Our daughter started in the Seedling room at MyFirstPlace on 22nd St. when she was just 4 months old, and we've had a wonderful experience ever since. It's a full Spanish immersion program and they have very flexible options. We opted for full time M-F 8-5:30pm. Maria and her entire team are amazing: communication is clear and prompt, teachers are engaged and caring, and the school is clean, safe, and offers wonderful enrichment activities like soccer, capoeira, and music. We always feel listened to, and the teachers send updates throughout the day. One of my favorite parts of the workday is getting the cutest photos and videos of her and her friends engaged in all sorts of activities like outdoor play or reading books. The biggest testament to the program is our daughter herself. Now 18 months old, she's excited to go to school every morning, happily jumping from my lap into her teachers' arms, and she's calm and happy when we pick her up. Teacher Gabby V. has been incredibly caring and thoughtful. We feel so lucky to have had her help care for our daughter over the past 14 months. She consistently goes out of her way to provide thoughtful, individualized care, whether that means adjusting nap schedules or giving a little extra attention when needed. We couldn't recommend MFP more highly! read more

We loved MFP for our daughter and it truly was our daughter's first place. They were incredibly flexible, attentive, and caring for our little one. Being a first time mom, I was nervous to let go and have someone else take care of my daughter. But as I watched her start to get accustomed to the schedule there, I noticed how the staff is educated and friendly. It was emotional for me to watch her learn to be independent at MFP and Maria and Cinthia were very accommodating to helping my daughter transition from homecare to daycare. There's plenty of extracurricular activities dancing, music, soccer, including all the planned crafts to keep her engaged. I always found that they updated ProCare with plenty of updates and pictures to keep me informed of her daily activities. Cinthia, Teacher Karen, Teacher Veronica, Zohra are just some of the friendliest faces who helped take care of her. I also witnessed a very smooth transition between classrooms from the Cherry Room to Olive Room. Cinthia was always available to chat through any of my questions and provided input to best support her. We were so sad to have to leave MFP but primarily did so because of moving (needing to reduce the daycare pickup commute). What was also so sweet was how thoughtful they were to provide her a wonderful experience for both her first birthday at school and her last day. I would recommend MFP! read more

I have so many wonderful things to say about My First Place (MFP)! It's easily one of the best daycare/preschool programs in Los Angeles. There can be a waitlist, but once you're in, you'll understand why! It is so much more than just a school, it really does feel like an extension of our family. We started with MFP at the 22nd Street location at 15 months old. As a first-time mom, I was a hot mess of nerves--big surprise--but the super kind and caring teachers made the transition from home to school so easy. Within a week, I thought our child had adopted several new mothers, as she was very convincingly jumping into the teachers' arms at drop-off. At first I was like wait a minute here... but then you quickly realize how amazing it is for your child to have this kind of trust and connection with their teachers in such a short period of time. My sweet child may have even called one of them Mama, which I immediately internalized, but quickly got over, noting it was just a reflection of how exceptional the teachers are! There is mama-warmth in spades. Fast forward a couple of years: both my daughters are a part of the MFP family. When the eldest transitioned to the preschool campus on Virginia Ave and my younger one was still at the 22nd Street campus, I was of course neurotically and irrationally concerned about them being apart and managing two drop-offs, but Maria and the MFP team handled the logistics without skipping a beat, making the transition smooth as could be. They're now both at the Virginia Ave campus and loving every minute of it. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, the children are actually learning! There is a real curriculum with next-level extracurriculars. Each week the children have music classes (the kind I would actually enjoy), soccer, capoeira!, arts and crafts, nature explorations, and a host of other stuff I wish I could be doing instead of working. The older child is now even working on a journal, in which there is probably a reference to when she started calling the teachers Mama, but that's a story for another time! You also get adorable photo updates through the app. Want to know if your toddler napped, pooped, or ate all or some of their lunch? You will know with great detail what the poop looked like! Want videos of your child dancing during music class or discovering ladybugs in the garden? You'll get those too. It's the next best thing to being there. One of the biggest gifts of MFP has been the community. I've actually made lasting friendships with other parents. It is a place where I would like to hang out if I wasn't working on spreadsheets. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, did I mention this is Spanish immersion? Both of my children now speak Spanish! You will melt when your toddler for the first time zings you with "No gracias Mama!" But seriously, it's the cutest thing ever and it's pretty amazing to have a bilingual toddler. They're also doing fantastic with math, reading, and if I don't say so myself, with their social and emotional skills. If you're considering MFP and lucky enough to get a spot, take it. It's been one of the best decisions we've made for our family and I can't recommend it enough. read more

