I recently moved to Long Beach from the East Coast…read more I visited my girlfriend and went to Bayshore Playground and saw the coop. It was during the pandemic and I took my son out of school because virtual learning was night right for our family. So after a year with 3 young kids at home and home schooling, I couldn't wait to get my youngest girls in preschool. Preschool On the Beach. With a Playground? What could be cooler than that? There is one indoor classroom with books and puzzles and it's own child sized toilet and sink. There are 3 sheds full of bikes, scooters, tunnels, hula hoops, hockey sticks, basketballs and hoop, dollhouse, plenty of play toys, a sensory table, blocks, art supplies etc. They meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12pm. Parent volunteers go 30 min early and help set up fences around our area to ensure safety. During the pandemic it was an outdoor classroom and we did not have one case at our school. We set up the outdoor classroom with rugs and learning materials, a play dough station, an office area with markers, crayons, stamps, stencils etc, a doll house area, a creative play area (changes each week), lunch tables, art easel area, sensory table and block/toy truck/ play animal area each day. With ~15 parents, this requires 3 parent volunteers each day. Most parents work every other week but if you have more children, you are there weekly. The day starts with play time in the bike yard (there's plenty of bikes and outdoor activities for all; Wednesday's they can bring in their own bikes and helmets). Then it's circle time with Ms. Cori, whom the kids all adore. She goes over the calendar, days of the week, sings songs in 7 different languages. Then it's bike yard time again while the snack parent prepares a snack for the students. Then the kids all wash hands (we are very good with hand sanitizer and keeping clean) and enjoy their snack. Then it's free play in our fenced in outdoor school. We clean up toys and end in the playground. There is a lunch bunch for the older children where they pack a lunch and stay until 2pm for an additional fee. The 3 parents each have a specific job for the day -bike yard, snack or bathroom. There is a snack parent each week that prepares the snack all 3 days. We make sure to make notes of any student with allergies or sensitivities. There are monthly field trips (fire station, el dorado, bolsa chica, aquarium, library etc) which are paid from by fundraising (this year we made cocoa bombs at holiday time and sold sweets at the Naples boat canal show). Monthly meetings are held at 7pm on the first Thursday of each month. Attendance is required by one parent or guardian at the meetings and also school cleanups 2x a year. We also have a rainy day school for when we can't be outdoors due to the weather. My girls love their teacher, their friends and their school. It's definitely more play based. No worksheets here. However they do occasional seasonal crafts. It definitely is a bit of work for the parents but I think it's worth it as my girls will have great memories. Definitely nice to find other families the same age after the pandemic and after moving to a new area. We all look out for each other's kids. We celebrated Chinese New Year this year with a lions dance festival in the bike yard (the bike yard is only allowed for use of our children at the moment). And we have some fun trips planned for the end of the year.

LOVE Bayshore Co-op! My son will be starting his 2nd year, and I truthfully wish the director, Ms…read more Cori, could expand into an elementary school and beyond! While there is direct teaching and learning going on, the curriculum is play based and able to be modified for what the children are interested in at the moment. It so wonderful to be able to see the children think and grow. You always here that these communities are like a family or a village, but the truth is, I didn't really put much stock into that. I was so surprised to see that it's true! The parents are truly there for one another and for the kids. Bayshore is so much more than just a school. My child has thrived and learned so much about himself and how to interact with others. I'm so happy with our choice!

My wife and I have been searching everywhere for the perfect preschool for our 3-year-old, and…read morewe're so glad we found Discovery Preschool. From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed. Roxy was amazing and guided us through every step of the process. The entire staff was engaging, patient, and genuinely connected with the children. What we love most is that it's not a "hands-off, just let them play" type of school. Discovery has a thoughtful, structured curriculum that includes early learning, leadership skills, writing, crafting, and so much more. We truly adore this place and feel confident our child will thrive here. I highly encourage parents who are looking for a well-balanced preschool to give this one a look!

My son went to Discovery Preschool and had the best experience. Ms. Celia was a wonderful and…read moreunderstanding teacher to guide my son. He has a speech delay and went into Discovery with limited words but finished the program with so many new words and so many friends. Ms. Roxy the program director runs such a a great program for the kids and us parents. I appreciate the small class size and the engaging and hands on learning the kids get. The kids are taught in class but most importantly they are taught to be kind individuals. My daughter will be entering the program when she is old enough and we can't wait to be back with everyone at Discovery again!

