Testimonials submitted by parents.

I Wish My Kids Never Grew Up!

I knew I found a very special place.

I am a mother of two children. My son, now 7 years old, attended Sherman Oaks Lutheran Children's Center for 4 years and now my daughter who is 3 yrs old is in her second year at the school. When it came time for my husband and I to look for daycare/preschool for my son who was at that time 2 years old. I started to hunt around the neighborhood. I visited several in-home daycares and many private preschools. It wasn't until I visited SOLCC one morning that I new I had found a very special place.

That morning I arrived unannounced and the director was most welcoming and sincere. She promptly gave me a tour of the entire preschool. The teachers made me feel so comfortable and my son - who is usually rather clingly – surprisingly made himself at home and started playing on the playground equipment. My search ended and I knew we had found the right place.

I cannot express in words what an incredibly special place this preschool is. The teachers are so happy – even at 7am in the morning! They are so dedicated to their profession. They are passionate about children and at the same time they are consumate professionals in all that they do. Some of the most impressive incidents include my son’s first teacher successfully potty-training him within a week. My son was 2 and a half at the time, and his teacher told me one day while I was dropping him off that he was showing every indication of being ready to be fully potty-trained. (I didn’t even know such “indicators” existed!!) I trusted her and brought several changes of clothes the next day and what I thought was going to be a long process was timely, fast and tear-free for everyone!!

All of the teachers are required to have college level classes in early childhood education/development. They prepare lesson for their children every day and follow a sensible daily schedule that really works for the kids. The level of commitment of these teachers to their vocation and to their school is something to behold. Most of the teachers have been there 5 or more years and one has been there for more than 20 years AND she is the one who is most often sought after!!

During the summer months, the school offers endless additional activites – with no extra charge – which bring a camp-like fun and excitement to the school. The puppies and the ponies visit, clowns and magicians, water-fun and jumpers. Each week of the summer is dedicated to a different festive theme. This is one my personal favorite offerings because when the summer months arrive, my son, who has long since graduated from this preschool, begs me to attend their summer activies with his sister instead of going to his own summer camp!!

My daughter is now attending SOLCC and she couldn’t be happier. It is sometimes heart-wrenching for me as a full-time working mother to have my little 3 year old in preschool all day, 5 days a week (and she started when she was only 2 years old), but nothing could put my mind at ease faster than the way she runs into her teachers arms every morning when we walk through the school gate. I don’t know if she loves this school more or if I do!!!! When I pick her up in the afternoon, the teachers are holding creative afternoon enrichment activities for the kids who stay later into the evening. My daughter pulls me into her classroom and points out all the endless art activities she has done all which are mounted proudly on the classroom walls. I feel like there is never any “babysitting” that takes place at the school. At every turn, the kids are engaged in meaningful activities like painting, sandbox play, playground time, singing and dancing, cars manipulated by hands, tricycles and hoola hoops, puzzles and books and the list goes on and on and on.

Lastly, and no doubt most importantly, where I am perhps most grateful and amazed by this preschool is that I see important Christian seeds that are being planted in my kids early-on as an important part of their formation. My son now attends a public elementary school and I am so grateful and proud in watching him apply the Golden Rule to his behaviors, choices and interactions with other kids and adults. He is respectful to his teachers, he is sympathetic toward other kids and knows how to fit in and play well. I attribute a lot of these values to the foundation that SOLCC instilled in his formative years.

Sherman Oaks Lutheran Children’s Center is the school I wish my kids never grew out of!!!!

  —Annie

A Happy Mom

loving and safe hands

My son Lucas started at the SOLCC right after turning 2. His teacher, Miss Lorena, made his transition into the Butterflies class as smooth as possible and I always knew he was in loving and safe hands. Miss Lorena was very helpful during the potty training weeks and was supportive each step of the way. Now as a Happy Heart in Mrs. Arus' class, he is well adjusted and loves going to school! Lucas' favorite parts of school are going to chapel and singing on Thursdays and water play during the summer months. I can't wait for his little sister to turn 2 so she can start at SOLCC also!

  —Karen

I Am So Thankful For My Kids Time At SOLCC

It has been just as hard for me to say goodbye, as it is for my kids.

Sherman Oaks Lutheran Children’s Center has been an integral part of the growth and development of my children’s early childhood. It is a community of families. My sons have learned so much and had so many positive experiences here. The individual attention and encouragement that the teachers give the students is priceless. All of the staff works together in caring for the kids. The teachers know and care about all of the students, not just the ones in their class.

