Mrs. Rivas' Early Child Development Program

"This review comes 16 years later. Back then, we weren't writing reviews like we do now. But as I watch Diana continue this great work with children STILL, I must tell my story. If you're looking for someone to care for your children like they care for their own... Then Mrs. Rivas' Early Child Development Program is where you want your children to be. 16 years ago I found myself in need of a daycare because having a family member watch my daughter wasn't really benefiting me or my daughter. Back then, I looked in the Penny Saver and saw two daycares listed. I went to the first one, not knowing what I was looking for exactly, and I thought the meet went well. Then, I called Diana. When she answered, it already felt different than the first home. I scheduled my visit to her daycare and once I arrived, I knew I was in the right place and I immediately knew what I was looking for. She opened the door and said hello to me and then her attention focused on my 1 year old. She kneeled down to meet and greet my baby. It was then I knew I was in the right place. The other lady never even spoke to my baby. From that day forward, she had been nothing but an amazing energy in my daughter's life, her TiTi and Babe. She taught my baby so much. I truly attribute all my daughter's early learning to Diana. She even tapped me on the shoulder during that age appropriate time and told me it was time to potty train. She was more on top of my daughter's growth and development than I was. She was and is truly heaven sent. My daughter remained in her care for 10 or 11 years. My daughter still adores her TiTi, Babe, and all the family members. Our daughters became best friends, and even off to college, they're still the best of friends. The Rivas' truly become your family. Mrs. Rivas' Early Child Development Program will be one of the best choices you've ever made in your life. Being able to still follow Diana and all the amazing opportunities that she provides for little ones on Instagram, has also been a great experience. She puts so much of herself into what she's does. I've literally watched her grow as an educator both personally and professionally. Any child in her care are blessed beyond measure. They are going to grow not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and socially. Diana, what you give to the world is immeasurable. I thank God for giving us you and for what you're giving back to the world. You. Are. An. Angel. Thank you for being Mikai's TiTi. Thank you for teaching her the fundamentals of education, life lessons, good morals, and simply how to be a good human being. What would I have done without you!!!"

"There are no words to express how well of a job you two do for Marcus. When they say it takes a village to raise a child, Micah and I are elated to have strong, loving and patient people part of our village. You two are with Marcus for a large portion of his day and we see him carry over lessons, attitudes and personalities he's learned from your home. We never have any fears when he's in your hands. Diana, we love how patient and intelligent and hard-working you are. We love that your personality is always so happy. Nick, we love that Marcus gets to have another strong and loving male role model to look up to. At my school I see a lot of kids that their dads are not around to show their boys what it is to be a good man and Marcus was blessed with two to look to. I love that you two are a husband-and-wife team because Marcus gets to witness all day what a healthy marriage should be. We cannot thank you enough for always encouraging him to feel happy and comfortable. He even tells Thomas he has two homes! Thank you! Micah and Rosa Cheney"

"I worked along side Nick and Diana Rivas for about a year and a half while I pursued my AA degree at Cerritos College. Words could never express how amazing this family is and the business they run together. Diana works all hours of the day to ensure that the children are provided with fun, educational, and developmentally appropriate activities. She is constantly changing her teaching methods to accommodate the different ways each of the children learn. Twice a year, she evaluates each student to see what developmental areas needs improvement and arranges Parent Conferences so the parents can see the children's progress. Diana provides parents with monthly Learning Stories and Newsletters so parents can be aware of what the children are learning at the daycare. In addition to the emergent curriculum that is incorporated into the daycare, Mrs. Rivas' is Reggio inspired. Which is a plus! Emilia Reggio is an educational philosophy that is child-centered, which means that activities are often based on the children's interests and ideas. Diana and Nick are constantly observing and documenting their findings on what the children say or do during playtime to create engaging activities for the children. It is essential to provide children with activities that will encourage exploring, imagination, and creativity in a child. Children often work with real tools and natural materials that make their artwork so much more beautiful. In addition, Reggio strongly believes that the parent/families, teachers, and community have a role in the upbringing of a child. If you're looking for a daycare that is caring, nurturing, loving and provides support to not only your child but for the whole family, Mrs. Rivas' is the also the place! This is one of the MANY reasons I fell in love with this place. Every child and family that walks through the door becomes a part of the Rivas' family. The children become so attached to Diana and Nick. They will be talking about these two until they go to bed and the next morning run into the house to give Nick and Diana the biggest hugs. I think it's amazing that the children not only have Diana but also have Nick as a role-model. Nick is very big on encouraging the children to use their good manner and be polite, reminding them to use their "Pleases" and "Thank yous". You can always find Nick reading storybooks or playing with the children on the carpet. Nick isn't afraid to get into character and play along with the children. It’s something I feel the children really enjoy at the daycare! :) For new parents, Diana is always happy to answer any question or give helpful suggestions. She also provides useful resources to all parents. Some resources vary from nutrition to sleeping patterns. She is definitely going to be my go-to-person (aside from my mother) when I have my own children. After having four children of her own, she knows what works and what doesn't. :) If I haven't brag enough, she also provides all the children with a home-cooked meals. Let me tell you: Nick and Diana make the most delicious meals I have ever had, anywhere! You can taste the love they put in every meal. Not only do they provide the children with breakfast, lunch and snack, meals are family style. Which means, the children eat together at the table and the teachers sit along side them as they have conversations with them. The children also learn how to serve themselves appropriate food portions and learn how to use children-size utensils and glass dishes. You'd be surprised at how well the children do at handling these glass dishes! There is so much to say about Nick and Diana's program. They truly are amazing people, who loves what they do! You won't regret choosing Mrs. Rivas' Child Development Program. I promise you, you will end up loving them as much as I do! There is no place like this daycare."

