I recently moved to Long Beach from the East Coast…read more I visited my girlfriend and went to Bayshore Playground and saw the coop. It was during the pandemic and I took my son out of school because virtual learning was night right for our family. So after a year with 3 young kids at home and home schooling, I couldn't wait to get my youngest girls in preschool. Preschool On the Beach. With a Playground? What could be cooler than that? There is one indoor classroom with books and puzzles and it's own child sized toilet and sink. There are 3 sheds full of bikes, scooters, tunnels, hula hoops, hockey sticks, basketballs and hoop, dollhouse, plenty of play toys, a sensory table, blocks, art supplies etc. They meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12pm. Parent volunteers go 30 min early and help set up fences around our area to ensure safety. During the pandemic it was an outdoor classroom and we did not have one case at our school. We set up the outdoor classroom with rugs and learning materials, a play dough station, an office area with markers, crayons, stamps, stencils etc, a doll house area, a creative play area (changes each week), lunch tables, art easel area, sensory table and block/toy truck/ play animal area each day. With ~15 parents, this requires 3 parent volunteers each day. Most parents work every other week but if you have more children, you are there weekly. The day starts with play time in the bike yard (there's plenty of bikes and outdoor activities for all; Wednesday's they can bring in their own bikes and helmets). Then it's circle time with Ms. Cori, whom the kids all adore. She goes over the calendar, days of the week, sings songs in 7 different languages. Then it's bike yard time again while the snack parent prepares a snack for the students. Then the kids all wash hands (we are very good with hand sanitizer and keeping clean) and enjoy their snack. Then it's free play in our fenced in outdoor school. We clean up toys and end in the playground. There is a lunch bunch for the older children where they pack a lunch and stay until 2pm for an additional fee. The 3 parents each have a specific job for the day -bike yard, snack or bathroom. There is a snack parent each week that prepares the snack all 3 days. We make sure to make notes of any student with allergies or sensitivities. There are monthly field trips (fire station, el dorado, bolsa chica, aquarium, library etc) which are paid from by fundraising (this year we made cocoa bombs at holiday time and sold sweets at the Naples boat canal show). Monthly meetings are held at 7pm on the first Thursday of each month. Attendance is required by one parent or guardian at the meetings and also school cleanups 2x a year. We also have a rainy day school for when we can't be outdoors due to the weather. My girls love their teacher, their friends and their school. It's definitely more play based. No worksheets here. However they do occasional seasonal crafts. It definitely is a bit of work for the parents but I think it's worth it as my girls will have great memories. Definitely nice to find other families the same age after the pandemic and after moving to a new area. We all look out for each other's kids. We celebrated Chinese New Year this year with a lions dance festival in the bike yard (the bike yard is only allowed for use of our children at the moment). And we have some fun trips planned for the end of the year.

LOVE Bayshore Co-op! My son will be starting his 2nd year, and I truthfully wish the director, Ms…read more Cori, could expand into an elementary school and beyond! While there is direct teaching and learning going on, the curriculum is play based and able to be modified for what the children are interested in at the moment. It so wonderful to be able to see the children think and grow. You always here that these communities are like a family or a village, but the truth is, I didn't really put much stock into that. I was so surprised to see that it's true! The parents are truly there for one another and for the kids. Bayshore is so much more than just a school. My child has thrived and learned so much about himself and how to interact with others. I'm so happy with our choice!

Our family had an amazing experience at Discovery Preschool! Ms. Roxy and the entire teaching staff…read morecreate such a warm, safe, and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. Our daughter absolutely loved her teachers, Ms. Celia and Ms. Sara, and looked forward to going to school every single day. Seeing her so happy and excited each morning gave us so much confidence that she was in the best hands. We are going to miss Discovery Preschool so much, but we can't wait to be back when our youngest daughter is old enough to attend. We are incredibly grateful for the love, care, and wonderful memories our family has made here. We highly recommend Discovery Preschool to any family looking for a caring, supportive, and enriching preschool program!

Looking for a top preschool (rated top 3 preschools in LB!) in the lovely city of Long Beach,…read moreCalifornia? This is the place! Surrounded by the beautiful Whaley Park, this is inside of the UCC Church facility. The classrooms are perfect for the kids and the staff members are caring, careful, and committed to making preschool a wonderful experience for kids. Check it out! The end.