We absolutely loved the Guppies class! My daughter genuinely looked forward to going to school and…read moreabsolutely adored her teachers, Ms. Ericka and Miss Michelle. They created such a warm, thoughtful, and supportive environment for the kids. Not only did she make friends and learn so much, but we also saw a huge boost in her speech and communication while in the program. She was already talking quite a bit before starting, but her language exploded even more during her time in class. One thing we especially appreciated was how mindful and caring the teachers were during our family's transition of welcoming a new baby sibling. They were so supportive and understanding, which made a big difference for all of us. We are so grateful for the love, patience, and care they poured into this class. It's such a special feeling to know your child truly loves school and feels safe and happy there.

My daughter has been attending since Feburary 2026. All the staff have been welcoming and helped my…read moredaughter adjust quickly. The center is kept very clean and tidy. I regularly see staff cleaning and disinfect toys, the playground is well kept, and the location is secure with a keypad on the door. My daughter loves her teacher Miss Tamika and the director Ana is super helpful. One of my favorite things so far was the art show they hosted showcasing all the childrens art- it was so cute! We only spent a short time here but we are looking forward to the graduation ceremony they will be hosting for the kids going to kindergarten next year. I highly recommend this center if you live in the area!

We LOVE this preschool! Our little guy has been attending since August 2020 and he has grown so…read moremuch! The staff and teachers are amazing, super supportive and informative. We have had a couple of parent / teachers meeting, which I love! The feed back and advise we receive is wonderful. Being we can't go into the class rooms to help out or have visits due to the pandemic. It's nice to be kept up to speed on how our sons progress is going. I just can't say enough about what this preschool has done to assist in our sons growth and development. Even in these crazy days of Covid, they have always made us feel at ease by providing an safe and secure learning environment. Which we truly are grateful for. A child needs the social interaction at this stage in their development. The preschools method of learning is through play and exploring. This is such a natural & fun way of learning. The teachers are always supportive and encouraging to the children. This creates a safe space for your children to really blossom. If you are in the market for a preschool that really focuses on the development of a child's social skills; being kind, learning how to express feelings & different emotions while having fun & playing with friends. This is the place for your little one.

I can't say enough positive things about Little Sunshine House! We've had two kiddos attend…read morepreschool here and our youngest will also attend when he's old enough! My son has learned so much there and enjoyed his learning experience. We love water play days and all the sensory play. The teachers are AMAZING. Caring, kind, patient and gentle. For us, the teachers are what have made our experience so positive. Ms. Elvira has been incredible to work with, I trust her completely! They've made my children feel welcome and comfortable in their first school experience.

Choosing this school for our then 3-year-old was hands down the best decision we ever made. The…read moreexperience she had here, surrounded by the most incredible teachers in such a creative environment, left a lasting impression that still shines through today. Every staff member is truly exceptional, and Dena, the director, is absolutely wonderful and amazing. It's unlike any other , and the love and care they put into each child's growth is truly unmatched. This school is more than just a place to learn--it's a place where emotional well-being, confidence, creativity, and problem-solving are nurtured every single day. The teachers are so dedicated and always go above and beyond. After we moved, my daughter talked about Kidworks and her teachers every day for six months during the transition. Even now, she still asks if she can go back. That says everything about how special this place is. At Kidworks, my daughter found her creativity and grew into the confident, amazing little person she is today. We wish we had more time there and that our second child could have experienced this magical place as well. If you're looking for a place where your child can truly thrive, look no further!

Our son just completed preschool at Kid Works. We are so appreciative of the teachers and director…read moreat the school. Dana is absolutely fabulous, so clearly experienced with all types of different kiddos, and really offered our son a loving space to be himself. Amy, the Director, is so communicative and generously spent lots of extra time with me whenever I had questions or was hoping to get support and input on his behavior at school. Kid Works is a really unique environment. I'm so grateful for the opportunity for our son to be outdoors and in a play based environment at this age. It was a great fit for him and our family. We will miss Kid Works!!

I would highly recommend Marina Montessori School. Our daughter attended the school starting at the…read moreage of 2, through TK. The teachers, learning environment and enrichment programs have encouraged our daughter to flourish! The staff is very friendly and have great communication! Our daughter would race into the school daily. She really enjoyed her time there. She entered kindergarten socially and academically prepared, above grade level. Marina Montessori is one of Long Beach's top notch schools!

