Mt. Olive Preschool is absolutely amazing! I have sent both of my daughters here and they have loved their time at Mt. Olive. Each day is always filled with fun and learning with caring and dedicated teachers, and has created great foundations of friendships and community they will keep with them to begin their journey in elementary school. When my oldest daughter went off to TK at a local public school, the teacher at her new school mentioned that she can always tell when a kiddo went to Mt. Olive because they already know how to write their name. Our girls have learned independence, social skills, and have been instilled such a love of learning. We have been blessed to attend and are forever grateful for all the love, memories, and support throughout the years and highly recommend them! read more

I have inquired and visited many pre-schools in the general West Side area for the same reasons most people send their children to pre-school. We work, have distant relatives or unable relatives to babysit, want our children to be socialized and start to build relationships with friends, learn basics about life while having the support of the guardians we trust to look after them. This is hard as my wife and I would rather look after our children ourselves, but the world can seem cruel and unsupportive of our choice to raise children; so we must work. We imagined we would have had children in a community that felt more like a tribe with a set of core values and a support network to help raise and look after our kids and their friends. I have found that more often than not my expectations are not met because I have not looked in the right area and the answers are not always in focus. I wanted an extended family, a tribe and educators to help raise my family; Kris Ladish, Anel, Corlene, Nelida, Esperanza, Jeremy and really the entire staff have been pivotal in helping me find what we needed. What is hard to describe is how ethereal our experience at Mt. Olive is. We have had help and guidance from teachers to correct, teach and raise our children. Have had guided parent gatherings that the school helped facilitate. We have access to "kids night out" on a regular basis that is a party and play time in the evenings that is a nice change for parents and children. The staff look after and take interest in the lives of their students as well as their family. In a world that can feel cold Kris and her staff have brought warmth. We have been fostered by Mt. Olive and are better for it because we now have a tribe and extended groups of friends that our family as a whole has to hang out with. As for teaching and environment, I think it is hard to beat and they certainly stand out from the rest. I DO NOT SEE anyone on their cell phones... ever... there's never been a tv on, a tablet playing or other electronic media to distract and entertain the children. I always see kids running around, playing, arts and crafts, building and digging in sand, being guided how to describe their feelings, speak for themselves and be a personal advocate, story time, playing with water, to singing and music classes, they even help with the potty training plan consistency (this was a especially defeating for us as a family as previous child cares simply DID NOT HELP in keeping a consistent potty train plan and in one case simply did not help at all). I have regular reports on how my son is doing in class, where he needs help, how to correct and resources if we need them. I walk through the grounds to drop off my son almost every day and I see, feel and notice the details and difference from other child cares and pre-schools. Side note, Mt. Olive has a high rate of retension, the newest staff member has been there for 8 years; everyone is happy, students and staff alike. Mt. Olive was a god send when we needed it most, Kris Ladish was very kind to me and my family. I had made a snap decision to relocate my son to another school when I found out there was bullying about and was gas lit into believing it was me and my son's separation anxiety, but this didn't add up, to find out that there was a kid who would punch and kick while laughing and was never notified and that the parents were "finding it hard to stop and correct his behavior." Kris let my son join in right away, thank you Kris. I'm going to get off my soap box now, I don't ever review on the internet. However; when I asked if there was anyway I could volunteer and help the school, one request was to leave a yelp review. -Zach read more

Our kids absolutely love this place and we do too. The teachers are all so loving and caring, many of them have been there for 20 years or longer so you k ow they are taken care of. The monthly group babysitting on a Saturday is the highlight of our months and the almost daily artwork they send home is a highlight of each day. It's just such a wonderful place perfect for two working parents who can't pick up kids until after work. I can't recommend it enough. read more

We love Mt Olive! We've tried other ones and this is truly a special place! The teachers have been here a long time and really care about each kid. They do amazing artwork, and they teach the kids to be responsible and independent. The hours are convenient, and they have great activities offered like swim, soccer, gymnastics, dance. There's an outdoor playground on-site. Can't imagine a better community preschool read more

