My name is Elena Ramirez, and I have operated Happy Face Family Preschool since January 12, 2004. Prior to January 2004, I informally worked as a home care educator, along with my assistant for over 9 years.
Meeting a parent’s need for Early Care is not only about providing an environment where the child is safe with adult supervision, but a place where a child is able to learn and have an enriching experience in early childhood development.
Purpose and Goals
Happy Face offers a curriculum, which emphasize the value of self-esteem. The importance of personal discovery and the respect for individual differences children are natural learners. They are born with curiosity that encourages them to question, explore and discover the world around them.
Our developmental doing approach program mixes structures a thematic curriculum of art, music, language and service activities, with free play blocks, games, puzzles, manipulative, outdoor toys and play structure.
Each child’s individual style dictates his/her choice of activities, and spontaneity as well as routine care integrated into the day. Music, movement, storytelling, role-play and physical activity are mainstays of the program. In addition children may participate in visits to neighborhood playgrounds and out things to destinations, which tie into our thematic curriculum.
Parents are welcome to visit the program at any time and are encouraged to participate in our field trips.
Typical day
• Happy Face Hours are between 8:00 am - 4:30: pm or 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. We maintain a daily schedule that varies in activities according to the monthly theme or the children's interests and feelings that day.
Arrive - hand washing, temperature taking- free play
Healthy breakfast
Circle time (books, calendar and feelings, plan for the day)
Pre-K projects at 10 am in small groups
Outdoor play and discoveries 11 am
Lunch is served at noon
Quiet/nap time from 1pm-3pm
Snack time 3:10 pm
Outdoor or indoor play, clean up, getting ready for parents' pick up time
We spend about 2 hours daily outdoors, in our backyard where we play with our gross motor and sensory activities. Our field trips is usually in the Bay area visiting museums, zoo, parks etc...
Elena Ramirez
Program Director/Lead Teacher
Our Teachers
I have a Bachelors in Arts in Raza Studies with concentration in Early Care Education. However much of my knowledge in the field comes from actual experience with children and families, and my commitment to the community of Early Care Educators.
My passion for the Early Care field begun since I was a young child always playing the role of a teacher. I am committed to protect early childhood from the demands of rigorous academic pressures and standardized tests, and promoting the value of play and its role in the learning process.