About
La Canada Preschool offers a play-based day that includes art, small and large motor activities, waterplay, sand play, open ended activities, circle times, free play, books, manipulatives, dramatic play, Zoo Phonics, printing skills, math, music, and singing. Children also experience nature-based curriculum, Reggio inspired projects, learning to read through Zoo Phonics, staff-made playdough, snack time, and an option for nap and play as part of the day.
• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: School hours Monday–Friday 8am–5pm, with a morning program from 9am–12pm and all-day options within 8am–5pm
La Canada Preschool opened in 1949 and is one of the oldest preschools in Los Angeles County, celebrating 75 years in 2024, and has had only three owner/directors in its history. The morning program is mixed age for children 2–5 years old, and there is a Pre-K class with 20 children and 2 teachers. Children in the morning program spend the first ninety minutes outside and the second ninety minutes inside, and there is a nap room with a small, intimate environment where children can rest or fall asleep. Every child’s day is centered around exploration, communication, wonder, social skills development, language skills, and creative expression, with flexibility and willingness to follow a child’s lead. The program includes options for children to stay all day by attending the morning program and then staying for nap and play, or by combining the morning and the Pre-K program. The TK/Pre-K classroom is shaped to be arts focused with an emphasis on social relationships and play, and the TK/Pre-K teacher blends play and academics with an emphasis on art, Reggio inspired projects, nature-based curriculum, and learning to read through Zoo Phonics.
La Canada Preschool has a deep rooted philosophy in children learning through play in a non-institutionalized, small setting and is known as an early childhood educational center where children are valued for their individuality and creative spirit, and where a child’s experience is described as more important than the curriculum. The vision states that wonder, curiosity, self discovery, problem solving, interactions, exploration, and play are valued above all else, and that children are believed to learn best when they make their own choices and set their own goals. The program describes creating a warm and nurturing environment for each child, and states that through open ended play based experiences children flourish, grow to love their school, and take pride in belonging to a community. The stated goal of the director is for each child to love school and create a foundation for all their future learning, and La Canada Preschool is described as a local community preschool.
The program is facilitated by staff with 30 plus years’ experience with preschoolers and maintains one teacher for every seven children. Director Debbie Ficarra has owned and directed La Canada Preschool since 2003, has been teaching since 1987, and has studied for two master’s degrees at Pacific Oaks College. Assistant Director Hugo Ficarra studied early childhood education at UCLA and is described as making the playdough and snack every day for the children. Tony Ojinaga has an AA degree in Early Childhood Education from Pasadena City College, Gloria Ruiz has a BA in the social sciences and additional knowledge from UCLA Extension and RIE, Jenny studied early childhood education at UCLA, and Jackie Kelley has taught at the University of Missouri and UCLA as a professor. The director is in the classroom every day, overseeing and facilitating to all, and the facility is described as non-institutionalized, small, and kept in tip top shape.
Last updated July 13, 2026.
• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: School hours Monday–Friday 8am–5pm, with a morning program from 9am–12pm and all-day options within 8am–5pm
La Canada Preschool opened in 1949 and is one of the oldest preschools in Los Angeles County, celebrating 75 years in 2024, and has had only three owner/directors in its history. The morning program is mixed age for children 2–5 years old, and there is a Pre-K class with 20 children and 2 teachers. Children in the morning program spend the first ninety minutes outside and the second ninety minutes inside, and there is a nap room with a small, intimate environment where children can rest or fall asleep. Every child’s day is centered around exploration, communication, wonder, social skills development, language skills, and creative expression, with flexibility and willingness to follow a child’s lead. The program includes options for children to stay all day by attending the morning program and then staying for nap and play, or by combining the morning and the Pre-K program. The TK/Pre-K classroom is shaped to be arts focused with an emphasis on social relationships and play, and the TK/Pre-K teacher blends play and academics with an emphasis on art, Reggio inspired projects, nature-based curriculum, and learning to read through Zoo Phonics.
La Canada Preschool has a deep rooted philosophy in children learning through play in a non-institutionalized, small setting and is known as an early childhood educational center where children are valued for their individuality and creative spirit, and where a child’s experience is described as more important than the curriculum. The vision states that wonder, curiosity, self discovery, problem solving, interactions, exploration, and play are valued above all else, and that children are believed to learn best when they make their own choices and set their own goals. The program describes creating a warm and nurturing environment for each child, and states that through open ended play based experiences children flourish, grow to love their school, and take pride in belonging to a community. The stated goal of the director is for each child to love school and create a foundation for all their future learning, and La Canada Preschool is described as a local community preschool.
The program is facilitated by staff with 30 plus years’ experience with preschoolers and maintains one teacher for every seven children. Director Debbie Ficarra has owned and directed La Canada Preschool since 2003, has been teaching since 1987, and has studied for two master’s degrees at Pacific Oaks College. Assistant Director Hugo Ficarra studied early childhood education at UCLA and is described as making the playdough and snack every day for the children. Tony Ojinaga has an AA degree in Early Childhood Education from Pasadena City College, Gloria Ruiz has a BA in the social sciences and additional knowledge from UCLA Extension and RIE, Jenny studied early childhood education at UCLA, and Jackie Kelley has taught at the University of Missouri and UCLA as a professor. The director is in the classroom every day, overseeing and facilitating to all, and the facility is described as non-institutionalized, small, and kept in tip top shape.
Last updated July 13, 2026.
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