Lomita, CA · Los Angeles County · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Lomita, California

Once nicknamed the "Celery Capital of the World" during the agricultural boom of the 1920s and 1930s, Lomita grew from early truck farming roots into a small residential city in Los Angeles County. In its early development era, Lomita residents cultivated a diverse array of vegetables and fruits—celery, strawberries, and other crops—that earned the city its distinctive agricultural heritage before oil was discovered in the area in 1923 and suburban development transformed the landscape. Find top-rated, CCLD-licensed child care centers in Lomita, CA. We scored each California-licensed childcare center across 11 real dimensions — safety, curriculum, arts & music, infant care, kindergarten readiness and more. Scores drawn from major public review platforms and parent communities — not center marketing.

5Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
20,256City population
Sort by
🔍
Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Future Stars Academy
2320 Pacific Coast Hwy, Lomita, CA 90717
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedInfant ProgramAges Infant–Pre-KLicense #197411136
7.1/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
7
Infant care
7
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
8
Mgmt
8
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
8

Strengths

  • 4.8 stars on Yelp from 34 reviews — highest-rated CCLD child care center in Lomita and one of the top-rated in the entire South Bay
  • Parents describe director Sarah as 'highly competent and adored by all kids and parents alike' — exceptional leadership endorsement across multiple reviews
  • Serves infants through pre-kindergarten with animal education program, potty training, sign language, Spanish, Chinese, music, dance, karaoke, and karate — most enriched curriculum in Lomita
  • CCLD Day Care Center license #197411136, open since June 2004; most recent inspection November 2025 — over 20 years of licensed operation
  • Capacity 32 children — small, intimate setting consistent with high adult-to-child ratios reflected in parent satisfaction reviews
  • Open Monday–Friday 7:00 am–6:00 pm — full working-day coverage

Considerations

  • CCLD record notes a complaint investigation from August 2025 — families should pull the full report at ccld.ca.gov to review details
  • Capacity of 32 is among the smallest in Lomita — high demand likely given top reviews; early enrollment inquiry essential
  • PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) address may present pedestrian traffic and drop-off considerations families should assess on a visit
2
Future Stars Children's Academy
2320 Pacific Coast Hwy, Lomita, CA 90717
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedLicense #197411136
6.4/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • CCLD-licensed Infant Center, capacity 32 children, active license #197411136 — inspection on record November 2025
  • 34 Yelp reviews with 25 photos — strong parent engagement; parents describe it as 'an actual school and not a day care center or a mom and pop place'
  • STEM, multiculturalism, healthy habits, and play-based learning integrated throughout curriculum
  • Serves infants through pre-K — one of few Lomita centers offering true infant care alongside preschool
  • Parent reviews highlight consistent care from infancy through preschool — some children enrolled since they were babies

Considerations

  • Complaint investigation on file (August 2025) — review CCLD report before enrolling
  • Small capacity (32) — enrollment limited; wait list likely
3
Nishiyamato Academy Preschool
2458 Lomita Blvd, Lomita, CA 90717
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedJapanese ImmersionRigorous Academic CurriculumLicense #197416396
6.4/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
3
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Academic Japanese immersion program: literacy, math, science, physical education, and music taught in Japanese — one of the strongest curriculum distinctions of any Lomita center
  • Parents describe the school as 'extremely well planned' with 'clear expectations for parents and students'; 'rigorous curriculum' with 'caring teachers' and small class sizes
  • CCLD Day Care Center license #197416396, open since July 2009; most recent inspection June 2025 with no citations — excellent compliance record
  • Serves 124 students in Pre-K through Grade 9 on the same campus — continuity of Japanese language instruction well beyond preschool years
  • Capacity 62 in the preschool program — sufficient enrollment for peer community while maintaining program structure

Considerations

  • Japanese-language-only instruction may present a steep transition for children without prior Japanese language exposure
  • Does not participate in subsidized child care programs — full private tuition required
  • High parent and student expectations embedded in program structure — well-suited for families committed to academic rigor and Japanese immersion; may not suit families seeking a more play-based environment
4
Pacific Coast Montessori Academy
2342 Pacific Coast Hwy, Lomita, CA 90717
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD Licensed
6.1/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
6
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • CCLD-licensed Day Care Center, open and operating at 2342 Pacific Coast Hwy, Lomita — Montessori program for ages 18 months to 6 years
  • 20 Yelp reviews with 189 photos — highest Yelp review count of any Lomita childcare center; parents report children thrive academically and emotionally
  • Lessons individualized and given when each child is most ready — authentic Montessori differentiated instruction
  • Freedom to move and choose activities fosters independence and self-confidence from early age
  • Hours 7:00 AM–6:00 PM Monday–Friday — strong coverage for South Bay working families

Considerations

  • Some reviewers on Yelp reported feeling that management, including the owner, was less responsive or accountable than they had hoped when issues were raised.
  • Formerly operated as LePort Montessori at same address — transition history; verify current curriculum continuity
  • Limited publicly available information about tuition and current enrollment availability
5
Nishiyamato Academy-Preschool
2458 Lomita Blvd, Lomita, CA 90717
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedLicense #197416396
6.1/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
4
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • CCLD-licensed Day Care Center, capacity 62 children, active license #197416396 — most recent inspection June 2025, zero citations
  • Japanese immersion preschool program following Japanese guideline-based curriculum — highly specialized offering in South Bay
  • Prepares children for kindergarten through structured Japanese immersion; elementary continuation program available at same campus
  • Flexible scheduling: 2-day, 3-day, or 5-day attendance options, 7:30 AM–5:30 PM
  • Zero citations on inspection history — exemplary compliance record

