Daytime care
Your child enjoys creative learning, movement, nourishing meals, outdoor play, rest, and personal attention in a calm small-group setting.
Daytime, evening & overnight childcare in Irvine
Joyful days.
Peaceful nights.
A calm, boutique childcare home offering nurturing daytime, evening, and overnight care for families with traditional and nontraditional schedules.
- Opening
- June 1, 2027
- Enrollment
- Pre-enrollment open
- Ages served
- Birth through age 12
California licensedFacility #304314728 · Verify license
Small by designUp to eight children
Flexible weekly careDay through overnight
Bilingual supportEnglish & Spanish
Meals & snacksPlanned with care
Founder & licensed provider
Meet Heather Hernandez
A calm, caring presence from morning through bedtime.
I’m Heather, the founder and licensed provider behind WildJoy Childcare, with over 10 years of experience in the childcare industry. My background in childcare, child-enrichment programs, and activity-based learning shaped a care philosophy that supports the whole child—emotionally, physically, creatively, and socially.
I created WildJoy to give families a warm, thoughtfully curated home for daytime care and the dependable evening and overnight support that can be difficult to find. Every part of the day is guided by connection, consistency, and joyful discovery.
Doing Things the WildJoy Way.
Safety & trust
Clear care. Direct communication.
A small group by design.
WildJoy is preparing a calm, licensed childcare home where families know who is caring for their child, how the day is structured, and what to expect before care begins.
Licensed and verifiable
California facility #304314728 is displayed clearly so families can confirm licensing information through Community Care Licensing.
Open the license search ↗Founder-led care
Families communicate directly with Heather, the founder and licensed provider responsible for the program’s routines and relationships.
Up to eight children
A deliberately small setting supports personal attention, familiar routines, thoughtful transitions, and meaningful connection.
Care plans before day one
Enrollment covers schedules, meals, allergies, medication, comfort needs, sleep routines, transportation requests, and authorized pickup.
Our Mission
Seen, heard, and free to grow.
Doing things the WildJoy Way.
WildJoy Childcare’s mission is to nurture well-rounded, wildly joyful children who feel seen, heard, safe, and free to express themselves. Our Montessori-inspired care supports learning through exploration, independence, and meaningful choices. Through emotional intelligence, physical wellness, STEM, the arts, sports, cultural exploration, and meaningful community connection, we help children regulate their emotions, grow in confidence and curiosity, and discover a wider world of possibilities.
Four interconnected pillars guide our whole-child approach to daytime and nighttime care.
Stories, early learning, STEM, sensory exploration, reflection, and problem-solving nurture curiosity and thoughtful discovery. Caring guidance helps children recognize emotions, regulate their behavior, make responsible choices, and develop resilience. Age-appropriate homework support helps school-age children strengthen their skills and confidence.
Children develop: Curiosity, critical thinking, emotional regulation, responsibility, resilience, and confidence.
Sports, exercise, movement, and outdoor play help children develop coordination, strength, and healthy habits. Nourishing meals, personal-care routines, and restorative rest teach children to understand and care for their growing bodies.
Children develop: Coordination, strength, body awareness, self-care, healthy habits, and respect for rest.
Art, music, storytelling, imagination, free play, and meaningful choices give children room to explore their interests, communicate their ideas, and embrace their individuality.
Children develop: Creativity, communication, independence, flexible thinking, and authentic self-expression.
Nature, cultures, friendships, teamwork, community experiences, and enriching field trips broaden children’s understanding of the people and world around them. Children practice empathy, honesty, cooperation, respectful conflict resolution, environmental responsibility, and openness to new possibilities.
Children develop: Empathy, collaboration, cultural awareness, conflict-resolution skills, environmental responsibility, and belonging.
The WildJoy Rhythm
Joyful moments.
Room to grow.
Learning, play, connection, and rest shape life at WildJoy. Activities adapt to each child’s age, interests, care schedule, and family routine.
Learn & Discover
Stories, puzzles, sensory play, STEM, and hands-on discovery spark curiosity. School-age children receive homework support when needed.
Create & Imagine
Art, music, pretend play, building, and open-ended choices give children space to follow their interests and express themselves.
Move & Explore
Outdoor play, sports, movement, and nature exploration support healthy bodies. Community experiences and planned field trips introduce new places and cultures.
