Preschool playdates OUTDOOR Program

Parent Friendly Preschool Hours ~ Inviting all children ages 3 to 5 (potty-trained preferred) to join us Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm for outdoor preschool (early pick-up pricing available).

Each day will include environmental education and literacy, crafts made from recycled materials, outdoor play, animal interactions and more! Our newly renovated "nap nest" offers the comfort of home so your children can take a break and spend their entire day on the Discovery Center Campus.

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Preschool Playdates is held weekly throughout the entire year, except for holidays (see below). We run 9am - 5pm, with options for early release to fit your schedule and budget.

 

If you have any questions about Preschool Playdates or registration please contact Miss Emily, the Director of Education at (760) 804-1969 ext. 101 or emily.bonds@aguahedionda.org

Our Schedule

Preschool Playdates will be held Monday - Friday from 7:30am - 5:30pm, with early release options at 1pm, 3pm and 4pm. You can choose to register for the entire week, four days, three days, or two days. You must choose a plan for the entire month.


We run rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the student's are moved indoors.

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Looking to drop in and experience a day at preschool playmates before committing for the month?

Email emily.bonds@aguahedionda.org with the date you are interested in attending.


Payment policies: ​

  • Payments are processed monthly, on the first of each month (example October 1st). 
  • You can pay by autopay via credit card (a 5% processing fee is added to your transaction).
  • You can pay monthly by Zelle, Check or Cash, and there is no processing fee (you are required to make the payment on the 1st of each month, or prior).
  • A $25 late fee will be applied to each day the payment is late.
  • *We cannot discount the month due to sick days, vacation days or defined AHLF Holiday's.
Pay Via Zelle

"Our daughter did the preschool play dates program here and it was so wonderful! Great experience. The teachers are all so happy and full of love. Thank you so much!"

Marlayna Driscoll

pRICING

Please email Emily for current pricing breakdown.

Member Discount:

All Sustainer Circle Member Levels will receive 50% off your third month of preschool playdates. You must continue your membership for the year to receive the discount for Preschool Playdates.

*If membership is cancelled prior to a year since membership start date, you will be charged for the Preschool Playdates discounted days.​

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Refer a Playmate: 

If you refer a new playmate, a child who has never attended our Preschool Playdates Outdoor Program, you and your new playmate will receive 15%  off your next month's payment. In order to receive the 15% off, you and your new playmate must email emily.bonds@aguahedionda.org.

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Monthly Themes: ​​​

  • July- Coastal Caretakers
  • August- Earth Explorers
  • September- California Adventure
  • October- Long, Long Ago
  • November- Thankful for Fall
  • December- Winter Wonderland
  • January- Deep Blue Sea
  • February- Habitat Happenings
  • March- And Then It's Spring
  • April- Planet Protectors
  • May- Space Exploration
  • June- Sweet Summer

Please have your child bring:

  • Snack
  • Lunch & Lunch Sack (labeled with their name)
  • Reusable Water Bottle (labeled with their name)
  • An extra pair of clothes in case we get dirty! 
  • Weather appropriate clothing, closed-toed shoes, and come wearing sunscreen - we will be outside!
  • Lots of energy!

Holidays for 2024: ​​​

  • Memorial Day- May 27th
  • Independence Day- July 4th and 5th
  • Labor Day- September 2nd
  • Fall Break- November 28th-29th
  • Winter Break- December 25th-27th
  • New Years Day: January 1st

"Just wanted to thank you and all of the amazing teachers Jordi and Brett had during our time at Preschool Playdates. The girls learned so much and every day was special and fun. Can’t thank you enough for the years of enjoyment. Today was our last day and I’m so sad to leave. "

Kate Lewis

Meet The Teachers

Emily Bonds, Director of Education 

Emily grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and her love for the great outdoors developed at a young age. The warm weather and ocean drew Emily to Southern California, where she attended Chapman University. She received her B.A. in Integrated Education Studies with an emphasis in Leadership Studies and a Minor in Environmental Science. She also studied abroad in Turks and Caicos Island, where she studied marine science and tourism. Her passion for outdoor education and marine science drew her to the AHLF Discovery Campus for their Academy of Environmental Stewardship. Emily is excited to be teaching and learning at the AHLF Discovery Campus!


Emily Gallego 

Emily is a San Diego native, with a deep love for the environment and education. She is currently a student at Cal State San Marcos majoring in Liberal Studies and minoring in Spanish, with the hopes of continuing her career in education. Teaching at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon has completely changed the way that she looks at education and is entirely grateful for the opportunity to be an Environmental Stewardship Teacher. Being able to educate students outdoors with hands-on activities is a privilege that Emily is excited to be a part of!

 

Mariela De Leon 

Mariela has grown up in Escondido CA all her life and her love for animals has developed since a young age. She will be getting her B.A in Human Development and will pursue for graduate school to get her license in becoming an occupational therapist. She’s wanted to expand her experience working with kids and she has volunteered at Farr elementary in high school. She loved the bonds she has created over time with the children, she also loves teaching them new things like how to write and spell out their own names. She has been an intern since late August and she loved how Agua Hedionda is a place not only about nature but how to care about the different animals there. She loves how this location teaches children at a young age the importance of taking care of the animals as well as the environment they live in. Her passion for teaching children will pair well with her future career and it is what drew her to AHLF Discovery Center! 

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Paris Ramirez

Ms. Paris is studying Environmental Systems and Earth Sciences with a minor in Sustainability at the University of California San Diego. She hopes to one day work on restoring and rehabilitating our wetlands! She loves teaching at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation because she has the opportunity to educate children in nature about very important environmental topics. Paris grew up in Orange County and enjoys surfing, hiking, walking her dog Cruz and rock climbing.

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