A Day at WeVillage Summer Studio Camp: The Joyful Rhythm
We get asked one question more than any other: what does a day actually look like? Every family we’ve toured […]
We get asked one question more than any other: what does a day actually look like? Every family we’ve toured this spring has some version of it. It’s the right question. While marketing brochures often highlight the abstract concepts of summer camps parents might expect, the true essence of the program is revealed through its daily rhythm. Ultimately, it is the routine of a typical day that determines if your child will truly thrive in the environment. So here’s the shape of one. Not a perfect day. Not a polished one. A regular Tuesday in June. Morning Arrival · 8:30am Drop-off is slow on purpose. Parents come in, say goodbye at the door, and linger for a minute if they want. Some of our families are at work by nine. Others have a kid in camp and a toddler on their hip and a cup of coffee that hasn’t been finished yet. Our arrival window runs from 8:30 to 9:15 — wide enough that you’re not racing the clock. If a child is in FlexCare extended-day, they’ve already been here since 7:30; they’ll just slide into the camp group when it starts. Morning Circle · 9:15am Every day starts the same way: a short circle time. Names, feelings check, a song or a story, and a one-line introduction to whatever the theme week is offering that day. This week is Garden Party. Yesterday we planted. Today we’re pressing leaves. Tomorrow we’re doing a walking field trip to the park to see what pollinators are actually around this time of year. Circle time is maybe fifteen minutes. We don’t stretch it. The best early educators know that attention at four is not attention at seven — it comes in shorter, more concentrated doses, and the classroom has to honor that. Themed Activity · 9:30–11:00 The first full activity block is the theme. Materials are laid out before the kids even arrive. There’s no fumbling for scissors, no five-minute lost shuffle looking for the right glue. If we’re making sun prints in the morning, the paper is out. If we’re building something, the cardboard is already stacked. This setup matters more than it sounds. Research from Zero to Three consistently points to the prepared environment as one of the most underrated factors in early childhood engagement. The adult energy a messy setup costs is energy that could have gone into a child. We put the energy in before they walk in. Outdoor + Snack · 11:00–12:30 By 11, we’re outside. On a Garden Party week, this means the actual garden. On a Splash & Sea week, it means water play, sprinklers, the works. The American Academy of Pediatrics has been vocal for years about the developmental value of unstructured outdoor play for ages 4–9. A summer program that keeps kids inside all morning, regardless of theme, isn’t giving them the summer. Snack is whole food — fruit, something warm, something to drink. The kids eat outside when we can. It’s one of those small details that doesn’t show up in any brochure but you feel it the moment you see it. Curious what a full week looks like across all nine themes? See camp details → Afternoon Rhythm · 12:30–4:30 Lunch is at 12:30. Then a rest hour — not a mandatory nap, more like a calm time. Books, drawing, quiet activities, soft music. The afternoon block is lighter — second themed activity, more open outdoor play, sometimes a neighborhood walking field trip if the weather’s right. The walking piece is uniquely ours. Sherman Oaks is built for it, and our kids end up knowing the neighborhood better than most adults. Creating a nurturing daily rhythm is what WeVillage does best. Pickup · 5:00 Standard pickup is 5:0. But real days don’t always cooperate — a work trip lands, traffic happens, a meeting runs long. FlexCare extended-day covers you until 5:30. If you’re juggling, tell our team and we’ll help you figure it out. This is the quiet reason most of our summer families end up enrolling year-round: the flexibility wasn’t a bolt-on. It was how we designed it. Summer Studio Camp runs June 8 – August 7, 2026. Ages 4–9. Nine weekly themes. Enroll by the week or by the whole summer. Your village is waiting. WeVillage is early education designed for modern families. Schedule a Tour →
9 Reasons WeVillage Summer Studio Camp Is Thoughtfully Different
Most summer programs are built around one question: what will keep the kids busy? At WeVillage, we asked a better […]
Most summer programs are built around one question: what will keep the kids busy? At WeVillage, we asked a better one — what will make their summer actually matter? That’s the thinking behind Summer Studio Camp, our nine-week seasonal program for children ages 4–9. Families looking for a summer camp in Sherman Oaks continue to choose us because they can trust our approach. Here are the nine things that make it different — one for each week of summer. 1. Small groups that build real belonging Twelve kids per group. One teacher. One aide. Far from a simple marketing statistic, this ratio is why we see shy children gain confidence and outgoing children develop better listening skills. It’s how we make sure no child spends the summer getting lost in the shuffle. Week 1 · June 8–12 · Super Me! Self-portraits, feelings, and family stories. The first week is built around each child — who they are, who their people are, how they show up in the world. The perfect starting point for a summer community. 