Why Jardín?

Jardín Spanish Immersion Academy™ was founded to be a welcoming space where little ones grow into healthy, happy, Spanish speaking kids with cultural competency and blooming confidence. Our deeply rooted priorities ensure that your child receives only the best while in our care.

Nurturing Early Language Development Skills

Jardín Spanish Immersion Academy™ is a welcoming space where your child will thrive and grow into a healthy, happy, Spanish speaking student with cultural competency and blooming confidence. We focus on early academic achievement and ensure that your child will receive the best childcare possible, coupled with the foundation to become fluent in a second language early in life.

Ensuring Your Child’s Success

We are committed to providing infants, toddlers, preschoolers and pre-k students with Spanish speaking skills and a solid educational foundation. We introduce critical thinking skills and a global mindset to children at a young age, which sets the stage for them to embrace healthy habits and learn to care for others and their environment. Our staff works together as a family to provide nurturing support and early academic skills to each child in our care.

Multicultural Spanish Immersion Curriculum

Early academic achievement remains a top priority at Jardin™ as we prepare the youngest scholars for kindergarten readiness and beyond! Our proprietary Multicultural Spanish Immersion Curriculum is designed to promote the comprehension and use of Spanish from an early age. While addressing both academic and social-emotional skills that prepare lifelong learners, our bilingual teachers create the ideal learning environment for each age group we serve. ​Children are exposed to a variety of concepts including literacy, pre-writing, early math & science concepts, and are encouraged to develop creativity and character through play-based learning.  Enrichment activities including field trips, dance, music, art, extracurricular sport that further reinforcing just how fun learning can be.  Through our daily cultivation of math and reading built into activities and games, we are proud to say that our graduates typically score in top levels of kindergarten entrance tests!

Indoor Playground

Jardin believes that fun is possible despite any weather conditions. That is why all our centers are equipped with an indoor playground area that allows the children to run around, release their energy, and engage in active play with their peers. From our Infants to our Pre-k students our indoor playground area offers fun for all ages within safe space.

Caring & Committed Teachers

Next to our wonderful enrolled families, we recognize that our teachers are our greatest asset!  Our teachers believe in our mission of early education in Spanish, cultural learning, and care for our environment!  We are proud that our employees truly enjoy children and have careers that reflect their passion.  Each day, your child receives the love and hugs they need to feel whole, welcome, and embraced at school, helping them to build trusting relationships.  

The majority of our teachers are native Spanish speakers, and all work as a team to help instill a love for their language and culture in the children they care for. Learn more about what we look for in our teachers and what we give back to them to show our appreciation for their daily efforts, the love they share, and the education they give. 

Our Love for Mother Earth

Our meals are prepared on-site in our commercial kitchens, which allows us to ensure that the food is freshly prepared, natural, and organic! Our range of well-balanced meals provides a varied diet and encourage children to look beyond chicken nuggets and corndogs – your children will enjoy quinoa, avocado, beets, and more!

Our everyday efforts in providing natural and green care for your children include providing cloth diapers for infants and toddlers while in our care, this practice is estimated to keep over 94.000 disposable diapers out of landfills each year! We also vote against pesticides by serving organic food.

Our curriculum is geared towards green thinking whether we are teaching through art and play about the importance of recycling and reusing, or through outdoor play and pre-school field trips where we give children hands-on experience in nature.

Many of us are parents ourselves and we recognize the importance of taking care of our beautiful planet, as someday it will belong to our children.   Our standing commitment to the health and well-being of our world can be seen in our organic food, curriculum, and care choices!

Clean & Colorful Centers

The pride we take in our work with your children is reflected through our welcoming centers.  With the highest standards for cleanliness, you can rest assured knowing that our toys are disinfected daily and surfaces are cleaned throughout the day.  The walls are brightly painted and decorated with friendly designs.  Windows let in plenty of natural light and playful music lets you know that Jardín™ is a positive place for children and families. Come see our warm and welcoming centers.

Safety & Security

The protection of our team members and families is our top priority here at Jardin. You can be confident that Jardin is offering an environment that promotes your child’s growth while also offering a secure atmosphere during their vulnerable stages of development. We’ve implemented numerous security steps in effect as a result.

 

Meet the Leaders at Jardín™ Spanish Immersion Academy

Xavier Lopez

CEO and Founder

Education & Training

  • Founder of Jardín (Co-Founder of Jardín Mágico)
  • Lic. en Administración de Empresas de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Baccalaureate Degree in Business Administration)
  • CPR and First Aid Certified
  • Trained in SUID, AHT, Behavior Guidance Techniques and Risk Reduction Plans
  • Rainbow Families Training
  • Staff Trainer with Mis Niños, continuing education for Jardín teachers
  • Membership with National Association of Child Care Professionals, MinneMinds,  mnAEYC, Association for Talent Development , Minnesota Community Education Association, and Local Businesses-Global Network BNI 

Biography

Xavier grew up in México City, learning his strong work ethic and dedication to family from his parents.  Xavier’s inspiration and persistence, as well as his drive to achieve the creation of something completely unique, make Jardín™ what it is today.  Xavier is a leader by example, spending time in the Centers to show our teachers what makes Jardín™ different, and ensuring that each child in our program receives the best we have to offer.  His work as an entrepreneur in his community has been recognized as an example of the type of positive leadership that our Twin Cities community needs.  

