Are you interested in having your child join Beach School for our 2023-24 school year? Our Annual Open Enrollment will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023. Filling out the online form on our Enrollment Page on Open Enrollment Day your way to finding out more about this one-of-a-kind preschool. We look forward to hearing from you!
Founded in 1953 at a beautiful outdoor beach location on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Portuguese Bend Nursery School is a unique parent-participation cooperative preschool serving 3- and 4-year old children.
Our teachers and families are dedicated to providing a safe, fun, loving, exciting, and nurturing environment where children learn and grow through play.
Come join us on Thursday, March 2, 2023 for a fun and informative Open House on the beach! Please visit our enrollment page for more information and fill out an enrollment form. Registration is required.
Questions? Contact us.
Portuguese Bend Nursery School opened its doors to families in 1953. Thanks to Elin Vanderlip for the gift of this wonderful place and for knowing that children need simplicity, sun, and sea breezes to thrive. PBNS is a treasure, experienced by a lucky few. It holds the hearts and memories of many children and parents alike. It transports generations to a simpler time. It is like a time capsule that holds the laughter and joy of those that have passed thru its sand. It is an honest place, a beautiful sunny and happy place. May you live on Portuguese Bend Nursery School in our hearts and on the beach!
In 2019 we at Portuguese Bend Nursery School celebrate Teacher Sandy Holderman’s 30th year as Yellow Bird Teacher of our beloved school. Sandy is deeply rooted at PBNS and her roots run deeper than the 30 years she’s served as Teacher. Sandy was an active parent with the school 33 years ago when she enrolled her daughter at PBNS. Recently, she got to teach her grandson at Beach School. It seems fitting then, that she should come to be the Director at Portuguese Bend Nursery School, a position she has held for 25 years.
She is naturally gifted with children and genuinely embodies the philosophy of the school by teaching through play-based ideals and reaching kids with simple, effective activities. In lieu of modern gadgets, Sandy encourages use of every day things that inspire imagination and peak curiosity. No doubt, Sandy is special in this way. She is patient and boundless in her energy. For those children lucky to know Sandy as their first teacher they will likely never forget her.
Thank you, Teacher Sandy, for 30 years of care and commitment to Beach School. Your legacy will be around for many more years to come as you have left your imprint on every aspect of life at PBNS.
PBNS is located on a land preserve with a private road with limited vehicle capacity. Carpooling is a must per our land agreement as it reduces the number of vehicles to those allowed on the road as well as help to preserve the wildlife and the beauty of the land.
Each member family is required to raise approximately $450 minimum per child that is enrolled in the school. The school provides guided fundraising opportunities that can help the member families reach this goal throughout the school year.
A co-op (cooperative) is a non-profit parent participation school where member families help to run and maintain the school. Members also help to finance the school through donations and fundraising.
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