Kid Works Children's Center

Jan 12th, 2024

My family and I and other families were pushed out of this school.  They advertise as play based but really want the kids to just sit and do projects. The boys have no big body movement things to do there. The teachers are not qualified to have kids with lots of energy. I was told that the teachers were exhausted. My son was discriminated for his sensory processing disorder. Even though multiple kids have similar behaviors he was the only one who was diagnosed and had an aid. He was treated so differently. Kids were allowed to hit him without any disciplinary action but my son would be taken to the office for hitting back. He was labeled a "bad kid". He would be taken to the office for things I saw multiple kids doing on multiple occasions. The owner told seems as though she's either just saying things to keep parents happy or not on the the same page as her staff. He was so deflated and felt so bad there. When we pulled him out he said "if I'm not naughty anymore can I see my friends there?!" We have to now work on his confidence and self esteem.  We were told by that this school isn't for him. He needed therapy. He's too old to be there. His private report was sent out to the whole school. We fully supported the staff and were willing to work with them. I offered to bring in specialist to help educate the staff but they just wanted him out. Talking to multiple parents we have all felt a shift in the educators and lack of education by them. Melinda and Nayeli are the only teachers there with education and compassion.
Nov 6th, 2022

Kid Works is a place where teachers really SEE your child and celebrate who they are. To say this is a gift wouldn't be enough. They help kids develop confidence through healthy emotional expression and have so much fun while working through conflict and growing their skills.My son entered Kid Works at 4 years old, having been home for a year because of Covid. He is naturally a shy boy but had lost his confidence in meeting new people and lost his ability to really play. Kid Works teachers gently helped him come out of his shell, guided him with respect and after a couple of months he was transformed. The relief I felt to see him feel safe, respected and confident, can not be described.My daughter is a current student and has been at Kid Works since she turned the age to enter. She is thriving, comes home dirty and is so happy. She blows my mind with her acknowledgment and awareness of her own feelings and confidence that they are normal and to be worked through. It's a foundation that is so valuable and a gift and most adults are still developing these skills! My daughter regularly says her teachers are "so special to me".The staff are kind, open and communicative. The parent community is supportive and friendly. Kid Works really has been so special to us.
Oct 5th, 2022

Kid Works is the best! We have been so pleased with everything about the school. All the teachers and staff truly seem to enjoy what they do and caring for the children. Over the past year plus that our daughter has been attending Kid Works, she has really blossomed and developed an amazing sense of self. This is undoubtedly thanks to the amazing care and guidance she has received at Kid Works. The outdoor space of the school is awesome and the program philosophy really allows the children to explore their creativity. There is also a great sense of community among the families that attend. In short, I love Kid Works!
Sep 21st, 2022

We toured several different preschools before visiting Kid Works, and we are thankful everyday that we got a spot here. The moment we entered the school, we could see why any child would love it. The classrooms are comforting, home-like environments, and the large outdoor space is a dream, with its thriving garden, play structures, and water play areas. There are many to list, but here are a few highlights:Director: Amy is a fantastic director. She is a trustworthy, professional leader and is a great communicator on issues big and small. She is also beloved by the children and when not handling administrative issues can be found reading with kids in the cozy corner.Teachers: The teachers are attentive, nurturing, and very much in tune to each child's individual needs. We were impressed that at our first parent-teacher meeting, our teacher described all the personality quirks that we thought only we as parents would notice. Philosophy: Social/emotional development is a large focus. Children are empowered with skills for conflict resolution and teamwork. Seeing them learn to address their emotions and handle difficult situations has been impressive. There is also great balance of teacher-led learning (harvesting carrots from the garden, making a self portrait) and child-led activities (the children decided to set up a carnival, with pretend concession stands, games, and performances). We highly recommend Kid Works to anyone looking for preschool in the Long Beach area. We will miss the school when we are done, but the community will remain a part of our lives.
Sep 25th, 2022