My son attends Bel Air Presbyterian Preschool and we have LOVED our first year here. I don't know…read morehow the school was run before the 2017-2018 school year, however, the new director of the preschool (Jillian) is absolutely amazing. I have an older daughter and we attended three other preschools, but Jillian has by far been my favorite preschool director. Most mornings she can be found standing out front, welcoming families as they arrive to school with a warm smile and greeting. Her positivity seems to trickle down throughout the rest of the office admin and teaching staff, and we've loved both the early care teacher (Miss Court) and our Peaches class teachers (Miss Jacki and Miss Iris) so much this year. I also love that BAPP has good drop-off and pickup options to accommodate working families. We do the early morning 8 AM drop off for my son, and though he only stays until noon we are enrolling him all day next year. There is also an additional afternoon hour that can be added on, so kids can stay until 4 if needed. Most other preschools we attended with my older daughter didn't have this flexibility, so I thought that would be worth noting for folks who are considering preschools. Finally, though this isn't part of the preschool per se, one of my favorite parts of the school is the amazing campus and setting. Aside from the unique and thoughtful outdoor play spaces (a water pump, sand area, special canopy shading, and an outdoor hillside play area with natural areas to climb and use these awesome slides that are built into the hill) the views are incredible and there is an artisanal coffee shop (called the Parable Coffee Lab) on the campus that's open most mornings from 8 - 11 AM. It's so nice to drop off my son and stop in for an almond milk latte and croissant, and it helps me be efficient when I'm working from home (I log into the free guest Wifi from the coffee shop and answer all of my emails, haha!). Before I signed him up for the early morning drop off, I would take him with me to the coffee shop and we'd run into lots of other parents enjoying a cup of coffee or tea with their preschooler in tow - it helped me get to know other parents and builds a great community feel.

Recently, the head of the school, Jillian Kim, made the decision to let go of two of the school's…read moremost respected security guards, Lloyd and Chris. For the past three years, they have been dedicated to keeping the school community safe and have earned the trust and appreciation of both parents and students. Many parents felt reassured seeing Lloyd and Chris on campus each day because of their professionalism, strong work ethic, and genuine care for the children. The students also formed positive relationships with them, knowing they were treated with kindness, respect, and protection. As a result of this decision, many parents are upset and concerned about the future of campus safety. Some feel that two of the most effective and valued members of the security team have been removed while other issues have gone unaddressed. The decision has left many families questioning the school's leadership and priorities. Regardless of the reasons behind the change, it is clear that Lloyd and Chris made a meaningful impact on the school community, and their absence will be deeply felt by many parents and students.

We feel lucky to be part of the Canyon Crest Preschool community. The teachers and staff are truly…read morewonderful--so loving, attentive, and genuinely caring with every child. It means a lot to us that everyone at the school makes the kids feel seen and valued. We really appreciate how intentional everything is, from the thoughtfully designed classrooms to the beautiful playground, all created to encourage curiosity and exploration. The teachers do an amazing job giving the kids the freedom to discover things on their own while still providing guidance and support. What stands out most is how they recognize each child's uniqueness and tailor their attention accordingly, helping the children grow both individually and together as a group. We couldn't be happier with our experience and are so thankful for the love, dedication, and thoughtfulness that the entire team at Canyon Crest brings every single day.

My son began at Canyon Crest when he was 2.6 years old. He is a curious and active child who loves…read moreto engage with materials and people. I was drawn to the school because the Director, Pauline, has a phenomenal pedagogical reputation in the field, and being a Director myself, I strongly believe in the "trickle-down" effect of leadership. Pauline did not disappoint. She and her remarkable administrative team (Alana & Chelsea) greet us warmly by name each morning, and it's not uncommon to find them each actively engaged with teachers and children in the classrooms. Pauline is deeply attuned to the details of what is happening day-to-day across the school. For example, when my son had a small injury one afternoon, not only did his teachers promptly call me, but when I arrived, two administrators immediately checked to ensure I had been informed of the minor cut. That level of communication and care is truly exceptional. The teachers are well-educated, dedicated, and bring their unique strengths and personalities to the classroom, balancing one another beautifully. The environment they prepare each day is immaculate, thoughtfully designed, and truly unparalleled in quality. My son has flourished under their care--growing in confidence, empathy, and joy. Canyon Crest is a terrific early childhood program: warm, intentional, and grounded in respect for children and families. We feel grateful to be part of this community.

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.

We currently have two children attending WISE School and feel very lucky to be providing them with…read morean incredible educational experience.  Our boys are thriving and look forward to going to school every day.  From the nurturing and caring teachers to the endless array of high-caliber sports (including swimming) and extracurricular opportunities (#1 debate team amongst competing schools), not to mention the beautiful park-like grounds, Wise has it all.  Wise also provides our family with a wonderful sense of community. The families that attend Wise have similar values and goals for their children and bring diversity and warmth to the community with their cultural backgrounds. The administration has been extremely supportive during the pandemic, with a flexible and balanced approach to ensure as normal as possible of an elementary school experience for the kids. The head of school communicates with parents on a weekly basis to ensure transparency as well as to accept feedback from the community. Wise is a leader amongst other schools, tuned-in with the needs of like-minded families and operating from a place of reason. I know our children will leave Wise with a strong sense of self and confidence as kind young adults armed both academically and socially to handle whatever lies ahead.

