Pre-K Classroom
Pre-K Classroom in Orlando: Kindergarten Readiness at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips
Gold Seal Pre-K
A Pre-K Classroom in Orlando That Gets Your Child Ready for Kindergarten
The Pre-K Classroom at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips prepares your child for kindergarten in Orlando with structured reading, math and daily routines. We are a NECPA-accredited preschool in Dr. Phillips. We offer Florida VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten), full-day Pre-K and School Readiness (formerly 4C). We are a Florida Gold Seal day care center, and we pair classroom learning with full-day care, so your child doesn't have to switch places at midday. We're open Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Seeing the room in person is the clearest way to judge it, so contact us to ask about seeing the classroom.
- Open 6:30 AM
- Pickup by 6:30 PM
- VPK Free
- Quality Gold Seal
Named Curricula
A Pre-K Day Built on Abeka Reading and Saxon Math
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips teaches Pre-K with two named programs: the Abeka curriculum for reading and Saxon Math for numbers. When you compare schools, ask what program sits behind the lessons. A named curriculum gives you something you can look up, ask questions about and follow at home.
Abeka builds reading through phonics, which means linking letters to the sounds they make. Children learn the sounds first, then blend them into short words. Saxon Math builds early math skills step by step, with each lesson adding a small new skill while still practicing the old ones.
The tradeoff is pace. A step-by-step program works best when a child has the earlier step down. That makes steady attendance matter more than it would in a loose play program.
-
Art Studio
-
Science Lab
-
Library
-
Computer Lab
Learning also moves around the building. Your child rotates through our Art Studio, Science Lab, Library and Computer Lab, and storytime, cooking activities, science activities and social studies fill out the week. Central Florida summers bring frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and when one rolls in, play moves indoors to the library and art room instead of stopping.
Our own cook makes breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack on site, so your child gets fresh meals between lessons every day.
Credentials to Check
Gold Seal and Dual Accreditation Stand Behind Every Lesson
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips holds Florida Gold Seal Quality Care, awarded by the Florida Department of Children and Families. If you just moved to Bay Hill from another state, you may not have a neighbor to ask about schools yet. Credentials give you something to check on your own.
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), valid through April 30, 2027
N.E.C.P.A. assesses adult-child interaction and parent-community relationships. For a Pre-K room, that means reviewers look at how teachers and children actually talk and work together, not just at paperwork.
Ms. Yliana Gomez
Director
Our director, Ms. Yliana Gomez, brings more than 15 years of childcare experience. She holds a National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C., along with the Florida Director Credential, and she is a member of the Children's Forum. All of our teachers meet or exceed Florida state credential requirements, and all staff are CPR and First Aid certified. We have been voted Best of Orlando by Orlando Magazine for 10 years.
You can also see the classroom for yourself. You can watch live classroom cameras, get real-time app updates and message teachers directly during the day.
VPK Plus Full Days
VPK and School Readiness Fit Inside Full-Day Pre-K in Dr. Phillips
Florida VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) is a state-funded pre-K program that is free for eligible 4-year-olds. If your family moved to Dr. Phillips from another state, VPK may be new to you.
At Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips, VPK runs during the school year only, and it covers set class hours, not a full workday. Full-time care wraps around those VPK hours, so your child stays with us all day instead of being picked up and moved somewhere else. Our caregivers stay with the same age group all day, which keeps the faces around your child familiar.
Eligibility depends on your child's age, so ask our front desk to confirm it before you plan your school year around VPK. We also accept School Readiness (formerly 4C), which is a separate program from VPK, and our front desk can walk you through it.
Our playground with safety surfacing stays in use through the year, since Orlando's warm weather means outdoor play doesn't take a long winter break. Our water play area helps children cool off on hot days. After Pre-K, our Summer My Way Summer Camp serves ages 5 to 11, with Monday water days and two field trips per week.
Early and Late Shifts
6:30 AM to 6:30 PM Hours Match Orlando Work Shifts
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and closed Saturday and Sunday. Many parents near International Drive work early, late or shifting hours at theme parks, hotels and restaurants. A 6:30 AM drop-off helps you reach an early shift. A 6:30 PM pickup gives you room when a shift runs long. Flexible scheduling is available, so ask us how it can fit your work week.
Our school sits 2.6 miles, about 13 minutes, from Universal Studios. We are the closest day care to Universal Studios Orlando, so if you work at the park, the drive from drop-off to the start of your shift stays short.
Parents in our reviews note that the front desk addresses their concerns the same day.
The Whole Pre-K Year
Kindergarten Transition Starts Long Before the First Day
Kindergarten readiness at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips is built across the whole Pre-K year, not packed into the last few weeks. Williamsburg and Sand Lake parents planning for Orange County Public Schools kindergarten often focus on letters and numbers. Those skills matter. A kindergarten class also asks children to follow a routine, listen to directions and get along in a group.
Our Step Up Program and kindergarten transition work build routines, listening and social-emotional learning. Social-emotional learning means learning to name feelings, take turns and solve small problems with friends. Behavioral support helps children handle group time and classroom rules. Many 4-year-olds still find waiting or sharing hard, and working on those moments now means your child walks into kindergarten with some practice already behind them.
The Pre-K year ends with a preschool graduation for families to celebrate together.
Families at Palm Lake Elementary or Bay Meadows Elementary can stay with us after Pre-K. Our before and after school bus runs to and from both schools, with homework help, snacks and outdoor fitness in the afternoon. Our School Age program serves children ages 5 to 12, so your child keeps a familiar place as elementary school begins.
- Palm Lake Elementary
- Bay Meadows Elementary
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What Dr. Phillips parents ask us about VPK, curriculum, hours and School Readiness.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help. Call during school hours or send us an email.
(407) 412-6908 drphillips@ladybirdacademy.comYes, you can enroll your 4-year-old in VPK at the Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips Pre-K classroom in Orlando during the school year. Florida VPK is free for eligible 4-year-olds. Full-day care can wrap around VPK hours, so your child can stay all day. Call (407) 412-6908 to check eligibility and ask about enrollment.
The Pre-K classroom at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips uses the Abeka curriculum for reading and phonics and Saxon Math for early math skills. Abeka teaches letter sounds and blending into words. Saxon Math adds one small skill at a time while reviewing earlier ones.
Yes, you can check on your child during the Pre-K day through live classroom cameras, real-time app updates and direct messaging with teachers. We also keep an open-door policy, so you can visit anytime during operating hours with no notice needed.
Pre-K drop-off and pick-up hours at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips run Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Flexible scheduling is available for parents with changing work hours. We’re closed Saturday and Sunday.
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips accepts School Readiness (formerly 4C) as one of our programs for Pre-K families. Eligibility is set outside our school, so ask our front desk to walk you through it. You can reach us at (407) 412-6908 or drphillips@ladybirdacademy.com.
The Pre-K classroom at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips is about 2.6 miles, roughly 13 minutes, from Universal Studios. We are the closest day care to Universal Studios Orlando. Our address is 6809 Daisy St, Orlando, FL 32819.
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.
