Leap And Bound Academy

My daughter is a student at leap and bound for almost 1 year now. She comes twice a week and always looking forward to go to school. She loves her teacher Ms. Dejhanae. Ms. Mary is awesome too and very accommodating. All the teachers are very caring and attentive to my daughter.

My son has been attending LBA for over two years and it has been a great experience. My wife and I both work and it’s so good to know he is in good hands at LBA and that he’s having a great time and learning so much. His teacher is Ms. DeJahnae and she is wonderful. She is so caring and attentive … she always seems to know just how to make my son smile if he’s feeling sad or shy.

I have two young boys, now 4 and 7 years old. Both my boys have attended LBA in the Torrance location since they were 2 years old. It is immeasurable the development and education this center provides. When my older son entered kindergarten, they were having interviews for placement. When the school discovered where he went for preschool, they immediately remarked…“oh he will be more than prepared for kindergarten”
My younger son is speech delayed and we were nervous about putting him into a school all day long for fear that he may not be able to communicate. We have had absolutely no problem with him and his speech improved significantly since starting at LBA. He has been in Miss DeJahnae for 2 years now and he always comes home and tells me about what Miss D’nae (what he calls her) told him that day. She has such a great influence on him.
In addition, this center is totally affordable and it stays open from 7am to 6pm so it so convenient for us where both parents work long hours. Another bonus is that they help potty train you kid but until your kid is ready, they do diaper changes. They also provide food if you are like me and cannot organize enough in the morning to always make a lunch.
This center is one of the best preschool in the southbay and believe me I did a lot of research before deciding on LBA Torrance.

We have had a great experience at Leap and Bound Academy. My four-​year-​old son has learned so much in his time there (handwriting, sight words, letters, numbers, etc). He adores his teacher (Ms DeJahnae) and he always has a smile on his face when I pick him up! It makes me feel happy to see that he is excited to go to school every day!

We love leap and bound! Our son has been there for 1.5yrs and he loves going and made alot of great friends there. This is our second year with Ms. Dejahnae and we couldnt have asked for a better fit for our son!

I enrolled my older son at L&B after much looking around and upon the recommendation of friends. They had many options for enrollment and very reasonable rates, waived my registration fees and were responsive and efficient. They even gave us a free week for my son to try out just hanging out with the class to see if it would be a good fit for the branch I chose.
Now I have my 2 sons enrolled and both of them enjoy «going to school», and I am very satisfied with how the teachers are respecting their individuality. Ms Shama especially has made an impact on my older son’s impressionable mind, as he always talks about being conscientious about practical stuff (brushing his teeth, not talking back, looking after his younger brother). I find that as a parent, education begins at home, but must be reinforced by people whom our children consider as authorities outside of our home. Teachers like Ms Shama should be emulated and recognized for going beyond curriculum matters and connecting with children in such a manner that they can follow and be good examples for other kids. I have another child coming whom I expect send to L&B as well.

First my daughter started here a few years ago and now my son. We have been very fortunate to have Ms. Shama both times. She cares and looks after our kids as if they were her own. She is always able to comfort my kids when we leave for work. My daughter is now in 1^st grade but is reading at a 3^rd grade level thanks to Ms. Shama and Ms. Michelle.
Even though my son isn’t in Ms. DeJahnae’s class, she also looks after him closely. Great staff and great directors!

My son has been going at LBA from last two and half years. It’s a great School!
With both me and my wife working, it’s a great relief to have him in this school. They provide the lunch, which is a huge plus.
It’s a perfect balance of play time and academics. My son has made some great friends and all his teachers are very compassionate. Special thanks to Ms. DeJahnae. She is totally awesome and my son loves her.
My son is 4 and he is reading, writing and can also do simple math. Thank you LBA!

Great school. Very friendly staff. Ms Tyana is very helpful and caring. Her craft ideas are really good. Her undivided attention to kids really amazes me a lot.

