Russian-speaking daycare in Mission Viejo
For children ages 1.5 to 5: growing, speaking Russian and getting ready for school. Small groups, homemade meals, a new themed week every week.
- 👶 Ages 1.5–5
- 🕗 Mon–Fri 8:30 am – 6 pm
- 🍲 3 meals + a snack
- ✓ State-licensed since 2019
Panda graduates are already in first grade · Mission Viejo, CA
- 2019caring for kids since
- 1.5–5years old
- up to 14children, two age groups
- 8:30 am – 6 pmMonday – Friday
- 3 + snackbreakfast, lunch, dinner and an after-nap snack
Like home, but with a curriculum
A family daycare is not just supervision. It is a small group where every child is known by name and the day is structured from breakfast to the evening walk.
Small groups
No more than 14 children, split into two age groups: toddlers and preschoolers learn separately, each at their own level.
Homemade meals
Cooked fresh every day — soups, porridge, vegetables and fruit. Nothing processed.
School readiness
Peterson early math, speech development, the world around us. The school year runs September to June, and every summer we send a graduating class off to kindergarten.
Russian immersion
Everyday communication is in Russian, so children keep their heritage language. Songs, games, counting and colors are in English too.
A day at Panda
- Drop-off, free play
- Breakfast
- Lessons — two groups rotate
- Outdoor play
- Lunch
- Getting ready for nap
- Nap time, snack
- Art class or free play
- Dinner
- Evening outdoor time
- Pick-up
Learning through play, creativity and friendship
At Panda family daycare, children learn through play, creativity and conversation in Russian. We nurture curiosity, independence and the ability to make friends.
Russian language & traditions
We develop speech, build vocabulary, read books together and get to know cultural traditions.
Peterson math
Through games and fun tasks children learn numbers, shapes and sizes, and practice comparing and reasoning.
The world around us
We explore nature and everyday life through observation, games and small projects.
Music & rhythm
Singing, moving to music, developing hearing and a sense of rhythm. Classes are led by a professional music teacher.
Spiritual & moral education
Bible stories about the creation of the world, and conversations about kindness, gratitude and caring for others.
Art & creativity
Drawing, clay and crafts that build imagination and fine motor skills.
The school year runs from September to June. Lessons build on each other step by step: children learn new things and reinforce familiar skills. We speak mostly Russian; songs, games, counting and colors are in English too.
See what our days look like
A few short videos from everyday life at the daycare: how children play, sing, learn and help each other. Tap any video to watch it with sound.
Our family and team
Panda is a family daycare: the same caring adults are with the children every day. Everyone renews First Aid / CPR and Child Abuse training every two years.
Oksana Shaternik
Director and lead teacher
University degree in education — elementary and fine-art teacher (5-year program) — and an honors diploma from art school. Taught drawing and painting at an art college for 6 years and worked 5 years as a preschool teacher.
In the US since 2015: taught fine art at Intellect Factory and worked as a teacher at Dana Point Montessori Preschool. Completed early childhood education courses at Laguna Technical College. Opened Panda in 2019, created its curriculum and learning materials, and leads the educational program.
Ruslan
Assistant teacher, operations
Runs the daycare’s administration and household, and takes part in caring for and teaching the children. University degree in engineering.
Completed early childhood courses at Laguna Technical College: Child Growth & Development, Child Family & Community, Child Health, Safety and Nutrition, Curriculum Theory, Methods & Materials.
Galina
Assistant teacher and cook
Helps care for the children and has a medical background. Cooks fresh, healthy home-style food for the kids every day.
Sasha
Teacher’s helper
Our 14-year-old daughter and a student. Helps run activities and games and prepares materials for lessons.
What kids eat at Panda
Everything is cooked from scratch every day, the way we cook for our own family — nothing processed. Three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) plus an after-nap snack: your child comes home full. Our cook Galina prepares it all.
- Soups, porridge, casseroles, stewed vegetables — familiar, kid-friendly home food
- Fresh fruit and vegetables every day
- Allergies and parents' requests are respected
Simple pricing, no hidden fees
Full-time is Monday–Friday, 8:30 am – 6 pm. No registration fee. Please ask about current openings — enrollment changes during the year.
- Sibling discount — $100 for the second child
- $400 deposit — refundable
- Vacation — one free week a year for full-time families
- No registration fee. No trial days
- Subsidies: we work with CHS (Children’s Home Society) and OCDE
- Payment: check, Zelle or cash
What parents say
Parents write about us on the daycare’s Facebook page. Tap a review to read it larger.
What our days look like
More photos and videos on Instagram at @panda_daycare — almost 700 posts from lessons and celebrations. Tap any photo on this page to open it full screen and swipe through.
From Panda straight to kindergarten
Every summer we celebrate our oldest group with caps and gowns, an entertainer and a party for parents. By age five, children read syllables, count, know their letters and can work in a group — skills that carry straight into English-language school.
Parents ask
What ages do you accept?
From 18 months to 5 years. Our license covers ages 0–12, so other ages can be discussed individually. Toddlers and preschoolers have lessons in two separate groups and play and go outside together.
How does the transition work?
The first days are shortened: a few hours, then until lunch, then including nap. We set the pace around your child and stay in touch with you throughout.
What does it cost and do you have openings?
Full-time is $2000/month for children under 2 and $1800/month from age 2; a single day is $120. All terms. Enrollment changes during the year, so please call or message us about openings.
Do you accept subsidies?
Yes — we are registered with and work with CHS (Children’s Home Society) and OCDE.
Do you speak English with the children?
Mostly Russian, so children keep their heritage language. Some parts are in English: songs, games, counting and colors.
Which documents are required?
An enrollment agreement and an immunization record. We send the forms in advance.
Where are you located?
In a quiet residential neighborhood of Mission Viejo, close to Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Niguel and Lake Forest. We share the exact address when you book a tour.
Come see the daycare
- Phone (Oksana)
- (949) 606-4934
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
- City
- Mission Viejo, CA
- @panda_daycare
- Panda Daycare