Our daughter has been at PCMA since she was 18 months old and she will be having her last summer…read morethere this year - it is bittersweet. She will be going to TK in the fall. Over the past 2 and half years, we have seen significant growth in her emotional and mental well being. We do not have any close family near by so initially she had a hard time warming up to the teachers/support she did not see on a normal basis. The teachers, directors and the Montessori approach made it easier for her to become the little confident person she is today in which I thank them for their care and support. Additional Notes: The school itself is located on PCH so it is a busy during rush hour. There are times that getting in and out of the school can be troublesome. However, the school itself feels secure and I didn't worry too much about her safety as there are a lot of gates. Since we have been there for a while, we have seen a few changes in staff and was questionable at times. However, the current director does her best to manage the changes and notifies the parents as soon as possible. The director and teachers are very caring and do their best to accommodate the changes as well. The school uses an app for communication about your child and it is very convenient as they update throughout the day such as meals and if they took a nap, etc. It made me feel less anxious. I do feel that they are aligning well with the academics while fully embracing the Montessori guidance. My daughter does well with independent play and loves to learn. She shows an interest in many subjects. Thank you PCMA for the good memories and we will miss you guys!

I contacted and went to see this school hoping to enroll my child and let them know that he has…read moreautism and currently receives speech and occupational therapy. He is high-functioning but has difficulty communicating and expressing his needs verbally. He has also just turned 2, so he still had a lot of growth to do. I was asked whether I would be able to provide support or assistance for him while he attended. I am a working mom, they wanted me to be at the school with him which I cannot because how would I be able to afford the tuition without working. I was then told that I would receive a call back, but no one ever followed up with me after I was told on the phone I would need to assist him in the school. Although, my child has autism he is very capable. I think the word taunted the director creating a bias before even actually working with my child. The experience left me feeling that the school is not inclusive. I would recommend looking elsewhere if your child is neurodivergent or has any type of learning disability in any way. Thankfully, my child is now attending another school where he is welcomed, supported, and thriving.

My daughter has been in Marla's care since she was 7 months old. My husband and I absolutely love…read moreMarla and her daughter Jennifer. They are so sweet and give all the kids so much love and attention. This daycare truly feels like a family. We unfortunately have to relocate our daughter to a daycare closer to our home but if we lived in this area, she would definitely stay with Marla until she's ready for school.

We've been with Marla for over two years and we have felt so lucky to find a home- based care that…read morecares so much for children AND is so affordable! Marla is responsive, flexible, and I love the way they support the kids to share and treat each other kindly. At one point we thought it would be beneficial for our child to go to preschool but after a few months in that setting, we returned to Marla and we are so happy with our decision. It really feels like a family. Highly recommend.

Our daughter started going to Ivy Smart for close to a year. The program reviews what she has…read morelearned in school helps ensure those lessons take hold. They also offer help on their homework, this helps out for those who come home later and after dinner is done it's usually close to bed time for our daughter, which gives us time to review her homework. In the Summer, she's given a jump on her lessons on what she will see next year. They also offer tutoring in a second language our daughter has been immersed in. This summer there was a field trip at El Segundo's Space Force El Segundo (formerly an Air Force Base) this gives our kids a glimpse at what may lie in their future.

Recently moved to the area. Decided to take my two daughters to Ivy Smart in Rollings Hills for the…read moreSummer so they can get familiarized and up to speed with Math and English. We lasted less than 2 weeks at this place. After day 2, my youngest daughter was informing us that kids are playing tag in small confined class rooms and disrupting other kids while they are trying to learn. We advised the school and Ms. Monet of this incident and requested some feedback about this. We were advised they allow them to play tag in a confined learning center. We were a bit setback as this is not a playground and extremely unsafe for others. Moving forward a week, we get a call from Ms. Monet advising the kids were playing tag again and running in this confined space. They bumped into my youngest daughter. She fell and rolled her ankle. It was sprained severely. All we got from Ms. Monet was a sorry and we will talk to our Teachers. After the discussion, she quickly moved onto advising there is a field trip. First Field trip to Popeyes, second field trip to H-Mart. We spend about $2500.00 for this program not to go to Popeyes or H-Mart. We as parents can do this ourselves. We immediately pulled our Daughters out of this program and requested a refund. We were told they only do accounting 1 time per month. Even after all this, they were trying to sell us on the fact they can do 1 on 1 tutoring at their facility. We passed on that ridiculous offer as we do not feel their is a priority on safety and supervision from Ms. Monet and her Leadership for our Children. On top of this, waiting on the refund for 6.5 days (6.5 days because we had to pick up our injured daughter) of going this school on a 4 week program, we were only refunded $814.00. Steer clear of this place. Its unorganized and self centered on revenue.

