Project Community: Des Moines day care brings Spanish language to students
Mundo Peque単o: A little world instilling Spanish into students
Mundo Peque単o: A little world instilling Spanish into students
Mundo Peque単o: A little world instilling Spanish into students
Situated on Des Moines' south side, Mundo Peque単o is a multi-room facility that serves nearly 60 students, from infants to toddlers. True to its name, it feels like its own little world.
Each child who enters through the doors is greeted in a language that most of them don't speak at home: Spanish.
Co-founder Lupita Castillo says that 80% of their kids are non-Spanish speakers, but when they enter Mundo Peque単o, they are transported into a little world where they learn, play and sing in Spanish. Despite it not being many of the kids' primary language, Castillo says they learn quickly and understand the staff perfectly.
Castillo didn't begin her career in child care but recognized the importance of having a trusted facility after caring for her special needs son. After learning how to care for children of all abilities, she begged the question, "How do I create my own day care?"
A simple call to the Iowa Division of Well-Being and Protection answered her many questions. Eventually, Castillo began earning grants that let her open the business and further expand it, on top of elevating the curriculum.
Castillo says their day care stands apart from others, not only because of the language and curriculum, but also because the staff treats each child like family.
"I think this is the difference because some families say, 'Oh, other day cares look like a factory, but here looks like a family,'" Castillo said.
Castillo says her staff doesn't take their jobs lightly. They recognize that many children spend more time in their care than with their families, so they do their best to make it feel like home. The bright yellow walls are covered in art made by the children. The facility is chalk full with toys and activities. And each child's names adorns cubbies and floor mats, signaling that they belong at Mundo Peque単o.
Many students begin their journeys at Mundo Peque単o as babies and stay until they're ready for preschool.
"That's why I love my job because I like to see that, how they grow, how they learn," Castillo said.
Castillo said each milestone she witnesses is special, and she hopes that when the kids leave her care, they remember their time at Mundo Peque単o fondly.
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