We believe in community, communication, and lasting impact.
Meet Hilda
Founded in April 1998 by Hilda, VLN Preschool was built from a vision of creating a nurturing space where children feel loved, supported, and free to grow. With decades of experience in childcare, Hilda believes in fostering emotional connection, creativity, and confidence through everyday experiences. She enjoys incorporating yoga, breathing exercises, music, and singing into the children’s routines to encourage mindfulness and joy from an early age. One of the things she treasures most is staying connected with former students—many of whom are now in college—reflecting the lasting sense of family and community that VLN Preschool continues to create.
Meet Ricardo
With a passion for food, movement, and hands-on learning, Ricardo helps bring energy and creativity into the children’s daily experience. He focuses on preparing nourishing meals, encouraging outdoor play, and creating activities that help children connect with nature. Inspired by permaculture values, he enjoys teaching kids through gardening, plants, and exploration—helping them build curiosity, confidence, and appreciation for the world around them.
Meet Marimar
With a caring and hardworking spirit, Marimar helps create a warm and welcoming environment for the children each day. Originally from Guatemala, she brings kindness, patience, and a strong sense of community into every part of the preschool. From preparing home-cooked meals to helping maintain the outdoor spaces, she supports the children through both nourishment and hands-on care. Fluent in English, Marimar enjoys helping children feel safe, included, and encouraged while creating a calm environment where they can learn through play, exploration, and everyday experiences.
Meet Mari
With a gentle and creative approach, Mari brings joy, imagination, and meaningful learning into the classroom experience. As both a mother and educator, she loves engaging children through storytelling, interactive games, and activities that encourage confidence and curiosity. Mari is also a teacher at Las Semillitas Cooperative Preschool, where she supports bilingual early childhood education. Her passion for working with children shines through in the way she creates playful learning moments that help every child feel seen, encouraged, and excited to participate.
What Makes VLN Special
Bilingual Learning
Spanish is naturally woven into our daily conversations, helping children grow comfortable with language, culture, and communication in a warm and supportive environment.
Nature & Exploration
We encourage hands-on learning, outdoor play, and curiosity about the world around us. Through gardening, movement, and exploration, children build confidence, resilience, and connection with nature.
Meals & Community
Children enjoy home-cooked meals inspired by different cultures, including Mexican, Italian, and Chinese cuisine. We believe food, shared meals, and community are an important part of childhood.