Amber Bravo, Center Director
Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years
Open:
Elementary Schools Bussed To:
Currently, we do not provide bus service to any schools.
Our center is accredited by NAEYC.
Welcome to Harbor-UCLA KinderCare
Welcome to Harbor-UCLA KinderCare, located in Torrance, CA. We love working with the diverse families here in our pocket of Southern California. We build a warm, welcoming, and supportive classroom for children of all abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. It's our mission from the moment you walk into our center that you feel welcomed and a part of our KinderCare family!
Meet Amber Bravo, Our Center Director
At KinderCare Since: 2014
Education: Master's Degree
Favorite Children's Book: It's Okay to Make Mistakes
Meet Amber Bravo! She is the Center Director at Harbor-UCLA KinderCare in California. Amber attended California State University Long Beach, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been with KinderCare since 2014. Every day, Amber enjoys helping children learn and discover their true potential. Her favorite quote is, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and Snap! The job’s a game.” - Mary Poppins. Outside of work, Amber enjoys spending time with her family.
AMERICA’S MOST ACCREDITED
We’re so proud!
Nationally only 10% of daycares are accredited - nearly 100% of our learning centers are. That’s a big difference, and that means KinderCare kids are getting the very best. Here’s why.
SCHOOL-READY
What Learning Looks Like
Our talented early-childhood teachers set kids down the path toward becoming lifelong learners in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment.
Harbor-UCLA KinderCare Programs
Infant Programs (6 weeks–1 year)
Leaving your baby in someone else’s care is a big step. Everyone at our centers—most importantly, our naturally gifted infant teachers—will work with you to make sure the transition goes smoothly. When you step into our infant classroom, you’ll see how much we want your infant to feel safe, loved, and ready to explore their world.
Toddler Programs (1–2 Years)
Everything in our toddler classroom is designed for little explorers. That’s because a lot is going on at this age. When your child is wandering all over the place, that means they’re learning and discovering new things every day. We’ll help them explore their interests (and find new ones!) as they play and learn.
Discovery Preschool Programs (2–3 Years)
This age is filled with so much wonder and curiosity. That’s why we offer a ton of books and toys and bring artwork down to kids eye level. Children in discovery preschool also begin to learn how we all work together in a classroom. Simple math and science, pretend play, and group play help them get used to a more structured school setting.
Preschool Programs (3–4 Years)
This age is all about expression, when kids really start to form their own ideas about what they want to play and how they want to create. Every day in our preschool classroom, your child will explore science experiments, create artwork, and play pretend—all the skills needed for their big next step: kindergarten!
Prekindergarten Programs (4–5 Years)
When you walk into one of our pre-K classrooms, you’ll see artwork and writing displayed around the room. Labels are everywhere to help kids connect letters with words. You’ll also see pictures on the walls that reflect the families in our community. Your child will also deepen their knowledge in language, math, science, Spanish, and social skills.
Learning Adventures - Enrichment Program
Music Explorers™ (2 – 4 Years)
KinderCare families are already giving a standing ovation to our newest Learning Adventures program: Music Explorers! Kids will learn to sing, move, listen, play instruments, and even create their own tunes. Our original curriculum blends math, science, social studies, literacy, and mindfulness (think yoga!) for a uniquely KinderCare way of learning the foundations of music.
Phonics Adventures® (2 – 4 Years)
Learning how to read is a whole lot of fun at KinderCare! We help kids grow to love books and words (and get ready for kindergarten) in our Phonics Adventures program. From discovering the basics of vowels to practicing poetry, kids learn all about letters and sounds in small-group lessons made just for their age group. (Bonus: Kids who attend our phonics program are more prepared than their peers for school—and we have the data to prove it.)
Spanish
Spanish Adventures provides young learners with a foundation for later success with the Spanish language. Music, games, children's Spanish literature, and other tools give children multiple opportunities to hear, practice, and see Spanish language to develop vocabulary and conversation skills. Curriculum includes lessons on greetings, numbers, colors, animals, family, body parts, and pets, as well as how to engage conversationally during common scenarios at home, a restaurant, or at the zoo.
STEM Innovators (3-8 Years)
You’ve probably heard a lot about how important STEM education is for your child, but what does that really mean? Our STEM Innovators program takes kids’ natural ability to make sense of the world and applies it to robotics, chemistry, coding, geology, and more. While your child experiments, they’ll discover how to use technology to do amazing things!
