I can only try to write this review without crying bittersweet tears. My youngest child just graduated from YMLA, and I miss this place so much already. I feel so grateful that we found this preschool that gave us a home away from home. Where teachers quickly became family. Where my children's most formative years were filled with so much love and thoughtful guidance on how to grow and develop as little humans. The teachers and directors here are beyond exceptional. I really don't know how to describe their instructional approach in any other way than "love." The staff love what they do and they love the kids entrusted in their care. They treat each child as an individual with individual needs. They respect the kids' emotions and help guide the children to understand these emotions as they engage with their daily learning activities. From an operational standpoint, this place is everything I could have asked for. There's a wonderful balance of indoor and outdoor time (the kids get A LOT of outdoor play!). Every month you'll be sent a full calendar with all the different "special days", events, and enrichments. There's a weekly newsletter with group pictures, highlights, reminders, and the week's educational focus. Also weekly, you'll get a full, custom summary of YOUR child--highlighting how their week went, what they learned, what areas of growth they worked on and the best part. . . pictures! I truly felt like it was easy to communicate with staff whenever I needed to. The staff make every event so special, as well. From Friendsgiving, to the winter show performances, to "snow day" (they bring a snow machine to the school playground for a day!), to their epic annual "Art Show" (when my kids were 4-years-old, they painted BOB ROSS LANDSCAPES. . .and they look amazing!), to their leprechaun traps and pot of gold hunts, and . . . well, I could go on and on. Suffice to say, they go to lengths to make these special years for your child feel truly magical. As I watched my youngest child perform during her graduation ceremony, I realized. . . we've been going here for four years, and I've never had a single complaint. Not one. Every issue was handled with tact and grace. With superhuman patience and incredible communication. This school was our village. Our tribe. Our special place to laugh, play, smile, cry, and grow. I'm so grateful to have landed on this doorstep, and I will miss it dearly. read more

Our son attended YM preschool for two years, and we truly loved every minute of it. Honestly, there's not one thing we would change. The teachers are incredibly loving and care about every child. Our son built such special relationships with each of them, and it meant SO MUCH to us knowing he felt so loved while he was there. We also really appreciated the weekly updates- they made us feel connected to what he was learning and gave us such a great glimpse into his days. Another thing that really stood out was how the teachers handled conflict. They approached every situation with so much patience, kindness, and respect, helping the kiddos learn how to work through challenges in a positive way. This is such a special school, and it's easy to see why they have a waitlist. If you're thinking about enrolling, try to make your decision early- you'll be so glad you did. read more

My son spent three years at this preschool, and it is really a very special place. His teachers have had so much love for the kids. We will miss it! read more

Young Minds Learning Academy Preschool - Graduation day - Preschools Near Me - Venice, California

We loved our time at Young Minds and can't wait to send our 3 month old there in the future! Our daughter started at 2 years old and I always felt comfortable leaving her at school. They are awesome with communication during the day through an easy to use app as well as calling if needed. The themes in the class were always so cute. A great mix play and fun learning made her super ready for elementary school. Not only with her education but with her interactions with other children and being able to create friendship with a broad range of students. The language they use is helpful for bothconveying and understanding her feelings as well as others. She still asks to go back to young minds to see the directors and her teachers. *picture is from the art show where they do their own versions of famous artist paintings read more

Young Minds Learning Academy Preschool - Art show - Preschools Near Me - Venice, California

Young Minds, Venice, is a gem of a preschool with the most caring teachers and staff, a safe, clean and stimulating environment, wonderful enrichment programs, and a truly kind, approachable and knowledgeable Director. I had initially been excited about Young Minds since it was across from my older child's elementary school. After touring other neighborhood preschools, it was clear that Young Minds just set the bar higher. I love the school so much that even when we moved my other child to a different elementary school, we continued to make the commute and do two drop off locations because there's no where else I would rather send my toddler. Young Minds is her home away from home where she is building confidence, relationships, and learning and growing daily. From the moment my daughter started (she's in her second year now), I have felt totally lucky to know she is in the best hands and surrounded by the best people along with other amazing children - we have become friends for life with the other families and it's really been a special experience giving her the greatest foundation we could have wished for. Young Minds nurtures the whole child and sets them up for the road ahead. read more

