What a wonderful program this was for my daughter!! She was there from 16 months to "graduation" (just before turning 3.) La La was our extended family and I am thankful every day that we found a program full of such loving, nurturing and creative teachers and staff. The curated crafts and "experiments" were so creative! They were usually seasonally themed (and were also accompanied by a new song and lesson.) My daughter advanced leaps and bounds thanks to the daily (age appropriate) lessons, readings, activities, songs and dances. She's a happy kid who loves to dance and play and the La La teachers always encouraged FUN. The children (even the little babies!) participate in the lessons and circle/story times and crafts. My daughter was "in the mix" from day one at 16 months old. They really play and eat like a big happy family. How wonderful for a baby to grow up feeling included in the "big kid" group. When my daughter transitioned to being one of the "big kids" she loved being able to shepherd and care for the little ones. I credit La La for encouraging her gentle and nurturing approach with any younger kids she meets. She still talks daily about her "babies." The kids are outdoors most of the day in a whimsical magical garden-type setting with gorgeous sail coverings. Just take a tour and you'll immediately recognize that La La is a far cry from a cinder block daycare center. They take nature walks, play in the garden and are encouraged to be creative and imaginative with their activities. The play areas are meticulously cleaned and organized/curated daily. It truly feels like home away from home for all the kids. Being outside really helps to curb a lot of the viruses and illnesses (of course it does happen, kids are still kids) but we also wanted a daycare that took health and wellness VERY seriously. If your child is sick, they really shouldn't be around other little ones. Yes, it's inconvenient when it's your child, but keeping your sick child home is what's best for the whole community. We understood that and it was a big factor in us choosing La La for our daughter. La La also attracts a strong international community. Most of the families had at least one parent who was born outside of the US so my daughter was continuously exposed to many other languages and cultures. (La La teachers also regularly sing and count in Spanish and Japanese (!!) ) I love that my daughter can teach ME new songs and words! Lastly, I'll just say Lala always leads with kindness. My daughter has learned it, lived it and will continue to pass it on in order to make her world "a better place to be!" I only wish we could have stayed forever! read more

Lala Land Daycare - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Venice, California

We enrolled our two children (a 3-yr old and a 14-month-old) at this in-home daycare for approximately two months. During that time, we had a number of concerns about the provider (Lisa) practices and communication style. The provider's business is registered under a name different from the one advertised, and no license number is listed on the website, making it difficult to verify through public licensing databases. Regarding communication: Lisa called my husband daily at least 1 hour a day, sometimes for extended periods, to discuss our children's behavior and, in our view, to comment critically on our parenting. On one occasion she called my husband for a very trivial stuff on a whim when my husband had a very important client call in a few mins, she made an insulting comment ("how convenient?!"). She also call me directly on the cell during the middle of my work day to complain food I packed for my child's lunch and suggested I follow other parents' examples. Regarding sleep arrangements: our son, who was able to pull himself up to standing, was mandated to sleep alone in a crib on a fixed schedule in this daycare, and we were asked to pick him up early if he didn't fall asleep at the designated time. At home, our children shared a bed and slept through the night without difficulty. My understanding, based on some research, is that California regulations say you can't force a kid to stay in crib who can stand while holding on to the rails. Other parents in a shared group mentioned that the children were given significant screen time; we have not independently verified this but we did hear that from an informal conversation with our older child. The facility is structured as a home-based daycare but charges rates comparable to institutional care, and parents are also asked to provide snacks for other children in addition to tuition and lots of downtime During one interaction, the provider asked about my ethnic background in a manner that felt inappropriate (she said "what are you, are you Philippino?) . In a separate conversation, she yelled at my husband and said "you will be better off as a single daddy". One last thing. When we did the tour, she mentioned she was school teacher but when we checked her credential , she did not receive formal education/acceeditation to be a school teacher. The provider's contract includes a non-disparagement clause, which may cause a lot recent parents not to share their experiences (good or bad). I was not the co-signer. We're sharing this experience for other parents evaluating home daycare options, and we intend to file a report with the relevant state licensing agency about our experiences to inform other working parents who expect a daycare to help them. read more

