La Plazita Preschool
Foothill Center
201 Foothill Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94577
Conveniently sited on the Oakland–San Leandro border along Foothill Boulevard and just off Highway 580, making drop-off and pick-up quick and easy for families across the East Bay. Inside, you’ll find spacious, naturally lit classrooms stocked with age-appropriate materials, dedicated reading nooks, STEM activity stations, and a secure outdoor play yard. Our balanced curriculum—covering early literacy, math readiness, and hands-on science— is delivered by credentialed educators who provide individualized attention, and is complemented by flexible scheduling, extended-day options, and a nutritious on-site meal program. Safety is paramount, with secure entry protocols, low staff-to-child ratios, and routine sanitization, ensuring a nurturing environment in which every child can thrive.
Director and Staff
Director:
Claudia Valdez
Claudia was born in Mexico City and has lived in Oakland for 19 years. She has one daughter in High School and another in Middle School. She has volunteered at her daughters' schools since they started preschool. During the pandemic she decided to study at Chabot College. In 2021 she began working at Plazita 3. Claudia has always dreamed of being a teacher and truly enjoys interacting with children. She incorporates music, dance and songs into her work and daily life. She loves seeing and being part of the progress of each of her students, it fulfills hers. Claudia feels very proud of being able to share her culture with others, while also learning about other cultures. Claudia is bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English, and considers this skill important and useful. She loves technology and develops her digital skills by learning to use platforms, devices, and software.
Claudia is committed to continuous learning, taking courses in different programs and reading about child development. Claudia believes that early childhood is the most important stage for any person and she strives to make sure each family feels comfortable. She works hard so that all students and their families feel welcomed in the community and school, which is one of the main goals of La Plazita Preschool.
Maestra:
Lorena Jauregui
Maestra Lorena was born in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora. When she was 3 years old her family and she moved to Mexico City where they lived for 11 years and then she moved to live in Guadalajara, Jalisco.She obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Preschool Education from the Instituto America in Guadalajara. She has worked for 20 years in traditional kindergartens and in some of them applying the María Montessori method. In 2011, she got married and moved to Castro Valley, California. She has worked as a nanny for four years taking care of a beautiful child in the San Mateo area. She also worked at a bargain store for 4 years. She is a person committed to education and respect for children, and her passion for early childhood education motivated her to join the team of La Plazita teachers at the beginning of the 2024 school year. She is also studying Child Development at Las Positas Community College to continue learning about early childhood education.In her free time she likes to cook and spend time with her husband.
Maestra
Alma Maximo
Alma was born in Puebla, Mexico, but spent a significant part of her life in Veracruz, Mexico, with her parents. She pursued her studies to become an adult educator and dedicated a year to working in that field before embarking on a new journey to the United States.
For the past 24 years, Alma has called Oakland her home. She is happily married and is a proud mother to a 14-year-old teenager. However, Alma also faced a tragic loss last year when she said goodbye to her youngest daughter, whom she had cared for tirelessly for almost 11 years, due to health issues. This challenging experience inspired Alma to shift her focus towards working with children.
Motivated by her personal journey, Alma is currently enrolled at Merritt College to further pursue her passion for working with children. She joined the team in August 2024 at Plazita 3.
Alma sees her role as that of a gardener, planting seeds of knowledge and love that require daily care and attention.
Maestra De Grupo Azul
Dina Perez
Dina Pérez, is from Estelí, Nicaragua. She is the fourth of eight siblings and has always lived guided by love and fear of God, values that have been the foundation of her life and decisions. In 2006, she graduated in Tourism and Hotel Business Administration, and in 2015 she earned her degree in Banking and Finance. From 2013 to 2020, she worked in her husband's construction company, contributing to the growth of the family business. In addition to her professional life, she has left a legacy in her community. Along with her husband, they were the first to found a baseball school for 4-year-old children in their hometown.In 2021, she emigrated to the United States.Since her arrival, she has worked in childcare, a job she enjoys and to which she has dedicated herself with passion. To perform better, she decided to train and continue learning, strengthening her skills in the field. Dina is the mother of three children. Her oldest son graduates from high school this year (2025).Her 16-year-old son dreams of making it to the Major Leagues. Her youngest son, at 11 years old, shares the love for baseball.She enjoys cooking and finds great satisfaction in helping others.
Maestra De Grupo Azul
Cassandra Martinez
Cassandra was born and raised in Sahuayo, Michoacan, and has been living in the United States for 5 years now. Her mother is a teacher in Mexico, and as she admired her mother, she always had an interest in becoming a teacher herself.While living in Seattle,Wa, she had the opportunity to study and work with children, which made her realize that teaching was indeed her calling. Now that she is in Oakland, she started working at La Plazita as of March, 2025. She is very excited and eager to share her joy with the children.Aside from teaching, Cassandra has a love for dancing, singing, and for the animals. Her enthusiasm and dedication towards her work are truly inspiring.
Maestra Asistente De Grupo azul
Kimberley Valladerez
Kimberly Valladares, is originally from El Salvador. She has been living in the United States for 3 years now.Kimberly graduated from high school in El Salvador with a degree . Currently, she is studying Early Childhood Development at Merritt College. One of her favorite hobbies is spending time with her close-knit family. She is thrilled to be a part of Plazita as it allows her to connect with her culture - a lifelong passion.Moreover, she has experience working with children through her mom’s job site, and she is taking classes to pursue her dream career in childcare. At Plazita, her goal is to ensure that families feel safe and satisfied with the care provided to their kids, encouraging children to be independent and make their parents proud. Kimberly is dedicated to making a positive impact on the kids she cares for.
Alma Piedras
Maestra De Grupo Rojo
Alma was born and raised in Tlaxcala, Mexico, a state located in the center of Mexico, near Mexico City. In 2001, she made the move to the United States and is thrilled to be a part of this community.As a native Spanish speaker, Alma takes great joy in sharing her Mexican heritage and strongly believes in the importance of bilingualism for future generations. She finds immense joy in witnessing children learn and grow at their own pace each day. Embracing education has enabled her to appreciate the unique qualities of every child as they achieve their goals.Alma recently joined La Plazita Preschool and had a wonderful experience with the team in 2018. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Child Development and is currently studying the Montessori Philosophy to better serve children of all levels.
Maria Arroyo
Maestra Asistente Grupo rojo
Lupita was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, but has spent the last 20 years living in West Oakland. She attended a military school and later pursued higher education, earning a degree as a Teacher Associate.Maria is a mother to three children and finds great joy in spending time with her family. She also enjoys activities such as walking and dancing. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Maria has always had a passion for teaching. She believes that being a teacher is a noble profession that allows her to share knowledge with children, witness their smiles, and nurture their imaginations to create something new every day.Despite facing challenges due to her disability, Maria remains determined to achieve her goals and dreams. She strives every day to push beyond limitations and continues to dream big.
