From a small daycare to a ministry certified school that adds a grade every year.
Who we are
Since 2014, our educational project has focused on a child-led, play-based curriculum. We believe this view of education isn’t limited to the early years; it carries on into adulthood.
For us, every day is an opportunity to work together. We believe children are not merely spectators, but true protagonists who actively participate in designing, creating, and caring for the spaces they inhabit.
Our logo comes from one of our children’s drawings. Our approach is child-focused, and children’s drawings show their point of view, which is fundamental to building a good curriculum.
The spiral of the snail stands for growth, transformation, nature and evolution. Like children’s learning, it is dynamic, fluid and non-linear: a living metaphor for returning to ideas to understand them more deeply.
Our story
2014. We open as Paradise Babies, a daycare so parents could work while their children were cared for and learning every day.
2016. We build our current campus in Gibson Bight.
2019. We become an official preschool and graduate our first kindergarten class.
2022. We become Play Based Projects, a name for learning that continues well beyond the early years.
Today. We add a primary grade every year and currently teach Grades 1–4 and planning a new building expansion.
Our mission
To support each child’s learning journey through a dynamic approach that honors their interests and unique qualities. We use play as a fundamental tool to promote socialization, autonomy and the development of knowledge.
Our values
We learn best when we feel connected to the learning happening around us. For us, learning is not a standardized process but a genuine curiosity that is continuously fostered and guided. We are inspired by educational projects such as the Reggio Emilia approach and Finland’s educational system.
We value and treat everyone in the PBP community with dignity and respect, recognising each child’s and adult’s individuality.
A community where every voice is heard, balancing belonging and identity while enriching our connections with the environment.
Learning through challenges and celebrating progress. By stimulating critical thinking and creativity, we promote whole and continuous development.
Our team
Vania is the Founder of Play Based Projects in Roatan, Honduras. She established the school with the vision of creating a learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, question, and develop their own ideas, inspired by the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy.
Her professional background spans public administration, international cooperation, and organizational management. She currently works as a Management Advisor at Euro Contrôle Route EGTC in the Netherlands, a European organization bringing together national public authorities to strengthen cross-border cooperation. Her responsibilities include supporting institutional governance, coordinating international initiatives, and working with representatives from different European countries.
Alongside her work in public administration, Vania serves as the National Representative of Red Solare Honduras, contributing to international connections and professional dialogue around Reggio Emilia-inspired education.
As Founder, she brings these experiences together to guide the long-term direction of Play Based Projects, supporting its educational vision, institutional development, and connections with the wider community.
Marcela Fernandez serves as the Administrator of Play Based Projects, bringing a strong academic foundation as a Licensed Social Worker with a specialization in Human Resources and extensive expertise in Early Childhood Development strategies. Her professional journey reflects a deep commitment to fostering inclusive, nurturing, and innovative learning environments where children can thrive.
With a background that bridges social work and organizational leadership, she aligns administrative management with the school’s educational philosophy. Her approach integrates strategic planning, staff development, and family engagement, ensuring that every decision supports both academic excellence and the holistic well-being of students and our academic community.
Passionate about education, Marcela advocates for creativity, autonomy, and meaningful educational experiences. She also emphasizes the importance of strong communication between educators, families, and the wider community, reinforcing the school’s mission to be a space of growth, respect, and collaboration.
Laura is an atelierista with over 15 years of experience in Early Childhood Education inspired by the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy. Trained in Visual Arts and in the Reggio Emilia pedagogical approach including specialized professional development with Reggio Children, she designs creative learning environments where children explore and build knowledge through expressive languages and meaningful projects. Laura has worked internationally supporting educators in creating child-centered and interdisciplinary learning experiences. Laura has contributed to the field through conference presentations and publications on creativity and the role of the Atelier in children’s learning. At Play Based Projects, she also provides pedagogical guidance to teachers in developing reflective, project-based practices and creating pedagogical documentation.
Inspired internationally, rooted in Roatan
Our educators have studied teaching practice in Reggio Emilia, Italy; at Agora in the Netherlands; and at Bellelli in Costa Rica.
We bring what we learned home and adapt it to island life, our languages and our families.
Visit the school, meet the team and see how children learn here.