No! Little Hearts takes place in my actual home and is intentionally different from a traditional childcare center or preschool classroom. Children learn, play, eat, rest, create, and spend time outside as part of a tiny group in a comfortable home environment.

Our Fall 2026 season is located in our home in the Montford neighborhood of Downtown Asheville.

Little Hearts is designed for children ages 1-4. Because our groups are so small, I consider each child’s age, developmental stage, personality, and needs when putting a cohort together.

Little Hearts is capped at three children at any given time, including my own son.

Because that’s really the point! A tiny group allows children to experience friendships, group learning, and socialization while still receiving the individual attention, flexibility, and connection that can be harder to provide in a large classroom.

My husband’s career in professional baseball relocates our family throughout the year, and keeping our family together is something I’ll always prioritize. I created the Little Hearts structure to grow alongside our life rather than choosing between that and work I genuinely love.

Every season has clearly defined dates, and if another season follows, current families receive advance notice and first priority to continue with us.

Possibly! Our family’s location depends on my husband’s career, so I don’t promise future sessions until I know what our next season looks like. If another Little Hearts season is offered, current families will typically receive 1–2 months of advance notice and first priority.

Me! I’m Mrs. Kaitlin, and Little Hearts is intentionally personal. I’m the primary caregiver, teacher, planner, meal-prepper, activity creator, and face behind the program.

I have more than 17 years of experience working with children and families in many different roles, including nannying, household management, homeschool support, and home childcare.

I’ve cared for children across age groups and have experience with infants, toddlers, school-age children, multiples, children with disabilities, and children with medical needs.

I also serve as a Guardian ad Litem advocating for children and families in Buncombe County. My education has focused heavily on public safety, child and family advocacy, social services, and the legal system, giving me another layer of experience and perspective in the work I do with children and families.

I’m CPR, First Aid, and AED certified and hold a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card. Safety is something I take seriously both in how our environment is set up and in how I approach caring for children every day.

Yes! I’ve developed baby-led sleep and potty-learning support programs and am happy to work alongside families to reinforce developmentally appropriate routines they’re working on at home.

Yes! My son is part of Little Hearts, and the experience was actually inspired by what I wanted for him at this stage of childhood.

Absolutely. When my son is participating, he is one of the three children. He’s never an “extra” child added on top of enrollment.

It’s actually one of the reasons I keep Little Hearts so small. I intentionally limit the group so I can give every child, including my own, individual attention.

The children share the same rhythm of learning, eating, playing, exploring, and resting together rather than my son being treated separately from the group.

He’s a little person too, so sometimes he will! Part of a home environment is children learning that everyone has needs, takes turns, helps one another, and receives care.

Keeping the group at three gives me the flexibility to respond to one child’s needs without losing sight of everyone else.

Yes! Little Hearts operates from our actual family home, so my husband may sometimes be home or come and go during classroom hours, particularly depending on his professional baseball schedule.

I remain the primary caregiver responsible for the children unless families have been notified of planned caregiver coverage.

Families will know about the adults present in our home and those who may regularly be present during Little Hearts operating hours. Anyone present while children are in my care will be appropriately vetted and background checked. Additionally, Anyone entrusted with assisting with the actual care or supervision of enrolled children will be appropriately vetted and background checked and disclosed beforehand.

Not in the traditional sense. I use the word “classroom” to describe our little learning group, not a room designed to recreate a childcare center inside my home.

Little Hearts happens throughout our real home and outdoor spaces. I want children to have the benefits of preschool while retaining the comfort and natural rhythm of being in a home.

Absolutely! Little Hearts is intentionally designed to feel like a home, not a childcare center squeezed into a house. Our split floor plan allows different parts of the day to happen in different spaces while keeping our little group close and easy to supervise.

We use our indoor living and learning spaces along with our porch, yard, and separate outdoor play area. With only three children at a time, there is plenty of room to learn, play, create, eat, rest, and move comfortably.

Our environment and daily routines are intentionally set up with these normal moments in mind.

If I’m helping another child settle for a nap, changing a diaper, using the restroom, finishing lunch preparation, or tending to another child, the other children remain in a nearby child-safe space where I can continue to monitor them and quickly respond if needed.

