I'm typically skeptical of "baby groups" but this is not your average baby group. RIE has helped me…read morebecome a better caregiver to my daughter. I love the RIE approach but I cannot recommend the classes enough. It's one thing to read the literature and another to witness and observe your child in the space. I love Ruth Anne Hammond. She is filled with important information and knowledge. Plus, the babies love her and she loves them. Kira subbed for a class I was in once and she was fantastic as well. The Pasadena facility itself is beautiful. The babies love the trees that line Green St. But any "yes" space would do with RIE. It's the best!

Currently enrolled in RIE at the Pasadena location. It has fundamentally changed the way I parent…read moreand interact with my daughter for the better. Jill is an amazing teacher and always takes the time to answer our questions. I feel very lucky to have found this education for my baby. Only regret is not starting sooner.

I've had multiple babies and done these clases each time. They're so wonderful for mom and baby! I…read morecan't imagine getting through the first year without these amazing teachers and supportive moms.

We did parents and me here and loved it! Highly recommend! The teacher is lovely and we met a great…read moregroup of parents!

I participated in the TummyTalk and BabyTalk sessions with Vanessa and absolutely loved this group!…read moreI am so grateful to have had this resource while going through my pregnancy and becoming a first-time mom. I really enjoyed the weekly topics and appreciated the way Vanessa facilitated the group setting. I really looked forward to our weekly get-togethers and highly recommend this class to all parents.

It's been more than a year since our classes with Vanessa ended, and I still find myself using many…read moreof the skills I learned. I really liked Vanessa's approach to parenting. She allowed our group to share any recent concerns, and often followed up the next week with more suggestions for solutions. I felt Vanessa was coming from a supportive place, and she was never judgmental. There was always room for different styles of parenting, and she did a great job tailoring her advice to us as individuals. I also appreciated that dads were allowed as many groups I looked into were mommy and me, and not necessarily open to dads as well. We also had a great opportunity to experience the Westwood Presbyterian school, see their teachers in action, and spend time with their director, Sophie, who rocks. Even if you're not considering Westwood Pres as a preschool, I would definitely recommend Vanessa and BabyTalk for you and your little one.

I have had the privilege of working with Erica as a first time mom. She did a great job with…read morehelping to work through some of the concerns that I have had that were affecting the way that I dealt with my son. What I liked about Erica was her method of questioning rather than just telling me what she thought. She asked me what my thoughts were when I shared something with her, and she helped me explore what messages my actions might be unintentionally sending to my family. She helped me come to my own conclusions rather than feeding me information that didn't ring true to my situation. She suggested a few books that could help me work through my situation. I left our session feeling like I had the tools to start making the necessary changes. It was a pleasure meeting with her in her calm and aesthetically pleasing office. She was inviting and welcoming which put me completely at ease.

I highly recommend Erica Stephenson. I took her class Presence in Parenting and learned so much…read more I found Erica to be educated, caring and the way she conveyed information was extremely helpful. In my opinion one of the best attribute about Erica is she does not tell you how you should parent or handle a situation. She identifies your parenting style and needs and presents options to you. In addition, I had a one on one consultation regarding choosing the best type of preschool for my son. Erica explained various philosophies and other key features when looking at schools. Her information has been invaluable during my preschool search.

Ms D. Is the absolute best! My 9 month old is in love with her and so am I. I had to return to work…read morewhen he was 3 months and she made the transition for me so comfortable and easy. Her communication is top tier and she is so committed to her babies . She goes above and beyond to make sure the children are taken care of and her energy levels are through the roof. I feel so secure knowing my son is in great hands. She puts emphasis on early learning and her child care is top tier! I recommend this day care to anyone looking for a safe, home-like environment for their child.

Ms. Dee is AMZING! She has been a vital part of my son's development and we love her so much. My…read moreson is 2 and started at Brainiacs right after he turned 1. Ms. Dee has worked with my baby on sight words, recognizing letters and numbers, writing and spelling his name, she has even exposed him to classical music, instruments, and science. My son's vocabulary has exceeded expectations for a 2 year old thanks to Brainiacs academics program. He is being properly prepared for Kindergarten and I would strongly recommend Brainiacs. It's so much more than just a "day care"

