Believe in mariposas.
Early learning is important and magical.
Connection
We cultivate safe spaces where children can practice effective communication, experience joy, experiment, create, wonder and most importantly connect with their teachers and peers. We believe children are capable, inspiring, and deserve our respect.
Child-led learning
Teachers support young learners in child-directed play. Children are encouraged to learn at their own pace and in ways that fit them best. Each month our learning environments change to support a new theme. Interests and imaginations are stimulated by engaging and age-appropriate classrooms.
Skill-building
Early learning skills are woven into hours of play and activities. Important skills include: early literacy, listening, attention span, fine motor practice, early math and communication.
Cultivating Kindness
Our top priority is to help children live life respecting themselves and others. We practice conflict resolution daily. Teamwork is not always easy, but children realize the benefits. They build resilience and empathy through practice - playing, creating, and exploring with their peers.
Meet our Team
Brook Landers, M.A.
Co-Owner/Director
Lead Bilingual Teacher
B.A. Spanish, B.A. Elementary Art Education
Masters in Teaching, National Board Certified Spanish Teacher, ELL-certified
Brook’s love of learning has taken her all over the world. She has studied art and Spanish in Spain, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Mexico for more than three years in residence. She has worked as a teacher of early learners in Mexico and Costa Rica and volunteered in other Spanish-speaking countries. She will forever be drawn to new places in this world and naturally gravitate toward learning alongside the most vibrant learners - our children. Brook will rotate between classes to add Spanish language learning to each child's day, teaching Spanish through song, dance, games, stories, and other activities. We start with small amounts of input and grow throughout the year.
Jody Penick
Lead Teacher
Teacher Jody has 17 years teaching experience at Through the Garden Gate Preschool. She has helped many children transition into the early preschool experience and work through separation anxiety. With over 120 hours of Early Childhood classes and workshops and her experience running child-led, play-based learning programs, Jody is an invaluable part of our school.
Derek Smith, Ph.D.
Co-Owner/Administrator
B.A. Marine Biology, M.S. Zoology, Ph.D. Biology
NSF Fellow in K-12 Communicating Ocean Sciences
Derek brings a child-like sense of wonder to the classroom, having spent much of his life in far-flung places conducting and supporting marine research. Spending a lot of time under the surface of the Salish Sea, he feels a profound connection to saltwater and everything in it, especially in the Pacific Northwest. Formerly the STEM Director for the San Juan Island School District, he has mentored early learners through high school seniors developing diverse STEM skill sets to be better prepared for today's world.
September - June Programs
Morning Sessions
Calendar generally follows the Anacortes School District calendar
Maximum 10:1 student to teacher ratio
Students must be able to use the toilet at school
| 2.5 to 5 year-olds Dropoff: 9:00 - 9:30 am (based on student needs and family preferences) Pickup: 4 hours after dropoff 2, 3, 4, or 5 day attendance |
A Glimpse Into Our Schedule
Knowing what comes next helps early learners feel safe and confident. Our routines evolve throughout the year as children gain interpersonal skills and independence. We often transition between stages of our routine with songs. Here is an example of a morning at Oruguitas:
| 9:00am | ¡Hola! ¡Buenos días! Meet in the garden with Teacher Jody and Teacher Brook Flush and wash |
| 9:40am | Inside child-led, teacher-facilitated play in purposefully prepared environments |
| 10:40am | Circle time - Bilingual |
| 11:00am | Group picnic time - story and conversation |
| 11:30am | Outside child-led, teacher-facilitated play in fenced-in natural space surrounding school |
| 12:30pm | Dancing and singing - Bilingual |
| 1:10pm | ¡Adios! ¡Hasta pronto! |
Tuition
Registration Fee (one-time for all Oruguitas programs, non-refundable):
$100/family
Last Month Tuition (applied to last month in attendance, non-refundable, see Parent Handbook for details):
Due upon registration
| Schedule | Tuition (per child) |
|---|---|
| 5 days | $545/mo |
| 4 days | $480/mo |
| 3 days | $400/mo |
| 2 days | $315/mo |
Currently enrolling Oruguitas familes - New student registration begins March 1st
3) Meet at school for a tour and conversation 4) Formally enroll if you choose
Summer Programs
Early Learning Summer Camp
Experience the play-based beauty of Oruguitas school-year program during the warmer, sunnier month of July. We spend most of the day outside in the garden, working under the trees, in the sandbox, playing in the mud pit and best of all experiencing water in all its forms. We will focus on H20 throughout each week. The water cycle will make its into every day together. From the tip of Mount Kulshan seemingly just within reach, down the creeks and rivers out into our Salish sea and back up to the clouds once again. Water is life. And no one knows this better than our early learners. “Just add water,” is our motto for summer at Oruguitas.