2. Outdoor time that’s actually outdoor Research from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child continues to reinforce what families already sense: unstructured outdoor play is one of the most developmentally rich experiences a young child can have. Our daily schedule builds outdoor time in — not as an afterthought, but as a priority. Week 2 · June 15–19 · Garden Party! Planting, nature discoveries, and outdoor fun. The whole week moves outside. Real sunshine, real dirt, real discoveries. This is what a summer week should feel like at five years old. 3. Walkable Sherman Oaks: A neighborhood-integrated experience Because we’re located in the heart of Sherman Oaks, the neighborhood becomes part of the camp. Our kids take walking field trips to the park, the library, and (yes) Menchie’s. There’s no long bus ride eating up half the morning. The day starts here, happens here, and ends here. Week 3 · June 22–26 · Splash & Sea Adventures Water play and ocean crafts. A full week of water play, sprinklers, and beach-inspired projects — the kind of summer activities parents used to daydream about. 4. Nine weekly themes, designed by educators Summer Studio Camp isn’t a patchwork of random activities. Every week is built around a theme — imagination, movement, making, discovery — designed by the same educators who run our year-round programs. Themes drive the art, the stories, the field trips, and the outdoor play. Kids leave with ideas, not just souvenirs. This aligns with what the National Association for the Education of Young Children calls intentional teaching — where every activity connects to a bigger purpose. Week 4 · June 29–July 3 · Build It Big! Forts, towers, and cardboard cities. An entire week of engineering and imagination. The kind of play that looks like fun and builds problem-solving. 5. The same teachers who run our school year The adults in the room matter more than anything else. Summer Studio Camp is staffed by the same early educators who teach at WeVillage during the school year — not college students hired for ten weeks. The result is consistency, calm, and a level of developmental awareness that you simply don’t get from temporary staff. Week 5 · July 6–10 · StoryTime Magic Dress-up, puppets, and playful performances. This week requires educators who know how to hold space for imagination. Our teachers do. Curious what a week actually looks like? See camp details → 6. A space designed for this The studio itself is designed for children — warm, organized, creative, thoughtful. Not institutional. Not decorated-to-look-fun. Genuinely high-quality. The materials are quality. The art projects are meaningful. The food is whole, fresh, and made for real kids with real appetites. Week 6 · July 13–17 · Color Explosion Painting, clay, and light play. A week where the space earns its keep. Real art materials, real mess, real creativity — all held inside a studio built to let kids make things that matter to them. 7. A language layer most camps skip WeVillage has always believed early childhood is the right window for language. Our year-round Spanish Immersion program, La Escuelita, threads into the summer too — with playful exposure baked into the themes. Week 7 · July 20–24 · World Adventure Week Music and playful Spanish exploration. The week where the world gets bigger. Songs, stories, and language woven into everything — no flashcards, no pressure, just play. 8. Teachers who teach the social stuff The hardest things to learn at five aren’t academic. They’re how to be a good friend. How to share without losing yourself. How to notice when someone else needs something. Our teachers are trained to hold those moments — not just manage the classroom around them. Week 8 · July 27–31 · Kindness Crew Yoga, friendship games, and connection. A whole week built around the things we wish every camp made time for. Calm bodies, kind hearts, real friendship. 9. Flexibility that fits your family’s summer Summer isn’t one shape. Some families need nine weeks of consistent care; others need three to bridge a travel schedule or a grandparent visit. Summer Studio Camp lets you enroll by the week — or book the full nine weeks — so the camp adapts to your calendar instead of the other way around. If you need even more flexibility around camp weeks, FlexCare is our on-demand early education program that works alongside camp enrollment for families whose schedules shift week to week. Week 9 · August 3–7 · Summer Celebration Week Camp favorites, water play, and a joyful end-of-summer celebration. The closer. Everything the kids loved most, one more time. A summer worth celebrating. Early Bird Special: Enroll by May 15th and take $25 off each week. Spots fill by theme — reserve the weeks you want while availability lasts. Your village is waiting. WeVillage is early education designed for modern families. Schedule a Tour →
7 Proven Ways Preschool Classroom Design Shapes Young Minds
Preschool Architecture: How Classroom Design Shapes Young Minds
The classroom your child walks into every morning isn’t just a backdrop — it’s an active part of how they […]
div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> The classroom your child walks into every morning isn’t just a backdrop — it’s an active part of how they learn. Research on preschool classroom design is clear: the physical environment shapes attention, confidence, creativity, and social development in measurable ways. If you’re evaluating preschools, the space itself deserves as much scrutiny as the curriculum. Here’s what the research says — and what to look for. 1. The Room Is the Third Teacher In both Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches, the classroom environment is considered a third teacher — one that communicates expectations, invites exploration, and teaches independence without an adult directing every move. A well-designed early learning space doesn’t just hold children; it guides them. At WeVillage, every room is designed with this principle in mind. Explore our programs to see how our curriculum and environment work together. 