Both my son and daughter spent 2 years at Mt Olive from 2021-2024. They were in room 2, room 6 and room 8. I could not have appreciated the staff, teachers and parents in the community more. My kids felt safe, had so much fun, and learned everything they needed to know to set them up for Kindergarten and TK. Their teachers were so impressed by their knowledge and ability to transition to the new school and classroom. While I would like to take credit, I know it is because of the care that Mt Olive gives to all their students. The balance of play and learning is perfect. My kids have made friends that are still with them, even though they do not go to the same school anymore, and I made friends that continue to create a village for our kids post Mt Olive. As a parent, the hours are fantastic, and the performances, art shows, field trips, and fun events made it even better for us. They are flexible and allow parents to contribute time, and volunteer as they can!! This was one big reason why we went with this school to begin with, others had so many requirements for working parents. We love Mt Olive, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for preschool care for their kids. read more

We have had 2 kids in Mt Olive over the course of several years now. It's a great community of parents, thoughtful and caring teachers, and a warm and inclusive environment. Our oldest son was very well prepared for Kindergarten when he graduated and our youngest son is currently thriving in his last year. Both kids have loved their teachers and made great friends. Beyond the classroom there are other activities (gymnastics, soccer, swim) offered, an annual art fair, and a field trip to a pumpkin patch... just to name a few. We highly recommend Mt. Olive. read more

Classic building and atmosphere. My first time here and I felt peace. Mostly are seniors sitting with some young families. This is also my first time to see a family and kid's play area in the chapel. As long as the kids feel close to God, this is actually an excellent design. They have snacks and coffee after the service. I am new here and I don't know anyone. I left right away to finish my walk of the day. It is a big building with a small church feeling. Will come back next week. read more

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Our family feels truly lucky to have send our daughter to Mt. Olive pre-school. This is a place where children are treasured by very experienced caregivers, whose life work is helping young children get a great start. The tenure of Mt. Olive's teachers and administration is amazing and says so much, the wonder head of the school Kris Laddish has led it for nearly 30 years. That level of perspective and experience is so rare these days. There is a huge amount of care and compassion for the children, and a lot of joy every day. There are many options in West LA for early childhood care, the luckiest families will find themselves at Mt. Olive. read more

We came to Mt Olive in 2019 choosing it over many other preschools in the area. It's a very sweet, nurturing first school experience with a community of down to earth parents and students. I was a bit apprehensive because we are Black and like most Santa Monica schools you aren't going to have a whole lot of diversity. But one thing I've noticed over the past few years that the school does exceptionally well is nurture relationships between students. On a Dr's visit the Dr asked my son if he has any friends at school and he confidently answered "Everyone at school is my friend." And he sincerely feels that way. We decided against sending him to pre-k so he'd have an extra full year at mt Olive and we're so happy we made that choice. He's learned so much and his confidence has blossomed thanks to supportive teachers and classmates that see the best in him. Now it's not the fanciest Pre-School you'll find in the city but it has a ton of heart especially once you get to know people. Pre COVID there were a ton of opportunities for the community to come together whether it was the parents association meetings or a rummage sale or the school carnival. The kids also have a ton of classroom activities that seem to keep their days interesting and exciting. My son always has something he's looking forward to whether it's celebrating a classmates birthday or being "star of the week." He also loves his weekly soccer classes which helps to make our weekends less hectic shuttling him to another activity. The school has excellent reputation throughout the community and I'm that parent that when we were looking for a school basically asked every parent I've run across whether it's in a grocery store aisle or on a playground how they feel about their kids school. Every-time I've mentioned that my son goes to mt Olive the first response is "oh that's a good school!" Even from elementary school teachers when I've asked about preparation they assure me the students they get from there have been more than ready. But the most important thing to me is that my child is in a place all day where he feels loved, included, accepted and like the amazing boy that he is which is why we chose mt Olive over other schools in the area that may have had bigger yards, classrooms or flashy admissions presentations. It really is just a sweet, old school place with good values with teachers that just reinforce the idea that little kids have to know that you really care before they can even begin to receive whatever you teach. read more