My First Place has been the most incredible experience for our daughter and our family. We considered delaying our move from Santa Monica because we were so sad about leaving this daycare. Our daughter started at MFP when she was 6 months old, and it has been the most loving, nurturing environment imaginable. The teacher:student ratios are often 1:2 in the classrooms. There is wonderful structure and routine with circle time and daily activities (soccer, dance, etc), but the teachers are also extremely accommodating of your child's specific needs and your preferences. The children spend time outside every day, and the daycare is a perfect balance of playing and learning. The Spanish immersion aspect is a huge bonus. But most importantly, the teachers at MFP are so loving and caring. I was nervous about sending my daughter to daycare, but she is so happy going in and coming home each day because the teachers have created such a warm and loving environment for her. I cannot recommend MFP enough. It is worth every penny. read more

We're so grateful for My First Place, Maria, and the entire team of loving teachers and staff. They created such a warm, supportive environment for our daughter's very first experience in daycare. Our daughter joined when she was 7 months old and stayed until we moved away from Santa Monica at 15 months. In that time, she blossomed. We could see how much she was learning and growing each week -- not just in milestones and skills, but in joy and confidence. There's nothing more reassuring as a parent than knowing your child is in a place where they are truly seen, nurtured, and happy. The classrooms are cheerful and clean, the teachers are warm and attentive, and the enrichment activities (from music and theater to capoeira and soccer) made each day even more special. We credit MFP with giving our daughter a strong, happy foundation -- socially, emotionally, and developmentally. If you're looking for a daycare that leads with heart, structure, and genuine care, we can't recommend MFP enough. It's a very special place. read more

As a first time mom who was very nervous about sending my 5 month old to daycare, I couldn't have landed at a better place. My son grew so much during his time here - his skills (eating, milestones, etc.) have really developed while a part of the seedling program. He was always excited to see his teachers in the morning, and each afternoon when I'd pick him up he was always smiling and happy with his teachers and the friends he made. The director is very communicative, the teachers are all so lovely, and the app truly updates you on every part of their day. I can't say enough good things about MFP - if you're on the hunt, definitely check them out. read more

My First Place - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I am not exaggerating if I said My First Place (MFP) is one of the best daycare/ preschool. We have been in MFP for the past two years, and we loved it. I felt safe leaving my son there, it was like our second home. The teachers are very kind and greets students with love. The Procare app is so wonderful which updates you with their daily activities and sending pictures. It's like they are with the whole time. For someone looking for a wonderful place with well rounded activities for kids, I highly recommend MFP. Maria is so nice and makes communication easy for parents. read more

We really enjoy MFP, it is a safe, nurturing and fun environment for children. Our son was shy when he first joined, he now enjoys group play and is able to express himself and his feelings clearly. The teacher are very kind and very thoughtful in their approach with the kids, we love teacher Jackie and the rest of the teachers. Maria and Cinthia are very thoughtful in their approach and have designed a great school that the children thrive in. read more

We and our 2.5 yo toddler love My First Place! She has been at MFP since she was 8 months old and has always been happy at her daycare. The teachers are truly caring and loving. We always know that she is in great hands and will have a day filled with learning, play, and fun activities (capoeira, music, soccer, etc) there. We get frequent updates with pictures on Procare about our daughter throughout the day which makes it so much more bearable to be apart from her. Cannot think of a better place for our child and truly thankful for Maria and her team. read more