This preschool is incredible! The kids here are so engaged and genuinely happy. The teachers are warm, loving, and truly wonderful, creating an environment that feels like a second family. The program, the classes, the projects, the effort is beyond any other school any of our kids have ever attended. Our daughter had a negative experience in her first preschool and was really anxious starting young minds, as were we. Every single day that I pick her up she tells me how much she loves her school. Every weekend she tells me how much she misses her friends and teachers. We are beyond grateful! read more

We are a new Young Minds fam... just started this past July- but, like any preschool situation we have been in communication with the staff since last year for tours, waitlists, etc. This can all be stressful and confusing for first time parents! It's very competitive out there when you find a school you love. They made everything as easy as possible each step. The most important part of my review though is how much my daughter loves going to school. She talks about her teachers, her friends, their class pets, the art they do... EVERYDAY! It's amazing. I always hated school and had horrible experiences- so starting her education off on the right foot was very important to me/us. I can't thank this school and everyone who works here enough for their love of my kiddo. It's evident they love what they do and really want to enrich the students lives. read more

Really can't recommend this place more. Our son really struggled with separating from us (COVID baby) and the lengths the staff at YMLA went to take care of him, make him feel comfortable, etc, was just incredible. Forever grateful for everything they did for our boy. They really nurtured him and went above and beyond to teach him, humor him and they were all so extremely wonderful about everything. read more

I have had 2 kids go through YM. We have been with the school for a total of 5 years and my younger child just graduated. I cannot say enough about the school and the teachers. While my daughter was relatively easy, my son had a tougher time managing his emotions. The teachers there, especially in this last year, really helped him work through those moments. YM was our saving grace during Covid and really gave my son a chance to flourish and have some normalcy in a not so normal time. Their Covid protocols made me feel completely safe to drop him off every day and not worry. They went above and beyond some other schools that I knew. We will miss the school so much! read more

Young Minds is INCREDIBLE!! Truly, our whole family loves this school and our daughter couldn't be happier here. Ms. Niki (love her) and all of the teachers are beyond wonderful. My daughter learns so much and we are confident that YMLA is helping her prepare for kindergarten. The teachers, kids, and whole environment at school is very special. My daughter is currently in the Blue Jay class and couldn't be more proud and excited about it. If you live in Venice or the marina it's a no brainer... this school ROCKS!!! I am so happy we found YM and am thrilled to be a part of this fun and amazing place. read more

Young Minds in Venice is the most fabulous preschool. My son started at 2 and just graduated at 4. He has grown up with the teachers and staff at YM. They have nurtured him, protected him, helped him grow, and helped him learn and excel in so many areas. YM is truly a family. The teachers become friends, and the other families that attend have become our community. I truly love everything about the school, the teachers and the program. I'm so thankful for every single teacher and staff member there. read more

Young minds has been a wonderful experience for our 4 year old son. We were undecided between two schools and found this group of teachers very welcoming. Ms Anna and Ms Analilia have been absolutely fantastic and their ability to speak Spanish has really helped our son get accommodated. Highly recommend this place to all parents! read more

We switched preschools during my son's last year of preschool, for reasons related to Covid. I must say that I was quite apprehensive for him to leave the only preschool he had known since birth, and to leave his friends but Young Minds LA was the best thing to happen to us. He has loved every second of school since he started. The ratios are perfect; the Covid protocols are super safe; and the teachers are absolutely amazing. It has the feel & intimacy of a super small preschool, but with the facility and all the extras of a big, fancy preschool. I wish I had found this preschool years ago, but at least we will get to spend 1 amazing year here. I am so thankful to have found YMLA. I cannot recommend them enough! read more

After looking at many schools and doing lots of research I found young minds and I loved it. Their location is amazing, love their program, but mostly I love that they have the most amazing, caring and loving teachers. My son was SO lucky to have two great teachers, fluent in English AND SPANISH (that was a big plus) Ms Ana and Ms. Analilia made my son feel safe and loved and made it so easy for him to love school. The way they teach and interact with kids it's wonderful. I wish he could have both of them for many many more school years. read more