We moved our son to Kreative Kidz Preschool after a really difficult experience at another center,…read moreand the difference was night and day. From the start, the environment felt warm, welcoming, and genuinely focused on the kids. Our son absolutely loved going every day--he was excited to be there, which was such a relief for us as parents. During his time there, he moved up into another class and truly grew by leaps and bounds, both socially and developmentally. The play-based learning approach struck the perfect balance of fun and education, and it was clear how much thought and care went into their programs. The staff is incredible--Director Ms. Vanessa runs a tight ship while still creating a nurturing, positive atmosphere. Ms. Kiki and Ms. Alice were especially wonderful with our son, showing so much patience, kindness, and encouragement. One moment that really meant a lot to us: when we had to move out of state, they threw our son a going-away birthday party--even though his actual birthday was more than a month away. That level of thoughtfulness speaks volumes about how much they care about the kids and families. They were also very communicative throughout our time there, which we appreciated. And as a bonus, they helped solidify our son's potty training, which was a huge milestone. We only left because of our move, otherwise we would have stayed without hesitation. Highly, highly recommend Kreative Kidz Preschool to any family looking for a caring, engaging, and supportive environment for their child

Kreative Kidz Preschool was the best place we could have ever imagined for our child. The staff…read moreshowed so much patience with our energetic little one and played a huge role in his growth and development. He learned shapes, colors, numbers, and so much more during his time there. We are incredibly grateful for the experience our family had at Kreative Kidz. The teachers genuinely care about the children, and that was especially clear at graduation when some of them teared up. It truly made us feel like we were part of a family. We highly recommend this preschool to any parent looking for a caring and nurturing environment.

5 stars is not enough for Lilly's daycare. My son has been going to Lilly's for a few months now…read moreand absolutely loves it. When we drop him off every morning he runs into her place with excitement, and when we return to pick him up he doesn't want to leave. Lilly has been in business for almost 30 years and it shows. Her house is a perfect sanctuary for small children. Plenty of play areas indoor and outdoor. She has a garden with fruits and vegetables that she feeds the kids everyday. She also makes everything from scratch and gets most her groceries from the local farmers market. She goes above and beyond for these kids. She concentrates on educational activities and brain games, doesn't allow screen time, and has them outdoors more than half the day. You won't find another daycare like this anywhere, I can guarantee it. Words cannot describe how fortunate my family is to have found Lilly's daycare.

Being that this would be our little ones first time in a daycare we were very cautious and…read more meticulous about the process. We wanted someone who would care for our son not because it was their job but truly loved doing it! We were over the moon when we found Lilly. She has not only checked all the boxes for what we were looking for in a daycare. She has far exceeded them. We just knew from the moment we met her that she would be a perfect fit to care for our little one. He immediately gravitated towards her which is unusual for him when first meeting a new person. After our tour of the daycare our little one showed his approval by blowing kisses to Lilly as we left. My son is beyond ecstatic every morning once he gets to Lilly's house. All the horror stories that we hear of toddlers crying when you leave them at daycares is yet to happen. My son is filled with joy once he arrives and doesn't even think twice about us leaving him. Her home is set up with endless activities for the kids to do like drawing/coloring, basketball, soccer, slides, too many toys to name, books for fun/learning and my favorite part which is the outdoor space. Most of the time, the kids are outside getting fresh air and being active which I believe is so important for them versus being indoors unless the weather permits it. There are so many things that I could list which makes Lilly's daycare a wonderful second home for our little one. She is nurturing, caring, she makes homemade organic cooked meals which saves us so much time, her home is always clean/hygienic, hands on learning/Montessori inspired, pretend play (e.g building forts) and no screen time is allowed. Her daycare is a perfect home away from home for my little one. If you're lucky as us to have your little one cared by Lilly you'll know what I mean when I say, "We are so grateful to have found her and feel like we've hit the jackpot!" :)