We cannot speak highly enough about MFP, Maria and her entire staff of teachers and caretakers. Maria/ MFP took over for Les Enfants while we were there and the change was tremendous. Much more personal attention, organization, curriculum and much better "bedside manner" so to speak from the leadership. Our son was at the Virginia ave. campus from the time he was 3 months old to when he was ready for Kindergarten, nearly 5 years. There is nothing more important to a parent than making sure their child is safe, having fun and learning. MFP delivers all of this and more. The whole staff cares deeply about their jobs and all the kids, making sure each day is special. The space is clean and full of joy. The extra activities such as soccer, theater, music and capoeira are awesome. And our son graduated ready both academically and socially for K. Nothing but love for MFP read more

We've been at MFP for three, wonderful years and we couldn't recommend this school more. Our child started when he was one year old and we couldn't have had a better experience. The teachers are like family to us. They are incredibly supportive, loving and tender with all of the children. They serve healthy lunches, have rad enrichment classes (capoeira and theater is our child's favorite!), community building activities and play - they learn about friendship and family and create such a sweet social group for the children. We also love the app where we see photos and learn about what they learn during the day so we can continue the fun at home. The place is so clean and well thought out, we were instantly comfortable when we did the first tour. Our child has grown so much with the community there - the teachers have helped us through all our child's major transitions. We couldn't be more grateful. Maria runs a wonderful program and is a great communicator (also something we will miss!) and we wish we could stay...forever! Thank you MFP :) read more

We've been at MFP since our son was an infant. It's hard to leave your child with someone else during the day - especially when they're very young - but I have always felt safe and supported with the MFP family. I know my son has thrived there. We cannot recommend it enough. A few highlights: - the space: it's beautiful, clean, inviting, and so enriching for the children. From studying ladybugs in the grass to picking mandarins off the trees, Maria and the teachers have created a hands-on wonderland for the children - the teachers: they love and care for the children like they're their own. They'll celebrate the milestones with you (first steps! toilet training!) and have truly helped us be better parents. Our son bursts through the door every day telling us about Lea! Rosa! and all his friends. It's clear the teachers not only love their jobs, they love our kids. - the program: delicious healthy lunch , enrichment classes (music, soccer, movement), and tangible learning - the app: throughout the day, I get updates on what my child is doing and learning. We love the photos and videos that capture everything from morning circle to art class and baila baila. You can see (and feel) the love and joy in those classrooms. - the leadership: Maria and Gabriela are amazing leaders and have created an environment of support for the entire MFP community (teachers, students, parents). I can't emphasize how critical this is, having experienced other programs in the area. They are clear, decisive communicators who bring tons of experience and empathy to childcare. read more

My First Place - The beautiful courtyard - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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We got so lucky finding MFP when we moved from NYC to LA back in 2019. Maria was flexible with our start day and even during Covid, she's been so accommodating and met the needs of every family. A couple key highlights: 1. Teachers - they care about each student individually and love on them like they are their own child 2. Cleanliness - the school is SO clean! There's no crumb in sight and they have great Covid protocols to keep everyone healthy and safe 3. Lunch - they provide delicious organic lunch and snacks that all kids love (even for a picky eater) 4. Program - fun, engaging, intuitive programs (baila baila, arts & crafts, outdoor play) 5. Photos - the teachers are really good about sending through photos and videos throughout the day or an end of day recap 6. Outdoor area - newly renovated for the infant classroom and lots of space for children to roam around, explore, play and get fresh air We love MFP and wish we lived closer to continue to send our daughter. Hope our paths could cross again in the future. read more

