Preschools in long beach ca: Edgewater Preschool | Preschool of Long Beach
Our Roots – Lagoon Playgroup
A Little History ..
The Lagoon cooperative preschool was founded in Belmont Heights in 1948 and incorporated as the Lagoon Playgroup within the State of California. We are a member of the Long Beach Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools and are licensed by the State of California Department of Social Services.
Today, the Lagoon Cooperative Playgroup is still as unique as ever. We are characterized by the love and devotion of both the teacher and parents for the children. The playgroup was created on the foundation that family centered schools were a necessity to the development of children; to this day the Lagoon Playgroup remains firm in this belief.
The Concept of parent-cooperative nursery schools was new to Long Beach in 1948 when Dr. Katherine Whiteside Taylor came to conduct a class called “Guiding Children’s Growth”. She believed that the family centered nursery school served a vital need for children and parents alike, compensating for the loss of the old-time large family with its parents, grandparents, uncle, aunts, and cousins all participating in family life together.
After finishing Dr. Taylor’s course, a group of mothers visited a nursery school in Pacific Oaks, conducted by Dr. Molly Morgenroth. Dr. Morgenroth followed this visit with a weeklong workshop in Long Beach. Inspired by Dr. Morgenroth, the group of mothers, along with 25 children, formed the Belmont Heights Cooperative Nursery School.
Finding a place for the school to meet proved difficult. For the first year the school met at The Second Presbyterian Church on Third Street and Orizaba, under the direction of Astrid Archer. The group met five days a week. Before the first year was over Astrid Archer became pregnant and relinquished her position to Nadine Herlacher. The following year, Dorothy Brothers became teacher and the group met in Astrid Archer’s backyard. For several years, the group met in members’ backyards but complaints from neighbors and the need for a more permanent place prompted arrangements with the Long Beach Recreation Department for use of facilities at the Colorado Lagoon.
In 1952, The Belmont Heights Nursery School, now meeting at the Colorado Lagoon, became the Lagoon Cooperative Playgroup. Thelma Buteau was the teacher that year and was paid five dollars a morning. The outdoor play area was fenced in with tennis nets and all equipment had to be carried up stairs and stored in a tiny space in the frame building. The frame building was later deemed too dangerous and a potential fire hazard so the recreation commission converted the space to a nursery school and asked the school to pay one dollar a day for each day the school was in operation. In 1955, Thelma Buteau’s salary was increased to six dollars a morning and parents paid eight dollars per child.
In April 1958 plans were completed for a major change in school operation. There were now to be two groups instead of one. The two and a half to three year olds met twice a week, and the three and a half to five year olds met three times a week. There were also two mothers’ meetings a month, and separate officers for each group.
However, by the end of the first year the mothers returned to a single meeting a month and combined set of officers.
Thelma Buteau continued to improve herself as teacher by taking many courses in nursery school techniques. Although some parents may have lost sight of the original meaning of parent participation nursery schools, the children continued to benefit. Thelma’s salary in 1963 was $150.00 per month for ten months as well as Workmen’s Compensation, Social Security, and paid holidays.
The school’s equipment was housed in two small buildings and had to be carried into the yard each morning to make room for the quaint classroom. Due to the use of the buildings as daily storage, rainy day school was held at Bay Shore Community Church about a quarter of a mile away for a donation of $50 a month.
From 1998 to 2008, under the direction of Tisa Brookhyser – Teacher/Director from 1998-2012 and 2006 Outstanding Teacher/Director Award winner for the California association for parent participation preschools (CCPPNS) – the Lagoon Playgroup confronted the challenge of growing.
The idea led to countless hours of fundraising, having architectural plans drawn up and redrawn, and working with the City of Long Beach to gain approval for an addition. The addition was to connect the already existing structures, creating a larger indoor classroom to accommodate the children during rainy days, eliminating the need for the secondary site. To teacher and parents’ surprise, news was given on Wednesday, March 5th, (the last day of school) that construction was to begin on Thursday, March 6, 2008. Now the buildings provide working areas for children to learn through play with spaces dedicated to dramatic play, block building, a science corner, a library and a writing and art table.
Today, the Lagoon Cooperative Playgroup is still as unique as it was in 1952. The school has continued to work alongside the City of Long Beach renting out a small fenced-in area overlooking the Lagoon. Our playgroup has two groups of fifteen children who meet between 9am and 12pm. The seniors meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday while the juniors meet Tuesday and Thursday.
Each group is offered extended day between 12pm and 2pm for a nominal fee. Both classes are taught by the teacher/director with the assistance of two working parents.
The Lagoon Cooperative Playgroup is characterized by the love and devotion of both the teacher and parents for the children. The playgroup was created on the foundation that family centered schools were a necessity to the development of children; to this day the Lagoon Playgroup remains firm in this belief.
History of Teachers
Lagoon Cooperative Playgroup
Astrid Archer
1948
Nadine Herlacher
1948
Dorothy Brothers
1948-1951
Edna Wagner
1951-1952
Thelma Buteau
1952-1963
??
1963-1970
Wendy Flagel
1970-1971
Carol Roberts
1971-1973
Betty Brown
1973-1985
Noel M.
