School Readiness
School Readiness in Orlando: Kindergarten Prep at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips
Formerly 4C
School Readiness at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips
In Orlando, School Readiness (formerly 4C) helps eligible families pay for quality child care. Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips accepts School Readiness in Orlando. We support kindergarten readiness in Dr. Phillips with the Abeka curriculum. Our school holds Gold Seal status. We also hold APPLE and NECPA accreditation.
As a School Readiness family, you enroll in two places: first with the coalition, then with us. Once your child starts, they learn to read with Abeka and to count with Saxon Math, while teachers coach the social skills a real classroom needs. At age 4, your child can move into VPK.
Ask us what is available for your child's age group.
- Formerly 4C
- Status Gold Seal
- VPK From Age 4
- Hours 6:30 – 6:30
Help for Working Parents
School Readiness (Formerly 4C) Opens the Door to Gold Seal Care in Orlando
School Readiness, the Florida program once called 4C, helps qualifying Orlando families pay for child care. It is built for working parents.
You apply through the local early learning coalition, not through our school. The coalition decides who is eligible and how many hours of care it will cover. Covered hours can be fewer than the hours we're open, so check your authorization before you plan your work schedule around a full day.
Once you're approved and enrolled, your child gets full-day care plus real kindergarten readiness work. That means reading, math and classroom habits, not just supervision while you're at work.
Named Curricula
Our School Readiness Skills Program Uses Abeka and Saxon Math
The school readiness skills program at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips is built on two named curricula: the Abeka curriculum for reading and Saxon Math for numbers. A named curriculum gives you something you can check. You can ask a teacher what skill your child is working on, and you can watch the skills build in order.
Abeka builds letters, sounds and early reading. The base is phonics, which means linking each letter to the sound it makes. Children who know their sounds can start blending them into short words.
Saxon Math builds counting, patterns and early math skills. Small steps repeat over time, so your child keeps practicing old skills while learning new ones.
Other parts of the day round out that learning:
- Storytime sessions to grow listening and vocabulary
- Language learning classes, including conversational Spanish from age 2
- Science activities that let kids ask questions and test ideas
Children also learn in our Library, Science Lab, Art Studio and Computer Lab. These indoor rooms matter in Central Florida, where summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms. When a storm rolls through, lessons can keep going in the Library or Science Lab instead of stopping.
Sit, Share, Follow Steps
Social-Emotional Learning Prepares Your Child for a Real Classroom
Social-emotional learning at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips teaches the habits a kindergarten classroom expects. Many parents want to know whether their child can sit, share and follow steps. Those skills can be taught, just like letters.
Our teachers coach turn-taking, listening and calm-down skills during the day. A child learns to wait for a turn at a center, or to listen to a two-step direction and follow it.
Hard moments are normal at this age, and behavioral support is part of our care. Ask our teachers how they help children work through those moments.
Potty training support builds independence before kindergarten. A child who can handle the bathroom alone feels more confident in a big classroom.
Sensory play uses touch, sound and texture to hold a child's attention. Our creative play centers let kids build, draw and pretend. Both build focus and fine motor skills, which are the small hand movements your child will need to hold a pencil.
Orlando's warm weather lets kids play outside in groups most of the year. Our playground has safety surfacing, and group games and soccer teach kids to share space and follow rules.
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Sensory Play
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Creative Play Centers
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Safety-Surfaced Playground
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Group Games and Soccer
Three Steps, In Order
Enrolling in a School Readiness Program in Dr. Phillips Takes a Few Clear Steps
Enrolling in a School Readiness program in Dr. Phillips takes three steps. The first step happens before you visit us.
Apply with the early learning coalition. Keep copies of all your paperwork, including your approval. You'll need it when you enroll.
Visit Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips. Meet the teachers, see the classrooms and ask your questions in person.
Finish child care enrollment with our front desk. We'll walk you through the forms and help you set a start date.
Our front desk answers questions the same day. If something on your coalition paperwork is unclear, call us at (407) 412-6908 and ask.
Our hours are Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and we're closed Saturday and Sunday. Those hours fit many parents who work hospitality and theme park shifts near Sand Lake Road. At 2.6 miles (about 13 minutes) from Universal Studios, we are the closest day care to Universal Studios Orlando.
