Empowering students to reach their full potential through innovative education.

Empowering Young Minds Through Playful Learning and Development

At Seaside Learning Academy, our mission is to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children, fostering their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. We are dedicated to creating a safe and engaging space where children can explore, learn, and grow through play-based and hands-on activities. Our goal is to support each child's individual journey, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning, while preparing them for future educational success.

Enrollment Now Open

VPK for 4 year olds

Full time School Year Preschool for 2 and 3 year olds

June 1st 2024 - August 1st 2024

Enroll Now

Parent Information Session

Come out to learn about our programming and meet our staff July 16th at 6pm. It will be held at Story and Song Bistro. Located at 1430 Park Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Can't attend in person?
Please join us via Zoom instead:
Meeting ID: 717 7176 5029
Passcode: yQ99sW

Join ZOOM Meeting

July 16th 6PM Story and Song Bistro

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Google Reviews

We Appreciate Your Feedback.

This place has a friendly environment, caring staff, and great fun time for kids in need of a daycare/learning service! Highly recommend!

Pete Reilly

I cannot speak highly enough of Seaside Learning Academy! It’s the perfect blend of Montessori-inspired learning and a warm, nurturing atmosphere. The staff is incredibly attentive and genuinely cares about the well-being and development of each child. Communication with parents is excellent, and I always feel well-informed.The facility is spotless and thoughtfully designed. Each classroom is bright and filled with creative, engaging decor that immediately caught my son’s attention when we first walked in. He looks forward to seeing his teachers and always gets excited to greet the director, Katie, every day!If you're looking for a preschool that provides a strong educational foundation in a loving, welcoming environment, I wholeheartedly recommend Seaside Learning Academy. It’s been a wonderful experience for our family!

A R

My daughter attends VPK at Seaside and it has been a great experience from the start. Their program is 5 days a week and they do offer before and after care.
We chose Seaside after lots of searching and even contemplated not sending our child to VPK due to feeling like other programs weren’t what we wanted. We didn’t want a religion based school, large school or a chain company. We were searching for a more Montessori style with more of a small, personal and family feel. Seaside has hit those marks for us. The teachers come with a variety of backgrounds and I read all of them before we made our decision to visit SLA and we are so so happy after meeting the teachers during a visit prior to enrolling.
Ms.Kristy has a Montessori background and we love all the fun and creative activities that the kids get to do. Lots of arts and crafts, bead work and reading. They even did some baking which we really loved. They have field trips and the fire department and police department have come out to spend time with the kids as well and my daughter is thriving.

Ms.Donna is the owner and is so approachable and always smiling. Ms.Katie is the director and always at the door for drop-off and pick-up and greets ALL the kids with kind words and a warm smile, she even knows the parents names which is pretty impressive, lol!

It’s a great environment, the teachers are great. I have not had a bad experience and wouldn’t hesitate enrolling my younger child when the time comes. I recommend Seaside for any family. There isn’t a negative here.

Vanessa Kosowsky

We have been so happy with our experience at Seaside Learning Academy! It’s a brand-new school, which makes for a great environment for my kiddo, but the staff and programs are all well established. The owner, teachers and admin staff are all excellent (many years of experience in education) and have an obvious talent and affinity for what they do. They truly adore the kiddos and it shows! My child loves going to school each day and I can tell he is learning so much! His teacher also does so many fun, creative, and engaging projects with his class. We are always thankful for the pictures and updates sent by the teachers and staff. Can’t say enough good things and highly recommend Seaside Learning Academy!!

Position, Company name

I truly wish I could give them more than 5 stars lolWe switched to Seaside Learning Academy after a rough start at another local VPK program, and I can’t emphasize enough what an incredible decision it was! My son had only attended two days at the other program before my gut feeling told me something wasn’t right. I was almost in tears when I called Seaside and spoke with Katie (The director), who immediately set my mind at ease. She stopped what she was doing and welcomed us in for a tour, and instead of making me feel like a burden, she was so compassionate and supportive. I knew instantly that this was the place where my child—and I—would feel safe and cared for.Both Katie and Donna have gone above and beyond to respect our family’s religious beliefs, which is such a rare and meaningful quality. They have taken the time not only to follow our requests but to truly understand and honor our preferences so that we are comfortable but also that my child doesn’t feel left out of the group. For instance, Donna went the extra mile to research ways to consider our beliefs around holidays and celebrations, so we would feel comfortable with anything that goes on in the classroom. I can’t express in words just how much that kindness means to us.The environment at Seaside is so warm and inclusive, with a team that genuinely cares about each child’s individual well-being and development. My son has literally cried a couple times on Saturday mornings because he can’t go to school and see Ms Donna and his friends!If you’re looking for a place where your child will thrive academically, socially, and emotionally you’ve found that place!Also as a sidenote the VPK schedule is slightly different than most in this area and we personally love the change!

