About UsLe Petit Jardin is a unique toddler program that combines loving childcare with daily experiences in an around the French and Francophone cultures. Children are introduced to sounds and words of the French language through songs, nursery rhymes, stories and general everyday interactions.
As children are exceptional language learners by nature, this total-immersion environment enables them to quickly become familiar with French and to begin to know how to use it for themselves.
Curriculum
Daily activities include any combination of art, story time, puppet play, song and dance, outdoor play and free play time. These experiences will be guided completely in French to familiarize children with numbers, letters, colors, shapes and other early vocabulary. Popular childhood songs and nursery rhymes from France will soon become some of your child's favorites and hopefully they will teach them to you at home!
Children will explore the language through the songs, games and holiday celebrations of France as well as other Francophone communities. Simple introduction to the French Islands, Ivory Coast, and Quebec will help to give a broader cultural connection to the French language as well as to the wide world we live in.
A nutritious snack and lunch will be served daily. Children will eat together in a family-style setting where they will learn and practice early table manners as well as table and food vocabulary in French. Meals are included in each child's tuition costs.
Teacher AmbiDirector
Amber Smith-Lopata is Director and Lead Teacher at Le Petit Jardin. Outside of being a mother of two, her experiences include many years as an au-pair, chaperone and board member for F.A.C.E. (French American Cultural Exchange Program), and primary grades teacher's assistant. She holds a bachelor's degree in French and Francophone Studies and spends time each year in France with her native French husband and two young sons.
"Not only is French one of the most beautiful romantic languages in the world, but the culture surrounding the language, people and traditions of France is something to truly fall in love with. I am honored to help inspire this love for another culture and language in the little hearts and minds of our students and their families!"
-Amber Smith-Lopata
Amber is CPR and First Aid certified by the American Red Cross.
Le Petit Jardin is a licensed child care facility.
Lic # 214005102
Teacher Sandrine
Assistant
Sandrine Benani-Nunes is Le Petit Jardin's full-time assistant teacher. Sandrine was born and raised in Paris, France. She worked for many years as an au-pair and youth French tutor before joining the LPJ team in January 2010. Outside of teaching and caring for children, Sandrine enjoys photgraphy, swimming, and spending time with her husband near their home in San Francisco. Sandrine's love for nature and outdoor activites are some of her countless qualities that benefit her tiny students each day. For more about Sandrine and her photography, visit her site at http://sandrinebenani.com/
Sandrine is CPR and First Aid certified by the American Red Cross.
Teacher AnneMommy & Me and Enrichment
Anne DeSouza comes to us from Saint Malo, France. She began caring for newborns at age fifteen and has been working with babies and young children ever since. Anne has a unique gift for storytelling in a way that effectively engages young children. Her sense of humor and sunny (and often silly) disposition make her the ideal addition to the LPJ team. Anne is the Lead Mommy & Me Teacher and makes 'guest appearances' in our regular morning class sessions where she hosts interactive lessons, group activities and story times with the students. To learn even more about Anne, visit her site at http://www.petitemalouine.com .
Teacher JeannieArt Instructor
Jean Vadal Smith has been Painting since she was 10 years old. Growing up in suburban Michigan amongst 8 brothers and sisters, her box of crayons and simple set of watercolors were her creative escape. Now after 40+ years of learning, creating and perfecting her craft which is richly grounded in landscape and the impressionistic styles of many of the French Masters, she finds great joy in assisiting young children (including her own grandchildren) in finding their own creative sparks! She has studied under many great teachers and been showcased in galleries and private collections accross the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and Costa Rica. She has been teaching children and adult classes in southern California for more than twenty years. After recently moving to Marin County, Jean currently keeps busy by hosting an online gallery storefront at Etsy.com and teaching local children's classes through Mill Valley Parks and Recreation , Le Petit Jardin of San Anselmo and her very own Lil' Monet Summer Art Camp!
Come by and meet us!
Call for a tour!
Tel. 415.459.3978
Location:
San Anselmo, Ca
to receive more information.
