A Gentle Place to Learn
Play and Belong

A nature-inspired, play-based preschool in Leander where every child is loved and every family is supported.

20+

Years Combined
Experience

★★★★★

5-Star Rated

Children doing nature-based activities

Play-Based
Learning

Daily outdoor play and nature-inspired experiences invite children to explore, move, and connect with the world around them. From gardening and sensory play to nature walks, we nurture curiosity, confidence, and a gentle respect for the environment.

Creative Arts
& Music

Children express who they are through painting, music, movement, and open-ended creative play. These experiences support emotional expression, imagination, and joy, every single day..

Kinder
Readiness

We thoughtfully prepare children for kindergarten through play-based learning that builds early literacy, numeracy, independence, and social-emotional skills, all in a way that feels natural, supportive, and pressure-free.

Play is the Work of Childhood

At Little Lotus Preschool, we believe children learn best through play. Every experience is thoughtfully created to spark curiosity, build confidence, and support each child’s natural love of learning, in a way that feels joyful, safe, and meaningful.

Why Play-Based Learning?

Play is how young children understand the world around them. Through play, children develop strong thinking skills, emotional awareness, and confidence, all while feeling safe to explore and try new things.

Our experienced educators create nurturing, engaging environments where learning unfolds naturally. Every moment becomes an opportunity for growth, connection, and joy.

Cognitive Development

Children build problem-solving skills and early thinking abilities through hands-on exploration, discovery, and open-ended play that encourages curiosity and independence.

Social Skills

Through shared play experiences, children learn to communicate, cooperate, take turns, and form meaningful relationships in a supportive, caring environment.

Emotional Growth

We support children in developing confidence, resilience, and emotional awareness by honoring feelings, offering gentle guidance, and responding with compassion.

Creative Expression

Art, music, movement, and imaginative play allow children to express themselves freely, explore their creativity, and experience learning as something joyful and personal.

Programs Designed for Every Stage

Thoughtfully designed, age-appropriate learning experiences that support your child’s growth from infancy through preschool, at their own pace, in a loving and secure environment.

Infants

3–17 Months

A calm, nurturing space where our youngest learners feel safe, loved, and cared for. We focus on building trust, supporting early development, and honoring each child’s unique rhythms.

Individualized care routines and responsive caregiving
Tummy time, movement, and sensory exploration
Gentle language exposure and connection through song and play
Secure attachment and emotional comfort
Daily communication with families through Brightwheel

Toddlers

18 Months – 3 Years

An active, engaging environment where toddlers are encouraged to explore, build independence, and develop early social skills, all through play and hands-on discovery..

Open-ended learning centers and sensory play
Early literacy through books, music, and storytelling
Art, music, and movement experiences
Potty training support with patience and encouragement
Social-emotional development through guided play and routine

Preschoolers

3 - 5 Years

A joyful, play-based preschool experience that supports kindergarten readiness while honoring childhood. Learning feels natural, engaging, and confidence-building.

Pre-reading, early math, and problem-solving through play
Creative arts, STEM exploration, and hands-on projects
Social-emotional skill building and independence
Thoughtful kindergarten preparation aligned with developmental readiness
Field trips and enrichment experiences

Simple, All-Inclusive Pricing

Quality early education at an affordable rate. No hidden fees, no surprises.

Tuition & Pricing

Transparent, all-inclusive care for every stage

From $1,000 /month

Includes meals, snacks, materials, and curriculum

7:20 AM – 5:45 PM Monday–Friday
📅
Part-Time Available M/W/F or T/Th

Monthly Tuition

Infants (3–17 months) $1,300
Toddlers (18 months–3 years) $1,100
Preschoolers (3–5 years) $1,000
Part-time M/W/F $780
Part-time T/Th $520
Mother’s Day Out (7:20–12:30) $30/day

Fees & Policies

Registration Fee $100
Deposit $200
Sibling Discount 10%
Schedule a Tour

Registration Fee

One-time $100 registration to reserve your child’s spot.

Deposit Policy

$200

Sibling Discounts

Save 10% on each additional child

Meet the Gardeners

Experienced, passionate educators nurturing young minds

Ms. Amy Octavio
17+ Years

Ms. Amy Octavio

Curriculum Coordinator

Nearly two decades of expertise in early childhood education. Her passion for nature-based learning and creative arts shines through in every curriculum she designs.
Curriculum Design Creative Arts
Celisse Hayden
20+ Years

Stephanie Octavio

DIRECTOR

With over 20 years working with children, Stephanie brings thoughtful leadership and a deep care for children to Little Lotus. Her focus is on building strong teacher-child relationships, maintaining high standards of care, and making sure every child feels seen, safe, and valued.
Leadership Family Support
Ms. Sarah DeHart
10+ Years

Ms. Sarah DeHart

PREK LEAD TEACHER

With over 10 years of experience working with children from infancy through elementary age, Ms. Sarah brings a calm, nurturing presence to our PreK classroom. Her background in both church-based programs and private childcare, along with her experience as an Infant Lead Teacher and Young Toddlers Assistant Lead, ensures children are supported, confident, and well prepared for their next stage of learning.
PreK Program Kinder Prep
Judy Blanchard
13+ Years

Judy Blanchard

Toddler Lead Teacher

Judy brings over 13 years of experience in early childhood education, with a strong foundation in Montessori learning environments. Having worked in roles ranging from Teacher Aide to Assistant Director, she creates thoughtfully prepared activities that help toddlers build independence, focus, and confidence through hands-on exploration.
Toddler Specialist Montessori Trained
Judy Blanchard
13+ Years

Mikala Lorraine

Lead Teacher

Over 10 years of experience as both a teacher and private nanny, with a deep focus on infant care. Mikala brings a gentle, responsive approach and valuable experience supporting children with special needs.
Infant Specialist Montessori Trained

Our Commitment

Every member of our team is CPR and First Aid certified, background checked, and trained in our unique approach to early childhood education.

