World of Wonder isn't just a preschool -- it's a vibe. Tucked behind Ascension Lutheran Church in Palos Verdes, it's a screen-free, joy-forward haven where kids like my son Everest and daughter Flora get to be kids -- outside, unplugged, wildly creative, and supported by a community of genuinely wonderful humans. The school uses the Reggio Emilia approach, which basically means the kids are encouraged to follow their curiosity, work together, and learn by doing. And the teachers? Rockstars. Pam, Monica, Lydia, Dulce, and Sandy are this amazing mix of fun and structure -- playful and loving, but never chaotic. They let the kids explore freely, while also guiding them with intention and care. The whole thing is captained by Mr. Jose, who has this quiet, thoughtful leadership style that keeps everything running with heart and purpose. As parents, we get to be part of the magic too. I've played music for the kids (lots of laughs, maybe a few off-key singalongs), and our whole family helped with the school garden -- dirt under the nails, smiles all around. My wife even serves on the teacher/parent committee, and it's clear this place really values that home-to-school connection. And then there's Pastor Scott, who runs Ascension Lutheran Church with the kind of open-minded warmth you don't always expect from a church. The kids are gently introduced to Christian values and stories in a way that feels natural, not preachy. It's about kindness, curiosity, and letting them find their own path -- which, as a parent, feels like a breath of fresh air. World of Wonder is just that -- a wonder. A rare, beautiful blend of nature, community, creativity, and care. If you're looking for a preschool that nurtures the whole child (and makes you want to stick around and dig in the dirt with them), this is the spot. read more

We really loved ALC and it's with a heavy heart that I must update this review. In early June 2026 the Church council decided it was in the best interests of the school to let Jose the director go. I'm not going to get into if this decision is right- it's a mgmt decision I think they have a right to to make and I don't know enough to say of their reasoning is correct or not. What I will say is that the process the Church Council used was horrible management. awful planning and left the kids and parents upset. Jose was forced out on a Friday and not allowed to say goodbye to the kids. Worse, 1/2 the staff quit in solidarity with the director leaving a gigantic mess and tons of sad kids. The church should have worked with Jose on a timed exit over a few months- allowing for an organized change and the kids to transition. It also would have allowed Jose to continue planning the upcoming graduation. Given what happened and how much control the Church Council has over the school (and their questionable decision making) I can't in good faith recommend alc anymore. This is too bad. Our daughter loved her 2 years there. read more

READ BEFORE ENROLLING YOUR CHILDREN We visited for a playdate and thought this was an excellent school, mainly because of its teachers. My main concern is the upper administration (the church). The teachers clearly put a lot of love and care into the school. Still, the institution is located next to a Lutheran church, and I was uncomfortable with the pastor's attempts to impose religion on the children. Moreover, there are noticeable inconsistencies in the funding for classroom renovations. The student-teacher limited support from the church, results in high staff turnover. E.g., they just changed the director... again. Overall, I believe the teachers are outstanding, but poor management from the church prevents the creation of a stable environment for both staff and students. Explaining to children why they suddenly can't see their teacher anymore is emotionally difficult. read more

I cannot speak highly enough about ALC Preschool. It's filled with natural toys and thoughtfully chosen materials that inspire children's creativity. My absolute favorite part is the clay creations my daughter brings home. The teachers are just wonderful, and the director goes above and beyond for the children and their families. We are truly grateful to have found such a special place for our daughter to learn and grow! read more

