Our daughter started at Ladybird Academy Lake Nona at 2 years old in the toddler's class. At that age, the teachers were good and our experience was positive. However, when she turned 3.5 years and moved to pre-k, the director called us with concerns about her having trouble opening the faucet and running out of the classroom. We were surprised by this, as we knew our daughter was very trainable and could improve her behavior with proper guidance. We requested the director to give us two weeks to keep our daughter at home and work on the reported behavior. We assured her that if the behavior persisted, we would remove her as suggested. Unfortunately, the director refused and insisted her decision was final, effectively expelling our 3.5-year-old daughter from the school. Determined to help our daughter, we worked with her for two weeks at home on the reported behavior and then enrolled her in another school of similar ranking and status. We informed the new teachers about the situation, and they were supportive. Our daughter is now flourishing at the new school, and her teachers report that she is the best in her class and academically gifted. It is wonderful to see her thriving. Ladybird Academy Lake Nona serves as a reminder that not everyone is suited to be an educator. Although they have some good teachers, the director's inability to see the potential in a young child and address manageable behavior issues was disappointing. We don't blame the director entirely, as being an educator or school director is not for everyone. This school may also exemplify the challenges of a broken academic system where schools operate more like business centers, potentially overlooking the capabilities and growth opportunities for young children. read more

The teachers at Ladybird take AMAZING care of our 1.5+ year old daughter. They have for many months. This review is not about that. For over a year they've done an amazing job communicating with us, sending photos, and providing our daughter with really great care. Today (6/2/21) though was a bit of a different experience. ENFORE YOUR RULES. So a while ago while I was waiting for them to get my daughter after work, I overheard a parent expressing his concern about the rule of wearing masks outside while waiting. Soon after that exchange, I noticed a sign went up saying that in order to wait on the portico (outside waiting area), one must wear a mask. Fast forward to today, where I saw three women NOT wearing masks. Personally, I don't care because I'm vaccinated, but when masks are mandated, I wear mine. When they brought my daughter out, I pointed out the sign and the women not wearing masks. The other women were still waiting to get their kids after I got mine; they COULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING, but they didn't. It's simple: If you have a rule, ENFORCE IT. They had an opportunity, but did not take it. If you care so much about COVID precautions, then ENFORCE the rules! They did not. Let me just reiterate; 5 stars for the communication and care of our daughter, but this experience left me fairly upset and confused. Why did you not say anything to those women when you had the chance? read more

We visited two other daycare facilities in the area; they were lovely and what we had hoped for when looking for a place to send our daughter however after committing to them; one had poor communication and the other was not flexible with the schedule. Ultimately, they weren't the right fit for us. We visited Ladybird on two separate occasions. They were accommodating on both of our visits. We learned they had a staff change over within the last year and we felt the new director was knowledgeable and authentic when she answered the questions we had. Since starting, we get ample feedback via the app each day about our daughter's day and her schedule. Any thoughts or questions we have that are brought up, they are immediately answered and addressed. We love that this center values accreditation and under new leadership transparency. read more

Avoid at all costs if your infant is not crawling or walking. Babies that aren't mobile spend most of the day laying down in swings or bouncer chairs. The teachers are doing the best they can. There were around 14 babies in the infant room.The 3 or 4 teachers spend most of the time managing kids who are mobile. My son spent most of the time in a bouncer chair and had a flat spot that got exponentially worse. A teacher later told us, almost half the class had RSV before my son caught it. We didn't know it had been that prevalent in his class and would have kept him home. We got off the waitlist at a different daycare and left as soon as we could. read more

Came by to see a new daycare for my son as we are moving to the area and review found online match the expectations. I came in one hour prior to the schools closure, no one was on the front for about 10 min, then lady came in ( I guess a director). When I asked her to give me a quick tour in the school she wasn't very happy to do that but with not to happy face rashes me through the tour. I wasn't allowed to see the kitchen ( only from outside the cafeteria door) ( they probably have something to hide). Room appeared clean, nicely looking and up to date so I really liked inside. But the lady had such unpleasant attitude for someone who you would expect to be around your kids and running the organization) that I was driven away and discouraged. Also my coworker's son just started there and he complained that when he bindings his son to the schedule the teachers are not greeting the child and just keep doing what they were doing instead of trying to comfort the child at least when he is so new. Complaining to the "director" didn't make any difference for the next day. So my overall impression was ruined but very unfriendly director- lady and the last thing I want is my precious child to spend majority of his day in an organization run but such a person. read more

I love ladybird! The teachers are caring and wonderful. I get updates all the time on my child's progress and my child is very happy here.