We love leap and bound! My Daughter started here when she was 2. She is now 4 and I am so impressed with how much she has learned all while having fun. She loves all the teachers and has made lots of great friends. I would highly recommended this facility to anyone looking for affordable high quality child care. My Daughter will be very well prepared for kindergarten thanks to her awesome teachers Ms. Daniesha.

My daughter has been attending LBA for the last 2 ½ years and my how she has grown! The staff is welcoming, kind and patient. The facility is clean and the food is healthy. My daughter Giavanna has had Ms. DeJahnae for the last two years and she adores her! Ms. DeJahnae has helped Gia progress with her alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors and her writing skills are amazing! I’m so proud of my daughter and thankful for her teacher for helping her grow.

Overall great school and teachers. They care a lot about the kids (every teacher knows my child well). She has already been taught how to write all letters and numbers which seems great for a 3 yr old. Hours are very accommodating, tuition price good. And I love that they provide healthy in-​house cooked lunches and snacks everyday. I would definitely recommend.

Great school, service and attention to detail. Special kudos to Ms. DeJahnae– she has been the best !!!
Our son loves her and he actually enjoys math and writing. She has a real creative style with teaching and always goes above and beyond to help the parents!
Thank you Ms. D and LBA

Leap and Bound is a great educational facility with loving teachers and good teaching techniques. Ms Shama is such a great teacher for the 3 year olds. She really teaches my daughter to be independent and is so loving along the way. I do wish the facility was newly painted, outdoors especially, with some new playground equipment maybe. Overall I am very pleased with the education, teachers, field trips and we love the school hours. Thanks LBA

My daughter has been going here for 2.5 years and she loves it. All the teachers are very kind and caring and the school has a good focus on academics. My daughter’s current teacher, Ms Dejahnae, is so great with the kids and gives me regular feedback and updates so I’m in the loop on everything. My daughter LOVES her.

My son goes here– Hawthorne Blvd location. Kendra, his teacher and everyone there is super nice. I like how open the space is. Only thing I wish they would improve is the outdoor play area floor and add in some new play equipment.

Horrible school with an owner and staff who do not care about the kids and keeping them safe and happy. My son was enrolled last year for two months and after a dispute with the owner about their outrageous practices including making kids nap and unsanitary conditions, I quickly pulled my child out of this school Make sure you read the other reviews that are in the below link at the bottom of the page– not currently recommended reviews since most of those seem more accurate vs. this 4 star general review.