Wise school is a sanctuary not far from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is perched on the…read moremost beautiful well maintained campus off the 405 and Mullholland. It is where kids come to thrive and learn while having Judaism in their lives. You do not have to be Jewish to join the school all are welcomed! Pam Kleinman and Tami Wiser are the roots that ground this school and care so much for the children. They work so incredibly hard to make sure that all children are getting the best possible education! All the while teaching our children how to be good people in the world. I love this school and community and feel beyond blessed to be apart of it as do my children. We actually left for a short bit because I live next to a public school. We ran back as quickly as we could there is just no comparison to private school verses public on so many levels but the one I appreciate the most is my kids are thriving at Wise because the entire staff loves what they do from the front security to the lovely girls in the front office. This is a very special community and school where everyone is happy and living their best lives.

The setup is very clean and nice. The staff are very polite and sweet. They take good care of the…read morekids and make it fun too. The yard, the playground, and the inside is very nicely setup and homey. They provide lunch and snacks which is great.

My second child has been with ECK for almost a year now, and re-reading my first review I can still…read moresay the same! My son is always so happy to go see his teachers and friends every day, and my daughter graduated to her big-kid school being very well prepared. Also, drop-ins are a lifesaver on days public school is closed!

This is our daughter's second year at Beverly Glen Playgroup, and we couldn't be happier. The…read moreteachers are warm, patient, and genuinely invested in the kids -- you can feel it every day. One of the biggest surprises for us has been the community. Not only has our daughter made wonderful friends, but we have too -- something we didn't expect at all. The families here are kind, down-to-earth, and truly supportive. Our daughter has grown so much -- she's more confident, social, and excited to go to school every morning. The play-based approach keeps her curious and happy, and she comes home full of stories about her day. We're really grateful to be part of this school. If you want a warm, welcoming place where both kids and parents find their people, Beverly Glen Playgroup is amazing.

We (and our two kids!) really enjoyed our time at Playgroup…read more The teachers were all different but so dedicated to creating a safe nurturing space for young learners. The co-op nature of the school allows for deeper relationships with parents by volunteering together and with your kids and their friends working "on the floor" during the school day. It would be easy to fall into the trap of thinking you might not have time for that type of dedication, but trust me, it was one of the most joyful aspects of seeing my kids grow up. If you want a "drop off and forget it" type of school this isn't it. But if you want to be involved in your child's development and create lasting relationships with the teachers and other parents definitely apply. We've seen first hand that kids who leave playgroup and go into kindergarten are some of the kindest and thoughtful kids who see their classmates as a community. When we moved into the neighborhood we heard from neighbors that we MUST apply and it's the best place to honor a play based preschool approach in the area. And they were right. So happy with our decision.

This review is long long overdue. My son started attending Busy Little Bee at 28 months old, the…read moresummer after Covid began and we lost our nanny. This was his first daycare experience, and Shusha took him in and treated him as her own. His language and social skills blossomed right away. He had always been a very picky eater, but he loved Ms Mariam's cooking, and was always trying new and unexpected foods for the first time. Shusha was so loving and even went out of her way to personally help feed him on the days he struggled. We have since moved, and our son is now five years old. We have since attended three other wonderful schools with our two boys, but none of them compare to Shusha's school. For a nervous mom sending her son to school for the first time, it felt as if we were sending him to a warm, loving relative's home to play for the day. We still see the amazing activities she plans on social media, and think fondly of our son's time there. We are so grateful to Shusha and her team to have had the perfect first school experience.

My son went to Busy Little Bee daycare from the time he was 1.5-2.5 years old until Covid hit and…read morewe had to stop going for financial reasons. Previously we had a close family friend watching my son for a year, so it was a nerve wracking decision to put him in someone else's care for the first time, but Shusha and her caring staff made it so easy!!! I honestly can not say enough good things about this daycare! The home is clean, they give them healthy home cooked meals, they have fun activities and events around the holidays and most of all they are attentive and caring. He was so loved there (that to this day Shusha texts me to see how her boy is doing :)) Most of all, my son came home everyday happy! They also have an option for preschool aged children!

As a parent, I have been thoroughly impressed with the quality of education and the nurturing…read moreenvironment at this school. The teachers are dedicated professionals who go above and beyond to ensure that each child is given the attention and guidance they need to excel academically. The curriculum is robust, challenging, and engaging, fostering a love of learning in students. The school also places a strong emphasis on holistic development, encouraging students to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. This has greatly helped my child in developing leadership skills and discovering new interests. The school's commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment is commendable. The administration is responsive and takes parents' concerns seriously, which is reassuring. Overall, I believe this school has played a pivotal role in shaping my child's knowledge, skills, and character. I highly recommend it to any parent seeking a well-rounded education for their child. By far the best decision my husband and I made.

My son attended LSM in Tarzana for three years and we had a great experience there. My son learned…read morea lot and was very ready for school or even more advanced in his learning when he went to regular charter school. We also got to be friends with many parents and made great memories. Overall, I'd say this is a great Montessori school, with great space for little ones to play and learn. our experience with staff and teachers was good. I'd just recommend a little more trainings on child development issues for the teachers and staff that could help them further with understanding children's behavior and emotional functioning but otherwise the teachers are professional and adequate with their teaching skills.