I've sent both of my children here and the teachers and staff have become family to them. They are always so loving. They know my children so well. They pay such close attention to their personalities and challenges and strengths. My daughter went off to kindergarten and developed such wonderful problem solving skills through their hands on approach to learning that her teachers were saying she had the vocabulary of a second grader. My son is in the TK class now here and he asks the most inquisitive questions and is solving fun games and word problems at home and it is just amazing what he is learning through the immensely engaging curriculum. The director is so involved and so high level for the facility. I get photos of activities they do through the app and my heart just melts while I'm at work seeing my little ones. There's clay projects, painting on small objects to wall mounted easels, self portraits, chalk drawings, measuring with fluids and more, growing fruit in their garden, discovering different building materials and engineering projects, mostly outdoor play and endless other activities which are much more neurologically simulating for brain development than anything else at this age and it shows. My daughter picks things up so quickly now. She seems to learn instruments, jokes, higher order challenges so much quicker than her peers and I genuinely attribute so much of that to her time here with such engaging days. When I pick up my son, my daughter always wants to go see her old teachers, play, and even see the younger friends who she still remembers. I am so thankful we found this preschool. It's been such an amazing place for my children to spend their most developmentally impactful years. Seeing my son blossom here from shy and originally hesitant to want to try new things to now being so vocal, communicating so well, sharing witty jokes, problem solving complex ideas, and building such creating things with magna tiles, blocks, legos, anything else he can get his hands on. read more

ALC preschool is a great school, and we highly recommend it. My son went here for 2 years and he has learned so much, and the best part is that he enjoyed every single moment with his friends and teachers. You have to look at their artwork, and what they do. It is truly amazing to see what these children can do and create from their little hands. It is a play based school but you will be surprised how much they are academically ready for kindergarten. They learn from playing!! How fun can that be. We are so glad that he went until he starts kindergarten. He was emotionally, physically, mentally and academically ready. We are so happy that his preschool years were spent at a great school with wonderful teachers, friends and family. read more

If you're looking for a space that is connected to nature and where learning is meaningful, ALC is it! Inspired by the interests of the children, ALC is inclusive, promotes a growth mindset, and allows the child to play-which is work for them-in a stimulating and beautiful environment. We were not looking for a traditional school setting or learning style and had a wonderful visit with the director who took his time with explanations and tour of the facility. We met other members of the faculty who were kind as well. Overall, a genuine connection to our natural environment and a sense of organic purpose when learning that seems to extend much deeper than surface level-that was our impression! read more

My kids graduated from this preschool (and kindergarten when it was offered due to the public schools only offering remote learning) and they loved it. My daughter was telling me about friends at school one day. I said, "Wow, you really know a lot about your friends!" She replied, "Dad, I love my friends now." Not only do the kids get socialized and learn to work and play well together, but they learn a lot. When my daughter started first grade she reported getting smiley faces on BOTH her math and English worksheet assessments. When I told her that was really great she informed me, "Not really 'great' because everybody got smiley faces... my papers just didn't have any red marks like the other kids' papers had." The Worlds of Wonder school was such a success for my daughter that we started our son the day after he turned two. He also thrived there. My kids are both good learners now, and that gives me peace of mind. I could not be happier with their first school experience! I highly recommend ALC preschool. read more

We are a European family and we were in LA for an extended visit from May until early July this year. It was important that we could find our 3 year old son a preschool where he could learn, have fun, be his authentic self, and make connections with kids his age during that period. ALC was just that. Everyday he would come home with the most adorable stories about his day. The teachers are very sweet towards him as well, and we observed how committed they are to each child in the class. We would love to have the same school and education approach (Reggio Emilia) here in Belgium. But at least, we were able to be part of such a school/community even for such a short time. Highly recommended for families who want to see their preschooler blossom without having to be forced with traditional, rigid schoolwork. Thank you Jose and ALC team! read more

What a magical place. My daughter attended ALC for her final year of preschool and my only regret is not sending her sooner. The learning philosophy is amazing, the teachers so nurturing and the space is ideal. Garden time and art were the highlights for her - working with amazing materials and seeing the "fruits" of their efforts. ALC built a strong foundation of curiosity and love for learning that carried her seamlessly into kindergarten and beyond. I can't say enough to sing the praises of this wonderful hidden gem on the hill. read more