Marina was the best decision for our little one. It was the first school that we looked at. We…read morechecked out a few other schools but this one felt right and my child instantly took to Ms. Candy who runs the school. Price: the price is competitive for private if not better than some schools for the type of flexibility & environment they provide. Schedule Options: I like the options offered. I appreciate their flexibility. I didn't see a lot of flexibility with the other places we looked at. This was important for our family. First Day: The first day of school can always be scary and nerve racking. My child is very nervous normally, but felt very welcomed here and ran right inside to participate in story time. Didn't even look back to say bye. I was surprised and happy to see that. It brought us immediate comfort. Class Structure/Communication: I like the type of structure they have. It's not rigid but still organized and routine. The teachers keep you in the loop and inform you of any issues or concerns during pick up or by the class dojo app. They will even give you updates and pictures of their playtime which I love! It's a decent class size. The kids learn a lot of fun things and interact with each other really well. You can tell most of the parents are very caring. There wasn't any drama or pretentious attitudes (that I was aware of) while we were there. We were even able to communicate with other parents on the app. So we made more connections outside of the school. Teachers: Ms. Brittney is great! Very patient and on top of everything. I really appreciate her communication and commitment to the kids. The other teachers we interacted with are also very kind and supportive. The teacher group is very diverse. They all have a calm vibe and I never worried about my child's well-being. They seem to pay attention and appreciate the kids differences which was nice to see. My child will forsure miss Ms. Samantha, Leann & Elizabeth. Activities/events: They offer extracurricular activities during school at reasonable prices which is nice if you want your child exposed but don't have time after school. They also have cute gatherings for the kids during the school day that parents can come participate in during holidays. Cons: My only real con is that my child was always full of sand by pick up lol. I got over it though. I had to remind myself that it's important for sensory play. My child talks non-stop about all the fun things they made while on the playground in the sand. I just decided to rotate the same few outfits to avoid messing up shoes & clothes. The obvious I know lol. Thank you Ms Candy & Brittney for the environment you provided! We are grateful for the experience. We are sad to go but I know my child enjoys learning and school because of Marina

If you're looking for a preschool for your little one you've found it! The teachers and director…read morehave all been such great woman to both my kids. I have a 10 year old that was there when he was 4 up until he was able to go into regular kindergarten and my 2 almost 3 year old has been there since he turned 2. These ladies are great, they are patient, welcoming, encouraging and all around 2nd mommy's to my kids. I was so excited for my little one to get in there as soon as he was of age. I'm happy with how much he has learned in the little amount of time he's been there. You won't be disappointed in bringing your little one here

I've been reluctant to write a review because then you'll know my secret, that Oak Tree is where…read moreyour young one needs to be! I have two children that have been attending Oak Tree for nearly a year now and we have no intention of leaving until they age out. Beyond the fact that both my kids are flourishing academically and socially, the entire staff is uniquely talented. Without highlighting my girls specific teachers (whom I love), the whole staff is friendly and professional. From a thoughtful curriculum and food menus to karate, cultural discovery, alternate language learning including sign language and puzzles, painting, group projects, spelling exercises and dance lessons, they all have something special to offer and engage your child with. Their creativity and activities have no end, and they handle the hard conversations with grace. Ignore any naysayers and enrich your children at Oak Tree.

Our entire family absolutely adores this little slice of Paradise. A Reggio-inspired preschool…read moreplaygroup with a view. Some highlights for us: Ms Katy and Ms Adriana. This duo is amazing! They guide our littlest loves through their days navigating big emotions, exploring new ideas, and building confidence in themselves. Community Snack. Each day the rotating snack parent provides a balanced snack for the whole class. The kids come as they please (after washing their hands) sit down, serve themselves some food, and converse with their peers, parents, and or teachers. Some days snack perpetration is interactive and our kids get to learn new cooking skills -- veggie sushi rolls, baking bread, preparing dipping sauces, etc. Art Art Art! The children are exposed to a vast array of artists and techniques throughout the school year creating their own little masterpieces. Child led learning -- I love to sit back and watch as my children explore and experiment within their environment. Highlights for them are the sand box, the mud kitchen, the cozy corner, building with blocks, sensory play in the water table, and riding trikes around the track. Amazing field trips! This year we picked pumpkins at Tanaka farms, checked out our neighboring fire station, hatched grunion eggs at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and will soon be visiting the butterfly exhibit at the South Coast Botanic Gardens. Family friendships. Because this is a co-op us parents spend a lot of time getting to know one another. I have met so many amazing people that have become both friends and mentors on this parenting journey. We just love this place. I'm so happy we've had the opportunity to experience it and will be sad when our time is up. But what memories my two babes are making each day!!!!

