About
Li'l Cottonwood Preschool offers play-based learning that includes artistic expression, music, language arts, science materials and activities, literature, dramatic play, nutrition, and both small and large motor activities. Children take part in sensory experiences at art stations, use books, music, blocks, and manipulatives, and join in group time, movement, story time, snack time, indoor and outdoor playtime, interactive learning, and yoga.
• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: Caterpillar Class (ages 2.9–4 years, under 3 at the discretion of the teacher) meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30–11:30 am; Butterfly Class (ages 3.5–5 years, under 4 at the discretion of the teacher) meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30–11:30 am; the daily schedule includes arrival at 8:15 am with parents staying until class starts, group time, snack and outside time, classroom activities, clean-up, yoga, and dismissal at 11:30 am with parent sign-out required.
• Price: Tuition for 2025–2026 is $235 per month for the Caterpillar Class (Tues/Thurs) and $265 per month for the Butterfly Class (Mon/Wed/Fri); first month’s tuition is due upon enrollment, later tuition is due on the 1st of each month with a $10 late fee after a one-week grace period; one-time annual fees are a $75 registration fee, $100 curriculum and supply fee, $11 OCCPPNS membership fee, and $2.95 Student Accident Insurance fee; there may be occasional field trip costs and an optional t-shirt purchase; tuition and fees are subject to change upon Board approval.
Li'l Cottonwood Preschool was established in 1959 and has been in operation for more than 60 years, with a stated special heritage and legacy in the community. The program follows a parent participation cooperative (co-op) preschool model with a family-centered format and a strong emphasis on parent involvement, including assisting in the classroom about 1–2 times per month, holding a volunteer job for the school year, attending a monthly evening parent meeting, and participating in fundraisers. The school states that it generally follows the Los Alamitos Unified School District academic calendar for holidays and that each class has a maximum of 15 students with a 1:5 adult-to-child ratio.
The mission statement explains that the program uses a co-op model so children can feel comfortable and be themselves while they play and learn, with a curriculum that emphasizes the development of the whole child—physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially—through play-based activities. The mission also states that the objective is to create a warm, friendly, and safe atmosphere that fosters positive attitudes and development, that teaching respect for self and others is essential so children feel safe, valued, and nurtured, that social-emotional learning is key, and that good communication between parents and teachers is viewed as essential to a happy and productive learning experience.
Li'l Cottonwood Preschool is licensed by the State Department of Social Services and is a member of the Orange County Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools (OCCPPNS). The program belongs to OCCPPNS and notes that the co-op model creates a culture of friendship for both children and parents and helps form strong relationships with other families, serving families from Buena Park, Cypress, Garden Grove, Lakewood, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, and Westminster.
The teacher and director, Mrs. Wissa, has more than 8 years of experience working with children and holds the required Child Development permits for Program Director and Master Teacher through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Her background includes work for Los Alamitos Unified School District as an Instructional Assistant and substitute for Lead Teachers at the Child Development Center, and she most recently served as the Coordinator and Art Teacher for the art program at the preschools. She holds a BA in Art History and a BFA in Ceramics from Colorado State University.
Program requirements state that students must be potty trained and have current immunizations required by the State of California. Parent volunteers in the classroom must submit a negative TB test and proof of TDap and MMR vaccinations, arrive at 8:00 am on their workdays to help set up, stay until about 12:00 pm to help clean up, stay with their child until class starts at 8:30 am, and arrive on time for dismissal to sign their child out.
Parent testimonials describe that families know what happens in the classroom, know the other students, and have formed friendships with other families, and one parent notes that their Li'l Cottonwood Preschool volunteer job has been fun to do as a couple. Another parent states that artistic expression, playtime, and socialization are high priorities, that their children try many new activities each week, have grown in their love and abilities for art, come home singing songs and talking about friends and their teacher, and that the parent enjoys helping in the classroom and socializing with other parents.
Last updated July 21, 2026.
• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: Caterpillar Class (ages 2.9–4 years, under 3 at the discretion of the teacher) meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30–11:30 am; Butterfly Class (ages 3.5–5 years, under 4 at the discretion of the teacher) meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30–11:30 am; the daily schedule includes arrival at 8:15 am with parents staying until class starts, group time, snack and outside time, classroom activities, clean-up, yoga, and dismissal at 11:30 am with parent sign-out required.
• Price: Tuition for 2025–2026 is $235 per month for the Caterpillar Class (Tues/Thurs) and $265 per month for the Butterfly Class (Mon/Wed/Fri); first month’s tuition is due upon enrollment, later tuition is due on the 1st of each month with a $10 late fee after a one-week grace period; one-time annual fees are a $75 registration fee, $100 curriculum and supply fee, $11 OCCPPNS membership fee, and $2.95 Student Accident Insurance fee; there may be occasional field trip costs and an optional t-shirt purchase; tuition and fees are subject to change upon Board approval.
Li'l Cottonwood Preschool was established in 1959 and has been in operation for more than 60 years, with a stated special heritage and legacy in the community. The program follows a parent participation cooperative (co-op) preschool model with a family-centered format and a strong emphasis on parent involvement, including assisting in the classroom about 1–2 times per month, holding a volunteer job for the school year, attending a monthly evening parent meeting, and participating in fundraisers. The school states that it generally follows the Los Alamitos Unified School District academic calendar for holidays and that each class has a maximum of 15 students with a 1:5 adult-to-child ratio.
The mission statement explains that the program uses a co-op model so children can feel comfortable and be themselves while they play and learn, with a curriculum that emphasizes the development of the whole child—physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially—through play-based activities. The mission also states that the objective is to create a warm, friendly, and safe atmosphere that fosters positive attitudes and development, that teaching respect for self and others is essential so children feel safe, valued, and nurtured, that social-emotional learning is key, and that good communication between parents and teachers is viewed as essential to a happy and productive learning experience.
Li'l Cottonwood Preschool is licensed by the State Department of Social Services and is a member of the Orange County Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools (OCCPPNS). The program belongs to OCCPPNS and notes that the co-op model creates a culture of friendship for both children and parents and helps form strong relationships with other families, serving families from Buena Park, Cypress, Garden Grove, Lakewood, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, and Westminster.
The teacher and director, Mrs. Wissa, has more than 8 years of experience working with children and holds the required Child Development permits for Program Director and Master Teacher through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Her background includes work for Los Alamitos Unified School District as an Instructional Assistant and substitute for Lead Teachers at the Child Development Center, and she most recently served as the Coordinator and Art Teacher for the art program at the preschools. She holds a BA in Art History and a BFA in Ceramics from Colorado State University.
Program requirements state that students must be potty trained and have current immunizations required by the State of California. Parent volunteers in the classroom must submit a negative TB test and proof of TDap and MMR vaccinations, arrive at 8:00 am on their workdays to help set up, stay until about 12:00 pm to help clean up, stay with their child until class starts at 8:30 am, and arrive on time for dismissal to sign their child out.
Parent testimonials describe that families know what happens in the classroom, know the other students, and have formed friendships with other families, and one parent notes that their Li'l Cottonwood Preschool volunteer job has been fun to do as a couple. Another parent states that artistic expression, playtime, and socialization are high priorities, that their children try many new activities each week, have grown in their love and abilities for art, come home singing songs and talking about friends and their teacher, and that the parent enjoys helping in the classroom and socializing with other parents.
Last updated July 21, 2026.
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