My daughter went here from 2020-2022 and it was by far the most positive experience we have had. This is compared to Montessori, Alta Vista, and Palos Verdes public school. I researched so many options and ALC was the most affordable, flexible, and inclusive. Highlights: -Their Reggio Emilio philosophy is child-centered and the teachers act as partners in the learning process. They let the kids explore their own creativity and individual interests (I.e. art, music, garden, animals, play) and also work on collaborative projects together. Not just rote memorization, busy work, strict rules, or sitting still. -They treated my daughter with respect, patience, humor, and unconditional acceptance of who she was. Her social skills and self-esteem improved greatly. They don't tolerate bullying or hurtful behavior. -It was easy to communicate with the staff through their app and get photo updates. They were always working on art projects, story telling, sensory activities where they learnt more about themselves and the world. -Easy pick-up and drop-off routine. Very safe and gated so the kids could explore freely. Lot of nature within the space. -The staff were genuinely caring, engaged, and playful with the kids. Especially Jill and Jose. -My daughter blossomed into her own person because she felt safe to express herself in her own way. They don't just tell the kids how to act, they model it. They didn't talk down to the kids or use outdated methods to blame, shame, force or control them. -I felt a sense of community among the parents and staff, even though we didn't know each other very well. All hard-working and down to earth people from diverse backgrounds. -Although it's at a church, they keep it separate from what the kids learn about. This worked well for us because I am not religious but do want my daughter to be aware that people from different religions can coexist peacefully. -Good ratio of boys to girls. The kids all played together, and did not clique up according to their gender. Something that I have seen happen at other places. UPDATE: my daughter was a stubbornly late learner for reading, writing, math. I like that they didn't pressure her to "catch up" or point out mistakes. By the time she got to kinder and first grade, she became interested in academics on her own and then very quickly caught up and exceeded the other kids. I am so glad that they focused on her social and emotional growth and well-being FIRST, because that solid foundation allowed her to develop her own moral compass, critical/independent thinking, self-control, self-respect and conflict resolution skills. I can see now the long-term impact that ALC had on her early years and where they helped to fill in the gaps that busy parents and educators often overlook. It inspired me to learn about Reggio Emilio practices and how children's minds truly work. I hope that more schools start to follow this kind of system because it WORKS. read more

This preschool is amazing! Most importantly my son absolutely loved this place. He graduated this summer since he's starting kindergarten. I always got the impression that the director, Jose, and the preschool teachers were invested in my son's care and growth. The Reggio approached really worked for us. Some people knock the approach because it's more social-emotional oriented vs academic but my son was more than prepared to start kindergarten and is ahead in some areas compared to peers. The school also offers pajama nights which helps with care during date nights. All in all I'm really glad we found ALC and we were sad to say goodbye. read more

ALC has absolutely exceeded my expectations and has been AMAZING! I currently send my 3 and 4-year-old there and they love it so much. We've been to another school and other preschools really don't compare. And believe me, I've sat in on days and truly seen what the day looks like. I'm also a developmental optometrist and treat little ones with visual processing deficiencies and specialize in helping children with sensory and developmental delays, so I've been very involved and done research on preschools and how my little ones are spending their days. ALC has been so amazing and absolutely exceeded my expectations in every way. The student-teacher ratio is better than anywhere else, there are amazing hands-on activities with more sensory learning than you could even imagine. The parents of the other students there are so amazing and as a single mom, I've been so thankful to make some really amazing parent friends. The teachers are so patient and caring and have created such a warm environment that my kids run on to school hardly giving me hugs because they love being there so much, and I practically have to drag them out of the school to go home, lol. If you'd like to set up a tour, Jose will get you set you all set and he is just the sweetest person you could imagine. He's so passionate about development and dedicates so much time to creating the most amazing environment. I know how hard it can be to find a nurturing and encouraging place to send your little ones off to while you're away at work and this school has genuinely brought tears of joy to my eyes and relief to my heart as I've felt the inevitable mom-guilt of heading off to work. I'm genuinely just so thankful I found them read more

This is an amazing Reggio Preschool program that allows kids to experience Art, Music, Creativity, Nature, Academics, God in a loving way. The teachers are fantastic in giving personal attention to each child and helping them learn to be more self sufficient. Prior to the preschool my son was extremely shy. Who would think a preschool would not only let them pick a race car them, but also learn all about it over several weeks.Not only is he curious about age appropriate subjects, but his confidence has grown immensely! Thank You Ascension Lutheran preschool for caring so much about my little man! GP read more

