New South Lake Tahoe daycare center opens up for infants to age 13

Pequeños Rascals Daycare has moved into a new center in South Lake Tahoe after operating at a local home for 15 years. Filling a big need on the South Shore, the owners are offering quality care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school age children up to age 13.

It's not just babysitting either. It's care with a heavy emphasis on education, music, art, physical activity and family.

The public is invited to see for themselves when Pequeños holds an open house on Saturday, March 18 from noon to 5:00 p.m. They are located at 3336 Sandy Way in South Lake Tahoe.

They is a true family business, operated by Leisa Rodriguez Contreras and her husband Ivan Contreras, Leisa's parents David Rodriguez, Sr. and Lety Maya, her grandparents Isabel Alvarez and Rudolfo Maya as well as her brother David Rodriguez, Jr. Whoever is needed to help that day shows up.

As one tours the facility they'll get to see the full schedule kids experience while under the care of Pequeños. Each age group has their own room full of activities, from "jobs" to themes. The jobs are games, puzzles and other activities the kids will rotate during the day. Each day also has music, dance, math, alphabets, theater. Older students who are cared for on weekends are starting flute this week.

No matter what the age of the attendee they also get to experience Zumba, yoga and outside playtime (weather permitting). During nicer weather they also have field trips or head to a local park.

The center also has a full library in both English and Spanish books.

The kids are taught in Spanish, no matter what language is spoken at home, no matter what their age (though they'll get support in English if needed). Leisa said the toddlers and preschoolers are so open to learning new things at their young age that this method puts them on a path to being bi-lingual by the time they get to kindergarten. Many of her kids test near the top when testing for the two-way immersion program at Bijou Elementary School because of the exposure they receive at Pequeños.

Safety is also a major concern, and the Maya/Rodgriguez/Contreras group conducts fire and earthquake drills.

Theatrical performances are also a big part of the daycare center, with the children putting on holiday shows for families at a local venue.

Leisa was raised in South Lake Tahoe after graduating from South Tahoe High in 2005. Her brother David not only spends time at the daycare, he is also a substitute teacher for Lake Tahoe Unified School District. Even though not involved in the center, her uncle owns the popular Maya Grill in South Lake Tahoe.

They can be found on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pequenosrascals.daycare.

The center is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If needs arise in the future, they'll look at keeping open later.