We could not be more grateful for our experience at Synapse Atelier. From the very first day, it…read morehas been clear that this is not just a childcare center, but a truly thoughtful, nurturing, and intentional learning environment rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach. What sets Synapse Atelier apart is the deep respect they have for each child as a capable, curious, and unique individual. The educators carefully observe, listen, and respond to the children's interests, allowing learning to unfold naturally through exploration, creativity, and hands-on experiences. Our son is constantly engaged in meaningful projects that encourage curiosity, problem-solving, and imagination rather than rote instruction. We have been especially impressed with how Synapse Atelier supports the development of executive function skills. Through play, collaboration, and guided reflection, our son has grown in his ability to focus, take turns, manage emotions, and persist through challenges. The teachers model patience and self-regulation beautifully, and these qualities are clearly reflected in the children. Equally remarkable has been his growth in social and verbal skills. The environment at Synapse Atelier fosters respectful communication, empathy, and teamwork, and we have seen him become more confident in expressing himself, sharing ideas, and interacting with peers. The educators create countless opportunities for conversation, storytelling, and cooperative play, which have significantly strengthened his language and social awareness. Above all, the warmth, care, and genuine dedication of the Synapse Atelier staff shine through every day. They truly know and love each child, and it shows in the joyful, secure, and vibrant atmosphere of the classroom. We feel incredibly fortunate to have found such a special place for our son and would wholeheartedly recommend Synapse Atelier to any family seeking a Reggio-inspired program that nurtures the whole child--intellectually, emotionally, socially, and creatively.

Both my daughters have been going to Synapse and are thriving. Due to the small size of the school,…read moreeach child is given an incredible amount of time and attention. They each get the chance to express themselves and their thoughts on different, interesting subjects on a daily basis. What has been very impressive to me is the respect and dignity with which the children are treated. They are all treated like individuals with valuable opinion in each subject. We also receive tons of pictures and videos daily which help us be more involved and aware of what the kids work on each day. We are fortunate to be able to have our kids thrive in such a loving and strong community.

Valentina at the time of the covid opened the doors for us at the moment we needed it most, her…read morecommitment and love that she gave to my son, I will always appreciate it. They have a very complete and fun curriculum. It is a small place but they manage the space perfectly and the children always look happy. I wholeheartedly recommend this place for parents who want their children to be well cared for.

We have had a spectacular experience at Valentina's preschool these past few years. I have to say…read morethat we are so sad to have graduated this year. I'll start by saying, while all my friends were picking corporate or pretentious cookie cutter preschools, I felt uncomfortable sending my daughter to an environment where I felt like she might get lost in the shuffle. I made the choice to send her to Valentina's Preschool instead- where I felt the energy was comfortable and very focused on nurturing an individual child with individual needs. Valentina's Preschool is a small, home like and friendly place where everyone is welcome and all families are friendly and inclusive. No child gets left behind. Valentina works with the kids daily and she is very obviously passionate about helping to raise well-rounded and kind little humans. The staff and Valentina go out of their way to make sure every child feels special and loved. She will accommodate specific needs and she is understanding and very helpful to us parents. My daughter had such an amazing experience at preschool and never complained about going. She always looked forward to being with her friends and learning and playing. When she was sick she would be sad that she couldn't go to school. Every week she would come home with different fun art projects. They did gardening , dance, yoga, art, and learning.... Just to make a few things. Every child is honored extensively on their birthday. I cannot say more good things about this place. I am so glad I made the choice to send my little girl here. If I ever have another child I wouldn't do it any other way. Thank you to Valentina and her staff for making my daughters toddler years so smooth and memorable. As a single mom it can be difficult to trust others with your children and I really really trust Valentina.

I'm sorry it took me so long to write a review here! I was looking back over some of the…read moreinformation from our sessions to discuss with a friend just now, and was reminded how transformational this process with you was for my daughter and I. It has been about two years I think at this point, and I am still talking about what a helpful turning point your support was during a challenging time. My daughter and I have been through unbelievable and tragic/chaotic life circumstances at times since, and are still overall both doing really well and connecting in health ways - living our best lives in a weird world! I am technically an expert in all of this, and was still just struggling, so I cannot give enough positive and true feedback on this process with you. Thanks again for everything, and figured better late than never, lol!

Don't usually write a review, but I thought Cassidy was sooo helpful that I want to share…read more My wife and I did the 12 week program over Zoom and it's been a game-changer. The idea here is that parenting is more of a self-centric (and partner-centric) exercise; throughout the program, Cassidy was responsive, flexible and very empathetic. What it does is give you a framework for how to make decisions about parenting. It fills in knowledge gaps around what our kids need. The content from Jai Institute for Parenting is good, but honestly it's Cassidy that makes the whole thing worthwhile. If you're at the point where you're even exploring a "parenting coach" then working with Cassidy may be exactly what you're looking for.