Early Childhood Education in Santa Monica: Kidz Korner Children's Center
February 24, 2023 12:09 PM
by Ivy Chang
The first years of life are the best time to ensure a strong future for all Santa Monica children. Early education advances equity and is essential for thriving families and communities. Whether children begin care as infants, toddlers, or preschoolers, Santa Monica is home to a wide range of early learning programs, with varying curriculums, hours, and costs.
Enriching and safe care should be available to all children, regardless of their family’s income, needs, race or ethnicity, or the languages they speak. Connections for Children, our local Child Care Resource and Referral agency, can help you find a program that meets your needs and determine if you qualify for funding to help pay for it (connectionsforchildren.org or (310) 452-3325).
Our communities are stronger when every child is healthy, safe, and engaged in early learning. Read on to learn about the passionate and diverse professionals doing this important work in Santa Monica. This is Part 10 of a series.
Program Name: Kidz Korner Children’s Center Inc
Program Director: Keyla Bell
Ages of children served: Infant to 6 years old
Operating Hours: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, year-round
Brief History: A lifelong Santa Monica resident, Keyla Bell started a family child care in 1999 and expanded to Kidz Korner in 2018 to give back to the community where she was raised and educated.
How do you include families in creating a bias-free learning environment?
When children, families, and teachers come to our center, I want them to feel comfortable. We host cultural days where families bring traditional clothing and food from their culture, and the children learn about different cultures without stereotyping. We also host family dinners together. I want the children to know that we are all equal.
I maintain open communication with families even after they leave. I still get Christmas cards when the children are going to college and receive updates about what they’re doing because we are family. Children are not merely a source of income. I’m being paid to educate young children and I equally invest in their futures and support their families. They are my children. When they’re not feeling well and need to cuddle, I’m here. If they’re having a rough day, I’m here. I also strive to ask the families about their days, and how they are feeling. At Kidz Korner we are a family, and I always try to stay in touch.
Can you share more about your language immersion program?
Everything is broken up in three languages: English, Spanish, and Mandarin [Chinese]. We have a separate teacher for Spanish and Mandarin. On Mondays and Wednesdays, we focus on Spanish, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we focus on Mandarin. English is used every day. Teachers respond in the language of the day, and the children can recite words, ask questions, and respond in that language. Learning occurs during everyday conversations. We don’t make children who are not picking up a language feel isolated. While we divide the children by age group with different teachers, we don’t separate them based on skill level. Language immersion is not stressful. We make learning fun, move slowly, and assess each child’s progress individually.
How do you support your staff’s professional development in early childhood education (ECE)?
ECE is about longevity. My philosophy is that the staff is part of my family, and because of this we can grow together. I’m an entrepreneur and I always tell my teachers this is your starting point. One day you can start your own center or be a teacher at your own program. I want my staff to have goals, and even if those goals may not end with my program, I support them. Our staff regularly meets each week, and sometimes we meet on Saturdays to better learn the languages we are teaching the children. Finally, I incentivize my staff to earn master’s degrees.
Please contact Kidz Korner Children’s Center directly at kidzkornerchildrenscenter.org or (310) 314 3941 for more information.
Past blog posts:
How Early Childhood is an Investment in the Future
3 Reasons Why Early Childhood Matters in Santa Monica
Homepage for ECE Blog Post Series
Authored By
Ivy Chang
Senior Administrative Analyst