My boys have been enrolled in daycare here for almost a year. They started at 18 months and have…read morebeen lovingly cared for by all the teachers and teacher's aides. I felt this was the right place for them because it met the criteria important to us: safe, clean, small class size, kind and caring staff, and exposure to educational and life skills. I appreciate the daily updates they provide regarding my boys' activities, this helps keep us informed about their needs. Note that siblings receive a discounted tuition rate, which is helpful!

We love this school! Words truly cannot express how much South Bay Montessori has meant to our…read morefamily. Our daughter attended from age 2 to 5, and the time passed far too quickly!! Choosing South Bay Montessori was one of the best decisions we made as parents, and we feel incredibly grateful for the loving, clean and nurturing environment created by the teachers, staff, and director ( Ms. Evien ). From day one, we knew she was in exceptional hands. All the teachers ( special thanks to Ms. Luna, Ms. Heidy, and Ms. Angie ) at South Bay Montessori are truly priceless. Their love, dedication, and individualized attention helped our daughter grow not only academically but also emotionally. She gained knowledge, confidence, and independence while being surrounded by warmth and genuine care every day. As working parents, there was nothing more reassuring than knowing she was safe, happy, and well cared for every day. That peace of mind meant the world to us. The school is wonderfully organized and guided by a thoughtful educational approach that balances strong academics with kindness and support. The teachers, staff, and director go above and beyond to create a community that truly feels like an extension of family. South Bay Montessori is more than just a school -- it is a place where I see that all children are loved, respected, and encouraged to become their best selves. As our daughter graduated in 2025, saying goodbye was truly bittersweet. South Bay Montessori has played such an important role in our daughter's early years and has left a lasting impact on our family. We will always be deeply thankful for the love, guidance, and education she received at SB Montessori. South Bay Montessori will always hold a very special place in our hearts, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to any family looking for a truly exceptional Montessori experience.

Gina has been watching my son for over a year. She is so good with the kids. She's very loving and…read moremy son loves going to her daycare. The kids spend plenty of time outside, playing games, and socializing. She transitioned my son from a bottle to a sippy cup. My husband and I both work long hours and we feel so much better knowing our son is in such good hands.

From the owner: Call to schedule a tour of our facility to see the loving environment we provide for your children…read more We've been in business for over 32 years. Our main priority is to create a safe, happy, and fun environment for the children that we take care of.

