Family home childcare · Portola Springs, Irvine
Care that keeps your hours.
A small, loving home childcare for babies through age 12, right here in Portola Springs. Daytime care, school pick-up, evenings, and overnights, open 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday.
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Open 24 hours
Monday through Friday -
Ages 3 months to 12
Babies to school-age -
Small group
Up to 8 children -
Meals included
Or send your own food
We accept child care assistance
Families using Children's Home Society, OCDE Family Support Services, or CalWORKs child care are welcome here.
Who we're for
Made for families whose work doesn't stop at 5 pm.
Nurses, first responders and shift workers
Most Irvine childcare closes by 6 pm. We stay open around the clock on weekdays, with supper, a calm bedtime, and breakfast before pick-up.
Parents of babies
Infant care is the hardest care to find here. Orange County has about one licensed spot for every eight babies and toddlers (First 5 Orange County, 2025). We save room for little ones.
School-age kids
We pick your child up from school, serve a healthy snack, and help with homework. Then we keep the evening calm until you arrive.
Every child belongs
A home for children from every walk of life.
We welcome children of every culture, language, faith, and ability. Our books, music, toys, and meals celebrate the many families who call Irvine home.
Our programs
One home, every age, every shift.
Infants
Stardust
3 months until solid foods
Gentle days built around your baby's own feeding and nap schedule.
$365/week
Babies
Moonbeams
About 7 to 12 months
First foods, soft finger foods, crawling, and first steps.
From $365/week
Young toddlers
Twinkles
12 to 18 months
Off the bottle and on to family meals and table foods.
From $355/week
Toddlers
Comets
18 months to 3 years
Words, songs, potty-training help, and lots of play.
From $340/week
Preschool
Rockets
3 to 5 years
Kindergarten readiness: letters, numbers, name writing, and friendship.
From $325/week
School-age
Orbit Club
5 to 12 years
School pick-up, snack, homework help, and summer field trips.
$165/week after school
Evenings & overnights · All ages
Moonlight
Sleepovers on weeknights for parents who work evening and night shifts. Drop off when your shift starts, even as early as 6 pm, and pick up the next morning.
Same weekly rates as daytime care
Clear prices
Prices, posted up front.
Most Irvine home daycares ask you to call for prices. We post ours so you can plan before you ever pick up the phone.
See all prices- Full-time days
- from $325/wk
- Overnight sleepovers
- same rate as days
- Sibling discount
- 10% off
Learning & growing
A learning home with a big heart.
Every day mixes early learning with social and emotional growth, so children leave ready for school and kind to each other.
- Flash cards
- Writing practice
- Story time
- Yoga & meditation
- Feelings & friendship
- Family-style meals
- Cooking together
- Coloring & art
- Games
- Gardening
- Music, singing & dancing
- Puzzles & LEGO building
- Summer field trips
- Family movies & shows
Our neighborhood
Tucked into Portola Springs.
We're in Portola Springs in north Irvine, close to parks and neighborhood schools. Children play outside every day, and older kids help tend our garden.
For safety and privacy, we share our exact address once your tour is booked.
Safety first
Safe hands, day and night.
Every adult who cares for your child is trained, cleared, and known to you by name.
Read our safety promises- California family child care license in progress. Our license number will be posted here once it is issued.
- Pediatric CPR and First Aid certified (EMSA-approved courses), plus 8 hours of Preventive Health and Safety training.
- Every adult is fingerprinted and cleared through California's Live Scan background check.
- Every adult is TB-tested and immunized against flu, whooping cough, and measles.
- Safe-sleep practices for every baby: on their back, in their own crib, nothing else inside.
- Overnight, we are awake whenever any child is awake, with doors open and a video-and-audio monitor on.
How we compare
Home care, center, or sitter?
| What matters | Little Orbits | Irvine childcare center | Private sitter or nanny |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours | 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday | Usually about 7:30 am to 5:30 pm | Varies |
| Price | From $325 a week, days or overnights | About $2,300 to $2,775 a month for infants and toddlers | About $28 to $34 an hour for overnight sitters |
| Small group, same caregivers | Yes | Varies | Yes |
| Meals | Included, or send your own | Varies | Usually not |
| School pick-up | Yes | Some programs | Extra cost |
| State-licensed and inspected | Yes (license in progress) | Yes | No |
Center and sitter figures are posted Irvine rates and averages, October 2026.
How to join
Four steps to your first day.
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1
Join the waitlist
Tell us your child's age, the hours you need, and your start date.
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2
Tour our home
Meet our team, see the play spaces, and ask us anything.
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3
Complete enrollment
Fill out the state forms, sign the contract, and pay the registration fee.
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4
First day
We start gently, and you get updates and photos all day.
Ready to save a spot?
Founding families get their registration fee waived.