I wish my child could attend this school forever and no that is not hyperbole…read more My baby was one of the first to join the guppies group when it was starting. We were getting ready to say goodbye to our in home nanny and had started to tour a couple of schools that left me....almost depressed? I was not sure I was going to find the right place that was accepting children under the 2 year mark that I felt comfortable with. When you have to return to work and trust another with your baby who is not fully communicating it is serious business. I had no intention to settle for anything that was just OK. When I walked into BSCC, taking in all of the bright rooms, clean space, interactive outdoor area and the ocean view I instantly felt a peace I had been searching for. Could I attend? Haha. I told Ms. Anna I would be right back with my son so they could meet, we could sign the paperwork and enroll immediately. Cut to now- he is almost 3 and I couldn't feel more lucky. Ms Erika and Ms Michelle (affectionally called Tita and Mimi) love my child like their own. My son started out nervous as most children and now he tries to call his teachers on the weekends from his toy phone to hang out. We get compliments on his vocabulary and sharing skills when he is out and he is also really getting down potty training! They have been so patient with him and give me great feedback. He has moved into Ms Dora's class where I'm sure he will continue to flourish. Outside of the regular curriculum the school offers fun activities such as Soccer Shots and Summer Friday water play where my kid always has a blast. They also have thoughtful events for the parents like their recent school wide art show, Father's day donuts with dad/ Mother's day flowers and coffee (complete with photo station). I am so thankful we found this place. I will be an absolute wreck when he graduates.

My son, Jude, has been attending here since he was 3 years old, and now he is about to graduate…read morefrom TK. Over the past few years, he has grown and learned so much, and we couldn't be more grateful for the incredible care and support he has received. The love, patience, and dedication shown by Ms. Tamika, Ms. Dora, Ms. Amari, Ms. Erika, and Ms. Ana have made such a positive impact on his life. They are all truly amazing, and we will miss everyone so much. Thank you for helping make these early years so special for our family!

Little Sunshine House is amazing. I cannot say enough wonderful things about all they have done…read moreover the last 5 years for both of my kiddos. We have been back and forth between both of their sites (Katella and 7th Street) because of work/life logistics, and both have been such a privilege to be a part of. I am a teacher, so I have a lot of opinions and a pretty good understanding of best practices for young kids -- and LSH is just so, so wonderful. Throughout our time there, I have watched them lovingly and patiently support so many different types of kids, meeting them where they are and helping them grow and blossom into wonderful big kids ready to head off to school. The early foundations of love, exploration, choice, and play that they have provided for my sons are something I know I will be thankful for all my life. Every time I walk in, there is an amazing setup waiting for the kids. It honestly looks like they are preparing for an open house every day because everything is so thoughtfully set up -- but it's not an open house they are preparing for, it's just another day of play with our kids. That says so much about the care and intention they put into every single day. I have also had the unique opportunity to be in and out of LSH multiple times throughout the day when I was picking up one of my kiddos for speech. No matter what time I walked in, I saw the same thing -- happy, engaged kids playing, exploring, creating, and being lovingly supported by their teachers. It truly is a picture of what early childhood education should look like, and I feel so incredibly lucky that both of my kids had the opportunity to spend these important early years there and build such a wonderful foundation for what comes next. I know when I was trying to make the difficult decision to send my little one off to daycare, I read SO many reviews. I didn't know what to do or who to trust with my babies -- but LSH was the place for us. I know I have already used the word "amazing" multiple times in this review, but honestly, that is the word that keeps popping into my head as I write this during our last week at LSH before my little one heads off to TK. The teachers are wonderful, the Reggio Emilia philosophy is amazing, and from my experience, your kiddos could not be in more loving or capable hands. And...if you are reading this in the next few years and you're that parent reading every review and trying to figure out where to send your little one, you can ask LSH for my number if you want to connect. I have 5 years of wonderful experiences to share with you about just how amazing they are!

We LOVE this preschool! Our little guy has been attending since August 2020 and he has grown so…read moremuch! The staff and teachers are amazing, super supportive and informative. We have had a couple of parent / teachers meeting, which I love! The feed back and advise we receive is wonderful. Being we can't go into the class rooms to help out or have visits due to the pandemic. It's nice to be kept up to speed on how our sons progress is going. I just can't say enough about what this preschool has done to assist in our sons growth and development. Even in these crazy days of Covid, they have always made us feel at ease by providing an safe and secure learning environment. Which we truly are grateful for. A child needs the social interaction at this stage in their development. The preschools method of learning is through play and exploring. This is such a natural & fun way of learning. The teachers are always supportive and encouraging to the children. This creates a safe space for your children to really blossom. If you are in the market for a preschool that really focuses on the development of a child's social skills; being kind, learning how to express feelings & different emotions while having fun & playing with friends. This is the place for your little one.