Gates, secured areas, and age-appropriate boundaries are used throughout our home to keep children within the spaces intended for them. One of the biggest benefits of having such a tiny group is that I can account for every child even during the ordinary moments of our day.

Yes. The areas used by Little Hearts are arranged with young children in mind, including appropriate barriers, secured areas, and boundaries based on the ages and developmental stages of the children enrolled.

Parents will provide current emergency contacts and important medical information before their child begins. In an emergency, my first priority is the immediate safety and care of the child, followed by contacting the appropriate emergency services and their parent or guardian as quickly as possible.

Children will only be released to their parent/guardian or another person the family has authorized for pickup. I will never send a child home with someone I wasn’t expecting simply because that person says they were asked to pick them up.

Our days include a mix of structured learning, independent play, socialization, music, art, ASL, movement, outdoor play, meals and snacks, and plenty of opportunities for children to follow their own curiosity.

Afternoon and Full Day children also have nap or quiet time.

We follow a predictable rhythm, not a minute-by-minute schedule. Consistency helps little ones know what comes next and feel secure, but childhood needs flexibility too.

If everyone is completely absorbed in something, I’m not going to stop a great experience simply because the clock says it’s time. Likewise, if the group needs food, movement, quiet, fresh air, or a reset, we adjust.

Structured activities are intentionally balanced with independent play, socialization, outdoor time, meals, transitions, and downtime. Full Day children experience two learning blocks rather than one long classroom period.

I plan developmentally appropriate themes, activities, and learning opportunities while leaving room to follow the children’s interests and needs. At this age, learning definitely doesn’t only happen while sitting at a table!

That’s okay! I’ll encourage them and find ways to invite them into the experience, but Little Hearts isn’t about forcing a toddler or preschooler to complete an activity.

Observation, independent play, movement, and exploring something differently can all be valuable forms of learning.

I may utilize a developmentally appropriate video as a teaching aid occasionally, however screens are not intended to be part of our regular classroom routine. Our days are designed around hands-on play, creativity, conversation, movement, books, music, socialization, and being outside.

Outdoor play is an important part of our daily rhythm whenever weather and conditions allow. Depending on the day, we may spend time on our porch, in the yard, in our outdoor play area, or exploring the neighborhood.

Yes! Getting outside and exploring our neighborhood is part of the Little Hearts experience.

We may play on our porch, in the yard or outdoor play area, take neighborhood walks, or load up in the wagon for a ride around Montford. Montford Park is about a mile from our home, so we may occasionally take a wagon adventure to the park for some extra outdoor play.

Outings are kept simple, local, age-appropriate, and manageable with our tiny group.

Our small group size makes neighborhood outings much easier to manage safely. Younger children can ride securely in the wagon, while children who are developmentally ready to walk alongside us will learn and practice expectations for staying together and following walking-safety rules. There may also be times when a teacher's helper is present!

The group stays together and accounted for, and outings are always dependent on the children, weather, and conditions that day. If an outing doesn’t feel appropriate or manageable that day, we simply stay home and enjoy one of our own outdoor spaces instead.

Routine Little Hearts outings are designed around our home and walkable neighborhood rather than loading everyone into a vehicle.

With only three children, activities can be adapted rather than expecting every child to do the exact same thing in the exact same way.

Younger children may explore a concept through sensory or hands-on experiences while an older child engages through language, counting, problem-solving, or a more complex activity.

Yes! Meals and snacks appropriate to your child’s enrolled session are included in tuition, along with activities and regular classroom materials.

Families are always welcome to send their child with their own lunch or snacks if they prefer. Because meals are included as part of the overall Little Hearts experience rather than charged separately, tuition remains the same if you choose to provide your child’s food from home.

My goal is to offer balanced, kid-friendly food with an emphasis on wholesome ingredients, variety, and foods children can genuinely enjoy. Menus will be available to families so you know what’s being offered.

Most of the planning and prep happens ahead of time! Healthy meals and snacks are prepped in advance, and anything that needs to be served warm or finished fresh is prepared at mealtime.

Most of the planning and prep happens ahead of time! Healthy meals and snacks are prepped in advance, and anything that needs to be served warm or finished fresh is prepared at mealtime.

