Best Preschool in Northridge, CA
CCRC Licensed Child Care
Strong Roots is a CCRC-licensed child care center in Northridge serving children from 18 months to 13 years old. Infant and toddler rooms hold to California's required ratios, and every teacher carries a Child Development Associate credential and CPR certification before their first day on campus. The curriculum covers literacy, math, STEAM projects, and Armenian language class. Kids leave Pre-K knowing how to sit through a lesson, follow a schedule, and work through a problem without someone hovering — the part that actually matters once kindergarten starts.
Why Parents Choose Our Preschool & Child Care
Play-Based Learning
Classrooms are set up so children work through problems on their own before a teacher steps in. Counting objects, building structures, describing what they notice - that's the daily structure, dressed up as play. It's also how kids learn to think, not just follow instructions.
Certified Educators
Every teacher holds a Child Development Associate credential or an equivalent California qualification. Background checks and CPR certification come before anyone is alone with a group of children. Professional development continues every year on staff, not just at hiring.
Secure Facility
Campus entry stays secured, the outdoor play yard is fully gated, and classrooms are grouped by age so infants and preschoolers aren't sharing space built for different stages. The facility is subject to unannounced inspection by the California Department of Social Services, and records are available to parents who ask.
Language & Culture
A weekly Armenian language class, one hour, runs on the schedule for enrolled children. Strong Roots is one of the few licensed preschools in the San Fernando Valley offering it at all, which is a real draw for Armenian families across Northridge, Reseda, and Granada Hills weighing their options.
Built for Working Parents
CCRC and Crystal Stairs subsidies are accepted, with both full-time and part-time enrollment available. Before and after school care runs alongside the core program, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bring scheduling questions to your tour and we'll walk through what fits.
Creative Discovery
STEAM, chess, arts and crafts, and a lighter Bible study session all run as dedicated weekly classes, not optional extras. They're on the schedule because three years of worksheets alone isn't what shapes a curious kid. Chess especially catches parents off guard — watching a four-year-old actually concentrate for the first time.
Child Care Programs
Programs That Grow with Your Child
Strong Roots is the only Armenian immersion infant care program in Northridge, CA. The program accepts children 18 to 24 months old who are walking independently. Groups are small and spots fill by age group throughout the year.
Strong Roots Preschool offers licensed toddler care in Northridge, CA for children 2 to 3 years old. The program runs Monday through Friday with structured daily activities, a weekly Armenian language class, outdoor play, and three meals and snacks daily.
Strong Roots Preschool offers licensed Young Preschool Care in Northridge, CA for children 2.5 to 3.5 years old. The program bridges toddler and full preschool with structured daily activities, a weekly Armenian language class, outdoor play, and three meals and snacks.
Strong Roots Preschool offers licensed preschool care in Northridge, CA for children 3 to 4 years old. The program covers Armenian language, arts, math, chess, physical development, and Bible study, with three meals and outdoor play Monday through Friday.
Strong Roots Preschool offers licensed Pre-Kindergarten Care in Northridge, CA for children 4 to 5 years old. The program prepares children for elementary school through an academic-focused curriculum including Armenian language, chess, math, arts, and physical development with three meals daily.
Strong Roots Preschool offers CCRC-licensed after school care in Northridge, CA for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. The program runs from school dismissal through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with homework help, Armenian language class, structured activities, and an afternoon snack.
How to Join the Strong Roots Family
Your 4-Step Enrollment Process
Book a Tour
Come to 9035 Rathburn Ave and walk through the rooms your child would actually be in. Meet the teachers, see the ratios in practice, and ask whatever questions you've been sitting on. Most families decide during the tour.
Submit Application
Fill out the enrollment form with your child's age, program preference, and target start date. If you're using CCRC or Crystal Stairs, note that on the form and we'll walk you through the paperwork. Standard tuition options are also available if you're not using a subsidy.
Family Orientation
Before your child's first day, we sit down together to go over their daily routine, any dietary restrictions or allergies, and how we'll handle the first week if drop-off is tough. We've done a lot of first days, and most separation anxiety resolves by day three. We'll tell you what to actually expect.
Start Growing
Once paperwork and your deposit are submitted, we confirm your start date and add your child to the class roster. You'll get a daily report after every session, with what they ate, what they worked on, and how the day went. No need to wonder.
