About Nido Forest

Our Philosophy

Children lead.​

Nido is carefully designed to ensure that children can take the lead, while we adults support them and hold boundaries as necessary. Our curriculum supports each child's development by drawing from their interests. While the basic structure may remain the same, every class is unique and evolves with the group. Our teachers are experts at facilitating learning through play and modeling.
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Language takes root.

Learning a new language requires repeated exposure, use and desire. Our goal is to cultivate a strong desire in each child by connecting Spanish to joy, community, and their world. We encourage their use of the language by immersing the children in Spanish as it connects to their play. Our songbooks and the friends you make in class are an invitation to continue the exposure at home and beyond.

All are welcome.​

We welcome families from all backgrounds to learn alongside us, share in our cultures, and find common ground. Whether you are a native Spanish speaker or just starting out, you will find a home here.

Children and adults of all abilities are an important part of our community. We will work with you to make sure everyone can participate comfortably.
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Culture blossoms.

We provide a fully immersive experience where the children and adults alike are enveloped by not only the language but the rich culture of Latin America  with traditional foods, music and materials. You might find us singing De Colores in the Springtime, shaking maracas, or sharing warm pan de elote.

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Our Team

Melina Gac Levin, M.S.Ed.
Co-Founder

Melina was born in Colombia to Chilean and Puerto Rican parents. She grew up traveling the world, playing outdoors, and picking up languages as she went.
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Melina has over a decade of experience supporting families and teachers in and out of the classroom. She teaches graduate courses in child development at Bank Street College of Education, from which she holds dual degrees in Infant and Family Development and Early Childhood Education. She is a partner in Premier Pediatrics' First Month Project and a contributor to Motherly. Melina teaches classes on child development for parents and educators. She also offers comprehensive, approachable private or employer-sponsored consultations.

NIDO was born out of my desire to create a space where my daughters could connect our home language to a larger community, to the joy of exploration, and a shared experience of discovery.

​www.melinagac.com

Paulina Trevino-Oliva
​Co-Founder, Teacher

Paulina was born and raised in Mexico. She spent her childhood days covered in dirt, climbing trees, and wandering at the park making friends all over the barrio until it was dinner time. She had the opportunity to study abroad in the U.S. and decided to embrace the adventure making it permanent. 

Paulina holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. She began her career as a child therapist, and then moved on to teaching preschool. Before moving to the U.S., she oversaw the implementation of an emotional intelligence curriculum for preschool and elementary aged children called Magic Circle at Saint Joseph Learning Center. 

It has been an amazing journey to find out what home means when you are away, to re-discover my own Mexican identity and what I can offer to this very diverse community.

I hope that your family finds with us the great things that come when one feels part of a loving community, embracing our differences and teaching our kids about the things that really matter. I hope you feel at home! This is your NIDO..