My wife and I were lucky enough to have our daughter at LaLa for over a year. It was such a great experience for her and our family. She was happy and engaged everyday! (Even wanted to go to Lala on the weekends) Lisa and Livy gave her such a fun environment to socialize, learn, and grow in. Everyday was filled with projects and activities that were creative, educational, and engaging. The backyard is a magical playland for kids. Bunnies, a tortoise, beautiful plants, and every toy a child could dream sit in back. They take cleanliness and organization seriously and it reflects throughout the entire place. They were extremely kind and caring. Treated our daughter as their own- they became family! If you need help during this period in your life we can't recommend LaLaland enough! read more

Lala Land Daycare - Lala Land entrance - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Venice, California

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We stumbled upon Lala Land while we were in desperate need for some help while my husband and I worked full time. After touring so many questionable places, we were thrilled to find Lala Land! Lala Land is a magical place with so many way for the children to engage including bunnies and a tortoise! Before Lala Land our daughter always cried when we dropped her off at daycare but once we started at Lala land she is always so happy in the morning and excited to join her friends. It is so wonderful to see her have such a great time in the magical environment that Lisa and Livy have created. We also know that our daughter is not just another number in a school. The ratio of students to teachers is amazing and she gets so much attention! She has learned a ton while attending Lala Land and her vocabulary has grown exponentially. This is a very special place and we are so happy we found it! read more

I waited 6 months to write this review because I had multiple friends with children in this school and the director Lisa is so toxic we were all concerned about retaliation, kick their children out or do something equally vindictive. They've all moved on (literally 5 families in as many months) so here we go. 1. IF YOU HAVE TO WORK OR A HAVE JOB THIS IS NOT THE PLACE: They will send your child home if they don't nap, if they have even a sniffle or a slight cough, seasonal allergy symptoms (even with a Dr.'s note) or if they throw toys or exhibit any other normal baby/toddler fussy behavior they will be sent home. One of my friends even had her 6 month old baby sent home repeatedly because she 'wouldn't sleep when the other kids slept'. Um, I'm sorry, isn't that your whole job? They recently changed their hours to be shorter (close at 4:30 instead of 5:00 and even earlier on Fridays) because the assistants 'were tired and needed time to clean'. No refund or discounted price was given, parents just have to deal with shorter hours now. My son was 'allowed' to be in the daycare about half of the time we'd paid for, that's how many times he was sent home in the course of three months, for various reasons. They close the school with no notice for 'cleaning' or 'extra teacher free time'. They change the rules, hours and anything else they like, on whatever whim they choose, whenever they choose. 2. NO POTTY TRAINING ALLOWED: My son went in practically finished with potty training at about 23 months (only wore a diaper to sleep) and came out completely regressed. Unless your baby or toddler (this is 6 month - 3 y/o daycare btw) is 100% potty trained even while sleeping, they are required to wear a diaper the entire time they are there, no exceptions. I was told that the assistants 'don't have time to take kids to the bathroom'. This is with 4-5 adults and 12-14 kids or so. In the contract they outright REFUSE to change your child's clothes if the soil themselves. They will make your child sit in their soiled clothing, in their own mess until you pick are able to pick them up. Again this is stated in their contract. Again, is this not your whole job? Oh, and in the contract that if your child has an accident you will be responsible for getting the entire floor in that room professionally cleaned. 3. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FEEDING ALL OTHER THE KIDS THERE: Even though you'll pay Venice prices for this daycare you will be required to provide snacks for the whole class, paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc. for the entire class once a month. Now I understand bringing my child's snack and lunch but why are the parents paying for the other kids? And parents are supplying cleaning supplies for the school that you pay thousands of dollars a month for. 4. IF YOU VALUE PRIVACY, DISCRETION AND KINDNESS TO OTHERS: Again, not the place for you if you value these things. Lisa the 'director' is a terrible gossip and extremely toxic personality. She spent a whole chunk of time regaling my husband and I with stories of 'previous parents and kids that were awful'... most of whom she named by name and named their children too. Funny thing Lisa didn't know was... one family she was talking about was my landlord and their child whom we know well. The story was detailed and long. If you think she won't talk about you behind your back and using your actual names, think again. She has told my personal friends who were parents there that they were parenting terribly, that they were doing things wrong, that their kids have medical issues (that they don't) and have seen more than one parent cry because of this awful woman. Lisa also made multiple comments to me about how they had a mom 'like you here once.. such pretty skin color like yours' and asked more than once if I spoke English (I had spoken to her multiple times in person at this time). Sadly for me, it's the only language I speak, despite my 'pretty skin color'. There's so much more I could write but I feel like this sums it all up pretty well. I personally know some of the parents that left the 1 star reviews and beware, a lot of the 5 star ones are from teachers and from people who never had a child attend. Also, like other parents have mentioned, as soon as there is one negative post - positive ones show up immediately. Totally suss. Sad that you don't have to actually have a child there to review it! Hope this helps any prospective parents in making an informed decision on where to place your child. read more