[Review #248] 2018 Yelp 100 Challenge (11/100)…read more GD&HP did not have any infant openings, so I was referred to Christine de Mel by her colleague, who also happens to be my daughter's former preschool teacher. And because of this connection, I felt I could trust Christine without a "formal" interview. Christine's Infant Care provides an intimate home daycare setting for infants & toddlers. While licensed for more children, Christine, aka Ms. D, chooses to limit 4 children under her care. The interior space is small but neatly organized for feeding, diaper changing, napping, playtime, & learning. The backyard is stocked with scoot cars, a water table, & other outdoor toys that are age-appropriate for your child. Parents are responsible for: diapers; wipes; diaper cream; lip balm; food, snacks, & milk; sunscreen; extra clothes; bibs & burp cloths; & crib sheets. Pros: 1) great hours (7:00 AM-6:00 PM), especially for working parents; 2) clean home/facility; 3) time-off/holidays that coincide with work schedule (New Year's Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday & Friday), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve), & there's no charge when Christine is ill or takes a vacation; 4) child may take up to 5 school days/calendar year at half price; 5) competitive tuition & low application fee; 6) low enrollment = more attention to your child; 7) daily log of your child's feeding, diaper changing, & napping schedule (I'm very Type A, so I LOVE this because I can keep tabs on my son's day); 8) on occasion she will text you some pics of their daily activities or special occasion pic (I LOVE our 2017 holiday pic of the kids... SO ADORABLE!); 9) Ms. D will work with you & your baby's needs (e.g. my son had a bad night & woke up early, she fed him earlier to start his nap earlier & he took a longer nap... I knew he did make-up the loss of sleep at naptime because he no longer has dark circles under his eyes; another example, we were transitioning to sippy cups & he didn't finish milk so she suggested to keep his milk in the bottles & practice drinking water in sippy cups or cups... his bottles came back empty); 10) as your child gets closer to preschool, s/he will learn new skills/develop existing ones: how to self-feed; how to play with others & how to share (I found that in a smaller group, it has been easier for my son to "give up" a toy & share than when he's in a larger group); the alphabet & colors, how to count, etc. (I noticed a drastic improvement in my son's vocabulary from our story time discussions & his care at CIC; at 2 years old, my son can string 3-7 word sentences, not always grammatically correct but he is ahead of his neighborhood peers, but he has a lot to say... ;-) hehehe). Cons: 1) you're responsible for your child's snacks & lunch (my daughter's infant daycare had provided her meals & milk for the babies older than 1, & I only provided breastmilk until she weaned herself; that was a MAJOR bonus & timesaver for us); 2) your child may be photographed or video recorded while at the daycare & the images/videos may be uploaded on its website (by your enrollment, you consent to release of all media)... I'm mostly ok by this because her website isn't mainstream but some parents may have an issue so I'm pointing this out in case they didn't read the contract thoroughly. Overall, Christine's Infant Care is 4-1/2 stars; 1/2 star deduction for the snacks & meals, otherwise CIC would be perfect. When we're overwhelmed, we've either forgot our son's lunch or his food altogether :-*( so it would be a major advantage if food is provided. If you're unable to be a stay-at-home parent & need to find a trusted & quality care provider for your child, then look not further than Christine's Infant Care... I highly recommend Ms. D to look after your precious baby.

Christine's Infant Care is one of the best in the area. What sets this place apart from the rest is…read moretheir strong emphasis on safety. Christine stays up to date on all the newest guidelines and has all the proper safety equipment needed. I'm confident that she is well trained to handle any possible situation.

A Concerned Parent's Experience…read more I've heard it said that you should occasionally show up at your child's school unannounced--because that's when you truly see what's going on. I'm sharing my recent experience in that spirit, as a caution to current and prospective parents. I'm the mother of a 5-year-old and a 22-month-old. During a visit to New Horizons, my daughters were quietly playing with rocks outside a classroom when a teacher came out and scolded them. The issue wasn't that she asked them not to play with the rocks--it was how she addressed them. Her tone was harsh, her voice raised, and she slammed the door before coming back out again, this time yelling directly at my 22-month-old. She then turned to me and shouted, "Are you going to make her clean that up?" I remained calm, cleaned up the rocks, and apologized. But her demeanor throughout was aggressive and unsettling--not only toward my children but also in the presence of the class she was supervising. What I witnessed was deeply troubling. If I saw a teacher at my child's school behave this way toward any child, let alone a toddler exploring the world, I would be seriously concerned. I left that day feeling fearful for the well-being of the children in her care. I share this not out of anger, but out of a sense of responsibility. Please do your research. Speak with other parents. Ask questions. Because what I saw raised serious red flags about the environment at this school--and about who is being entrusted to guide and care for very young children.

We full so lucky to have found New Horizons. Our 4.5 year old went there and currently our 2 year…read moreold is there. The staff is so patient, understanding and you can tell that they not only love their jobs but they care deeply about the students. They want what is best for your child and their development. They communicate with us through every transition our little guys have gone through and really worked with us. We could not be more grateful. Our boys are happy to go to school and are always in the best of spirits at pick up. They truly work with you to make sure everyone is thriving...it means so much to us. Could not recommend this school more!