Creative Arts
Our Teachers
We're the only company in early childhood education to select teachers based on natural talent. Being a great educator isn't enough though. KinderCare teachers are also amazing listeners, nurturers, boo-boo fixers, and smile-makers. Put more simply, we love our teachers and your child will, too.
Meet just a few of our amazing KinderCare teachers!
A KINDERCARE TEACHER WITH
An Artist's Heart
"My classroom is full of art!” says Mary Annthipie-Bane, an award-winning early childhood educator at KinderCare. Art and creative expression, she says, help children discover who they really are.
We put our best-in-class teachers in a best-in-class workplace. We're so proud to have been named one of Gallup's 37 winners of the Great Workplace Award. When you put great teachers in an engaging center, your children will experience an amazing place to learn and grow.
Family Stories
Don't take our word for it. Hear what our families have to say about our amazing center!
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My son has been going here since the beginning of the year. This school is very convenient for me, as it is walking distance from work. You need to be buzzed in to gain entry into the school, a nice safety measure. Overall, the school is bright and colorful, everything is nicely labeled, there are family pictures everywhere and, most importantly, the children are happy and well-mannered!!! This is a nice, clean facility, and the teachers are all really nice and easy to talk with.
”Vera N. - KinderCare Parent
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I want to take this time to express how grateful I am for my daughter’s education. My daughter began at Harbor UCLA Children’s Center KinderCare on March 9, 2010 she was only three years old. My daughter loved going to school on a daily basis and would miss her teachers during the weekend, it means a lot to a parent who has to work everyday and feels comfortable leaving their child with these gentle, loving and educated women.<br /> <br /> The whole staff has been amazing and a special thank you to Ms. Monica in the Kindergarten class. My hat goes off to you; my family and I are extremely satisfied with the style, quality, and consistency you have in teaching young children. Today was our daughter’s first day of school, my wife and I were extremely nervous. Our princess had always been in a smaller learning environment and here she was going, to this huge new school. Luckily, today was a short day and she was going to be off from school early. When we picked her up my wife and I walked over to her teacher and introduced ourselves. The teacher then asked us, what school she came from?” my wife said from Harbor UCLA Children’s Center KinderCare. The teacher then said “your daughter is really smart, keep up the good work and do not stop doing what you have been doing.” As my wife and I are walking through the huge playground, tears began coming down her face she was saying “omg what are we going to do without Ms. Monica, and the rest of KinderCare?…look at how much they have helped us with our daughter. I could not wait to come back to work and tell someone about this incredible experience.<br /> <br /> I whole heartedly know that KinderCare is the best thing that has happened to our family, I truly recommend this school to all my friends and family.
”Miguel - KinderCare Parent
Who Are KinderCare Families?
They hail from hundreds of cities across the country from countless backgrounds, and proudly represent every walk in life. What our families have in common, though, is the want to give their children the best start in life. We are so proud to be their partner in parenting.
Hear from just a few of our amazing KinderCare families.
A Globe-Trotting Family Finds A
Home in Houston
Four young children, four different passports, two languages, two full-time jobs…oh, and a few triathlons thrown in for good measure. Meet the globe-trotting Colettas—a family on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accreditations does KinderCare have?
We are your trusted caregiver. Our centers are state-licensed and regularly inspected to make sure everything meets or exceeds standards, including child-to-teacher ratios and safe facilities. Our centers aren’t just licensed—most are accredited, too! Find out more.
Do you offer part-time schedules at Harbor-UCLA KinderCare?
Everybody’s schedule is different. We’re happy to offer quality, affordable part-time and full-time childcare. Drop-in care may also be available. Reach out to your Center Director to learn more.
How does naptime work at Harbor-UCLA KinderCare?
Our teachers meet every child’s needs during naptime. Our teachers know how to get babies to nap. In fact, they are pros at getting children of any age to nap. Visit our article on "10 Ways We Help Kids Get a Great Daycare Nap" to learn more.
Do you support alternative diets?
We strive to be as inclusive as possible. To that point, we provide a vegetarian option at mealtime, take care to not serve common allergens and can adapt menus based on your child’s food sensitivities. If your child has additional needs, we’ll work with you to figure out a plan.
Are meals included in tuition? Can I choose to send my child with lunch?
We provide nutritious meals and snacks developed by a registered dietician to meet the needs of rapidly growing bodies and minds. If your child has special dietary requirements and you would prefer to bring in their lunch, please make arrangements with the center director.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
Every child begins toilet learning at a different age. Until your child shows an interest in toilet learning, we’ll provide diaper changes on an as-needed basis. When your child shows an interest, we'll discuss how to work together to encourage toilet learning.