Absolutely wonderful people, they pride themselves on doing things the right way. My child's safety and happiness are the reason I wake up in the morning. I travel for work and they are super adaptable and accommodating. Thank you Lisa! read more

We have two children at Lala if we were ever to have kids again we would do it again. Good find and very very good and genuine.

My daughter attended Lalaland daycare for two years from the ages of 1 to 3. She made friends, loved her teachers, and was sad to leave when she graduated. The teachers are kind, caring, and attentive. They communicated on a regular basis (in person and virtually) with updates on my daughter's well being, challenges, and developments. The facility is welcoming, colorful, and has a great outdoor space with sand pit and water play areas. There is story time, dancing, arts and crafts, songs, and free play everyday. It's a joyous and exciting place for toddlers, I would highly recommend LalaLand for families looking for play based group childcare. read more

Report my review to Yelp? Go ahead. It's truth. This happened in 2012. My kid is nine now but I will never forget this awful experience. I was a new mama with a second baby. I was looking for a little social/association time for my 21 month old and help and support. He was too young for preschool. The first day I was told to just leave him. No transition. No goodbye. He was super unhappy by the second day and you told me that he needed your lap and how unusual it was that he was hiding in the bathroom and saying "I don't want it" Apparently, a few of the "teachers" were calling him to come back out. He wasn't even two. He was traumatized. And you asked me if he sat on my lap at home because he needed your lap at school. Plus you asked me if I coddled him. Weird. If anyone is lying it's you. I want to prevent any other new moms from making the mistake of bringing their child there. You can be as unhappy as you want about my review. And you can think it's lies if you want to as well. But I was an unhappy customer and I have the right to review on yelp to help other people disassociate from your business. read more

Terrible experience as a parent. Please take a look at the latest google reviews. No reviews in two years on google, then one negative followed the same day by several positive added (including existing teachers), it doesn't feel like a coincidence. I expect the same pattern after posting my review. They don't respect a doctor's note stating that the child is healthy and can be at daycare, they send them home whenever they prefer. Expect a call anytime during the day. They send children home all the time - if they don't nap or a light cough (even with a doctor's note stating that it's not contagious). The children watch TV/cartoons on a daily basis - the owner told me herself. High rotation on children, during our few months, several children left and joined. The owner gossips about and badmouthing other parents and is vindictive. They punish (they've actually used that word) children when they misbehave. This goes against all research and recommendations that I have come across on how to handle tantrums. If a child misbehaves (which can happen to any child), they'll send them home to exclude them from the group. Beyond putting a lot of stress on the parents, it impacts the child. read more

Better than anything I would have hoped out of a daycare for my daughter! After trying a chain daycare and a nanny we finally found the perfect place! Small, attentive, and engaging. All the caregivers go above and beyond with making the kids (and parents) feel welcome. Great with communicating any issues, changes, etc. From something as small as a scraped knee or bug bite to how they are adapting, growing, making new friends. Lala Land has been incredibly helpful during covid as well. Providing clear guidelines for the health and safety of the kids (in and out of daycare) and updated hours to reflect the needs of families and staff. As someone who comes from a family of childcare professionals (teachers, dance teachers, pediatricians, and daycare workers) I wish I could give them 10 stars, I recommend them to every young family I meet, and will be so sad when we eventually have to move on to a preschool as my daughter gets older! read more

