift Certificate at Color Me Mine of Glendale
World Citizen Baby Gift Certificate for 8 Class Card
3 Nursing necklaces.
Set of 3 Swarovski crystal bracelets.
Hand beaded sterling silver necklace and matching earrings.
Hand made copper colored Swarovski crystal necklace with matching earrings.
2 Earthworm Ensemble CDs
4 hand beaded Christmas ornaments
Crispy Crust Pizza Certificate for Any Large Pizza
Gift Certificate for Pat and Oscars Restaurant in Atwater Village
$20 Gift Certificate to Porto's
$50 Reservoir Restaurant Gift Certificate
Cold Stone Gift Card
Behind the Scenes Tour of the Metro Gold Line Maintenance Yard
Cloth Front/Back Baby Carrier
4 Beginning Belly Dance classes with Sundara
1 salsa month (4 classes) at Club Sportif and Spa
One month Studio Weight Training (4 sessions) at Club Sportif and Spa
European or Aromatherapy Facial at Marianne’s Touch
90 minutes Full Body Massage at Club Sportif and Spa
Body Builders Gym 10 Visit Pass
Dtox Day Spa Gift Certificate
Two (2) Private Sessions of Pilates & Gyrotechnic with Kimberly Morgan
Gift Certificate for an Organization Consultation
Gift certificate for an Habla Blah Blah Spanish Language Class at Dragonfly Dulou and Habla Blah Blah T-shirt.
Gift certificate for a Group Breathing Circle with Katrina Rivers
Pediatric Dentist Visit
Gift certificate for Un-Curry SPICES 101 Cooking Class
Gift certificate for a Cutie-Pie Gourmet Pie
Gift certificate for a Manicure and Pedicure at Bonsoir Nails
Gift certificate for 1 Head shot session with Erik Grammer
Reusable Snack Bag Starter Kit
Gift Certificate for a One-Hour Table Massage
Gift Baskets of ZO Skin Care Products
8 Hours of Audio Recording Studio Time
One Drum Kit Lesson
4 Dance Classes at Studio A
Gift Certificate from See Jack Draw
Gift Certificate from Paper & Cake
Gift Certificate from Aimee Art Productions for 1 (one) Music Class
Gift Certificate from Aimee Art Productions for 1 Children’s Dance Class
Gift Certificate for El Caserio Restaurant
Voice Lesson
Portrait Session with Michaelyn Straub
Gift Certificate for Estate Planning from Klapach & Klapach
Gift Certificate for Financial Planning
Tattoo
Girls Baby Clothes.
Blanket made from 100% recycled yarn.
4 Tickets for a Wine Tasting at Colorado Wine
Handstand Kids Chinese, Mexican and Italian Cookbook Kits
Four Adult Tickets for Stars Homes Tour by StarLine Tours of Hollywood.
Four Adult Tickets for CitySightseeing Hop On Hop Off tour of Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.
Print Art by Artist Terry Kaplan
Glass Ornaments by Bryan Ousdahl
Dinner for Two at Hugo's Restaurant
“Peace, Friendship, Respect & Harmony” Framed Poster by Stacy Lauren-Kon
Outdoor Movie Night
Gift Certificate from “The Love Coach”
Sue Rock Original’s “Eco Fashion Gift Bag”
Sue Rock Originals “Crafty Bag”
Floral Purse and Wicker Bag from San Diego Hat Company
Two Acupuncture Treatments and Personalized Flower Essence Formula
Colorful Talavera Planting Pot
(2) Jack's Gym Birthday Parties
our Staff
Andrea Rodriguez - Teacher/Director
