Redwood Village Children’s Center

Wonderful school with loving teachers. Sent both my kids here. Great indoor and outdoor space. Laid back and fun with just enough structure. Super safe and secure. Animals, art, reading… Everything you could ask for.

Redwood is the preschool I dreamed of sending my kids to when I grew up.
The teachers are genuine, caring professionals. They have all been there between 10 – 20 years. It is immaculately clean and organized, charming, bright and sunny. The weekly curriculum and snack plans read as if they have been dreamed up by Rockwell.
I had enrolled my 3 year old in another school but felt generally uncomfortable and only wanted to start him with 2 half days I thought I was just suffering from separation anxiety but after seeing Redwood I immediately realized that it was not the case.
It was very important to me that the school we selected reflect a racial mix mirrored in our city and I am very satisfied that this is true of Redwood.
It is the best school in our area and we were only able to start with 3 days we have waited a year to get a full schedule of 5 days we made a substantial investment in additional interim Childcare to insure that Redwood was the first «school experience» and we are very happy that we did!

One of my first recommendations to toddler moms on the west side is: Go tour Redwood!!! It is hard to summarize our experience into a brief review, but I’ll try:
1. Amazing Facilities: Redwood’s outdoor play space is unique. Kids should be outside as much as possible, and RVCC has a huge space that includes playground, trike track, veggie garden, water play area, quiet space, imaginative play areas and more (and that is outside!)
2. Amazing Teachers and Director: the RVCC team is incredibly vested in nurturing, loving, and teaching your child to be a respectful, smart, we’ll rounded person. You can be sure your child is loved for who they are. The staff is also a good resource for parents, and they have promptly responded to requests for conversations and advice regarding child development, elementary school, parenting, etc.
3. Fantastic Curriculum: the curriculum is play based, which is what we were looking for for our two kids. Weekly curriculums are distributed to parents so you can ask your child a specific question about school and get an actual response. Daily activities include cooking, science, imagination, fine motor, reading comprehension, and PLAY! If fact, when we were moving the teachers planned a week about moving to help ease the transition into our new house. Another example of how much they care for your child.
4. The Snacks! Their snack menu makes me want to go to preschool, too! Homemade chicken soup that involves poaching chicken, homemade broth, and deboning the chicken? No can opener here. My children have been exposed to many different foods they would typically shy away from.
5. Diversity: if you live on the west side of LA, your child should have a diverse set of peers. One factor in our choice for redwood was diversity — we considered preschools in manhattan beach, but I couldn’t bear the uniformity. Your child will see racial and socio-​economic diversity.
My oldest child did the 3-​day a week program and my youngest is in the 5-​day program. We continue to drive far out of our way to stay at RVCC after our move because I believe in the program so much. I will be sad when our youngest graduates to kindergarten, but comforted in knowing we gave her the best preschool foundation possible. Thank you RVCC.

My son is in full day preschool at Redwood. We chose it because of: 1) the director; 2) the outdoor play space being so large and natural for our very active boy; 3) a wide variety of activities for our son’s creative play and learning inside the classrooms. We are very happy with our choice. We can scooter to school each day. We love all the other families we are meeting. The director and all the teachers and staff are ready to help me be the best parent I can be, and so compassionate with all the children. Their attitudes are open, helpful and caring. I also really like that that are no birthday treats, since otherwise my son would be getting sugar all the time. Each week there is a carefully chosen schedule and a theme for learning and play. There are extra classes. There are live pets. The school’s kids and teachers are made up of all different races (so I think that prior reviewer was absolutely wrong.) We are having a potluck dinner soon where each family brings a special food from their own culture or family background. This is just one example of the sensitivity and welcoming nature of the director and the staff to all different cultures, and celebrating our differences!

My daughter attended Redwood. I was v persistent on following up with our application. She had a great time and so did I. As a parent, nothing is more important than peace of mind about where your kid is all day especially for a working parent.
The place has a unique garden. I can say in all places we toured on West side, that was exceptional.
I loved the philosophy of Director and all the teachers. Great emphasis on solving problems/​conflicts through conversation.
Now, my son attends the school and we are still happy! :)
I recommend this place but as with any place putting a deposit check does not mean a guaranteed admission. I’d still it’s still worth the try.

We currently send both of our children there and love it. It’s a fun, warm environment, and while the director pays attention to the kids, she does not overindulge them.
As for Tana H’s comment, non-​white students are certainly accepted. I don’t know what would make her say they’re not.

Our son is in the Junior Pines program at RVCC. We got into our top choices for preschool and chose Redwood based on 1) its warm community 2) large outdoor space 3) play based philosophy with wonderful teachers. We could not be happier there. Our son is thriving and his language and motor skills have blossomed.
They have a robust curriculum that exposes your child to many new experiences through play based learning.
His main teacher is warm, patient and gives us very helpful feedback. Beyond that all the other teachers also know our son and you feel part of a very caring community. The school is very diverse, full of nice neighborhood families. The hours make it very doable for working families with early drop off and it’s open until 6 pm. Our son was in daycare before and many of the children from his home based daycare down the street matriculated to Redwood.
The director is a large draw, she gets to know all the families and is an excellent advocate for all children. She stays in touch by phone, email and a super cute newsletter with pictures of children at play and learning.