Our 5 year old LOVED going to this pre-school, she was shy at first but the whole staff made her feel welcomed there, she came out of her shell and made some friends there. The director David is AWESOME, he's very flexible if you show up a little late, or if you miss a day we were able to bring her in a different day. He truly cares about your child's well being and not about making extra $ for any little extra service. For that, I am thankful. Mr. Dave was our child's teacher, he was so accommodating also and was great helping our child. There was music class, inside reading and writing, and a BIG outdoor area for them to play. Even a gymnastics room with floor pads... Thank you again for a wonderful pre-school experience! read more

There are not words to describe how grateful we are for the Mt. Olive Preschool community. Our daughters have been attending Mt. Olive since 2019 and this school holds such a meaningful place in our family's heart. All of the teachers are loving, supportive, caring, and so dedicated to the children. When we drop our kids off for school each day, it feels like we are dropping them off with an extension of our family. We've been through some scary times in the world around us while at Mt. Olive and the teachers and staff blow us away each time with their ability to maintain a stable and loving environment for these kiddos. Hats off to them all. We are thankful we have one more daughter who will attend Mt. Olive when she is old enough because we can't imagine not continuing to be a part of this wonderful community on a daily basis. Once she eventually graduates, we will be a puddle of tears. Thank you, Mt. Olive, for being so wonderful. read more

Mt. Olive Preschool is amazing. My child loves it. He learned so much in his first year and is excited to start this next year. Plus- the biggest Christmas gift I received was a potty trained child. They stated working with him at school at the beginning of December to potty trained and he was diaper free by Christmas break!​ read more

My son is just finishing his first school year at Mt. Olive (he just turned 4). This school is a very special place, and everyone that works there is very caring and supportive of the kids. It was hard for me to move my son from a home daycare to new preschool during their pandemic, but their protocols and excellent processes certainly made it a easy transition. The Director of the Preschool, Kris, is a great resource and provides open communication routinely. She is very helpful and cares about the kids. A special shout out to teachers for Room 4, Pilar and Jasmine. They have been such a joy to have in my son's life. My son isn't always easy, but with some love, guidance, and patience they have really helped my son blossom. They keep in routine contact and communicate with me routinely and that is so much appreciated. I feel lucky my son gets to attend this fantastic school and know he will be well prepared for kindergarten this time next year. If your considering this school, go for a visit! One of the best decisions I have made is for my son to attend this school. :) read more

My daughter has attended Mt. Olive for the last 2.5 years and is soon to be graduating. I can attest that she has grown tremendously because of the warmth, kindness, and encouragement from all her teachers at this preschool. She's attended gymnastics, soccer and swim classes that were offered during regular preschool hours and loved them all. The teachers and staff are so engaged and dedicated - from the awesome art show featuring the crafts and projects the kids have been working on throughout the year, to the annual Christmas show, to the Trunk or Treat Halloween event, and finally the graduation ceremony. We are very happy that we found Mt Olive! read more

Mt. Olive is an excellent Pre-school. My son loves attending and learning. This is the kind of environment the school creates and fosters. From math to science, to English, to the social aspects of school, etc., Mt. Olive has definitely prepared him for Kindergarten and his teachers agree. The school also has a strong community which can be seen through the friendships that have been made by not only the kids but also the parents. My son's classroom gets together for regular playdates in local parks which are enjoyed by kids and parents alike. My son is sad that he will be leaving for Kindergarten. My wife and I feel the same way. However we look forward to sending his younger sister there when she is old enough. :) read more

I have had a wonderful experience with Mt Olive and Kris, the director, is a joy to work with as is all of the staff.