Jessica Crider

Seaside is more than you are probably imagining, the owner, the director and the teachers are all super cool and sweet. My son tells me happy bye bye mommy. Sometimes when I go to pick him up he says I want to say bye bye to you again. That is a great sign for my husband and I. My son is happy there and that tells us a lot about how my son is treated at SLA. For those looking for a Daycare, VPK or prek this is the right place. I recommend it with my eyes closed! They do activities that involve the whole family and you can see that all the children are happy there. They are all great and good people and we love everyone in SLA team because they are a waaaooo institute of learning. 😎

Gilmore Benitez

I can’t say enough wonderful things about Seaside! The teachers, owner and director are so welcoming and educated! It’s only been a few months and my little shy VPK son has come out of his shell and exceeding. The facility is so cute and geared for children. The location is a plus as well located right in the historic district. Thank you All for all you do!!!! As new residents to this area, this school has done so many community activities already that have helped us navigate this beautiful new city!

Mandy Miranda Sessions Smith

Our Packages

Enrollment Pricing

$200 - Reg/Curriculum Fee Required For All Packages

2 Year Olds

Mon-Fri | 8am - 2:30pm

Full Time | 5 Days A Week

Part Time | 3 days/week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Part Time | 2 days/week on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Nassau County School Calendar

3 Year Olds

Learn More

Mon-Fri | 8am - 2:30pm

Full Time | 5 Days A Week

Part Time 3 days/week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Part Time 2 days/week on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Nassau County School Calendar

**Before and Aftercare is also offered at an additional cost

VPK

Mon-Fri 8am-12pm

1st 3 of the 9 weeks for the school year

VPK Scholastic

Mon-Fri 8am-2:30pm

Nassau County School Calendar

Our staff

Our amazing staff is dedicated to providing you and your child an amazing experience.

Donna Ferraria

Founder

Donna Ferreira is the owner and founder of Seaside Learning Academy. Having moved to Fernandina Beach in 2006, Donna’s family history in the area dates back to 1787. She discovered her passion for teaching at the DuPont YMCA in Jacksonville, Florida, and earned a degree in Child Psychology from UNF. Donna has extensive experience, including six years with the Nassau County School District and seven years as Director of VPK and Lead Teacher at St. Michael Academy. She is thrilled to create an Early Learning Center to serve the children and families of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County.

Katie Haynes

Director

We are excited to announce Katie Haynes as the first Director of Seaside Learning Academy! With over 20 years of experience in education, Katie was recently honored as Fernandina Beach Middle School’s Teacher of the Year. She has worked at Crème De La Crème Learning Academy in Atlanta and served as a camp counselor while earning her Degree in Middle Grades Education. Katie moved to Fernandina Beach six years ago with her husband and two children. She looks forward to fostering a loving and supportive community at Seaside Learning Academy and instilling a love for learning in young children.

Allison Dillingham

Lead Teacher

Miss Allison, as most families on the island affectionately call her, has been working with children since her days with the Amelia Island Montessori School from 2006-2011. She took a break from education to manage the opening of Kohl's in Yulee from 2011-2016, before returning to Early Childhood Education in 2016 where Ms Allison and Ms Donna worked together as the "Dynamic Duo" in VPK at St. Michael Academy. Also at St. Michael's Allison handled many special events for the church and school - including the St. Michael Academy Carnival at Central Park from 2013-2020. Allison has lived in Fernandina Beach for 20 years with her 2 daughters Gracie and Bella.

Nikki Testerman

Lead Teacher

Nikki Testerman was born and raised in England and moved to the United States in 2011 after meeting her New Jersey husband in Spain. She studied Art and Design at college in England and began her career as a travel agent and event coordinator. After starting a family, Nikki spent several years as a stay-at-home mom before returning to work in 2018. From 2018 to 2024, she worked at Paisley Grace Makery, where she taught a multitude of art techniques to both adults and children. Nikki is excited to bring her passion for art and education to Seaside Learning Academy, fostering creativity and a love for learning in young children.

Kristy Bland

Teacher

Kristy Bland lives locally with her husband and children, 2 dogs, goats, and chickens. Having studied Montessori and Waldorf Early Childhood Education, she bridges the gap between the two pedagogies and focuses on the "whole child approach." She gained her Montessori experience while teaching at Montessori Tides in Jacksonville Beach and Amelia Island Montessori. After living in Costa Rica for a few years with her family, she found Waldorf Education. She worked at Seaside Community where she was director and lead teacher. Post-COVID, she created and operated Salt Root Learning, an outdoor, nature based elementary program for K-4. She is excited to make the return to Early Childhood Education following her work in public school middle school ESE/Mental Health.