Nourish & Connect
Balanced meals and snacks, shared conversation, and age-appropriate participation build healthy habits, independence, and connection.
Feel & Belong
Feelings check-ins, cooperative play, friendship, and caring guidance help children practice empathy, teamwork, communication, and respectful problem-solving.
Rest & Recharge
Quiet choices, cozy stories, and familiar routines make space for daytime rest and peaceful nights. Infants follow individual feeding and safe-sleep plans.
Our rhythm is flexible: connection before correction, meaningful choices, and caring support throughout the day and night. Each child participates during their scheduled care; outings are planned with family permission.
Parent & professional reviews
Warmth children feel.
Reliability families value.
“Heather is incredibly dependable, attentive, and caring. She communicates clearly, follows through, and creates an environment where children feel safe, comfortable, and genuinely excited to be with her.”
“She makes learning fun, maintains calm and organized routines, and takes safety seriously. Children feel seen and valued around her, and parents can rely on her.”
“Heather is warm, consistent, and attentive. Children feel comfortable with her because she meets them with patience and genuine joy. I trust her to provide a safe, nurturing environment and communicate clearly with families.”
“Watching Heather build WildJoy has shown me how much care she puts into every detail—from safety and predictable routines to activities that help children feel confident and included.”
Family planning calendar
Important dates,
all in one place.
Use these dates for early planning. Enrolled families will receive the final annual calendar before care begins.
Pre-enrollment is open
Tell us what your family needs and schedule a brief phone or Zoom conversation with Heather.
Enrollment preparation
Invited families complete their enrollment packet, care agreement, schedule confirmation, and registration fee.
Final pre-start tours
Enrolled families visit the prepared space, review routines, and complete final start-day planning.
WildJoy opens
Planned first day of daytime, evening, and overnight care.
WildJoy 2027 closures
Holiday calendar
- January 18Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- February 15Presidents Day
- May 31Memorial Day
- June 18Juneteenth observed
- July 2Independence Day observed
- August 9–13Summer break
- September 6Labor Day
- October 11Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- November 11Veterans Day
- November 25–26Thanksgiving break
- December 24–31Holiday break
These dates are included for family planning and will be confirmed in the enrollment agreement. Weekend holidays are observed on the preceding Friday.
The pre-enrollment process
Three simple steps
to join WildJoy.
Pre-enrollment begins with a conversation, giving us time to understand your family and answer your questions before any paperwork is completed.
Tell us what your family needs
Share your child’s age, preferred weekly schedule, care needs, and any school transportation request.
Start here →Connect with Heather
We’ll schedule a brief phone or Zoom conversation to discuss your family’s needs, answer questions, and confirm that WildJoy may be a good fit.
Complete enrollment and hold your spot
Complete the enrollment packet, questionnaire, care agreement, and registration fee to hold your child’s space.
After pre-enrollment: Your family will be invited to a final facility tour before your child begins care.
California licensedFacility #304314728
Small by designUp to eight children
Bilingual careEnglish & Spanish
Whole-family flexibilityDay through overnight
Questions families ask
Helpful answers
before we connect.
WildJoy is still in pre-enrollment. These answers explain the planned program and help families decide whether to begin a conversation.
Is WildJoy open now?
WildJoy is preparing to open June 1, 2027. Pre-enrollment is open now so Heather can learn about your family’s schedule and care needs.
What ages does WildJoy serve?
WildJoy plans to serve children from birth through age 12. Availability will depend on each child’s age, requested schedule, program fit, and current capacity.
Does WildJoy provide 24-hour childcare?
No. WildJoy offers scheduled daytime, after-school, evening, and overnight care, but does not provide continuous 24-hour or multi-day care.
Is transportation available?
School or home transportation may be available upon request. Routes depend on advance permission, scheduling, licensing requirements, and capacity.
When can my family tour?
After the initial inquiry and phone or Zoom conversation, invited families complete pre-enrollment. A final facility tour is scheduled before care begins.
How do we get started?
Tell us what your family needs using the inquiry form. Heather will follow up for a brief conversation before enrollment paperwork is completed.
Pre-enrollment now open
Tell us what your family needs.
Share the basics below. Heather will follow up to discuss your schedule, tuition, availability, and whether WildJoy feels like the right fit.
(949) 414-7280