Inspiring Conversations with Arbi Delkeoukian of The Learning House Preschool

Today we’d like to introduce you to Arbi Delkeoukian.

Hi Arbi , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in child development started about 26 years ago when I was a teenager. Growing up, I was always surrounded by kids and I naturally enjoyed spending time with them, teaching, interacting, and especially watching them figure things out on their own.

My first job was at an elementary school working with fifth and sixth graders. I enjoyed it a lot, one day the school needed extra help in a kindergarten classroom and asked if I could step in. That moment completely changed everything for me. From that day on, I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, work with young children. After that, I always requested to be placed with the younger age groups.

I went on to study child development and got my first preschool teaching job at Flintridge Montessori School. That experience opened my eyes to early education and planted the seed that one day I wanted to open my own preschool.

After about two years, I continued building my experience and took a position at the Children’s Center at The Walt Disney Company in Burbank. I learned a tremendous amount during my time there. The director was passionate about bringing more male educators into early childhood, and I felt proud to be part of that. Some of my best memories and growth as an educator came from my time at Disney.

Wanting to expand my experience even further, I later worked for a nonprofit organization serving children from low-income families. Through Child Development Consortium of Los Angeles, I completed hundreds of hours of professional training, which played a huge role in shaping my teaching philosophy and approach.

After several years, I had saved enough to take a big step forward. With the support of my family, especially my older brother, I purchased my first home and began the process of opening a licensed family daycare. In 2014, I officially opened The Learning House Preschool out of my home, which was one of the proudest moments of my life.

I ran the home based program successfully for nine years, building strong, lasting relationships with families and watching so many children grow. As my own family grew, especially after getting married and having children, it became more challenging to balance both home and school under one roof.

That led me to the next chapter. In 2023, I purchased a center-based preschool in Woodland Hills and transitioned my program there. The school had great potential, but it didn’t reflect the philosophy I believed in. I completely transformed the environment, indoors and outdoors, as well as the curriculum, shifting it to a more Reggio inspired, play based approach that focuses on hands on learning and child led exploration.

Today, I feel incredibly grateful to continue doing what I love, supporting children, partnering with families, and serving my community through The Learning House Preschool.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all! It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think that’s part of what shaped me into the director I am today.

Like many small business owners, one of the biggest challenges was taking that initial leap of faith, leaving a stable job to start something of my own. Opening my first home daycare came with a lot of uncertainty, from navigating licensing and regulations to building trust with families and growing enrollment from the ground up.

There were also challenges in gaining respect early on, especially as a young male in a field that is predominantly female. I had to consistently prove myself, stay committed and let my work speak for itself.

As I grew, new challenges came with it. Balancing long hours, managing staff, maintaining quality, and still being present for families was not always easy. Transitioning from a home based program to a center in 2023 was another major hurdle. The school I purchased needed a complete transformation, from the environment to the philosophy and that required a lot of time, energy, and financial investment.

On top of that, becoming a parent of three young kids added another layer. Learning how to balance running a school while raising my own children has been one of the most meaningful but also most demanding parts of the journey.

But through all of it, every challenge has helped me grow. It pushed me to become more patient, more intentional, and more passionate about the work I do. Now all three of my kids attend my preschool and it’s been the most fulfilling part of my journey. Looking back, I wouldn’t change any of it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Learning House Preschool ?
The Learning House Preschool is a small, community focused preschool in Woodland Hills serving children ages 2 to 5. We are a play based, Reggio inspired program that blends hands on learning with strong relationships and a family style environment.

What we do best is create a space where children feel safe, valued, and genuinely excited to learn. Our classroom is intentionally designed with different learning areas, from building and science exploration to art, dramatic play, and literacy so children can explore, create, and discover at their own pace. We believe children learn best through experience, so our approach focuses on curiosity, problem solving, and real life interactions rather than worksheets or rigid instruction.

What sets us apart is the balance we offer. We combine structure with flexibility, allowing children the freedom to explore while still building important social, emotional, and academic foundations. Being a smaller program also allows us to truly know each child and family on a personal level. Communication is a big part of who we are, parents have direct access to me, and we work closely together to support each child’s growth.

We’re also known for creating a warm, welcoming environment where children build strong friendships and feel a sense of belonging. It really feels like an extension of home, which is something families often share with us.

Brand wise, what I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built over the years. Many of our families come through referrals, and we’ve had siblings return, which speaks volumes about the relationships we’ve created and the experience we provide.

More than anything, I want people to know that The Learning House is a place where children are truly seen, heard, and supported during some of the most important years of their development.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely, there are so many people who have played a big role in my journey, and I truly wouldn’t be where I am without them.

First and foremost, my family has been my biggest support system. My older brother especially played a huge role in helping me take that first leap to open my home daycare. From the very beginning, my family believed in me, encouraged me, and supported me through all the ups and downs.

My biggest supporter, though, is my wife Mary. She’s also an entrepreneur running her own business, so she truly understands the challenges, risks, and sacrifices that come with building something from the ground up. Her support, encouragement, and belief in me especially during the more stressful and uncertain times has meant everything.

I’ve also been very fortunate to work alongside incredible mentors and directors throughout my career. From my early days in Montessori to my time at Disney and in the nonprofit sector, I learned so much from leaders who were passionate about early childhood education. They helped shape my teaching philosophy, pushed me to grow, and showed me what strong leadership looks like.

My team, both past and present, deserves a lot of credit as well. Teachers like Michelle and others who have been part of The Learning House have brought so much care, patience, and dedication into the classroom every single day. They are a huge part of what makes the school feel so special.

And of course, the families. The trust that parents place in me and my school means everything. Many of them have been with me for years, referred friends and family, and continue to support us in so many ways. That kind of community support is something I never take for granted.

Lastly, the children themselves. They inspire me every day. Watching them grow, learn, and develop their own personalities is the reason I do what I do. They’ve taught me just as much as I’ve taught them.

It’s truly been a collective effort, and I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has been part of the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thelearninghousepreschool.com/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/RslUAX_ixak?si=HCWfAi0W2vzwrFGY