PreschoolWise
  • Find preschools
  • Ages
  • Cost
  • TK
  • K Age
  • Free Pre‑K
  • States
PreschoolWise

Clear, independent answers to the questions parents actually ask about preschool and transitional kindergarten — grounded in your state's real rules.

Transitional KindergartenKindergarten ageWhat is pre-K?Preschool ageRedshirting kindergartenPreschool vs Pre‑KTK vs Preschool vs KCostFree preschoolHead StartEligibility checkerBrowse states

© 2026 PreschoolWise. Educational guidance, not legal or enrollment advice — always confirm with your school district.

Sitemap
Preschools/CA/Santa Monica/First School, The
Preschool / Day Care Center

First School, The

No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.

Ages
Ages 2–5
Teacher ratio
1:12 (CA min)

731 Pine Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Visit website ↗(310) 450-5022Directions ↗Licensed for 44
Own this preschool? Claim your listing →

Licensing & safety record

✓ Clean licensing record

No citations or complaint visits on file with state licensing as of 2025-09-29. Last licensing visit: 12/5/2024 (1 total).

Source: California Dept. of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (updated 2025-09-29). View official inspection reports →

About this preschool

The First School is a relationship-based, developmental preschool founded in 1975 offering toddler groups, preschool, and pre-K/transitional kindergarten programs for children 12 months to 6 years in Santa Monica. The school emphasizes play-based learning, social-emotional development, and creates predictable, supportive environments across three campuses.

Philosophy
Relationship-based, developmental approach that meets children where they are to help each child reach their highest potential on their own timeline according to their unique strengths, challenges, and interests. Children learn best through play to cultivate the whole-child: social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development.
Ages served
12 months to 6 years (Toddler Group for 12+ months, Ocean Park for 2 year olds, Broadway for 3 to 4.5 year olds, Pine Street for Pre-K/Transitional Kindergarten)
Hours
Toddler Group: 90 minute weekly sessions. Ocean Park: Half Day Monday-Friday 8:30 am-12 pm (early bird 8 am), Full Day Monday-Friday 8:30 am-2:30 pm (early bird 8 am), Extended day option until 4 pm Monday-Thursday
Outdoor
Play yards and outdoor play spaces; thoughtfully designed structures for children to explore, climb, run, bike, and play

Programs

  • •Toddler Group (12+ months with parents)
  • •Ocean Park: Preschool Year 1 (2 year olds)
  • •Broadway: Preschool Year 2 (3 to 4.5 year olds)
  • •Pine Street: Pre-K/Transitional Kindergarten
  • •Weekly art workshops
  • •Weekly P.E. classes
  • •Optional gymnastics class

Highlights

  • ✓50 years of early childhood education
  • ✓Three separate campuses with age-appropriate environments
  • ✓Small class sizes (8-12 for toddler group, 12-14 for Ocean Park)
  • ✓Art instruction including clay, weaving, print-making, and collage with art history lessons

Not stated on their website: Tuition, Teacher-to-child ratio for Broadway and Pine Street classes, Meals and snacks policy, Full hours for Broadway and Pine Street programs, Summer schedule details, Enrollment/registration process. Ask the preschool directly.

Summarized by AI from the preschool's own website (Jun 23, 2026). Not written or verified by PreschoolWise — confirm details directly with the program.

Parent reviews

No reviews yet. If your child has attended First School, The, your honest review helps other families.

Write a review of First School, The

Share your honest, first-hand experience. Reviews are checked before they appear. Be truthful and respectful — no defamatory or false claims.

Helpful guides for parents

What age does preschool start?Typical ages, readiness signs, and state cutoffs.Is my child ready for preschool?The readiness signs to look for.Preschool vs. daycareHow they differ and which fits your child.Preschool vs. pre-KWhat comes when, from ages 3 to 5.

Listing facts from public CA child-care licensing records. Reviews are the opinions of individual contributors, moderated before publishing; they are not endorsements by PreschoolWise. Always visit and verify a program directly before enrolling.