This is a good example of how one bad apple can ruin the entire bunch. In this case, one bad teacher. When I first visited room 3 with Teacher Anel, I was a little disappointed that this room was less decorated and less put together than the other rooms. I figured if the teacher was good and nurturing, it would be fine. It wasn't. Imagine picking up your 3 year old child and every single pick up you say hello to the teacher and ask how the day went, said teacher complains and ONLY reports what your child did WRONG that day, each and every time. One day the complaint was my child didn't sing loud enough in church. I tracked every pick up to see if it would get better and every time, it was only what my child did wrong that day. I never heard anything positive, it was exhausting. I had high hopes for this school, the other teachers are so kind and fun. The director is experienced and devoted to the school. I really enjoyed the parent meetings. But our time with one misguided and inexperienced teacher ruined our entire experience. read more

Mt. Olive is a hidden gem among Santa Monica pre-schools. Small classes that are age-matched, veteran teachers, a great facility and competent administrators. We had previous experience at the UCLA ECE program and with Seaside, but our son had the best experience at Mt. Olive. He was home for a year during the pandemic and can be shy, so we were very relieved to find that he was comfortable there right away and integrated socially very easily. I think their focus on social emotional development and good citizenship are very valuable. Plus the flexible hours and reasonable pricing make it quite accessible. Our son benefitted greatly from his time there are we are so grateful. read more

We LOVED Mt. Olive with Teacher Beatriz and Teacher Twylla in Room 1. They were so nurturing and taught my son so much like being independent, socializing, and some basic school skills! My son is a very active child but they had no problems navigating that. You can tell that they have a lot of experience, patience, and passion in teaching their students. My son loved them too and would always say that his teachers were his best friends. I so enjoyed all the cool art projects he brought home and all the new songs he sang to me. He also learned how to go to the bathroom while at school. We highly recommend Mt. Olive to parents that are looking into a play-based environment. You will be surprised what your child will learn while still having fun. :) read more

We started at Mt. Olive during the pandemic in the Fall of 2020 with my (then) 3 year old. It was such a weird time for everything but the teachers and staff at Mt. Olive create such a nurturing, loving and fun environment that I (and most importantly, my daughter!) always felt at ease. Halfway through the 2020 school year, we were fortunate to be able to get my 5 year old into the school as well. She had been doing online TK which was just not working for her, and it was so heartwarming to see her thrive socially and academically at Mt. Olive. I can never say enough good things about this school and only wish I had known about it sooner in my kids preschool years and been able to have spent more time here. read more

I would like to offer my heartfelt review of Mount Olive Preschool, truly a local gem of the Ocean Park Community. From Kris the director (kind, communicative, the heart of the school having been there for more than 34 years), to the incredibly warm and talented teachers (Room 5, Teachers Diana and Carina, Room 8, Teachers Kristen, Nelida, and Melissa) and the friendly community of classmates and parents, Mount Olive has been the best decision for both my sons' first preschool experience. I appreciate the blend of free-outside play with the more structured classroom activities they prepare, like clever art projects, an introduction to the alphabet, and themes for the week's curriculum. There are also delightful, reasonably priced add-ons, such as Gymnastics (with the wonderful Coach Mike) and photographer for school portraits, (which turned out adorable). Perhaps the best thing I can say is that my 4-year old boys go running to school in the morning and come home chattering happily in the afternoon. Knowing they are safe, happy and well-cared for in a loving environment is really what matters and is the best feeling. I just asked my boys now if they wanted to add anything for the review, and their additions were-"I love my teachers" and "I love my school"...so that might say it all! read more

I can't say enough good things about Mt. Olive. The hours are great. The pricing is very fair. The staff is second to none. They are organized and have great rules. The school is safe, clean and the education is unparalleled. But the thing that makes me most emphatic about Mt. Olive is that everyone there TRULY loves, protects and cares for the kids. They teach valuable lessons that prepare these kids for life. Both of my children have gone to Mt. Olive (one is about to graduate), and they absolutely love every second of it. I can't say enough great things about Kris and all of the teachers. Thank you! read more

We love Mt. Olive! The preschool has been a wonderful place for my child to learn and play. We kept him home an extra year because of the pandemic so we were worried about his transition to a classroom with other kids. The teachers and staff made his transition so easy. The teachers kept in contact with us with photos and updates and were available to answer questions. We appreciated the lesson plans each week to facilitate conversations with our child. The kids are kept busy with art projects culminating in an art fair at the end of the school year which shows how hard the teachers and staff work to provide fun and creative art projects for the kids. The playground has plenty of things to keep the kids occupied. My child's favorite thing on the playground used to be the sandbox with trucks, and now is the low monkey bars. He loves his classroom, especially the science area. I can't wait to send my second child to Mt. Olive when she is old enough. read more