Based on the other reviews, it seems this place can be hit or miss. I spoke with Lisa today to inquire about a space for our little one. If Lisa had just said they didn't have space, I would have been fine with that. But once Lisa learned we are fostering our little boy with an intention to adopt, she listed tons of reasons we would not be a good fit: 1. There are only three of them and the team is not equipped to deal with aggression (I never mentioned our child has aggression issues because he doesn't - in fact he is quite timid) 2. The daycare does not provide wipes/food/snacks so maybe we should look for somewhere else (Our family is more than capable of providing these on our own - I'm curious if Lisa believes all parents of foster children cannot afford to buy food?) 3. Our child is being raised by two moms and there are only three women working at the daycare and "maybe that would just be too confusing for a child..." (I don't know if this was homophobic or just ill-informed) Only after my extremely negative conversation with Lisa did I google the Yelp reviews (before I had only looked at the website). After reading the positive and negative reviews, it seems to me both could be true. If you fit the demographic of family Lisa is looking for - this is a great fit. But if you get the feeling from your first few interactions this place and the owner might be a little "off" then you are probably right too. In the end, I am grateful Lisa showed her true colors and was rude, demeaning and ignorant. I know this is not the right place to love and care for our child. Thank you Lisa. read more

My daughter has been attending Lala Land since late last year and she absolutely loves it. She adores the teachers and Lisa and comes home every day with art, singing new songs and with a new skill. They have taught her to clean up after herself too...something I don't think any parent would complain about. The staff is very attentive and they are great about posting videos and photos throughout the day for parents to see what their kids are up to. The COVID guidelines and expectations for families have been very clear and she has been very protective of the kids and her staff. No single daycare or school is the right fit for everyone but my husband and I were looking for one which would teach independence, inspire creativity and provide a nurturing learning environment and we feel Lala has been an excellent match. read more

La La Land is rich with Care, friendship and cleanliness. I had scheduled a tour with my two-year-old daughter and right away was impressed with the staff, director and activities they were doing with the children. All the children seemed to be very calm, happy, and content with their activities. I couldn't get my daughter to leave. She was ready to start school today. This is a perfect loving, wonderful day care for our family. It is the best we have seen in a long time. We are happy and excited to be in LaLa land. read more

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My daughter has been at Lala Land for 1.5 years (from 1 year old till 2.5 years old). I can't emphasize how grateful I've been and how happy my daughter has been. First off, the teachers are just amazing. They care and love the children, and they pay attention to each kid as all kids are different. My daughter is super anxious with strangers and new environment, but the teachers know the best. With infants and toddlers, the place can be chaotic but the teachers know what the kids like and what they need. A lot of fun activities & adventures will amuse and amaze them. I've toured a few family daycares and big facility-type daycares (before we moved to LA, my daughter was at a facility-type daycare at Stanford which was good), but I felt that this was the place I'd be happy with as soon as I had a tour. The things I look for and pay attention to are how happy the kids appear to be. Even though they can't speak or communicate well, you can see how they feel based on what they do, how they look (facial expressions), and how they interact with teachers and other kids. At Lala, the kids are absolutely nice, kind, and caring. Of course they sometimes "mess up" and do nasty things, but teachers let them know certain things are not nice, and what they should have done instead or how they should have behaved (in a nice way!). They learn manners (such as table manners, wait for turns when it comes to 'popular toys', etc.). They aren't perfect and sometimes throw tantrums, and amazingly the teachers are so good at re-directing their attention to make them feel better/happier. Although it may look like a small family-style daycare, there are tons of things the kids can do at Lala. Lots of toys, a sandbox, backyard with more toys, dining tables, and in-door playroom (for bad weathers, mostly). For certain holidays, the kids will go out with teachers -- for instance during the last halloween, the kids went out to a small local pumpkin patch in their "costumes" and took group photos -- really amazing. The kids must have loved it! I also witnessed many parents who come back with their second child (after the first one "graduated"), which tells you that parents do love and trust this place. TL;DR: It's an amazing place with great teachers who absolutely love and care for the kids at Lala, and it's definitely worth a visit if you're considering. Also see Se-Young's review below (her daughter and my daughter had the same first name, and it was fun to see the two interact -- they are both so adorable!). Thanks Lisa, Reyna, Lupe, Iris, Stephanie, and Darlene! read more

