D&J Educational Childcare Centers in Tuscon, AZ

Our program recognizes that children learn best by doing. Our daycare in Tucson offers a wide range of developmentally appropriate activities that allow teachers to support and guide each child’s growth in a meaningful way.

Our Programs

We proudly serve families seeking high-quality preschool, infant daycare, toddler daycare, drop-in care, and afterschool programs in Tucson.

Infant Daycare

A comfortable and safe, enriched environment where infants are nurtured and supported through early development.

Toddler Daycare

Toddlers learn through sensory experiences, themed activities, and play that encourages exploration and independence.

Drop-in Care

We follow the Developmentally Appropriate Practice standards set up by NAEYC (National Association for Education Young Children) as our philosophy

Preschool

Structured around monthly themes and hands-on experiences to promote academic skills, creativity, and confidence.

After School Programs

A balance of structured activities and individual exploration with homework support, fun projects, and time to unwind.

Staff

Our well trained staff are led by a highly educated director. Our teachers take pride in their profession and are devoted to their students.

Mission

Our mission is to nurture and help children to be confident, responsible, creative, cooperative, and resilient individuals.

Curriculum

We follow the Developmentally Appropriate Practice standards set up by NAEYC (National Association for Education Young Children) as our philosophy

National Accreditation Commission

D&J Educational holds an accreditation from the National Accreditation Commission

ABOUT

Early childhood education is all about relationships—the relationship between teachers and parents and between school and families. At D&J Educational Childcare Center, we foster a positive, welcoming, family-oriented learning environment for both parents and children. As a trusted provider of preschool in Tucson, daycare in Tucson, and afterschool programs in Tucson, we offer a safe, enriched space where children can become independent individuals.

Honoring parents as a child’s first and most important educators, we maintain open communication through newsletters, daily reports, seasonal celebrations, open houses, and quarterly assessments to keep families connected and informed.

Growing and Learning at Our Daycare in Tucson

Cuddle Bugs:
One's Class

Toddlers learn from the world around them and take in information through their senses. Our Toddler’s curriculum focuses on concrete, sensory experiences and stimulates growth, development and learning. The classroom supports the curriculum with age appropriate games, toys, and music. The teachers encourage independent play and exploration using different monthly themes.

Tender Time:
Two's Class

Two year olds have amazing amounts of energy and an eagerness to try new things. The schedule and lesson plan is packed with activities to encourage questions and discovery. Our two year old curriculum is based on a balance between nurturing care, growing structure, learning, and independence. We use monthly themes with weekly focuses to support each project. Through all of this the children gain confidence, positive self-esteem, and the love of learning.

Caterpillars:
Three's Class

The three year old’s desire to learn is very strong once they realize, ‘I can do it!” Our program makes it easy and exciting for them to learn so many things. Each month we introduce new themes that promote individual acedemic skills while encouraging children to explore and understand the world in which they live. Our reading readiness program introduces the alphabet using letterforms, sounds, and words. The hands on activities teach the basic skills and concepts in a classroom learning experience and helps children get ready for the pre-kindergarten program.

Butterflies:
Pre-Kindergarten Class

Our pre-kindergarten program for four and five year olds includes more structured learning. Concepts such as phonics and math become progressively more advanced. Art, music, dramatic play, and social interaction are all tools used to explore learning in the classroom setting. Our reading readiness program builds on the alphabet using letterforms, sounds, and words. Using monthly themes we encourage curiosity, creativity, self-direction, persistence, and a positive self-esteem. Children in this program master the foundation skills they will need in their elementary school years.

Superstars:
School-Age Class

We offer our school age children a balance of structured activities and individual exploration. We give them time to unwind and stretch minds and muscles along with doing fun projects based around a monthly theme. Homework time and assistance is offered daily along with brain games and books to read for those without homework.

Proud to Be Nationally Accredited

All D&J Educational Childcare Center locations are nationally accredited by the National Accreditation Commission, a distinction earned by only 10% of early childhood centers across Arizona. Accreditation reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality daycare, preschool, and afterschool programs in Tucson, meeting rigorous national standards for early learning and child development. Nationwide, only 5% of centers achieve this level of accreditation.

All Centers Participate in Quality First

Every D&J Educational Childcare Center participates in the Quality First program, a statewide initiative to strengthen early childhood education. Through Quality First, we continuously enhance our daycare, preschool, and afterschool environments to better support children’s growth from infancy through age five.

Quality First Scholarships Available

We offer Quality First Scholarships that cover most or all child care costs for eligible families with children from birth to age five. Contact us to learn more about current scholarship availability.

Proud to Be Nationally Accredited

Accreditation is a formal evaluation conducted by a nationally recognized external agency. Attaining and maintaining accreditation is a rigorous process that requires the active involvement of staff and families, as well as comprehensive classroom observations and thorough health and safety inspections. Accrediting organizations establish high standards that frequently exceed the state’s minimum licensing requirements for child care centers. Meeting these elevated standards is essential to earning this distinguished mark of excellence.

