How do children learn Spanish at Cometa?
Children learn a second language the same way they learn their native language, by listening and imitating. Our curriculum is designed to inspire children to learn through play, songs, games and practical life activities including gardening and cooking.

Who are the teachers?
Manuela Slye is the lead educator and creator of Cometa Playschool. She is trained in Early Childhood Education, is pursuing her Certificate as a Musikgarten teacher and is an active member in her community, serving as a volunteer for different organizations such as Childhaven and Seattle Tilth. She is raising her three young children in a bilingual household. Manuela is also teaching French to her oldest daughter, Audry.
Iris Viveros is our teacher assistant. She is trained in Reflective Parenting, CPR and First Aid. Iris is currently attending the Seattle Central Community College and soon will transfer to the University of Washington to study social anthropology. She is a Volunteer Children’s Garden Tour Guide at the Seattle Tilth.
Both Manuela and Iris believe early childhood is a time to play, learn and discover and are appreciative of what learning a second language brings to children’s lives.

Do children need to know Spanish to attend Cometa?
No prior Spanish knowledge is required. Everybody is welcome! We will learn Spanish together through play, music, artistic expression and more!

What is the student/teacher ratio?
The ratio is 7:1 for the Fall Preschool. Summer Camps will have no more than 12 children when two educators are present. The parent/tot and Saturday Club class size is limited to 6 children.

What kind of curriculum do you use?
We have created an innovative curriculum that encompasses early learning and second language acquisition in a fun, stimulating environment. Our emergent curriculum is child-centered and all activities are age appropriate and based on the children’s needs and interests.

When do classes start?
This is our first year so we will launch our program with two week Summer Camps (Camp Julio and Camp Agosto). Children can attend two, three or five days a week, 10am to 1pm.

What are the summer camp themes?
CAMP JULIO
Week One: La Tierra (Planet Earth/ Dirt)
Week Two: El Mar (The Sea)

CAMP AGOSTO
Week One: Me gusta ser yo! (All about me!)
Week Two: La Granja (The Farm)

Do you provide lunch?
Yes, we do for the summer programs. Please take a Summer Camp Lunch Menu and let us know the days you would like your child to bring lunch from home instead.

What kinds of activities will you do during the summer camps?
Our summer program is going to be a lot of fun! We will spend time in the classroom planning our day, talking about what children are interested in, and then we will move outside: we will work out in our children’s garden, look for bugs, go for walks, visit the fire station next door and weather permitted we will also go to the beach and the Hiawatha playground.