THE NURSERY - RAYITOS DE SOL

During the time that parents are in class, their small children are given loving, Christian care and attention in a beautiful facility located right on the Institute grounds.  Children have the opportunity to hear Spanish spoken by their caregivers and a few Costa Rican classmates and progress amazingly rapidly in their own production of the language! 

The original building was designed by a North American architect in consultation with medical authorities and contains three classrooms, a set of child sized bathrooms, a small kitchen, a resource room, and an office.  Two more large classrooms, each with it's own bathroom, were added in 1997.  Two outdoor play areas are well protected and equipped with swings, slides, and a large, sheltered sandbox.

The staff of "The Kinder" (as Rayitos is also known) includes two professional preschool teachers and four helpers, all of whom have a combined service record of 74 years.

The ratio to children to caregivers does not exceed 3:1 for infants, 5:1 for one-and-a-half-year olds, 6:1 for two-year-olds,  10:1 for three and four year olds.   The daily program includes age appropriate bodily exercise, fine motor skills activities, Spanish practice, handcrafts, music, story time, naps, prayer, Bible stories and a devotional activity for all children ("rug time").  Hours are Monday-Friday, 7:15 AM to 1:00 PM.  To ensure each child's healthy adaptation to the program, partial enrollment is normally not permitted.

Parents are called upon from time to time to assist in the preparation of materials and snacks and to supervise Bible Hour in English on Fridays.  The Kinder Coordinator acts as liaison between parents and Administration and serves on the Student Council.  (See "Fees" for Rayitos expenses.)

Over the years parents have found that there are many advantages to enrolling their children in "The Kinder."  Mothers need not stay home from classes or leave their children in the care of a non-specialist.  Children receive continuous supervision and participate in stimulating educational activities.  By hearing Spanish spoken by their caregivers and some of their classmates, they progress amazingly rapidly in their own production of the language.  And, children are never more than a minute away from their parents, should there be a special need.