2. Natural Light Does More Than You Think Lighting is one of the most underestimated variables in early education. Natural light supports alertness, mood regulation, and healthy sleep cycles — all of which directly affect a child’s readiness to learn. Classrooms with large windows and thoughtfully adjusted artificial lighting create calmer, more focused environments than fluorescent-heavy rooms. When you tour a preschool, look up. How much natural light enters the space? Is the lighting warm or harsh? Ready to see WeVillage in person? Schedule a tour and meet the team. 3. Sound Matters as Much as Sight Acoustics rarely come up in preschool marketing — but research from the Harvard Center on the Developing Childconfirms that excessive noise raises cortisol levels in young children and impairs language development. Classrooms that use rugs, soft furnishings, and defined zones for different activity types naturally reduce ambient noise and help children focus. A quiet reading corner is more than cozy. It’s doing developmental work. 4. Child-Scale Furniture Builds Independence When a child can independently reach their materials, return items to their proper place, and sit comfortably without adult assistance, they’re building executive function and self-regulation — not just physical coordination. Child-scale furniture is a design choice that communicates to a child: this space was made for you. This is why furniture height, shelf accessibility, and sink placement are worth examining on a school tour, not just the wall displays. 5. Thoughtful Preschool Classroom Design Uses Zones, Not Open Space An undifferentiated open room can feel chaotic to young children. Classroom zoning — distinct areas for quiet reading, group work, creative play, and physical activity — gives children visual and spatial cues about what’s expected in each part of the room. It reduces behavioral friction and supports longer, more focused engagement. Look for classrooms where the layout communicates intention. If you can’t tell what different areas of the room are for, neither can a three-year-old. 6. Nature Belongs Inside, Too Biophilic design — integrating natural materials, plants, textures, and outdoor sight lines — reduces stress and increases creative engagement in young children. It doesn’t require a forest; it requires intention. Wood over plastic. Natural light over fluorescent. A plant on the shelf. A window that opens onto green. These details are small individually. Together, they create a sensory environment that feels calm rather than stimulating for stimulation’s sake. 7. The Design Reflects the Philosophy The most telling thing about a preschool classroom is what it says about the adults who designed it. A cluttered, busy room suggests one set of values. A calm, intentional, child-scaled environment suggests another. The Salford University study found that classroom design accounted for up to 16% of variation in student learning progress — which means the space is doing real pedagogical work, whether or not anyone acknowledges it. When you visit WeVillage’s preschool program, pay attention to the room before you ask a single question. It will tell you a lot. Your village is waiting. WeVillage is early education designed for modern families. Schedule a Tour →
7 Confident Signs Your Child Is Ready for Preschool
Preschool readiness isn’t about knowing the alphabet by heart. It’s about whether your child is ready to step into a […]
Preschool readiness isn’t about knowing the alphabet by heart. It’s about whether your child is ready to step into a structured learning community — and whether that community is ready to meet them where they are. For families exploring preschool readiness in Sherman Oaks, the question isn’t really “Is my child smart enough?” It’s “Is my child ready to grow?“ Here’s what to look for — and how to support the transition at home. Why Preschool Readiness Matters More Than Age The NAEYC has long emphasized that early childhood readiness is multi-dimensional — emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development all play a role. Age is a starting point, not a finish line. When children enter preschool with a solid foundation across these areas, they’re able to engage fully: following routines, building friendships, and absorbing new experiences with confidence. That early foundation compounds. Children who feel prepared in their first school environment tend to approach future learning with openness rather than anxiety. 7 Signs Your Child Is Ready for Preschool 1. They Can Handle Short Separations Your child doesn’t need to skip happily to the door on day one — but if they can manage brief goodbyes with a grandparent or trusted sitter without extended distress, they’re building the emotional resilience preschool requires. 2. They’re Beginning to Play Alongside Others Parallel play — playing near other children, even without direct interaction — is a key developmental milestone. According to the CDC’s developmental milestones, this is healthy and expected at preschool age. Full cooperative play comes later. 3. They Can Express Basic Needs “I’m hungry.” “I need to go to the bathroom.” “I need help.” These aren’t complex requests — but a child who can communicate them clearly will have a much smoother classroom experience. 4. They Can Focus for Short Stretches Circle time, story time, snack — these require a child to stay engaged for just a few minutes at a time. If your child can sit through a short book or a simple game, they have what they need. 5. They’re Developing Basic Self-Care Skills Washing hands, using the toilet independently, opening a lunch container — these milestones matter in a classroom setting where teachers are supporting many children at once. They don’t need to be mastered, but children should be working on them. 6. They’re Curious About Learning This one is less about skill and more about disposition. A child who asks questions, explores their environment, and shows interest in books, puzzles, or art is primed for the kind of curiosity-driven learning that great early education programs build on. 7. They Respond to Simple Routines at Home Children who already expect predictable rhythms — meals, naps, bedtime — adapt to the school day more easily. Routine at home builds the internal structure that classroom learning depends on. This is the kind of developmental foundation WeVillage is built to meet. Explore our