I am so glad we have our son attending ALC. We found that the Reggio method was a great fit our son. I appreciate that they learn through play rather a specific program. This way, he is developing a great relationship with learning because he's also learning about the things he's interested in. It's great that he's also not confined to one room but can explore other rooms that offer different opportunities for creativity. The staff and teachers have been nothing but great and supportive of our son and our family. It feels like they are able to give each student some personalized attention that I don't think you'd get in very many preschools. Honestly, this place is a hidden gem and it feels like we are part of a family, rather than just a school. read more

I was very excited to enroll my son. The first week he came back with a greenish bruise and cut on his collar area. I was not informed about this. When I brought it to the attention of the director I was told that my son's explanation of what happened could not be true because the other child was too good with her words and didn't have the character to hit my son. In other words, my son was not telling the truth. Can you imagine discovering marks on your child and then being told that his explanation could not be true? That was the lowlight of our experience there. Until this happened I thought various aspects of the school and our experience of it were strange, odd, even rude. I did not feel comfortable but kept thinking it was probably fine and I should try to get used to it.. When we discovered the bruise and cut, and had this interaction via email with the director, I was just glad to pull my son. He is much happier elsewhere. No more tears. There are many 5 star reviews and lots of lofty words about the Reggio approach which I bought into. The director was very nice over email, in general. It turned out to be a bad experience for us. I can't quite make sense of the 5 star reviews across the board. read more

"Play is the highest form of research." - Albert Einstein I am so glad the teachers at ALC Preschool truly believe and live out this philosophy. We get regular reports with pictures of our kids playing together, quotes from each child, and a description of the intentional ways the teachers are guiding them to respect each other's opinions, encourage inquisitiveness, and work together as team to accomplish a goal. What essential life skills! My kids are learning way more than academics at this school! Our two boys have attended the school for 2 years and it has clearly affected the way they interact with us and each other. They are learning to resolve conflict on their own, are constantly curious about life, and enjoy figuring out how things work. What a gift the school has given us! To speak of the physical space- I have never seen anything like it! The sandbox has a music wall and wooden parts for kids to build a large marble run (if the marble was the size of a tennis ball- think skeeball), there's a colorful shadow wall, a glow in the dark area, real instruments, a light box to learn how to draw, organized natural materials to learn math and science skills, the list goes on. I wish I had this as a kid, or even now as an adult! Not to mention the rotating electives like clay class with a real kiln(!), cooking in Spanish, soccer, weekly music time, etc. The teachers and director are intentional and caring. They encourage and incorporate feedback from parents, and on a daily basis, from the kids. It is way more work on their part than following a traditional curriculum. They make learning fun and yet they've covered all the kindergarten requirements so my son will be ready for kindergarten in the Fall. ALC Preschool is an absolute gem. If nothing else, it is a worth a visit because there's no other place like it. Oh, and they have flexible, extended hours AND take 2 year olds who are not yet potty- trained. What else could you need? read more

ALC preschool is a wonderful space for cultivating kindness, independent thinking, and creativity. I am grateful to have found a school that inspires me to be a better parent. There are so many different areas and rooms for different types of exploration- light, sounds, touch, colors, smells, building, pretend play, and so much more. Most of us parents have repeatedly wished we could have been students here when we were young. The teachers are all kind, nurturing, and insightful. The director, Maureen, is one-in-a-million. Her passion for learning, teaching, and developing young minds is contagious. I already have had one child graduate from ALC and am thrilled that my second will have another 2 years at this school so I can continue to be a part of such a warm, fun, and creative community. read more

Both of my kids attended Ascension when the school switched over to the Reggio method. I didn't even know schools like this existed. The kids learn so much through experimenting and play. Every toy seems planned out to give the kids great opportunities for new discoveries. My kids loved playing on real instruments, playing with the shadow screen and the wind tunnel. I loved how the teachers would talk to the kids on their level and have a kid as a "peace keeper" to resolve conflict. They encourage parent participation and create a little community. And then at the end of the year you get a whole scrapbook filled with everything the kids did throughout the year as well as a yearbook. So fun! My only complaint is how far away we lived from the school-though it was worth the drive. Really a unique school! read more

