As a family photographer serving Los Angeles and Orange County, I spend a lot of time with young families in those early, busy years. Parents of toddlers and preschool-age kids often ask me for recommendations beyond photography. And one topic that comes up again and again is preschool.
Finding the right preschool is one of the most personal decisions a family makes. Every child is different, and every family values something a little different in an early education environment. Some want Waldorf. Some want Montessori. Some want a warm home setting. Others want a program that gets their child ready for kindergarten.
With that in mind, here is a look at five wonderful Los Angeles preschools worth knowing about.
Top Preschools in Los Angeles:
A Guide for Growing Families
CHALK Preschool is built around a simple but powerful idea: helping children grow socially and emotionally is just as important as teaching letters and numbers. The CHALK approach blends creativity, structure, and exploration to engage every kind of learner. Quiet learners find their voice. Active learners channel their energy productively. Every child is met where they are.
Social-Emotional Learning is woven into every part of the day at CHALK. Children practice recognizing and expressing feelings, building friendships with kindness, solving problems, and developing patience and self-care. These aren’t separate lessons — they happen through play, stories, and the everyday teachable moments that come naturally in a warm classroom environment.
Beyond the emotional foundation, the curriculum is rich and well-rounded. Monthly themes connect literacy, math, science, art, and music in hands-on, real-world ways. Teachers design lessons to meet different learning styles and partner closely with families through ongoing communication, bi-yearly evaluations based on California standards, and annual conferences.
Skills developed at CHALK include cognitive and creative thinking, critical thinking and decision-making, communication and conversational skills, physical development through gross motor play and My Gym lessons, and an appreciation for nature, healthy living, and nutrition.
For families looking for a preschool that nurtures the whole child — academically, emotionally, and socially — CHALK is a wonderful place to start.
2. Highland Hall Waldorf School
Located in Northridge, Highland Hall is one of the most established Waldorf schools in California. Programs run from preschool all the way through high school, which means families who connect with the Waldorf philosophy can stay rooted in the same community for years.
The Waldorf approach at Highland Hall is built around arts integration, hands-on learning, and a deep respect for childhood. Children in the preschool and early childhood programs spend meaningful time outdoors, engage in imaginative play, and are introduced to music, languages, and gardening as part of their everyday experience. Class sizes are small and the community is close-knit.
For families who want their child to be fully present in childhood rather than rushing toward academic benchmarks, Highland Hall offers something genuinely special.
Piper is a multi-campus preschool with locations in Santa Monica, Pico-Robertson, Manhattan Beach, and Irvine. What makes Piper stand out is its thoughtfully blended philosophy. Rather than committing to a single approach, Piper weaves together elements of Reggio Emilia and Montessori, allowing children to move through increasingly structured learning as they grow.
One of Piper’s most distinctive features is the dedicated Parent Workspace on each campus. Drop off your child and stay to work, connect with other parents, and be part of the community. For working parents who still want to feel present in their child’s school life, this is a genuinely creative solution.
Programs serve children from infants through Pre-K and TK, with enrichment classes like music, art, yoga, and woodshop offered daily on campus.
4. Growing Garden Wonderschool
Located in a single-family home in the quiet Eagle Rock neighborhood, Growing Garden Wonderschool is a Reggio Emilia-inspired program for children ages 2 to 5. Director and lead teacher Jessie Meneses has over a decade of experience working with young children and brings a warm, family-centered approach to everything she does.
The setting is intentionally homelike. Both indoor and outdoor environments are thoughtfully designed to give children the freedom to explore at their own pace. The program maintains a 1:4 teacher-to-child ratio, which allows for the kind of individualized attention that is hard to find in larger school settings. Breakfast and lunch are included each day.
With over 100 verified parent reviews averaging 4.9 stars, Growing Garden has built a devoted community of families who describe it as nothing short of magical. For families in the Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Pasadena, or Atwater Village area, this is a hidden gem worth exploring.
5. Le Petit Gan International Preschool
Le Petit Gan has two campuses serving the Los Angeles area — one near The Grove on South Fairfax Avenue and one in West Hollywood near Beverly Hills. The school describes itself as a community rooted in learning and love, and that spirit comes through in everything from the curriculum to the organic home-cooked meals served daily.
What sets Le Petit Gan apart is its multicultural, internationally minded approach. Children are introduced to French and Spanish through songs, games, and storytelling, while Jewish values and traditions are woven naturally into the program. The Reggio-inspired curriculum is child-led and play-based, with enrichments that include music, dance, art, yoga, and even soccer.
The school serves infants through Kinder Prep, with a strong emphasis on kindergarten readiness. For families looking for a school that nurtures the whole child — academically, creatively, and culturally — Le Petit Gan is a beautiful option.
A Note from Behind the Camera
These early years with your children go so fast. Whether your little one is heading into their first preschool classroom or you have a new baby at home, these are the moments worth documenting. As a family photographer serving Los Angeles and Orange County, I would love to capture your family right where you are.
The Venice Canals make a stunning backdrop for family photos — the charming bridges, lush greenery, and soft golden light are unlike anywhere else in LA. If you are a Los Angeles family looking for a photographer who knows how to work with toddlers and little ones, I would love to connect. Reach out here to learn more.