preschool program → How to Support Preschool Readiness at Home You don’t need a curriculum or a lesson plan. Small, consistent moments do the work. Build predictable rhythms. A consistent daily structure — wake time, meals, wind-down — mirrors the school day and reduces transition anxiety. Practice confident goodbyes. Short, upbeat separations with familiar caregivers teach children that you always come back. Keep goodbyes brief and warm. Let them try things independently. Putting on shoes, clearing a plate, picking up toys — these moments feel slow, but they build the self-confidence children carry into the classroom. Visit the school together before the first day. Familiarity lowers anxiety. A short visit to see the space, meet the teachers, and touch the materials turns the unknown into the known. What to Do If Your Child Doesn’t Seem Ready Not every child arrives at readiness on the same timeline — and that’s not a problem. It’s a reality worth honoring. If your child is struggling with separations, self-care, or emotional regulation, a shorter program or a delayed start may serve them better than rushing the transition. The goal isn’t to get them through the door — it’s to set them up to thrive once they’re there. At WeVillage, our educators are trained to meet children at their developmental stage, not a fixed benchmark. The transition is a process, and we’re here to support families through every step of it. Ready to See WeVillage in Person? The best way to know if WeVillage is the right fit is to walk through the door. Schedule a tour and meet the team — we’d love to show your family around. Your village is waiting. WeVillage is early education designed for modern families in Sherman Oaks. Explore our preschool program →
7 Brilliant Reasons Inclusive Early Childhood Education Matters
Inclusive early childhood education isn’t a trend — it’s one of the most meaningful decisions a preschool can make about […]
Inclusive early childhood education isn’t a trend — it’s one of the most meaningful decisions a preschool can make about who belongs in their classrooms. When children of all abilities and backgrounds learn alongside one another from the start, something essential happens: they grow into people who know how to see each other. For families exploring preschool in Sherman Oaks, understanding what inclusion looks like in practice — and why it matters — is one of the most valuable questions you can ask during a school visit. What Inclusive Early Childhood Education Actually Means Inclusion means that children with disabilities, developmental differences, or diverse cultural backgrounds are fully part of the classroom — not pulled aside, not accommodated at the margins, but genuinely integrated into daily learning. It’s a philosophy backed by decades of research and codified in law. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that children with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment possible. Alongside that legal foundation, NAEYC’s position on inclusion makes clear that access alone isn’t enough — what matters is belonging and participation. Early childhood is where this foundation is laid. The skills children build between ages 0 and 5 — empathy, communication, resilience — don’t happen in isolation. They happen in community. 7 Reasons It Benefits Every Child in the Room 1. Social skills develop faster in diverse environments Children learn to navigate difference by experiencing it. Inclusive classrooms give every child a wider range of relationships to practice empathy, patience, and communication — skills no worksheet teaches. 2. Academic outcomes improve across the board Research consistently shows that differentiated instruction — a hallmark of inclusive early education — helps all learners, not just those with identified needs. When teachers are trained to reach different learning styles, every child benefits. 3. Self-confidence grows when every child feels seen Inclusive settings send a clear message: you belong here. Children who feel genuinely included engage more actively, take more learning risks, and build stronger self-images. 4. Acceptance becomes a default, not a lesson Children who grow up learning alongside peers with different abilities and backgrounds don’t need to be taught acceptance — it becomes their baseline. That’s a gift that compounds over a lifetime. 5. Teachers become sharper, more intentional educators The demands of inclusive classrooms produce better teachers. Co-teaching models, differentiated lesson planning, and the use of assistive tools push educators to be more creative and more attentive to each individual child. 6. Families become part of the learning, too Inclusive programs don’t operate in silos. Strong family communication, regular partnership, and a genuine sense of community around each child’s development are structural features — not add-ons. 7. It prepares children for the actual world The world children will grow up in is diverse. Schools that reflect that diversity aren’t just more equitable — they’re more honest. They prepare kids for real relationships, real workplaces, and real communities. This is the kind of early education that happens at WeVillage every day. Explore our programs → What to Look For in an Inclusive Preschool Not every school that uses the word “inclusive” has built its program around the philosophy. When you visit a preschool, it’s worth asking: How does the school support children with varying learning needs or developmental timelines? Are teachers trained in differentiated instruction and co-teaching models? How does the school involve families in the learning process? What does a typical day look like for children at different ability levels? A thoughtfully designed early education environment answers these questions with specifics — not generalities. The Long View Inclusive early childhood education isn’t just good for children with disabilities or special needs. It builds better humans — more empathetic, more adaptable, more capable of genuine connection. The research is clear. The legal framework supports it. And for families choosing a preschool in Sherman Oaks, it’s one of the most meaningful things to look for in a program. Every child deserves a classroom where they belong completely. And every family deserves to know that the school they choose believes that, too. Your village is waiting. WeVillage is early education designed for modern families — thoughtfully built, genuinely inclusive. Schedule a Tour →
