Our Story
Keltse Bilbao founded Big & Tiny so she did not have to choose between career and family. “Being a working parent is two full-time jobs,” says Bilbao. “Our mission is to support the growth and development of both the child, the family and the community.”
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Bilbao, born and raised in Spain, is by nature an innovator. For the past several years, her primary focus has been theories and practices of learning for early childhood development, going so far as to get her Master’s in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.
The nursery school’s philosophy draws from and expands on the Reggio Emilia philosophy, a child centered approach that supports students in thinking critically and emphasizes children’s ability to construct their own knowledge through in-depth investigation and research. Based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community, children at Big and Tiny learn by doing and making decisions. “It is about bringing the world into the classroom and the classroom into the world,” says Bilbao.
Over the next few years, Big & Tiny plans to open several locations across the US building a community of learners,” says Bilbao.
Our Mission
Building a community of learners
At Big and Tiny we aim to build a nurturing learning community for children, parents and educators committed to learning and growing through a process of research and discovery. Our ultimate goal is to cultivate the love for learning and the skills that are at the foundation of a life of happiness and success: emotional intelligence, analytical thinking , self-confidence, motivation, empathy, cultural competence as well as early literacy and math skills.
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Composed of two campuses in Los Angeles and New York City, Big and Tiny is an integrated learning community supported by a common vision and mission, a shared curriculum, a passionate and highly experienced team of educators, and award-winning studios for the entire family to thrive.
Our Core Values
Building a diverse community of curious minds
Student-Centered
The role of the student at Big and Tiny is transformed from a passive consumer of facts and content into an active contributor to the learning experience and the exploration of problems, ideas, and solutions. It is in this experience that understanding is constructed and rich learning occurs. Voice and choice are at the heart of these settings as the learner helps create the learning conditions and learning outcomes with the teacher.
Diversity and Inclusion
We at Big and Tiny understand that exposure to diverse voices is an integral part of developing a compassionate, tolerant, and well-rounded worldview. We focus on respecting the unique individuality of each child and on cultivating their respect for others, the community, and the environment. Our objective is for children to connect and familiarize themselves with other cultures, races, ethnicities, and languages around the world. Therefore, several stories and discussions rooted in various cultures and traditions are incorporated into the curriculum.
Community-Oriented Education
At Big and Tiny we see parents as partners in their children’s education. Our goal is to create a bridge between a child’s life in school and outside of school. Our mission is to create inspiring places where parents are not only welcome but are connected, appreciated, and supported.
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Environmental and
Social Responsibility
At Big and Tiny we aim to create environmentally-conscious citizens of the future. Therefore, we incorporate a curriculum that educates for sustainability through community-integrated learning. Materials in our studios are sourced with the objective to educate children about the environment. Toys and elements are thoughtfully incorporated to encourage creativity, problem-solving and exploration while avoiding overstimulation in a world fighting for the children's attention.