| About Our Business |
| About Us |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Wilshire Preschool 711 South Plymouth Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90005 Phone: 323-931-0546 FAX: 323-931-0198 email: wilshirepreschool@ca.rr.com |
Mission of Wilshire Preschool (WPS)
To provide an affordable, safe and nurturing preschool and childcare experience for children 2 through 5
years by preparing a learning environment through active exploration and interaction with adults, other
children and materials
Overview
History and Experience
WPS is a non-profit child care center that was founded in 1992. The preschool was granted a child care
center licensed to serve 39 children from The Department of Social Services. We operate as an outreach
program of Wilshire United Methodist Church English Ministry. We are located in the Mid-Wilshire area of
Los Angeles. Our preschool is housed in The Education Building of Wilshire United Methodist Church at 711
South Plymouth Boulevard.
WPS has attracted local and national media attention. In 1992 it was highlighted on CBS Channel 2 News
Sweep as a preschool program making a difference in Los Angeles by “bridge building” in a troubled
community. In 1993 WPS was featured on national television as one of many affordable, quality preschools
available to working parents. On April 16, 2002, VH 1 filmed sequences of the “Late World with Zack” TV
show using our Preschool’s children as its audience because of our racially diverse enrollment and staff.
In May 2002 the staff and administration of WPS received a certificate of appreciation from The
Commission for Children and Their Families, City of Los Angeles in recognition of our preschool
professionalism and dedication to children and their families. A testament to this is: Farmers Insurance
Company located two blocks from WPS where many of their out of the community employees use WPS as
their childcare provider because of word of mouth recommendations.
During our start up period parents donated air conditioners, carpets and a refrigerator because they
believed in our program. In 1992 the Weingart Foundation awarded us a $20,000 grant for startup costs.
In, 1992 we also received a grant from the Riordan Foundation that provided outdoor safety items.
We have continuously looked for ways of improving our program. Our aim has been strengthening areas of
our program that make us unique. To do this we did the following:
In 2008 Wilshire United Methodist Church installed a new artificial turf play yard and a poured rubber play
surface.
We have received positive feedback from schools on how well prepared our graduates are for continuing
kindergarten and elementary school. Their integration into their new multicultural environments and
academic performance has been attested to as being highly successful.
To provide an affordable, safe and nurturing preschool and childcare experience for children 2 through 5
years by preparing a learning environment through active exploration and interaction with adults, other
children and materials
Overview
- Our teachers are CPR and first aid certified and have either a BA in Child/Human Development or
units in Child Development.
- The WPS facility is licensed by Department of Social Services.
- We accept Pathways, Crystal Stairs and Frank D. Regional Center applicants.
- Each year we have a picture day for scrapbook memories of preschool days.
- We have a graduation ceremony for children who are moving on to kindergarten.
- The preschool activities continue through the summer with a summer program that is geared toward
fun and learning.
History and Experience
WPS is a non-profit child care center that was founded in 1992. The preschool was granted a child care
center licensed to serve 39 children from The Department of Social Services. We operate as an outreach
program of Wilshire United Methodist Church English Ministry. We are located in the Mid-Wilshire area of
Los Angeles. Our preschool is housed in The Education Building of Wilshire United Methodist Church at 711
South Plymouth Boulevard.
WPS has attracted local and national media attention. In 1992 it was highlighted on CBS Channel 2 News
Sweep as a preschool program making a difference in Los Angeles by “bridge building” in a troubled
community. In 1993 WPS was featured on national television as one of many affordable, quality preschools
available to working parents. On April 16, 2002, VH 1 filmed sequences of the “Late World with Zack” TV
show using our Preschool’s children as its audience because of our racially diverse enrollment and staff.
In May 2002 the staff and administration of WPS received a certificate of appreciation from The
Commission for Children and Their Families, City of Los Angeles in recognition of our preschool
professionalism and dedication to children and their families. A testament to this is: Farmers Insurance
Company located two blocks from WPS where many of their out of the community employees use WPS as
their childcare provider because of word of mouth recommendations.
During our start up period parents donated air conditioners, carpets and a refrigerator because they
believed in our program. In 1992 the Weingart Foundation awarded us a $20,000 grant for startup costs.
In, 1992 we also received a grant from the Riordan Foundation that provided outdoor safety items.
We have continuously looked for ways of improving our program. Our aim has been strengthening areas of
our program that make us unique. To do this we did the following:
- In February of 2003 First 5 LA selected WPS for a Community-Developed Initiative Small Grant, in
the amount of $22,600 for capacity building. The grant helped us make many improvements.
- Strengthened the area of a preschoolers’ development in a diverse, multicultural environment. Past
successes were not sufficient. We realized that the world is ever changing and new techniques soon
make old techniques obsolete.
- Contracted professional support for learning the latest advances in the field of diversity.
- Made upgrades to equipment that was vital to our program.
- Upgraded the perimeter fencing around the play yards for security and safety.
In 2008 Wilshire United Methodist Church installed a new artificial turf play yard and a poured rubber play
surface.
We have received positive feedback from schools on how well prepared our graduates are for continuing
kindergarten and elementary school. Their integration into their new multicultural environments and
academic performance has been attested to as being highly successful.