This was my first choice of preschool for years because I've grown up in the Santa Monica area. However, the woman that answered the phone when I called to set up an application was so incredibly condescending that it made the whole experience off-putting. All I can say is that I got the energy that only a certain "type" of family is welcome there. read more

We love Mt Olive! My 3-year old daughter has been going here full-time since August, and she loves it. The staff is just wonderful. My daughter adores her new friends and loves her teachers (Teacher Katie and Teacher Gloria). They spend time with each child. I feel as though my daughter's language and coordination have improved exponentially since starting here. They have a play-based curriculum, as a preschool should have. They are very grounded and normal (not like some other fancy-pants Santa Monica preschools that spend thousands of dollars marketing themselves. I'm sure those other places are fine, but I can't see spending the equivalent of a full state college tuition on one year of preschool. But maybe that's just me.). We keep running in to people who attended Mt. Olive or whose kids attended, and I've heard nothing but the highest praise. read more

Mt Olive has been the greatest place we could imagine. My children are thriving there and all of the staff is so loving. I couldn't recommend more highly! read more

Mt. Olive was recommended to us having just moved into the area and I cannot speak highly enough of it. It's such a warm and friendly place and compared to some of the experiences my friends were having in other schools in the area, this really is a gem. read more

Mt. Olive is a truly wonderful and loving place. Our child started here in the fall of 2014 and we couldn't be more happy with the progress we have seen in her. Upon entering, she was not yet speaking and we had just started to potty train her. The staff went above and beyond helping us overcome these challenges and did it with a smile on their faces. The teachers here are all wonderful and it is clear they care about the children. They have plenty of activities such as soccer, gymnastics, and music. They also have some great fund raising events including a garage sale and the annual Jungle Carnival. Mt Olive Pre-School is truly a beacon of light in our community and I look forward to being a part of the family long after my children move into elementary school. read more

My son went through Mt Olive from 2 up until Kinder. My daughter just started her journey and we cannot say enough positive things about the school and staff! We are so thankful to have this school love and adore our children almost as much as we do. We trust them implicitly and know our children are safe and well taken care of. My daughter comes home and tells stories about her day and activities and looks forward to going to school. Thank you Mt. Olive for loving our children and making school a safe place!! read more

It's the last of our five years at Mt. Olive and we are sad. Why? Because this has been home to our kids. We've made incredible friends that last a lifetime. Best of all, our children experienced a playful, loving, community program with project based and play based instruction. They participated in music classes, drumming programs, concerts, school-wide play dates, swimming, fun field-trips, and seasonal activities. We cannot put a price on the friendships we have from this school. Also, as a SMMUSD teacher, I love that there is play and project based learning because once kindergarten starts it can be sooooo academic. Great neighborhood school, great price. Also a parking lot that does not leave you waiting in line or an alley to take your kids to school. Check it out and trust your gut! read more

My daughter and our family adore Mount Olive Preschool, my daughter has been here a month and I can't say enough about it! All the teachers and staff are amazing! It's like one big family here, I've never had that in a preschool. There are tons of activities for the children to do. My daughters teachers are wonderful, she has teacher Kristin, teacher Gabby and teacher Jeremy. They are heaven scent! I also love how everyone is so happy and welcoming at the school. If your looking for a happy, loving fun place for your child to learn then this is the preschool to choose, you WONT be sorry!! read more

