Our child's preschool experience at SLCC was truly magical. As a Reggio-inspired school, SLCC…read morenurtures a genuine curiosity for learning, emphasizes kindness, and thoughtfully guides and supports each individual child. From the beginning, our daughter felt a sense of comfort at SLCC that allowed her to thrive- as if it were a second home. We watched her blossom into a thoughtful, kind and compassionate child during her years at SLCC. We really liked the mixed-age setup, which allowed her to learn from the older kids while also giving her the opportunity to be a big sister to the younger ones. We also appreciated the inclusivity at SLCC through programs like culture shares, where families are able to share their family backgrounds and values. The teachers are exceptional and deeply care about their students, getting to know and connect with each child intimately. Our daughter felt so safe with them and still talks about them often! The teacher reflections and assessments were pages long and would often bring us to tears because they were so beautifully written. Because the school is small and intimate, our daughter formed some deep, early friendships that will probably be lifelong. SLCC also fosters a wonderful community of parents, and we didn't expect to form such meaningful friendships with other families during preschool. We will really miss being part of this school and we're so grateful to have found SLCC.

We couldn't ask for anything more from a preschool. My child is receiving an outstanding education…read moreand so are we. The SLCC teachers offer the highest level of understanding of early childhood development. Their level of dedication to this field is evident in every aspect of the school, from the thoughtful, responsive curriculum, to the way in which they communicate and exchange ideas with the children. I have learned so much from watching these interactions. Teacher observations of the children are also shared in a substantive newsletter which I look forward to receiving every week. Much more than a summary of weekly happenings, these are deep and personal reflections on the group dynamics, conflict resolution, problem solving and other topics from which I continually gain practical and applicable knowledge. They often cite research to support their discussions or to provide answers for their own emerging questions. I feel privileged to be included in a teachers' process of discovery and to benefit from the resulting insight. I have urged the director to publish these beyond the community --they are that good. This sharing of knowledge has allowed us to bring so much of my child's school life into our home. It has also provided us with an incredible community of dedicated parents. I couldn't be more grateful for the way SLCC has shaped our lives.

Damian S. and Ford A. have got it right!!! The school, also known as Playgroup is fantastic!!! I…read morevisited so many schools (both on the Westside and Eastside) and all the work was well worth it. Playgroup's a diamond in the rough and a well-kept secret. You, fellow Yelpers, are lucky I'm sharing it with you! I would've been fine keeping it all to myself but I've got to give credit where it is due! Playgroup was established decades ago and is undergoing somewhat of a revival under their director, Tina. She's passionate, vibrant, and educated (a Trojan - but I won't hold that against her). ;) Under Tina's leadership, I feel that Playgroup is just going to get better and better. The school's teachings are based on RIE, Reggio Emilia, and are child-centered. Basic concepts are children are curious learners and active participants, and thrive in an environment that is safe, challenging, nurturing. Playgroup is located in the hills of Echo Park in a former residence. The rooms have all been converted to classrooms. It's really quaint. The playground is composed of a large slide structure and 1/2 of the ground is covered in a nice, rubbery material that absorbs shock and is almost spongy, whereas the other 1/2 or so is a large sandbox. There is also a little garden and I believe they will start composting soon. Students regularly paint and play with the organic playdough Playgroup makes. Also, every week there are additional (free) activities such as yoga, dance, music, soccer, and nature walks. Unheard of!!!I Most schools charge for these "extras"! Note: Tina, if you're reading this, please don't get any ideas. LOL! My daughter loves her teachers. The teachers all speak Spanish and English. They vary in age, which means there is a good mix of experience. Teacher Irma sends a daily handwritten note with a summary of events, and any important reminders. Teacher Betty sends a weekly e-mail to wrap up the week. The student-to-teacher ratio is amazing! On any given day, my daughter's class has 5-8 students and there are always 2 teachers. That is seriously unheard of in Los Angeles! Believe me when I tell you this is incredible. The best preschools in LA (including UCLA and LMU) don't have this! So what does this really mean? It means that (a) your child gets a lot of attention and (b) your tuition money is very well spent. Speaking of which, tuition is very reasonable given the (a) student-to-teacher ratio, (b) flexible hours (7 AM - 6 PM), and (c) nutritious breakfast and snacks are provided. I can go on and on, but I'm sure you get the idea! We heart Playgroup!