Your covered hours may not match our open hours, since the coalition sets them. We offer flexible scheduling, so we can help you build a plan that fits both.
Records You Can Check
Gold Seal, APPLE, and NECPA Show Your Child's Care Meets High Standards
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips holds Florida Gold Seal Quality Care status, awarded by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Gold Seal requires state licensing first.
Our school also holds two accreditations:
- APPLE (Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment)
- NECPA (National Early Childhood Program Accreditation), which checks how adults interact with children and how the school works with parents. Our NECPA accreditation is valid through April 30, 2027.
You can also see the care for yourself. We offer live camera access, real-time app updates and direct messaging with your child's teacher.
Many families who relocate to Dr. Phillips have no local friends to ask for a referral. If that's you, these are records you can look up and check before you sign.
Ms. Yliana Gomez
Director
Our director, Ms. Yliana Gomez, has more than 15 years in child care. She joined our school when it opened in 2013 as a VPK teacher, then served as Assistant Director, and has been Director since 2015. Ms. Gomez holds a National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C., as well as the Florida Director Credential.
All our teachers meet or exceed Florida state credential requirements. All staff are CPR and First Aid certified.
The Next Move
VPK, Step Up, and Kindergarten Transition Keep Your Child Moving Forward
Florida VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) is free for eligible 4-year-olds, and it is often the next step after School Readiness. Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips offers VPK during the school year only. Because VPK doesn't run here in summer, plan ahead for summer care when your child turns 4.
Our Step Up Program and our transition to kindergarten support help guide that next move. Your child learns the routines a kindergarten day will bring, so the first week of school feels familiar. The year ends with preschool graduation, a clear finish line and a moment for your child to feel proud.
Planning doesn't stop at kindergarten. Our School Age classroom serves children ages 5 to 12, and our before and after school bus serves Palm Lake Elementary and Bay Meadows Elementary. After school, children get homework help, snacks and outdoor fitness. Before-school drop-off starts at 6:30 AM.
- Palm Lake Elementary
- Bay Meadows Elementary
The Short Answer
Featured Snippet: What Is School Readiness in Orlando?
School Readiness (formerly 4C) is a Florida program that helps eligible Orlando families pay for child care. It also supports early learning so kids start kindergarten ready.
- Families apply through the local early learning coalition.
- Kids build reading, math and social skills.
- Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips, a Gold Seal center, accepts it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What Dr. Phillips parents ask us about School Readiness, hours and moving into VPK.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help. Call during school hours or send us an email.
(407) 412-6908 drphillips@ladybirdacademy.comLadybird Academy of Dr. Phillips accepts School Readiness (formerly 4C) in Orlando. Call us at (407) 412-6908 to check current openings for your child’s age group.
Your preschooler will learn school readiness skills in reading, math, language, science and social-emotional growth in our Pre-K classroom. Reading comes from the Abeka curriculum, and math comes from Saxon Math. Teachers also coach listening, sharing and following steps.
School Readiness families can use our 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM weekday hours, and we offer flexible scheduling. Your coalition authorization sets how many hours are covered. Check it before you plan your schedule, and our front desk can help you sort out the details.
Your child can move from School Readiness into free Florida VPK once your child is an eligible 4-year-old. We offer VPK during the school year only, so plan ahead for summer care in the VPK year.
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips helps with potty training, and our teachers give potty training support as part of daily routines. This builds the independence your child will need in kindergarten.
You can follow your child’s progress during the day through live camera access, real-time app updates and direct messages with teachers. You’re also welcome to visit anytime during our operating hours under our open-door policy, with no notice needed.
Schedule a Tour
Come See Where Their Adventure Begins
Walk the classrooms, meet our team and bring every question on your list. You’ll know quickly whether Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips feels right for your family.
- See the classroom for your child’s age
- Meet the teachers and our director team
- Learn how check-in, cameras and daily updates work
Prefer to talk? Call (407) 412-6908
Thank you!
Your tour request is on its way. Our team will contact you soon to confirm a time. Need us sooner? Call (407) 412-6908.