"I don’t even know where to begin! Mrs. and Mr. Rivas are truly a blessing to my family. My husband and I are full time working individuals who were in search of the best care possible for our children while we are away at work for most of the day. As many parents know, it is the hardest and nerve wrecking thing leaving your children for the first time with someone other then family. Let me say, the moment we met with Mrs. Rivas and she opened her front door with her warm and inviting invitation, my motherly instinct told me she was THE ONE :) Mrs. Rivas takes the time to get to know each and every one of her children she cares for at her program. This is not your typical in home daycare where the kids have no structure and watch tv all day. Mrs.Rivas runs a full on STEM educational program that entices children to want to engage in learning through play. Which is brilliant for their age groups. My daughter and son have learned so much in the time they have been here, which puts me at ease knowing my children are learning while I am away. She also cooks a diversity of healthy meals/snacks every day for the children which is also another amazing thing about her program because it exposes the children to all types of foods/veggies/fruits! When I read what they’re having for the day, I wish I could come for lunch too ;) Every holiday, Mrs.Rivas really puts thought into how to make it special and fun for the children. My children LOVE coming every day. My daughter is always so eager to tell me about her day! When it’s time for pick up, my son sometimes refuses to come home and cries because he is leaving! That alone tells me how well taken care of my children are. Mrs.Rivas does inform parents when she has scheduled days off and never once has she diverted from that schedule and has never closed her program. Although this is a daycare/preschool and parents do depend on them for care, you must understand- Mrs.Rivas also has a family and life outside of this program. Like any other “job” you will schedule time off work for family/personal time, dr appointments and vacations. The days off that are scheduled are beyond reasonable and understandable. Mrs.Rivas and her family have truly become family to us. I could go on and on about how GREAT and AMAZING this program is and how Mrs.Rivas is truly so sweet, genuine, smart, and kind but I am selfish and don’t want other parents to fall in love with the program too because she needs to take my third baby soon once I return back to work hahaha! Jokes aside, if you are lucky enough to get your child(ren) in this program, you will be so grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Rivas just as my husband and I are. It takes a village to raise children and I am so blessed and grateful to them in partaking in raising my children. THANK YOU for all that you do Mrs.Rivas!"

"My four year old son and eight month old daughter are currently enrolled in Mrs. Rivas’ EDC Program and we enrolled my son a little over two years ago. For the past two years my son has been treated like he is apart of their family and now my youngest daughter gets to experience the love from ALL of the Rivas Family as well. We all know how hard it is to trust our kid(s) with anyone who isn’t ourself, Grandma/Grandpa , and maybe Aunt/Uncle, however I have never trusted a daycare provider like I have Mrs. Rivas’ EDC Program. When it was time to go back to work after my maternity leave this March, I was at peace knowing my baby was in the best hands possible while I was gone. Mrs. and Mr. Rivas have an amazing establishment and if your daughter, son, or children have the opportunity to be apart of this family, you will see that the one star review just isn’t truthful. It saddens and hurts me to think that someone would leave such an awful review about Mrs. Rivas’ EDC Program, because I feel like they have become our family over the years. Our kids are provided with such an educational, loving, nurturing, positive, and supportive atmosphere all year around. Not once have they surprised us and closed their program. Every December we receive a list of program close dates for the following year, because they have a family of their own too. Just like we need to visit the doctors to stay healthy, so do they. They also enjoy family time and go on vacations, just like we do too. I guess if you don’t read it and don’t mark it down it might sneak up and surprise you. Not once does the review mention the STEM activities they participate in, the special projects our children do for Mother’s and Father’s Day with breakfast provided to the parents, outside bug exploration followed by researching new bugs they find, home made meals (which I always wish I can try, because it smells so delicious), a garden the kids tend to and get to eat from, practicing writing the alphabet and their names, creating their own stories and creating stories together as a team, hands on cooking (my son could crack an egg with no shells in the bowl at 3 years old and he didn’t learn that at my house, because I didn’t allow him to crack eggs at the time. Now he helps me with eggs for breakfast or desserts all the time ), Tooth Fairy visits to teach the kids how to brush their and the importance of it, and I could go on and on. The fact is my children love it here and I am fortunate to have them here. In the morning I drop my kids off and my 8 month old daughter is giggling, smiling, and reaching out to go into Mrs. Rivas’ arms. When I come to pick them up my son tells me at least once a week that I picked him up too early, because he isn’t ready to leave. After a long day I get my baby back and I’m loving her up and she’s already reaching out to go back with Mr. Rivas (yes Mr. Rivas) for one last hug before we leave for the day. My 9 year old daughter tells me every day how she wishes she can stay there with her brother and sister instead of going to elementary school, because she’s jealous of all the fun they have there and the food. To be honest, I am too. I have dealt with my fair share of one star daycares throughout my nine years of being a mommy and I can guarantee this is not a one star establishment. Don’t let the review fool you, please take a minute and go to Care.com and read the reviews there. I’m telling you, you won’t regret having your child(ren) attend here, because Mrs. Rivas’ EDC Program is much more than a daycare, it is a home away from home for our kids."