Ranked among the top 10 childcare centers in Norwalk. Fewer than half of all centers in the city reach this level across our full 11-dimension scoring.
Best Arts & Music
Earned the highest arts & music score in Norwalk. This dimension reflects the depth and consistency of creative programming — visual arts, music, movement, and imaginative play.
Full Ranking Detail
childcarepreschoolsubsidizedstate-preschool
NLMUSD Preschool Program — Paddison Elementary is a CCLD-licensed, school-district-operated Head Start program at 12100 Crewe St in Norwalk serving children ages 3–5 through both subsidized state preschool (free or income-based tuition) and tuition-based enrollment. As part of the district's multi-site network spanning 10 locations across Norwalk and La Mirada, the program benefits from district accountability and kindergarten-aligned curriculum, with particular strength in literacy instruction paired with health screenings, nutrition services, and family support. Sessions are part-day (8:30 am–12:00 pm or 11:30 am–3:00 pm), which requires supplemental full-time childcare for working families, and free/subsidized enrollment carries income eligibility requirements; however, the $1,000-per-month tuition option accommodates families outside subsidy thresholds.
Safety5.0
Curriculum6.0
Art / Music5.0
Infant care2.0
Kindergarten readiness5.0
Teacher quality6.0
Compassion6.0
Management6.0
Culture6.0
Extracurriculars5.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Head Start preschool with a family-centered approach, including a Home Base program designed to help parents be their child's first and best teacher. Curriculum studies follow monthly themes.
Programs & activities: Seasonal family activities, Head Start Awareness month celebrations, nutrition education classes (Eating Smart & Being Active), and wellbeing/healthy habits instruction. Parent engagement includes volunteer opportunities and parent education programs.
What sets it apart: LACOE Head Start program offering support services including disabilities/special needs support, mental health, nutrition, social services, health services, and transportation. Provides a free online Parent Portal (PowerSchool) and monthly newsletters.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
🏆 For Center Directors
Your center has earned independent recognition based on verified parent reviews. You are welcome to display this badge on your website. Paste the snippet below into your site's HTML — it links back to this verified recognition page.
Top 10 in Norwalk
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: NLMUSD Preschool Program — Paddison Elementary -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/los-angeles/norwalk/nlmusd-preschool-program-paddison-elementary/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/rank-10-city.jpg"
alt="Top 10 in Norwalk - NLMUSD Preschool Program — Paddison Elementary - Norwalk, CA"
width="120" loading="lazy">
</a>
Best Arts & Music
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: NLMUSD Preschool Program — Paddison Elementary -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/california/los-angeles/norwalk/nlmusd-preschool-program-paddison-elementary/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
<img src="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/badges/dim-arts.jpg"
alt="Best Arts & Music - NLMUSD Preschool Program — Paddison Elementary - Norwalk, CA"
width="120" loading="lazy">
</a>
This recognition is awarded independently by Creative Minds Montessori based on publicly available parent reviews and public records. Centers do not pay for or request these rankings. Scores reflect editorial synthesis of verified parent experience — not center marketing materials. Rankings are updated periodically as new reviews are analyzed.
