Soccer
Soccer in Orlando for Little Kickers at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips includes soccer in our day care schedule as one of our enrichment activities. If you're exploring ballet and soccer for preschoolers in Orlando, ask us which activities are available for your child's age group. Soccer gives your child active play during the care day, not after it, when everyone is tired. We're a Gold Seal day care center. We're open 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM on weekdays. Parents are welcome to visit anytime during operating hours.
Kick, Run, Take Turns
Soccer Gives Your Child Daily Practice Kicking, Running, and Taking Turns
Soccer at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips gives Orlando children in full-time care a chance to move with a purpose. A long day in care needs active time, and a ball gives that energy somewhere useful to go.
Preschool soccer usually focuses on simple skills that young bodies are ready for:
- Kicking the ball forward
- Stopping a rolling ball with a foot
- Running to a cone or other target
- Starting and stopping on a cue, like a whistle or a word
These skills are small, but they build on each other. A child who can stop a ball can then learn to kick it to a friend.
Soccer sits alongside the outdoor play and playground activities already in our day. Orlando's warm weather means outdoor play runs year-round in Dr. Phillips, so soccer practice doesn't stop for months at a time the way it can up north.
- Status Gold Seal
- Outdoor Play Year-round
- Opens 6:30 AM
- Closes 6:30 PM
More Than Exercise
Preschool Soccer Supports Kindergarten Readiness and Social-Emotional Learning
Preschool soccer at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips helps children build skills they will use in kindergarten. For Bay Hill and Dr. Phillips parents choosing a preschool program in Orlando, the value goes past exercise.
Social-emotional learning means learning to manage feelings and get along with others. A soccer game gives young children real practice waiting for a turn, sharing the ball with a teammate, and handling a missed goal without giving up. A missed goal is a small letdown, which makes it a safe place to practice. A child who learns to shrug and try again on the field has a tool for the classroom too.
Soccer also supports developmental milestones, the skills most children reach around a certain age. Balance and coordination grow each time a child plants one foot and swings the other. Following two-step directions, such as "dribble to the cone, then stop," trains listening.
First-Time Players
Prepare Your Child for Soccer Days at Day Care
Parents of first-time soccer players in Orlando can make the first days easier with a little planning. If your toddler is still in potty training, let us know, since we offer potty training support alongside the rest of the day.
Pack these items for your child:
- Closed-toe sneakers that fit well
- Light, breathable clothes
- A water bottle labeled with your child's name
Sandals and slip-on shoes can come off mid-kick, and toes need cover when a ball is moving fast. Light clothes matter because the Florida sun is strong most of the year. Ask our staff about sun protection so you know what to send.
At home, roll or kick a ball in the yard. Talk with your child about taking turns and being on a team. A child who has heard the word "teammate" before will feel less unsure on the first day.
Heat and Storms
Shade, Water Play, and Indoor Rooms Keep Active Play Safe in Florida Weather
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips plans active play around Orlando's heat and sudden storms.
Our playground has shaded equipment for outdoor play and safety surfacing underneath. Shade gives children a place to cool down between bursts of running.
Central Florida summers bring frequent afternoon thunderstorms. When a storm rolls in, active time moves indoors. Our library, our "Playtown" dramatic play room, and our art room give children room to keep moving and learning while the weather passes.
In summer, our Summer My Way Summer Camp for ages 5 to 11 adds more ways to stay cool and active:
- Use of our water play area
- Monday water days
- Two field trips per week, including Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake
Hurricane season runs June through November in Florida, which is one more reason we keep indoor spaces ready for active play.
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Shaded Playground
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Water Play Area
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Playtown
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Art Room
A Clear Place to Start
Gold Seal Status and Dual Accreditation Stand Behind Our Outdoor Play
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips holds Florida Gold Seal Quality Care, awarded by the Florida Department of Children and Families. For parents new to Orlando with no local referral network, this is a clear place to start checking a school.
We also hold two accreditations:
- A.P.P.L.E. Accreditation (Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment)
- N.E.C.P.A. Accreditation (National Early Childhood Program Accreditation), which assesses adult-child interaction and parent-community relationships
Our staff meet or exceed Florida state credential requirements. All staff are CPR and First Aid certified, which matters during active play like soccer.
Live parent camera access lets you see how those standards look in practice during your child's day. Please ask about any of these credentials when you visit.
Ms. Yliana Gomez
Director
Our director, Ms. Yliana Gomez, has more than 15 years of childcare experience. Ms. Gomez holds the National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the Council of Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. She also holds the Florida Director Credential and is a member of the Children's Forum.
Ladybird Academy of Dr Phillips 6809 Daisy St, Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 412-6908
Early Shifts, Late Shifts
Enroll Your Child for Full-Time Care With Soccer Built Into the Week
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips serves working parents near Universal Studios, International Drive, and Orlando's hotel and restaurant corridor. Many of these jobs start early, end late, or shift from week to week.
We're open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and we offer flexible scheduling. We're closed Saturday and Sunday. These hours let you drop off before an early shift and pick up after a late one.
Our school sits in the Dr. Phillips community, 2.6 miles (about 13 minutes) from Universal Studios. We are the closest day care to Universal Studios Orlando.
To enroll, follow these steps:
Contact our front desk by phone or email.
Visit the school. Our open-door policy means parents can visit anytime during operating hours.
On your visit, ask which age group plays soccer.
Finish child care enrollment with our staff.
We also offer Florida VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten), which is free pre-K for eligible 4-year-olds and runs during the school year only here. We accept School Readiness (formerly 4C).
FAQ
FAQ
What Dr. Phillips parents ask us about soccer days, gear and Florida weather.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help. Call during school hours or send us an email.
(407) 412-6908 drphillips@ladybirdacademy.comYes, soccer is part of the day care program at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips as one of our enrichment activities. Soccer takes place during the care day. Your child doesn’t need a separate after-hours practice to play.
The best way to find out if your toddler’s class plays soccer is to ask when you visit Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips. Our staff can confirm which classrooms join soccer. You can call (407) 412-6908, and parents are welcome to visit anytime during operating hours.
Your child should wear closed-toe sneakers and light, breathable clothes for preschool soccer, and bring a labeled water bottle. Closed-toe shoes stay on and protect toes. Ask our staff about sun protection, since the Florida sun is strong most of the year.
Outdoor play moves indoors on rainy or stormy days, using spaces like our library, Playtown, and art room. This matters in Central Florida, where afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. Children keep moving and learning while the weather passes.
Yes, you can check on your child during the day through live parent camera access. Real-time app updates and direct teacher messaging also keep you informed. You can hear how your child’s activities went without waiting for pickup.
Whether soccer fits your child’s full-time care or VPK schedule is a good question to ask when you visit. Full-time care runs 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM on weekdays. VPK runs during the school year only.
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.
