Seeking Pre-Schools in the Studio City Area

I'm in Studio City too and I started the process of finding a preschool for my daughter when she was 5 months old. Some of the preschools in the East San Fernando Valley already had wait lists a mile long. I toured at least half a dozen in the vicinity. Some I rejected right away because I thought the place was dirty and disorganized. My daughter is currently 18 months old and she is enrolled in two seperate Parent & Me classes at two different preschools. The reason why the Parent & Me classes is important is that it gives you a foot "in" to the preschools. Most preschools I toured give priority to children who are siblings already enrolled in the school. After that, many of them give priority next to the kids enrolled in the Parent & Me classes that preceed preschool. After that, it's basically first come, first served depending on when you get your application in. The first step is to tour as many as you can. After that, if you can afford the time and money, enroll them in the Parent & Me class. It's usually only once a week for about 15 weeks for an hour and half. If that's not an option, fill out an application to the preschool NOW. Even though your child won't attend preschool until 2010 or 2011, get that application in. I've found that the religious places (churches, temples, etc.) that offer preschool and Parent & Me are generally much more economical and have space availability. With the economy the way it is, I foresee a lot of people foregoing private preschool tuition and going to these religious schools instead. There is also a guide called The Whitney Guide that you can purchase on Amazon. It gives you a basic rundown on most of the private preschools in the LA area. Good luck!

My daughter went to Magic Yard and she loved it as did I. I'm not sure when you plan on sending your son but they need to be old enough to navigate the yard. Here's the number 818-76-2939. As for a mom's group go online to www.momsclub.org/ they have chapters in Sherman Oaks for sure. I made some great friends there and we still hang out 7 years later.
L.

Dear L.; temple judea in tarzana has a wonderful mommy & me program from 2 mos to transition classes which are preparation classes for pre school. I would love to send you our literature and speak to you to invite you in to spend a session as our guest . Both you and the baby will totally enjoy the morning. I would love to give you more information if you would like, my direct number at temple judea is 818 - 342 - 3840. We are located on the tarzana encino border, 5429 lindley ave, in tarzana and are seconds off of the freeway and off of ventura bl.

Many of our moms come from your area since it is so easy to get here.

I look forward to hearing from you,

N. smolens, dir
temple judea parenting center
5429 lindley ave
tarzana, ca 91536

if you will e mail me your address or call me, i can send you some literature. ____@____.com

When you consider Temple Judea, consider it as a place that you will be at for services, family events and High Holy Days for a long time to come, particularly if you send your children to the religious school and they develop friendships. This is a long term decision and you had better be happy with it up front.

The clergy broke with US rabbinical tradition to sign an open campaign letter endorsing Obama as a stalwart friend of Israel. Recent events tell a different truth on this topic.

The clergy are adherents of "social justice" politics (they refer to this as Tikkun Olam), a branch of socialist activism blended with theology (in this case Judaism). The politics infuse many of the events as your kids get older and are expressed via sermons, and just about every "community" activity

This may just come with the territory in reform Judaism, but you will need to be comfortable with-in-your face progressive politics from the clergy, and be willing to feel ostracized if your politics are not consistent with the politics of the clergy.

Try Woodcrest Preschool/Elementary on Ventura Blvd. near Fulton. My son went there from the age of about 2 1/2 through 1st grade. This was starting in 1995. I would have put my daughter there but now I live closer to ABC Little School on Burbank Blvd. and Kester in Sherman Oaks.

Right in Studio City is Sunnyside Preschool (on Coldwater Cyn. just South of Ventura Bl). I just toured it and loved it!! Bright, cheery, clean, etc. They also have a mommy and me program. They don't have a website but their # is ###-###-####. I am still in the process of looking at other preschools myself for my 10 month old son. There is also a great mommy and me program at A Mother's Haven in Encino. You can also join My Gym; the locations closest to you would be Encino or Toluca Lake. There is also Kindermusic in Studio City as well. Good luck. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
C.