5 Smart Questions to Ask When Choosing a Preschool in Sherman Oaks
Most parents don’t regret spending too much time on this decision — they regret spending it on the wrong things. […]
div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> Most parents don’t regret spending too much time on this decision — they regret spending it on the wrong things. Choosing a preschool in Sherman Oaks isn’t about finding the most popular option or the most colorful lobby. It’s about finding a place where your child is genuinely known, where the approach to learning is intentional, and where you feel confident every single morning at drop-off. Here are five questions worth asking before you decide. 1. What Does Your Curriculum Actually Look Like in Practice? This is where schools reveal themselves. A school might use the words “play-based” or “child-led” without much behind them — or lead with early academic benchmarks that don’t reflect how young children actually learn. Research from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child consistently shows that the earliest years are when foundational skills — curiosity, self-regulation, language, and problem-solving — develop most rapidly. The curriculum approach a school takes in these years matters far more than any checklist of academic milestones. Ask to see a sample day. Ask how teachers plan activities. Ask what they do when a child isn’t engaged. The answers will tell you everything. Explore WeVillage programs and our approach to early education → 2. How Long Have the Teachers Been Here? The quality of a school is, above everything else, the quality of its educators. Beautiful facilities and a thoughtfully designed space matter — but your child won’t remember the ceiling. They’ll remember their teachers. High staff turnover is one of the most meaningful red flags in early education. NAEYC research has long established that stable, trusting relationships with caregivers are foundational to healthy development at this age — and those relationships take months to build. If teachers cycle through quickly, the environment changes around your child before the relationship has a chance to form. Ask how long current lead teachers have been at the school. Ask what the school does to retain great educators. The answers are more revealing than any credential list. 3. How Does the School Communicate With Families? This one doesn’t come up in most tour conversations — which is exactly why it matters. Once your child is enrolled, day-to-day communication becomes your window into their world. Some schools are structured and proactive: photos, activity updates, clear policies, a real person answering your questions. Others leave families guessing. You want to know how a school handles an off day, a conflict between kids, or a question that doesn’t fit neatly into a FAQ. Ask what a typical update looks like. Ask how they communicate when something unexpected happens. Pay attention to how responsive and clear they are in the tour process itself — it’s usually a preview of what comes after. 4. How Do You Handle Behavior, and What Does Discipline Look Like? No classroom of three-year-olds is without conflict. What separates programs isn’t whether challenging moments happen — it’s how teachers respond when they do. Look for language around guidance rather than punishment, co-regulation rather than isolation, and a philosophy that treats behavior as communication rather than defiance. Ask for an example of how a teacher recently handled a difficult situation. The specificity of the answer matters. This is also where you learn whether the school’s values are actually embedded in daily practice — not just printed in a welcome packet. 5. What Happens During School Breaks? This question often gets skipped during the preschool search, but it’s more relevant than it seems. A school that offers consistent summer and break programming means your child stays in a familiar environment with familiar teachers — and you don’t start the fall with a re-adjustment period. For the Quality-Obsessed Parent, continuity isn’t a convenience feature. It’s a developmental one. The relationships and routines a child builds during the school year are worth protecting across breaks. Ask what the summer program looks like, who teaches it, and whether the curriculum carries through. The right preschool in Sherman Oaks won’t just keep your child occupied — it will challenge them, know them, and send them into kindergarten with genuine confidence and curiosity. Take the time to ask the questions that matter. The best schools will welcome every one of them. Your village is waiting. WeVillage is early education designed for modern families. Schedule a Tour →
5 Proven Ways a Toddler Routine Builds Confident, Thriving Learners
Toddlers don’t need perfection — they need predictability. A well-designed toddler care routine does far more than organize your day. […]