We love Lagoon Playgroup! This was a wonderful first school experience for our daughter & for us as…read moreparents. The teachers are such kind & caring guides for the kiddos and the coop structure of the school sets you up to get to know other families well. Participating in the school days was always a joy watching the kids play, the gardens grow & the water in the lagoon!

I have taken my time to write this review until after my daughter left the school because of course…read moreI wanted to get a more bird eye view. With that in mind, I wanna say I am deeply grateful for this school. They have great systems in place with low ratio and really teach the little ones a lot while they're there. I can solidly say that at two years old my daughter can count from one to 20 and sing the whole alphabet along with about 15 different nursery, rhymes and stack blocks and has very advanced fine motor and motor skills because of the school. I'm a licensed OT and always felt safe with and confident in staff. Mrs. Nali, Mrs Dhammika, and Mrs Nayana are well educated in this age group, patient, and loving. All of the staff are truly wonderful. We went from infant, to wobbler, to toddler and transitioned very well. I don't know the frequency but every time my child which class they gave me a comprehensive developmental checklist to tell me what my child was doing or wasn't doing that was on track for proper development or not and that is huge. When you're a busy parent and don't always notice some of the things that Are typical or atypical to have some professional eyes to help you understand where your child is developmentally is huge. They are CPR trained and do a great job with making sure they're fed and changed consistently. My baby never came home hungry or never was crying when I picked her up and never got diaper rash there. If you choose to be part of the little app, you will get photos of your child. Once every couple weeks in the classroom is playing with the other children. They also send little videos and they do little Halloween parades and classroom parties. The Christmas parade is precious too! The focus of MONTESSORI is self-sufficiency which as an occupational therapist I really love. She would come home and if she spilled something, she would run right away to try to clean it up. She very much wanted to learn how to do things on her own and she knew how to threw away her own trash, which was not something I taught her at home necessarily lol It truly is adorable and prepares your baby for a successful road ahead with school and life beyond. My only thing I would change is having carpet or soft floor in the infant room vs hard floors. Other than that, everything really is done perfectly, and they have a lovely little outdoor space that they take them to a few times a day where they can ride bikes and do the slide and all of that. Learning how to operate in a group and look at what the rest of the group is doing and follow along is a critical life skill, and my baby has transitioned to preschool seamlessly because of her experience at this other school. In fact, one of her current teachers used to work at Wee care as well and has positive things to say.

We are eternally grateful to Wee Care's wonderful staff and teachers! Our son has learned so much…read morein such a short time and we are truly impressed with all the skills he has gained - social, language, art, motor, and more! A true reflection of Wee Care's dedication, and nourishing environment. Every single teacher our son had during his time at Wee Care truly helped prepare him for the future and have allowed him to have such a great head start. We leave this review with so much love and appreciation for Ms. Dhammika, Nali, Maria, Mary, Dima, Alondra, Derrika, Melanie and the rest of their teachers!

I trust Natures Edge with both my kiddos. They got excellent care under Ms. Jay and Ms. Amber's…read moresupervision! the program offers a very good curriculum based on play, social emotional learning, and a very healthy amount of exposure to the playground. The teachers are kind and supportive of my children and their needs. They partnered with me, as you would expect from a high quality program, to develop goals and support my children. The staff have become a reliable and supportive part of my village!! Thanks for all you do for our kids, NECDC team!

My daughter has gone to Nature's Edge since she was 2 years old and she loved it. The place is kept…read moreimmaculate with Montessorri style classrooms and a renovated playground and outdoor play areas. Ms.Jay, Ms.Amber, and all of the teachers at Nature's Edge have been so kind, welcoming, and nurturing to my daughter. We are really glad that our daughter was able to go to Nature's Edge for preschool.