My First Place is a true gem. Maria has created a little wonderland for children with an edible garden, sand area, water features, plenty of space for tricycles, and child-sized picnic tables for eating outside with even the smallest babies. The indoor spaces are warm, bright, clean, and inviting. But the true beauty of the place comes from the teachers. They truly love the children and invite families in to be part of the action in every way. Sometimes a parent will play piano for the kids, or read a story, or just lay in the grass and count the clouds surrounded by contented toddlers. You couldn't ask for a better place for your child. *COVID addendum: We are so grateful to have Maria and the MFP family during the uncertainty of COVID. The space lent itself to moving activities outside, the community is small, and the staff extremely responsive to questions and concerns. They are a shelter in the storm. read more

My First Place has been a wonderful experience for our family. Maria and her team are so warm and nurturing to our little girl. We certainly plan to send a younger sibling there one day. The community is so supportive and there is a family vibe. It does not feel impersonal or bureaucratic at all. The space is beautiful with ample indoor and outdoor activities. There is plenty of grass, sand and shade. We considered several day cares before choosing My First Place, and we are so happy with the decision that we made. The enrichment activities (at least pre-COVID) are delightful, including soccer, yoga, dance and music. Healthy lunch is provided each day. In summary, we recommend My First Place without hesitation! read more

I have had the pleasure to do work for the owners Sean and Maria on there beautiful childcare / preschool in Santa Monica. My company installed shade sails to allow the children to play outside with out harmful UV rays. You get to see how people really are when your working on there business or home. Sean and Maria were a pleasure to work for and treated our crew very nice. I would send my kids here for sure if I lived in the area. read more

The teachers at MFP are everything! They are so friendly and welcoming towards parents and most importantly, it's so obvious that they care deeply for their kids. Miss Bree is great at providing daily updates at pickup, and Miss Marie helped us so much when my son was having anxiety at drop off. I love that my son gets a healthy lunch everyday! The programs are incredible - soccer, yoga, piano Steve, and dance. Additionally, we have managed to get through the "sick season" with almost no issues. I think it's because they spend as much time outside as possible, weather permitting. Couldn't ask for more, highly recommend! read more

Our family is so grateful for the care and attention that our son have at My First Daycare. Maria and her staff are super friendly, knowledgeable, dedicated and have the highest standard in quality care. Miss Bree, Miss Gaby and Miss Angel are so caring and they make me feel at ease when I drop my son at daycare every day because I know he is in a nurturing place. My son loves in special the soccer and dance classes. He often comes back home and show us all the moves he learns in class and at circle time. He also learned to love books at MFD, and we are so very grateful for that! Maria and Andrea helped me so much when we my son was having separation anxiety at drop off when he first started at MFD. Soon my youngest baby girl will also be ready to go to daycare and I cannot imagine sending her anywhere else. Thank you MFD family for being the group of people we can trust our children with on a daily basis! read more

My First Place - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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I don't really know where to begin when writing this review. I have so many positive things to say. I initially dreaded trying to find a daycare that I would feel comfortable leaving my baby girl at, and without having any family near, I needed to know she was going to be well taken care of! I was a new mom and as you may know, we tend to worry about EVERYTHING! I had gone on a few tours and most daycare centers looked pretty good and then I met Maria (owner) one morning and within about 15 minutes I had a really good feeling in my gut and my heart. Maria was very welcoming, the daycare was clean and the kids seemed genuinely happy. I quickly noticed that the staff was also patient and kind. They all seemed to be on the same page and this 'machine', if you will, was running smoothly. I went with my gut and we set up a time for my daughter to come and transition into this new environment. I will admit that for about the first week I cried each time I left her. Trying to work and want so badly to be with her was really hard. In fact it's still hard and she's been going there for almost 20 months! It's all worth it because when I come to pick her up she is happy, clean and excited to show me her art project. It truly is the best part of my day. Over the many months we've been going to My First Place Daycare the facility itself has changed quite a bit. The classrooms are more distinguished and are full of appropriate toys for the age. The garage was completely converted into a really cool classroom with neat areas for play (reading area, kitchen, toys, dress up, etc.) and the yard has plenty of grassy area as well as an organic garden, sandbox and slides! The daycare is also continuing to improve and grow all the time. I want to go there too! :-) My daughter has excelled in her social skills and her speech. She talks A LOT and sometimes she speaks Portuguese too! I feel like I really lucked out finding Maria and her awesome teachers! They are everything to me because they take care of one of the most precious gifts I've ever known. Do yourself a favor, call Maria and check it out. I promise, you won't be disappointed! Your child deserves the best. read more

