Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Pulido Coutino.
Hi Diana, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Diana Elizabeth Pulido Coutino, I am 33 years old, wife of a great artist and the best human being, mother of Lua, my beautiful daughter, a faithful copy of her father, and Perlita, our amazing little dog.
I am Mexican lawyer with a background in tax law, I immigrated to the United States in 2019 after being pressured to leave my job by the new Mexican government. For more than 10 years, I served in my country’s public administration. The new president and his policies affected my work, and as a newlywed, the best option was to move with my husband, Angelino by birth.
When I arrived here, I realized that who I was wasn’t taken into account; that you have to start from scratch and make your own opportunities. I disagree with the idea that this country is full of opportunities. I believe you make your own luck wherever you are. So, I had to put a stop to my depression over the abrupt changes in my life, over feeling so powerless and helpless in this city. I had to pick myself up because I truly felt on the brink. I mustered up my courage and accepted that I had to start from scratch, but I couldn’t go back on the path I’d already taken and to which I’d given so much for so many years. That was proving to them that I wasn’t worthy. So I chose to start something new and pursue what, had I not been a lawyer, I would have been in my country: a teacher.
I firmly believe that children are hope and light in their journey of learning to be and do. Being with them in their first years of life is a privilege I deserved.
The Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles offers training courses, and that’s how I ended up training in childcare in collaboration with the Colegio del Este de los Angeles. That gave me the foundation to pursue my career. The knowledge and discipline I acquired from my previous profession led me to earn my Child Development Associate Teacher/Teacher certificate in a decent amount of time.
Along with my studies, I obtained my first home childcare license in Downtown L.A., at the corner of Spring St. and 6th Street. I began the project of launching a creative curriculum comprised of the best of all preschool education streams (Montessori, Regio-Emilia, and Waldorf).
Then the pandemic hit, and things got complicated. Although we were recognized and supported by the Low Income Investment Fund in 2020 through the COVID-19 Child Care Provider Grant Program for Family Child Care, it wasn’t enough to sustain our project, and in 2021 we closed our doors.
It wasn’t until April 2025 that, with much effort, dedication, and commitment, we reopened in our new location under the license 198021714, Pulido Coutino Family ChildCare Home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This process has not been easy at all. As I mentioned, the main obstacle is that it takes so much effort to have our higher education recognized and validated. This devalues a lot.
Another obstacle is undoubtedly the lack of access to information from reliable and assertive sources for the Hispanic community. I have realized that those who venture to share information in Spanish are people who do not master the language, even if they have Hispanic roots, and in the translation process, the essence of what they want to convey is lost.
The lack of recognition of the profession we perform. We are not simple babysitters. Today, those of us who embark on this adventure are professionals, with studies and all the training to not only care for, but also help in the process of preparing the children of our community for a life of schooling.
As you know, we’re big fans of Spring Project L.A. . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Choosing a quality childcare program is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. We take that decision very seriously and are committed to fulfilling the important responsibility of caring for your child, meeting their needs.
With us, families will experience the magic of play-based bilingual learning and a social-emotional approach, where your child’s imagination can dream in a nurturing environment that fosters discovery, curiosity, and social-emotional growth.
We offer flexible scheduling and competitive rates below other private offerings on the market, benefiting families who want to support their childcare.
We have the experience and determination to provide the best in childcare for early childhood. Our leader is certified in early childhood education, child development, and learning through play.
We also promote informed parenting, while understanding the challenges that come with doing so respectfully and lovingly.
We are a family project whose goal is to embrace, motivate, and guide all children we can to achieve their full potential in a neutral, opportunity-rich, fun, and safe environment.
We are the amazing Pulido Coutino Family ChildCare Home, License 198021714.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We create our own curriculum, which draws from Montessori, Regio Emilia, and Waldorf, only what we believe empowers each child’s abilities in a suitable, neutral, opportunity-rich, fun, and safe environment.
We believe that working in small groups of up to five children provides equal opportunities for children to shine. It also allows us to provide greater attention to their needs, dedication to developing their skills, and quality care. We know that each child develops at their own pace, and that, without pressure, with lots of love, patience, and above all, awareness of their areas of opportunity, we can help them acquire the most and best knowledge in a genuine way through play.
The structure of our program is based on the principles of different types of play: functional, sensorial, constructive, symbolic, and structured. We must let children play so they can learn. Play is the foundation for acquiring knowledge, allowing them to focus on their skills and helping them reach developmental milestones more easily. Hence our motto: Play to Learn.
Our program incorporates the basic knowledge that prepares our children to carry out activities independently, responsibly, consciously, and, above all, to move unnoticed into school life through playful activities.
We rely on Pathways L.A. to help families subsidize all or a significant portion of the cost of child care.
Pricing:
- 370 part time weekly
- 490 fulltime weekly
- 1450 part time monthly
- 1850 full time monthly
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/springprojectla/profilecard/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/springprojectla/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/spring-project-los-angeles-5
- Other: https://forms.gle/ib2G3MWxRC5vKNmv9
