Coming Together in Crisis: How Our School Community Responded to the Palisades Fires

At Big and Tiny 10th Street Preschool, our philosophy is rooted in community—supporting one another, showing up in times of need, and caring deeply for the well-being of every child and family who walks through our doors. This commitment was put to the test this past year during the devastating Palisades fires that impacted many in our city and directly affected our school community.

In the aftermath of the fires, as families faced uncertainty, evacuations, and disruptions to daily life, our founder and owner, Keltse Bilbao, stepped forward in a powerful way—opening our doors to provide free emergency childcare to families in need. Her work was recognized in the Los Angeles Times in a feature that highlighted how spaces like ours can offer not just safety, but a sense of normalcy and care during times of crisis.

Read the article here →

But our story didn’t stop there.

The fires had lingering effects—most notably in the air quality, which became a daily concern for our school. Smoke and particulate matter reached our playground, settling into our sandboxes and outdoor materials. It was clear that returning to "normal" would take more than time—it would take a community effort.

Our response was immediate and hands-on. Families, staff, and leadership joined forces to replace and refresh every sandbox on campus. Layers of sand were removed, new clean sand was brought in, and safety became a shared responsibility. At the same time, our families came together to donate or purchase air purifiers for every classroom, ensuring that indoor learning spaces were as safe and clean as possible.

Meanwhile, our dedicated teaching staff carried the heavy responsibility of keeping preschoolers engaged, curious, and comfortable indoors for weeks on end. Monitoring air quality became part of the daily routine, and teachers adapted lessons and activities with creativity and care. Even when the air outside kept us in, the love and support within our walls never wavered.

This experience reminded us of what makes Big and Tiny so special: we are more than a school—we are a community. In the face of challenge, we showed what it means to care for one another, to act quickly, and to work side-by-side for the sake of our children.

We’re incredibly proud of our entire school family—for their generosity, resilience, and heart. And we are grateful to continue building a space where children are not only safe, but surrounded by people who truly care.

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