Little Explorers Daycare

Little Explorers Daycare — Licensed Childcare and Early Learning in Washington, Utah

Little Explorers Daycare is a state-licensed childcare center in Washington, Utah, providing nurturing, developmentally appropriate care and education for children from infancy through elementary school age. The center serves working families throughout Washington County with full-day childcare, half-day preschool programs, before-and-after-school care, and summer camp programming that keeps children engaged, learning, and growing during the months when school is not in session. Founded on the understanding that early childhood experiences shape the trajectory of a person's entire life, Little Explorers combines the warmth and individual attention of a home-based setting with the professional curriculum, safety standards, and developmental expertise that a licensed facility provides. The center's Washington location offers convenient access for families in Washington, St. George, Hurricane, and the surrounding communities that comprise Southern Utah's growing family demographic.

Infant and Toddler Programs

The infant and toddler program at Little Explorers Daycare provides responsive, relationship-based care for children from six weeks through two years of age. Caregivers maintain low ratios — one adult for every four infants and one adult for every five toddlers — ensuring that each child receives the individual attention, physical affection, and responsive interaction that developmental research identifies as critical during these foundational months and years. Daily schedules follow each child's natural rhythms for feeding, sleeping, and active play, while intentionally incorporating the sensory experiences, language exposure, music, and motor activities that support healthy brain development. Communication with parents is detailed and daily, including feeding and napping records, diaper changes, activity descriptions, and the developmental milestones and observations that help parents stay connected with their child's growth during the hours they spend apart. The infant and toddler spaces are designed specifically for the needs of the youngest children, with age-appropriate materials, soft surfaces for crawling and first steps, and the security features that allow exploration within a completely safe environment.

Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten

The preschool program for children ages three through five follows a structured curriculum that prepares children for kindergarten success while honoring the play-based learning approach that developmental science consistently supports as the most effective educational model for young children. Each day includes circle time, small-group instruction, center-based learning, outdoor play, creative arts, music, and the storytelling and read-aloud sessions that build the language comprehension and vocabulary that predict later reading success. The curriculum addresses all domains of development — cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and creative — through integrated thematic units that make learning meaningful and engaging. Pre-kindergarten students receive focused instruction in letter recognition, phonemic awareness, number concepts, pattern recognition, and the self-regulation skills that kindergarten teachers identify as the most important indicators of school readiness. Southern Utah's natural environment becomes an educational resource through outdoor learning activities that introduce children to desert ecology, seasonal changes, weather observation, and the sense of place that connects young learners to their community. For family-friendly activities outside of school hours, explore the kids activities in Southern Utah guide.

School-Age Programs

Little Explorers provides before-and-after-school care for elementary-age children through age twelve, with transportation to and from nearby schools that eliminates logistical challenges for working parents. The after-school program balances homework support with recreational activities, outdoor play, and the enrichment programming that keeps children engaged and growing during the after-school hours. Dedicated homework time with adult assistance helps children complete assignments and develop the study habits that support academic success, while the remaining hours offer art projects, science experiments, organized games, and free-choice activities that let children decompress from the structured school day. Summer camp programming fills the ten-week break with themed weekly experiences — outdoor adventure weeks, science and engineering challenges, arts and performance, cooking, sports, and community exploration that transforms summer break from a childcare challenge into a highlight of the children's year.

Safety, Licensing, and Family Partnership

Little Explorers Daycare maintains full state licensing through the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, meeting or exceeding all requirements for staff qualifications, child-to-adult ratios, facility safety, health practices, and curriculum standards. All staff members hold current CPR and first aid certifications, complete ongoing professional development in early childhood education, and pass comprehensive background checks. The facility features secure entry with electronic access control, interior and exterior cameras, fenced outdoor play areas with age-appropriate equipment, and the emergency preparedness plans that provide for every contingency. The center views families as essential partners in each child's development, maintaining open communication through daily reports, parent-teacher conferences, family events, and an open-door policy that welcomes parents to visit their child's classroom at any time.