I can't say enough good things about Maria (Owner) and My First Place Daycare. My son who is now 21 months old, has been with Maria since he was five months old and I can't imagine him with any other person or at any other place. Nothing is harder than leaving your 5 month old infant with a stranger. When my husband and I searched for a daycare, we looked at at least 10 daycares. Most were serviceable and most the providers/owners said the right things but we were still hesitant to commit. Then we met Maria at the daycare she used to manage. After talking to Maria and observing how the daycare was run, we immediately knew we found our daycare. When Maria decided to open her own daycare, my husband and I didn't have a discussion of whether or not we should take our son out of the current daycare because it was a no brainer that our son would go wherever Maria went. I can go on and on talking about Maria but let me talk about her new daycare. My First Place Daycare doesn't feel like a daycare to us or our son, it feels like a home away from home. The vibe of the daycare is not like other daycares. You don't feel like your child is just a number or that the staff is simply going through the motions. You truly feel the love and genuine interaction and care with all the children. Nothing makes you feel more comfortable and at ease than when your child smiles and is excited every time you drop him off to daycare. To top things off, my son speaks a little Portuguese and Spanish now, everything that the kids eat is organic, the staff are great, and the daycare is immaculate. We feel so lucky and blessed to have found Maria and her daycare. read more

I can't say enough great things about this daycare and Maria, it's owner. She took care of my older daughter at the daycare she used to manage, and she improved the facility, care, and started providing all organic food. My children received care at her apartment when she was in transition from the old daycare to her own rather than continue going to the old daycare after she left. She is now located in a nice little house and cares for my younger daughter on a regular, weekly basis, and I feel so lucky to have known about her. She continues to provide all snacks and lunch which is all organic, home cooked food or snacks. She landscaped the entire property with bee free flowers, a vegetable garden and lovely vines on the perimeter. The entire place is clean, neat and organized. She's set things up so that her new-born son will be integrated in with the other kids once he's received his first set of shots, which means our kids are being treated as she'd treat her own, which is always how I've felt she's treated my children anyhow :-) Maria's gone over and above on so many levels, from inviting us moms to look at houses with her and her husband when they were looking for a place for their daycare to sending us the resume of new employees so we knew something about their background before we even met them. Thank you, Maria, for providing a loving, nurturing environment for my children! read more

For our family "My First Place Daycare" was so much more than a daycare; it was like a second home for our son, J. I was a stay-at-home mom until Baby J was 1 year old and that's when we found Maria. It was a major transition for me because while J was under my care I knew he got the best of everything. I was doubtful that we'd ever find a place that would truly respect his individual needs but we found just that at "My First Place." Maria and her staff are highly educated in contemporary child development studies; and we really saw eye to eye as far as encouraging a child's self esteem. She keeps her age-group/class-size small so that the children get the attention they deserve. The staff are detail oriented and they are in tune with the children's ups and downs. They kept me up to date with the small things that are so important to new parents: what he preferred to eat, how he scraped his knee, any incidents with other children, even what J said about his dreams/nightmares or anything that bothered him. Yummy, nutritious, and organic lunches were prepared fresh daily. Maria has a beautifully decorated, clean home; an organized classroom; lots of space in her back yard; plus a vibrant vegetable garden which my son especially enjoyed. Her advice and guidance were also crucial to me as a new parent. We worked as a team to accomplish potty training and she also coached me through my son's temper tantrum phase. Daily routine also benefited my son greatly. When we first enrolled, J's father and I had just split up. Maria provided the structure and secure environment my son needed while we adjusted to living in two homes. We finally hit a rhythm in co-parenting and much of it is due to her stability. If Maria educated kids until the 12th grade I'd keep my son here until college but alas, our time has come to move to pre-school. I'd recommend her daycare to any parent; it was excellent and worth every penny. read more

