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Venice Beach Preschools

We have SO many magical preschools and infant daycare options in Venice, Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, and the surrounding Westside - from cozy bungalows to Montessori gems, bilingual immersion programs, and home-based infant care. Whether you're looking for a nurturing spot for your baby or a play based preschool for your toddler, there’s something here for every stage. Be sure to check the age ranges listed - some schools start at 2 but many welcome infants.

While these programs offer incredible early childhood experiences, the price tags can vary widely and feel like a small fortune 🫠

If affordability is a concern, don’t forget there are creative alternatives to consider, like sharing a nanny, working with a trusted mother’s helper, or exploring transitional kindergarten (TK) programs. LAUSD’s Universal TK (UTK) now starts at age 4, offering an affordable, enriching option for many families.

Here’s a snapshot of the many preschool and infant daycare options available as of this posting.

Did we miss your preschool or infant care program? Email us and we’ll add it!

First Years Preschool

Personal experience: this preschool is pure magic and the staff is incredible. My youngest still calls it “Abby’s school” — alumni parents, you know!

  • Description: A play-based preschool offering part- and full-time programs with a low student-to-teacher ratio.

  • Ages: 2½ to 5 years

  • Location: 1010 Amoroso Place, Venice, CA 90291

  • Contact: (310) 399-3120 | [email protected]

Big and Tiny 10th Street Preschool

Santa Monica
Ages 18 months – 6 years
🌐 bigandtiny.com

A beloved community preschool for over 33 years, now newly merged with Big and Tiny! This school blends tradition with progressive learning and cultural awareness, offering a warm, diverse environment where kids can thrive.

Dual-language Spanish program
Co-working available!! (for infant program caregivers)
Spacious indoor/outdoor campus

P.S. They're also open to hosting mommy & me meetups or classes in their beautiful space!

The Venice Garden Preschool

So many glowing reviews of this school from friends, including one mom who said, “The staff can’t even get my husband to leave at drop off!” 😹

  • Description: A developmental, play-based preschool in a cozy bungalow setting, offering full and half-day programs.

  • Ages: 2.5 to 5 years

  • Location: 2206 Walnut Ave, Venice, CA 90291

  • Contact: (310) 313-2426 | [email protected]

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The Preschool at Mishkon

Highly regarded + the home of Artwell

  • Description: A nurturing, play-based preschool influenced by Jewish traditions, with half, full, and extended day options.

  • Ages: 18 months to 5 years

  • Location: 201 Hampton Drive, Venice, CA 90291

  • Contact: (310) 396-7733 | [email protected]

  • Website: mishkon.org/

LALALAND Daycare

Description: A warm, home-based preschool and daycare with a lush, green outdoor space and cozy indoor playroom. Kids enjoy slides, forts, teeter totters, and lunch al fresco with garden views and pet friends. La La Land emphasizes personal attention, creativity, and play in a whimsical setting.

Ages: 10 months – 3.5 years old

Location: 2232 Glyndon Avenue Venice, CA 90291

Contact: (310) 795-3312 | [email protected]

Little Pond Program

Little Pond is a hidden gem in Venice - a Waldorf-inspired, mixed-age preschool tucked into a cozy home setting. With four days on-site and Fridays spent outdoors in nature, the program follows a gentle, play-based rhythm.

The program is five days a week and requires potty training. They don’t advertise and operate mainly through word-of-mouth. No medical paperwork required.

Email [email protected] to learn more or inquire about a spot.

Ages: 2.5 to 5 years
Location: Private home in Venice (email for details)
Contact: [email protected]
Website: https://www.instagram.com/littlepondprogram/

Sol y Luna Montessori

Description: A family childcare center offering an authentic Montessori curriculum with Spanish language integration in a warm, personalized setting.

Ages: 2.5 to 5 years

Location: 2551 Walnut Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Contact: (310) 633-1814

Montessori by the Sea

Music Class at Montessori by the Sea

This is an adorable little school tucked away behind the founder’s home. Picture trees, grass, bunnies, bubbles, and tiny tables in a magical outdoor space. Major shoutout to Miss Cindy for potty training our youngest so we didn’t have to … truly, a gift that keeps on giving. 😹

  • Description: A family childcare center offering a Montessori curriculum in a small, personalized setting.