My daughter has been attending this school since she was 2yrs and 3mos. She was the youngest student they ever had, and they have treated her like their own ever since. When my daughter first started, she hardly ever spoke outside of our home. Within 3 months, they had her talking up a storm, and she immediately bonded with her teachers and classmates. I heard about Young Minds through friends. Some were in the field of education in their own right. The balance of play, emotional, social, and academic learning is the perfect fit for those looking for a well rounded experience. Their approach to conflict is through communication and emotional understanding. They also balance this with a healthy structure and focus on growth and learning. My husband and I are lovers of art and science. We love that our daughter has advanced her skills through painting, drawing, experiments, singing, music, and exploration. Young Minds introduces monthly themes and special classes including cooking, gymnastics, spanish language classes, photography, and field trips. What has impressed me the most about Young Minds is the staff. The teachers and the way that Jennifer and Melissa (the directors of the school) take pride in ensuring a safe, clean, and fun environment for their students. Each teacher is welcoming and their attentiveness to each of their students is commendable. I have not been disappointed with Young Minds and highly recommend them to anyone who asks. If you get a chance, please check them out. Your child will love this school! - Sheila & Leila read more

A wonderful preschool, full of love and care and truly reliable and responsible with the kiddos. Both our kids graduated from here and we couldn't recommend this place more, you won't regret it! read more

There are so many wonderful things to say I do not know where to start. It is truly an amazing and magical preschool. My oldest daughter just graduated from Young Minds. She was there for two years and loved every moment of it. The teachers are spectacular and the whole experience was a strong foundation from which to grow upon. She made friends for life and lasting memories. As a parent you want you child to go to a special preschool. We toured at least 10 schools and selected Young Minds. It is an environment complete with love, creativity, imagination, and education. Filled with play they kids also learned and had a blast along the way. They took part in music, yoga, cooking and even Spanish. Our younger daughter is now a student as well. She is starting her 2nd year and is so excited to continue with her friends and teachers. This is truly a magical school. Thank you for everything. read more

Great PreSchool. Our son went there and our daughter goes there now. The directors and teachers are very loving and also firm with the kids. There is always a special activity going on when the kids arrive in the morning. Makes for easier transitions with the young ones. I'm also very happy with how the directors reinvest into the school - continually adding new items on the playground and within the school. They have get togethers and performances throughout the year. Hands down - a great school. read more

We got in on the ground floor when the school first opened. I felt like it was a gamble -- and did it ever pay off! My son is SO happy here. The staff is organized, communicative, acommodating of my son's allergies. And most of all provide enriching activities and superb care for my son. The teachers are all very passionate about what they do, and clearly are a happy lot. I visit a lot of preschools (I'm a kids music entertainer) and sometimes I encounter that unhappy care-giver, or tension between staffers and the director. But at YMLA the directors seem to place communication and conflict resolution as top priorities, so things get addressed very quickly. You see it on the playground among the kids and also among the staff. And that is one of the keys to their success. Really, I couldn't be happier. I have every confidence that my son is in good hands when I drop him off. And when he moves on to kinder, I'll miss Young Minds. read more

My girl had just turned 5 when she joined Young Mind. Her old school closed down due to the covid and we were able to transfer her to YM. In a week, she just got so attached to the teachers and her friends. She's been going to schools ever since she was 2. YM turned out to be her favorite. The way Mr. Luis and Ms. Ashanti teaches n plays with childrens are amazing and my daughter just loved going to school. We are now moving to a new city and she's been crying for a week saying she misses her teachers and friends. I just really appriciate their style of engaging kids and the teachers are amazing. My girl before this school was a 'shy' girl, but now with much positive interactions, she's blossomed into a brave young girl! Thank you so much for all you have done! read more

