Our founder, Michelle, received her BA degree in Social Anthropology from Cal State Fullerton, earned her Child Development Program Director Permit in 2022, and is proud to be a certified and trained “Outdoor Classroom Specialist” by the Outdoor Classroom Project. She started Michelle's Backyard in Redondo Beach in 2008 when her children were young as a way earn some extra money. She had no idea it would grow and would get to be a part of so many amazing South Bay Families. Family and Community is the heart of Michelle’s Backyard and every new family becomes part of the larger extended Backyard Family. She is grateful to spend her days outside playing all day surrounded by smiles, hugs and curious children.
Michelle’s Backyard Preschool & Daycare Philosophy
At Michelle’s Backyard we offer a multi-age setting, providing a rich and natural environment for children to develop social and emotional skills. We plan activities that will expand their thinking, encouraging language, literacy, pre-mathematical concepts and other pre-academic skills to develop.
We take extra care to make children feel safe, comfortable and loved. The transition from home to school is a huge change for most children and we do our best to make it as fun and easy as possible, while learning the necessary skills through exploration and discovery.
Our curriculum is play-based and focuses on the current interests and developmental levels of our children. The goal for Michelle's Backyard graduates is to enter school as self-confident, effective problem solvers. Our philosophy and play-based curriculum are influenced by Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP). We give the children time to ask questions, test theories and explore topics that interest them. Reading, writing, math, science and social development are taught through play and project-based work. Teachers take much care in planning a curriculum inspired by the children’s interests.
We also believe that emotional development is the core of proper whole brain development. We have embraced the philosophy of nonviolent parenting which stresses the importance of nurturing emotional intelligence through empathy and connection. We work to provide children with effective tools to work together in a group. We are here to help children understand the meaning behind their actions and teach them positive ways to get their needs met.
Childhood is a precious time of discovery and development. Children today face an increasing pressure to grow up too fast, depriving them of fundamental early childhood experiences that help them to become successful adults.
Michelle's Backyard is committed to preserving the experiences of childhood. We spend hours outdoors exploring, giggling, laughing and discovering the world around us. You will find us regularly covered in mud, chalk, paint or water and laughing as we splash through warm days in water tables, pools and slip n slides.