I have inquired and visited many pre-schools in the general West Side area for the same reasons…read moremost 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

Mt. Olive Preschool is absolutely amazing! I have sent both of my daughters here and they have…read moreloved 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!

Untitled No. 1 is such a wonderful place for children and families. We cannot say enough positive…read morethings about this school! The teachers are incredible, the space is unreal, and their connection to community, diversity, and nature is unmatched. The program is truly intimate with an outstanding teacher to student ratio. We've honestly never seen our child this happy! The children play in the neighborhood parks, eat home cooked farmer's market meals, volunteer in the community garden, have gym class, Spanish story time, and music class. It's unpretentious, rich in culture, and a gift to our neighborhood. Most importantly--the school actively works to be Anti-Racist and has a very ethnically/socioeconomically diverse student and staff population. We love it here and think you will too.

We feel so lucky to have found this school. I hadn't even heard of it when a friend happened to…read moremention it as a newer school in the area. We had rejected many of the fancier private schools because of short hours and some of the other SM options with longer days felt very concrete. We loved everything about the school and when they allowed us to come for an in person visit with our child (something else we liked - many/most tours were/are parent only), our child ran frantically between every section of the school, trying to play with everything, and did not want to leave. Our daughter has flourished at this school. We believe that every teacher there is committed to making sure every student develops to his/her fullest potential. We've been particularly impressed at her social-emotional growth. She will very clearly state that we've hurt her feelings or that she is sad. The pandemic student teacher ratio has been exceptional - there are four to five adults on campus for 10 (previously 11) children so they know our daughter better than we know her! I sent our daughter's first "progress report" to my father and just from the detail in there, he said "this seems like a really good school." There is also a ton of Kinder application support. The director has been exceptional in counseling us and getting us to think about different things we hadn't previously considered, and extremely supportive in the process. There is tuition support based on income and priority admission for 90404 residents.

We were so blessed to have stumbled onto MDG, moving out to the Westside and looking for schools…read morefor our little one was definitely challenging. I can't say and thank the staff enough on how well and attentive they are to the kids. I would highly recommend MDG, make sure you get on their waiting list ASAP, they do fill up FAST!

Both of our boys attended MDG and absolutely loved it there. We are huge fans of the school and its…read moreoperators and have been here for 3 years now. Ms. Bonnie runs a fantastic school, creating a highly consistent structure and warm environment for kids to learn and grow. Ms. Isabel is the most patient, caring and present teacher I've ever met and my children absolutely love her. Our oldest attended after he turned 4, during the pandemic, when MDG was one of the first preschools in our area to reopen. We just left another preschool close by that neither kid enjoyed attending (they resisted daily). After just one day at MDG, our kids were already at ease and so comfortable that drop offs instantly became a breeze. The garden, incredibly sweet children, fun pets and animals (bunny, turtle, frog and Ms. Bonnie's dog)...being at MDG was (and still is) truly a magical enclave for our kids. The pandemic was awful but a (life changing) bright spot for us was enrolling our kids at MDG. They did such an amazing job during the most difficult times and really unlocked our oldest son's appetite and joy for learning. He excelled in math particularly there and they laid a foundation for his reading skills. Once he hit Kindergarten (at public school in Culver City), his reading skills picked up rapidly and he became capable of reading on his own by end of Kinder. As for our younger son, he has basically grown up at MDG. He started at age 3 and has now been at MDG for 3 years! He's learned SO much there...reading, writing, math, art, music, numerous cultural traditions, building friendships, manners, yoga, natural science and even complete potty independence! Even though we moved 20 minutes away, we kept him at MDG because it's truly his second home. He feels so safe here and has really thrived from the education, friendships gained and life lessons learned. He is starting Kinder in 2 months and while he is certainly ready for it, I know he will miss the school, friends, Miss Isabelle, etc dearly. Lastly, a note on Montessori method as someone who was new to it and a little weary of a formal structure for young kids. I understand now that kids thrive under structure and consistency (and boundary setting!), and while it was intimidating at first (just for me, not my kids at all), a method of schooling does not dictate how caring/loving teachers are for the children. Our kids were so well cared for because this school is operated by professionals who genuinely love teaching young children. Montessori, to us, is really a methodology of teaching both academic and life lessons, through individualized attention and focus on the learner's interests. Because the child learns within the context of subjects he/she enjoys, learning becomes much more relevant and enjoyable (even though it's technically called "work"). There is much more independent learning, which helped to build determination and confidence with our children. Plus, the teachers (typically Ms. Isabel + a TA) are there to guide and help the child when they encounter struggles. I highly highly recommend visiting MDG and meeting Ms. Bonnie and Ms. Isabel if you are looking for a preschool in the Westwood area. I'm confident you and your child will be delighted by the school and the experience as we were.

