Young Minds Early Learning Academy

Our son is currently enrolled in the TK / Kinder class at Young Minds, and words cannot truly express the experience we as a family have had there. It is incredible. From the caring, communicative, and responsive teachers to the incredible learning environment, our son has thrived here and is more than prepared for kindergarten. The teachers at Young Minds are truly exceptional and meet the kids where they're at in terms of learning. For example, when our son became frustrated learning phonics, they took an individualized approach, creating fun and engaging activities tailored to his learning style. They also provided helpful ideas to support his learning at home, and his progress has been phenomenal. He now loves phonics and is thriving. We also love how Young Minds teachers children problem-solving skills, kindness, courtesy, and collaborative play. Their philosophy helps the kids build strong relationships and bonds, making time on the playground really special. Our son loves being there so much that he insists on doing aftercare and staying late every day (they offer aftercare until 6:00, five days a week). In addition to the way they teach, they do everything they can to make the experience magical for the kids. During the holiday, they make it snow on campus for sledding. There's a teacher who dresses up as a gingerbread man for the kids to chase, and they constructed a huge winter cardboard train for the kids to sit in for storytime and hot cocoa in their PJs.We also adore their enrichment classes, which include yoga, art, Sportball, and ceramics. These programs have helped our son develop a well-rounded education and a love for learning and the abundance of outdoor space gives him plenty of opportunities o get his energy out. With a grassy yard for enrichment classes and events, an upper playground with slides and huge Magna-Tiles, an outdoor eating area, a nature yard for imaginative play and bike riding, and outdoor classrooms, children have ample opportunities to learn and grow in a vibrant setting.While public schools may offer TK, we highly recommend considering Young Minds Preschool. The teachers, community, and facilities are truly unmatched. The school is incredibly secure and we feel that he is safe and well cared for each and every day. We will be sad to leave next year but are grateful for the preschool director and teachers who played a crucial role in helping us navigate the application process for private schools. Our son got accepted into all four schools we applied to, and this year, every child at Young Minds was accepted into their top choice school.In summary, Young Minds Preschool is a truly magical and special place, and we cannot say enough good things about it. If you are considering a preschool for your child, this should be at the top of your list.
Mar 22nd, 2023

Our son started YM when he was 4 years old, transitioning out from a different preschool/daycare where he was for approximately a year. The YM West LA Director and his teachers really took it upon themselves to help make his transition smooth. Within the first week not only had our son made a couple good friends, but we were also introduced to many parents of his classmates. The teachers in his class were both incredible; very nurturing and caring. Our son is now in the TK/Kinder program. Prior to enrolling him into the TK/Kinder program at YMWLA, our plan was to send him to public TK. When we heard about the amazing program YMWLA was offering for TK, we decided to give it a try because he would likely never have this kind of a student / teacher ratio (approx 5:1) ever again. We are so happy to have made that decision. It is a great group of kids in that class. We know almost all the parents and kids and both the teachers (Ms. Laura and Ms. Jeremie) are beyond incredible. I think that's what makes the TK program most special - its the two teachers that they have. Finally, I will have to say that the shining star of the school is Ms. Nyah (the Director) who is caring, efficient, present and always looking for ways to enhance the experience at YMWLA for not only the kids, but also for their teachers. I would send our son to YMWLA again in a heartbeat. We will be sad to graduate out of that school this summer.
Mar 2nd, 2023

Our son is currently enrolled in the Young Minds TK/Kinder program. To say we love this program wouldn't sufficiently sum up the impact it has had on him - and us. Young Minds is such a special community and the TK program is no exception. The amount our son has learned in just seven months blows our mind daily. When he started, he couldn't read or write and is now doing both - as well as addition and subtraction. And so much more. His academic and social development has been remarkable to see. We find ourselves constantly in awe of what he learns, the activities he's doing and the FUN he has. Our favorite part of the day is hearing about all that he has learned. The teachers, Ms. Laura and Ms. Jeremie, invest so much in each kid and make the classroom an environment they can each thrive in. The confidence our son feels walking into that classroom every day is palpable. We couldn't recommend this program enough. The individual attention your child will receive is unmatched.
Feb 21st, 2023

We looked at a number of preschools and chose YMLA for our kids.  Our 4yo is currently in TK.  It's wonderful: she's excited to go to school each day.  They have different enrichment activities each day (science, art, cooking, young ninjas, sports, music, etc).  Her classes prior to this year were entirely play-based and so much fun.I know LA is about to change to letting all 4yos do TK, but this year it was only for the oldest kids.  She's younger but her older friends were doing TK, so instead of another year of entirely play-based classes, we decided to do TK too.  We were surprised when she came home pretty early in the year and said "I know how to read": it turns out she had learned how to learn in basically no time.Her TK teachers, Ms. Laura and Ms. Jeremie, her previous TK teachers Ms. Lorielle and Ms. Claudia, and all of the other enrichment and afternoon program teachers like Ms. Wendy, Ms. Ali, and others have been great.  We can't wait to send our younger kid.
Feb 21st, 2023

Our 4 year old is enrolled in the TK/Kinder program and he absolutely loves it. Young Minds has a 1:5 teacher to child ratio for the TK/Kinder - never again in his schooling career will he have so much individual attention. The amount of academic and social progress he has made is unreal - most certainly surpassed all expectations. If you plan to apply to SAS elementary schools, the guidelines set by LAUSD as the bar to apply into the program was met within a few months. The teachers really pour their heart and soul into our children and into their work. Kids are such sponges at this age and the value we get from this program is incredible. Perhaps even more impressive is that our son is so excited about school every day and finds learning so much fun! We have a younger daughter currently at young minds and we cannot wait to enroll her into the TK/Kinder program when she gets old enough.
Dec 5th, 2022