Redwood City · Licensed center
L'Academy Preschool Redwood City
- Medium Reggio Emilia–inspired center, licensed for 48 children.
What these mean, and where they come from
Medium means the middle half of Bay Area’s 439 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 31 to 75 children. Small is 8 to 30; large is 76 to 312.
How they teach
Reggio Emilia–inspired, Montessori–inspired and play-based
“Inspired by Reggio Emilia and Montessori methods, our approach encourages independence, creativity, and mindfulness in the classroom.”In their words, July 2026.lacademyschools.com
“At L'Academy, we use a blended approach that combines the best of Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and play-based learning, all within a rich bilingual environment.”In their words, July 2026.lacademyschools.com
One of 21 Bay Area providers that describe a Reggio Emilia approach, out of 164 that describe any approach at all.
Shortlist doesn’t have these yet: cost, ratios and staff, sick and biting policies.
What the state has found
The state lists 7 visits below. Shortlist has not read the reports behind them, so there is no share of visits that cited something to set beside other providers yet.
State record — California CDSS Community Care Licensing
- Last visit
- October 30, 2024
- On file
- 7 visits since August 2021 · 4 complaint investigations
- Most serious
- Type A —
(e) All individuals subject to a criminal record review pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.871 shall prior to working, residing or volunteering in a licensed facility: (1) Obtain a California clearance or a criminal record exemption as required by the Department or This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as one indivdual does not have fingerprint clearance, which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
· August 1, 2022
California CDSS publishes the full investigation narrative for a complaint, including its disposition, and classifies a citation Type A — an immediate risk to a child — or Type B.
Oct 2024 Licensing visit 1 finding
Licensing visit · October 30, 2024
CCR 101216.3(b)(1) · Type B
(b) The licensee may use teacher aides in a teacher-child ratio of one teacher and one aide for every 15 children in attendance. (1) A ratio of one fully qualified teacher (as specified in Section 101216.1(c) and one aide for every 18 children in attendance in a preschool program is allowed when the aide meets the qualifications specified in Section 101216.2(d). This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as there is one fully qualified lead teacher and one fully qualified aide supervising 20 children making the facility out of ratio. There was an adittional staff with no ECE units present. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
May 2024 Licensing visit 1 finding
Licensing visit · May 31, 2024
CCR 101216.2(e)(1) · Type B
101216.2: Teacher Aide Qualifications and Duties: (e) An aide shall work only under the direct supervision of a teacher. (1) An aide who is 18 years of age or older, and who meets the requirements of this section and Section 101216, may escort and/or assist children in going to the bathroom, and may supervise napping children as specified in Section 101230(c)(1), without being under the direct supervision of a teacher. This requirement is not met by: Based on observation, Interview, and record review, On 4/22/24, LPA Tapia-Mandujano observed and was told that S1, S4, and S5 have been left alone with children without the direct supervision of a fully qualified teacher, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Mar 2024 Complaint Unsubstantiated
Complaint · March 4, 2024
Unsubstantiated
ALLEGATION(S): Staff did not provide adequate supervision to day care children Staff did not report unusual incident involving a daycare child INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: On May 31st, 2024 at approximately 2pm, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Tapia-Mandujano and Alvarado conducted an unannounced inspection to report the investigation findings for the above allegations. Complaint was received by the Department on March 4th, 2024. LPAs met with Lead Teacher, Y.Z. and explained the purpose of the visit. Present during inspection was 6 staff supervising a total of 35 preschool age children. Facility is operating within teacher child ratio at this day. All staff present at this time have fingerprint clearance and are associated. During today's inspection, LPAs conducted a health and safety inspection and reviewed staff files. During the course of the investigation, LPA conducted physical inspections, interviewed involved parties, staff, and parents, and received pertinent documentation. Based on the information gathered it was determined that there is not sufficient evidence to say that staff did not provide adequate supervision to day care children or that staff did not report an unusual incident involving a daycare child. Continued on Page 2... Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:
Individual employees are shown by initials. The state’s report, linked above, names them in full.
Oct 2023 Licensing visit 1 finding
Licensing visit · October 10, 2023
CCR 101238(g) · Type B
(g) Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, poisons and other items that could pose a danger if readily available to children shall be stored where inaccessible to children. This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as LPAs observed bottled cleaning solutions in arms reach of children and were not stored appropriately which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Feb 2023 Complaint Unsubstantiated
Complaint · February 22, 2023
Unsubstantiated
ALLEGATION(S): Staff handled child in a rough manner Staff do not adequately supervise children in care INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: On April 19, 2023, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Ly, arrived at the facility unannounced to close the complaint investigation the above allegation and met with Director B.P. and Assistant Director J.B. There were 10 staff members caring for 47 children Based on information obtained during the course of this investigation through interviews and information obtained, there was no sufficient evidence to prove (1) staff handled child in a rough manner and (2) Staff do not adequately supervise children in care. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation are UNSUBSTANTIATED. This report was reviewed with Director whose signature confirm have read the report. Report must be made available for public review upon request. A copy of this report and rights to comment and appeal have been discussed with the Director and left with the Director. Notice of Site Visit shall remain posted for 30 days. Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:
Individual employees are shown by initials. The state’s report, linked above, names them in full.