After a rocky year at a Montessori school, a behavioral therapist highly recommended Young Minds…read moreLearning Academy (YMLA) to help our son strengthen his executive functioning skills. From the moment we toured, we felt the difference--the commitment to nurturing the whole child was unmistakable. We enrolled him that week. Over the two years our son attended YMLA, he flourished. He learned to use his words, respect boundaries, build confidence in his social-emotional skills, and academically reached a kindergarten level while still in TK. At some schools, education can feel like a job. At Young Minds, it is clearly a calling. That dedication is evident across the entire staff and support team. The level of care, patience, and individualized approaches they pour into each child is nothing short of remarkable. As TK began winding down, we heard countless parents express the same sentiment: "What do we have to do to get the owners to open a Young Minds Elementary?" That says everything. As our son moves on to an independent grade school, our entire family will dearly miss Young Minds. We are incredibly grateful for these two formative years and for the foundation YMLA helped build in our son.

We are so grateful we chose Young Minds for our daughter's TK year. It was truly one of the best…read moredecisions we made for her. Before TK, our daughter attended a play-based daycare. Since she is naturally shy and quiet, we wanted a program that would help her build confidence and prepare her for kindergarten. Young Minds exceeded our expectations. The teachers are caring, patient, and genuinely passionate about helping every child succeed. At first, our daughter needed time to adjust to a more structured classroom, but her teachers supported her every step of the way and helped her gain confidence. We loved how Young Minds balanced academics with fun. From art, music, sports, and holiday celebrations to hands-on learning activities like the Classroom Store, every day was engaging and meaningful. Our daughter loved earning coins and "shopping" for small prizes, and she couldn't wait to come home and tell us all about it. Over the course of the year, we saw an incredible transformation. She became more confident, independent, and outgoing, and she truly developed a love for learning. Most importantly, she loved going to school every day. Even now, she still tells us how much she misses her teachers and asks if we can go back to visit them. We are incredibly thankful for the wonderful teachers and the caring community at Young Minds. If you're looking for a TK program that will prepare your child for kindergarten while making them feel happy, supported, and excited to learn, we highly recommend Young Minds!

my son is on his second year at DIG and we couldn't be happier. we love all the teachers, the…read morelarge, outdoor space and especially the school snacks. as a parent, I really appreciate their focus on play and community. I have found so much support in the other parents and teachers. it's worth noting that my son started with a speech delay, and spoke only in sign language. The teachers learned his signs and were very accommodating to his speech services. I highly recommend DIG!

My child attended DIG from age 2 years 10 months to 3 years 11 months and we were both completely…read morehappy with this decision. She had never been in the care of anyone besides her parents or two grandmothers until DIG. I was so worried about how my child would be treated somewhere, and this was the place I trusted to drop my child off for the first time. The teachers treat the children with respect and give them freedom while keeping them safe. The (real dirt) yard is one of the best. It is indoor/outdoor free-flowing, and surprise surprise, my child chose to spend most of her day outside. She loved being barefoot all day - shoes are optional. It feels tranquil and is fully shaded, I never put sunscreen on her. There is a pet bunny rabbit and a raised garden bed, slide, outdoor "kitchen," tricycles, trucks, dinosaurs, a water table, and DIG even spent a full week or two replacing the yard ground completely after the Palisades fires, which I deeply appreciated. There is also a tinkering room, pillow room, and light room. This is play-based and not an academic program, which is exactly what a 2 or 3 year old needs. My child did not attend for 4+ years old so I can't speak to that. After her time at DIG, my child went straight into TK at SMMUSD and is doing great there too. Take a tour - the day I took a tour I felt good and that tells you everything. ~ Edited to add: How could I not have mentioned the parent support group offered for free with a certified social worker who is aligned in philosophy! This a wonderful benefit! And, your child can play on the yard while you attend! DIG might not be ideal for you if your child still naps. It is possible to do, but there will probably be only 1 or 2 children who do (there is a room with bed where they can do that) but there is not a "class nap" culture. My child had already dropped her nap when we started, so I was specifically looking for a school who wouldn't try to force her to nap or force her to stay quiet and still while others napped, and so DIG was perfect for us in this regard.

My daughter started at this preschool when she was just one year old, and now that she's moved on…read moreto elementary school, I can truly say this place helped raise her. What makes this school so special isn't just the curriculum or activities it's the love that fills the building. The teachers didn't just look after my child; they knew her. They celebrated her personality, comforted her on hard days, and treated her like family. Over the years, this school became more than just a drop-off and pick-up place it became a community. The kind where parents support each other, staff know every child by name, and every milestone feels shared. Leaving was bittersweet, but I'm forever grateful that her early years were spent surrounded by people who made her feel safe, confident, and deeply loved. If you're looking for a preschool that truly becomes part of your village this is the one!

