Most Stuart families reach Port St. Lucie by taking US-1 or I-95 north, so try the drive at your real drop-off time before you choose. A daycare that looks close on a map can feel far on a busy morning. Test the commute, check the hours and ask how pick-up works.
My First Place Academy is a bilingual English-Spanish daycare and preschool in Port St. Lucie. The Stuart page on our site describes the commute: US-1 or I-95 north into Port St. Lucie. If you have questions as you plan, you can contact us at any point.
How do Stuart families reach Port St. Lucie?
The usual route is north on US-1 or I-95. Both lead into Port St. Lucie, and which one works better depends on where you live, where you work and when you leave.
Families in nearby areas may take a similar route. Our Indiantown service area page covers that part of the map. We also list Palm City, Jensen Beach and Port Salerno as areas we serve.
Do not decide from a map alone. Two routes with the same distance can feel very different at 7:30 on a weekday morning. Plan to try both.
How do you test the commute?
The best test is to drive it on a normal workday, at the time you would really leave. One practice run tells you more than any estimate.
- Pick the morning time you would actually leave the house.
- Drive the route to the daycare on a weekday, not a weekend.
- Note how long it takes door to door, including parking and walking in.
- Try the other route, US-1 or I-95 north, on a second day.
- Repeat the drive in the afternoon, since pick-up traffic can be different.
- Think about what happens when your child is sleepy, fussy or running late.
Write the times down. A commute that works on a calm day may feel tight when your child needs one more minute at the door.
Also think about your own route after drop-off. If you work in Stuart, ask yourself how the drive back looks. If you work farther north, the daycare may even sit on your way.
Think about your child too. Young children handle a long car ride in different ways. Some nap in the car seat, and others get restless. If your child is an infant or a toddler, a shorter, calmer drive can make mornings easier for everyone.
What hours does the drive have to fit?
Your drive has to fit the hours the daycare is open, plus your work schedule on both ends. We are open Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:00pm.
Work backward from your start time. Add the drive, parking, the walk in and a few calm minutes to say goodbye. Then do the same for the afternoon, starting from the time you leave work.
Leave a little room for the day things go wrong, like a traffic jam or a late meeting. Ask the daycare what happens if you are running behind, so you know before it comes up.
Families with more than one child often have a harder morning. If one child needs school drop-off and another needs daycare, count both stops in your plan. We offer before and after school care and summer camp, along with programs for infants through four year olds and VPK.
What should you ask about pick-up?
Ask how pick-up works, where you park and how long it usually takes. These small details shape your whole day.
Here are a few good questions:
- Where do I park, and is the parking close to the door?
- How do I sign my child out?
- Who else can pick up my child, and how do I set that up?
- What is the best way to reach the staff if I am running late?
- Can I visit during the day to see how things work?
My First Place Academy has private parking, and parents are welcome to tour. Our open-door policy invites visits. The premises are video-monitored, and there is a closed-circuit intercom between classrooms.
See the parking and the entrance in person if you can. It is much easier to picture your routine once you have walked it.
One more idea is to plan a backup. Decide who can pick up if your plans change, and make sure that person knows the route. A plan for the hard days makes the easy days feel even smoother.
Is a bilingual program worth the drive?
For many families it is. Every classroom at My First Place Academy uses complete bilingual immersion, from infants through VPK, so children hear English and Spanish all day.
Sign language is also used with infants and toddlers. This gives very young children one more way to communicate before they can talk well.
Only you can decide if the drive is worth it. Think about what matters most to your family: language, hours, location or a warm, owner-run feel. The owners, Veronica and Aracelly Forero, are involved day to day.
You can also look at our other programs to see which ones fit your child's age.
Ready to see if the drive works for you? Call My First Place Academy at (772) 446-4011 to ask about hours and plan a tour. For openings in a specific class, please call, since we cannot say here whether a seat is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I tour before deciding on a daycare?
Yes. A tour lets you see the classrooms, meet the people and picture your daily routine. Parents are welcome to tour at My First Place Academy, and the open-door policy invites visits.
What if my work schedule does not match the daycare hours?
Work backward from your start and end times, adding the drive and a few minutes at the door. If the hours still do not fit, ask the daycare about options before you decide.
Can I try the commute before enrolling?
Yes, and it is a good idea. Drive the route at your real drop-off and pick-up times on a normal weekday. Try both US-1 and I-95 so you know which one works better.
Do you offer care for school-age children too?
Yes. Along with infant through VPK programs, we offer before and after school care and summer camp. Call us to ask how it fits your schedule.
Call to plan your tour
Call My First Place Academy or schedule a tour and see the classrooms in use.