All D&J Educational locations are accredited by the National Accreditation Commission, a distinction earned by only 10% of early childhood centers across Arizona. Accreditation reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality daycare, preschool, and afterschool programs in Tucson, meeting rigorous national standards for early learning and child development. Nationwide, only 5% of centers achieve this level of accreditation.

Our centers achieved accreditation because we firmly believe in the value and purpose of the process: to ensure that your child receives the highest quality education and care during the critical early years of development. When you enroll your child in one of our centers, you will see and feel the difference.

All Centers Participate in Quality First

Every D&J Educational Childcare Center also participates in the Quality First program, a statewide initiative to strengthen early childhood education. Through Quality First, we continuously enhance the learning environment as well as supporting health and safety expectations at our education centers to better support children’s growth from infancy through age five.

Participation means going beyond basic licensing requirements to create enriching, nurturing spaces where infants, toddlers, and preschoolers build the skills they need for long-term success. Quality First helps ensure every child is prepared for kindergarten and lifelong learning. We are proud to participate in National Accreditation and Quality First as part of our commitment to continuously improving the educational experience and living our core value of doing the most good for the most children.

Quality First Scholarships Available

We offer Quality First Scholarships that cover most or all child care costs for eligible families with children from birth to age five. Contact us to learn more about current scholarship availability.

What Parents Say About Us

Leslie Dawson
Creative Beginnings
I love this daycare/preschool. I've sent my 3 kids here over the last 15 years. I know my children are loved and cared for while I'm not with them. They feed the kids healthy nutritious meals and snacks. My kids have always come home happy and can't wait to tell us what they learned that day.
Kayla Triplett
D&J Education
I started taking my daughter here 3-4 years ago and absolutely love the staff here❤ Mrs. Janet is an amazing teacher, she really brought my daughter out of her shell and helped her communicate her feelings! When she first started coming here she was very shy and timid around her other class mates, having trouble talking and Mrs. Janet really helped her a lot she's very outgoing, playful and has no problems talking at all! Mrs. Janet really is a great teacher and it was bitter sweet this year having to leave for kindergarten! The staff here love their jobs, connect with your kids and any concerns they bring it up and get the issue resolved quickly! They offer a scholarship program that lowers your payments and they work with you through your financial situations. I really can't say anything other than great things about this place
Ethan Allen
D&J Education
Great staff, great grounds, great experience for my child and my self
Giselle Johnston
D&J Education
Best daycare I've had my kids in !! They give their best and truly care for them! Never had a problem love the teachers! The director is super nice! kids love it !!!
Amanda Moser
D&J Education
My children have gone here 2 months now and I have learned to love the school I feel my babies are happy here and taken care of, this is their first preschool I have a one and two year old and I'm glad I made this choice to put them here!!
Nykole R.
D&J Education
My son has been coming here since he was 5 months old and is now two years old... I'm one of those "over protective" moms... I don't trust ANYONE with my child. But... this school has been such a BLESSING. Ms. Charo, Ms. Sharon, and Ms. Victoria are just a few of the AMAZING women who have made this experience amazing. I love how much they all LOVE my son and how he looks forward to going to school everyday. They're so kind and compassionate and seem like they actually love what they do. My son has developed PHENOMENALLY mentally and emotionally during his time at Small World. They're one of the few people I trust with my son. I know he's safe and well taken care of under their watch. I can go on and on about how amazing this place is but... I'm sure you get what I'm saying. AMAZING place, AMAZING teachers.
Heather B.
D&J Education
This place is a blessing, every member of their staff from the director to the teachers on down are simply amazing. They are compassionate, welcoming, well trained, professional and friendly. I am finally comfortable going to work knowing they care and love for my daughter as if she is family. They focus on her development in social skills, education, creativity, and so much more. She loves to go and im grateful how thoughtful and understanding they are when my daughter is sick or when I need anything. If you are looking for a daycare that will allow your heart to rest easy knowing your child is safe, cared for, and encouraged to explore their creativity and developmental skills this is the preschool for you.
Monique C. Reyes
D&J Education
We love it here, the staff is awesome and my daughter has been there since she was 3.
JM
D&J Education
This is an excellent facility. While the exterior may look old and warn, the teachers are stellar. I left KinderCare because the focus was on ascetics rather than on child care and came here and the difference was instantly noticed. My children thrived here. I had my kids here at kids village for years and the children are treated as though they were family.
Harmony Kielty
D&J Education
My daughter has been at this school for a year. She's been with the schools new director for five years. Yes we followed her to the new school. The teachers are amazing and really care for the children. I get daily reports of what was done and taught that day. The facility is clean and well kept. I recommend this daycare/preschool for my friends and family.

Discover why families choose our daycare in Tucson for every stage of early learning—from infants to afterschool programs.