My son started here at 9 months old when we moved to the area. I chose this location based on it being very clean, i feel the staff genuinely cares about the kids, and my little one is loving it! Everyday I pick him up I can tell that he isn't just another one in the class to them. read more

I can't get my kid out of there soon enough. This place is terrible, and the center's director doesn't seem to know a thing about kids, or how to run a child care facility. Today while dropping my kid off I hear her yelling at the top of her lungs at a crying kid in the office. Then when we get to my kid's classroom, my kid finds a disgusting cockroach on the floor (see pictures if you don't believe me). It's not the first time though... my kid did tell me about another cockroach on the ceiling one time during their snack time. I'm not surprised. It doesn't seem like they ever clean this place. The tile floors and rugs always look like they haven't been cleaned in days. I would understand if that was at the end of the day, but these floors look like that in the morning as kids are being dropped off. I'm not sure if all Ladybird schools are like this, but I'm really disappointed in the Lake Nona one... We didn't really have a choice when we signed up because there was a shortage of day cares in the area, but I think that's changing now. So my advice now is to stay clear of this place if you have a choice. read more

Ladybird Academy - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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CAUTION NOTE: Things are not always what they appear.. I chose Ladybird Academy of Lake Nona for the same reason most people have. It looks very nice and clean, in a "good" area, secure, webcams in the classroom and all of the staff are friendly. They also charge $260 a week so naturally you think you will be getting the best of the best care. However, if you decide to enroll your child here just know that your child will either be favorited, ignored or targeted. On my 2 year old child's second day at this school he came home with a huge gash in his head (very close to needing stitches) from another child. The school handled everything appropriately, filed an accident report and let me know as soon as I picked him up what happened. They kept the child and the parent's name anonymous and like most sane parents I was very understanding knowing this is normal behavior amongst toddlers, kids will be kids. Two days ago my son pushed another child, normal toddler behavior, no one was injured however this situation ended in the mother and father of the child that was pushed threatening my 2 year old DIRECTLY and assaulting me in the lobby while the director just watched. This all happened during pick up (lots of traffic in and out of the school) as I left with my son a father holding his son approached me and aggressively said that my son pushed his son and my son better "watch out" if he doesn't want any problems with him (directing this at himself...a grown man). He continued to shout at me and my son as we walked to our car and I turned back in the school to report to the director that this man (who I don't know) just threatened me and my child which I felt was EXTREMELY inappropriate regardless of the circumstances. The mother of the child who was pushed immediately started screaming and cursing at me as soon as I re-entered the school. She began calling my son violent and crazy and other explicit words (Mind you her child was present as was mine). I asked her to not use the aggressive language in front of my child and that her and her husband did not have the right to speak to my son directly especially considering he is only 2 years old just like their son. Her husband then grabbed my son's hand and told him not to touch his son and to stay away from him. I immediately snatched my son away from him and asked him not to touch my child. The father grabbed me by the wrist and I snatched my arm away from him and told him not to touch me. The mother then began screaming at me to "Get the f--- out of the school" multiple times. When I did not leave she shoved me into the wall (again all in front of her child and mine). The real takeaway from this situation is even after the director witnessed this NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AGAINST THE PARENTS by the school. They were able to drop their child off the next day as if nothing happened giving them full access to my child. The director explicitly told me that the parents were just "a little heated" the night before and brushed off the situation as no big deal. When I expressed that I did not feel this was a safe place for my son she quickly said she would have his stuff ready at the front desk for me to pick up with no concern for me or my child whatsoever. I am not suggesting that this same situation will happen to you and your child if you decide to enroll however I think that this situation speaks to the level of care that Ladybird Academy of Lake Nona has for the children that they are entrusted with and their parents, whom they have no problem taking almost $300 a week from. read more

I had to pull my kid out of this center as they dont have any lunch options for vegans/vegetarians. Other day care centers in this area have options for both veg/ non veg read more

Do NOT bring your children here. This place has gone down hill in the last year and a half. The director left (for good reason) and it just went down hill from there. I could not get my daughter out of there fast enough. She complained on a daily basis that there wasn't any toilet paper in the bathroom, even first thing in the morning. I told the teacher many times and I also told the director that had taken over. It was ridiculous. The director finally told me that maybe my daughter should bring in her own flushable wipes. What?! I told her this was not the solution. All of the kids need to have toilet paper; this is a basic necessity. The director admitted to me they don't have a cleaning service come on a nightly basis to clean, disinfect and restock the bathrooms. This was all the responsibility of the teachers. The poor teachers that were always short handed because they kept leaving due to how poorly they were treated by the administration ( as told to me by several of the teachers). The turnover was horrible. My daughter ended up having 3 different VPK teachers through the year and I can't even remember how many assistant teachers because none of them would stay. There were periods of time where the teacher was alone in the classroom with no assistant. My daughter would tell me there would be cockroaches in the classroom, bathroom and kitchen. I also found out that at lunch time they wouldn't give the kids napkins. She'd come home with dried food on her clothes and I'd ask her why. She told me they wouldn't give them napkins with their lunch so she had to lick her lips as best as she could and clean the rest on her clothes. I brought this up to the director many times but it was never corrected. When I first started taking my older child there, there was always at least one person at the front desk every time I went in there. The past year and a half there was hardly anyone at the front desk, and I could wait 15 minutes before someone would show up. I could not wait to get my daughter out of there. I tried switching her to another VPK place in the area but they were all full. This Ladybird was good for the first couple of years my children went here. It was very disappointing how quickly it went downhill. Do not bring your children here. It's not clean, they have very high teacher/caregiver turnover because of how poorly they're treated, they don't provide the basic necessities to the children, and the administration is uncaring and rude. I'm glad my children never have to set foot in that place ever again. Honestly, this place needs to be shut down. read more