My daughter is in her 3rd year at YMLA. I cannot say enough about this school, the teachers, the directors, or the curriculum. Their curriculum is based on Gardner's multiple theories of intelligence which support and nurtures every aspect of your child. They balance education with both indoor and outdoor education. The interpersonal and social development is amazing, emphasizing the important life skills, problem solving, and respect of your peers. The children and parents are an absolute joy to be around. It is commonly commented on that Young Minds children are among the most respectful and well-behaved when they gather for each others birthdays. We have been fortunate to be a part of this community and my daughter continues to love every day that she attends this school. It will be a sad day when she graduates, but I am glad that YMLA has played such a pivotal role in her development as well as the friendships we have made with the children and parents. read more

This review is on the enrollment process. Why take a family's $40 for enrollment of their child and put them on a waitlist. A year and a half later I have heard not one peep with numerous check ins. If you don't have space don't take a fee to forever waitlist a child. read more

We love Young Minds! Our daughter and son are both in the preschool off Abbot Kinney and they love it so much. They've made wonderful friends, have caring teachers, and never want to miss a day! read more

We love YoungMinds. The teachers are so attentive! The programs they put together for the kids are so thoughtful, smart and has my little one engaged and excited! So lucky to have them in our neighborhood. read more

If I could give this school 10 stars, I would! My son attended two wonderful years at YMLA, and is officially graduating and moving onto public school. Words cannot express how grateful we are for the time that he spent there and are confident that a great portion of his maturity, generosity, and creativity was cultivated by the school's teamwork philosophy and by his loving teachers. Everyone learns the basic alphabet sounds, writing, etc., in any preschool, but this school gave the invaluable gift of a strong social and emotional component that is unparallelled with any other school we have encountered. Before preschool officially began, the school directors arranged playdates for the new students to met their teachers and friends to minimize new school jitters and help transition him to a new setting. On the first day, he was a little timid but the caring teachers immediately attended to him and allowed me to stay with him until he felt comfortable. He quickly began to love preschool, and would often ask excitedly, "is today a preschool day?!" He loved the many themed days, but especially looked forward to "Show and Tell," where he and his friends got to share something special from home with their friends. Over the years, he has made many strong friendships with both boys and girls that will continue long after preschool, and has learned many fun skills! Just the other day, he was teaching me yoga (eg. tree pose, eagle pose, downward dog, etc.), taught me a yummy avocado smoothie recipe, and why recycling is important! YMLA looks at the whole child and understands that everyone learns differently. Due to the small teacher to student ratio, the teachers are able to really cater to each child's needs. We received weekly updates with pictures about the progress our son made and that helped facilitate conversation about his day at school. We will miss this school and his dedicated and loving teachers dearly, but know that with their mentorship, kindness, and expertise, he has both the social and academic confidence to transition to pubic school! read more

This was our third preschool in as many years, because, I'll admit it: I'M PICKY! Without naming names or going into too much detail...The first school had a brand new facility with beautiful grounds, was NAEYC certified, very organized. However, the director seemed somewhat inexperienced, the teachers had a high turnover rate and would switch classrooms just as kids got attached. We moved on to a church based school within walking distance of our home. Very convenient, small classroom. But my child was bored to death. The teachers had all been there for 25 years and were honestly burned out, and showed no sign of having participated in continuing Ed to bring them up the the current era. They outside play area was just a large sandbox, and the teachers just sat and talked to each other while our kids re-enacted lord of the flies on a daily basis. On a bright note, my daughter did learn how to swear at this school!!! Enter YOUNG MINDS! I remember going through my tour there and just breathing a sigh of relief. The kids had original art on the walls, every picture didn't look exactly the same. They have places to get messy and create, the directors change all class materials from decorations to toys to books on monthly (sometimes more frequent) basis, so the kids are always engaged and entertained. They go on great field trips, have wonderful enrichment activities like gymnastics, mindfulness, cooking...and the teachers love what they do and love the kids. And we LOVE YMLA!!! So glad we found you! Thank you for everything you do! My only complaint is the lack of a parking lot because the parking can be a pain in the rear on Abbott Kinney, but theres not much that can be done about that. Just leave yourself 10 mins extra, especially on street sweeping day!!! read more

