Now Open

 

Gratitude Garden Preschool

92 Avenida La Pata

949.572.4453

www.gratitudegardenpreschool.com

 On Friday, Dustine Rey, Ph. D. in educational psychology, founder and executive director of Gratitude Garden Preschool, hosted a free grand opening and community play date at 92 Avenida La Pata that was followed by a children-aided ribbon cutting event.

GratitudeGarden

Dustine Rey, Ph. D., (center in the blue dress) cuts the grand-opening ribbon at Gratitude Garden Preschool Aug. 7, 92 Avenida La Pata in San Clemente. Photo: Alison Shea

The school hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and enrollment options range from two to five days a week, depending on whether parents need full-time or part-time assistance.

All the teachers have bachelor’s degrees, teaching credentials, more than 10 years of teaching experience and have special training in science, art, or world languages, Rey said.

The school’s programs are nature-based with outdoor classrooms and have an emphasis on learning through play utilizing a Reggio philosophy that promotes science, technology, engineering and math.

Balance and play are very important at Gratitude Garden Preschool, Rey said. The school’s motto is “It’s through meaningful play, but curiosity leads the way.”

Rey said her inspiration in starting her business stemmed from her daughter, Satya, and her 22 years of being an educator. She is also a professor of psychology and early childhood education at Pepperdine University.—Alison Shea