Hi, I’m Kim
I am a wife and a mom to 5 kids ages 8-18. I have lived in Carlsbad for over 30 years and over 20 in my current home in the Rancho Carrillo neighborhood. I am a credentialed teacher, a family childcare licensee and operate a homeschool/microschool for grades K-2 in my home.
In these ever changing times within our public school system in California, I've felt a tug on my heart to create a safe and comfortable place for kids to come and learn. I am a mother of five and have taught 3rd grade and a 1st/2nd grade combination class at Bonsall Union School District and San Marcos Unified School District. If you can't tell already, I love kids.
My homeschool consists of two sessions (morning 8:30-11:30 and afternoon 11:45-2:45) with 12 children enrolled in each session. They are taught all the standards and subjects that are required in a cozy home environment. Some of it looks very much like a classroom with things like morning calendar, sharing, field trips, dress-up days, awards, and first day photos. Some of it will look different with things like cooking classes, gardening, & art. My living room has been transformed into a classroom with tables, chairs, white board and more.
While teaching a combination class of 1st and 2nd graders I learned how to teach to individual children and not to limit them by their grade level. If a child is reading at second grade level as a first grader then they should be able to progress as far as they can. If a child is behind they will be able to work along kids at their level, while also being challenged by other children. I have an assistant, which brings the ratio to 6:1!
The children experience the social aspect of school on a smaller scale. They practice sharing, taking turns, caring for others, and other important interpersonal skills. Each relationship is nurtured providing a caring and safe environment for each child.
Many parents struggle to teach their own children, I understand that. It can also be hard if you have other children at home to tend to or need to work. It's not worth the struggle and the strain on the parent/child relationship.
A short 3 hour day is perfect for younger children. A 6:1 ratio makes sure each child has more than enough time to accomplish all the milestones they need. After 3 hours of education they have the rest of the day to adventure.
In the past my children have attended the local public schools, where I spent many hours as a volunteer. When covid hit in March of 2020 and the schools closed down my first grader dreaded getting on zoom calls and it was a struggle to get him to focus and engage. I knew this would not work and when the next school year came and schools were still closed I knew I would need to homeschool. At the same time my other son was about to start kinder, an important year for socialization and learning how to be in school. I wanted him to have an experience that was natural without plexiglass or closed playground equipment. I didn't want him to think that's how school is suppose to be. Already having my childcare license and teaching credential I decided to create my own school not only for my own children, but those in the community looking for something similar.