Parent & Me — Bumblebees
A first step into the Chippingford experience.
At a glance
- Fall begins Monday, October 19
- Ages: 15 months–3 years (at least 15 months by session start)
- Days: Mondays and Wednesdays, about eight weeks per cohort
- Time: 9:30–11:00 a.m. Optional outdoor play until 11:30 a.m. Stay if your little one is up for it
- Size: Up to 8 children, each with a parent or caregiver
- Led by: Christine Finneman, preschool director
- Where: At our Westwood campus near UCLA, adjacent to Hilgard Ave and Strathmore Dr. Exact address, parking, and arrival details come with your confirmation
- Tuition: $85 per class
About Bumblebees
For children ages 15 months to 3 years (at least 15 months by the start of the session), Bumblebees is a Parent & Me morning where a young child explores, plays, and begins school life alongside a parent or caregiver — known, guided, and glad to be here.
Outdoor exploration, hands-on work, creative making, circle, and social play sit together on purpose. Children try new things, practice early independence, and learn the beginnings of respectful relationship: sharing space, finding words, navigating small conflict, belonging to a small classroom community.
Parents and caregivers are part of the room. You may join in, step back and watch, or offer a hand when your child needs you. Christine Finneman, preschool director, leads the morning at our Westwood campus near UCLA, adjacent to Hilgard Ave and Strathmore Dr: guiding the class, introducing work, modeling kind peer moments, and helping children through those first experiences with other children.
Bumblebees lets families feel Chippingford’s philosophy and community in person, and gives a child an early feel for school: its routines, relationships, and rhythm.
Cohorts
Fall, Winter, and Spring cohorts, meeting Mondays and Wednesdays.
- Fall (October 19–December 16): October 19, 21, 26, 28; November 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 30; December 2, 7, 9, 14, 16
- Winter (January 4–March 8): January 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 25, 27; February 1, 3, 8, 10, 22, 24; March 1, 3, 8
- Spring (April 5–May 26): April 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28; May 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26
Who this is for
- You want a warm, human-first step into a learning community together with your child and other families — not a drop-off daycare program.
- You want outdoor play, circle, and hands-on work in a small room where a teacher knows your child.
- You want to see Chippingford from the inside before (or alongside) a longer admissions conversation.
Who this is not for
- You need a guaranteed path into preschool enrollment.
- You are looking for drop-off care without a parent or caregiver present.
- You want a camp catalog or a club menu.
About admission
Participation in Bumblebees is not required for admission to Chippingford and does not guarantee future enrollment.
Inquire
A short inquiry. We read what you send so we can tell you honestly whether this program is a good fit.
