The New Kidville On The Block {+Giveaway}
When I moved from DC to LA with a ten-month baby in tow and no established mommy tribe to boot, I turned to mommy-and-me classes and local play spaces in an effort to be social and start building a community. But honestly, I quickly gave up on this idea because I never found a place that satisfied my desire for a one-stop family shop (not to mention I would’ve hated to drive zigzags all over this geographically expansive city just to go to music, gym, art, and soccer classes as my son turned into a toddler). Thankfully, I don’t have to look any further or worry about all the wear and tear on my car because Christy Desai must have divined what I was looking for in a kids’ space.
This week Christy opens the doors to Kidville Brentwood, an internationally recognized children’s facility for the six and under set, and the first of its kind in Los Angeles. When she arrived to California by way of Kansas City and New York, Christy soon found that she missed the convenience and quality of the Kidville classes and preschool alternative that her daughter once enjoyed when living in NYC. Because nothing of this caliber existed in LA, Christy saw it as an opportunity and thought Kidville would be a great complement to busy parents’ lives.
Of course, parents have many play space options to choose from in LA. But when asked what makes Kidville different than the rest, Christy explains that it is a one-stop-shop for baby and toddler classes, camps, birthday parties, retail shopping, and even hair styling at its in-house salon! And above all else, Kidville’s mission is about enrichment. “You enjoy classes for a semester and build consistency and community with a set group of children, parents, and teachers,” she says. We say, thank you.
Whether you enroll long term or drop in on classes, there’s certainly something for everyone—Rockin’ Railroad, Run Wiggle Paint & Giggle, My Big Messy Art Class, Big Muscles for Little Babies, Kidville Gymnasts, Kidville Sports—many of which feature a literacy component too. Beyond weekly classes, Kidville also offers a great preschool alternative geared toward 2 to 3 year olds. The Kidville University (KVU) program is based on early childhood education curriculum that promotes gradual separation and independence from the caregiver. In this part-time program, students lead the learning process and direct classroom content so it’s not only normal for a lesson in farm animals to lead to another about cooking or even outer space, but it’s encouraged. Perfect for toddlers and their curious minds!
We’re excited to have Kidville in the neighborhood.
Our kids are excited.
And so is Christy!
She gushes, “I’m most looking forward to Kidville being a community hub for families. Parents can meet for playdates, moms can makes friends in classes, and kids can be dropped off for free play while moms get a blow out at the nearby Drybar. It’s really a place where kids can indulge in all the things that kids want to do in a safe, clean environment.” And like any proud mom, she continues, “At Kidville, we get to experience the firsts, the milestones of kids along with them…walking, discovering they can do something new, making friends…it’s wonderful.”
Clearly, opening Kidville Brentwood is a labor of love for this mompreneur who took a leap of faith, moved out of her comfort zone, sought help when needed, and worked long hours to make it happen. But as Christy lets us know, the stress of starting and running a new business didn’t faze her because it pales in comparison when her primary concern is her children’s well being. “As scary, overwhelming, or exciting as it may be at times, it’s all okay if my kids are happy,” relates Christy. And for those really hectic days? She copes by enjoying a self-proclaimed boring night at the movies with popcorn, M&Ms, a Coke, and her husband or a girls’ night out dinner at Sugarfish. Sounds like mommy bliss to us!
Because Christy believes experiencing Kidville is the key to understanding its many components, she invites you to the following grand opening events:
- Saturday, May 12: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (Rockin’ Railroad concert at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm)
- Saturday, May 19: Noon to 3:00 pm (Rockin’ Railroad concert at 1:00 pm)
- Sunday, May 20: Noon to 3:00 pm
- Free trial classes offered the week of May 14
Kidville Brentwood Giveaway
This giveaway is now closed.
Congrats to Anny (Comment #13), you were selected as the winner!
In celebration of its grand opening, Kidville Brentwood is also offering one LA-based Salt & Nectar reader a class of his or her choice for a semester! The giveaway prize includes:
- One 45-minute class for one full semester
- One silver membership to Kidville (If applicable for semester of enrollment)
- Non-transferable
- Cannot be redeemed for cash
- Redeem by Fall Semester 2012
To enter, leave a comment below telling us which class you'd most like to try with your child. (Please use the e-mail field provided, so we can contact the winner).
As always, we will use Random.org to select the winners. The contest will run from today until next Thursday, May 17th at 12AM PST.
No purchase is necessary. Odds of winning are based on number of entries received (duplicate entries will be deleted and only one will be counted). This giveaway is open to Los Angeles-area residents 18 and older only.
To learn more about Kidville, follow it on Facebook.
Neither Sarah nor Salt & Nectar were paid to write this interview or host this giveaway
~ The Other Sarah
25 Comments
Reader Comments (25)
Big Muscle Playtime looks like a ton of fun!
I would love to try the Big Muscle Playtime. My 18-month-old has TONS of energy and I think this class would be perfect for him!
Would love to try Run, Wiggle, Paint & Giggle. Very excited Kidville came to LA!
Rockin' Railroad sounds fun!
Great post. Very excited to check out Kidville :) I would love to take Wiggle Giggle Together!
Rockin Railroad sounds like fun!
Run, Wiggle, Paint & Giggle® of course!! (-;
Wow! Sounds amazing! Rockin' Railroad sounds fantastic! My daughter would love it!
Rockin' Railroad!
Big Muscle Play Time looks like tons of fun. This place looks great. Can't wait to check it out.
A reason to come Westside, indeed, Sarah! My 14 month old son would love the Rockin' Railroad class. With a musician father, he's already shown a great proclivity toward the guitar and drums!
Would love a chance to win!!!! Looks like so much fun! Thanks!
Would love to take Wiggle, Giggle Together! Thanks!
I would love for my little girl to try the Run, Wiggle, Paint & Giggle class. We just moved here from Chicago and everyone seems so nice it would be great to meet other moms in the area!
I'd love to do the Wee Wiggle class - - combo of sign language as well as music involved -something I've been wanting to do with my little one.
We would love to try the Rockin'
Railroad class :)
We would love to try the Rockin' Railroad class! Sounds like fun! :)
I would love to check out the rocking' railroad class!
Rockin railroad sounds rockin!! We would love to check out a class!
This looks amazing. I would love to try Rockin' Railroad. Thanks!!
Rockin Railroad sounds awesome! Fun, fun!!
Run Wiggle Paint & Giggle! :) Sounds fun!
Can't wait to visit this weekend! Love that's it close by and would love to be enrolled in the Rockin' Railroad or Kidville University. Thanks Christy!
Rockin' Railroad sounds like a blast!
My sister raves about the Muscles Class in New Jersey! I totally want to try it.