About Recreation and Parks (RAP) Preschool Program
As a result of the Great Recession of 2008, Recreation and Parks was forced to close its licensed childcare sites due to lack of funding. The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the need for licensed preschool programs.
In response to this crisis, our City Council took immediate action by identifying funding to restore and open low cost licensed preschool facilities. We are excited to announce that we are providing our Los Angeles communities safe and affordable preschool programming. Four (4) are currently open and eight (8) additional locations before June 2023.
The goal of RAP’s State Licensed Preschool Program is to provide a safe, caring, and academically challenging environment in which preschool children may develop their self esteem, creativity, learning, and social skills through the use of age-appropriate activities and materials. We have highly qualified teachers that apply best practices for children’s growth and development. Our teachers are required to obtain a Children’s Center Permit from the State of California Teaching Credentialing Division. Our Licensed Preschool Program provides full day and half day care for preschool children ages 2 years to entry into first grade.
RAP’s state licensed preschool program uses the High Scope Curriculum. This curriculum has been developed by educators and used since 1962 from the Perry Preschool Project that developed into the National Head Start Program. Its focus is child centered learning with teacher assistance, to promote kindergarten readiness.
Feel free to complete an interest survey and join us as we value our most precious resource.... our children.
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We offer full day programs
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Our facilities are open all year round except on city holidays
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Scholarships may be available
Program Details
- Eligibility Guidelines
- Age: 2 to 6 years old
- We will work with your child on potty readiness as needed
- Hours of Operation
- Preschool centers are open Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm
- Closed on all city holidays
- Cost/ Subsidy Programs
- Scholarships may be available
- We accept payments from all child care resources and referral agencies.
- California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and California Department of Education will provide funding for income eligible families
- Waitlist
- You will remain on the waitlist until a space becomes available
- Nutrition
- Breakfast and afternoon snacks provided.
- Lunch will be provided
- We are mindful of children’s food allergies.
- Transportation
- No transportation is provided.
- Preschool Program and Curriculum
- Creative Curriculum:
The Recreation and Parks State Licensed Preschool Program uses the Creative Curriculum for Preschool Instruction Methods. Creative Curriculum, which was developed in 1966 by Diane Dodge, is a hands-on approach with an emphasis of learning in the environment, play, and STEAM based activities; there is also focus on creating accurate DRDP student progress assessments and preparing them for the next step.- Developmentally appropriate environment
- STEAM focused activities
- For preschool children ages 2 years to entry into kindergarten
- 1:8 staff to child ratio
- Creative Curriculum:
Our Centers
* Select a facilities' name for more site specific information | |||
Center Name | Address | Phone | Tentative Opening* |
JIM GILLIAM CHILD CARE CENTER * (PS) - State Licensed Preschool #191871609 |
4000 S. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008 |
(323) 291-5929 (323) 290-3151 Fax |
Currently Open |
RALPH M. PARSONS PRESCHOOL (PS) Director: Micha Mims (micha.mims@lacity.org) - State Licensed Preschool #198010126 |
841 Martin Luther King Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90037 |
(213) 763-5119 (213) 765-8330 Fax |
Currently Open |
Victory Valley Child Care Director: Brenda Shaw (brenda.shaw@lacity.org) -State License 195700010 |
6451 Saint Clair Avenue North Hollywood, CA 91606 | (818) 764-1679 (818) 764-1374 Fax |
Currently Open |
Branford Child Care Center Director: Rosalyn Soils(rosalyn.soils@lacity.org) -State License 197750141 |
13306 Branford Street Arleta, CA 91331 | 818-891-6205 818-891-1281 Fax |
Currently Open |
Van Ness Child Care Center -State License TBD | 5720 2nd Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90043 | Opening Soon | |
South Park Child Care Center -State License TBD | 345 East 51st Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 | TBD | |
Ira C. Massey Child Care Center -State License 195-7000-81 | 5001 Obama Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90016 | 323-290-2330 | Opening Soon |
Evergreen Child Care Center -State License 198-0211-84 | 211 S. Evergreen Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90033 | 323-263-2816 | Opening Soon |
Hubert Humphrey -State License TBD | 12560 Fillmore Street Pacoima, CA 91331 | TBD | |
Echo Child Care Center -State License TBD | 515 Laveta Terrace Los Angeles, CA 90026 | TBD | |
Downey Child Care -State License TBD | 219 South Avenue 18 Los Angeles, CA 90031 | Opening Soon | |
Banning Child Care Center -State License TBD | 1331 Eubank Avenue Wilmington, CA 90744 | EARLY 2024 |