I highly recommend BLC for anyone who has a child between 18 months to 5 years old. We started our…read morechild there when he was just 18 months through when he turned 5 years old. The staff are all friendly and professional. I really like the curriculum they have as well. They offer music, soccer, gym, yoga, and dance classes and my kid enjoyed all of them, though these have an extra fee, but very worth it! The food was great and healthy. They offer hot meals and snacks and these are all included in the tuition price. Overall excellent.

I would love to take a moment to sincerely thank all the wonderful teachers and Principal Sigali at…read moreMontana Preschool for making our experience so amazing. Watching my son, Berkehan, grow and develop during his time at Montana Preschool has been truly incredible. I have seen so much growth in him, and every improvement he has made has been outstanding. As a mom, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your child happy, confident, and excited to learn. Berkehan would always tell me that he wanted to go to school because he wanted to be with his classmates and see his teacher, Yasna. That alone showed me how much he loved being at school and how special his teachers made him feel. The teachers do such an amazing job engaging the children in meaningful and fun activities, including STEM classes, outdoor activities, and so much more. They create an environment where children can learn, explore, play, and grow. I am also incredibly grateful for how well the teachers and Principal Sigali have always communicated with me about Berkehan, his progress, and anything that needed my attention. They have supported us every step of the way, even helping us with potty training. That kind of care and support means more to me than I can express. As a mom who works a lot, having such caring, supportive, and dedicated teachers and a wonderful principal has truly been a blessing. Knowing that my son is in a place where he is loved, cared for, encouraged, and supported gives me so much peace of mind. Thank you to every teacher and to Principal Sigali for everything you have done for Berkehan and for our family. Montana Preschool will always hold a very special place in both my heart and my son's heart. We are so grateful for all of you and for the beautiful memories you have created for Berkehan. Thank you for being such an important part of his early years. ​

I enrolled my kid here and she loved the staff and all the great activities! Fair pricing for what…read morethey offer especially since they care for your kids for a full day. Their enrichment fee is mandatory but it's so well worth it. Having the kids learn dance, art, music and a variety of obstacle courses and some basic sports (on top of science, letters, numbers, colors, shapes, etc.) helps the kids have a fun filled day while learning at the same time. This is a great school that teaches your kid to enjoy learning. I very much recommend this school for preschool and daycare.

Our daughter started in the Seedling room at MyFirstPlace on 22nd St. when she was just 4 months…read moreold, and we've had a wonderful experience ever since. It's a full Spanish immersion program and they have very flexible options. We opted for full time M-F 8-5:30pm. Maria and her entire team are amazing: communication is clear and prompt, teachers are engaged and caring, and the school is clean, safe, and offers wonderful enrichment activities like soccer, capoeira, and music. We always feel listened to, and the teachers send updates throughout the day. One of my favorite parts of the workday is getting the cutest photos and videos of her and her friends engaged in all sorts of activities like outdoor play or reading books. The biggest testament to the program is our daughter herself. Now 18 months old, she's excited to go to school every morning, happily jumping from my lap into her teachers' arms, and she's calm and happy when we pick her up. Teacher Gabby V. has been incredibly caring and thoughtful. We feel so lucky to have had her help care for our daughter over the past 14 months. She consistently goes out of her way to provide thoughtful, individualized care, whether that means adjusting nap schedules or giving a little extra attention when needed. We couldn't recommend MFP more highly!

We loved MFP for our daughter and it truly was our daughter's first place. They were incredibly…read moreflexible, attentive, and caring for our little one. Being a first time mom, I was nervous to let go and have someone else take care of my daughter. But as I watched her start to get accustomed to the schedule there, I noticed how the staff is educated and friendly. It was emotional for me to watch her learn to be independent at MFP and Maria and Cinthia were very accommodating to helping my daughter transition from homecare to daycare. There's plenty of extracurricular activities dancing, music, soccer, including all the planned crafts to keep her engaged. I always found that they updated ProCare with plenty of updates and pictures to keep me informed of her daily activities. Cinthia, Teacher Karen, Teacher Veronica, Zohra are just some of the friendliest faces who helped take care of her. I also witnessed a very smooth transition between classrooms from the Cherry Room to Olive Room. Cinthia was always available to chat through any of my questions and provided input to best support her. We were so sad to have to leave MFP but primarily did so because of moving (needing to reduce the daycare pickup commute). What was also so sweet was how thoughtful they were to provide her a wonderful experience for both her first birthday at school and her last day. I would recommend MFP!