FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 17, 2022

CONTACT:
LAX Public Relations
(424) 646-5260

(Los Angeles) Today, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) announced the reopening of the First Flight Child Development Center, with spaces available for interested families. The center, which is owned by LAWA and operated by La Petite Academy, a subsidiary of the Learning Care Group, provides quality childcare for families living and working within communities near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

"The First Flight Child Development Center has provided enriching learning experiences and compassionate care for children for more than 20 years, and we are happy to be able to once again welcome families from our airport and surrounding communities to share in those experiences," said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. "Together with our partners at the Learning Care Group, the center will be a safe, diverse, nurturing and exciting environment for our community's youth to learn and grow. We are proud that the center will provide an excellent benefit to our LAWA and airport workers, as well as the surrounding community."

First opened in 1998, the center offers parents, guardians and families a convenient and cost-effective option for local childcare services that are open to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. The center's program offers innovative STEM-focused (science, technology, engineering and math) activities in an inclusive environment that are meant to build confidence ahead of a child's introduction to a school environment. It is located north of LAX along Lincoln Boulevard in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles. The center closed in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

While the center prioritizes admission for children whose family members work at LAWA, spaces for members of the public at large are available. To find out more about qualifications and enrollment, individuals should email FirstFlightChildcare@lawa.org. Those wishing to be considered for enrollment should send an email with the subject line, "FFCDC Prospective Enrollee," and should provide contact information, their relationship to LAWA (LAWA Employee, LAWA Tenant, or Community) and the child's age. Those desiring an infant space should send an email with the subject, "FFCDC Prospective Infant Enrollee," and provide the contact information and LAWA relationship in the body of the email.

Enrollment priority is given first to LAWA employees, then workers employed with LAX tenants, with remaining spaces are offered to the public when no children of LAWA or tenant employees remain on the wait list.

About Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is the City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates Los Angeles International (LAX) and Van Nuys (VNY) general aviation airports, as well as aviation-related property in Palmdale. Both play an integral role in helping to meet the Southern California regional demand for passenger, cargo and general aviation service. Both airports make a distinct contribution to the strength of the system as it provides a high level of safety, security and service for its customers, communities and stakeholders. More information can be found at lawa.org.

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.