Step Up Program
Step Up Program in Orlando: Scholarship-Ready Preschool at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips
In Orlando, the Step Up Program helps eligible families put a Step Up For Students scholarship toward early learning at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips. Your child would join a Gold Seal day care center that teaches reading with the Abeka curriculum and math with Saxon Math. Your first step is to tour our campus and confirm your award with our front desk.
How Step Up Works
Step Up Scholarships Open Early Learning Doors for Eligible Families
Step Up For Students is the nonprofit that manages most of Florida’s state scholarships, and Orlando families apply through it. One of those scholarships is FES-UA, the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities. FES-UA serves children with unique abilities, and eligible children can start as young as age 3.
Families often ask us first, but Step Up For Students makes the eligibility decision, not our school. We can’t approve or deny your scholarship. What our front desk can do is explain how your award works at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips once you have it.
Many families who move to Dr. Phillips from the Northeast and Midwest meet these scholarships for the first time here. Other states use different programs and names, so the steps can feel new. If you’re in that spot, start with the Step Up For Students website, then bring your questions to us. We’ve served Dr. Phillips families since 2013, and we can walk you through how the scholarship fits with our classrooms.
- Managed by Step Up For Students
- FES-UA from Age 3
- Serving Dr. Phillips Since 2013
- Hours 6:30 – 6:30
Full-Day Programs
Pick a Full-Day Schedule That Matches Your Work Hours
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips is open weekdays from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with flexible scheduling. We are closed Saturday and Sunday.
Many Orlando parents work theme park, hotel, and restaurant shifts near International Drive, where an early start or a late finish is common. A 6:30 AM drop-off and a 6:30 PM pickup give you room on both ends of the day.
You can choose from these options:
- Toddler classes
- Full-day preschool
- A Pre-K classroom
VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) is Florida’s free pre-K for 4-year-olds. At our school, VPK runs during the school year only. Ask our front desk how VPK fits with your Step Up plan.
Our campus at 6809 Daisy St, Orlando, FL 32819 sits 2.6 miles (about 13 minutes) from Universal Studios. We are the closest daycare to Universal Studios Orlando, which helps if you work nearby.
Start to Finish
Enroll in the Step Up Program in Orlando in Six Steps
Enrolling in the Step Up Program in Orlando starts with Step Up For Students and finishes with our front desk.
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Check eligibility on the Step Up For Students website.
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Submit the online application and watch for your award notice.
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Tour the campus and meet the Pre-K and toddler teachers.
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Complete child care enrollment paperwork with the front desk.
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Share your scholarship details so staff can confirm next steps.
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Start class, with app updates from day one.
Step Up For Students sets application windows by school year, so check dates early. A missed window can push your start date back. You can tour before your award arrives, so there’s no need to wait to see the classrooms. To schedule a tour, call (407) 412-6908 or email drphillips@ladybirdacademy.com.
Named Curricula
Abeka Curriculum and Saxon Math Shape Each Classroom Day
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips teaches with two named programs: the Abeka curriculum and Saxon Math. If you live in Bay Hill or Williamsburg and want structured learning, not just free play, these two programs set the plan for each day.
Abeka builds reading and phonics. Phonics means learning the sounds that letters make, so children can sound out words. Saxon Math builds early math skills a little at a time, with lots of practice.
Children also rotate through our learning centers:
- Art Studio
- Science Lab
- Library
- Computer Lab
The day also includes sensory play, storytime, and behavioral support. Sensory play is hands-on play that uses touch, sight, and sound. Behavioral support means teachers help children learn to share, wait their turn, and handle big feelings.
Orlando weather shapes the day too. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and when one rolls in, play moves inside to the library, Playtown (our pretend-play room), and the art room. On hot mornings, shaded playground equipment keeps outdoor time more comfortable.
Facts You Can Check
Gold Seal Status and Dual Accreditation You Can Verify
Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips holds Florida Gold Seal Quality Care, awarded by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Gold Seal status requires a DCF license. We also hold two accreditations:
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A.P.P.L.E. Accreditation
Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment.
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N.E.C.P.A. Accreditation
National Early Childhood Program Accreditation, valid through April 30, 2027. N.E.C.P.A. looks at how adults and children interact and how the school works with parents and the community.
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Memberships
We are a member of F.A.C.C.M. (Florida Association of Child Care Management) and N.C.C.A. (National Child Care Association).
Our Director, Ms. Yliana Gomez, has more than 15 years of childcare experience. Ms. Gomez holds the National CDA credential from the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C., along with the Florida Director Credential.
If you’ve just moved to Orlando and don’t have friends to ask for a referral, credentials and Google reviews are a good place to start. Ask our front desk about any credential above before you visit.
You can check on your child during the day. Parents get live camera access, real-time app updates, and direct messaging with teachers.
Pre-K to Elementary
Kindergarten Readiness Carries Step Up Students Into Elementary School
Kindergarten readiness is the goal of our Pre-K year at Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips. Transition-to-kindergarten work and preschool graduation close out Pre-K, so your child practices the routines of a school day before the first day of kindergarten.
Pre-K work supports developmental milestones, which are skills most children reach by a certain age. It also supports social-emotional learning, such as making friends and following directions.
Our before and after school bus serves Palm Lake Elementary and Bay Meadows Elementary. After-school care includes homework help and safe pick up and drop off. Every family uses key fob check-in, and we require ID from any adult we don’t know at pickup.
Our classrooms run from infants through school age (5 to 12). Turkey Lake and Sand Lake families can keep one Orlando campus from the toddler years through elementary after-school care.
- Palm Lake Elementary
- Bay Meadows Elementary
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What Dr. Phillips parents ask us about Step Up scholarships, FES-UA and enrollment.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help. Call during school hours or send us an email.
(407) 412-6908 drphillips@ladybirdacademy.comLadybird Academy of Dr. Phillips offers the Step Up Program for eligible families. Scholarship types differ, so call our front desk at (407) 412-6908 to confirm your specific award. We can explain how your scholarship works at our school.
An FES-UA scholarship may be used for pre-K in Orlando if Step Up For Students finds your child eligible. Eligible children can start at age 3. Step Up For Students makes the eligibility decision, not our school. Ask us how your award applies to our Pre-K classroom.
Enrolling your child with a Step Up scholarship starts with an application through Step Up For Students. Next, tour our Dr. Phillips campus. Then complete child care enrollment with our front desk and share your scholarship details.
VPK at our Dr. Phillips campus runs during the school year only. Our front desk can explain how VPK hours fit with your Step Up plan. Bring your award details so we can look at both together.
Your child can attend Ladybird Academy of Dr. Phillips on weekdays from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. We offer flexible scheduling for parents who work shifts. We’re closed Saturday and Sunday.
Your child will learn reading with the Abeka curriculum and math with Saxon Math in our preschool classrooms. Children also spend time in the Art Studio, Science Lab, Library, and Computer Lab. All of this work aims at kindergarten readiness.
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.
