Little Hands Child Care & Preschool

A Small, Nurturing Place Where Little Explorers Learn, Play, and Grow

Little Hands provides a clean, safe, and nurturing environment where children learn through play, creativity, and exploration.
For over 25 years, Suzi has been caring for infants, toddlers, and preschool‌-age children and supporting families in the Chico community.‌

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Quality care for your child since 1999

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What families love about Little Hands

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We believe every child deserves a place where they feel safe, cared for, and encouraged to explore the world around them. At Little Hands, each day is designed to nurture curiosity, build confidence, and support healthy early childhood development. Take a look at what a typical day looks like.

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Your child is cared for in a calm, attentive setting where safety, patience, and kindness come first.

This gives parents peace of mind knowing their child is in a dependable and caring environment each day.

Small Group Care with Individual Attention

Children are part of a small group, allowing the caregiver to truly know each child and support their unique needs.

With fewer children in the program, every child receives the attention, guidance, and encouragement they deserve.

Learning Through Play and Outdoor Exploration

Daily activities encourage curiosity, creativity, movement, and time spent outdoors.

Through hands-on play and exploration, children build confidence, social skills, and a natural love of learning.

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Our Mission Statement

At Little Hands Child Care & Preschool, our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where young children feel supported, curious, and excited to learn.
We partner with families to create a strong foundation for early learning, helping each child grow through play, exploration, and positive relationships.

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Little Hands FAQs

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Yes. Little Hands is a small licensed family childcare program in Chico, California.
License #: 045404871
Being licensed means the program meets California’s required standards for health, safety, and caregiving. Families can feel confident knowing their children are cared for in a regulated, safe environment.
Little Hands provides childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children.
The small group setting allows each child to receive individualized attention while learning and growing alongside children of different ages.
The program focuses on the early years when children benefit most from attentive care, routine, and hands‑on learning.
Little Hands is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
There is some room for flexibility.
The program is closed on Fridays, weekends, and federal holidays.
Children at Little Hands learn through play-based early childhood experiences designed to support curiosity, creativity, and social development.
Activities include:
- hands-on exploration
- art and creative play
- language development
- basic baby sign language and Spanish exposure
- outdoor play and nature exploration
The goal is to help children build confidence, independence, and a love of learning.
Take a look at what a typical day looks like.
Yes. Outdoor time is an important part of each day at Little Hands.
Children are encouraged to explore, play, and move in a safe outdoor environment that supports physical development, imagination, and curiosity about the world around them.
Take a look at what a typical day looks like.

Yes. Little Hands participates in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program, which helps ensure children receive nutritious and balanced meals.
Meals and snacks are designed to support healthy growth and development.
Little Hands is a small family childcare program, which means children receive more individualized attention than they might in a larger center.
The small group environment allows Suzi to build strong relationships with each child and family while creating a calm, nurturing space where children feel safe, supported, and known.
Yes. Little Hands serves families in Chico, California and the surrounding community.
Many families appreciate having a small, licensed childcare program close to home where their children can grow in a supportive and caring environment.
Because Little Hands is a small family childcare program, spaces are limited and a waiting list may occur at times.
Families are encouraged to reach out early to learn about current availability.
Families interested in learning more about Little Hands are welcome to text or call to schedule a visit or reach out through our contact form.
Meeting in person allows families to see the environment, ask questions, and decide if Little Hands is the right fit for their child.

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Little Hands owner, Suzi Maloney, smiling outdoors in front of a wooden fence and green trees, wearing a denim jacket and a necklace.

Meet Suzi

The Heart Behind Little Hands

Little Hands began with a simple belief: young children thrive when they feel safe, cared for, and encouraged to explore the world around them.

For over 25 years, Suzi has provided a nurturing childcare environment where children can grow, play, and develop confidence through everyday discovery.

What Makes Little Hands Special

Little Hands is a licensed family childcare provider in Chico offering nurturing, small‑group care for infants, toddlers, and preschool‑age children.