It is true that it takes a village to raise a child, and S.O.L.C.C. becomes a huge part of the children’s village. My children’s first experience in school has been so wonderful! They really love school, and are completely prepared to move onto the next phase after leaving here. It has been just as hard for me to say goodbye, as it is for my kids.

My kids will always remember their teacher Mrs. Deborah. She has provided them with so much love and knowledge. The have gained so much confidence from being in her class. It is amazing how well she prepares them for kindergarten. The leave her ready for the next phase in their education. The experience of being in her class will always stay with them, and with me. I am so thankful for my kid’s time at S.O.L.C.C. They started as toddlers and finished as big kids, confident and ready for their next step. My family will always remember and cherish our time here!

  —Katie

Having twins is always a challenge, but SOLCC made it so much easier.

Having a small class is key for him.

“I can’t say enough great things about SOLCC! They have been a true blessing to our family. Having twins is always a challenge, but SOLCC made it so much easier.

The student: teacher ratio is WONDERFUL!! My son has developmental and speech delays and SOLCC was able to work with me regarding his schedule and special needs. Having a small class is key for him. It allowed him proper one-on-one time with the teacher while still integrating him into a class setting. My daughter has learned her letters and numbers, along with language and basic math comprehension.

Both my children look forward to going to school every single day and love the lifelong friends and loved ones they’ve made there.

Thank you Diane and Leslie...and thank you SOLCC!

Sarah G”

  —Sarah G

We Love Our Little Sherman Oaks Lutheran Children's Center!

The school combines warmth, supportive staff, and a nurturing environment

We love our little Sherman Oaks Lutheran Children's Center! Our oldest son attended this school for 2 years and it was truly a positive experience for him. The school combines warmth, supportive staff, and a nurturing environment to ensured the kids are getting the proper education, building friendships, and spiritual growth. Mrs. Nixon, the Director of the school is always available to support parents and families as any dedicated person will do. AND her smile is contagious!

Like many parents, we visited a handful of pre-schools around the area and we knew right away SOCC was the right fit. The facility is connected to the Church where the kids visit twice a week. Our son still sings all the wonderful songs he learned and he looks forward visiting the teachers he had. We are now into our 3rd year at SOCC, our youngest daughter will be attending this fall. We trust her experiences will be as fulfilling as our last.

  —Danny

Christian Experience

She gives me a kiss, and runs to play with a look of pure joy that cannot be fabricated.

SOLCC Testimonial

The instant you have a child, your entire view of the world changes. You become a fully-evolved human being. You become more interested in the health and well-being of that God-given creation, than any personal agenda you may have for yourself. The decision to allow any other person or institution to participate in the rearing and shaping of your child is one of the most difficult that we face in the early days of parenthood. The best approach for my husband and me was to turn the decision over to God and allow him to lead us to the place that he knew would bring out the best in our daughter, glorifying Him in the process as He seeks to be an integral part of her little heart.

Sherman Oaks Lutheran Children’s Center was the answer to questions we did not even knew we wanted to ask. I leave my daughter every day with a group of educators who are Christians who seek to bring her closer to God while showing her how to develop into a member of the community. To my daughter, Alexandra, it is just her favorite place to be. Every day she wakes up and wants to know if it is a “school day.” When I walk her through the gates and drop off her bag, she gives me a kiss, and runs to play with a look of pure joy that cannot be fabricated.

The administrators, Diane and Leslie, set high expectations for the teachers and are committed to ensuring the curriculum not only provides an introduction to concepts for intellectual growth, but more importantly, these children are lead to be independent-thinking, socially mature, gracious little people. The teachers have high expectations, firm rules, and set schedules, the things for which young children yearn. They provide all of this, and they develop a genuine love for my daughter and interest in her health and well-being as a natural consequence. Because their intentions are Christ-centered, they live the Word which is the best introduction I can give my daughter to the Christian faith. Weekly visits to the chapel only serve to enhance her Christian experience. Every night after we put ALex to bed, we eavesdrop on the monitor as she sings the songs they teach to herself and her little sister, Ashley who we plan to enroll when she turns 2 years.

  —Michael and Adrienne Bean

We Have Been Extremely Thrilled

The teachers and staff are so warm, responsive and nurturing.