div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> Toddlers don’t need perfection — they need predictability. A well-designed toddler care routine does far more than organize your day. It gives your child the neurological foundation they need to regulate emotions, develop language, and build the kind of confidence that carries into the classroom and beyond. Here’s what the research says, and what it looks like in practice. 1. Routine Creates Emotional Security — Not Just Order When a toddler knows what comes next, their nervous system relaxes. That’s not a parenting philosophy — it’s developmental science. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, consistent daily routines support self-regulation, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality in children ages one through five. The effect is cumulative. The more consistently a routine is followed, the more securely a child attaches to their environment — which directly supports social-emotional growth and early learning readiness. 2. A Consistent Toddler Care Routine Shapes How Children Eat and Sleep Two of the most common early childhood struggles — picky eating and sleep resistance — are often routine problems, not temperament problems. Regular mealtimes teach the body when to expect nutrition, which reduces grazing and increases appetite at the table. A predictable nap and bedtime sequence — bath, story, quiet, sleep — signals the brain to wind down. Research from Zero to Three confirms that toddlers who follow consistent sleep routines fall asleep faster and wake more rested, with measurable improvements in daytime mood and attention. Most toddlers between ages one and three need ten to fourteen hours of sleep daily. Protecting that window is one of the highest-leverage things a parent can do. 3. Play Isn’t Just Play — It’s the Curriculum Active, unstructured play is how toddlers process the world. Running, climbing, building, and creating aren’t breaks from learning — they are the learning. Fine and gross motor development, cause-and-effect reasoning, early math and spatial thinking: all of it happens on the floor, in the sandbox, at the art table. Quiet activities — reading together, simple puzzles, drawing — build complementary skills: focus, early literacy, and creative problem-solving. A balanced toddler activity schedule makes intentional space for both. This is the kind of learning that happens at WeVillage every day. Explore our programs → 4. Routines Teach the Skills Preschool Requires Waiting for a turn. Cleaning up before moving to the next activity. Following a transition cue. These aren’t arbitrary rules — they’re the foundational social-emotional skills that determine how smoothly a child adjusts to a structured school environment. When families and early education programs align on routine, children arrive at preschool already fluent in the rhythms of a classroom. The adjustment is easier. The confidence comes faster. The learning deepens sooner. 5. Transitions Are a Skill You Can Teach The most common routine breakdown isn’t the routine itself — it’s the space between activities. Moving from outdoor play to dinner, from play to nap, from home to school: these transitions are hard for toddlers because their executive function is still developing. The fix is simple: give a heads-up. “Five more minutes, then we’re washing hands.” Use a consistent cue — a song, a phrase, a visual timer. Over time, toddlers internalize these signals and the resistance fades. What felt like a behavioral problem was really a skill gap — and routines close it. What to Look for in a Toddler Routine at Your Child’s Early Education Program If your child is enrolled — or you’re considering enrollment — ask their program how daily routines are structured. A high-quality early education environment should have consistent mealtimes, protected rest periods, and purposeful transitions between activities. Families looking for toddler care in Sherman Oaks will find that the best programs don’t just have schedules — they have intentional schedules built around how children actually develop. Your village is waiting. WeVillage is early education designed for modern families. Schedule a Tour →
5 Smart Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Preschool in Sherman Oaks
The right preschool in Sherman Oaks does more than keep your child occupied — it shapes how they experience learning, […]
div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> The right preschool in Sherman Oaks does more than keep your child occupied — it shapes how they experience learning, relationships, and the world for years to come. With more options than ever, the decision can feel overwhelming. Here are five of the most common mistakes families make during the search, and what to look for instead. Mistake 1: Choosing Based on Popularity Alone A long waitlist or a well-known name doesn’t mean a school is the right fit for your child. What works beautifully for one family may feel completely off for another — and popularity rarely tells you much about teacher quality, classroom culture, or how a school actually handles a hard day. Visit in person. Watch how teachers interact with the children. Notice whether the environment feels intentional or chaotic. A lesser-known school with a clear philosophy and warm, consistent staff is almost always a better choice than a high-profile one with high turnover. Mistake 2: Overweighting Academics at This Age Some schools lead with early reading benchmarks or math drills as a major selling point. But research from the American Academy of Pediatrics consistently shows that play-based learning — not academic drilling — is how young children actually develop the skills they’ll use for life. The goal of early education isn’t test scores. It’s curiosity, confidence, and the ability to navigate the world with other people. Look for a school that balances structured learning with open exploration and hands-on discovery. This is the kind of learning that happens at WeVillage every day. Explore our programs → Mistake 3: Treating the Child’s Reaction as the Final Word It’s meaningful when your child feels excited about a school — but their enthusiasm is usually about the playground or the snacks, not the teacher-to-child ratio. Children can’t evaluate curriculum quality, staff stability, or whether a school’s values align with yours. Let them be part of the visit. But you’re the decision-maker. Pay close attention to how staff communicate with parents, how they handle conflict between kids, and whether the