Choosing this school for our then 3-year-old was hands down the best decision we ever made. The…read moreexperience she had here, surrounded by the most incredible teachers in such a creative environment, left a lasting impression that still shines through today. Every staff member is truly exceptional, and Dena, the director, is absolutely wonderful and amazing. It's unlike any other , and the love and care they put into each child's growth is truly unmatched. This school is more than just a place to learn--it's a place where emotional well-being, confidence, creativity, and problem-solving are nurtured every single day. The teachers are so dedicated and always go above and beyond. After we moved, my daughter talked about Kidworks and her teachers every day for six months during the transition. Even now, she still asks if she can go back. That says everything about how special this place is. At Kidworks, my daughter found her creativity and grew into the confident, amazing little person she is today. We wish we had more time there and that our second child could have experienced this magical place as well. If you're looking for a place where your child can truly thrive, look no further!

Our son just completed preschool at Kid Works. We are so appreciative of the teachers and director…read moreat the school. Dana is absolutely fabulous, so clearly experienced with all types of different kiddos, and really offered our son a loving space to be himself. Amy, the Director, is so communicative and generously spent lots of extra time with me whenever I had questions or was hoping to get support and input on his behavior at school. Kid Works is a really unique environment. I'm so grateful for the opportunity for our son to be outdoors and in a play based environment at this age. It was a great fit for him and our family. We will miss Kid Works!!

I have had both of my children go to Marina Montessori and have had the best experience possible…read more It's family run and the teachers love what they do. When my daughter went to TK at a public school they made a point to ask me where she went for preschool because she had learned so much there. Everyone genuinely cares about the kids, we are forever grateful for Marina!!!

Marina was the best decision for our little one. It was the first school that we looked at. We…read morechecked out a few other schools but this one felt right and my child instantly took to Ms. Candy who runs the school. Price: the price is competitive for private if not better than some schools for the type of flexibility & environment they provide. Schedule Options: I like the options offered. I appreciate their flexibility. I didn't see a lot of flexibility with the other places we looked at. This was important for our family. First Day: The first day of school can always be scary and nerve racking. My child is very nervous normally, but felt very welcomed here and ran right inside to participate in story time. Didn't even look back to say bye. I was surprised and happy to see that. It brought us immediate comfort. Class Structure/Communication: I like the type of structure they have. It's not rigid but still organized and routine. The teachers keep you in the loop and inform you of any issues or concerns during pick up or by the class dojo app. They will even give you updates and pictures of their playtime which I love! It's a decent class size. The kids learn a lot of fun things and interact with each other really well. You can tell most of the parents are very caring. There wasn't any drama or pretentious attitudes (that I was aware of) while we were there. We were even able to communicate with other parents on the app. So we made more connections outside of the school. Teachers: Ms. Brittney is great! Very patient and on top of everything. I really appreciate her communication and commitment to the kids. The other teachers we interacted with are also very kind and supportive. The teacher group is very diverse. They all have a calm vibe and I never worried about my child's well-being. They seem to pay attention and appreciate the kids differences which was nice to see. My child will forsure miss Ms. Samantha, Leann & Elizabeth. Activities/events: They offer extracurricular activities during school at reasonable prices which is nice if you want your child exposed but don't have time after school. They also have cute gatherings for the kids during the school day that parents can come participate in during holidays. Cons: My only real con is that my child was always full of sand by pick up lol. I got over it though. I had to remind myself that it's important for sensory play. My child talks non-stop about all the fun things they made while on the playground in the sand. I just decided to rotate the same few outfits to avoid messing up shoes & clothes. The obvious I know lol. Thank you Ms Candy & Brittney for the environment you provided! We are grateful for the experience. We are sad to go but I know my child enjoys learning and school because of Marina

If you're looking for a preschool for your little one you've found it! The teachers and director…read morehave all been such great woman to both my kids. I have a 10 year old that was there when he was 4 up until he was able to go into regular kindergarten and my 2 almost 3 year old has been there since he turned 2. These ladies are great, they are patient, welcoming, encouraging and all around 2nd mommy's to my kids. I was so excited for my little one to get in there as soon as he was of age. I'm happy with how much he has learned in the little amount of time he's been there. You won't be disappointed in bringing your little one here

I've been reluctant to write a review because then you'll know my secret, that Oak Tree is where…read moreyour young one needs to be! I have two children that have been attending Oak Tree for nearly a year now and we have no intention of leaving until they age out. Beyond the fact that both my kids are flourishing academically and socially, the entire staff is uniquely talented. Without highlighting my girls specific teachers (whom I love), the whole staff is friendly and professional. From a thoughtful curriculum and food menus to karate, cultural discovery, alternate language learning including sign language and puzzles, painting, group projects, spelling exercises and dance lessons, they all have something special to offer and engage your child with. Their creativity and activities have no end, and they handle the hard conversations with grace. Ignore any naysayers and enrich your children at Oak Tree.