1985-1986
Terry Fortune
1986-1988
Melinda Wells
1988-1998
Tisa Brookhyser
1998-2012
Michelle Veazey
2012-2016
Ollie Cigliano
2016-2017
Rachel McBride
2017-Present
5 Best Preschools in Long Beach, CA
Below is a list of the top and leading Preschools in Long Beach.
To help you find the best Preschools located near you in Long Beach, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.
Long Beach’s Best Preschools:
Creative Arts School
Oakwood Academy
Un Mundo De Amigos Preschool
Los Altos Grace Schools – Preschool & Elementary
California Heights Parent Participation Nursery School
The top rated Preschools in Long Beach, CA are:
- Creative Arts School – has been locally owned and operated in Long Beach since 1972
- Oakwood Academy – provides an outstanding education for all their students
- Un Mundo De Amigos Preschool – offers world-class preschool education to children
- Los Altos Grace Schools – Preschool & Elementary – has a long and distinguished history of serving the community
- California Heights Parent Participation Nursery School – is a teacher-led preschool located in Long Beach
Creative Arts School
Creative Arts School is a pre-school and primary education school in Long Beach that offers fun and educational services.
They have been locally owned and operated in Long Beach, California since 1972 and have always dedicated themselves to providing a safe and fun environment for your child.
New And Creative Arts Academy For Children, LLC provides eclectic and exciting programs for children. They are a year-round program that offers competitive and mind-stimulating activities for children. They’re well as other programs for your child. They are part of The Boy and Girl Scouts of America and have activities throughout the year.
Products/Services:
Child Care, Daycare, Preschool, Elementary
LOCATION:
Address: 1423 Walnut Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
Phone: (562) 591-2508
Website: www.creativeartsplus.com
REVIEWS:
“Creative Arts Preschool is known for providing a positive, progressive atmosphere for the children. All of the staff are very friendly and professional. I would highly recommend this preschool to anybody in Long Beach and the surrounding areas!” – John M.
Oakwood Academy
Oakwood Academy is proud of its highly skilled and credentialed teachers who work diligently to provide an outstanding education for all their students. They provide an accelerated academic program for preschool and elementary students that inherently educates and respects each child uniquely and individually. Students advantage of a challenging curriculum and a variety of extra-curricular activities. Their goal is to create a learning environment that will give their students a strong foundation for educational success.
Products/Services:
Child Care, Preschool
LOCATION:
Address: 3850 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90807
Phone: (562) 988-7676
Website: www.oaschools.com
REVIEWS:
“I went to Oakwood for a while and I absolutely loved it. The teachers are great, it’s small so we all got really close, we got a lot of attention, and honestly, the food was amazing.
I definitely wouldn’t even try to compare it to public schools. And currently, I am ahead of my classmates because of the level we were taught at. It’s a great school that I would absolutely recommend sending your kids to.” – Kayla T.
Un Mundo De Amigos Preschool
Un Mundo De Amigos Preschool is committed to providing world-class preschool education to children living in underserved areas within the City of Long Beach. They believe that the primary focus of Un Mundo de Amigos Preschool should be the healthy and happy development of the complete child’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative. This child-centered philosophy authorizes children to learn through play by exploring their environment at their own developmental pace.
Their Mission at Un Mundo de Amigos Preschool is to develop active thinkers in a safe, loving, dual-language, and balanced learning environment that inspires children of diverse backgrounds to fulfill their unlimited potential, while changing the shape and accessibility of preschool for children living in Long Beach, through a focused pre-k program and partnerships with parents and community members.
Products/Services:
Preschools
LOCATION:
Address: 1480 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90813
Phone: (562) 591-3666
Website: www.unmundodeamigos.com
REVIEWS:
“I recommend this school to all the parents looking. All staffs are nice and friendly.” – Vanessa H.
Los Altos Grace Schools – Preschool & Elementary
Los Altos Grace Schools – Preschool & Elementary was established first, followed by their kindergarten, and then their elementary school. The school has been at its original location since its inception. Their school has a long and distinguished history of serving the community and of providing a solid, well-rounded education for children. A great number of their graduates have gone on to excel at both the high school and college levels, and have become respected members of their professions and communities.
Perhaps the ultimate reflection on their school’s success is that former graduates are now bringing their own children to be educated and nurtured at their school.
Their school offers a preschool program, kindergarten, and elementary program with a strong academic curriculum based on a developmentally appropriate philosophy. All teaching is based upon God’s Word, and the Bible and students are encouraged to apply its principles to their own lives.
Products/Services:
Preschools, Kindergarten, Elementary
LOCATION:
Address: 6565 E Stearns St, Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: (562) 430-6813
Website: www.longbeachchristianschools.com
REVIEWS:
“great preschool and daycare the teachers care about the kids and it’s a Christian environment. Highly recommend this place.” – Fred O.
California Heights Parent Participation Nursery School
California Heights Parent Participation Nursery School is a teacher-led preschool located in Long Beach. CHPPNS has been around for over 70 years because it is an effective and fun way of educating preschool-aged children in their neighborhoods.