Infant, toddler, and preschool learning activities
Basic baby sign language and introductory Spanish
Low teacher‑to‑child ratio for individualized attention
Clean, safe, nurturing environment
Participation in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program
Valley Oak accepted
Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Participant in Butte County Steps to Quality

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Suzi Maloney is the owner and operator of Little Hands Childcare & Preschool and has been providing childcare services since 1999.

She holds certifications in CPR and First Aid and maintains a Site Supervisor Permit, CDA Certification, and an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education.

Little Hands also participates in the USDA Food Program, helping ensure that children receive nutritious and balanced meals each day.

Suzi is a participant in QRIS (Steps to Quality) and has earned a Tier 5 rating, reflecting a strong commitment to high standards in early childhood education.

In addition to caring for children, Suzi serves as a Mentor Teacher, supporting other educators as they grow in their professional development.

With a strong foundation in early childhood education and a dedication to safety, quality, and continuous learning, Suzi works to create an environment where every child can learn, explore, and thrive while building meaningful relationships with families.

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For over 25 years, families in Chico have trusted Little Hands to provide attentive care, gentle guidance, and a safe place for children to grow.

Trusted by Chico Families

“I can’t say enough wonderful things about Suzi! She helped raise both my girls and truly became a second mom to them. From the moment we met, I felt complete trust. She cared for them with so much love and patience. Her home was warm, creative and full of learning. My girls learned SO many things. My eldest is now in all AP classes. I know Suzi had a role in building that learning foundation and teaching them to strive to be their best. We are forever grateful for the role she played in our daughters’ lives and would highly recommend her to any family. I feel so lucky to have found her.”
- Ruth
“One of the best things I did for my boys when they were little was have them attend this day care.”
-Samantha
“I love Little Hands Preschool. The environment she provides is cheerful, professional, and reliable; all with the warmth and love of grandma’s house.”
– Emily
“My granddaughter loved to go to school everyday. She always wanted to share what fun they had and activities they got to do. On some days she didn’t even want to go home. She was always happy at pickup time. She also loved snack time. Now I’m happy to say my grandson will be attending. Thank you.”
-Nicole

A backyard garden with raised white garden beds, a small doghouse, and a wooden fence. Children’s toys including a sandbox, watering cans, and paddling pool are visible. Trees and blue sky are in the background.

A young child walking on a small wooden footbridge over a rocky yard, with a wooden fence in the background.

A young girl wearing a gray shirt, denim shorts, and pink Crocs stands near a fenced area with chickens, observing them.

Children sitting on a brown couch in a children's reading area, with a decorative tree wall and a pink heart-shaped decoration, bookshelf filled with children's books, and a plush purple monkey pillow.

A young child playing with a toy bathroom set in a red plastic tub outdoors on a gravel surface.

A young child playing with wooden blocks on the floor in a playroom, with a basket of more wooden toys nearby and photos of children on the wall.

A young child with short dark hair sitting on a gray carpet, holding a round wooden toy.

Children's outdoor play area with sandbox, play kitchen, small table, and toy set surrounded by gravel, pavers, and a wooden fence.

A child in a pink sweatshirt waters a small flowering plant with a pink watering can in a garden bed.

Child's backyard with a playhouse, toy car, and outdoor furniture on a concrete patio, with a grassy area in the foreground and trees in the background.

A young child with short brown hair wearing a fleece jacket with purple and pastel colors, reaches into a large round metal planter with dark soil and green plants, outdoors on a ground covered with mulch and a black metal fence in the background.

Outdoor patio with a black wicker table, a matching bench with a yellow cushion, and a storage unit with multiple green outdoor storage bins.

A small backyard garden with a wooden fence, raised garden beds, and decorative items. A sign on the fence reads 'Welcome to the Garden' with colorful gardening illustrations.

Child's hands reaching for a wooden frame object at a table with green leaf cutouts, a small woven basket, a laminated picture of clovers, and photographs of animals and nature.

Child playing outside in a backyard with toy vehicles, including a red and gray toy truck in the foreground and a tricycle nearby, on a mix of grass and concrete patio with house and garden items in the background.

