Child Care Enrollment
Child Care Enrollment in Orlando: Start Your Child's Next Chapter at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips
Child care enrollment in Orlando usually starts with a work calendar, not a classroom. Many two-career families here plan care around long days and hours that shift from week to week. If you're considering Ladybird Academy child care, start with the program that fits your child's age. Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips enrolls infants, toddlers, preschoolers, VPK students, and after-school kids. Your child can grow with us from the first year through elementary school. We're a Gold Seal day care center. We teach with the Abeka curriculum and Saxon Math.
To get started, ask our front desk what's open for your child's age group and what the next enrollment steps are.
Infants to Pre-K
Choose the Program That Fits Your Child's Age
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips enrolls infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and Pre-K children under one roof in Orlando. Dr. Phillips families often compare centers one age group at a time, so here is each program in plain terms:
- Infant care (from 6 weeks): Infant feeding is part of your baby's daily care.
- Toddler classes: We add potty training support.
- Preschool (2s and 3s): Teachers use the Abeka curriculum for early reading and phonics. Saxon Math builds early math skills step by step.
- Pre-K classroom: Lessons focus on kindergarten readiness, so the move to kindergarten feels less sudden.
Abeka and Saxon Math are named, structured programs. Each skill builds on the one before it, so your child isn't left to pick up reading and math by chance. Play still matters, though. Creative centers, sensory play, story time, and outdoor time fill the rest of the day.
Caregivers stay with the same age group all day, and we keep ratios at all times. Your child sees the same faces from morning to pickup.
One limit to know before you tour: we offer full-day programs only. If you need half-day care, our schedule may not match your plans.
Written Proof
Verify Credentials Before You Sign Enrollment Papers
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips holds Florida Gold Seal Quality Care status from the Florida Department of Children and Families. That matters most to families new to Orlando. If you just moved here, you may have no neighbor or coworker to ask for a referral, so written proof has to do the work a friend's advice would do.
A center needs a DCF license before it can earn Gold Seal status. We also hold A.P.P.L.E. Accreditation (Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment) and N.E.C.P.A. Accreditation (National Early Childhood Program Accreditation). Our N.E.C.P.A. accreditation is valid through April 30, 2027. N.E.C.P.A. reviews how adults interact with children and how the school works with parents. You can check all of these with us.
Ms. Yliana Gomez
Director
Our director, Ms. Yliana Gomez, has more than 15 years in child care, including 6 years as director. Ms. Gomez holds a 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 credential requirements, and all staff are CPR and First Aid certified. We're members of F.A.C.C.M. (Florida Association of Child Care Management) and N.C.C.A. (National Child Care Association). We have served Dr. Phillips families since 2013.
When you tour any center, ask to see certificates with current dates. An expired accreditation tells you more than a brochure does.
DH 680 and DH 3040
Gather Your Florida Enrollment Documents Ahead of Time
Florida enrollment documents take the longest to collect, so start gathering them before your tour.
Florida child care rules call for two health forms. The DH 680 is the Florida Certification of Immunization, which shows your child's shots. The DH 3040 is the Student Health Examination form, filled out after a recent checkup.
Check the DH 680 first, because it can hold up enrollment the most. Families moving to Bay Hill or Williamsburg from another state often bring shot records from a past doctor. Out-of-state records alone don't meet the rule. A Florida doctor needs to review those records and complete the DH 680, so book that visit early.
Free Pre-K for Age 4
Enroll Your Child in Florida VPK or School Readiness
Florida VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) is a free, state-funded pre-K program for eligible Orlando 4-year-olds. Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips is a Florida VPK provider.
VPK enrollment follows a set order:
Apply through Florida's Family Portal.
Get your child's VPK certificate.
Bring the certificate to us when you enroll.
Plan ahead for summer, too. VPK at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips runs during the school year only, so if you need care in June and July, ask us about full-day care to avoid a gap.
School Readiness (formerly called 4C) is a separate program that helps eligible working families pay for child care. You apply through the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, not through us. We accept School Readiness once your family is approved.
Many Dr. Phillips families come from states that have no program like VPK. If the steps are new to you, ask during your tour about the certificate, the school-year schedule, and how VPK fits with full-day care.
6:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Build a Care Schedule Around Orlando Work Hours
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips is open Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with flexible scheduling. Those hours fit parents who start early or finish late at Universal, International Drive hotels, or the restaurants on Sand Lake Road's Restaurant Row. We're closed Saturday and Sunday, so weekend shift workers will need other plans for those days.
At 2.6 miles (about 13 minutes) from Universal Studios, we are the closest daycare to Universal Studios Orlando. If you work at the park, drop-off can happen close to your job instead of across town.
Our before and after school program serves school-age kids from 5 to 12. Before-school drop-off starts at 6:30 AM. Our bus runs to and from two Orange County Public Schools, Palm Lake Elementary and Bay Meadows Elementary. After school, kids get homework help, a snack, and outdoor fitness time.
Before you enroll, drive the route at the time your shift usually ends, so you know how pickup fits your real schedule.
- Palm Lake Elementary
- Bay Meadows Elementary
Cameras and Updates
Stay Connected From Your Child's First Day
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips gives parents live camera access to classrooms. Orlando parents going back to work often want to see the room, not just hear about it, and our web cameras let you check in from your phone or desk.
You also get:
- Real-time app updates during the day
- Direct messaging with your child's teacher
- An open-door policy, so you can visit any time during our hours with no notice
Your baby has the same infant room teachers day after day, and parents mention them by name in their reviews. A steady face helps a baby settle and helps you hand off feeding and nap notes with confidence.
If something worries you, bring it to the front desk. Parents tell us their concerns get handled the same day.
Meals come from our on-site nutrition program. Our own cook makes fresh, balanced breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack each day.
Summer in Dr. Phillips brings frequent afternoon thunderstorms. When a storm rolls in, play moves inside to our library, our Playtown dramatic play room, and our art room.
Parent Questions
FAQ
What Dr. Phillips parents ask us about enrollment, VPK, the bus and our hours.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help. Call during school hours or send us an email.
(407) 412-6908 drphillips@ladybirdacademy.comYou start child care enrollment at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips by contacting our front desk and asking about openings for your child's age. Our front desk can walk you through the next steps for your family.
Yes, Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips enrolls infants from 6 weeks old, with infant feeding and consistent infant room teachers. Parents name our infant teachers in reviews. The same caregivers stay with your baby all day.
Yes, your 4-year-old can enroll in VPK at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips during the school year. Get your VPK certificate through Florida's Family Portal first, then bring it when you enroll. VPK here doesn't run in summer.
The Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips after-school bus serves Palm Lake Elementary and Bay Meadows Elementary. Before-school drop-off starts at 6:30 AM. After school, kids get homework help, snacks, and outdoor fitness time.
Drop-off and pickup hours at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips run Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. We offer flexible scheduling for parents with shifting work hours. We're closed Saturday and Sunday.
Yes, school-age children ages 5 to 11 can sign up for the Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips Summer My Way Summer Camp. Each week has a new theme. Camp includes Monday water days and two field trips per week, such as Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake.
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.