We love Lagoon Playgroup! This was a wonderful first school experience for our daughter & for us as…read moreparents. The teachers are such kind & caring guides for the kiddos and the coop structure of the school sets you up to get to know other families well. Participating in the school days was always a joy watching the kids play, the gardens grow & the water in the lagoon!

The lagoon! The teachers Ms. Adriana and Ms. Katy are dedicated to each and every child. They have…read morethis amazing ability to remain cool, calm and collated in moments of toddler chaos. We were lucky enough to spend two years here. The lagoon provided a support system and community for our family. We met amazing families, have play dates on off days and occasional mom's night out. The lagoon has created lasting friendships for the children and the parents. This place deserves a billion STARS

I have taken my time to write this review until after my daughter left the school because of course…read moreI wanted to get a more bird eye view. With that in mind, I wanna say I am deeply grateful for this school. They have great systems in place with low ratio and really teach the little ones a lot while they're there. I can solidly say that at two years old my daughter can count from one to 20 and sing the whole alphabet along with about 15 different nursery, rhymes and stack blocks and has very advanced fine motor and motor skills because of the school. I'm a licensed OT and always felt safe with and confident in staff. Mrs. Nali, Mrs Dhammika, and Mrs Nayana are well educated in this age group, patient, and loving. All of the staff are truly wonderful. We went from infant, to wobbler, to toddler and transitioned very well. I don't know the frequency but every time my child which class they gave me a comprehensive developmental checklist to tell me what my child was doing or wasn't doing that was on track for proper development or not and that is huge. When you're a busy parent and don't always notice some of the things that Are typical or atypical to have some professional eyes to help you understand where your child is developmentally is huge. They are CPR trained and do a great job with making sure they're fed and changed consistently. My baby never came home hungry or never was crying when I picked her up and never got diaper rash there. If you choose to be part of the little app, you will get photos of your child. Once every couple weeks in the classroom is playing with the other children. They also send little videos and they do little Halloween parades and classroom parties. The Christmas parade is precious too! The focus of MONTESSORI is self-sufficiency which as an occupational therapist I really love. She would come home and if she spilled something, she would run right away to try to clean it up. She very much wanted to learn how to do things on her own and she knew how to threw away her own trash, which was not something I taught her at home necessarily lol It truly is adorable and prepares your baby for a successful road ahead with school and life beyond. My only thing I would change is having carpet or soft floor in the infant room vs hard floors. Other than that, everything really is done perfectly, and they have a lovely little outdoor space that they take them to a few times a day where they can ride bikes and do the slide and all of that. Learning how to operate in a group and look at what the rest of the group is doing and follow along is a critical life skill, and my baby has transitioned to preschool seamlessly because of her experience at this other school. In fact, one of her current teachers used to work at Wee care as well and has positive things to say.

We are eternally grateful to Wee Care's wonderful staff and teachers! Our son has learned so much…read morein such a short time and we are truly impressed with all the skills he has gained - social, language, art, motor, and more! A true reflection of Wee Care's dedication, and nourishing environment. Every single teacher our son had during his time at Wee Care truly helped prepare him for the future and have allowed him to have such a great head start. We leave this review with so much love and appreciation for Ms. Dhammika, Nali, Maria, Mary, Dima, Alondra, Derrika, Melanie and the rest of their teachers!

There are not enough positive things I can say about Nature's Edge! My son is preparing to leave to…read morestart pre-k in the public system and I am truly so sad that he has to leave this safe, wonderful place where I trust the staff and where I know he is engaged and truly learning new skills every day. I have noticed that my son knows things like letters, numbers and phonics that other children do not and I know that this is largely from his time at NECD as they offer optional homework and have an academic curriculum a few days of the week. We've had an amazing experience and I would recommend this center to anyone who is exploring preschools in the Long Beach area.

Well where i can even begin my son Ezra started at Natures Edge Preschool in Feb. i believe i…read moreabsolutely approve love how well the school runs Ms. Jay, Ms. Amber & the rest of the teachers their incredible with everything they do with the children love how they make me feel so welcomed more so how Ms. Jay + Ms. Amber is so communicative are when it comes to incidents, class newsletter