Preschool Options in San Fernando Valley

My son has been going to Little Treasures in Van Nuys (Saticoy and Louise) since he was 2 years old. He is 4 now and will be starting kindergarten next week. Because he's a boy we were concerned if we should hold him back one year (bc boys tend to need a little more time to develop) but his preschool instructor and his doctor both said that he is MORE than ready to start on time. I know that that is a huge reflection on the education he received at Little Treasures. Carolyn takes care of the infants and Bethany, the director, takes care of the preschoolers, Carol, takes care of the children in between. I love them all. As a matter of fact, Carol sometimes babysits for us. Go check it out and tell them V. B., Nate's mom, sent you.

Hi J.,
I had the same problem. I'm from New York and the LA schools freak me out! I looked at a couple of different places for preschool. I sent my son when he was 2 years 11 months (his birthday is end of Sept) 2 or 3 days a week, then the following year he went into Pre-K 5 days a week and started Kingergarten just before he turned 5.

I wound up sending my son to Kol Tikvah Temple because it was closer to home for me (and they will take kids who aren't Jewish and give them a great education). However, I really liked the Boulevard School in Woodland Hills. My brother sent my nieces there and they loved it. It's a really nice place/environment. It's on Victory west of Topanga - near Shoup I think. They'll give you a tour if you call them so you can check it out.

Here is the info:
Boulevard Nursery School
###-###-####
23022 Victory Blvd
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

I also know that the Pinecrest schools are very good. I think there are a few of them in the valley.

You don't say where you live but you should check out the neighborhood schools in your area as well in the event that you are planning to send your kids to public school. When my son was 2 1/2 we were looking for a house in the SF Valley and found that it was hard to find a house that came with good schools. I finally moved to Northridge because all the schools were good from Kingergarten through HS. Something else to think about...

Good luck! Hope this helps.

Welcome to California! Sorry about the smoke and fires, that part of living year has to be the yuckyest!! My son just started Kindergarden. We had a great time in preschool at North Hills Cooperative Preschool which is located in Granada Hills on Woodley just north of Devonshire. the co-op rents space in a church building, but is not affiliated with the church. The kids ages are 2 1/2 to 5, although a lot of the kids younger than 3 go part time. full time school is Tues thru Fri 9am to 12pm. they have a toddler class that you can do now on Mondays, which is a mommy and me and $25 a month. You can come on a Mon to check it out for free. The teacher, Lynn Lee is wonderful!!
If you join the toddler class, you get a preferred spot for your child when she gets older. The tuition this year is $190 a month (i think) but you have to commit to working there one day a week and helping out with other stuff. If was a super experience and you develop great relationships with other kids parents. It is also nice to be involved in your childs education, and we had a lot of fun there too!!
I hope that you get a chance to check it out! :) A.

Wow! This was a question I wanted to ask. I was looking at the different options and wanted a couple of ideas for my son that is 15 months old. They have a school in Northridge that is called Weekday preschool that a lot of the moms go to from the Northridge Mom's Club. I was trying to enroll my son in the hand to hand program that they have but they have to be 18 months by September but I guess he is on the waiting list for next year. I also have my son in the Rinaldi school for Mommy and Me for 12-24 months starting on September 10th. I have heard of the Woodcreast Preschool in Woodland Hills and also Pinecrest and religious would also be fine for us too because I went to Catholic High School in PA. I guess you have to decide when you want to start her 2, 2 1/2 or 3. Or maybe not until 4. I know my son is so active too and loves to learn already so I want to encourage that. Keep me posted on what you find out.

E. K

Look no further than Children's Circle in Van Nuys.
###-###-####
Tim Craig is the director and would be happy to give you a tour.

Good luck,
G. B., M.A.
Child Development Specialist & Parent Educator
www.GilaBrown.com

Hi J.!!

I'm not sure where you are in the Valley, but I'm a SF Valley mom too, and I went through the same thing! I'm not from this area, and wanted to find a good preschool for my daughter. I found one, and she is already attending and she will be 2 this month.

The name of the school is Best Years Preschool, and they are affiliated with Woodland Hills Presbyterian. Now, I'm not very religious in the sense that I attend services every week, but I liked this place because it does not matter what religion you are, they will accept anyone and not force their church on you. My daughter is in the best care, and I actually have her go the full day for the daycare. She has so much fun- they do so many educational activities, encourage play, and learning. I'm super excited about the school because it's a nice, not too structured setting which I think will make the transition even easier when my daughter gets to kindergarten. Your daughter can go now, (you don't need to wait until 3 if you don't want to) and I actually think our daughters would be in the same class if your daughter and you like the place. They offer tours, and you can call and ask for Jackie at ###-###-####.

Email me off-site if you'd like and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have!!

Hi J.,
Please check out Sohrabi Preschool & Childcare at sohrabipreschool.com. Its a preschool/childcare located in Woodland Hills, CA that is sponsored by the LA Universal Preschool program. The director has been running the facility for years and it provides a family-oriented, loving environment. Moreover, this is a great contact to figure out when to start your child and the types of academic programs available. Many of the parents will be happy to provide a reference and feedback.

I took my son to the Heart of the Valley in Reseda at the age of 3 years old. I love it and it is a great and easy start for them before they head to kindergarten.

www.heartchristian.org

I work at home and have a nanny too but I started my daughter in a summer play school this past June when she was 2 1/2. She went for three days a week just in the morning. Today she started sort of a pre-pre school for three year olds. Next year will be pre-K when she's four and the year after Kindergarten.

I wanted to start her a bit early so she could interact with kids her age and get the necessary social skills they don't get when they're just one on one with you or your nanny.

Not sure where you live so it's hard to give school referrals. The SF Valley is huge :) but I know there are tons of excellent preschools out there - Christian and otherwise.

Good luck!