Teddy Bear Pre School

We are very happy with Teddy Bear Pre-​school! My daughter is excited to go to school every day! She’s learning and having fun! The staff are great, so warm and caring. I know that my daughter is well taken care of while at pre-​school. The school is not dirty. It is an older facility but it is clean and well kept. We haven’t had any negatives experiences at this school.

My son is attending now too. So lucky that I was able to get him in! He paints, plays, learns… And naps! Both kids are so happy. So are their parents ;)

My daughter attended Teddy Bear for three years, and it was absolutely wonderful. I toured all the schools that had a philosophy attached to it: Montessori, Reggio Emilio, etc. but none of them rang true to me. The minute I walked in the door and met Miss Nan, I knew I was in the right place. She helped us through potty-​training, separation anxiety, and preparation for kindergarten. There is a schedule, and the kids do learn some academics, but the focus is more on creative play, community and socialization, which is way more important to me (Note: I’m a middle and high school teacher by trade.) My daughter was always hugging her friends, and she adores her teachers. All of the teachers are incredibly sweet, and yet they are also good at setting boundaries. The children are all well-​behaved and thoughtful. I give much credit to Teddy Bear preschool for my daughter’s kindness and compassion for others.
Also, to answer the previous reviewer’s concerns about the physical state of the school: they just completely renovated all buildings, including new floors, paint, and more. It looks wonderful. I’m very happy for Miss Nan and all the children at Teddy Bear.

My son has been enrolled at Teddy Bear for about six months now. I originally chose Teddy Bear because my nephew attended this preschool and aftercare program many years ago and loved it. Although I do agree that places like Mary Alice O’Conner center are much more lavish, I can’t imagine a better preschool for the money paid. In fact, two months after my son was enrolled at Teddy Bear, we got the call from the M.A. O’Conner Center saying they could finally accept my son after being on the wait list for two years. We declined. He’s so happy at Teddy Bear, has already made so many friends and loves being there. The teachers are really wonderful and truly care about the kids. My son has learned so much being there and his vocabulary and social skills have blossomed. And I’ve never thought the school was dirty, just old. So yes I could pay $ 400 more per month for something nicer to look at but I don’t think there would be any difference in the level of care or comfort I feel when I drop my son off at Teddy Bear every day.

On the second day of my day-​care/​pre-​school tour — I was being hopeful but disappointed again. The director was friendly, 12:1 student teacher ratio with some part-​timers may be. But the rooms, the bathrooms, carpet, floor — what is it with all these places I am visiting??? Does it really take that much money for a little paint job or some tile/​floor work in restrooms or to replace threaded out carpets? I mean, you can do a whole renovation with 100% IKEA stuff! May be the desperate parents will volunteer labor!
There are couple of nice day-​cares and pre-​schools around like the Mary Alice O’ Connor or Burbank center, yes, those are $ 400/​month more and does feel like Four Seasons compared to Motel 6… but can’t it be brought to at least a Holiday Inn level? Well, the kids are there and plenty in number too, so can not be exactly at a loss on balance sheet esp with a long running business!!!
Why is it that restaurants get grades but not pre-​schools or day-​cares in California???