  • Ages: 13 months to 3.5 years

  • Location: 641 Oxford Ave, Venice, CA 90291

  • Contact: (310) 951-7823 | [email protected]

Morning Glory Preschool

  • Description: A long-standing preschool emphasizing a safe and loving environment, with junior and senior classrooms.

  • Ages: 2½ to 5 years

  • Location: 2552 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

    • You probably drive by on the daily! On Lincoln / Washington in the same center as Panda Express.

  • Contact: (310) 827-0502 | [email protected]

Ecole Claire Fontaine

ECF needs no introduction - with its magical, mural-painted walls on Abbot Kinney, newly expanded campus on Venice Blvd, farm to table cuisine, and French and Spanish immersion. It’s the quintessential Venice preschool, blending boho vibes with European flair.

  • Description: Bilingual French-English preschool focusing on nurturing self-esteem and inner discipline.

  • Ages: 2 to 4 years

  • Location: 352 Westminster Ave, Venice, CA 90291

  • Contact: (310) 314-0035

Grandview House Marina Preschool

  • Description: A play-based preschool emphasizing STEM learning, outdoor exploration, and child-led discovery. Features include a large outdoor space, LEGO building area, and live cam access for parents.

  • Ages: 2 to 5 years

  • Location: 2929 Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

  • Contact: (310) 437-0105 | grandviewhousemarina.com

Maple Tree Academy

Description: Maple Tree Academy offers a nurturing, child-led environment rooted in the Montessori philosophy. With programs starting from infancy, the school focuses on independence, exploration, and hands-on learning through thoughtfully prepared environments and experienced guides. A strong emphasis is placed on individualized education, cultural enrichment, and early life skills.

Ages: 6 weeks to 6 years (Infant, Toddler, and Primary Programs)

Locations:

  • Venice Beach - Coming Fall 2025

  • Mar Vista: 11827 Venice BL Los Angeles 90066

  • Santa Monica: 1814 14th ST Santa Monica 90404

  • West LA: 2920 S. Sepulveda BL Los Angeles 90064

Contact: (310) 915-9930 | [email protected]

Website: mtacademy.com

Philosophies: RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), Reggio Emilia, and Soka (Value Creation) education

Note: Infant spaces are available, making this a great option for families seeking early care starting at just 6 weeks old.

Redwood Village Children's Center

  • Description: Offers a nature-rich environment focusing on play-based learning, social skills, and problem-solving.

  • Ages: Infants to Kindergarten prep

  • Location: 13150 Maxella Ave, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

  • Contact: (310) 306-7815 | redwoodvillagecc.com

Young Minds Creative Learning Center

Description: A creative, play-based preschool program with multiple locations across the Westside, Young Minds emphasizes early childhood education through exploration, discovery, and imagination. Their curriculum blends art, sensory play, movement, and foundational academics to support whole-child development in a nurturing environment.

Ages: 2 months to TK/K

Locations: 2802 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA 90291 with campuses in Westchester & West LA as well.

Contact: [email protected] | 310.827.1144 | Prospective Parents:
Please Email, please do not call.

Website: youngmindsla.com - check out their virtual tour as well: https://youngmindsla.com/virtual-tour/

Kids Pointe Preschool

  • Description: Offers a nurturing environment with a focus on early childhood education.

  • Ages: Varies

  • Location: 4311 Lincoln Blvd, Ste A, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

    • It’s hidden behind the Ralph’s on Lincoln across from the 90!

  • Contact: (310) 821-8861 | Kids Pointe Preschool on Facebook

Marina Early Education Center

  • Description: LAUSD-operated center offering a culturally diverse environment with a Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom.

  • Ages: Varies

  • Location: 4908 Westlawn Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

  • Contact: (310) 822-8436 | marinaeec.lausd.org

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