Wakefield Kids Playhouse, Alexandria

Wakefield Kids Playhouse is a bilingual child care and preschool program in the Wakefield / Tarleton neighborhood of Alexandria, VA (near Tarleton Park, between Landmark and Seminary Hill, near Harris Teeter). We're right off Duke St (route 236) and centrally located for your commute to work since we're within a short driving distance of all major access roads: the Beltway I-495, the I-395, as well as S Van Dorn Street. Special deal: contact us on CareLuLu, and get our $100 registration fee waived!

I'm the owner and lead teacher, and I have about 20 years of early childhood experience. Prior to opening my own in-home daycare, I used to be an obstetrician (I hold a PhD In Obstetrics & Gynecology.) I operate our facility with my 2 Child Care Assistants. I'm also a mother of 3, so I understand parents' needs when it comes to finding nurturing and high-quality care for their little ones! We aim to be all inclusive, and welcome children with special needs including Autism, Down Syndrome and Hyperactivity (please inquire about your situation).

We're open Monday through Friday, starting at 7:30 am until 5:00 pm, and offer both full-time and part-time care. If needed, we can also offer drop-in care for occasional needs as well as before and after-school care (we're near Patrick Henry Elementary School). Lunch and snacks are included in the tuition, all meals are peanut-free and tree-nut free, and we're part of the USDA food program. Our facilities are clean and colorful, so our little students are happy to "go to school"! :) We have a fenced backyard and playground, a multipurpose room, library area as well as a garden and video cameras for safety.

We offer not only a safe, secure and loving child care environment for infants and toddlers, but also a high quality early learning program for preschoolers. Our educational curriculum is tailored to each child, based on what he or she needs to ensure their cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical development. We use the STREAMin3 curriculum, a comprehensive model for children from birth-to-five that blends a focus on academic and social-emotional learning. Last but not least, we offer a bilingual Spanish-English program!

A typical day at Wakefield Kids Playhouse begins with the staff greeting the children with a smile. Breakfast is then served, and emphasis is placed on smooth transitions between activities throughout the day. During circle time, the day's topic is introduced, engaging the children in discussion and learning. This is followed by a stimulating game to reinforce the theme. Potty training is incorporated during transition periods. The children then enjoy outside time to play and explore. After outdoor play, children participate in reading time, dance, etc. Lunchtime comes next, followed by naptime. While the children rest, the staff use this time to clean the child care area. When the children wake up, diapers are changed as needed, they are given an afternoon snack, and finally, the day's activities conclude with free play.