My daughter has been going to Lala Land daycare for two years now. She has been shown so much love and attention through the amazing teachers and wonderful environment they provide. She started off as a four month old baby and has now become a two-year-old full of creativity and strength. As working parents, it was important for us to find a daycare that is family-oriented and safe. Lala Land fits the bill and beyond... Our newest four month old baby will be starting there this fall. Here's to another two years with the Lala Land family! read more

-Families leave abruptly -I've witnessed a mother leave crying -The director Lisa gossips to parents about other parents -The directors boyfriend lives in the front house where the kids sleep - no introduction or disclosure was made -When new staff starts - no introduction was made -the director threatens to kick your child out when you don't agree with her -we were required multiple times to pick up our child early bc he was "fussy" or "having a bad day" read more

In a time of need I turn to this day care and was surprise by the lack of time the director was present, and who gave all responsibility to kids. Twice I greeted my child outside the property - ESCAPED through 2 gate and no other person was there, one time I had come early. Another time I request to bring home the bottle that they had kept there and found it with BLACK MOLD. Sound is kept to a min due to upset neighbors. After several detail conversations with the director I found her to be toxic. If you disagree with her, she causes trouble for your child and then if you questioned further she kicks you out - I watched several families go before I too got kicked out for questions the above. VERY BAD! I'd give 5 stars for the art and decor. I'm just sorry I never wrote on here sooner and save other precious children. read more

I don't even have words for how magical La La Land is! After the first visit me and my husband looked at each other and just said it's like a fairytale land for kids. The space is wonderfully lush, different play areas, a 85-year-old turtle, a rabbit, and the kids get to spend a lot of time outside (under sunroofs). The girls and the owner Lisa are amazing, our son loves them! Every morning he is sooo happy going to La La and I just know he will have a great day. read more

My daughter is currently at LaLa Land and she looooves it! She is 21 months and started when she was 14 months. The adjusting period took only 1-2 weeks and since then she is so happy there. Everyday when I pick her up, she never wants to leave! I am a worried person in general, but I feel so comfortable leaving Maya there while we are at work. Thanks Lisa, Reyna, Lupe, Iris, Stephanie and Darlene! read more

Aside from the unverified boyfriend lurking inside the house & the crazy emails sent from the owner at all hours (full of typo's), we had numerous problems with this daycare. Lisa seems lovely on the surface but is toxic underneath and gossips about other parents. She's rarely ever there except for drop offs and pick ups and everything is on her terms. She can't keep her personal views to herself and often spreads misinformation particularly when it comes to the current pandemic. According to Lisa, masks are not necessary even after it was mandated by the county that they were to be worn. A few mothers relayed the same 'ramblings' to me. Check the other reviews as this is worth consideration when weighing up where to send your child. If you're looking for drama then you've found your place. The later drop off on Friday & earlier pick up is particularly irritating and the prices are really quite high for what you get. Our child left in late June and we've never looked back. read more

My now 9- and 12-year olds both attended Lala Land Daycare when they were little and they still remember it as a truly magical place! Lisa is so kind and patient with the kids and treats them as she would her own. She creates an atmosphere of love and creativity where the kids are free to play, explore and learn. Having all the wonderful animals there is also a fabulous learning experience, as well as something that the kids thoroughly enjoy! You will not find a better place for your kids in their pre-preschool years than Lala Land! read more

All the other five star reviews of this place are spot on. Our son has been there for about 6 months and my wife and I couldn't be happier with the care and education he receives from LaLa Land. When it came time to transition our son into day care we must have looked at 20-30 facilities and only LaLa Land made the cut. I can't say enough good things about the crew . Not only is the staff fantastic (Lisa, Lupe, Chelsea, Reyna, Darlene), but the physical space is also laid out and maintained in a thoughtful way that fosters learning, exploration, communication, comfort, etc... (all the things we were looking for our toddler). read more

My daughter started at La La when she was just over 2 years old and stayed for almost two years. As a first time mom, I was nervous about her being away from me, but after just the first week of attending, I knew we found a magical place. La La Land is a safe, creative, fun, magical and loving environment for a child. Our little girl is now in 1st grade and still has friends she made from that time! She always came home with adorable little crafts, which we still cherish to this day, and our little girl still remembers the turtle and all the animals, and could probably name every single teacher who ever taught her there. Wonderful place and I highly recommend! read more