A young girl in a pink dress with flower patterns is playing at a water table, pouring water from a spoon into a cup. The water table has various toy boats and floating toys. The setting is outdoors near a gray wall and a window.

A small outdoor playhouse with a blue shingle roof, gray walls with white trim, two white Adirondack chairs on a wooden deck, and a sign that reads 'Little Hands' hanging from a post. The playhouse has a doorway with an interior visible and a window.

A young girl with a fleece jacket plants marigold flowers in a garden bed, using a black planting container and a.

Classroom area with educational toys, whiteboards, and a colorful alphabet-themed rug.

A children's playroom with wooden shelving units filled with toys and books, a colorful activity table, and pictures on the wall.

A young child playing with red and pink plastic food toys in a large blue toy bin at a preschool or daycare.

A chicken coop with a sign that says 'Farm Fresh Eggs' and a welcoming sign with cartoon chickens. Inside the coop, there are black chickens behind a wire fence, and there are plants along the sides.

A small backyard garden enclosed by a wooden fence, with garden beds, a welcome sign, decorative butterfly, and outdoor toys.

A classroom corner with a banner spelling 'HOME' decorated with a heart, a small play kitchen, a mirror, and various toys and books on shelves.

A young child walking in a backyard with tall trees, a wooden fence, and a rock-lined garden area.

Two children, a girl with curly blond hair in a red dress and a boy with straight blond hair in a dark shirt, exploring items like leaves, pinecones, and acorns on a white table outdoors, with a wooden fence behind them.

Child playing with sand and toy kitchen utensils in a sandbox, holding a red scoop filled with sand, surrounded by various toys including a yellow spoon, a small bee toy, and a blue shovel.

A young girl with a ponytail planting or watering plants in a raised garden bed, with a blue planter containing a green plant and yellow flowers in the background.

Multiple children's hands reaching into a sensory bin filled with small brown and red bark chips, with three wooden logs and some yellow plastic animal toys inside.

A young child sitting on a large rock in a backyard, surrounded by trees and a wooden fence, with dirt and some patches of grass on the ground.

Little girl placing magnetic letter on a heart-shaped paper in a classroom. The table has magnetic letters and heart-shaped papers with letters. There are chairs, classroom cabinets, and educational materials in the background.

A black chicken sitting inside a wooden coop with straw bedding, partially obscured by the coop wall.

A young child with short brown hair, wearing a cream shirt with patterns and pink pants, is playing with wooden cylindrical blocks on a dark gray carpeted floor in a playroom. There is a blue table to the left and a wicker basket filled with more woo

A person holding a butterfly net with a butterfly resting on their finger. The background shows a container with some insects and a purple flower with a yellow center.

A young boy watering a plant in a large black pot in a garden.

Classroom play area with educational materials, artwork, photographs, a play table, and a weekly schedule on a blue pocket chart. The schedule includes activities like breakfast, circle time, art, outside play, lunch, nap, and snack.

Six chickens inside a fenced outdoor enclosure with trees in the background. Some chickens are perched on wooden logs, and others are on the ground, which is covered with dirt and small rocks. There are pumpkins and wooden blocks inside the enclosure

A young child reaching up towards tree branches outdoors, with a background of a fenced yard and a small pond.

A young child with brown hair, wearing a white shirt with animal prints and pink pants, is playing with wooden stacking toys on a gray carpeted floor. The toys include various cylindrical and rounded pieces with round bases.

Child holding a wooden frame mirror while exploring a plant with green leaves on a clear sheet, on a wooden table with toy blocks, a wicker basket, and a mirror in the background.

If you're looking for a nurturing childcare environment where your child can feel safe, explore, and grow, Little Hands is here to welcome your family.

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Let’s Connect

Choosing childcare is an important decision, and it’s natural to have questions. If you’d like to learn more about Little Hands, you’re welcome to reach out anytime. I’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you schedule a visit so you can see the environment and decide if it feels like the right fit for your child.

Reach out today to learn more or schedule a visit — I’d love to meet you and your family.

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