The Discovery Story- Discovery Child Development Center
Discovery Child Development Center
Our Story
Discovery began the way many parent journeys begin: searching for a place that felt warm, thoughtful, and truly right.
Founded
2010
By Dr. Alejandra Livas-Dlott and Mike Dlott
Location
Morrisville, NC
Just over the Cary border and convenient for RTP families
Approach
Project-Based Learning
Rooted in constructivism and social constructivism
Before Discovery
In the fall of 2010, Mike Dlott and Dr. Alejandra Livas-Dlott were searching for a preschool for their two-year-old son, Joaquin. They visited schools across Cary, Morrisville, Apex, and Raleigh with one goal: find a program where he would be known, supported, and excited to learn each day. Although they were new parents, early childhood education had been a long-time passion for both of them, and they had a clear picture of the kind of learning environment they wanted Joaquin to experience as he began his educational journey.
Mike’s interest in early childhood education started early. As a high school sophomore, he took his first course in early education and interned in the on-site preschool. He loved every minute of it, writing lesson plans and working with children in small groups. That experience led to more years working as a preschool camp counselor, and he continued studying early education as an undergraduate through classes at the Eliot-Pearson Children’s School and the School of Education at Tufts University. One classmate in his early education policy course was his future wife, Dr. Alejandra. Mike later worked in education research at the American Institutes of Research in Washington, D.C., taught middle and high school, and returned to Duke University to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching.
Dr. Alejandra’s passion for education also began at an early age. At Tufts, she earned a BA in Child Development and completed internships in a Head Start classroom and at the Eliot-Pearson preschool on campus. She went on to teach kindergarten and first grade through Teach For America, then pursued graduate study at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her PhD.
With their combined experience as educators and researchers, Mike and Dr. Alejandra had a shared vision for what a great preschool should feel like. They wanted a place Joaquin would be excited to attend each day, where learning was hands-on and meaningful, and where children built connections beyond their own classroom. They wanted him to develop not only the skills needed for kindergarten, but also the problem-solving and critical thinking that would serve him throughout his life. Just as important, they wanted a school that emphasized social and emotional development: learning how to interact with peers and teachers, resolve conflict, and grow in independence.
After visiting the final school on their list, Mike and Dr. Alejandra realized something surprising. The program they were dreaming about did not exist in the way they wanted it to. They decided the best way to create that experience for Joaquin, and for other families like theirs, was to build it.
They began exploring potential locations in Cary and Morrisville and ultimately found a space with the potential for two classrooms in the Grace Park Shopping Plaza. They loved that it was conveniently located between Cary and Morrisville and close to RTP. They also loved being part of a community with many different types of businesses nearby, offering real-world opportunities to extend children’s learning beyond the school walls.
Credentials and Trust
- PhD, University of California, Berkeley (Dr. Alejandra Livas-Dlott)
- Master of Arts in Teaching, Duke University (Mike Dlott)
- Cognia accredited and a North Carolina Nonpublic School
- Preschool and Beyond, top-ranked education podcast
Teacher stability is part of the Discovery difference.
170+ combined years at Discovery, a 9-year average tenure, and
100% teacher retention (2023–2025). Familiar faces, steady classrooms, and lasting relationships.
Based on our current team.
2010–2011
The early years
Discovery opened with two classrooms: a young preschool classroom and a mixed-age classroom for children ages 3–5. From the start, the school distinguished itself with curriculum created on site, designed to be personal, responsive, and meaningful for children. The project-based approach was still new in the area, and it was quickly embraced by families.
Mike and Dr. Alejandra were intentional about building a team who could bring that vision to life, creating engaging projects and a warm classroom culture. Their early focus on hiring and training strong educators became part of the foundation for the stability families still value today.
Demand grew quickly. By the second year, Discovery added a third classroom and expanded offerings to include a camp program for school-aged students: Discovery Tech.
2012–2014
Accreditation and expansion
As Discovery’s waitlist continued to grow, it became clear the school needed a larger space. Mike and Dr. Alejandra loved being part of the Grace Park community and wanted to stay close to the Cary and Morrisville families they served. When an opportunity opened nearby, they moved into a permanent home at 11000 Lake Grove Boulevard.
In winter 2014, Discovery officially moved into the new building, featuring seven bright classrooms, two fenced playgrounds, an outdoor picnic area, and a garden. Even with more space, the priority remained the same: protecting the close-knit, family feel that had defined Discovery from day one.
In 2014, Discovery also earned national accreditation through AdvancED (now Cognia). A visiting team observed classrooms and interviewed staff, parents, and community members, and praised Discovery for its project-based curriculum, staff dedication, and warm atmosphere.
2015–Today
Expanded offerings and recognition
In the early years of Discovery, we offered half-day programs only. Over time, we consistently heard from families who loved what they had heard about the school but needed a longer day. In response, we added a school-day option for preschool and pre-k students, along with a Lunch Bunch option for families who preferred a half-day schedule with extended time.
Being a resource to families is also an important part of the Discovery experience. Over the years, the Discovery team has led many parent workshops, and in 2016, Mike launched a podcast called Preschool and Beyond. In each episode, Mike interviews experts in early childhood education and parenting on topics relevant to families of preschoolers. The podcast has developed a national audience, ranking among the top 100 education podcasts. As of December 2020, episodes have been downloaded more than 125,000 times.
Discovery has also been honored to receive local recognition over the years. In 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2022, Expertise named Discovery one of the top preschools in Raleigh. We also received strong praise in our 2019 re-accreditation report, became recognized as an official nonpublic school by the State of North Carolina, and expanded our offerings to include kindergarten.
In 2020, Discovery celebrated its tenth year. While we could not celebrate in the way we hoped due to COVID-19, we are proud of what our community has built together. What began as a search for the right preschool for Joaquin has grown into a school that has served hundreds of students from Cary, Morrisville, and surrounding communities. Discovery continues to evolve, finding new ways to support families and inspire the next generation of creators and innovators.
Preschool and Beyond
To support families beyond the classroom, Mike hosts Preschool and Beyond, sharing practical ideas, research, and conversations that help parents and educators support young children.
Be part of our next chapter
Schedule a tour and see Discovery in action.