I feel really lucky to have found Lalaland! We were looking for a daycare for our (at the time) 16 month old. Transitioning from his nanny, I was very concerned about maintaining a small, familial atmosphere. Lalaland is SO great, and I would (and have) highly recommend it. Here's why it's awesome: - The teachers are so awesome! Caring, fun, thoughtful. My son is now 3 and still talks about Lupe, Reyna, Chelsea, Darlene, and Teacher Lisa! - It's small, and run out of Lisa's home. There are multiple play areas set up, and lots of tactile engagement. They do story time, songs, play dress up, read books, play with sand, make organic treats, or watch the bunny/turtle. - My son still sometimes says he wants to go back to LALA :) - The parents and kids are also awesome. We made a lot of good friends there and my son loved his Lala friends. - It was well priced for the Venice area. If I had more children, they would all go there! - Teacher Lisa is all about organic food, and eco-friendly toys. This place is lovely. read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about Lala Land. It's so much more than a daycare! Our daughter has only been there for a couple of months, but she is so happy and I can't believe how much she is learning. She comes home singing songs she has learned, counting, saying rhymes, and talking about her friends. All of the Lala ladies are so caring and they really go above and beyond to make each day fun and engaging. I feel so lucky to have found them. read more

LaLa is such a great place for kids. The amazing care that Lisa and the Teachers provide is truly more than just a daycare. For me being a working mother returning to work and needing care for my young son after his nanny moved, it was just such a great place for us to be. My son's development was amazing and he was speaking more and more everyday and learning to interact positively with other children his age and younger. I would recommend LaLa to anyone really looking for a great daycare. The facility is phenomenal and is such a great setup for all of the little ones. It's truly such a relaxing atmosphere and the parents never want to leave when we pick our children up at the end of the day! read more

The director of this school asked me if I coddled my son because he wanted to sit on her lap during lunch the second day he was there. She asks parents to leave the first day of drop off completely side-stepping the slow process of separation. By the second day, my two year old was practically traumatized. I luckily got half my deposit back, turned around and never looked back. Would never ever recommend this place. The woman who runs it is not in her right mind. read more

I started my daughter at LaLaLand at 12 months old. We had come from another daycare and the difference was like night and day. From day one, LaLa was amazing. Walking in, it feels like you're entering into a whimsical storybook setting. The clean, soft astroturf ground is shaded by mature tree canopies over the entire yard, so I don't have to worry about sunburn and/or constant sunscreen applications. Everywhere you turn there's something new and beautiful- whether it's a menagerie of live animals (turtle, bunnies) and fake (plastic horses dangling from the trees) or ribbons, beads, recyclables and artwork draped all about. LaLa is more of a (pre)preschool than your typical daycare. All of the teachers are very energetic, involved, attentive and they truly strive to provide the children a creative, fun and educational atmosphere. My daughter comes home with adorable artwork every week, healthy treats that they make from the organic garden; and the best is that she's perfectly tired by her fun-filled day when her head hits the pillow at night! I'm constantly talking up LaLa to my friends as I feel we are so fortunate to have our daughter there. read more

Our daughter was in Lala Land for about 10 months. She had a great time there and loved to play with the other kids. The staff there is wonderful and very caring to the kids. They did various learning and play activities. We had to pulled her out because of time conflicts with work. I would use them again. read more

La la land was home to my son from the moment he walked (12 months) till when he started pre school. He loved it! I really love how Lisa hand picks younger girls who have the energy and enthusiasm to look after kids. They bring such a nurturing and fun loving approach to the day. Reyna, Lupe and Darlene to name a few of the key crew. I also appreciate how Lisa took a healthy and green approach to her school which provides a solid foundation for kids starting out in the world. From the healthy snacks to the garden they water and the bunnies they play with & myrtle the turtle who reigns supreme. She surrounds kids with the things that matter. The staff were always quick to give feedback and tell me stories about how my son was progressing & for that I was always thankful. The location is also great and the secret/enchanted garden feel to the place is a great note for kids and parents to enter on. I feel very lucky to have found it & for La La Land to have been a formative experience for my young lad. Highly recommend. read more