Sweet Peas Daycare is a warm, play-based early learning home for infants, toddlers, and pre-K little ones — where curiosity is celebrated, kindness is practiced, and there's always room for one more in the pod.
Sweet Peas Daycare was built by the Hernandez family with one simple belief: that childhood is sacred, and every child deserves a day full of warmth, wonder, and people who truly see them.
Led by director Maria Hernandez — who has spent more than 17 years in early childhood education — our team blends structured learning with the messy, magical business of being a kid: climbing, painting, pretending, singing, and figuring the world out one small discovery at a time.
From the first wobbly steps to the confident walk into kindergarten — we've got a classroom built for every stage.
Gentle routines, loving laps, and early-bonding play. Low ratios mean your baby is held, heard, and helped at every turn.
Walking, talking, and learning the word "mine." We channel that big toddler energy into discovery stations, music, and movement.
Letters, numbers, and the first best friends. Hands-on learning grounded in social-emotional development and early literacy.
Kindergarten on the horizon. We partner with Indiana's On My Way Pre-K program to deliver a curriculum that gets kids ready — and excited — to start school.
The things that quietly make the difference in your child's day — and your peace of mind.
We're a Paths to Quality (PTQ) rated provider in Indiana — a state-backed standard of care, safety, and curriculum you can verify.
Balanced breakfast, lunch, and snacks cooked fresh daily. No vending-machine food — just the kind of meals a grandmother would approve of.
Photos, updates, and little moments from your child's day — sent straight to your phone, so you never miss a milestone.
We accept Indiana's Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers, making quality care accessible to more East Chicago families.
We team up with parents to make potty-training stress-free. Consistent routines here + at home = fewer accidents, more wins.
Low staff turnover means the same faces greet your child every morning — building real trust, not just supervision.
Our curriculum blends the rigor of early education with the joy of being a kid — because both matter.
Books, songs, and letter play that build the foundation for a lifelong love of reading.
Counting, sorting, patterns. Numbers show up in games, snacks, and everywhere in between.
Finger painting, clay, instruments, and dance — because creativity is a muscle we flex daily.
Bugs, bubbles, and why the sky is blue. We turn "why?" into little experiments.
Naming big feelings, taking turns, being a friend. The skills that shape the rest of life.
Outdoor time, climbing, running, and chasing bubbles — because little bodies need to move.
Trained, credentialed, and genuinely fond of glitter. Get to know the people who will greet your child each morning.
17+ years in early childhood education. CDA-certified and studying at Purdue University. The heart of Sweet Peas.
Queen of circle time and expert finder of lost mittens. Trained in early literacy and social-emotional learning.
Keeps our classrooms running, our doors secure, and our pickup line smooth. CPR and first-aid certified.
Patient, playful, and somehow always finds the missing stuffed animal. A toddler-whisperer in the best way.
We meet and exceed Indiana's standards for safety, curriculum, and teacher qualifications.
My daughter went from clinging to my leg at drop-off to running inside because "Ms. Maria is waiting!" That alone tells you everything you need to know.
The Class Dojo updates are a lifesaver. I see photos of my son painting and eating snacks and it makes the workday go by so much easier knowing he's happy.
When my second started, it felt like coming home. The Hernandez family really does treat every kid like part of theirs. You can feel it the moment you walk in.
Testimonials are representative of experiences families have shared with us.
Book a tour, ask a question, or just say hello. We'd love to meet you and your family.
Tell us a little about your family and we'll reach out to set up a visit.