This allows me to offer home-cooked food without spending our classroom day in the kitchen instead of with the children. It also gives us opportunities to involve the kids in their food when appropriate, whether that’s washing fruit, stirring ingredients, assembling their own plate, or helping with other simple, age-appropriate kitchen tasks. Food can be part of the learning experience too!

That’s normal at any age! Children will be encouraged to explore new foods without turning meals into a battle.

The information you provide on your enrollment form also helps me learn what your child reliably enjoys so I can make sure there is always something familiar and safe for them on their plate, even when we’re introducing something new.

Potentially, depending on the allergy or restriction and whether I can safely accommodate it within a home environment. Allergies and dietary needs should be disclosed before enrollment so we can determine together whether Little Hearts can safely meet your child’s needs.

No. Afternoon and Full Day children have a designated nap/quiet period, but not every child sleeps. Children who don’t nap will still have an opportunity for calm, age-appropriate quiet time.

I have several rest options available depending on each child’s age, needs, and normal sleep routine, including floor-bed setups and blackout sleep tents.

All sleeping arrangements are selected with child safety in mind and include comfortable Tempur-Pedic sleep surfaces. Nobody is expected to spend their rest period sleeping on a hard classroom cot or uncomfortable surface.

We’ll talk about your child’s individual sleep needs before they begin so we can choose the most appropriate setup.

That’s okay! Sleep can be a big transition in a new environment. I’ll learn about your child’s normal routine beforehand and gently work toward a predictable Little Hearts rest rhythm rather than expecting every child to immediately sleep on command.

No!

Absolutely. Children do not need to be potty trained to attend Little Hearts.

Yes! When developmentally appropriate, I’m happy to reinforce potty learning support and work with families toward consistency between my home and theirs.

My approach focuses on clear boundaries, age-appropriate expectations, redirection, natural consequences, communication, and helping children understand what they can do instead.

We don’t use traditional time-outs. Occasionally, a child may benefit from choosing or being guided toward a quieter independent activity to reset and regulate, but they remain part of the group rather than being isolated or excluded as punishment.

I’ll intervene immediately to keep everyone safe, address what happened in an age-appropriate way, help the children regulate, and work on skills such as communication, boundaries, taking turns, and repairing relationships.

Repeated or significant concerns will always be communicated with parents.

Slowly and compassionately. Some children wave goodbye and never look back, while others need time to trust a new person and environment.

The information you provide before enrollment, our Meet & Greet, Home Visit, and consistent routine all help me prepare for your child’s individual transition.

That’s completely okay! Little Hearts can be a great bridge into group care because the environment and group are intentionally so small.

I’m working on a private family portal where families will receive daily updates and see what their child has been up to. At the end of each day, I plan to update things like meals, potty information, rest, activities, little notes from the day, and photos.

During classroom hours, my priority is being present and fully engaged with the children rather than carrying my phone around documenting every moment. I typically keep my phone put away, but I wear my Apple Watch so parents can still reach me when needed, and I’ll always call or contact you myself if something requires your attention.

Daily photos will be uploaded privately through the family portal so you can see little moments from your child’s day.

I do not post photos of enrolled children on the Little Hearts website or on my personal or business social media. You may occasionally see photos of my own son on my personal social media, but I extend the same privacy to Little Hearts families that I would want another caregiver to extend to mine. Your child’s photos stay between us.

My goal is to include photos in each child’s daily update while keeping the experience natural. I’d rather capture a few genuine moments and spend the rest of my time engaged with the children than spend their whole day behind my phone!

The family portal will serve as our central place for program announcements and reminders, including upcoming activities, calendar information, closures, and advance notice of things such as planned caregiver or helper coverage. The calendar is also always available on The Little Hearts Classroom webpage.

Absolutely, text any time! I may not immediately respond to a non-urgent message while I’m actively caring for the children, but my Apple Watch allows me to see when a parent is trying to reach me.

If something is urgent, please call. I will always reach out directly when something involving your child requires your attention.

Absolutely. I want us to work as a team. I won’t hide a difficult transition or ongoing concern just to make everything appear perfect.

Occasionally! I’d love for Little Hearts to include special experiences from time to time, which may mean inviting someone such as a music teacher or another enrichment provider to join us.

