We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dani Burg. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dani below.
Dani, appreciate you joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
“I hope my legacy is the inclusive preschool I founded in 2018. It’s a place where all children—both typically developing and those with special needs—are welcomed, supported, and celebrated. We created a nature-based, Reggio Emilia-inspired environment where children have access to therapies like Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Pediatric Counseling right in their preschool day. But beyond the services, it’s about meeting children exactly where they are and giving them the tools to thrive—not just academically, but as whole people. My passion has always been to help kids realize their potential, and I hope the ripple effect of that work continues long after I’m gone.”
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Our program is rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy and inspired by the natural world. We offer a nature-based, play-rich curriculum that values the whole child—their voice, their choices, and their individual pace of learning. What sets us apart is the way therapeutic services are seamlessly integrated into the preschool day. Children have access to Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Pediatric Counseling on site, and those therapists work hand-in-hand with our educators to support every child’s development within the natural rhythms of their classroom experience.
We don’t just prepare children for academic success—we aim to equip them with the social, emotional, and adaptive tools they need to thrive in life. My work is about helping children meet their potential by giving them access, support, and a strong foundation from the very start.
What I’m most proud of is seeing the real, lasting impact of this model—not only on the children, but on their families and the community. Inclusion isn’t just a principle for us—it’s a daily practice. And we’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when children of all abilities learn, play, and grow together.
For potential clients, collaborators, or supporters, I want them to know that our school is built on the belief that every child deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated. We’re creating a new standard for what early education can look like—one where joy, connection, and equity are at the heart of everything we do.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most defining moments of resilience in our business came during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like so many others, we faced an unpredictable and challenging time—but instead of just trying to survive it, we found ways to adapt, grow, and ultimately thrive.
We made the decision to close for two months, using that time not as a setback, but as an opportunity to reflect, research, and reimagine what was possible for our school. During that period, we applied for various grants and were fortunate to receive one from California First 5. That grant became a turning point for us—it allowed us to purchase a new building and expand into two additional classrooms, significantly growing our capacity and impact.
Because of our nature-based, outdoor-focused model, we were uniquely positioned to continue offering safe, in-person learning experiences at a time when many programs couldn’t. Families were incredibly grateful, and we were able to provide stability for children when the world around them felt anything but stable.
Thriving during such a difficult and uncertain time taught me a lot about leadership, adaptability, and the importance of staying aligned with your values even under pressure. It reminded me that resilience isn’t just about weathering the storm—it’s about using it to grow in ways you may not have imagined possible.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
A major factor that helped build our reputation is that we recognized—and responded to—a critical gap in our community: the lack of access to both high-quality preschool education and therapy services for young children. In our region of California, there is a well-known shortage of early intervention therapies and inclusive early learning environments.
By partnering with MPHealth and the Mariposas Project, we were able to integrate a wide range of therapy services directly into our preschool program. We’re proud to be one of the only preschools in our area that offers Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Pediatric Counseling as part of a child’s daily routine—without pulling them out of their learning environment or asking parents to juggle additional transportation.
This model adds tremendous value, especially for working families, who can trust that their child is receiving consistent, supportive services in a familiar setting. Having all of this under one roof—education and therapy, side by side—is not only unique, it’s what I believe should be the norm. All children deserve access to this kind of holistic, inclusive support.
I believe our reputation has grown because we’re meeting families where they are, listening to their needs, and providing a level of care and integration that truly sets us apart. We’re not just filling a gap—we’re redefining what early childhood support can look like.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.littlewingsofatascadero.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LWPofatascadero