school’s philosophy reflects what you believe about how children learn and grow. Mistake 4: Not Asking Enough About the Teachers Facilities matter far less than people. The educators your child spends every day with will have an outsized influence on how they feel about learning — and how they feel about themselves. Ask how long teachers have been at the school. Ask about their training in early childhood development. High staff turnover is one of the most telling red flags in any early education environment. According to NAEYC, consistent, trusting relationships with caregivers are foundational to healthy child development — and those relationships take time to build. When you’re evaluating a preschool in Sherman Oaks, the people behind the programs matter most. Mistake 5: Skipping the Safety and Cleanliness Walkthrough A beautiful space isn’t a safe one by default. During your tour, ask direct questions: How are surfaces and materials cleaned throughout the day? What’s the protocol when a child gets sick or injured? How is drop-off and pick-up managed? A school that can’t answer these questions clearly — or seems caught off guard by them — is a signal worth taking seriously. Peace of mind at drop-off starts with knowing the basics are handled. One More Thing: Don’t Overlook Summer Some of the best preschool programs in Sherman Oaks extend into summer camp — and if you’ve already found a school that feels right, that continuity is worth a lot. Your child stays in a familiar environment with familiar faces, keeps building social skills, and stays engaged through the break. If you love a school’s approach during the year, ask whether they offer a summer program. The answer often tells you something important about how invested the community is. Choosing the right early education environment isn’t about the fanciest facility or the longest waitlist. It’s about finding a place where your child feels known, encouraged, and genuinely ready to grow. Your village is waiting. WeVillage is early education designed for modern families. Schedule a Tour →
7 Brilliant STEM Preschool Activities That Spark Early Learning
A great STEM preschool Sherman Oaks experience doesn’t look like a classroom. It looks like a three-year-old squinting at a […]
div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> A great STEM preschool Sherman Oaks experience doesn’t look like a classroom. It looks like a three-year-old squinting at a magnifying glass, a toddler stacking cups into a tower, a small hand mixing vinegar and baking soda and gasping when it fizzes. At WeVillage, STEM isn’t an add-on. It’s woven into how children explore their world every single day — designed around how young minds actually learn. Here’s why early STEM matters, and seven of the activities our teachers use to build curious, confident little thinkers. What STEM Looks Like in a Sherman Oaks Preschool STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEAM adds the arts — creativity, imagination, expression.At the preschool age, none of it is about mastery. It’s about wonder. The goal is to help children ask better questions, notice more, and trust their own ideas. That’s the foundation we build at WeVillage, our Sherman Oaks early education home. (Learn more about our approach to preschool.) Why Early STEM Matters for Modern Families Research from the National Association for the Education of Young Children shows that the thinking habits children form before kindergarten shape how they approach challenges for years afterward. Early STEM experiences help young children: Strengthen fine motor and problem-solving skills Build focus, patience, and persistence Practice communication and collaboration Develop confidence through trial and error In other words, STEM in preschool isn’t about building little engineers. It’s about building capable, curious humans. 7 STEM Preschool Sherman Oaks Activities Your Child Will Love Nature Scavenger Hunts: Leaves, rocks, flowers, acorns. Children collect, sort, and compare — introducing early classification and observation skills through the simple act of noticing. (Explore how outdoor play supports learning.) Tower Engineering Challenges: With blocks, cups, or cardboard, children design structures and test what holds — a playful introduction to balance, gravity, and problem-solving. Sink or Float Experiments A bin of water and a handful of everyday objects become a full science lab. Children predict, test, and rethink — the heart of scientific thinking. Color Mixing Discovery Primary colors meet imagination. Mixing paints or tinted water teaches cause and effect, while giving children space to express ideas through art. The Classic Baking Soda Volcano Still a favorite for a reason. The fizzing reaction introduces chemistry, while the build-up and anticipation teach children how to observe carefully. Pattern Play at Snack Time Counting crackers, sorting fruit by color, creating edible patterns — early math is everywhere when a thoughtful teacher knows where to look. Kid-Friendly Coding Games Unplugged coding activities — simple sequencing games, step-by-step instructions — introduce logic and cause-and-effect long before a screen enters the picture. How WeVillage Brings STEM to Life Every Day We believe early education should be designed, not decorated. That means STEM at WeVillage isn’t a weekly “activity” — it’s baked into how our classrooms are set up, how our teachers ask questions, and how children are invited to explore. Our Reggio-inspired approach honors the child as a capable, curious learner. Our teachers facilitate. The children lead. And because WeVillage was built for modern families, our FlexCare scheduling means your child can experience this kind of thoughtful learning on a schedule that actually fits your life. Building a Foundation That Lasts The best preschool STEM moments aren’t the dramatic ones. They’re the small flickers of “wait — let me try that again.”That’s the mindset that carries children through elementary school, high school, and beyond. If you’re exploring early education in the Valley, we’d love to show you what a STEM preschool Sherman Oaksexperience looks like in real life — not on a brochure. Come See It for Yourself Step into a WeVillage classroom, meet our teachers, and watch your child’s curiosity meet a space built for it. Schedule Your Private Tour →