My older son graduated Redwood and my younger son is currently in this program and our experience over the past 4 years has been nothing short of amazing. Both of my sons’ teachers are absolutely wonderful, but so are all of the teachers there!
They consider the children like their own and the Director is so engaged… always working directly with the kids.
The negative reviews on Unilocal are from parents that did not get into the school and so I would take those reviews with a grain of salt as their children have not been through the program.
Parent involvement at this school is extremely high, its a safe, extremely clean, kid friendly environment with a huge yard with beautiful towering trees. Entrance is through a security coded building within a senior condo complex.
I toured many schools and ALL of them required an application fee. We are Asian and the population of kids is extremely diverse here.
Redwood Village is one of the most sought after preschools on the Westside so yes, it can be tough to get in if you start your search late. Tour the school, talk to the staff and start your wait list application early! Since this school offers «part-​time» full days (ie 2,3,4 days a week) as well as full time (5 days per week) enrollment is like a complex puzzle. They have to take into consideration siblings, day schedule, gender balance when factoring in acceptance.
When choosing preschools you should choose the best fit for your child. This school is a social school, play-​based and was/​is fundamental for my children to learn how to get along with others, resolve conflict, strengthen fine motor schools and install a love of school to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.

I could probably write up essays about how great a pre-​school RVCC is, but at end of day it comes down to this:
1) Amazing staff. Outstanding human beings, one after another. Caring for the kids way above and beyond call of duty, giving their hearts out day in day out.
2) Out of this world director. Most corporations should be so lucky to have such managers with a rare combination of being compassionate and knowing when it’s time to kick a…
3) A location that’s out of this world, for some reason draws quality families/​parents
4) Facility that is maintained well, and staff is always trying to make better, even if resources are not always there
5) As parent I’m constantly communicated to, curriculum is laid out ahead of time, in short not only transparency is there, the content it reveals is mark of excellence
As a parent, I’m able to leave my child in trust worthy hands where I know not only that he’s kept safe, loved, cared for, encouraged to become better, get the most out of himself and learn, progress, grow both academically and personally.
If I’d ask for anything more, I’d be at risk of messing with perfection.

My son has gone to Redwood for 2 years, and is on his third right now. We could not be happier there. It is going to be hard to move on to kindergarten!
First, the teachers and staff are some of the most caring and sensitive I’ve met. The director is absolutely amazing in how she interacts with the kids and also how she is such an invaluable resource and guide for parents. We have leaned on her many times and she is always so helpful! The teachers are so fun. Many of them have been there for years! which is a clear sign that it’s a great place.
One reason we loved Redwood initially (and continue to love it) was because of the amazing outdoor area and variety of activities provided for the kids. The play structure is huge (and awesome for a very energetic little boy). It is a place of childhood happiness!
Being a third year, we have been really impressed with how our kiddo is being prepped for kindergarten. This is a bridge year… so we are really happy that they have begun working on writing, and are preparing the kids for their new environment.
Last, this school does a really great job of forming a community. There are ways to participate on any level.
We just love it.

Not worth your time or your $ 50 – 100 application fee they asked. If your child is not white, friend with the director, will not get a spot at this place. Place is not really a big place for the number of children they have. No very clean and the teachers or assistants seem tired. Before they ask for your application fee (which is very welcome), ask to see school and all teachers credentials and education. You’ll
Be surprise!

My son has just graduated from Redwood following three years of play-​based teaching and support. I applied to this school before my son was born. I heard from neighbors that this was the best preschool around and they were right!
The Director is fantastic! She sends out weekly emails, updating parents on events to come and the trials and triumphs of the past week. She has a positive and encouraging viewpoint, always available by email, text or phone to answer questions and offer support.
My son officially had two of the teachers over the three years but we have had conversations with them all. I think that it’s important for the teachers to feel able to give both positive and negative feedback regarding my child. They are quick to reinforce the good stuff but will tell you gently what behaviors need to be improved. I can face it– my child is not perfect. The teachers are an excellent resource for parenting questions.
This Fall, he’s off to kindergarten. After his years at Redwood Village, I know he’s ready. I hope I am too.

Both my kids have gone to RVCC and we have been very satisfied. The teachers are very caring and creative, the hours are extremely flexible, and the outdoor environment is fantastic – surrounded by redwood trees – on the west side of LA? So many schools on this side of town are adjacent to a major roadway or crammed into a residential neighborhood in a tiny back yard. At RVCC, there is plenty of space for the kids to run around, a real play ground with a giant sand area, hoses for water fun, trees, a beautiful garden, and outside amphitheater. The inside space is also really organized and have many great developmentally appropriate spaces and toys.
Plus, the teachers really get to know the kids and have been very helpful and communicative with me and my family. Highly recommend this school.

CASHED OUR CHECK… THEN, NOTHING…
This place deserves two stars because it is a cute school. I will admit. The one thing I found creepy is that it is in the middle of a condo complex. So basically, anyone can walk around and peek into the facility grounds. But that isn’t my beef with this place…
I applied to this school over a year and a half ago. They cashed my fifty dollar application fee three days after my visit, but here I am a year and a half later and have not heard from them. I could understand if they simply didn’t have space for my child, but that was not the case.
A friend of mine visited the school a YEAR after us and applied. She had friends with a child there so they «put in a good word for her». Two months after her visit, my friend was accepted into the school. Her child was the same sex, same ethnicity and same age as my child. I contacted the director and asked if they were enrolling because my friend’s child had been accepted. The director blatantly lied to me when I contacted her. She said I was «wrong» because they hadn’t sent out acceptance letters yet. The irony? I was sitting with my girlfriend and had her letter in hand when I sent the email. LIAR!
Look, I totally get the process of getting into preschool. You pay money with no guarantee of acceptance. I just don’t appreciate that the director couldn’t even keep prospective parents in the loop, send an email, something. I mean, this woman sure didn’t waste a minute before cashing my check. Oh and when asked about the acceptance policy, the director explained to the parents on the tour that it was a «complicated process and hard to explain». How unethical.
Oh, and the vibe between the director and head teacher was downright awkward. I only applied because I heard this school was amazing. Don’t believe the hype. Don’t waste your money. May as well crinkle up fifty dollar bills and throw em in the fire pit down at Dockweiler. At least you will get a little bang for your buck.