Hours & Daily Schedule
Little Ducklings Preschool & Childcare is open Monday through Friday.
Here is our VERY flexible daily schedule:
Arrival (starting at 7:30 a.m.)
Until 9:15 Arrival and free play inside including blocks, playdough, art, cars, trains, dramatic play, crafts, etc.
9:15 - 10:00 Outside play time
10:00 - 11:00 Morning Songs, Mat Work, and diaper change/potty/handwashing
11:00 - 12:30 Lunch and outside play time, including structured and unstructured activities
12:30 - 1:00 Diaper change/potty/handwashing and get ready for nap
1:00 - 3:00 Nap/Rest time
After nap Diaper change/potty/handwashing and snack
After snack Outside play time
Departure (Latest time is 5:30)
About Little Ducklings
Little Ducklings Preschool & Childcare is fully licensed by the State of California as a Large Family Childcare Home (Lic. #406213966) with space for up to fourteen full-time children ages 12 months and up.
OUR PHILOSOPHY: Little Ducklings Preschool & Childcare provides a warm, nurturing environment where children grow and learn naturally at their own pace. We offer a child-centered program that provides hands-on experiences appropriate to the child’s level of development. Your child will be presented with many learning opportunities every day, and we will spend a lot of time outdoors, weather permitting.
OUR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM: The cost to have your child participate in the preschool/tot school program is included in your monthly tuition. Each day from about 10:00 - 11:00, we have our focused learning time. For the first 15-20 minutes we sing good morning to each child, singing and spelling their name. Then we listen to stories, sing songs, and have group lessons based on the current theme (farm, plants, transportation, etc.) Then the children move into “Mat Work” time -- a Montessori-inspired learning period. Each child chooses a tray, sets it on his/her mat, and works independently on that activity. Adults might assist by adapting the activity to that child’s level or demonstrating how to complete an activity, but the child takes responsibility for determining what s/he will work on and when s/he is done with it. They think they are playing, we know they are learning! Our tot school/preschool day includes activities that will teach:
• Pre-reading & language skills - listening to stories, singing, learning rhymes, conversing, learning letters
• Pre-math and math concepts - counting, volume, size, shapes, colors, matching, sequencing, numbers
• Music - singing, rhythm, simple instruments, movement, dance
• Science and nature - investigating, observing, discovering, cooking, gardening
• Pre-writing (fine motor/small muscle) skills - puzzles, coloring, playdough, blocks, stringing beads, coloring
• Gross motor (large muscle) skills - crawling, marching, running, jumping, dancing, stretching
• Arts & crafts - projects emphasizing creativity and technique, not perfection
• Creative play and imagination - dress up, puppets, play house, play kitchen, cars, dolls, building toys
About the Team
Most of my assistants are Cal Poly students, many of whom are studying to be teachers. As is required of all family childcares, my assistants and I are certified in CPR, First Aid, and Health & Safety and have been fingerprinted, background checked, have tested negative for tuberculosis, and have current flu shots and immunizations, including for COVID-19.
Tuition Rates
โโRates as of 9/1/2025
5 days a week = $1225* per month
4 days a week = $1100* per month
3 days a week = $925* per month
2 days a week = $675* per month
Daily Rate = $85 (as available)
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*An Early Pay Discount of $25 off per month is available
when tuition is paid on or before the first day of the month
Curriculum
LearningThrough Play
At Little Ducklings, children learn with a credentialed teacher and an assistant in a play-based, child-centered environment. Curriculum is taught in themes such as The Zoo, Dinosuars, Birds, etc. We sing songs, read books, make arts and crafts, do activities, and learn about the theme in engaging and interactive ways.
Children learn through play. For small children, almost all learning happens through interacting and exploring. When a one-year-old turns a knob and a toy pops up, the child is learning cause and effect. When kids of any age play with playdough, not only are they learning creativity, they are also developing muscles they will need for writing. While playing with others, children learn many skills including: communication, language, and social skills. At Little Ducklings we provide many, many learning opportunities through play.
Contact Us
If you are interested, please email
or use the form and include the following:
• Your name
• Your child's name and date of birth
• Days and times you need care
• Approximate date you need care to start
We usually respond within 24 hours.
We have been so lucky to have you in our lives. Our child has thrived and grown so much under your care, and we have learned a lot from you, too! Maybe someday we will have another baby coming to Little Ducklings...
--MC