I have been sending my older son to Escuela Viva for two years, and my younger son for 1 year. I agree with everything the previous post from Tanya said about Angie. She is open, communicative, attentive, upbeat, and takes action in empathetic ways when needed. She deals skillfully with parent concerns and takes real action to address problems. And she is incredibly flexible about scheduling whenever she can be.
The outside area has indeed flourished since the last post by Tanya. Much of it has been depaved, and what isn't is simply because the property needs to keep some pavement for parking for potential future tenants; it is financially more valuable that way. But there are many native plants, a playhouse, play structures, a new covered area to stay out of rain if needed, a shaded area, natural bioswales, and many many raised garden beds where all the classrooms are involved in planting, tending to and harvesting vegetables.
The food is wonderful and nourishing, and they are attentive to food allergies.
The teachers are wonderful. Each classroom is very focused on free and creative play; literacy via art, stories, dramas and personal journals (even the 2.5 year olds have their own journals, mostly with drawings but also a few stories they tell); the importance of place -- taking care of one's place and environment, noticing it, thinking about it, making connections; and of course community via learning and understanding friendships. My 3yo recently said to me, "Do you know how to make love? Hugs and making friends." He definitely got that at school. Both my sons have been so comfortable here, so loved and cared for, and they have learned a ton. My 5yo is definitely ready for kindergarten in the fall, largely because of the attention Escuela Viva's teachers and director, Angie, have given to nurturing and feeding his natural curiosity.
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