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

pRICING

Please email Emily for current pricing breakdown.

Member Discount:

All Steward Level and Above Members will receive 20% off your monthly bill 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!

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Holidays for 2025

We will not be hosting Preschool Playdates the following days:

  • New Years Day: January 1st 
  • Memorial Day: May 26th 
  • Independence Day: July 4th 
  • Labor Day: September 1st 
  • Winter Break: December 25th-26th

  • "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. "

    "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

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    “Highly recommend! My son had the best preschool experience here. Had so much fun every day and loved his sweet teachers and all the animals!” 

    Gabbi Wren

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    "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

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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!

Deniell Aadland - "Ms. D" 

We are excited to announce Miss D is our new Lead Preschool teacher and Educational Coordinator. She has been teaching for our Academy of Environmental Stewardship program here at Agua Hedionda since Fall of 2023. Along with working at our Discovery Summer Camp last summer she also began working regularly with the preschool playdates and fell in love with our program and students. Her passion for making early education fun shows in our students' smiles. She has her associate's degree and certification in Child Development from Mira Costa College and is a proud graduate of Carlsbad High School. Miss D and her family are grateful to call Carlsbad home, and we are happy to have her here at Agua Hedionda.

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!

Andrea Fewkes

Andrea grew up as an 'outside kid' in Northern California where she roamed free and caught wild critters. She studied Studio Art at Humbolt State with a focus in illustration and a minor in Literature. She has years of work as an elementary school art teacher where she taught painting, drawing, sewing, and craft skills. Andrea started working at Agua Hedionda in 2023 after her family moved to Oceanside. She was thrilled with the opportunity to make the switch to a preschool program where she can play outdoors, teach crafts, bring out animals, and most importantly, get to know the students at the best age in their lives. Her goal is to make each child love coming to Preschool Playdates as much as she does!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!