Hear From Our Happy Families
Top-Rated Licensed Child Care in Northridge, CA
Highly recommend this Northridge preschool for anyone who wants more than just a place to leave their kid. It's a real school with real results. We couldn't be happier with our choice.
Isakhanyan Family
The staff at Strong Roots are the real deal. They are professional, but they also have a sense of humor and real patience with the kids. You can't fake the kind of care they provide.
Abelyan Family
Kindergarten prep is no joke here. We were worried about the transition, but the Pre-K curriculum covers everything they need. Our older child transitioned to elementary school seamlessly.
Martirosyan Family
Our twins are in different age groups, but Strong Roots makes the logistics easy for us. Both programs-toddler and preschool-are excellent. It's nice having them at the same reliable location.
Davtyan Family
The classroom environment is bright and engaging. It's clearly a place designed for kids to explore. Every time we walk in, the energy is positive and the kids are actually doing something productive.
Sahakyan Family
We love the focus on healthy habits. They teach the kids about hygiene and basic wellness in a way that actually sticks. Our daughter is now a pro at washing her hands without being asked.
Ohanyan Family
The enrollment process was straightforward and the staff answered all our "annoying" questions patiently. They were very upfront about tuition and what to expect. No hidden surprises here.
Manukyan Family
Strong Roots handles discipline the right way. They focus on teaching the kids how to share and be kind rather than just punishing them. Our son is much better at social situations now because of it.
Khachatryan Family
We've noticed a big jump in our child's vocabulary since he started the young preschool program. The teachers are constantly talking with the kids and encouraging them to express themselves. It really shows.
Nazarian Family
The physical development class is exactly what our active toddler needed. They have plenty of space to run and work on their coordination. It's not just a room full of toys; it's structured physical activity.
Gasparyan Family
The "Bible Study" class is a nice touch for families looking for those values. It's handled in a very age-appropriate way that the kids enjoy. Our daughter always comes home with a story to tell us.
Antonyan Family
If you're looking for a preschool near CSUN, this is the spot. The location is perfect for our commute, and the hours are flexible enough for working parents. Plus, the education they get is top-tier.
Bagdasaryan Family
Our son loves the chess class. I didn't think a preschooler could stay focused that long, but they make it fun for them. It's great to see him learning logic and patience while playing a game.
Soghomonyan Family
Safety was our number one priority. Being CCRC licensed matters, but seeing the actual security measures at this Northridge campus made us feel even better. We know our kids are in good hands every day.
Gevorgyan Family
We looked at a few daycares in the area, but Strong Roots felt different. It's clean, organized, and the staff actually pays attention. Our son is already picking up basic math skills and he's not even four yet.
Markarian Family
Drop-off used to be a nightmare with our daughter, but the teachers here really knew how to handle it. Now she runs right in without looking back. It's a huge relief for any parent who has dealt with separation anxiety.
Petrosyan Family
This preschool is better than we expected. Our kids are happy, learning, and actually enjoying themselves. If you need a CCRC licensed preschool in Northridge, we highly recommend checking them out.
Tovmasyan Family
You can tell the teachers here actually love their jobs. Their energy makes the whole school feel like a positive place to be. It makes a big difference in how our kids feel about going to class.
Yeghoyan Family
The before and after school care has been a huge help for our schedule. It's a safe place for the kids to go where they actually get help with homework and stay busy. Total lifesaver for working parents in Northridge.
Saroyan Family
Our daughter's drawing and writing have improved so much lately. She loves the arts and crafts class, and we can really see it in her fine motor skills. She's constantly bringing home projects she's proud of.
Muradyan Family
The playground is great and my son spends a lot of time outside. It's good to know he's getting fresh air and staying active while he's at school. He comes home tired and happy every single day.
Simonyan Family
I love getting the daily reports and photos of what my son is doing. It makes me feel much better knowing exactly what he's learning throughout the day. Communication here is actually solid and transparent.
Vardanyan Family
Hearing our daughter recite the alphabet in Armenian was a huge surprise. The language class at this preschool is a great way for her to stay connected to our culture while she learns. Her vocabulary is getting better every week.
Movsesyan Family
We're sending our son to kindergarten next year and we aren't worried at all. Strong Roots did a great job getting him ready, both with his ABCs and how to play with other kids. He's ready for the next step.
Avagyan Family
They don't treat every kid the same. The staff really took the time to understand our son's personality and what he's actually interested in. That kind of individual attention is hard to find at a daycare.
