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About Us

Cue the joy

Our Mission

Igniting curiosity, exploration, and joy in children.

P

Passion
For Children

We are passionate about children and believe that each child is competent, curious, and filled with wonder.

A

Academic
Excellence

We strive for academic excellence, maintaining high educational standards and encouraging a love for intellectual pursuits.

L

Lifelong
Learning

Emphasizes the primary mission of the school, which is to foster a love for learning and provide quality education.

M

Mindful
Citizenship

We instill values of responsibility, respect, and empathy, preparing our students socially to be mindful and responsible citizens of the world.

S

Strong
Partnership

We seek to build strong partnerships with those within and outside our school community that enhance the educational experience and support the growth and development of our young learners.
Palms Day School
Our Story

Palms Day School is a family-owned and operated early childhood education center in Estero, Florida, founded by sibling duo Dr. Emma Duffy and Dr. Derek Burkholder. Both holding advanced degrees in Education and extensive experience in early childhood education learning, they are dedicated to providing holistic, high-quality education that empowers every child.

Inspired by their own children and family—Bennett, Callahan, Addison and Shepard—the founders created Palms Day School to offer the best early learning environment where curiosity, creativity, and joyful discovery thrive.

Learn more about our co-founders: Dr. Emma Duffy & Dr. Derek Burkholder

Palms Day School
Our Vision

Our vision is to spark a lifelong love of learning by nurturing each child’s natural curiosity, creativity, and sense of wonder.

We believe every child is brimming with potential and deserves a safe, personalized environment where they can explore freely and grow with confidence.

Through thoughtful, child-centered learning experiences, we foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and imagination—preparing young minds to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Palms is a place where curiosity is celebrated and the joy of discovery is part of every day.

Our Values

Curiosity

We celebrate and nurture each child’s natural desire to ask questions, wonder, and seek understanding.

Exploration

Hands-on discovery and open-ended learning experiences help children make sense of the world around them.

Joy

We believe joyful learning sparks deeper engagement, creativity, and a lifelong love for education.

Inspire

We believe joyful learning sparks deeper engagement, creativity, and a lifelong love for education.

Integrity

We model honesty, respect, and responsibility— creating a trustworthy environment where children feel safe to grow.

Community

Strong relationships with families, educators, and peers form the foundation of a caring, connected school experience.

Locations

Clermont Campus
1380 N. Ridge Blvd.
Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 645-7256

Schedule A Tour

Estero Campus
3480 Pelican Colony Blvd.
Estero, FL 34134
(239) 676-7679

Schedule A Tour
“Nothing Without Joy”
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