Voted Best Preschool: Orlando Sentinel 2026 & Orlando Weekly 2023
Limited 3 year-old spots available for 2026-2027 school year
Instructional Hours:9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Monday – Friday with part-time hours available.
Contact the Preschool Director, Juanita Real at jreal@osc.org for more information or to arrange a tour of the Preschool.
Preschool Features & Parent Communication:
Hands-on classroom and outdoor environment activities through Play and Exploration
- STEM approaches and Engineering Design Process integrated in daily schedule
- Using all 5 senses – See, Hear, Touch, Smell and Taste
- Music and Movement, Physical Activity, Spanish and Sign Language
Age and Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum
- Orlando Science Center STEM curricula applying science,technology, engineering and math
- Creative Curriculum, innovative and research based
- Embedding Science, Math, Literacy, Language, Cognitive,Gross and Fine Motor, and skills into daily activities
Qualified Early Childhood/Elementary Education Staff
- Child Care Credential, National Early Childhood Credential, Degrees in Early Childhood/Elementary Education including DCF 45 Hours
- Level 2 Background Screened
- First Aid/CPR Infant/Child and Adult Certified
- Experience working with children 3 – 5 years old
Early Childhood Appropriate Practices
- Florida Early Learning Developmental Standards focusing on Three Year Olds to Kindergarten
- National Association for the Education of Young Children Standards
Brightwheel Digital Communication App
- You will be able to direct message your Child's class
- Reports, pictures and videos of your Child's experience are uploaded daily
- Digital QR check in/out system and monthly newsletters are just a few of the many features
Licensed by the Department of Children and Families – Childcare Center ID: C09OR0729
Voluntary PreKindergarten Provider (VPK) – Early Learning Coalition of Orange County ID: 4994
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – Accreditation ID: 728946
Open to any child and family regardless of race, ethnicity, faith or creed.
The Science Center STEM Approach
At Orlando Science Center’s Preschool, children learn through hands-on, developmentally appropriate experiences that integrate STEM across all areas of learning. Our whole-child approach combines project-based learning, scientific inquiry, and the engineering design process, encouraging children to explore real-world questions, solve problems, and apply what they learn.
Our blended curriculum combines Creative Curriculum with OSC-developed experiences to connect STEM with literacy, language, social-emotional development, math, motor skills, and the arts. Through exploration and thoughtful questioning, children develop essential 21st-century skills—including critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity—while building confidence as curious thinkers and problem-solvers.
Orlando Science Center’s STEM Preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world’s largest organization dedicated to advancing high-quality early childhood education. NAEYC Accreditation is a rigorous, research-based process that evaluates programs against 10 standards and hundreds of criteria. Fewer than 10% of early childhood programs nationwide achieve NAEYC Accreditation, making it a recognized mark of quality in early childhood education.
2026 – 2027 Preschool Tuition
Three Years Old Program
Weekly Tuition
OSC Member
General Public
3-Day (T, W & Th)
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
$255 Weekly
$295 Weekly
5-Day (Half-Day)
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
$255 Weekly
$295 Weekly
5-Day (Full-Time)
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
$335 Weekly
$375 Weekly
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program
Weekly Tuition
OSC Member
General Public
VPK Plus
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
$60 Weekly
$80 Weekly
VPK WRAP
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
$255 Weekly
$295 Weekly
VPK WRAP Without Funds
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
$335 Weekly
$375 Weekly
Annual Registration Fees: $310 non-refundable
All students must be independently fully toilet trained. Pricing is subject to change.
Morning Care: 7:30 am – 9:00 am, $40 Weekly
OR After Care: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm, $40 Weekly
Both Morning & After Care: $70 Weekly
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the age requirements for preschool?
- Three's Program: Children must be 3 years old by September 1 of the school year.
- VPK Program: Children must be 4 years old by September 1 of the school year.
- Toilet Training: All children must be independently toilet-trained to participate. Diapers and pull-ups are not permitted
What documentation is required for enrollment?
- Florida School Entry Health Exam: A current health exam from the Florida Department of Health indicating that the child is in good health or that any known medical condition is under control.
- Florida Certificate of Immunization: A current certificate appropriate to the child’s age. An approved vaccination waiver may be provided, if applicable.
- VPK Voucher: Children enrolled in the VPK program must have a VPK voucher provided one month prior the start of the school year and signed by a parent.
What is the teacher-to-student ratio?
Each preschool classroom has two teachers and maintains a 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio, providing children with consistent supervision, support, and opportunities for individual attention.
What are the qualifications of preschool teachers?
All Orlando Science Center Preschool staff complete Level 2 background screenings, including FBI, FDLE, and local law enforcement checks. Staff are also required to have:
- Current First Aid and CPR certifications
- Required Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) child care training
What are the preschool hours?
- Full Time for Three’s & VPK Preschool: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Three’s Part Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm five days or 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays
- VPK Plus: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Morning Care: 7:30 am – 8:45 am (additional fee)
- After Care: 4:15 pm – 5:30 pm (additional fee)
How does preschool billing work?
- Tuition payments are processed through Brightwheel on a required automatic billing. Tuition is charged at the weekly rate, with charges processed each Monday of the school week.
- Weekly tuition is based on the annual operating cost per child and is calculated to account for the preschool’s scheduled operating calendar.
What fees are required to register?
- An annual, non-refundable registration fee is required for each school year.
- In addition, a non-refundable two-week tuition deposit is required before a child begins school. This deposit is applied to and covers the final two weeks of tuition for the school year.
Do you offer Direct Pay through Step Up?
We have limited capacity for families utilizing Step Up for Students Direct Pay funding with the required approval certificate. Available spaces are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Until Step Up for Students funding is distributed and received, all required charges remain the sole responsibility of the caregiver, including:
- Annual Registration Fee
- Two-Week Tuition Deposit
- Weekly Tuition
Once Step Up funding is received, eligible funds may be applied according to the program’s Direct Pay guidelines.
Have More Questions?
For additional information about our preschool policies, procedures, and programs, please download and review the Preschool Family Handbook PDF. The handbook provides more detailed information about our preschool and answers many common questions.