It sounds backwards, but it’s true:
As California rolls out free public preschool for all 4-year-olds (TK) preschools across Los Angeles are shutting down and it’s happening faster than most parents realize.
In Los Angeles County:
167 preschools closed between 2020–2024
That’s nearly double the closures from the previous five years (92)
About 12,000 childcare spots disappeared
At the exact same time, public TK enrollment increased by 13,000 students.
The number of free public seats added almost perfectly matches the number of private preschool spots lost.
Sol y Luna Montessori, a beloved local preschool, recently announced their closure
Wait… isn’t TK supposed to help?
Yes and it does. As of the 2025–2026 school year, every 4 year old in California is eligible for free TK. That’s a huge win for families:
no tuition
access to public schools earlier
more structured early education
But there’s a tradeoff no one really talked about: preschools relied on 4 year olds to stay financially afloat.
Why preschools are closing
Most private preschools operate on a simple (but fragile) model:
4 year olds = more students per teacher (lower cost)
infants/toddlers = fewer kids per teacher (higher cost)
When TK pulls 4 year olds into free public school: preschools lose their most sustainable age group and shifting to younger kids isn’t easy:
stricter licensing requirements
higher staffing ratios (1 teacher for 3 infants)
teacher shortages
physical space limitations
As one expert put it, switching to infant care isn’t a quick pivot it’s more like “moving the Titanic.”
The part parents feel: fewer options for younger kids
Here’s where it really hits home.
Even though TK expands access at age 4: care for kids under 4 is getting harder to find.
Los Angeles County currently only has capacity to serve about:
13% of working families with infants and toddlers
What we’re seeing locally
If you’ve been searching for:
infant care
toddler programs
full-day childcare
…you’ve probably already felt this. Waitlists are longer, spots disappear faster and some schools you’ve heard of? Quietly gone.
Even city run preschool efforts have struggled to keep up. Some newly built centers have opened slowly or remain underfilled due to operational challenges
The unexpected outcome
TK was designed to expand access to early education, and it has. But it’s also reshaping (and in some cases shrinking) the preschool ecosystem around it.
Researchers have even described TK as unintentionally becoming a “competitor” to preschools rather than a complement
So what should Venice parents do?
If you have:
a baby
a toddler
or a 2–3 year old
The timeline has shifted. You may need to:
start your search earlier
get on multiple lists
tour before you think you need to
Where to actually look (Venice + Westside infant + toddler programs)
If you're searching for care under 4, here are local options that take infants and toddlers. Age ranges and waitlists shift constantly, so call before you fall in love.
Takes infants (6 weeks – 18 months)
Maple Tree Academy — Mar Vista, Santa Monica, West LA (and Venice Beach coming soon)
Ages 6 weeks – 6 years. Montessori with RIE + Reggio Emilia influences. One of the only local options starting at 6 weeks.
Growing Place – Marine Park — Santa Monica
Ages 3 months – 5 years. Reggio-inspired, nestled inside Marine Park. Priority for Santa Monica residents + city employees. Applications accepted year-round.
Bright Horizons at Ocean Park — Santa Monica
Ages 1 month – 5 years. NAEYC accredited, full-day (7:30a–5:30p).
Takes toddlers (10 months – 3 years)
LALALAND Daycare — Venice
Ages 10 months – 3.5 years. Home-based, dreamy garden, very Venice.
Montessori by the Sea — Venice
Ages 13 months – 3.5 years. Tiny family-style Montessori with bunnies and bubbles.
The Preschool at Mishkon — Venice
Ages 18 months – 5 years. Play-based, Jewish traditions, home of Artwell.
Subsidized + income-based options
Venice Family Clinic – Early Head Start — Venice
Free comprehensive program for income-eligible families with kids 0–3 (and expectant parents). Home visits + center-based.
SMMUSD Infant & Toddler Center — Santa Monica
Public infant–toddler care with sliding-scale financial assistance. Apply early — waitlist only.
Marina Early Education Center — Mar Vista
LAUSD-operated, culturally diverse, outdoor classroom.
Beyond the traditional preschool route
If waitlists feel impossible, widen the search:
Licensed family child care homes (FCCs) — small, home-based, often shorter waitlists. Search Wonderschool or Upwards for Venice/Mar Vista listings.
Nanny shares — split a nanny with 1–2 families. The LA Nanny Sharing Facebook group is the most active local board.
Co-ops + parent participation programs — lower cost in exchange for parent hours. Worth asking on local Venice parent groups.
Need help paying for it?
Infant care in LA averages $1,800–$2,500/month. If that math isn't mathing, these are real:
Pathways LA — your local Resource & Referral (R&R) agency. They'll walk you through every subsidy you might qualify for.
CCRC — apply for child care financial assistance (Alternative Payment Program vouchers).
LA City Paying for Care guide — full breakdown of CalWORKs, CAPP, Bridge, and tax credits.
California R&R hotline: 1-800-KIDS-793
Trust the timing. The right people, the right room, the right teacher. They tend to show up exactly when your family is ready.
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