Childcare

A wonderful indoor playground, Child's Play has open play and classes on weekdays and private birthday parties on the weekends. The center is very clean and contained. You can always see your kids, and a staff member is always on the floor.

Character visits are generally scheduled the second Thursday every month.

Parent's Night Out is offered every Friday from 6pm-11pm and includes a fully supervised dinner, games, arts and crafts, and more. Kids can stay for the evening or only a few hours. The price is $10 per hour, with a three hour minimum, and reservations are required.

Birthday parties have a maximum of 60 children allowed. All children, nine months to 12 years, including birthday child and siblings, are counted. Extra time is available for last party ($75 per half hour). For additional space, the classroom is available for $50. Gifts are to be opened at home. More than 60 adults and 45 kids requires an additional staff member for $50. Package prices start at $395.

Several different memberships for open play are offered, which can be money savers:

A monthly membership can be purchased for $60 (unlimited use within the month for one child);

A membership of 20 visits can be purchased for $140 (a savings of $1 per visit, to be used within 6 months); or

A membership of 40 visits can be purchased for $240 (a savings of $2 per visit, to be used within 1 year).

A picnic area is available, where patrons may bring in food or purchase snacks and order food from the venue. Please do not bring rice, pasta, casseroles, buffets, chafing dishes, or confetti into the facility.

The entrance fee is a daily fee, meaning that kids can leave, go grab a bite or have a nap, and then come back without paying again.

Child's Play also offers workout classes for moms, including aerobic pole dancing. Childcare is available during any parents' workout class for $5, with advance registration.

Babysitters Guild employs about fifty babysitters ages 21 to 70, all of whom have a professional childcare background, speak fluent English, have CPR training, and valid drivers' licenses. Sitters are screened, and direct work site references are used.

The oldest babysitting service in town, the Guild serves hotels all over the city, at a cost from $10 to $15 per hour plus $6 transportation fee and parking, with a four-hour minimum (five hours on Saturdays).

Family First is a full-service domestic firm that helps families manage their children, home, and personal life. Domestic referrals include experienced nannies, babysitters, doulas, personal assistants, estate/home staff, and more.

All candidates must have over three years of experience in related work. An extensive background screening is also completed by a Private Investigation Firm (DMV, criminal, civil litigation, worker comp, credit, Social Security, etc). Candidates also must have verifiable professional references, work experience, a valid Driver's license, CPR and First Aid Certification, and some also have collegiate experience.

The one-time fee is 15% of the candidate's first year gross annual salary. Family First LA provides a five-month satisfaction guarantee for all positions. Should the employee/employer relationship end within five months from the date of hire for any reason, the company provides an equally qualified replacement at no additional charge.

The process is easy. Simply call to speak about your child, family, or personal care needs. Family First LA listens and even arranges an in-home consultation to begin the search. When clients have selected a carefully pre-screened Family First candidate, the firm arranges and handles all aspects of the hiring process.

The Early Childhood Parenting Center hosts weekly parent/infant/toddler groups with child development trained leaders and specialists, and evening programs for working and single parents. Fees are on a sliding scale.

ECPC also operates a free parent coaching telephone line through which child development experts provide guidance and support for typical parenting concerns. The Parent Coaching line is accessible by leaving a message on the main line; calls are returned within two business days.

Family First is a full-service domestic firm that helps families manage their children, home, and personal life. Domestic referrals include experienced nannies, babysitters, doulas, personal assistants, estate/home staff, and more.

All candidates must have over three years of experience in related work. An extensive background screening is also completed by a Private Investigation Firm (DMV, criminal, civil litigation, worker comp, credit, Social Security, etc). Candidates also must have verifiable professional references, work experience, a valid Driver's license, CPR and First Aid Certification, and some also have collegiate experience.

The one-time fee is 15% of the candidate's first year gross annual salary. Family First LA provides a five-month satisfaction guarantee for all positions. Should the employee/employer relationship end within five months from the date of hire for any reason, the company provides an equally qualified replacement at no additional charge.

The process is easy. Simply call to speak about your child, family, or personal care needs. Family First LA listens and even arranges an in-home consultation to begin the search. When clients have selected a carefully pre-screened Family First candidate, the firm arranges and handles all aspects of the hiring process.

Family First is a full-service domestic firm that helps families manage their children, home, and personal life. Domestic referrals include experienced nannies, babysitters, doulas, personal assistants, estate/home staff, and more.

All candidates must have over three years of experience in related work. An extensive background screening is also completed by a Private Investigation Firm (DMV, criminal, civil litigation, worker comp, credit, Social Security, etc). Candidates also must have verifiable professional references, work experience, a valid Driver's license, CPR and First Aid Certification, and some also have collegiate experience.

The one-time fee is 15% of the candidate's first year gross annual salary. Family First LA provides a five-month satisfaction guarantee for all positions. Should the employee/employer relationship end within five months from the date of hire for any reason, the company provides an equally qualified replacement at no additional charge.

The process is easy. Simply call to speak about your child, family, or personal care needs. Family First LA listens and even arranges an in-home consultation to begin the search. When clients have selected a carefully pre-screened Family First candidate, the firm arranges and handles all aspects of the hiring process.

Primary Colors Educare offers licensed and accredited childcare along with the UPK/LAUP "free" pre-k program for all four year old children.

Sara Kessels, the owner and director of Pitzponim Day Care, has about as much fun as the 8 to 12 kids she has frolicking, crafting, and snacking around her home facility.

A native of Israel, Sara runs her licensed gan ("garden" in Hebrew) as a part camp, part preschool. With over 21 years of teaching experience, Sara makes sure the children get lots of exercise in addition to more educational activities. In the morning, the kids have time to chatter with each other and play in the main room, which is filled to the bursting point with age-appropriate toys and games. Daily Circle Time gives each child a turn in the spotlight.

The children have the run of a sprawling backyard with well-placed climbing apparati, swingset, and riding toys. The yard also has numerous handcrafted features, including a playhouse, arts table, and large sandbox. Trees, and a canvas covering to protect against the often-strong Valley sun, shade the playground.

Every safety precaution is taken. Supervision is paramount, with one teacher for every three children. Indoors, toys are in good condition and the carpet is immaculate, even changed when it becomes too worn for Sara's standards.

English is the primary language spoken, but Hebrew is sprinkled in for those children whose parents prefer a bilingual approach. The children hail from a variety of cultures, all of which are recognized and celebrated. Jewish festivals are observed, in addition to all major American holidays.

Other highlights include freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. Live music is provided by Mr. Al on a weekly basis, and recorded music, ranging from kids' tunes to classical, is played throughout the day. Arts and crafts projects are sent home regularly.

Parents are welcome to see their kids at anytime. Tours for prospective parents are given by appointment.

Linnea's Garden is a small family daycare and enrichment center in East LA for infants through two-year-olds. The facility has a yard with an attached learning and play area as well as a nap room and additional play area in Linnea's home.

Children get individual attention from Linnea and an assistant, both of whom are in Masters programs for Early Childhood Education. Activities include art, music, and nature walks.