We sent our boy/girl twins to SOLCC right when they turned 3. Our twins just started kindergarten. We have been extremely thrilled with our experience at SOLCC. The teachers and staff are so warm, responsive and nurturing. I know my children were well-cared for in a loving Christian environment when they were attending SOLCC. The school facility is clean and there are so many educational toys inside the classrooms and in the ‘big room’. The outdoor play areas are well shaded with lots of outdoor toys and climbing structures and slides for the preschoolers to work on their muscles and get out their abundant energy.

  —Christine and Minh

Teachers who truly want to be with your pre-schoolers

I have been so incredibly thrilled with my experience there I wanted to share

"I have two sons who have attended SOLCC - and I have been so incredibly thrilled with my experience there I wanted to share - please call today as they could have a few spots left open for fall. My older son atttended for 2 years, he joined mid-year at about 4 years old and was given special attention the entire time. He was a "high strung" child and often was aggressive, we ended up leaving his previous school hoping he could get more attention and better directon at SOLCC. While we were working with him at home, the staff there was fantastic at re-directing him and took the extra step to keep him busy and fulfilled. They were in constant contact with us about his progression, and about what we could do for him at home. Their suggestions were "right on" and I really feel we worked together and accomplished behavioural improvement. My youngest son has been there for about 2 years now - he started at SOLCC the minute he turned 2 as they will enroll children without being potty trained. SOLCC was fantastic with that too - as he was fully potty trained before 2 1/2. He never even slept with a pull up. The last two years he has learned to count, learned letters and most importantly - learned manners. Diane, the director there is just the sweetest lady and has always made me and my family feel like we are all family there at the school. She is head of a staff of wonderfully nurturing and educated teachers who truly want to be with your pre-schoolers, they don't look at dealing with the students as "just a job". I've had friends who have tried various preschools and never felt completely safe or content with the experience their child was having. I can honestly say that I have never had a single doubt that choosing SOLCC for my child's first school setting is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

  —Tiffany

As a new mom I felt so lucky

My kids have especially enjoyed the Center’s summer program

My two daughters attended SOLCC for three years each. As a new mom I felt so lucky to find such a well-run, educational, fun and loving center to send my girls to each day. The school has a wonderful daily routine filled with a mix of outdoor activities, music, art, snacks/lunch, learning and rest-time. I always knew that my children were in excellent hands and been so pleased with all the teachers and other staff at the Center. Everyone is kind, communicative and so loving towards the children. In addition, as a working parent I appreciated the flexible and year-round schedule. My kids have especially enjoyed the Center’s summer program which include weekly themes and special activities such as pony rides, puppet shows and drum circles. Several years after my girls graduated from SOLCC, I had a son and knew exactly where to send him for preschool. He has just begun his third year at the Center and loves his teacher and classmates. He is extremely social and has already learned much of what he’ll need to start kindergarten. I would recommend SOLCC to any parent who is looking for a preschool. My children and I have had nothing but the best experience at SOLCC. Carol Witter

  —Carol Witter

I spent countless hours researching and visiting pre-schools

I watched him grow out of his shyness, tackle the alphabet and perform at school events like a pro.

Like many other parents, I spent countless hours researching and visiting pre-schools around the area for my son. After a few frustrating months of not being able to find the right school for him, my husband suggested that I visit the place that he drove by every morning on his way to work. This place turned out to be S.O.L.C.C. The moment I walked into the school, I knew in my heart that I had found the right place, and seeing my shy son interact with Diane and ask to play in the playground was the final decision maker. As we walked out of the door after the tour, he asked me if he was coming back to go to school here. When I told him yes, I was expecting the usual, “I don’t want to, I want to stay home with you and the baby”, instead to my surprise, he simply nodded and said “O.K” During the year that my son attended S.O.L.C.C, I watched him grow out of his shyness, tackle the alphabet and perform at school events like a pro. His teacher Mrs. Deborah was like an angel sent from God. She provided just the right amount of love and structure, creating the perfect learning environment for a growing little boy. The things that he learned from her have set a strong foundation for him to build on, and I am proud to say, that he is an excellent student and loving older brother to my two girls. I now have my 4 year old attending the school and as we walk in every morning, she is greeted by name by all the teachers in the yard. All the staff at S.O.L.C.C is so attentive and loving, they make each child feel special and loved, even my 1 year old waves and smiles when she sees those gates! S.O.L.C.C is so much more than a pre-school and day care center. They have provided love, guidance and wonderful memories for my family, as well as friendships that we will cherish for many years to come.

  —Dana