[Review #18]
It’s been almost 2 years since I enrolled my daughter full-​time at LBA. We had just moved back from the Bay Area & I was looking for a job while trying to find a daycare facility that will accept a toddler under 2 years old (she was a few months shy). I wasn’t able to find anything but was «interviewing» several child care facilities/​preschools that accepted toddlers at 2, Leap & Bound Academy came out on top from my list. Ms. Nicole (no longer at this location) gave me the tour, their handbook, & addressed my concerns.
Pros:
1) good hours (we need an early drop-​off due to our work schedule);
2) security system (facial scan to gain entry; however, it took awhile-​5 months because they were transitioning to a new/​improved system-​for the set-​up & sometimes it doesn’t recognize me so I need to be buzzed in by the front office);
3) good teachers (refer to Con #3), H learned to dance, draw/​write (holding the pencil properly), form long sentences when speaking (not sure if this is a good thing… LOL), etc.;
4) offers potty training (refer to Cons #6 & #7);
5) affordable tuition, lunch is included for full-​time children otherwise a small fee for the part-​timers;
6) annual evaluation (not sure the accuracy in acknowledging H’s academic skills because she can be «unfocused» when tested; e.g. H’s report card shows she missed diamond & pentagon, which she definitely knows; I think if the teacher giving the test, prepares H by telling her what is the expectation, H is more likely to sit still & listen/​focus; however, the social skills evaluations have been on the mark);
7) field trips (refer to Con #2), recitals (usually centered on a holiday), events (i.e. Thanksgiving Potluck, Mother’s Day Tea, etc.), other (i.e. pajama day; doctor, fireman, dentist visit; Friday share day…);
8) vegetable garden (harvested veggies are part of their hot lunches) & mini zoo (parrot, rabbit, snake, iguana, goldfish);
9) «informal» kids directors (at the time of enrollment, there were 2 older girls — Zara & Sydney — who took care of the little ones, including H; they graduated Summer 2013);
10) does a reasonable job of addressing (& sometimes resolving) our concerns/​issues & handling problems that H has with the other children (mostly during her 1^st year);
11) recommends parents hang around during the 1^st week to help with child’s transition at LBA, & welcomes parents drop-​in with/​without notice.
Cons:
1) too many accidents/​incidents reports (especially when H was 24 – 36 months) because of the high ratio of child-​teacher; fewer accidents as H grew older because she had a better understanding of how to be safe (protect herself) & to report to a teacher if she’s injured (on her own or from another child);
2) high ratio of child-​teacher ratio (between 1:12 to 2:18) so the kids have a lot of accidents, obviously the tuition would be higher if there were more teachers;
3) good teachers leaving LBA (high turnover, went through 4 teachers in under 1 year; a couple of teachers, who really influenced Helena’s social skills & taught her, has left… H REALLY, REALLY misses you Miss Nan & Miss Eve);
4) while all the children’s temperature is checked before entering, some parents bring their kids even when they’re sick (SHAME ON YOU… worse case thus far, H got the hand, foot, mouth disease);
5) the facility’s «safety 1^st»… sometimes the floors are sticky (needs a good mopping), broken toys/​bikes (really needs to be thrown out; H fell off a bike & scraped her chin because the handle was visibly broken but not removed… ggrrrrr…), wet floors (by the sink… slip & falls);
6) frequent diaper rashes (refer to Con #2) until H was potty trained (she has sensitive skin & needs to be changed within 30 mins. if her diaper is dirty);
7) potty training (we felt training wasn’t really provided as the children were to taken to the restroom as a group; H started using the toilet when she was 19 months when we were in the Bay Area; after almost a year at LBA, my husband spent the early part of 2013 helping her go potty; H is ok during the day but wears a diaper in the evening as we had a few accidents during sleep);
8) field trips (while fun & a great learning experience, not enough chaperones (parent volunteers) on the trips; refer to Con #2).
During start of summer of H’s 1^st year, we switched to one of runner-​up schools if LBA didn’t work out (too many accidents/​incident reports at LBA) & it wasn’t any better. Also, H missed her friends so we went back in Fall; she has since made a couple of best friends during her 2^nd year. So every summer (since my husband’s work schedule will free up), H’s taken out for some quality dad time (learned how to bike, scooter, quasi swim with floaties, etc.) & returns in the Fall.
Just like any facility… there are advantages & disadvantages, you just need to be active/​vigilant about issues you’re concerned with & bring them up immediately to the director (Ms. Diana), office manager, or teachers.

My Kid is going to this school but I am now I am thinking about changing his school. The expectation was they would devote time and effort for every kid. All I heard at the end of the day with list of To-​Do for parents. I asked the teachers when the kid is at the school from morning 7 till evening 6 then why they are not able to teach anything. The response was. Staff. They are running low on staff and cannot focus on every child. When I joined, they told they will work on the kid right away on basis POTTY training and still they have not shown any progress.
Unless they reduce kids or increase the staff more and more parents would start leaving them.
NOTE: They have one teacher who is RACIST & I have brought the point to directors attention already.
Progress reports for the kids are not published on time everyday.

My 2 yr old son started Preschool here 3 weeks ago and I was so nervous. On his first day, he cried when I dropped him off and so did I driving away. When I picked him up, he was so happy to see me. I wasn’t sure if i can continue doing this day after day.
BUT NOW, after 3 weeks, my son LOVES IT. As I can see, ALL the kids love it!!!
The staff is wonderful and my son is happy. (which makes me happy) :)
Jacob definitely has his favorites like Ms. Shama. His teacher Ms. Arecela is also so good with him. All the teachers are patient, loving and caring. I can’t imagine what they go through all day with these kids but I’m so grateful.
Thank you Leap & Bound.