My son started at Mount Olive last year - he had a pacifier, wore a diaper, and needed time with other kids (seeing as how the park is kind of hard place to make friends for a kid who only knew how to parallel-play). My husband and I found SO MUCH joy in sending our son off to school, we actually ended up extending him from half-days to full-days because he didn't want to leave! The Teachers(we had the pleasure of being in Teacher Gloria and Nelida's Room) my son had last year were the perfect match for him, they nurtured him, and paid attention to him like he was their own. We found ourselves overjoyed when they helped us get him out of diapers(by helped I actually mean if it wasn't for them I think he still might be in diapers, haha!). The school has a "no pacifier" policy, which was SO helpful in slowly removing the beloved Binky from my sons mouth. By the time he was three, he was out of diapers (with NO accidents! yes, I'm serious), had no binky, and had made WONDERFUL friends. Although I do contribute much of my sons progressions to his first year, we are now on to our second year, where he is in another wonderful room. I am constantly amazed at how much the kids are learning - the teachers encourage learning at the kids pace, and I am happy to see them working with them on things I wouldn't expect from 3 and 4 year olds. The room is well equipped with fun, educational, and age appropriate toys(as are all rooms at M.O.). They also incorporate the most adorable art projects into every learning experience (I'm a sucker for a cute art project).Every teacher and staff member that we have encountered at Mount Olive has been completely wonderful, they are always there with a listening ear and a helping hand to get us through whatever our latest parenting-trial is. I truly believe that all of the Staff go above and beyond to help the Kiddos. The School also hosts many different outside groups, like Soccer, Music groups, Gymnastics, different Professional Photographers (so adorable), and the kids attend(age appropriate) church during the week. My son has come home singing 'he's got the whole world in his hands' along with other kiddy-style praise songs, and it melts my heart!!! The office Staff (Kris and Corlene) are wonderful! They are always there to answer questions or concerns that my husband or I have, and have been able to help us through many ups and downs as first-time parents. We always feel like our concerns are heard, they are incredibly understanding, and clearly communicate what is going on in the school. We are glad to receive emails with updates(and reminders) on the happenings at Mount Olive, and are happy to be a part of the Parent Association. I am sure that because of Mount Olive, my son will go to Kindergarten well-prepared for learning, experienced in a classroom setting, and confident in making new friends. read more

I have been a part of the Mount Olive Family for 4 years now, with my youngest "graduating" this spring. I cannot say enough about the care my two children have received in our time here. I would recommend this school without hesitation. Do yourself a favor and get on the waiting list as early as possible. read more

We have been part of this preschool for almost five years. Both my boys thrived in this loving, warm, environment. The teachers are grounded, enthusiastic, understanding, creative and caring. My oldest entered kindergarten well prepared with strong social emotional skills. My youngest has benefitted from teachers and staff who accept and encourage each child wherever he or she is. From a practical point of view this school also serves the needs of working parents, offering care until 5:30 if needed. We feel very lucky to have gone here! read more

This preschool is full of love. Our daughter graduated 2 years ago and our 4 1/2 year old is going to graduate end of summer. The parents are also a wonderful community of parents. Down to earth and good values. The teachers we've had have honestly made our pre school years an experience of happy memories. read more

Mt olive is one of the best pre schools around! I have my son currently enrolled and my other son starts later this year. The school really enriches their minds and helps them become socially adapt. The teachers there are all wonderful! Highly recommended! read more

Wonderful preschool! My twin girls attend. Great community of teachers, admin, kids and parents. I feel so grateful that they're learning so much, have so much fun and are so well cared for. read more

We love this school and all the teachers. Such a welcoming community and the kids are learning, growing and happy. I would recommend this school to anyone looking for a great preschool on the westside! read more

We have sent two children to Mount Olive with our oldest graduating and our youngest in current attendance. Our experience has been WONDERFUL. The school is well run and cared for without being over done. The day is filled with a perfect balance of organized curriculum and free play time. The teachers are incredibly attentive and show real care & love towards the children. My son had a speech delay when he was younger and his teachers independently took it on themselves to give him one on one time each day to work on this. My daughter is an out going personality and they have praised her nature and encouraged her confidence. They also organize a lovely book of pictures and art over all the years of attendance and give it as a gift on graduation. This is just one example of their thoughtfulness but there are many many more. I refer all my friends here as it has been one of the best decisions I have made for my children over the years. read more

Both of our children attended Mt Olive and we all loved it. The teachers and staff are very nurturing and go out of their way to educate and prepare the kids for kindergarten. read more