7 Proven Long-Term Academic Benefits of Quality Preschool
The research has been building for decades — and the conclusion is consistent. The long-term academic benefits of preschool extend […]
div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> The research has been building for decades — and the conclusion is consistent. The long-term academic benefits of preschool extend far beyond kindergarten readiness. From high school graduation rates to college attendance to lifetime earnings, what happens in the early years of education shapes outcomes that follow a child for life. If you’re weighing your options and wondering whether the quality of a program actually matters, the answer is clear: it does. What “Quality” Actually Means in Early Education Not every preschool delivers the same outcomes. The difference between a high-quality program and basic childcare comes down to a few non-negotiables: trained and credentialed educators, a research-based curriculum, low child-to-teacher ratios, and intentional environments designed for how young children actually learn. Quality early education integrates academic skill-building — literacy, numeracy, language development — alongside social-emotional growth. Both matter. Research from NAEYC consistently shows that the two are inseparable in early childhood. The 7 Long-Term Academic Benefits of Preschool 1. Stronger Kindergarten Readiness Children who attend quality preschool programs consistently enter kindergarten with stronger vocabulary, better number sense, and more developed memory skills than peers without that foundation. These early advantages in academic readiness reduce the likelihood of early learning gaps before they form. 2. Higher High School Graduation Rates The Perry Preschool Project followed participants for decades. Children who attended the program graduated from high school at significantly higher rates than the control group — a finding replicated across multiple long-term studies. 3. Greater College Attendance The Abecedarian Project found that participants were four times more likely to graduate from college. The Chicago Child-Parent Centres showed increased college enrollment as well. Across the research, preschool participation is one of the strongest early predictors of post-secondary education. 4. Improved Executive Function and Self-Regulation These aren’t soft skills — they’re foundational academic skills. Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child identifies executive function (planning, memory, impulse control) as central to classroom success at every grade level. Quality preschool builds these capacities during the precise developmental window when they form most efficiently. 5. Stronger Social-Emotional Skills That Last The ability to manage emotions, cooperate with peers, and navigate conflict doesn’t develop automatically. It’s taught, practiced, and reinforced in structured early learning environments. Children who develop these skills in preschool show higher engagement, fewer behavioral interruptions, and stronger teacher-student relationships throughout their academic careers. 6. Reduced Need for Intervention Services Quality preschool attendees are less likely to require special education placements or repeat a grade. This matters academically — continuity of progress matters — and it reflects the depth of developmental support a strong early education program provides. 7. Better Career and Earnings Outcomes The Abecedarian Project showed a 13% annual return on investment through improved education, higher earnings, and reduced social costs. The Perry Preschool Project found better employment outcomes for participants well into adulthood. Early education isn’t just about academic outcomes — it’s about building the capacity for a productive life. This is the kind of intentional, research-backed learning that happens at WeVillage every day. Explore our programs → The “Fade-Out” Myth — and Why It Misses the Point A common objection to investing in preschool is the so-called “fade-out effect” — the observation that test score differences between preschool attendees and non-attendees sometimes narrow by third grade. But test scores are one narrow slice of what research actually tracks. Long-term studies measure graduation, employment, and health outcomes — and those gaps don’t close. They widen. The fade-out argument conflates short-term test performance with long-term human development. The research doesn’t support the conclusion that preschool doesn’t work. It suggests that what follows preschool needs to sustain the momentum it starts. What to Look For in a Preschool Program If the research makes one thing clear, it’s that access to any preschool isn’t the same as access to quality preschool. When evaluating programs, look for: Credentialed educators with training in early childhood development A structured, intentional curriculum — not just supervised play Small class sizes with real teacher-to-child ratios A learning environment designed for how young children develop A demonstrated commitment to social-emotional growth alongside academics The structure, the teaching philosophy, and the environment all shape outcomes. They’re worth examining closely. The evidence for the long-term academic benefits of preschool is not theoretical — it’s longitudinal, replicable, and consistent across decades of US-based research. For families who care about the foundation they’re building, the quality of early education is one of the most consequential decisions they’ll make. Your village is waiting. WeVillage is early education designed for modern families. Schedule a Tour →