Petite France is a home-based French immersion preschool located just north of Downtown Bellevue, welcoming children 18 months to 5 years old.
My story
I grew up in the East of France in a bilingual environment (French and Guatemalan) with a family of restaurant-hotel owners. I spent most of my time between the kitchen and reception. Being bilingual since a young age helped me learn other cultures. Today I also speak fluently two other languages.
For the University, I studied at a French Business School. After my studies, I oriented my career towards the food industry. That seemed to be a logical choice in light of my familial background. I worked for awhile in Eastern Europe, where I spent all my weekends with a tribe of French boy scouts. I then came to the Pacific Coast where I decided to dedicate my time to education and childcare. Here I continue educating myself on early childhood education as there is much to learn.
More about me on my fb page: Jessica Lalloz.
For the University, I studied at a French Business School. After my studies, I oriented my career towards the food industry. That seemed to be a logical choice in light of my familial background. I worked for awhile in Eastern Europe, where I spent all my weekends with a tribe of French boy scouts. I then came to the Pacific Coast where I decided to dedicate my time to education and childcare. Here I continue educating myself on early childhood education as there is much to learn.
More about me on my fb page: Jessica Lalloz.
Philosophy
At Petite France, I take care of your child with love, respect, and most importantly, with attention to each individual at all times. I promote collaboration by encouraging verbal exchange of ideas, feelings, concepts and by encouraging independence. I guide every one of our little students, one by one with patience.
Fostering Rich and Strong relationships through:
Fostering Rich and Strong relationships through:
- Small group/class structure
- Maintenance of strong relationships with parents
Curriculum
My program is conducted entirely in French and thus provides an immersion environment where young children are able to learn French and learn in French.
My curriculum is based on the following concepts.
Love and warmth
- "The children who live in such an atmosphere of love and warmth, and who have around them truly good examples to imitate, are living in their proper element. " (Rudolf Steiner, The education of the Child).
Care for the environment and nourishment of the senses.
- “Physical environment” must, however, be understood in the widest sense imaginable. It includes not just what happens around children in the material sense, but everything that occurs in their environment—everything that can be perceived by their senses, that can work on the inner powers of children from the surrounding physical space. This includes all moral or immoral actions, all wise or foolish actions that children see." (Rudolf Steiner, The education of the Child).
- “Last but not least, there is the cultivation of a sense of beauty and the awakening of the artistic feeling.” (Rudolf Steiner, The education of the Child).
- “The essential task of the kindergarten teacher is to create the “proper physical environment” around the children. “Physical environment” must be understood in the widest sense imaginable. It includes not just what happens around children in the material sense, but everything that occurs in their environment, everything that can be perceived by their senses, that can work on the inner powers of children from the surrounding physical space. This includes all moral or immoral actions, all the meaningful and meaningless behaviors that children witness.” (RS, The Education of the Child)
Free, imaginative play
- In the child’s play activity, we can only provide the conditions for education. What is gained through play stems fundamentally from the self-activity of the child, through everything that cannot be determined by fixed rules. The real educational value of play lies in the fact that we ignore our rules and regulations, our educational theories, and allow the child free rein. (RS, Self-Education in the Light of Spiritual Science)
Protection for the forces of childhood
- “Although it is highly necessary that each person should be fully awake in later life, the child must be allowed to remain as long as possible in the peaceful, dreamlike condition of pictorial imagination in which his early years of life are passed. For if we allow his organism to grow strong in this non-intellectual way, he will rightly develop in later life the intellectuality needed in the world today. (RS, A Modern Art of Education)”
Gratitude, reverence, and wonder
- If, during the first period of life, we create an atmosphere of gratitude around the children, then out of this gratitude toward the world, toward the entire universe, and also out of thankfulness for being able to be in this world, a profound and warm sense of devotion will arise ... upright, honest, and true. – Rudolf Steiner, The Child’s Changing Consciousness
Joy, humor, and happiness
- If you make a surly face so that a child gets the impression you are a grumpy person, this harms the child for the rest of his life. What kind of school plan you make is neither here nor there; what matters is what sort of person you are. – Rudolf Steiner, The Kingdom of Childhood
Adult caregivers on a path of inner development
- For the young child before the change of teeth, the most important thing in education is the teacher’s own being. – Rudolf Steiner, Essentials of Education
Most importantly, I recognize innate ability in children to learn the world at an individual pace. Every child is different. As far as my program goes, no one is ever ahead or behind in anything.
A day at Petite France
Starting in the morning with a yoga class outside (weather permitting), followed by a light snack to keep our little ones going until lunch. Then we share a circle time moment, where the children express themselves in French about the weather, days and stories of their choice. Next, it is classroom time. Everyday kids are encouraged to participate in two different activities. After that, it's recess time in the yard, an occasion for running, playing and having fun. In the afternoon, the lunch will be served for a pleasant and healthy moment.
Hurry up, it is already time to clean up. Mummy and daddy will be here soon!
There are, of course, special days. If you are worried about the initial transition, then read our suggestions on drop-off and pick-up.
Hurry up, it is already time to clean up. Mummy and daddy will be here soon!
There are, of course, special days. If you are worried about the initial transition, then read our suggestions on drop-off and pick-up.
Healthy meals
"FOOD IS ONLY GOOD IF IT IS PREPARED WITH WARMTH FOR WHOM IT IS INTENDED. "
- PAUL BOCUS
- PAUL BOCUS
I was born to a lineage of restaurant chefs (4th generation), so to me the world is experienced through taste buds as much as through eyes and language. That is why at least once a week, we cook with our little chefs to help them better appreciate their meal.
My priority is to prepare a balanced and organic meal for your child. I take into consideration that your child may have specific diets. Besides a usual weekly menu, I can also propose a vegetarian meal. My menu respects all the daily needs of your children.
I strive to be organic friendly when it comes to food! Read more about food on Jessica Lalloz fb page.
My priority is to prepare a balanced and organic meal for your child. I take into consideration that your child may have specific diets. Besides a usual weekly menu, I can also propose a vegetarian meal. My menu respects all the daily needs of your children.
I strive to be organic friendly when it comes to food! Read more about food on Jessica Lalloz fb page.
Hours
Primary group is 8:00 - 12:35. Please contact me regarding alternative hours. My client mothers tend to have remarkably unusual schedules, so the program is designed to accommodate such lifestyles.
