Stories of growth from families whose children have thrived at Rady Children’s inclusive preschool
Childhood is made up of small moments that shape big futures: sharing a toy for the first time, spotting a roly-poly in the garden, or discovering that two paint colors can make a brand-new one. These moments don’t happen by accident. They happen when children feel supported, understood, and inspired.
For the McMillan and Ayon families, those moments came to life at Alexa’s PLAYC, the Rady Children’s–developed preschool where purposeful play and intentional inclusion guide every day. It’s a place where children learn at their own pace, in their own way.
Mary McMillan and family
“You can tell right away that every child is celebrated for who they are,” says Mary McMillan, mom to Dean and Vance McMillan. “We felt comforted knowing our boys would be safe, supported and genuinely loved here.”
Many preschools may look similar on the surface, including bright classrooms, art supplies, educational toys, joyful noise. But parents quickly discover that the real difference lies beneath. Choosing a preschool can feel overwhelming, and that’s where Rady Children’s expertise becomes a guiding light.
“Children build critical skills through self-directed, hands-on experiences that engage their whole selves,” explains Nora Camacho, manager of Alexa’s PLAYC (short for Playful Learning Academy for Young Children). Families see this philosophy the moment they walk in.
Purposeful Play in an Environment Where Everyone Belongs
At Alexa’s PLAYC, learning is woven into every playful moment. The curriculum follows children’s interests, allowing teachers to support curiosity in real time. This approach nurtures imagination while helping children grow socially, emotionally, cognitively and communicatively.
Perhaps the most defining element of Alexa’s PLAYC is its intentional commitment to inclusion. Instead of separating children who learn differently, all children learn side by side. All learners receive individualized support while building empathy, collaboration skills, and a deeper appreciation for differences.
“Neurotypical and neurodiverse children are learning many of the same things just at different paces or through different approaches,” Nora explains. “At Alexa’s PLAYC, everyone benefits from the variety of tools our highly trained teachers provide.”
Amy Ayon and family
This approach is strengthened by small class sizes and low teacher-to-child ratios, something the Ayon family deeply valued.
Hunter Ayon, now 5 and the youngest of four siblings, blossomed during his time at Alexa’s PLAYC. After hearing glowing reviews from coworkers and friends, the family waited a year for an open spot. A classroom visit confirmed everything they hoped for. Watching Hunter connect with teachers and peers brought immediate peace and they knew this was the right environment for him.
“Because we live in a neurodivergent society, we think children, both neurodiverse and neurotypical, should learn to be inclusive and tolerant of differences,” says mom, Amy Ayon. “It lays a strong foundation for the way they will interact with others for the rest of their lives.”
A Community That Grows With Families
Teachers at Alexa’s PLAYC hold bachelor’s degrees and collaborate closely with speech and occupational therapists, behavior specialists, and early childhood experts. Families feel this support not just in their child’s progress, but in their own confidence as parents.
But beyond developmental growth, there’s something even more meaningful that keeps families connected: joy.
“Splash days, costume days, face painting—the boys love every bit of it,” Mary says. “But the real gift was the community. The friendships we formed with other families have become such an important part of our lives.”
For these families and so many others, Alexa’s PLAYC isn’t just a place to learn. It’s a place to belong.
“Alexa’s PLAYC is such an amazing and truly unique program,” Amy adds. “We wished it went beyond preschool because it has been life-changing for Hunter and our entire family. They made every member of our family feel comfortable and heard. They helped us understand goals, celebrate progress, and even created a potty-training plan just for Hunter. We can’t say enough about the positive impact Alexa’s PLAYC has had on our lives.”