Preschool Enrollment
Preschool Enrollment in Orlando: Simple Steps to Enroll Your Child at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips
Choosing among Dr. Phillips preschool programs is a big step for your family, so you need clear facts before you sign anything. At Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips, preschool enrollment covers toddler classes, our Pre-K classroom, VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten), and full-day preschool. We are a Gold Seal day care center. Our classrooms use the Abeka curriculum and Saxon Math. Openings change by age group, so the best next step is to call us or visit the school on Daisy Street.
Four Preschool Paths
Preschool Programs That Match Your Child's Age and Stage
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips offers four preschool paths, and the right classroom depends on your child's age and stage. Dr. Phillips parents usually pick from these options:
- Toddler classes for young children building routines, words, and play skills
- Full-day preschool in our 2s and 3s classrooms (we offer full-day programs only)
- Pre-K classroom for children getting close to kindergarten
- VPK for eligible 4 year olds during the school year
Our classrooms use the Abeka curriculum for reading, starting with phonics and early literacy, and Saxon Math, which builds early math skills step by step. Your child also spends time in our Art Studio, Science Lab, Library, and Computer Lab, so learning moves beyond one room.
Potty training support helps toddlers get ready to move up. Readiness matters more than age alone, so tell us where your child is in the process and we can point you to the classroom that fits.
Many Dr. Phillips parents work in Orlando's tourism and hospitality jobs, where shifts start early or run late. Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips is open Monday–Friday 6:30 AM–6:30 PM, with flexible scheduling for families whose hours change.
- Preschool paths 4
- Open 6:30 AM
- Pickup by 6:30 PM
- Quality Gold Seal
Before You Sign
Credentials to Check Before You Sign Enrollment Forms
Florida Gold Seal Quality Care is the first credential to look for when you compare Orlando preschools. Many families moving here from the Northeast or Midwest have no local referrals, so credentials have to do the work a neighbor's advice would normally do.
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips holds Gold Seal Quality Care, awarded by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Gold Seal requires DCF licensure first, so a Gold Seal center is also a licensed center.
We also hold dual accreditation:
- A.P.P.L.E. (Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment)
- N.E.C.P.A. (National Early Childhood Program Accreditation), which assesses adult-child interaction and parent-community relationships. Our N.E.C.P.A. accreditation is valid through April 30, 2027.
Ms. Yliana Gomez
Director
Our director, Ms. Yliana Gomez, brings 15+ years of childcare experience, including 6 years as director. Ms. Gomez holds the National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. She also holds the Florida Director Credential and is a member of the Children's Forum.
All of our teachers meet or exceed Florida state credential requirements, and all staff are CPR/First Aid certified.
Before you sign, you can look up licensed providers on the Florida DCF child care search. Checking a center's license status there takes a few minutes.
Free Pre-K at Age 4
Free VPK and School Readiness Enrollment Options
Florida VPK gives eligible 4 year olds free pre-K, and Bay Hill families with 3 year olds can start planning for it ahead of time. Families who move from states without VPK often miss this option because they've never heard of it.
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips is a Florida VPK provider. We offer VPK during the school year only, so plan your child's summer care as a separate step.
Here is the order to follow:
Request a VPK certificate of eligibility through the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County.
Bring the certificate to us when you enroll.
Start VPK with the school year.
We also accept School Readiness, the program formerly called 4C. School Readiness is a separate program from VPK, so ask our front desk which one fits your family. Some families may qualify for both.
Your Paperwork Checklist
Documents and Details to Gather Before Enrollment Day
Enrollment day at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips goes faster when your paperwork is ready ahead of time.
Health records
- Florida immunization record (form DH 680)
- A recent health exam form from your pediatrician
For VPK families
- Your child’s birth certificate
- Proof of address
Details about your child
- Allergies and any meal needs. We serve breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack, cooked on site by our own cook, so we need this list before your child’s first meal.
- Your child’s potty training stage
- Your child’s nap routine
If you're moving from another state, plan ahead for the DH 680. Your current shot records may need a Florida doctor or health department to transfer them onto the form. If you're moving to Orlando in summer, request pediatric records early, before the school year starts.
From Day One
What to Expect After Your Child Is Enrolled
Parents at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips can follow their child's day from work, which matters to Sand Lake and Williamsburg families with long shifts. After enrollment, you get:
- Live parent camera access through classroom web cameras
- Real-time app updates during the day
- Direct messaging with your child’s teacher
Consistent teachers make those updates more meaningful. Our teachers stay with the same age group all day, so the messages you get come from someone who works with your child's age group throughout the day. Parents name specific teachers in their reviews, and many on our team have been here for years, including Brittany (10 years), Hind (7), and Solangel, Moraima, and Jomarie (5 each).
If something worries you, our front desk addresses concerns the same day. Through our open-door policy, you can also visit anytime during operating hours with no notice needed.
Your child's day includes storytime, sensory play, creative play centers, and outdoor play on our playground with safety surfacing.
Plan the Full Year
Year-Round Preschool Openings and Planning Ahead
Childcare in Orlando's warm climate doesn't pause in summer, so Turkey Lake area families should plan for the full year, not just the school months.
For school-age children, Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips runs Summer My Way Summer Camp for ages 5 to 11. Camp is week-long, with a new state theme each week, Monday water days, and two field trips per week. One field trip goes to Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake.
Central Florida summers bring frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and hurricane season runs June through November. On rainy days, play moves indoors to our library, Playtown dramatic play room, and art room.
Children who move from toddler classes to Pre-K and VPK with us build reading, math, and classroom habits one year at a time, which leads to preschool graduation and kindergarten readiness. If you're planning for next school year, ask our front desk about current openings for your child's age. Because availability is set by age group, asking early gives you more choices.
Parent Questions
FAQ
What Dr. Phillips parents ask us about openings, VPK, hours and potty training.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help. Call during school hours or send us an email.
(407) 412-6908 drphillips@ladybirdacademy.comPreschool openings at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips change by age group, so the front desk can tell you what is available for your child. Call us at (407) 412-6908 or send a message.
Your eligible 4 year old can enroll in free VPK at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips during the school year. First, get a certificate of eligibility from the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. Bring that certificate when you enroll.
Your child will follow the Abeka curriculum for reading and Saxon Math for early math skills at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips. Learning also happens in our Art Studio, Science Lab, Library, and Computer Lab, which give your child hands-on time beyond the main classroom.
Drop-off and pickup hours at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips are Monday–Friday 6:30 AM–6:30 PM. We’re closed Saturday and Sunday. Flexible scheduling helps parents whose work hours shift from week to week.
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips offers potty training support, so your child does not need to finish potty training before you ask about preschool enrollment. Tell our front desk where your child is in the process, and they can explain which classroom fits your child’s stage.
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips accepts School Readiness, the program formerly called 4C, for enrollment. Ask about it when you call or visit, and our front desk can walk you through the steps.
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.