Children learning through creative play with colorful materials

"When we understand behavior as communication, we create deeper connection and meaningful growth."

Behavior is Communication

At Little Lotus Preschool, we believe every behavior tells a story. Young children are still learning how to express their needs, emotions, and experiences, often before they have the words to do so.

Our educators respond with patience, empathy, and understanding. Rather than simply correcting behavior, we take time to understand what a child is communicating and gently guide them toward healthier ways to express themselves.

This philosophy also extends to our partnership with families, creating open, respectful, and judgment-free communication every step of the way.

Stay Connected with Brightwheel

Clear, real-time communication that keeps you closely connected to your child’s day, even when you’re not with them.

Daily Photos

Little moments captured throughout the day so you can see your child learning, playing, and growing.

Direct Messaging

Easy, secure communication with your child’s teachers whenever you need it.

Activity Reports

Daily updates that help you stay informed about meals, rest, play, and developmental milestones.

Family Portal

One simple place to stay connected, share information, and feel part of your child’s school community.

Never miss a moment. With Brightwheel, you’ll receive daily updates, photos, and messages, giving you peace of mind and a window into your child’s preschool day.

Join Our
Community

Your journey with Little Lotus Preschool begins here, we’re excited to welcome your family.

Hours & Tuition

7:20 AM - 5:45 PM
Monday through Friday

Tuition Includes:

Nutritious meals and snacks
Art materials and learning supplies
Curriculum and enrichment activities

Tuition varies by age group. Flexible scheduling options are available to support your family’s needs.

Request Info

Ready to Begin?

Schedule a personalized tour and experience the Little Lotus difference for yourself.

What Families Are Saying

5.0
on Google
"

"We love Little Lotus Preschool! In just the short amount of time my daughter has been there, she is already flourishing! She's always been a talker, but now her words are becoming clearer. She gets so excited everytime we pull in! We love Ms. Judy- she is so kind and welcoming to all of her kids!"

"

"Little Lotus Preschool has an amazing staff with so much heart and caring mindset. It's wonderful seeing our granddaughter get excited about going to daycare here. The teachers really make an effort to engage the kids and develop them in a very individualized way. My granddaughter has grown so much, in only 2 months being enrolled. She talks more, engages more with adults and sings the best songs now! Their patience during her potty training was awesome. The owners and staff are really committed to providing a safe, fun, and loving environment and we're very thankful for the whole team."

"

"I have known the owners for many years, and both ladies are hardworking, caring, and fair. Amy has a special gift when working with children. She has a way of reaching them and making learning fun. She can turn just about anything into a learning experience; the kids are learning and don't even realize it. In some cases, I learned a thing or two myself :) I am proud to say that my granddaughter was part of Ms. Amy's very first group of children when she opened her home daycare. My granddaughter is now 11 years old and still has fond memories of her time there. I recently took her to the Little Lotus Halloween party, and she immediately ran up to Ms. Amy and gave her a big hug. She was so happy to see some of her old daycare friends, there were three children at the party from the original group. Watching Amy interact with her former students and seeing how attentive and loving she was truly showed the kind of caring person she is. My two grandsons, who are now 6 and 7 years old, also attended Ms. Amy's daycare and had wonderful experiences as well. While I do not know the staff at Little Lotus very well, I know Amy well enough to be confident that the staff are loving, caring, and genuinely enjoy what they do. Amy would not allow anything less than the very best for the children in her care. If my other two grandchildren lived in the area, they would absolutely be attending Little Lotus as well. Yes, I have five grandchildren, and I love them to the moon and back to infinity and beyond, as they say. I fully trust Amy with all five of them, and I know she would welcome them with open arms."

"

"The best place you can find for your little ones. Clean, affordable, great teachers that really care about your kids, where they learn a lot and walk in happy. This what I found for both of my toddlers and I see improvements everyday. I highly recommed Little Lotus!"

"

"They have a caring staff who are attentive nurturing and create a warm and welcoming environment for the children. I see a positive impact on my child’s growth, learning skills, being independent and enjoys going to the daycare. Children at the day care get a good mix of outdoor and indoor play (various activities) for their fine motor skills, creative thinking and self regulation."

"

"Cloud classroom: omg this is what dreams are made of! Ms. Judy is an angel and my son has never been happier to go to daycare! He is always so happy to go in and I get the cutest pictures through the day on Brightwheel, so I can see what they did! He is starting to use so many words and I can tell he is understanding us more each day! We couldn't be happier and can't wait to see what he learn next :)"

Join Our Growing Family

These families trusted us with their most precious gift. We'd be honored to partner with you on your child's educational journey.

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1607 High Chaparral Dr, Leander, TX 78641, USA

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