We toured 7 preschools and this was our first choice. What makes it so magical is that it is an extremely loving and happy environment, very focussed on creativity, play, and imagination. We get page-long reports from our teacher (ridiculously low teacher/student ratio) about our child's social/emotional/intellectual development that week (!), and have two teacher conferences a year. Their philosophy is based on Harvard Professor/ Developmental Psychologist Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences. They focus on targeting each of the intelligences so the children are experiencing full development (including interpersonal and intrapersonal skills). It is run by two former LAUSD Kindergarten teachers, and they prepare the children for kindergarten. Since kids learn through play here, they love school. My four year old can now read 3-letter words, knows all the planets, etc but everything has been presented to her in such a creative and playful way that she is equates learning with fun. They have daily free play outdoors, free play indoors, weekly yoga, music, Spanish, daily art art art - my four year old is very sad she will be graduating! It is the kind of place where the kids hug both their teachers and their friends! Sorry to be going on and on, but I am passionate about such an excellent school! read more

The only availability they give new families is 3-6pm. When I went to speak to them the director mentioned she would likely be able to find a slot earlier. So I felt confident they would. No dice, and of course no considering refunding a four figure deposit. And there is no guarantee that your child will get a better slot the next year. If you aren't a returning family, good luck. We've now enrolled in a beautiful, lovely school around the corner called The Little Garden Preschool which is brand new and the director is lovely. read more

When we first moved to LA, we were looking for a play group for our 2 1/2 year old daughter so she could meet other kids. We happened upon Young Minds Learning Academy and it was just the perfect fit for us. The teachers and staff are great and seem to really love their work and the students. I'm impressed with the teaching philosophy and the nurturing and positive nature of the teachers, rather than discipline through time outs, etc. Since the first day of preschool, my daughter has always had a huge smile on her face when going to school. She loves it and that is all the affirmation a parent needs that we made the right decision to send her here. The Directors have been very flexible in helping us out in a jam when we needed to keep her a few extra hours too. Our daughter is now 4 1/2 and we'll be sending her to TK. We will definitely miss Young Minds! read more

My 5 yr old daughter just graduated from there and she started their first opening year. We moved here from NYC with a year of preschool experience, so we came in with certain expectations already. We had to leave one preschool prior to finding this wonderful place! We are so grateful to the directors for what they have created and absolutely LOVE the teachers! I thank them all for helping nurture and guide my daughter to build confidence, self-respect and empathy to go onto Kinder! read more

My son, Sammy, started at Young Minds when he was 2 1/2 and had an amazing couple years there. My daughter, Natalia, has been at Young Minds for a year and loves it. My third is starting in July and we couldn't be happier. The school is just wonderful. The facilities are clean, the teachers pay plenty of attention to each child, and the snacks are all healthy. This school really fostered my children's development and helped guide them with socialization with their own age groups. Awesome school, highly recommended!! read more

Echoing the sentiments of many parents' reviews, YMLA Venice is a phenomenal preschool! With a background in child development and education, I was initially drawn to the low student-teacher ratio and the impressive variety of materials, indoor/outdoor spaces and enrichments offered. What we learned once our son began attending as a young 2-year-old, however, were the other elements that so supported his transition and growth -- kind, talented, dedicated and loving directors and teachers, fun and educational daily activities, gentle and well thought-out structure balanced with healthy play and exploration. Not to mention other details like healthy and balanced organic snacks through the day (not to be taken for granted, as we've later learned!). Both directors are former teachers in early elementary school education, and their expertise shows in an appreciation for the learning experiences that are important in the preschool years leading up to kindergarten. And by this I don't only mean foundational academics, but more importantly social and emotional learning and adjustment, trust and bonds with teachers and peers, and an overall positive and loving association with school and learning. Although we moved unexpectedly to the South Bay just a few months into starting with YMLA, we liked it so much that we made it work for the remainder of the year with a long commute. Sadly, the commute cut into our son's sleep and was stressing our mornings, and though the school was admirably flexible and supportive, at the end of the day we found a local option after the one sweet year at YMLA. Months later, our son still speaks fondly of his old teachers and friends, and we just feel fortunate to have been involved with this special and wonderful place! Grateful to all who made our son's first experience with school such a positive one for him and our family. read more