Karapetyan Family
Finding a good preschool in Northridge was stressful until we found this place. The teachers are patient and actually care about how our daughter is doing. She's learning so much faster than we expected.
Aleksanyan Family
The way they teach math and reading through play is impressive. Our son is always doing hands-on projects that keep him focused. He's going to be more than ready for kindergarten when the time comes.
Hakobyan Family
Strong Roots isn't just a preschool; it feels like a real community. We've met so many local parents through their events. Our kids are making great friends here, and so are we.
Tovmasyan Family
Our daughter is a different kid since starting at Strong Roots. She's way more independent now and actually asks to learn new things. The teachers here don't just "watch" the kids-they focus on real growth.
Ghukasyan Family
This Northridge preschool is like a second home for our son. He actually wants to go to school every morning because the staff is so kind. It's rare to find a place that feels this safe and welcoming.
Harutyunyan Family
What Sets Our Northridge Preschool Apart
Local, CCRC-approved, built around developmental results.
Licensed & Local
Strong Roots runs independently, not a franchise chain following a corporate playbook. We hold a CCRC license through the California Department of Social Services, and DSS inspections show up unannounced, not on a schedule we control. That is the point of licensing: it keeps a real state agency checking our work, not just our own word.
Small-Group Focus
California caps ratios at 1:3 for infants and 1:4 for toddlers. We hold those limits as a floor, not a target to drift toward. Smaller rooms mean a teacher notices sooner: a child pulling back socially, a child ready to move ahead of the group, a child just having a rough week. That kind of attention doesn't happen in a room stretched past capacity.
Specialized Educators
Every teacher on staff holds a Child Development Associate credential or an equivalent California qualification. CPR and First Aid certification come before a teacher is ever alone with a group of children, not after, and not as a box checked later.
Foundational Growth
We track developmental milestones per child and send progress home through daily reports, so parents aren't guessing between conferences. If something looks behind for a child's age, we say so directly and talk it through with the family, rather than letting a kindergarten screening be the first place it surfaces.
Secure, Modern Spaces
Campus entry stays secured, and the outdoor play yard is gated and split by age group so toddlers and preschoolers aren't sharing equipment built for different bodies. Classrooms follow a documented cleaning schedule. The facility is subject to state inspection, and records are available to any parent who asks.
Healthy, Fresh Meals
Meals and snacks come included with enrollment, planned around the age groups we serve. We work with common dietary restrictions and food allergies as a matter of course. Families get the week's menu ahead of time, and any allergy gets documented at orientation, not discovered later.
Frequently Asked Questions
The campus has secured entry, a gated outdoor play yard, and staff in the room at all times. Every teacher passes a background check and holds current CPR and First Aid certifications before they work with children. The facility is also subject to unannounced inspections by the California Department of Social Services.
Yes. Meals and snacks are included. We plan the menu for the age groups we serve and accommodate most dietary restrictions and food allergies. Parents receive the weekly menu in advance. Bring specific allergies up at orientation and we'll document them.
Infant rooms are staffed at 1:3 and toddler rooms at 1:4. Both ratios are required by California CCRC licensing. We don't run rooms short-staffed. If you want to see the ratios in practice, come during a morning session on your tour.
Yes. We accept CCRC, Crystal Stairs, and other California subsidized childcare programs. If you're currently approved or want to know whether you qualify, call us at (323) 990-8181 and we'll walk you through it.
Yes. Our CCRC license number is #195700197, issued by the California Department of Social Services. You can verify it at app.mycareconnect.io. Licensing requires us to pass regular unannounced inspections and maintain state-mandated staffing ratios, health standards, and facility conditions.
Yes. Both full-time and part-time enrollment are available. If you're not sure which works for your schedule, bring it up during your tour and we'll go over the options together.
Book a tour at 9035 Rathburn Ave. After your visit, we'll send you an enrollment packet. Return it with your deposit and we'll confirm your start date. The whole process from tour to first day usually takes one to two weeks.
We enroll children from 6 weeks to 6 years old. There are separate classrooms for infants, toddlers, 2-to-3-year-olds, preschoolers, and Pre-K, each with age-appropriate activities and its own staffing ratio.
We're open Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Before and after school care is available.
We're at 9035 Rathburn Ave, Northridge, CA 91325, near the CSUN campus. Street parking is available in front of the building. Families come from Northridge, Reseda, Granada Hills, Chatsworth, and other parts of the San Fernando Valley. Drop-off is at the front entrance.
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