Considerations

  • Japanese-language focus limits accessibility to non-Japanese-speaking families seeking immersion
  • No publicly accessible website with current enrollment or tuition information
6
The Learning Tree Preschool
2157 W 245th St, Lomita, CA 90717
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD Licensed
5.7/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
4
K-ready
7
Teachers
6
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • CCLD-licensed Day Care Center, active — private program for ages 18 months through Kindergarten at 2157 W 245th St, Lomita
  • 11 Yelp reviews with consistent positive feedback — parents highlight friendly, happy staff who are 'always happy with children'
  • Serves through Kindergarten — smooth transition without changing schools mid-year
  • Rolling admissions — no rigid application deadline; families can apply year-round
  • Established independent preschool with long-standing community presence in West Lomita

Considerations

  • Limited publicly available details on specific curriculum approach or class-size policies
  • No infant care (minimum age 18 months)
7
Koguma Youchien
2351 W 255th St, Lomita, CA 90717
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedJapanese LanguageNature-Based LearningLicense #197406923
5.5/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
3
K-ready
5
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • 10 Yelp reviews describing kind, responsible teachers with great smiles — consistent staff warmth noted across reviews
  • Nature-based learning philosophy emphasizing creativity, intelligence, and Japanese language instruction — distinctive educational approach
  • CCLD Day Care Center license #197406923, open since August 1999 — over 25 years of continuous licensed operation in Lomita
  • Capacity 40 children — boutique-scale program consistent with personalized attention for each child
  • Winnie platform 5.0-star rating citing early education, enrichment, literacy, art, physical education, and social skills — positive independent signal

Considerations

  • CCLD record shows 1 Type B citation in 2023 (regulation 1531.15(b)) — families should pull full citation detail at ccld.ca.gov
  • Does not participate in subsidized child care programs — full private tuition required
  • Japanese-language focus may limit accessibility for families not seeking bilingual programming
8
Lomita Academy
2332 Lomita Blvd, Lomita, CA 90717
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedLicense #197495512
5.4/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
4
K-ready
6
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • CCLD-licensed Day Care Center, capacity 31 children, active license #197495512 issued December 2025 — newly licensed center at 2332 Lomita Blvd
  • Inspection November 2025 — zero citations on clean initial record
  • Play-based learning blended with age-appropriate academics for ages 2–6 part-time and full-time
  • Accessible contact via email (lomitaacademy@gmail.com) and phone (424) 655-6222
  • Small boutique capacity (31) supports individualized attention

Considerations

  • Brand-new license (December 2025) — no long-term track record to evaluate
  • Limited publicly available information about curriculum, tuition, or staff credentials
9
Seiai Yochien
25506 Narbonne Ave, Lomita, CA 90717
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedJapanese-Focused ProgramNonprofitLicense #197407183
5.3/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
6
Infant care
3
K-ready
5
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • 4.0 stars on Yelp from 4 reviews — positive parent feedback for a Japanese-heritage preschool program in the South Bay
  • CCLD Day Care Center license #197407183, open since December 1999 — over 25 years of licensed community operation in Lomita
  • Nonprofit organization dedicated to highest quality services for children and families — community-mission governance
  • Capacity 43 children; recent inspections in 2022, 2025, and 2026 confirm active licensing and current compliance
  • Japanese cultural and language program serves the South Bay's Japanese-American families — culturally distinctive offering in a city with few Japanese-language options
  • Open Monday–Friday — full working-week coverage

Considerations

  • No confirmed Google Maps or broader review base — mgmt and culture scores reflect limited public parent review signal
  • Does not participate in subsidized child care programs — full private tuition required
  • Specific age range not listed in CCLD public record — families should confirm age eligibility and hours directly with the center
10
Friendship Academy — Lomita
2155 W 240th St, Lomita, CA 90717
Licensed Child Care Center
CCLD LicensedFree/Low-Cost for Qualifying FamiliesAges 2–5License #197417030
5.1/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
3
K-ready
5
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
5
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • CCLD Day Care Center license #197417030, open since 2009; most recent inspection June 2025 — actively licensed and compliant
  • Nonprofit funded by California Department of Education — free or low-cost child care for income-eligible Lomita families; critical access point for underserved families
  • Bilingual English/Spanish staff — accessible to Lomita's Spanish-speaking families
  • Serves ages 2–5 with full-time and part-time options, Monday–Friday 7:00 am–6:00 pm — full working-day schedule
  • Capacity 49 children — well-sized community program with meaningful peer group

Considerations

  • State CCLD inspection record notes a Type B citation in 2023; families may wish to review the current licensing record directly.
  • State subsidy income eligibility limits access for families above the qualifying threshold
  • No confirmed infant program — serves ages 2 and up; families with children under 2 need separate arrangements
No centers match this filter.

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