The center, known also as Playgroup, is the absolute best daycare around. The staff to student…read moreratio is the highest I have found. The philosophy of the school is called "non-violent education" and is based on empathy for the child's point of view. Ruth Beaglehole, the school's founder, is also the director of the Center for Non-Violent Education in Echo Park. We can bring our 3 year-old son at 8 am and pick him up at 6 pm if we have to. As it is we usually get there at 10 am and pick up at about 5:30 pm. But it is nice to have the option of longer hours if our work week is intense. Our son has really blossomed since he started at Playgroup the very day he turned 2 years-old. What was also great is that he didn't need to be potty trained when he started. He uses the potty now and I feel like training was so much easier because he saw other children doing it and modeled their behavior. Anyway, it is an a great place for children and the other parents are cool, so the social aspect is good for adults as well. There are also a dozen or so subsidized slots for families with moderate incomes. And the prices are not bad for full and part time students even without subsidies, considering what we paid a babysitter before our son was 2 just so we could work a few hours a week. I highly recommended this school and suggest you call right away to get on the waiting list and come visit Playgroup.

If I could give Bright Montessori a thousand stars, I would. Our youngest (of three kids) started…read moreat Bright at barely age 2 when our full-time nanny unexpectedly had to take medical leave. When I arrived for my visit, the director, Sakina, was hoisting a palate of strawberries from her car that she had bought from the farmers market for the kids' snack. From day one, our family felt welcomed and supported by Sakina and her colleagues and the parents at the school. Our daughter is thriving and we see every day how this loving community has contributed to her growth and development. The school has two beautiful classrooms with large glass windows/doors and a serene courtyard. One parent on Yelp commented about uneven pavement and I'm not sure I understand that. The space is perfectly safe (as well as clean and beautiful) for children to run around--I certainly wouldn't have sent my 2-year-old daughter to the school if I had any concerns. The teachers are extremely engaged and loving and I've watched them on a daily basis help kids to learn how to communicate and resolve conflict. Overall, the school is an absolute gem and I am so glad that we became part of this wonderful community. Our family is forever grateful for the marvelous work by Sakina, Vanessa, Michelle, and Romaline.

If I could give Bright Montessori a thousand stars, I would. Our youngest (of three kids) started…read moreat Bright at barely age 2 when our full-time nanny unexpectedly had to take medical leave. When I arrived for my visit, the director, Sakina, was hoisting a palate of strawberries from her car that she had bought from the farmers market for the kids' snack. From day one, our family felt welcomed and supported by Sakina and her colleagues and the parents at the school. Our daughter is thriving and we see every day how this loving community has contributed to her growth and development. The school has two beautiful classrooms with large glass windows/doors and a serene courtyard. One parent on Yelp commented about uneven pavement and I'm not sure I understand that. The space is perfectly safe (as well as clean and beautiful) for children to run around--I certainly wouldn't have sent my 2-year-old daughter to the school if I had any concerns. The teachers are extremely engaged and loving and I've watched them on a daily basis help kids to learn how to communicate and resolve conflict. Overall, the school is an absolute gem and I am so glad that we became part of this wonderful community. Our family is forever grateful for the amazing work by Sakina, Vanessa, Michelle, and Romaline.

The most diverse school you can find in the area. The owner and the staffs are all so super nice…read moreand my kid loves to go to school everyday!

My son went to Lyric Preschool for a year and he loved it, as did we. His teacher's in the Teddy…read moreBear class--Miss Kim, Ms. Mari, and Ms. Christina--were beyond wonderful. We could feel the love they held for the children and for their work. They helped him through potty training and napping difficulties. My son thrived there and loved the morning songs, stories they read, fun seasonal events (circus day was one of his favorites), and everyday artwork they made. We only switched him because we moved to San Francisco. We'll always remember my son's time at Lyric Preschool with great fondness.