Anyone working directly with the children will be appropriately vetted and background checked.

Occasionally, I may have a trusted, fully vetted teacher’s helper assist with the group. This gives me some flexibility for the realities of life, such as an appointment, while allowing me to maintain the children’s familiar routine rather than unnecessarily closing Little Hearts for an entire day.

There may, on rare occasion, be a situation where a trusted, fully vetted, and background-checked helper provides care for a limited period so the children’s normal schedule can continue.

This is intended to be an occasional solution, not a revolving-staff model or regular change in caregiver, and parents/guardians will always have advanced notice.

Yes! Parents should know who is responsible for their child. Planned caregiver coverage will be communicated to families, including through the family portal, and anyone entrusted with the children will have been appropriately vetted and background checked.

Because our group is tiny and Little Hearts also operates in my family’s home, keeping illnesses from spreading is especially important.

Children should remain home when they are actively ill or potentially contagious, including when experiencing fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, or other symptoms that would prevent them from comfortably participating in the day.

Because tuition reserves your child’s enrollment space rather than individual days of attendance, regular weekly tuition applies for illness-related absences, late drop-offs, and early pick-ups.

Children should be fever-free without fever-reducing medication and free from vomiting and diarrhea before returning for at least 24 hours. Specific circumstances may vary depending on the illness, so please communicate with me when you’re unsure.

Because tuition reserves your child’s enrollment space rather than individual days of attendance, regular weekly tuition applies for illness-related absences, late drop-offs, and early pick-ups.

I’ll contact you if your child becomes ill or develops symptoms requiring them to go home. They’ll be kept comfortable and cared for until an authorized adult can pick them up.

Because tuition reserves your child’s enrollment space rather than individual days of attendance, regular weekly tuition applies for illness-related absences, late drop-offs, and early pick-ups.

Transparency matters to me. If there’s illness in our household that could reasonably affect Little Hearts families, I’ll let you know so you have the information you need.

When I believe care can still be provided safely and comfortably, families can make their own decision about attendance. If I determine Little Hearts needs to close because of illness or another circumstance on my end, the value of that provider-initiated closure will be credited toward the following week’s tuition.

Not automatically. Because Little Hearts operates from my home and doesn’t depend on buses, a large staff, or families traveling from all over the county, traditional school closures don’t necessarily mean we need to close too.

If conditions around Little Hearts are safe and I’m able to provide care, I’ll generally remain open. Regular weekly tuition still applies to weather-related closures.

Please always make the decision you feel is safest for your family. If Little Hearts is open and available to provide your child’s regularly scheduled care, normal tuition still applies if you choose or are unable to attend because of conditions along your individual route.

If I have to close Little Hearts unexpectedly because of something on my end and cannot provide your child’s scheduled care, the value of that closure will be credited toward the following week’s tuition.

I’ll communicate unexpected changes with families as quickly as possible.

Tuition is paid weekly and reserves your child’s extremely limited space in the Little Hearts Classroom for the full seasonal enrollment period.

Like traditional preschool tuition, tuition is based on enrollment rather than the number of days your child physically attends during a particular week.

Weekly tuition therefore remains the same during child absences, family vacations, holidays, and planned Little Hearts closures disclosed on the seasonal calendar before enrollment.

If I unexpectedly close on a regularly scheduled classroom day for a reason on my end, aside from weather, that missed day will be credited toward the following week.

For Fall 2026, Morning Classroom and Afternoon Classroom are each $350 per week. Full Day enrollment is $625 per week.

Tuition includes your child’s reserved enrollment space, meals and snacks appropriate to their session, regular activities, and classroom materials. There are no separate enrollment or materials fees.

Tuition is paid weekly via Zelle, cash, or check to reserve your child’s enrollment space. Returned checks are subject to a $50 fee, and any outstanding balance must be paid before your child may return to Little Hearts. Families will receive the full payment schedule before accepting enrollment so all due dates are clear from the start.

No. Once tuition has been paid, it is nonrefundable. Enrollment is intentionally extremely limited, and your child’s space is reserved specifically for them.

Yes. If Little Hearts is open and available to provide your child’s scheduled care, regular tuition applies whether your child attends or not.

