The Excellence Academy at Zion – Childcare in Phoenix, AZ
Where We Care for Your Child & Family
Childcare, preschool, and after-school programs for ages 1 to 12, where every teacher is committed to the growth and healthy development of young leaders. STEAM learning, daily meals, health screenings, and mental health support, all under one roof in southern Phoenix. The tour is free and takes 30 minutes.
A Letter From Our Director
20+ years of showing up for southern Phoenix
I have watched this community pour everything into its children for over a decade. Zion Institute was founded in 2003 because we believed in something simple: strong communities begin with empowered families, and beginning with our children can create the foundation for the change we need to see.
Excellence Academy at Zion exists because families here deserve quality care and opportunities for a greater future. They deserve a place where their child is genuinely known, where teachers are committed to developing every child’s potential, and where a working parent has more that just quality care for their child, but resources and support for their child, but resources and support for their entire family.
We are a nonprofit. That means every decision we make comes back to one question: what does this family need?
If you are looking for a place where your child will be seen, nurtured, and developed, come see us. The tour is free. The conversation is honest. And we will figure out the path forward together.
Director / Founder
Most centers look fine online…
When families evaluate options, the cracks between marketing and reality show quickly!
Excellence Academy at Zion
- Teachers know each child’s name, personality, and developmental milestones.
- Treachers are in tune with parents to provide support outside of the classroom.
- Designed for continuity. Consistent staff means your child builds real trust over time.
- STEAM curriculum for all ages, arts, sensory activities, and meals every single day.
- Both direct-pay and subsidized care families are equally welcome.
Other Centers...
- Kids move through the day on a fixed schedule. Teachers rarely know each child by name.
- Developmental milestones go untracked until a parent asks, and answers are vague.
- High staff turnover means your child meets a new face every few months.
- The curriculum sounds rich in the brochure but looks like screen time in practice.
- Families with questions about assistance feel like an afterthought.
What makes the Excellence Academy at Zion different
The Excellence Academy at Zion was built for the realities of working families, not the convenience of a program. Every detail here, from full-day hours to daily meals, on-site health resources, workforce support, and emergency resources, exists to remove a problem from your day rather than add one. We serve ages 1 through 12 with STEAM learning woven into every day, all backed by a nonprofit with decades of roots in this neighborhood. What you see below is not a wish list. It is what already happens here.
6AM to 6PM (Mon -Fri)
Designed around working parents, not what is convenient for the program.
Ages 1 Through 12
No mixed-age overflow. Every classroom and activity is built for their age range.
On-Site Health Screenings
No offsite appointments for basic health checks. One less logistics problem.
Meals Included Daily
Families do not need to pack lunches. Nutrition is part of the program.
STEAM Every Day
Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math woven into every single day.
Rooted Since 2003
Part of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an extended record in the same neighborhood.
How to get your child started
It truly takes a village, and we’re excited to be a part of yours!
Complete the form
Share your child’s age and contact info, then choose a tour or enrollment info.
Schedule a tour
Pick a time and a staff member confirms your in-person visit with the director.
Request enrollment info
Share a few details so we can check availability for your child’s age.
Your child's first day
Full-day care, STEAM, daily meals, and a team that knows your child by name.
A Day at the Excellence Academy at Zion
6:00 AM - Drop-off opens
Each child and family is warmly welcomed.
7:30 AM - Breakfast
A nutritious morning meal and time to settle in.
9:00 AM - Morning Learning
Structured STEAM, arts, and sensory play matched to each child's stage.
10:30 AM - Group Snack
A shared meal that builds social and emotional skills.
11:30 AM - Outdoor Play
Active movement and fresh air outside.
12:30 PM - Lunch
A full midday meal together.
1:30 PM - Rest Time
Quiet wind-down to recharge for the afternoon.
2:30 PM - Afternoon Exploration
Creative play and hands-on discovery.
3:30 PM - Health & Wellness
On-site health and mental health support, woven into the day.
4:30 PM - Free-Choice Activities
An afternoon snack and child-led play.
6:00 PM - Pickup Closes
Teachers share a real recap of your child's day.
Experience it yourself.
Thirty minutes. No commitment. Just you, the director, and a real look at where your child would spend their days.
Real questions parents ask, answered.
Questions? We’ve got answers!
What makes Excellence Academy different from other childcare centers in Phoenix?
Excellence Academy is part of Zion Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted in southern Phoenix since 2003. Teachers know every child by name and track each child’s developmental milestones individually. Our center also offers support resources for our families beyond the classroom. The scale is intentional: small enough that no child gets lost, structured enough that every day has purpose.
What does wraparound care actually mean here?
We may qualify for government childcare assistance. Can you help?
How much does enrollment cost?
Pricing depends on several factors, including age, current rates, and proposed schedules for attendance. The director walks every family through enrollment costs during the tour. The tour itself is free, and there is no commitment to enroll.
Why should I visit now instead of waiting?
What does a typical day include for my child?
Full-day care runs Monday through Friday, 6am to 6pm. Each day includes STEAM curriculum, arts and sensory activities, daily nutritious meals, structured lessons and learning times to track developmental milestones, and time for play-based learning. On-site health screenings and mental health support are also part of the program.