I would follow Maria wherever she goes, but luckily now that she has her own Daycare I'll always know where to find her! Seriously, Maria is the best there is in running a daycare. My daughter started with her at the last place she ran and the transformation of that place under Maria was remarkable. Now that she has her own place she has really kicked it up a notch. Not only in the programs and services she provides: toddler yoga, organic food, structured days; but also in the environment she creates: calm, fun and squeaky clean, with amazing play/learn areas, including a vegetable garden! She treats the people who help her remarkably well so they in turn help her to take great care of the kids. It's a lovely environment for children and my toddler is VERY happy there!! read more

To be honest, I am not generally a fan of day cares. With that said, I started my search skeptically. That is until I found My First Place DayCare. Seriously, this place is a amazing. I feel like I have found a day care that genuinely cares about the kids, their well being, education and safety. Maria (owner) is there with the kids, hands on with the activities, food preparation and over all care. The food and snacks she provides are unbelievable, so much love and care goes into everything she makes. All her food is home made and organic. Also, she is from Brazil and regularly speaks Portuguese to the kids which I think is fun. Lastly, I can't believe how clean the place is. I was so impressed, and when I inquired, Maria told me she a full time house cleaner (organic products only) to constantly clean and tidy up. The icing on the cake was one day I stayed and watched the kids for a while and everyone was having fun and I was amazed when some of the other parents came to pick up their kids and they didn't want to go home. One was actually clinging to Maria's leg. I'm sold! I love this place!! ... and feel so comfortable and confident in leaving my child there on a regular basis. read more

I met Maria at my son's previous day care where she use to manage. The reason we even had my son attend was because of her and how kind and gentle she was with our infant. Eventually she began her own daycare and I still will have no one watch him even now as a toddler as she is so trustworthy. I have never had anyone but Maria watch over my son who is now a toddler as she is more than just a caregiver, but also a genuinely great person especially with the children. We can't thank her enough for taking such good care of him and teaching him so many new things while in her care. read more

I sent my 1-year old daughter here after I received a recommendation from a co-worker, and I couldn't be happier. First, the owner Maria and her staff are loving, thoughtful, and very responsive to my questions/needs. Each day they would share specific stories about my child, and I felt that they really did pay attention to her and really knew and loved her as an individual. Second, the space is clean, well-decorated, and unique for a daycare in an urban environment. MFP has a garden in the backyard so the children can learn, hands-on, about nature. Even better, the vegetables that they grow in the garden are then used to feed the children! The outdoor common space, which was always clean, was well stocked with different kinds of toys and books, and my daughter would constantly bring home new kinds of art projects that she proudly showed me. read more

Our son has been with Maria and her daycare at My First Place Daycare for 2 years now. Yesterday was his last day. We love Maria and her staff. They treated him like their own children. He loved going to the daycare and every morning ask to go when he wakes up. We've seen our son grow up from a baby to now a thriving toddler. Certainly, I think his languages skills have benefited tremendously from the teaching of Maria and her staff. I can see weekly improvements in his vocabulary! We felt vey safe to have Aaron be at My First Place, it gives us great piece of mind. He enjoys the organic food carefully and mindfully prepared for all the kids at the daycare (we really feel like our son is treated like one of Maria's own kids). Our son is now 2 years and 9 month, and it's sadly time for him to go to preschool where he will meet older kids. But we hope our son still has a chance to have play dates with kids at My first place, and Maria's own son (they have become really good friends :). We just had a newborn girl too, and hopefully she can attend My First Place soon! We highly recommend it, it is truly a special place. read more