Where happy kids grow.
A play-based, Reggio Emilia–inspired home preschool in South Park, San Diego, for children from ten months through five years.
Small, unhurried, and led by the children.
Play-led days
Play is the real work of early childhood. We protect long, uninterrupted stretches for it, indoors and out.
Reggio-inspired
Children are capable and curious. We follow their interests and let the environment do some of the teaching.
Small & home-based
A little group in a warm home setting means calm days, close relationships, and real individual attention.
Hi, I’m Carly.
I’m a mom and former director & teacher in early childhood education. I built Little Flower Canyon around the attention, love, safety, and support I believe every child needs to thrive. Everything here comes from wanting the same thing for the kids in my care that I want for my own daughter.
Our days are unhurried, play-based, and Reggio-inspired, because I believe childhood deserves to be respected, not rushed.
Come see the space.
We'd love to meet your family and show you around. Reach out whenever you're ready.
Where curiosity leads the day.
A play-based, Reggio Emilia–inspired home where the children’s own questions set the course, and the days are unhurried enough to truly follow them.
The children write the curriculum.
There's no fixed academic curriculum here. What the children are curious about shapes what happens in our space, and the environment itself is the "third teacher": an interest with bugs in the backyard might bring magnifying glasses and books about insects into the room that week.
Play is the work.
Children at this age learn by playing. We protect long, uninterrupted stretches of it, indoors and out, with natural materials and open-ended loose parts. No screens, no plastic noise-makers.
Small by design. Intentional by nature.
A ratio that actually matters
A traditional classroom might hold a dozen children. Ours doesn't come close. A small group means calm days and genuine individual attention.
Led by someone who knows early childhood
Carly spent seven years in early childhood education, first teaching in the classroom and later as a director.
Mixed ages, by design
Younger children stretch toward new skills by watching older peers; older ones deepen their own by helping and modeling. Everyone practices real empathy and patience.
Real development, woven into every hour.
Never drilled. These grow naturally through play, conversation, and the rhythm of the day.
A gentle, predictable rhythm.
The shape of the day stays consistent so children can rely on it. What happens within it is largely up to them. The schedule below is a guide, not a script.
- 7:00 – 8:00Early Bird drop-off & breakfastA calm, early start for working families. Children settle in with breakfast before the day fills up.
- 8:00 – 9:00Arrival and outdoor playA quick QR scan at the door checks them in on Brightwheel.
- 9:30Morning snackA morning snack is included for every child.
- 10:00Morning activity and free playActivities are set out each morning, based around the children's interests. Children can join in or keep playing on their own.
- 12:00LunchChildren unpack lunches from home and eat together, with plenty of time to talk.
- 1:00Rest timeLights low, sound machine, and black out blinds help everybody rest.
- 2:30Afternoon snackA second small snack to carry everyone through the afternoon stretch.
- 3:00 – 4:00Pick-up and free playThe core day winds down with open play, indoors or out. Tap to check out in the Brightwheel app and your child is signed over to you.
- 4:00 – 5:00Extended hours and a light snackA relaxed end-of-day for families who need a little longer, with a light snack.
See it for yourself.
The best way to understand the canyon is to visit. We'd love to show you around.
The practical details.
Our hours, monthly rates, extended-hours options, and the school-year calendar, all in one place.
The practical details.
Our hours, monthly rates, extended-hours options, and the school-year calendar, all in one place.
Our day.
The core day runs Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm. Extended hours are available 7:00am–5:00pm for enrolled families.
Monthly rates.
Rates are based on your child's age group and schedule. All rates are monthly unless noted. Current availability is marked with each age group.
Infants
Waitlist only10–23 months
| Schedule | Rate |
|---|---|
| Full-time, Monday – Friday | $2,300 / mo |
| Part-time, Mon / Wed / Fri | $1,656 / mo |
| Part-time, Tue / Thu | $1,150 / mo |
| Drop-in day (as available) | $150 / day |
Preschoolers
Part-time open2–5 years
| Schedule | Rate |
|---|---|
| Full-time, Monday – FridayWaitlist | |
| Part-time, Mon / Wed / Fri | $1,512 / mo |
| Part-time, Tue / Thu | $1,050 / mo |
| Drop-in day (as available) | $137 / day |
Extended Hours
Add Early Bird, Late Stay, or both to any schedule, billed monthly.
| Schedule | Early Bird | Late Stay | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (M–F) | $200 | $240 | $400 |
| Part-time MWF | $120 | $144 | $240 |
| Part-time T/Th | $80 | $96 | $160 |
Breakfast (with Early Bird), a morning snack, an afternoon snack, and a late-day snack are included, all made from real ingredients without artificial dyes or flavors. Families pack lunch. A non-refundable $500 deposit reserves your child's spot and is applied toward the first month's tuition.