In 2001 his first child, Kylie was born.  As a working parent, Xavier could not find a daycare that aligned with the values he held for his family.  After seeking referrals and suggestions from friends, family, and neighbors, not one daycare in his community could provide what he believed to be necessities for his precious daughter.   Believing that his child, and many other children, deserved simply the best start possible, Xavier co-founded a unique child care center that prioritized early academic achievement, bilingual education, cultural competency and diversity, organic eating, environmental stewardship, and clean, safe, loving spaces filled with teachers who care.

Since then, Xavier’s family has grown to include his son Colten, and Jardín™ has grown to include Centers throughout the Twin Cities.  Xavier excels at executive and program level management, providing responsive customer service to our families, giving staff trainings, and fostering positive and fun work environment.  His vision includes going above and beyond to offer staff excellent employment benefits, access to career-advancing trainings, and opportunities for professional growth and longevity in a field they love!  His knowledge of DHS day care licensing regulations coupled with years of implementing best practices allows Xavier to plan strategically and lead critically to ensure that the Jardín™ Centers remain at the forefront of early learning.  

In his free time, Xavier enjoys spending time with his two children, being outdoors playing soccer (GO CHIVAS!!), going to movies, and Salsa dancing.

Hortensia Leon

President

Education & Training

  • Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University
  • Child Development Associate degree (CDA) earned in 2013
  • Trained I by the Minnesota Center for Professional Development
  • Qualified Safety Instructor through the Red Cross
  • University level credits in Nursing
  • CPR and First Aid Certified
  • Trained in SUID, AHT, and Behavior Guidance Techniques and Risk Reduction Plan
  • Staff Trainer with Mis Niños, continuing education for Jardín teachers
  • Community Leader- Active member of advocacy in MNAEYC and previous board
    member
  • Center for Inclusive Child Care liaison to the Latino Community
  • MNCDA Instructor for the Latino Community

Biography

Hortensia has an unwavering passion for helping people and creating positive experiences for her team and enrolled families. Since joining Jardin in 2011 as an Aide Staff in a bustling Toddler classroom, her dedication and enthusiasm for teaching have been evident. In 2013, she earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential through Jardin’s sister training company, Mis Niños, enabling her to work as a Lead Teacher with Infants and Toddlers.
Hortensia’s leadership qualities and strong work performance quickly led to a series of promotions, including Assistant Director, Center Director, Special Program Coordinator, and ultimately President of Jardin. Drawing upon her previous nursing studies, she became a Qualified Safety Instructor through the Red Cross, providing essential training in CPR and First Aid. She also supports continuing education for teachers by offering specialized training through organizations like the Minnesota Center for Professional Development (MNCDA).
Hortensia takes immense pride in Jardin’s commitment to cleanliness, health, and environmental care—standards she believes all young children deserve. Her dedication extends beyond teaching, as she continuously seeks opportunities to empower women by providing them peace of mind about their children’s care, education, and love.

Originally from San Diego, California, Hortensia spent a significant portion of her life in Oaxaca, Mexico. Immersed in the vibrant culture, she was surrounded by a loving family and hardworking grandparents who instilled in her the values of perseverance and compassion. These formative experiences shaped her dedication to fostering a nurturing and educational environment for children.
As a mother herself, she deeply understands the trust parents place in caregivers and educators. She views her profession as a way to empower women to pursue their career paths while ensuring their children receive top-notch care. Recognizing the doors opened to her by being bilingual, Hortensia passionately shares this gift with the children in Jardin during their critical developmental years. She is committed to nurturing a global perspective and fostering an appreciation for diversity.
In her leisure time, Hortensia enjoys family walks around Minnesota’s scenic lakes and pursuing further professional education.

Hortensia’s journey with Jardin has been marked by growth and remarkable achievements. Since joining Jardin in October 2011, she has served as Lead Teacher, Assistant Director, Director, and Special Program Coordinator. In 2021, she stepped into the role of Vice President and helped expand Jardin by opening one new center annually, while reducing licensing violations to minimal levels.
Beyond her work at Jardin, she has served on multiple boards, including MnNAEYC-MnSACA, Child Care Aware, and the Magic Garden Board. She has also partnered with the Center for Inclusive Child Care to provide mental health training for the Spanish-speaking community.
Hortensia’s commitment to supporting Spanish-speaking educators has driven her efforts to help others achieve their CDA and thrive in the field of early childhood education. Her passion for empowering others and fostering growth within her team reflects her values as a leader.