This includes illness, appointments, family vacations, family plans, weather or travel conditions affecting your individual commute, or simply choosing to keep your child home.

Enjoy your trip! Your child’s space remains theirs while you’re away, so regular weekly tuition continues during family vacations.

No. Once enrolled, that space belongs to your child for the enrollment period and isn’t temporarily filled with another child when they’re absent.

No. Enrollment reserves your child's specific session and schedule, so missed days cannot be saved, transferred, exchanged, or used as make-up days later.

Yes. Any planned Little Hearts vacation days, holidays, or closures are disclosed on the seasonal calendar before your family accepts enrollment.

Weekly tuition continues as usual during those scheduled periods because tuition reserves your child’s limited enrollment space for the entire season rather than purchasing individual days of care.

Planned closures are provided on the seasonal calendar before you enroll and are already built into the tuition structure. Weather-related closures are also considered part of normal tuition and are not credited.

If I unexpectedly cannot provide care for a reason on my end, such as illness, an emergency, or another unplanned personal circumstance, the value of that missed day will be credited toward the following week’s tuition.

One very Asheville-specific warning: our driveway is very steep!

Depending on your vehicle’s clearance, you may prefer not to pull into it at all. Temporary street parking for drop-off and pick-up is completely fine, and we can figure out whatever routine is easiest for your family during your Home Visit.

I would plan on using the street if you drive a particularly low vehicle. Our driveway is genuinely very steep, and I’d much rather warn you ahead of time than have you discover that with your bumper!

Temporary street parking for drop-off and pick-up is fine, particularly for families who would rather avoid navigating our steep driveway.

Our street may look a little more chaotic than usual during the Fall 2026 session because of the nearby highway project.

We’ve been assured that construction activity will not interfere with access into or out of our property. I’ll keep families updated if anything changes that could affect normal drop-off or pick-up.

Not quite! Joining the waitlist is simply the first step and gives me a chance to get to know your family and your little one. Because each group is so small, I thoughtfully consider each child’s needs, schedule, and overall fit before offering an available spot.

No! There is no payment or financial commitment to submit the Enrollment + Waitlist Form.

Not necessarily! With only three children in each session, I want to be thoughtful about creating a little group that works well together. I consider things like age, schedule, developmental stage, temperament, individual needs, and what each family is looking for.

I also know families need time to plan! I’ll work to form each cohort and extend available enrollment offers as quickly as possible rather than leaving families waiting without an answer.

Because I genuinely want to know who might be spending their days with me!

Your answers help me understand your child’s personality, routines, interests, sleep, eating habits, previous care experiences, developmental stage, and what kind of transition they may have into Little Hearts.

It also helps both of us figure out whether what I offer aligns with what your family is looking for before either of us commits.

If a space becomes available that I think may be a good fit for your family, I’ll contact you directly.

From there, we’ll have a FaceTime Meet & Greet so we can get to know each other, talk about your child, and answer questions.

Absolutely! Since we’re away finishing our current season, I’m not able to offer in-person home visits just yet. After our FaceTime Meet & Greet, I’m happy to share photos of our home with seriously interested families so you can get a feel for the space and make sure the vibe feels right.

Once we’re back in Asheville, families moving forward will be invited for a Meet Mrs. Kaitlin + Home Visit before the session begins. You’ll be able to meet me in person, see where your child will spend their day, ask questions, and make sure Little Hearts feels right before accepting a spot.

There’s no payment required to join the waitlist, have a FaceTime Meet & Greet, or visit our home. Once an enrollment spot is offered, payment is due whenever you’re ready to officially lock in your child’s spot.

Because enrollment is extremely limited and that space is then reserved specifically for your child, all payments are nonrefundable once made.

I’ll provide everything you need to prepare for the season, including our calendar, policies, what your child should bring, information I need before their first day, and any details specific to their care.

Then we’ll work together to make their transition into Little Hearts as comfortable as possible.

Privacy! I don’t use photos of enrolled children, their families, or the inside of my family’s home for public website or social media. The images throughout the Little Hearts website are intentionally stock imagery.

Families considering enrollment will have the opportunity to see our actual home during their Home Visit, and enrolled families will receive real photos from their child’s day privately through the family portal.