My daughter has been at YMLA for over 2 1/2 years!! She absolutely loves this school and so do I!! The preschool model is nurturing, fun and effective. I can't recommend it highly enough to other parents of young children. Taking the information from the parent meetings and weekly reports have turned it into a wonderful experience. I can see that the collaborative and dynamic environment she experiences daily at YMLA was a wonderful gift for myself as it was for my child. Mary & Indigo read more

We love this school! I searched high and low to find the perfect school for our son and boy, did YMLA deliver. Our son skips up to us with a huge smile at the end of the day. He is constantly asking if he can "Go to school, please!" We are moving and are so sad to be leaving the wonderful directors and staff at this preschool. What a treasure! Thanks for making preschool such an awesome experience for our son! We will all miss you! read more

Our daughter is moving on this summer to Kindergarten. If only YMLA would have classes up to 8th grade. The directors created the perfect Pre-School in our eyes. The teachers are wonderful and there's a lot of smiling. It's a fun experience for kids and parents alike! Thank you for everything YMLA! read more

My daughter went here and now my son does. Great hands on learning! The directors are great and so are the teachers! I feel so lucky that my kids get to experience such a creative, fun and interactive learning environment. read more

Our son has been at Young Minds for the past two years, and he just graduated! Over the past two years, we have been CONSISTENTLY IMPRESSED with the outstanding quality of the education/instruction that he has received, the abilities of the staff and the facility. Our son has surprised us on multiple occasions with the things he has learned at school. The staff are skilled at teaching young children and incredibly caring, but they have reasonably high expectations, which I have always appreciated. The facility is bright, colorful and full of fun activities for the kids. I am pregnant with our second child, and we are already planning on her going to Young Minds as well! There is nothing more comforting than knowing that your most prized possessions are in good hands and being nurtured to grow into the best possible little versions of themselves. read more

We absolutely love Young Minds Leaning Academy for our daughter! She is almost four and excelling at such an amazing pace. The Staff & Jennifer, the owner, always go out of their way to communicate with us when we have questions. Our family is truly enjoying this fun time in her life. Thanks you guys! We couldn't have found a better preschool :) CHEERS! read more

I researched 7 preschools and toured several in my area before settling on Young Minds in Venice. This turned out to be the best decision for several reasons. 1) The ratios can't be beat. 2) The staff is wonderful. My son has been there since he was two and he is now getting ready to start kindergarten. Directors and teachers have always been extremely caring and knowledgeable. They take the time to really get to know children and what each child will respond to. For example, when my son started at two, he was having a hard time at drop-off. Staff was always skilled at getting him to separate easily because they had taken an interest in getting to know what my son liked to do so they were always prepared for him when I dropped him off. They either had stamps, or books ready for him as those were some of his favorite things. When the COVID pandemic hit, Young Minds was quick to come up with a great distance learning plan and reopening plan. And I was even more impressed with staff once I got to see them in action teaching in real time via zoom! Whenever I've had a concern, all I did was email or call and my question/concern was immediately addressed, within minutes. They'd return my emails regarding everything from me worrying about forgetting his water bottle, to following up on whether a misplaced item had been found. Although my son will be graduating in June, I can't wait for my second son to start there in July! read more

My twin boys went here when they first opened. My wife and I were hesitant at first because of the unknown factor. After meeting with Jennifer & Melissa, we felt such a strong positive vibe. These 2 dynamic individuals were well versed with preschool academia and the education process. More importantly, they were very hands on with kids and had a natural caring attitude. We felt completely comfortable and same with our boys! With their preschool program, they built a solid foundation for my boys to easily transition to kindergarten with knowledge and confidence. We now have such fond memories of their preschool with wonderful pictures and videos thanks to their creative learning environment, special classes, and fun events. This is simply a great pre school and I would highly recommend them!!! read more