Olive Children
North Fremont Campus, Mother Teresa Center of St. James Apostle Church, 34700 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont, CA 34700
About
Olive Children offers STEM-based afterschool learning, advanced STEM programs, and seasonal camps that include STEM-focused projects and activities. Children take part in play-based exploration and play-based learning, with hands-on exploration, hands-on projects, guided exploration, and inquiry-driven projects that build research skills through STEM-focused projects and activities.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Opening hours Monday–Friday 8:00 am–6:00 pm
Olive Children is a Reggio-inspired early childhood community with an educational philosophy inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and a balance between freedom and structure. The Infant and Toddler program emphasizes responsive caregiving, secure relationships, and play-based exploration. The Preschool program supports social, emotional, and cognitive growth through Reggio-inspired, play-based learning and thoughtful teacher guidance. The TK–K program supports growing independence, confidence, and thinking through Reggio-inspired learning, hands-on exploration, and thoughtful teacher guidance. The G1–G5 Afterschool program offers a STEM-focused learning environment with hands-on projects and guided exploration. The Advanced STEM Program engages middle and high school students in inquiry-driven projects, research skills, and advanced STEM concepts supported by expert mentorship. Seasonal camps provide STEM-focused projects and activities that encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity in a fun, supportive environment. Learning is described as a connected journey from infants to elementary school, and families are described as valued partners in the learning journey. The environment is considered a child’s third teacher, with classrooms and shared spaces designed to feel calm, welcoming, and inspiring, using natural light, open-ended materials, and organized learning areas.
The mission statement for Olive Children describes it as a Reggio-inspired early childhood community offering nurturing preschool programs, STEM-based afterschool learning, and advanced STEM programs that support children’s curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The mission statement also says the goal was not to be trendy or rigid, but to build a learning community that respects childhood, with curiosity and exploration supported by intentional guidance, and a community built on trust, partnership, and shared purpose. The mission statement includes a promise to respect each child’s unique pace, voice, and individuality; create environments that inspire curiosity and discovery; nurture confidence, independence, and resilience; and protect the joy and wonder of childhood so that every child grows with a strong sense of belonging and a belief in their own potential.
The leadership team includes Founder and Executive Director Joni Jen, Director Edward Njoo, and Board Member Tammy Long. The staff credentials include that Joni Jen is a mother, childhood educator, and entrepreneur who has been living and working in the Bay Area for over 30 years. Edward Njoo received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at Loyola Marymount University and his MS in Science & Religion from Biola University, is currently a PhD candidate at Stanford University, and has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications in organic chemistry, chemical biology, and chemical education/science education. Tammy holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Cal State East Bay and a Masters in Christian Formation from North Park Seminary.
Olive Children Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization. It collaborates with Berkeley Academy and other affiliated programs to advance shared educational values and educator learning, while operating independently in governance, programs, and finances.
Parent testimonials describe the teaching philosophy as tailored to individual students’ needs. One preschool parent reports that the teacher-to-student ratio is about one teacher to 4–6 kids and that their child was excited in the first two weeks because he learned many new things with a lot of attention from teachers every day. Another parent at Little STEaMers describes it as having the resources and standards of an established external childcare facility with the coziness of a home-care due to smaller size, and says their child started at 13 months and thrived there, and that they are thankful for the staff.
Last updated June 18, 2026.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Opening hours Monday–Friday 8:00 am–6:00 pm
Olive Children is a Reggio-inspired early childhood community with an educational philosophy inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and a balance between freedom and structure. The Infant and Toddler program emphasizes responsive caregiving, secure relationships, and play-based exploration. The Preschool program supports social, emotional, and cognitive growth through Reggio-inspired, play-based learning and thoughtful teacher guidance. The TK–K program supports growing independence, confidence, and thinking through Reggio-inspired learning, hands-on exploration, and thoughtful teacher guidance. The G1–G5 Afterschool program offers a STEM-focused learning environment with hands-on projects and guided exploration. The Advanced STEM Program engages middle and high school students in inquiry-driven projects, research skills, and advanced STEM concepts supported by expert mentorship. Seasonal camps provide STEM-focused projects and activities that encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity in a fun, supportive environment. Learning is described as a connected journey from infants to elementary school, and families are described as valued partners in the learning journey. The environment is considered a child’s third teacher, with classrooms and shared spaces designed to feel calm, welcoming, and inspiring, using natural light, open-ended materials, and organized learning areas.
The mission statement for Olive Children describes it as a Reggio-inspired early childhood community offering nurturing preschool programs, STEM-based afterschool learning, and advanced STEM programs that support children’s curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The mission statement also says the goal was not to be trendy or rigid, but to build a learning community that respects childhood, with curiosity and exploration supported by intentional guidance, and a community built on trust, partnership, and shared purpose. The mission statement includes a promise to respect each child’s unique pace, voice, and individuality; create environments that inspire curiosity and discovery; nurture confidence, independence, and resilience; and protect the joy and wonder of childhood so that every child grows with a strong sense of belonging and a belief in their own potential.
The leadership team includes Founder and Executive Director Joni Jen, Director Edward Njoo, and Board Member Tammy Long. The staff credentials include that Joni Jen is a mother, childhood educator, and entrepreneur who has been living and working in the Bay Area for over 30 years. Edward Njoo received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at Loyola Marymount University and his MS in Science & Religion from Biola University, is currently a PhD candidate at Stanford University, and has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications in organic chemistry, chemical biology, and chemical education/science education. Tammy holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Cal State East Bay and a Masters in Christian Formation from North Park Seminary.
Olive Children Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization. It collaborates with Berkeley Academy and other affiliated programs to advance shared educational values and educator learning, while operating independently in governance, programs, and finances.
Parent testimonials describe the teaching philosophy as tailored to individual students’ needs. One preschool parent reports that the teacher-to-student ratio is about one teacher to 4–6 kids and that their child was excited in the first two weeks because he learned many new things with a lot of attention from teachers every day. Another parent at Little STEaMers describes it as having the resources and standards of an established external childcare facility with the coziness of a home-care due to smaller size, and says their child started at 13 months and thrived there, and that they are thankful for the staff.
Last updated June 18, 2026.
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