Preschool Advice and Recommendation

The school district runs preschools at both the Miraleste and District office sites. There are a variety of options for 2-5 days a week, morning, afternoon, or all day. Look it up on the PVPUSD website. I teach at Pen and was looking into sending my son there in a year or two.

Hi,I went to St. Peter's by the Sea near Golden Cove when I was a child and then put all my 3 kids through the same school (one is actually still in it). They are fantastic and really prepare the kids for regular school. You can choose your days and the days aren't long unless you want them to stay for "lunch bunch". Not very expensive either compared to Montessori. Good luck!!

I'm sending my kids to Town & Country Preschool ###-###-#### / 2200 Via Rosa, PVE. They have 2 day (T, TH) and 3 day (M, W, F) schedules. Yes, you can bring your daughter to check out the class. However, enrollment is on a lottery basis so, it might be too late already. If it is too late, you can try Valmonte Early Learning Academy, Fee based Preschool run by the school district. I had checked out that preschool and it was my second choice.

C.

Hi Sara,
I can definitely recommend Peninsula Community Church preschool on Crestridge Road in RPV. It is SUCH a wonderful program! My daughter has truly blossomed there. They are SO loving and interested in not only the student but the whole family. They have 2 and 3 day programs as well as early care and extended care. They are a developmental PreK, so you can be assured that your child will be ready for Kindergarten. I used to work there (just had a baby) so I have seen the teachers in action all day. They are a loving, talented, concerned bunch. Phew! I could go on and on as you can see!
Regarding taking your child with you on tours. I think it's a great idea! You can see how she reacts in each environment.

hi
I live on the harbor side of the peninsula... love MELA - Miraleste Early Learning Academy; can do MWF or TR and sometimes a combination if you need it. The staff is great and they are associated with the PV school district, so they have to meet district standards, but are a private school. If you will send a child to Elementary at Mira Catalina you will be meeting future school mates, but it is not a requirement. They are filling up now, so you should call soon. We are having a great experience there in the 3 year old class. I absolutely think you should take your child. Watching how they talk to and treat your child at the interviews will help you perceive if it is a place you really like and a match for her. When we toured last year, it was clear what worked for my sons personality and what didn't. Good Luck!

Rolling Hills Covenant Church has a pre-school program that I've heard is wonderful.

Yes, it's a very good idea to take your daughter on the tours with you to see how well she interacts with the children at the facility and to get some feedback from her also!

Hi Sara,

Both my boys went to Ascension Lutheran Preschool on Silver Spur and I absolutely loved their teachers and director. The Director Ms. Darlene taught there for many years and the Adminstrative Assistant Karyn is the best. ###-###-####. CALL ASAP to see if you can still enroll for next year or if they even have openings now.

This is a peanut-free school so if you know children with peanut allergies, they should be safe here. The school serves snacks and the teachers are careful to watch for children with other allergy issues. For the kids staying for lunch, they will confiscate peanut butter sandwiches, snacks or Lunchables. One of my sons had dairy issues so they gave him juice or water instead of milk.

If things have not changed, they have before and after school care available 8-9am and 12-3pm most days. There's a toddler program (Awesome teacher Ms. Sue - she's a whiz with the 2-3 year olds) 2 days a week, a Mommy and Me class, and the regular preschool goes either Tues/Thurs or MWF and there's a 5-day program (Mrs. G's the teacher and she's great!) There are extra classes for Spanish and gymnastics with Hotshots Gymnastics (I love the director Ms. Dianne). They have chapel once a month, music class once a week, and had a Halloween parade, Snow Day, Wizard Lizard Day and for the older children an Aquarium visit. There's a cute graduation ceremony/performance for the 5-year class at the end school.

Summer school is available at ALP for one month in late June-July. They also have bible study camp for a week.

I heard great things about Rolling Hills United Methodist preschool (by PV Drive North just South on Crenshaw). Their director Myra (?) is also a wonderful lady and I know a teacher there who is just great! I have friends who have sent their children there. They have an excellent academic program for children who miss the cut-off for D-Kindergarten and need the gift of time to mature before starting Kindergarten.

You can call for tours and get on a wait-list if enrollment isn't filled already. I think they take church families first and families with siblings already enrolled as priority, then open enrollment.

Have fun finding a great school! :-) K.

I dont know about the specific schools in the P.V. area, But look into the LAUP (Los Angeles(county)universal preschool) program. It is free for all 4 year olds regardless of income. Just google LAUP and find a preschool near u. At my 4 year old's school 8:30am to 12pm is free. Anytime after that is $190 for the whole month to stay all day. She loves it, and is learning more than my 6 year old that is in Kindergarten.

I have to boys a 10 year-old and a 4 year-old turning 5 next month and I took booth to several preschools until we found one that we were both excited about. The preschools were all very nice to let them participate while we were there in the classroom. It made the frist day of school very easy for both my kids. I also went shopping for clothes, supplies, lunchpail, and backpack and had be part of the full process till this day they both have had wonderful experiences. Take your time and make sure you both are comfortable. good luck