My kid was nervous and not willing to eat or talk when she first joined the preschool. In no more than a month, she started to love it and can't wait to go to school every morning. The teachers are so nice and caring and we love the Reggio concept that kids can learn a lot during playing. read more

The preschool director is so warm, caring, and loving. You can tell that her heart is in the program and with the kids. Love the Christian emphasis along with the Reggio emphasis. So much creativity so much engagement! read more

We love ALC, I only wish we had found this little Gem of a pre school for my son when he was at pre school. The teachers have a calm Ora which sets a very tranquil atmosphere for the children. They have so much time and patience for each individual child you truely feel you child Is in the best care and with it being a small intimate preschool your child doesn't get lost in the crowd. Iv noticed a positive change in how my daughter communicates and deals with situations that she finds difficult. They set them up with invaluable life skills that I hope she will keep for life and most importantly my daughter has a blast there! Before we came to ALC I wasn't aware of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, it truely is special. read more

Both of our boys go to ALC and we are so thankful for the school. One truly unique aspect of this school is that they cultivate in the children the joy of learning and exploring. The Reggio approach is to surround the children with experiences and surroundings to encourage the "Ah ha" moments, when the child discovers insights on their own. I've personally witnessed this in one of our children and to see his eyes light up with that sense of self-accomplishment was a special moment. From fostering a love of nature (through nurturing a garden) to learning their self-identity (by developing self-portraits), every activity is thoughtfully orchestrated to build up the children and prepare them for a life-long journey of exploration. Maureen, the director has done a tremendous job installing the Reggio philosophy into the school and we know personally of how she works tirelessly to provide the best experience for our children. The teachers are kind, patient, and thoughtful in their care for the children. We know this by the way our children speak of each of them and by watching their interactions. As fellow parents, we often say that we belong to more than just a school, but more so a community that is raising our children together. read more

My son loves this preschool. He is so excited every morning that he gets to go to school. The teachers are great and they encourage the children to be creative and learn. The schedule options are also great if you're not ready to put your child in full-time. Highly recommend this preschool. read more

My kids were here pre & post Reggio transition. I didn't know much about the new way of teaching beforehand- but I have to say it's been nothing short of inspiring. So much thought has gone into each little detail. The kids experience has been incredible. It is the way I would want to teach them if I had all the patience & time in the world! They have an entire room dedicated to dress up. They have genuine instruments- we're talking drum set, electric guitars, key board, bongos. When they learn clay- it's not fluorescent play dough, but the organic lumps of stuff- they get to stand in it & smell it & be a part of it. Their playground has pulleys and levers. They grow butterflies. Instead of chaotic screaming & running children- the kids at Ascencion are so busy with exploration & thought it is often a quiet murmur in the classroom- it's nuts! We get email reports about their discussions & revelations. They create portfolios of their creations. The staff really nurture these little minds & spirits. They jump on any request & concern. I applaud the team for their tireless inspiration & dedication for our children. I wish I could be a student at this school too! read more

Do NOT send your sweet child here. MEAN teacher. MEAN director. And no accountability for their behavior. Shame on this school using the Lutheran name. We should have left after the 2 best teachers LEFT after the 2nd week of school. After that my son didn't want to go for a month. I thought he was having separation anxiety. He tells me the teacher "always yells at him, and then all the kids stare." We were reassured it was all in his head, but a week later I heard her yelling at some kids. We politely pulled him out without making a fuss but when I asked the director for his notebook of works, she mailed my son an EMPTY notebook with his photo on the side! Imagine his sadness opening that box. FIVE months at that school and not one picture or project ever came home. It's a "Reggio" thing. Even after going back and complaining to the ONE nice teacher and PASTOR nobody has called to amend this. It's disgusting and EVIL. -2018. read more