La Hormiguita Spanish Immersion Childcare, Mill Valley

Welcome to La Hormiguita Spanish Immersion Childcare, a licensed child care and preschool program in Mill Valley, CA. Located next to the Strawberry Village shopping mall, right off Redwood Hwy (Route 101), we invite you to join us and watch your little ones blossom into confident, bilingual explorers! We're open Monday to Friday, from 7:45 AM to 5:30 PM for full-time and part-time child care and preschool. We also offer drop-in care as well as before and after school care. La Hormiguita is a home-based childcare program catering to children from 3 months to 4 years old. We introduce children to a second language through an immersive Spanish-language program (we can communicate with parents in English, but this is a Spanish immersion program so we speak to children in Spanish).

Our curriculum features a hybrid model, with activities taking place both inside and outside the classroom, including "natural exploration," where children engage with their environment to develop a deeper connection to the world around them. We believe that children should connect with their environment to develop a deeper awareness of the planet and how to care for it. Our curriculum includes enriching experiences like beach outings, museum visits, farmers’ market strolls, park explorations, and bookstore trips, all of which help children become active participants in their community. We also have classes in healthy cooking, science, art, theater, dance, music, physical education, and gymnastics. Additionally, we offer gymnastics classes bi-weekly and soccer classes weekly, both available for a fee. However, these classes are complimentary during the first month of care!

At La Hormiguita, we provide a nurturing environment that supports the holistic growth and education of each child. We believe in addressing all areas of development, ensuring that no aspect of a child’s growth is overlooked. We prioritize allowing children to explore and learn at their own pace in a supportive and loving setting. Our approach helps children develop a strong sense of identity and competence, thanks to our dedicated educators who make sure every child feels secure and valued. Influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach, our philosophy emphasizes the importance of safe and respectful relationships with trustworthy adults as the foundation for all learning experiences. We recognize that each child’s educational journey is unique. We are committed to embracing these individual differences to create an inclusive and enriching learning environment for all. By focusing on the youngest learners, we ensure they have positive early school experiences, smoothing their transition to transitional kindergarten (TK).

The mission of La Hormiguita is to cultivate an awareness of diverse ways of living and thinking through the rich cultural experiences we offer. We aim to build deep connections with every family and child, providing a safe environment that maximizes personal and educational development. At La Hormiguita, our goal is to nurture individuals who are sensitive to nature and the world around them, and who engage with others from a place of respect and empathy. We strive to inspire a genuine appreciation for diversity and a commitment to intercultural understanding in each of our students.

- Transportation Services: For your convenience, we offer pick-up and drop-off services daily. This service is paid separately from child care but will be FREE during the first 1 year of care! Free transportation limited to the Tiburon, Mill Valley, and Sausalito areas. - Before and After-School Program: Our program includes transportation fees, ensuring your child’s safety and convenience throughout the day. - Spanish Classes: In addition to child care and preschool, we also offer Spanish classes on Saturdays (open to anyone, even to families not enrolled in our daycare!) Please inquire about rates.