Maximum 10:1 student to teacher ratio
Students must be able to use the toilet at school
| June 29th - July 3rd Dropoff 9:00am - 9:20am Regular Day Pickup 1:00pm - 1:20pm (4 hours after dropoff) Extended Day Pickup 3:00pm - 3:20pm (6 hours after dropoff) 3 to 5 year-olds |
| July 6th - 10th Dropoff 9:00am - 9:20am Regular Day Pickup 1:00pm - 1:20pm (4 hours after dropoff) Extended Day Pickup 3:00pm - 3:20pm (6 hours after dropoff) 3 to 5 year-olds |
| July 13th - 17th Dropoff 9:00am - 9:20am Regular Day Pickup 1:00pm - 1:20pm (4 hours after dropoff) Extended Day Pickup 3:00pm - 3:20pm (6 hours after dropoff) 3 to 5 year-olds |
| July 20th - 24th Dropoff 9:00am - 9:20am Regular Day Pickup 1:00pm - 1:20pm (4 hours after dropoff) Extended Day Pickup 3:00pm - 3:20pm (6 hours after dropoff) 3 to 5 year-olds |
Arte en el Jardín
Come join us for summer afternoons outside under our fig tree. We will work through the creative process together. Process art opportunities will abound as well as opportunities to learn specific fine art techniques. Media include but are not limited to: collage, painting, pen and ink, chalk, pastel, 3D sculpture and printmaking. Working creatively in a safe place with new art materials is one of the best ways I know to build resilience and joyfully strengthen self-esteem.
Maximum 10:1 student to teacher ratio
| June 29th - July 3rd 1:30pm-3:30pm 6 to 8 year-olds |
| July 6th - 10th 1:30pm-3:30pm 6 to 8 year-olds |
| July 13th - 17th 1:30pm-3:30pm 6 to 8 year-olds |
| July 20th - 24th 1:30pm-3:30pm 6 to 8 year-olds |
Younger Sibling Afternoon Program
This is an opportunity for the younger siblings of slightly older afternoon art students to join our early learning summer camp afternoon extension.
Maximum 10:1 student to teacher ratio
Students must be able to use the toilet at school
| June 29th - July 3rd 1:30pm - 3:30pm 3 to 5 year-olds |
| July 6th - 10th 1:30pm - 3:30pm 3 to 5 year-olds |
| July 13th - 17th 1:30pm - 3:30pm 3 to 5 year-olds |
| July 20th - 24th 1:30pm - 3:30pm 3 to 5 year-olds |
Tuition
Camp tuition due at registration (non-refundable)
| Schedule | Tuition (per child) |
|---|---|
| Early Learning Summer Camps Monday - Friday: 4 Hours Extended Day Option Monday - Friday: 6 hours |
$200/session $300/session |
| Arte en el Jardin Monday - Friday: 2 hours |
$180/session |
| Younger Sibling Afternoon Program Monday - Friday: 2 hours |
$100/session |
Currently enrolling Oruguitas familes - New student registration begins mid-February
What our families are saying...
Oruguitas is a magical place where kids can be just kids, playing while learning, getting wet and dirty, building special friendships, letting grow their creativity and imagination, learning Spanish vocabulary and all of that always with so much love and kindness from teacher Brook and Jody (Derek and Rachel as well). We are very happy to be part of this community and we feel beyond grateful for all the seeds that they planted inside our precious oruguitas that are slowly converting into beautiful mariposas. - Jess M.
Oruguitas is home for us. We love the school, the team , the magical environment, the play. My daughter feels safe and is happy to go to school every day where she has grown so much. Oruguitas will always have a place in our hearts. - Macarena R.
Orugitas is an amazing school with excellent teachers and a nurturing environment. My son has thrived in the fun and enriching facility which is filled with neat toys and tons of outdoor activities. He loves learning Spanish words and is proud of all the new skills he discovers. We are delighted that he feels safe, loved, and supported by Teachers Brook, Jodi, and Rachel and couldn’t think of a better place for him to be. Gracias! - Elizabeth S.
Both of my children have attended Oruguitas (younger and older class at the same time). We have been extremely happy since day one and so were my children. Teacher Brook has handled every situation with kindness and respect. We have been so grateful for the support she provides to the children as they learn and gain their independence. Within just a couple days we have seen their growth and there has never been a day that they wouldn't be happy to go to school. Teacher Rachel and Teacher Jodi are just as wonderful. I really appreciate that they are learning Spanish in a fun playful way and that they spend so much time outside every day. - Eva B.
Our son has absolutely thrived at Oruguitas, attending both the Sunday Domingos and summer school programs. We've experienced many schools, but 'Spanish School' is by far his favorite! He loves the creative artwork, the focus on outdoor play, and the compassionate, patient guidance of teacher Brook. It has truly been a wonderful experience for our family. - Matt M.
Oruguitas is a true blessing, providing an environment where children can safely and creatively learn, play, explore, and express themselves as they grow and develop into kids! Our son is welcomed by a staff of caring and considerate individuals who are conscious of a child's growth (to include all the up's and down's!) and are inspired in their work, and that directly feeds into the atmosphere in which the children thrive. - Carl E.
We love the caring environment and talented child care professionals who work here! - Elisabeth C.
Over the last nearly two years at Oruguitas Bilingual School, I've loved watching my daughter blossom into a confident learner who eagerly takes on new challenges and isn’t afraid to get a little messy along the way. We feel so grateful to have this wonderful school in our community! - Kimberly M.
Oruguitas has provided our family with an incredible preschool experience. We truly couldn't have wished for a more inviting and nurturing environment for our children. Brook has spun pure magic here, crafting a delightful world where kiddos can learn, explore, and blossom! - Lesley B.
Thank you Brook Landers for inspiring multilinguism and beuatiful art at your amazing Oruguitas preschool! Believe in mariposas! - Morgan L.
Brook and her team have been nothing short of incredible for our preschooler. Whether playing knee-deep in mud, singing songs in Spanish or needing extra attention on hard days, Oruguitas is all we hoped for and needed in a preschool - Maggie and Elizabeth
We have loved how Orugitas teaches our kids practical skills while also illuminating their imaginations to think outside the box. - Sonja K.