School-year calendar.
Our school year begins August 3, 2026 and runs through July. Enrolled families receive a printable, color-coded calendar with every date.
| Sep 7 | Labor Day | Holiday |
| Oct 12 | Indigenous Peoples' Day | Holiday |
| Nov 11 | Veterans Day | Holiday |
| Nov 20 | In-Service Day | In-Service |
| Nov 23 – 27 | Thanksgiving Break | Break |
| Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Winter Break | Break |
| Jan 18 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Holiday |
| Feb 12 | Lincoln's Birthday | Holiday |
| Feb 15 | Presidents' Day | Holiday |
| Mar 26 | In-Service Day | In-Service |
| Mar 29 – Apr 2 | Spring Break | Break |
| May 31 | Memorial Day | Holiday |
| Jun 18 | Juneteenth (observed) | Holiday |
| Jul 5 | Fourth of July (observed) | Holiday |
| Jul 26 – 30 | Summer Break | Break |
In-service days are working days for Carly: time for refreshing the space, planning, and the behind-the-scenes care that keeps the program running well.
Marked days indicate school closures. Enrolled families receive a printable copy with every date.
Questions about a schedule?
We're happy to talk through which option fits your family. Reach out anytime.
The canyon, lately.
A look at the space and the days inside it: the playroom, the patio, and the garden out back.
Low shelves, natural materials, and invitations set out each morning, arranged so children can reach everything themselves.
A dedicated side entrance leads you straight to our outdoor area: a covered patio, a mud kitchen, raised garden beds, and room to run.
Come see it in person.
Photos only go so far. We'd love to show you around.
Good questions.
The things families ask us most. If yours isn't here, we're always glad to talk it through.
What ages do you serve?
Children from about ten months through five years. Our little group spans ages, which lets younger children learn from older ones and older children practice care and leadership.
How big is the group?
Intentionally small. A home setting with a little group means calm days, close relationships, and genuine one-on-one attention. Our group never exceeds the limits set by California family child care licensing.
What are your hours?
The core day is Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm, with optional extended hours from 7:00am–5:00pm for enrolled families. Full details are on the Tuition & Hours page.
What does a typical day look like?
A gentle, predictable rhythm of outdoor play, snacks, child-led activity, lunch, and rest, with plenty of unhurried time for play. You can see the full daily flow on Our Approach.
Are you licensed?
Yes. Little Flower Canyon is a licensed family child care home in California. License # 376630883.
What about meals and snacks?
A morning snack, an afternoon snack, and a late-day snack are included, plus breakfast for children who arrive for Early Bird. Snacks are made from real ingredients, without artificial dyes, flavors, or hydrogenated oils. Families pack a lunch each day.
Do the children nap or rest?
Yes. Quiet rest time is offered daily. Children who no longer nap have calm activities instead.
Is the program screen-free?
It is. No screens, and no plastic toys. Instead there are natural materials, open-ended loose parts, and classic toys that invite imagination and conversation.
Is there a pet?
Yes. A friendly dog named Poppy is part of the household, but she doesn't interfere with the preschool. During school hours she stays on a separate side of the house with my husband, Andrew, or goes to doggy day care. If your family has allergies or concerns, just let us know and we'll talk through it.
How will I hear about my child's day?
We use the Brightwheel app for day-to-day communication, including photos, notes, and updates.
How does enrollment work?
It starts with a visit. If it feels like a good fit, we'll walk you through enrollment paperwork, and a $500 deposit reserves your child's spot. When the group is full, we keep a waitlist. Reach out through the Visit page to begin.
Still have a question?
We're happy to answer anything that's on your mind. Get in touch whenever you like.
Come see the canyon.
The best way to know if a place is right for your child is to be in it. Reach out and we'll find a good time for you to visit.
What a visit looks like
Visits are relaxed and there's no obligation. We'll walk you through the indoor and outdoor spaces, talk about your child and what their days might look like, and answer anything on your mind.
- See where the children play, create, and rest
- Meet Carly
- Talk through schedules, ages, and fit
- Ask every question, big or small
When you're ready, send a note and we'll take it from there.
Where we are
South Park · San Diego, CA
Exact address shared when you reach out.