Dig Childhood Center is a preschool in the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles. Our school is located at 3840 Grand View Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066.

We accept applications year round as long as space allows. You may apply prior to your child’s second birthday however their start date must be after they turn two.

DIG is a parent participation preschool, which means we have parents and family members working in the school environment. We do this because it helps keep our adult-to-child ratio low (1:4) and also because it helps build community. Being in the school and working with the children allows for a greater understanding of how the school works, how the philosophy is applied, and brings a greater connection between you, your child, and the school community.

The parent participation requirements for the preschool are as follows:

• A grown-up from each family must work one “Parent Provider” shift every 4 weeks (this means working in the classroom as a teacher, with ample support from our staff).

• Each family must fulfill the obligations of a “Family Job.” Family Jobs range from extra shifts in the classroom, to laundry duties, website design, etc.

• At least one grown-up from each family must attend each of 7 “Parent Education Meetings” throughout the year.

• At least one grown-up from each family must participate in 2 “Maintenance Days” to help clean, repair, and beautify our school every year.

The parent participation requirements for the preschool are as follows:

• A parent from each family must work one “Parent Provider” shift every 4 weeks (this means working in the classroom as a teacher)

• Each family must fulfill the obligations of a “Parent Job.” Parent Jobs range from extra shifts in the classroom, to laundry duties, website design, etc…

• Each family must fulfill 8 “Teacher Support Hours” each year. These can be completed by bringing snack, fixing things around the school, or other duties as assigned by the Director.

• At least one parent from each family must attend each of 7 “Parent Education Meetings” throughout the year.

• At least one parent from each family must fulfill 4 hours of work at each of 2 “Maintenance Days” every year.

No, all enrolled students play together at Dig. We believe in mixed-age group learning, which allows for younger children to learn from older children and older children to help younger children.

We allow for children to spend as much time as they want outdoors. In fact we are so invested in the importance of children being outside that we follow the “Standards” of the Outdoor Classroom Project. The characteristics of an Outdoor Classroom are:

• Most activities that can be done indoors can be done outdoors. Some activities occur best outdoors; some can only occur outdoors.

• Children spend substantial periods of time outside, and it is easy and safe for them to get there; they are free to move easily between the indoors and outdoors.

• There is a full range of activities for children to participate in, including many activities that are traditionally thought of as “indoor activities.”

• The outdoor space offers a balance of areas for physically active and less active play.

• While outside, children frequently have the opportunity to initiate their own learning experiences and activities, with teachers available to support them.

• The outdoor curriculum evolves from and changes with children’s changing needs and interests.

• Children experience nature in as many ways as possible.

Our curriculum is emergent and child-directed. We observe the children’s play and act as stage managers supporting their needs. We have a strong emphasis on socio-emotional growth and development.

We are a year-round school. Our school year is August through July. We close for 2 weeks for Winter Break, 1 week for Spring Break, and 2 weeks for Summer Break. We also close for 3 Staff Development days and 4 Parent-Teacher Conference days in addition to 10-11 Federal Holidays each year. We make every effort to align our break schedules with LAUSD, wherever possible. 

We believe that conflict is an opportunity for growth. Our 1 to 4 ratio allows us to take the time to problem solve with the children and support any feelings they may be having. Our philosophy is non-judgemental so we do not label children as victims or aggressors nor do we engage in any punishment structure such as time-outs. We believe that behavior is expressing a need and we work very closely with children and their families to get to the bottom of that need.

We have two 30 minute Parent-Teacher conferences each year. We can schedule additional time to meet and talk as needed. We are proud of our “ouch reports” that you will receive if and when your child gets a bump or a scrape at school. The Director is available by email, phone and texting.

We are a screen-free environment and do not communicate with parents via app or daily reports.

Yes, we offer need-based financial aid. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis alongside applications for admission. Find more information here.

DIG alumni attend a wide array of elementary schools across Los Angeles and Santa Monica. We check in with our alumni each year and have only heard wonderful things about their transition to kinder and beyond. While our curriculum does not include any direct instruction, we know from research that children learn through play. They are given access to writing materials, books, and manipulatives that scaffold their learning in a developmentally appropriate way.

We have a maximum capacity of 36 children each day.

Venice Parents Daycare & Preschool (or VPDP) is the name of the 501(c)3 non-profit organization that operates DIG Childhood Center. VPDP dates back to the 1990s, when a group of like-minded parents started the cooperative and operated for many years as a home-based, licensed child care in Venice and later, in Mar Vista.

In 2011 the school moved to the former YWCA in Santa Monica and the YWCA took over operations under the name YWCA Family Cooperative Preschool (YFCP). In 2016 the YWCA was closing and some steadfast members of the VPDP Board of Directors (as well as several YFCP parents who joined up) decided to revitalize the non-profit and take back over operations of the school instead of letting it close with the YWCA. DIG Childhood Center was born! In 2017 we underwent a massive relocation and construction project before settling in our new home in Mar Vista.