Established in 1977, and recognized as a national model for parent participation and community leadership, the Mar Vista Family Center (MVFC) Preschool provides low-income families with a comprehensive program which ensures that each child receives the necessary support to excel academically and developmentally.

The Preschool Program

MVFC’s Preschool Program is a two-year program built on the Center’s key philosophy that parents should be actively involved as partners in their children’s education. Parents learn the principles of MVFC’s Shared Responsibility Curriculum Model by participating one day each week as assistant teachers.

The Preschool Curriculum

MVFC’s Preschool curriculum is designed to allow children to achieve age-appropriate physical, cognitive, literacy, social, and emotional competence. This includes a comprehensive school-readiness curriculum involving activities such as art, science, dramatic play, physical exercise, music, literacy, and storytelling. Preschool graduates, who typically go on to attend MVFC afterschool and community programs, later become skilled, articulate youth and community leaders.

Parent Participation Program

At MVFC, we believe that parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. Our Parent Participation Program invites preschool parents to spend a day in the classroom, engaging with their child, supporting learning activities, and developing valuable parenting skills. This hands-on experience strengthens the parent-child bond while providing insight into early childhood development.