Early Math Skills
Early Math Skills in Orlando: Counting, Shapes, and Saxon Math at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips
Looking for a nursery school in Dr. Phillips where your child can build confidence with numbers? Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips builds early math skills in Orlando from toddler classes through VPK. Your child learns counting, numbers, shapes, sorting, and patterns, taught with Saxon Math. As a Gold Seal day care center, we fit math into your child’s full day, not one short lesson. To ask about enrollment, call our front desk at (407) 412-6908. We’re open weekdays from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Toddler to Pre-K
Early Math Skills Grow in Clear Stages From Toddler to Pre-K
Early math at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips changes as your child grows, so a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old work on different skills.
In our toddler classes, math starts with things your child can hold. Toddlers count blocks, sort toys by color and size, and match shapes. These tasks look simple, but they teach a key idea: numbers stand for real things.
One of the first skills early math builds is one-to-one correspondence, which means touching each object once while saying one number. A child may recite “1, 2, 3, 4, 5” with ease but still skip or double-count blocks. Counting out loud isn’t the same as counting objects. Touching and counting again, slowly, helps close that gap.
Preschoolers move to the next stage:
- Naming numbers they see
- Copying simple patterns, such as red, blue, red, blue
- Comparing groups to tell which has more and which has less
Many of these are developmental milestones, the skills most children reach around a certain age. Real-time updates in the parent app keep you posted on your child’s day.
Families in Bay Hill and Williamsburg can drop off from 6:30 AM, which gives your child time to settle in before the morning’s lessons begin.
- Curriculum Saxon Math
- Drop-off 6:30 AM
- Pickup 6:30 PM
- Quality Gold Seal
A Named Curriculum
Saxon Math Gives Preschool Math a Named, Structured Plan
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips teaches math with Saxon Math, a named curriculum with a set order of lessons.
Each daily lesson builds on the one before it and also brings back skills from earlier weeks, so your child keeps practicing them. That review is the main strength of the program. A child who counted to 10 last month still practices counting to 10 this month while learning new skills.
There’s a tradeoff. Some quick learners may feel that review days repeat what they already know. Even so, short and steady review helps a skill stay put instead of fading over the summer or a long break.
Math isn’t taught alone. We also use the Abeka curriculum, and our day includes phonics and early literacy, so math and literacy grow side by side. A child who learns to read number words and count objects at the same time gets two paths to the same idea.
Math All Day
Hands-On Counting and Numbers Happen All Day Long
Math at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips shows up in meals, play, and movement, not just at a table with a worksheet.
During cooking activities, children count scoops and compare cup sizes. A child who sees that two small cups fill one big cup is learning about measurement before the word means anything. Cooking also teaches order. First you pour, then you stir.
Our Science Lab gives children space to sort, measure, and spot patterns. Sorting leaves by size or shells by shape uses the same thinking as sorting numbers later on.
Books and screens add more practice. Library storytime brings in counting books, where children count along with the pictures. In the Computer Lab, children practice with numbers on screen.
Central Florida summers bring frequent afternoon thunderstorms. When storms roll in, math moves indoors to the library, Playtown (our dramatic play room), and the art room. In Playtown, pretend play can include counting and sorting. In the art room, children can practice patterns in their artwork.
On clear days, counting games move outside to our shaded playground, where children count jumps and steps. Moving while counting gives many young children a more active way to practice numbers.
Before Kindergarten
VPK and Pre-K Math Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten
Florida VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips gives 4-year-olds daily math practice before kindergarten.
Florida VPK is free for eligible 4-year-olds. At our school, VPK runs during the school year only. If you need care in summer, ask us about your options when you enroll.
Our Pre-K classroom strengthens three core areas before the transition to kindergarten:
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Number Sense
Number sense, which is a child’s feel for what numbers mean and how they compare
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Shapes
Shapes, including naming them and finding them in the world
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Patterns
Patterns, including spotting, copying, and extending them
Kindergarten readiness is about more than math. Children also need to follow steps, wait their turn, and work in a group. Math lessons help here too: taking turns in a counting game builds social-emotional learning, the skills children use to manage feelings and get along with others.
We’re also a School Readiness provider. School Readiness was formerly called 4C, and it helps eligible families with the cost of care.
VPK is often unfamiliar to families relocating to Dr. Phillips from other states. If it’s new to you, contact our front desk with your questions about enrollment.
Progress You Can See
Parents See Math Progress Through Live Cameras and the App
Parents at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips can watch math activities happen and hear about them the same day.
Our live camera access lets you see your child’s classroom in real time. You might catch a counting game during a break at work or see a sorting activity before a meeting.
The parent app adds more detail. Real-time app updates show what your child practiced today, and direct teacher messaging lets you ask a question without waiting for pickup. If your child counted to 20 for the first time, you can hear about it while it’s still fresh. When you have a concern, our front desk staff address it the same day.
Credentials You Can Check
Credentialed Leadership and Gold Seal Standards Guide Every Lesson
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips is led by Director Ms. Yliana Gomez, who brings credentials you can check.
Our staff meet or exceed Florida state credential requirements, and all staff are CPR and First Aid certified. Many of our teachers have stayed for years, which means your child sees familiar faces as math skills grow from one stage to the next.
Choosing a school is often a multi-year decision. Families in the Sand Lake and Turkey Lake area choose among a limited number of licensed, accredited providers. We hold Gold Seal status along with both A.P.P.L.E. and N.E.C.P.A. accreditation, and we have been voted Best of Orlando by Orlando Magazine for 10 years.
Ms. Yliana Gomez
Director
Ms. Gomez has 15+ years of childcare experience, including 6 years as director. She has been with our school since it opened in 2013, first as a VPK teacher and then as Assistant Director. She holds the National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C., and the Florida Director Credential. She is a current member of the Children’s Forum.
FAQ
FAQ
What Dr. Phillips parents ask us about early math, Saxon Math and VPK.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help. Call during school hours or send us an email.
(407) 412-6908 drphillips@ladybirdacademy.comYes, toddler classes at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips include counting and numbers through hands-on play. Toddlers count blocks, sort by color and size, and match shapes. Real-time updates in the parent app help you follow what your child is practicing.
Your child will use Saxon Math, the math curriculum at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips. Saxon Math lessons build step by step and review earlier skills. We also use the Abeka curriculum alongside phonics and early literacy, so math and literacy grow together.
Yes, your 4-year-old can enroll in VPK at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips and still get daily math practice. Florida VPK is free for eligible 4-year-olds, and we offer it during the school year. Math happens in our Pre-K classroom, with a focus on number sense, shapes, and patterns.
You can see your child’s math progress during the workday through live camera access, real-time app updates, and direct teacher messaging. The cameras show activities as they happen. The app tells you what your child practiced, and you can message the teacher with questions.
Yes, after school care at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips includes math homework help. Our bus serves Palm Lake Elementary and Bay Meadows Elementary. After school care also includes snacks and outdoor fitness.
Contact the front desk at (407) 412-6908 to ask about visiting. Our school is at 6809 Daisy St, Orlando, FL 32819. When you visit, ask to see the Science Lab, Library, and Computer Lab, where much of the hands-on math takes place.
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.