Jan 2023 Complaint Unsubstantiated
Complaint · January 23, 2023
Unsubstantiated
ALLEGATION(S): Staff inappropriately spoke to daycare child Staff did not provide a safe environment Staff are discriminating against daycare child INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: On April 19, 2023, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Ly, arrived at the facility unannounced to close the complaint investigation the above allegation and met with Director B.P. and Assistant Director J.B. There were 10 staff members caring for 47 children. Based on information obtained during the course of this investigation through interviews and information obtained, there was no sufficient evidence to prove (1) staff inappropriately spoke to daycare child, (2) Staff did not provide a safe environment, (3) Staff are discriminating against daycare child. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation are UNSUBSTANTIATED. This report was reviewed with Director whose signature confirm have read the report. Report must be made available for public review upon request. A copy of this report and rights to comment and appeal have been discussed with the Director and left with the Director. Notice of Site Visit shall remain posted for 30 days. Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:
Unsubstantiated
ALLEGATION(S): Staff yell at daycare children Staff use inappropriate forms of punishment INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: *************** THIS IS AN AMENDED REPORT FROM ORIGINAL DATED 04/19/2023 ********************* On April 19, 2023, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Ly, arrived at the facility unannounced to close the complaint investigation the above allegation and met with Director B.P. and Assistant Director J.B. There were 10 staff members caring for 47 children. Based on information obtained during the course of this investigation through interviews and information obtained, there was no sufficient evidence to prove (1) Staff yell at daycare children (2) Staff use inappropriate forms of punishment. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation are UNSUBSTANTIATED. Amended report is provided to Licensee for signature. Original signature on file. Report must be made available for public review upon request. A copy of this report and rights to comment and appeal have been discussed with the Director and left with the Director. Notice of Site Visit shall remain posted for 30 days. Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:
Individual employees are shown by initials. The state’s report, linked above, names them in full.
Aug 2022 Licensing visit 1 finding
Licensing visit · August 1, 2022
CCR 101170(e)(1) · Type A
(e) All individuals subject to a criminal record review pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.871 shall prior to working, residing or volunteering in a licensed facility: (1) Obtain a California clearance or a criminal record exemption as required by the Department or This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as one indivdual does not have fingerprint clearance, which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
A day here
- Meals
- In-house meals with organic ingredients whenever possible; warm lunches and two healthy snacks daily
- Sleep
- individualized nap/sleep routine tailored to each infant
- Updates for parents
- Daily updates on learning/progress plus regular parent-teacher conferences
- Calendar
- Year round
- Schedule
- full-time
Details
- Website
- lacademyschools.com
- Address
- 2336 El Camino Real
- License
- 414004632, active
- Ages they serve
- 3 months to 6 years
- Ownership
- For-profitSource: ccld.dss.ca.gov
The state licenses this address more than once, to the same licensee.
The infant-center license is published separately, with its own license and its own inspection record:
L'Academy Preschool Redwood CityDo you run L'Academy Preschool Redwood City? Shortlist has no tuition, ratios or policies for it, because the state does not publish that. Adding it is free and takes about ten minutes.
Add what is missingSources and dates
Where every fact on this page came from, and when Shortlist last checked it against that source. Anything Shortlist could not source is named here rather than left blank.
How they teach
- Approach — Checked July 2026 lacademyschools.com
How they teach
- Approach — Checked July 2026 lacademyschools.com
State record
Every state visit and complaint on file, shown in full and never edited. Open a date to read what the state wrote.
The state’s licensing transparency data reports 5 complaint-related visit(s) to this facility, while 4 complaint investigation report(s) are published on the transparency portal. State complaint counts: substantiated=0, inconclusive=0, unsubstantiated=7, unfounded=CONFIDENTIAL, Type A citations=0, Type B citations=0. The state publishes no further detail for the difference.
A day here
- Meals, Updates for parents, Calendar, Schedule — Checked July 2026 lacademyschools.com
- Sleep — Checked July 2026 lacademyschools.com
Details
- Phone, Address, License — Checked July 2026 ccld.dss.ca.gov
- Website — Checked July 2026 lacademyschools.com
- Ages they serve — Checked July 2026 lacademyschools.com
- Ownership — Checked September 2026 ccld.dss.ca.gov