Sequoia Parents Nursery School
Sequoia Parents Nursery School, 1839 Arroyo Avenue, San Carlos, CA 94070
About
Sequoia Parents Nursery School is a part-time, parent-participation cooperative preschool that centers its program on play-based learning. Each class schedule is designed to offer children freedom to explore based on their interests and to practice skills, with some teacher-guided group activities offered each week. The preschool provides large indoor and outdoor spaces with developmentally appropriate equipment for children’s play.
• Ages: 16 months–5 years old
Sequoia Parents Nursery School has been dedicated to play-based learning for 50 years and has successfully prepared children for admission to kindergarten since 1970. The program’s approach to early learning is rooted in developmentally appropriate values and focuses on the whole child intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. It provides children with an engaging, natural, and age-appropriate learning experience through an interactive approach that involves children, parents, and teachers.
Teachers at Sequoia Parents Nursery School bring over 65 years of combined experience in early childhood education. Teacher Anghelika Maddalena serves as Director and Toddler Play Teacher, Teacher Catherine Heller teaches the Explorers Class, Teacher Kristina Harvey teaches the Adventurers class, and Teacher Mari Strahorn is the Adventurers Assistant Teacher. Teacher Catherine Heller earned a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UC Davis. Teacher Anghelika Maddalena earned a BA in Theater Arts from Bennington College in 1988 and holds an Early Childhood Education Teaching Credential, an Adult Education Credential, and a California Site Supervisor Permit. Teacher Mari Strahorn earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Human Development from UC Davis and completed a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from CSU Sacramento in 2000.
Through its affiliation with Sequoia District Adult Education and its partnership with Sequoia Adult School, the preschool offers coaching and support for parents through teacher-facilitated discussions based on parents’ observations and current early childhood education resources. These discussions cover topics such as positive discipline, effective communication, child growth and development, handling transitions, and limit-setting. Sequoia Parents Nursery School is a nonprofit organization and does not discriminate by race, color, national or ethnic origin, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or status. The school is a member of the San Mateo Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools and the California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools, and it is a recipient of a Community Foundation of San Carlos Grant.
Last updated May 16, 2026.
• Ages: 16 months–5 years old
Sequoia Parents Nursery School has been dedicated to play-based learning for 50 years and has successfully prepared children for admission to kindergarten since 1970. The program’s approach to early learning is rooted in developmentally appropriate values and focuses on the whole child intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. It provides children with an engaging, natural, and age-appropriate learning experience through an interactive approach that involves children, parents, and teachers.
Teachers at Sequoia Parents Nursery School bring over 65 years of combined experience in early childhood education. Teacher Anghelika Maddalena serves as Director and Toddler Play Teacher, Teacher Catherine Heller teaches the Explorers Class, Teacher Kristina Harvey teaches the Adventurers class, and Teacher Mari Strahorn is the Adventurers Assistant Teacher. Teacher Catherine Heller earned a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UC Davis. Teacher Anghelika Maddalena earned a BA in Theater Arts from Bennington College in 1988 and holds an Early Childhood Education Teaching Credential, an Adult Education Credential, and a California Site Supervisor Permit. Teacher Mari Strahorn earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Human Development from UC Davis and completed a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from CSU Sacramento in 2000.
Through its affiliation with Sequoia District Adult Education and its partnership with Sequoia Adult School, the preschool offers coaching and support for parents through teacher-facilitated discussions based on parents’ observations and current early childhood education resources. These discussions cover topics such as positive discipline, effective communication, child growth and development, handling transitions, and limit-setting. Sequoia Parents Nursery School is a nonprofit organization and does not discriminate by race, color, national or ethnic origin, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, or status. The school is a member of the San Mateo Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools and the California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools, and it is a recipient of a Community Foundation of San Carlos Grant.
Last updated May 16, 2026.
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