Who we are


For the past 24 years The Joy of Learning Academy has become an important link between home, school and community for young children and families as well as an enrichment program for school age children.

Preschool Mission


Our mission is to provide a high-quality early education program that will maximize school readiness to build a strong foundation for smooth transition into Kindergarten and beyond.  We are committed to children’s future academic success.

History


The Joy of Learning Academy also known as Mendoza Family Day care was established on April 1996 to help families that need reliable childcare and Preschool education.  As director and owner observed children enroll in day care from growing form small babies to active toddlers, she expanded the program to include many stimulating learning activities.  She attended college and obtained a Master Teacher permit and after a Site supervisor permit.  In 2001 Mendoza FCC became an Accredited FCC.  In 2005 Mendoza FCC become part of the Los Angeles Universal Preschool becoming one of the pioneers in the area and become part of the California Mentor Program to be a role model in the child development field.  In 2009 The Joy of Learning moved to a new location build by the director and her husband allocating again large areas to offer a preschool and home environment offering preschool and different extra curriculum activities to meet the needs of their community.   FCC owner who is the director and lead teacher all these years with the passion for working with young children and committed to her profession decided to continue to operate in a home environment rather that becoming a day care center with the believe that small children need a home environment during their early lives and after experiencing the long term results and benefits of closer relationship it brings becoming an extended family for many families.  We believe that families, teachers and the community are the most important influence on a child’s development.  We recognize and respect what each child brings to the program, including his or her own family values and culture.  We also participate in the California Mentor Program where child development students of different community colleges such as Mt. San Antonio College, Citrus College, Rio Hondo College, and others are able to choose our site to do their field work enriching our program in many areas.  The director and assistants continue to attend workshops regularly. With this educational background and twenty years of experience The Joy of Learning Academy has become and important link between home and school for young children as well as an enrichment program for before and after school. We work every day to meet our children and families needs and getting involved in our community for the benefit of our families.We often serve as a link between the families and the community.  

Experience

  • 24 years of experience working directly with all ages children.

  • 24 years of experience operating a large family day care and 11 running a quality preschool program funded by LAUP.

  • Child Development Site Supervisor Permit

  • AA and AS in Child Development and Business Management

  • Masters  in Child Development in process at Pacific Oaks College

  • Awarded for the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year Award in 2009 and Judge during the 2011 and 2014 awards.

  • Member of the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)

  • Participated and protagonist in a film project and implemented the Let’s Move Campaign, supported by the CDC to prevent childhood obesity.

  • Featured in UNIVISION, Channel 34 Los Angeles showing small segments on early childhood education

  • 14 years Serving as Mentor for the California Early Childhood Mentor Program

  • Advocated for early childhood education in different events

  • HLPAE Heroes Award Recipient 2011

  • Panelist of the Student Entrepreneur event “What is Your Big Idea” at Mt. San Antonio College 2012

  • Panelist of the “Let’s Move! Child Care by CDC at the 2014 NAFCC Pre-Conference in Atlanta, GA

Some of our unique features being a home-based program are:

  • QSLA score 5/5 Tier program

  • Part of the Child 360 Network and QSLA

  • Our program environment is assessed using the Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale (FCCERS) and the teacher-child interactions using the CLASS assessment obtaining high score rates. 

  • Flexible schedule to meet our working families’ needs

  • Strong relationships with each parent on a personal level

  • Low child/teacher ratios that allow children to receive personal attention from teachers that allows for an easy home-school transition.

  • Nutritious homemade meals serve in a family style promoting health, wellness, manners and positive quality social interactions.

  • Our classrooms provide a safe inviting learning environment to support children’s development using research based child development Curriculum.

  • We strive to maintain a classroom environment that is inviting and well furnished.

We operate on a non-discriminatory basis.  We do not participate in practices that discriminate against children by denying benefits, giving special advantages or excluding them from programs or activities on the basis of their race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, language, ability, or the status, behavior or beliefs of their parents.

  

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