My son doesn't go to Camelot Kids, but I took him there for a birthday party and here I am with my…read morediseased brain, writing a Yelp review. If you're still reading, I'm sorry. Camelot rents out for parties on weekends, and from what I understand, the base fee is pretty reasonable, and you can add on from a whole menu of entertainment options. We went for a 5th birthday and it was a pretty ideal venue, with tons of space, all of it outdoors. There was a covered area with tables for food and drink and cake time, as well as a huge playground with lots of equipment. I tend to judge kid party venues by how little I have to watch my own kid, and this one was top tier, safe and confined. Well, except for the train ride, which felt kind of wild, but was also my son's favorite part of the party. I guess Camelot works with a company that brings a mini-train for parties, and the kids went nuts for it. I stood in the parking lot watching that train loop around for a full hour, swerving and doing donuts to make the children giggle and scream and occasionally break out in tears. My son rode it something like ten times. He spent the rest of the time running around the playground, with brief, emotional interludes for cake and piñata (he was absolutely terrible at picking up piñata candy, just the slowest little guy, with my genes imprisoning his whole body). We stayed for three hours, and he did not want to leave. I don't know how Camelot Kids is as a pre-school (though if you have any appetite for gossip, you will not be sorry to read this: https://www.jezebel.com/the-story-and-nightmare-emails-behind-one-elite-silver-1741632103), but we were happy to visit for an afternoon. If you're looking to host a party for small children, it's definitely worth checking out.

My husband and I hosted a birthday party at Camelot Kids for our 2-year-old daughter. The staff was…read moreso nice and welcoming. They helped us set up before the event and clean up after. During, they also checked in with us and asked if we wanted help using the speakers or turning on the bubble machine. The venue itself was very cute. The playground was spacious, and the kids enjoyed every nook and cranny. The other parents were also happy with the location and everyone had a fun time.

I can't recommend this school enough! The teachers and community are so warm, caring, and devoted…read moreto the children, their happiness, and development. I love that it is mixed age - my daughter's language increased exponentially just weeks after starting and I attribute a lot of it to the regular interaction with the older kids. She enjoys going to school every day!

I cannot say enough glowing things about ACGS. My three year old came here after a rocky experience…read morewith a different preschool. It immediately felt like we made the right decision. It was exactly what we hoped for; warm, caring, nurturing, and safe. His incredible teachers, Adela and Yolanda, treat him like the tiny, complex human that he is and are truly invested in helping him become the most kind, curious, patient, confident person he can be. It's a place run by people who are very good at what they do and who care deeply about what they do and I can't recommend it highly enough!

My three children attended the neighborhood nursery school from 1988 through 1993. In retrospect,…read moreit took me six years to graduate from nursing school. My three children grew up to be wonderful, caring adults. Their formative years were blessed with the experience of young children are growing up in a loving and productive atmosphere. The opportunity to bond with my children over those six years was invaluable. I was fortunate enough to have a work schedule that would enable me to miss every Monday for six years.

A true gem of a school! Magical grounds and an incredible community. We feel so lucky to have found…read morethis place for both our children. It's like your dream small town preschool in the heart of Silverlake. Play based, holistic, outdoor education. And don't underestimate the co-op experience! What a gift to be part of building a community in this fast paced world. Teachers are warm and wonderful. Go see it for yourself! You won't want to leave. To end with a quote from our now 8yr old, former NNS student: "It's such a great school to send your children to!"

In a matter of 3 months, our quarantine baby broke out of her shell. She built up a wide vocabulary…read moreand can identify letters and numbers, as well as shapes. I was taken aback when she recognized an oval at just 2 yrs old! It was her first school experience, and if you're looking for a place with great parent communication, look no further. This intimate preschool was the perfect start to our little one's education.

From the owner: We are excited to come alongside parents in providing a safe, Christ-centered, nurturing…read moreenvironment where children learn through play and discovery.