First Steps Academy offers year-round, full-time and part-time childcare for children aged eight weeks to five years. As a "School of Excellence" certified by the Florida League of Christian Schools (FLOCS Member #4586), and accredited by the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools (ACTS), First Steps Academy offers a variety of programs and options to fit your family's needs.
With a close relationship with the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, First Steps is proud to be a provider for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program. First Steps Academy uses the A Beka curriculum, supplemented with the Beyond Cribs and Rattles curriculum for infants, toddlers, and children in K2 classes, and with WEE Learn curriculum for children in K3 classes and VPK.
With a close relationship with the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, First Steps is proud to be a provider for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program. First Steps Academy uses the A Beka curriculum, supplemented with the Beyond Cribs and Rattles curriculum for infants, toddlers, and children in K2 classes, and with WEE Learn curriculum for children in K3 classes and VPK.
Services
First Steps Academy is a ministry of Calvary Orlando. It is our belief that children are a gift from God and should be nurtured through biblical standards and practices. It is our desire to assist in the development of the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. By maintaining a positive and stimulating learning environment that challenges and rewards each child, education excellence can be achieved.
First Steps Academy is located on the ground floor of the Main Building of Calvary Orlando. We are nestled between the Par and Fairbanks exits of Interstate 4. Just minutes from Downtown Orlando, we are in the heart of Winter Park. Once on the campus of Calvary Orlando, follow the signs to First Steps Preschool.
Emily has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Southeastern University and a Master's Degree in Teacher Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Emily has been a member of Calvary for over twenty years, growing up in ministry. She has a passion for working with children while serving the Lord.
First Steps offers several different options based on the needs of your child and your schedule. First Steps offers a safe and fun-filled summer camp for school-aged children. Campers will be engaged in many indoor and outdoor activities, including arts & crafts, reading, basketball, movies, video games, and field trips.
My three year old has been at First Steps a year and a half and he is already recognizing some three letter words. I absolutely love this daycare. My daughter has been going here for a while now and I have been happy with every moment of it. All of her teachers have been fantastic and friendly and informative.
Reviews (13)
Destine Steward
Nov 04, 2021
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Lacey Bass
Oct 29, 2021
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Sarah Beckman
Oct 22, 2021
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Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality
First Steps is unparalleled! The director, Emily, treats you like family and is always avaliable for any assistance or concerns (if there even are any). The staff is so caring and friendly. The level of education provided at all ages is top notch and the extra curricular activities they offer are an amazing bonus.
First Steps is unparalleled! The director, Emily, treats you like family and is always avaliable for any assistance or concerns (if there even are any). The staff is so caring and friendly. The level of education provided at all ages is top notch and the extra curricular activities they offer are an amazing bonus.
Brittney Camacho
Oct 22, 2021
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My daughter has been in and out of daycare since she was 3 months old. I never thought I would find a great daycare like my very first one. Someone recommended first steps to me and I went to check it out. Emily is one of the most giving, kindhearted people I know. She has bent over backwards for me. Not even knowing me she did everything to help me and my daughter (being im a single mom) . I have been dealing with first steps for about 2 years and feel so safe and secure when I drop my heart off at school..The academics are also great! My daughter was writing her name in the first week she started
Brian Sargent
Oct 21, 2021
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Our son is 2 years old and has been attending First Steps for over a year now. We are very happy with the schools management, supervision and staff. His teachers have been kind, caring and knowledgeable. It seems like once a week our son impresses us with the new things he learned at daycare that day.
Class sizes are appropriate and we feel the activities really enhance our child's universe.
Class sizes are appropriate and we feel the activities really enhance our child's universe.
Lindsay Elliott
Jul 30, 2021
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Affordable day care with great values. My daughter has attended First Steps for a little over a year and a half and we have loved our experience here. The teachers communicated any issues, my daughter learned so much and it was overall wonderful. We are moving onto a different school for other reasons, but will miss our family at FSA! If we have another child, I won't look anywhere else.
Brittany Pilcher
Jan 10, 2021
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My boys (currently age 1 & 3) have been attending First Steps since end of April 2020. The Executive & Program Director are phenomenal leaders, easing any concerns I had due to the pandemic. They are taking all precautions to keep the children and staff safe. The staff are very caring and loving and you can tell they are happy to be working with the children. My 3 year old is getting plenty of play both inside and outside and learning through the curriculum they provide. There is always communication from the staff on what is going on in the classroom and with our children. I feel very blessed
Shannon Kelley Pattee
Oct 26, 2020
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What a fantastic experience my niece has had in her first year at First Steps Academy! She is excited to go to school, is comfortable, happy and loves her teachers. The curriculum is well rounded touching on all areas of development and the extra added activities add that much more. The Director is professional, friendly and knowledgeable.The Bright wheel App. is wonderful for communication, photos & videos throughout the day. Also, a big "Thank You" for remaining open for the Essential front line workers during the Covid 19 crisis. :)
Jocelynn Martinusen
Sep 11, 2020
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Hi, my name is Jocelynn and I am the music teacher at First Steps Academy. I began teaching at First Steps in August of last year at the start of the 2019-2020 school year. Who knew what a whirlwind 2020 would turn out to be? With the hardships that COVID-19 has caused and the massive reduction in attendance that preschools are now facing, I unfortunately lost two of my preschools that I was partnered with. Fortunately, with the excellent safety measures and hard work from the team and leaders at First Steps, they have been able to continue to keep their doors open and provide childcare for their
Carla S.
May 22, 2020
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Simply put, this school and it's teachers are second to none! Both my children have gone here the last 2 and a half years and I smile when I think about every moment of it. my son started in K2 and daughter in the nursery (at 3 months old). You will be so impressed when you see how much care the teachers put in to your children. The director, Ms. Emily had truly found her calling and has extended our "village." It will be a sad day when the kids grow out of the school bc when they are under the roof of the First Steps Academy, I know they are in the best hands!
Sara G.
Apr 14, 2016
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Both my 4 month and 4 year old loved it. Ms. Jasmine and Ms. T were so sweet and gentle with my 4 month and I never had a doubt he wasn't getting all the love and attention he needed! My 4 year old loves Ms. Myrna and talked about her non stop. The curriculum my son was taught was amazing he was able to recall and explain everything he learns daily. I also loved how they prayed daily before lunch and incorporated a non denominational Christian atmosphere. I can only hope I can find a daycare after we move that holds the same standard, love and care First Steps does.
Ashley S.
Aug 25, 2015
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I just recently pulled both kids out of there. Its very sad because my daughter had been going there for a few years. But what I didn't like is that they were giving my son a pacifier that wasn't even his. The director new that and so did his teacher (s). And when my husband spoke to the director she had a I don't care attitude. When you have a I don't care attitude that is a problem with me. But this is how she handle things around there. Yes, my kids were learning things. But when you have a director who thinks its ok to give a child a pacifier that doesn't take one or
Jennifer G.
Dec 17, 2014
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My three year old has been at First Steps a year and a half and he is already recognizing some three letter words. He can count...not just count to 10 or 20 but he actually grasps the concept of counting items. He counts his crackers every day. He has loving teachers whom he visits on the way to his classroom and who give him cookies even after he graduates from their class. Every teacher gives me special attention when I drop the kids off and make themselves available to chat with me and discuss my son's development or needs on a daily basis.
The director of the school, Ms. Peggy,
The director of the school, Ms. Peggy,
