US PROJECTS

 

Hearts Leap Schools, Bay Area, CA

Hearts Leap Schools, established in 1990 and expanded in 2008 with Hearts Leap North, offer exemplary early childhood and infant/toddler programs across four locations in Berkeley and Oakland, San Francisco Bay Area. Our programs, deeply rooted in an emergent curriculum, are inspired by the Reggio approach, are child-directed, and adhere to developmentally appropriate practices. We are committed to creating a stimulating, exciting, creative educational environment. Recognizing education as a lifelong journey influenced by children's interactions with all adults and peers they encounter, we shape our approach to foster a partnership between parents and educators. This collaboration ensures a positive and impactful experience for young children. Since its inception, our mission has been to provide a warm, secure, nurturing, and stimulating preschool environment, catering to the community's growing need for quality early childhood education.

For details on Hearts Leap School & Hearts Leap Beginnings (infant, toddler, and early childhood programs), contact Center Director Gretchen Stizel at (510) 549-1422 or by email at gretchen@icrichild.org

For details on Hearts Leap North's early childhood program, contact Center Director Sarah Poh at (510) 665-4200 or by email at sarah@heartsleap.org.

For details about Hearts Leap, please contact Center Director Natalie Wollner at (510)-444-1725 or by email at natalie@icrichild.org

El Nuevo Mundo Children’s Center, Richmond, CA

Under the guidance of the International Child Resource Institute (ICRI), El Nuevo Mundo Children's Center in Richmond, CA, is a beacon of bilingual early childhood education. This exceptional Spanish/English preschool mirrors the high standards of our Hearts Leap Schools, providing invaluable California State Department of Education subsidies, comprehensive training, and diligent oversight. Unique in its offering as the sole private non-profit bilingual preschool for low-income families in West Contra Costa, El Nuevo Mundo cultivates a rich, multicultural environment. Here, children from varied backgrounds are nurtured to embrace their full potential. Our curriculum, centered on playful and interactive learning, is meticulously crafted to enhance cognitive and linguistic skills, inspiring children to explore, grow, communicate, and create. This supportive setting is not just about learning—it's about experiencing joy in every discovery.

For detailed information about El Nuevo Mundo's early childhood program and to discover the enriching experiences we offer, please get in touch with Center Director Silvana Mosca at (510) 233-2329 or by email at silvana@icrichild.org

Stanford University Children's Centers, Stanford, CA

ICRI proudly manages three children's centers at Stanford University, catering to over 400 infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families. Like our Hearts Leap Schools, these centers offer an Emergent Curriculum and child-led activities within nurturing environments that ignite children's innate curiosity and love for learning. Our programs are tailored to meet the developmental needs of infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-K children, all of which are NAEYC-Accredited Programs (www.naeyc.org/accreditation/).

 

Each program fosters various skills through play-based methods, encompassing language, art, science, music, social studies, mathematics, and physical activities. Our infant and toddler programs focus on sensory and language experiences, allowing children to engage and explore independently. The preschool programs offer rich opportunities for exploration, creation, invention, and discovery in a welcoming and open environment. For more information on these vibrant educational spaces:

  • Stanford Arboretum Children's Center: Contact Program Director Allison Monroe at 650-725-6322.

  • Stanford Madera Grove Children's Center: Reach Program Director Kimberly Kostepen at 650-721-6632.

  • Stock Farm Road Children's Center: Call Program Director Senchal Rodriguez at 650-736-8465.

Family Daycare Support Network 

Family Daycare Support Network (FDSN) champions the health and development of low-income children in Alameda County by providing access to nutritious meals. Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), FDSN reimburses child daycare providers for preparing meals that meet USDA's nutrition standards for young children. This initiative ensures healthy food choices and supports our community's children's well-being.

In addition to financial assistance, FDSN offers hands-on training and support to daycare providers, emphasizing the importance of good nutrition in early childhood. Our team regularly visits daycare homes, sharing knowledge, healthy eating tips, and child-friendly recipes through our newsletters. This comprehensive approach benefits approximately 100 family daycare providers and ensures that nearly 950 low-income children in Alameda County receive nutritious meals daily at their daycare homes.