About our School
Little Panda is a mandaine immerson Daycare and Preschool Program. The school is licensed by the State of California. The location is in the Glen Park neighborhood and is located in a home-based environment. Little Panda maintains a small group atmosphere so that children get individual attention.
Our Philosophy
Little Panda promotes an environment where children become independent, confident, lifelong learners with a strong sense of self. We proudly offer a positive, child-centered preschool experience that fosters a love of learning in a nurturing community. In each child, we strive to cultivate:
• Autonomy
• A sense of belonging
• Respect for others
• Enthusiasm for exploration
• Autonomy
• A sense of belonging
• Respect for others
• Enthusiasm for exploration
Teachers
Teacher Tiffany has 10 years of experience as an early childhood educator. She is also an early education mentor and arranges workshops and classes for Bay Area daycare and preschool early educators. She is also the network leader for the Mission-Terrace Network.
Little Panda focuses on hiring highly skilled Mandarin speaking teachers. Teacher Tiffany mentors and trains all teachers to be great Little Panda teachers.
Little Panda focuses on hiring highly skilled Mandarin speaking teachers. Teacher Tiffany mentors and trains all teachers to be great Little Panda teachers.
Parents and Families
Parents of Little Panda children take an active role in the school’s success and in building a community for our children. Several times a year, parents organize weekend field trips that involve the entire Little Panda community. The age diversity at Little Panda allows families with multiple children to send their children to school together. We find that this helps children with the transition to school, makes morning logistics easier for busy parents and allows our older children to become caretakers of younger children. We have many families who send multiple children to Little Panda.
Language Immersion and Chinese Culture
Little Panda is a Mandarin speaking daycare and preschool. This means that while at school, all of the teachers speak Mandarin to the children and emphasize stories and songs in Mandarin. Some of our children also speak Mandarin at home, but many of our children do not have a Mandarin speaking parent. We welcome children to Little Panda with whatever language abilities they have. Typically, children who enroll at Little Panda at a young age will be fluent in Mandarin by the time they leave for kindergarten, but all children will improve in Mandarin regardless of when they enroll. Teacher Tiffany speaks English and Cantonese as well as Mandarin and will speak with parents in whatever language they are most comfortable. All written materials provided to parents by Little Panda are in English and Chinese. Little Panda writes index cards and takes videos to help parents learn some Mandarin with their children.
All children will learn about Chinese culture at Little Panda even if they do not have Chinese influence at home. We think this helps children to appreciate all cultures and to celebrate diversity. Chinese influence at Little Panda includes trying Chinese foods, celebrating important holidays and singing songs.
All children will learn about Chinese culture at Little Panda even if they do not have Chinese influence at home. We think this helps children to appreciate all cultures and to celebrate diversity. Chinese influence at Little Panda includes trying Chinese foods, celebrating important holidays and singing songs.
Curriculum
Little Panda uses a creative and project based curriculum. Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. This means that children are encouraged to explore and be creative and is based on each kid’s interests. Teachers help children to explore their own interests and extend their learning, language and emotional development. Children are encouraged to be problem solvers and ask questions and resolve their own conflicts. Teachers ask them questions and encourage their creativity and critical thinking.
Working with the needs of your child
Little Panda has a diversity of children enrolled in the school. Many of our infants are exclusively breast fed, some use cloth diapers, others use disposable. Some parents prefer to bring homemade infant foods, others allow us to prepare the foods. Whatever the unique needs of your family, we are happy to work with you.
By the time your child is pre-school age, we will work with them to participate in the Little Panda routine. This means that we will cook all of their foods, and ask them to participate in nap time with the other children. Children are fed wholesome farmer’s market foods which helps them grow and learn about the environment as good protectors of the environment. This helps them prepare for the transition to kindergarten.
By the time your child is pre-school age, we will work with them to participate in the Little Panda routine. This means that we will cook all of their foods, and ask them to participate in nap time with the other children. Children are fed wholesome farmer’s market foods which helps them grow and learn about the environment as good protectors of the environment. This helps them prepare for the transition to kindergarten.
