Why We Have a Zero Homework Policy at Ducky’s Play Centre

If you walk into most preschools in Lipa City, you’ll see children as young as three years old coming home with envelopes full of tracing sheets and coloring assignments. At Ducky’s Play & Development Centre, you won’t find any of that.

We have a strict Zero Homework Policy, and it’s not because we don't value hard work. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Our policy is rooted in the latest early childhood research and the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

Here is why we believe the best "homework" for a child aged 1 to 5 is simply being at home.

1. Protecting the "Restorative Window"

For a toddler or a local Pre-Kindie student, a day at Ducky’s is intensive. Between our STEAM Labs, sensory exploration, and social navigation in our small-group settings, their brains are working at maximum capacity.

When they leave our center in Brgy. Tambo, they enter what we call the "restorative window." Their brains need time to process what they’ve learned through quiet rest and unstructured play. Forcing a tired child to sit down for another 30 minutes of worksheets creates "cognitive fatigue," which actually hinders their ability to retain information the next day.

2. Swapping Worksheets for "Family Connection"

At Ducky’s, we believe in the EYLF pillar of Belonging. A child’s primary sense of belonging comes from their home.

When a parent and child spend their limited evening hours fighting over a pencil grip or a tracing exercise, it creates a negative association with learning. We want your evenings to be spent sharing a meal, reading a favorite book together, or simply playing. These moments of connection build the emotional security that is the true foundation of academic success.

3. The 1:6 Ratio Makes Homework Obsolete

One reason traditional schools give homework is that they cannot finish the curriculum during the day due to overcrowded classrooms of 30+ students.

Because Ducky’s maintains a strict 1:6 teacher-to-student ratio, our educators have the time to ensure every child masters the day’s concepts during school hours. We provide the personalized, hand-over-hand guidance that traditional schools "outsource" to parents at night. When your child leaves our doors, their work is truly done.

4. Developing a Love for Learning, Not a Fear of Failure

We want our students to be curious, independent thinkers. By removing the pressure of evening assignments, we prevent "school burnout" before it even begins. Our students enter Kindergarten with a genuine excitement for school because they haven’t spent their toddler years feeling overwhelmed by "take-home" tasks.

5. What You Can Do Instead

While we don't give homework, we do encourage "Life Homework."

• In the Kitchen: Let them help you count the eggs or stir the batter (building on our Kitchen Station skills).

• At Bedtime: Read a story and ask them what might happen next (building on our Literacy milestones).

• In the Garden: Observe the colors of the leaves (building on our STEAM inquiry).

Experience the Ducky’s Difference

We are committed to a childhood that isn't rushed. Our Zero Homework Policy is just one way we respect your child’s right to be a kid.

Ready to give your child a superior education without the evening stress? Join our Ducky’s family in Lipa City.