The Best Start in Life Begins Here
Accredited Childcare & Preschool Programs for Growing Families!
It’s Time to Meet Our Directors and Certified Teachers!
“The atmosphere is very homey and loving, and the curriculum is first class.”
By Shannon M,
STEAM Program
Keystone Star Accredited
PA-state-mandated Teacher-Children Ratio
No Annual Registration Fee
Half-Day Options Available at Select Locations
AM & PM Snacks Offered
Childcare & Preschool in PA
Looking for a nurturing, educational, and safe environment for your child?
Welcome to our family-owned childcare and preschool centers, proudly serving communities across Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Our mission is simple: to help every child thrive through joyful learning, compassionate care, and early childhood education grounded in excellence.
“Within a week our daughter learned how to walk and interact with other children! The teachers are GREAT and love there job! This school is all around awesome.”
By Kristin T.
“This school is all around awesome! Very organized, fun, and safe.”
By Angelina G.
“I have loved every teacher he has had throughout the years and they are excellent. I have recommended the place to several friends who have since began enrollment their as well.”
By Magen B
“From the super fun curriculum, to getting pictures everyday on Tadpoles to the fun events that helped my daughters friendships extend beyond her classroom. We really love this school.”
By Jennifer G.
Why Parents Love Us
Certified Early Childhood Educators
Your child is cared for by vetted, licensed, loving professionals who are trained to guide learning, support social development, and ensure safety every step of the way.
Accredited, Proprietary Curriculum
Our unique curriculum supports each developmental stage—from infants to pre-K—using age-appropriate learning activities that are fun, engaging, appropriately challenging, and effective.
Safe, Secure, and Stimulating Environments
Each center features secure entry systems, clean and child-friendly classrooms, and daily wellness checks to give parents peace of mind.
Family-Focused Values
We are not a national brand—we are a local, family-run business that believes in building relationships, supporting local communities, and creating lasting impact in children's lives.
As a family-owned center, we treat every child with respect and the care that young learners deserve. Our accredited and proprietary curriculum was designed to be appropriately challenging for each age to stimulate the learning process.
Our Childcare & Preschool Programs
We offer full-day and part-day programs tailored for each age group!
Every program is designed to nurture curiosity, build foundational skills, and prepare children for a lifetime of learning.
For over 15 years, we’ve exceeded early education standards while fostering collaboration between families and teachers to create the best learning outcomes for children.
Meet Our Teachers & Staff
Our team of teachers, caregivers, and administrators is the heart of our school. We invite you to come meet the amazing people who create safe, joyful, and engaging spaces for your children.
Every Child is Unique—Our Approach Reflects That!
At our early learning centers, we recognize that each child has a unique personality, learning style, and pace of development. This belief drives our personalized approach to education. Our teachers collaborate closely with families to ensure that every child receives tailored support across emotional, physical, social, and intellectual domains of growth.
Certified Professionals Dedicated to Your Child’s Success
Our teachers are more than educators—they’re mentors, guides, and advocates for your child’s development. Each team member is certified in early childhood education and undergoes ongoing training to stay current on best practices. By fostering an environment of trust, encouragement, and respect, our teachers inspire children to explore their potential and build lifelong skills.
A Dynamic, Accredited Curriculum Tailored to Every Child
Education isn’t one-size-fits-all, which is why we use dynamic, ongoing assessments to track every child’s progress. Based on these insights, our teachers adapt our accredited and proprietary curriculum to meet the needs of each learner. Here’s what sets our curriculum apart:
Innovative Learning Methods
We incorporate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), the nationally recognized Learning Without Tears® program, to build a strong foundation for academic success. Each activity is designed to be age-appropriate, engaging, and challenging.
Holistic Growth Support
Our curriculum doesn’t just develop young learners academically—it also nurtures their independence, curiosity, leadership abilities, and social skills.
Ongoing Assessments
We prioritize your child’s welfare and progress by continually evaluating and analyzing educational plans as needed.
Enriching Activities to Foster Creativity and Diversity
Learning happens both in and beyond the classroom. To complement our core programs, we offer a wide range of activities that broaden children’s horizons and spark new interests. These activities celebrate diversity, encourage teamwork, and inspire children to explore their talents.
Music classes
Dance lessons
Soccer shots
Sign Language
Foreign Languages (Spanish)
Learn a Wealth Of Information
Do Not Miss Our Latest Parent Guides!
Have Any Questions? Check Our FAQs
What kind of childcare is Willowdale Children's Academy?
Willowdale Children’s Academy is a family-owned, play-based STEAM childcare and preschool that provides a safe and engaging environment for children to learn and have fun.
Where is Willowdale Children's Academy located?
Willowdale Children’s Academy’s childcare and preschools are located in Avondale, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, and West Chester, PA.
What is the age range for children enrolled at the academy?
Willowdale Children’s Academy provides care for children aged 6 weeks to school age.
What is the curriculum philosophy of the school?
The curriculum is play-based and STEAM-focused, with the aim of supporting the whole child in a safe and engaging environment.
What is Learning Without Tears?
Learning Without Tears is a curriculum that provides simple, effective tools to foster early literacy skills, including readiness, handwriting, phonics, and keyboarding, for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
What is the "Handwriting Without Tears" program?
Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) is a multisensory curriculum that utilizes engaging and developmentally appropriate techniques to teach writing skills, with a focus on simple language and a distinctive letter formation style.
What age groups is the curriculum designed for?
The Learning Without Tears programs are designed for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
How long should daily handwriting practice last?
It is recommended that daily handwriting instruction lasts for 10-15 minutes.
What is play-based learning?
Play-based learning is a teaching method that utilizes play to promote a child’s development and learning across multiple areas, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills.
What are the key benefits of play-based learning for young children?
It helps children develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and social skills through collaboration and communication with their peers. It also fosters a love of learning by making education fun and engaging.
How is play-based learning different from traditional learning?
Traditional learning often focuses on direct instruction and rote memorization. Play-based learning, in contrast, is more child-directed and hands-on, allowing children to learn through exploration and discovery.
How does play-based learning support a child's development?
It supports a child’s development by giving them the freedom to explore, experiment, and make mistakes. This process is crucial for building resilience, confidence, and foundational skills needed for success in school and in life.
What kind of childcare is Willowdale Children's Academy?
Willowdale Children’s Academy is a family-owned, play-based STEAM childcare and preschool that provides a safe and engaging environment for children to learn and have fun.
Where is Willowdale Children's Academy located?
Willowdale Children’s Academy’s childcare and preschools are located in Avondale, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, and West Chester, PA.
What is the age range for children enrolled at the academy?
Willowdale Children’s Academy provides care for children aged 6 weeks to school age.
What is the curriculum philosophy of the school?
The curriculum is play-based and STEAM-focused, with the aim of supporting the whole child in a safe and engaging environment.
Contact Us Today
Ready to give your child the best start in life?
- Book a Tour
- Request Enrollment Info
- Ask About Availability and Tuition
Schedule a Tour Now
Meet our incredible teachers, explore our classrooms, and see why families across the community trust us with their child’s early education.