Kindercare waldorf: Server Error in ‘/’ Application.
KinderCare on Smallwood Drive | Daycare, Preschool & Early Education in Waldorf, MD
All Centers >
Daycare In Waldorf, MD >
KinderCare on Smallwood Drive
Welcome to KinderCare on Smallwood Drive
Welcome to KinderCare on Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, Maryland! Conveniently located near Saint Patricks Drive, our competent teachers are dedicated to providing a safe, educational, and nurturing environment, where students learn to love. Our curriculum aims to develop the whole child by focusing on their emotional, social, physical, and cognitive needs. Our teachers work hard every day to help their students develop confidence for life. We love our circle of families, where everyone belongs!
Our classrooms are places to thrive!
In our safe and healthy classrooms, your child will be engaged in learning experiences that meet them where they are, both socially and academically. With fun daily activities, passionate teachers, and great friends, a lifetime of confidence starts here. Contact the center director to learn more about our child care options and schedule a tour!
Meet Theresa Scatina, Our Center Director
Meet Teri Scatina! She is the Center Director at KinderCare on Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, MD. Teri currently attends the College of Southern Maryland. She has been with KinderCare since 1999. “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” – Sydney J. Harris” Outside of work, Teri enjoys shopping, reading, going to movies, and spending time with her family.
- KinderCare on Smallwood Drive Programs
- Our Teachers
- Family Stories
- FAQs
AMERICA’S MOST ACCREDITED
We’re so proud!
Nationally only 10% of daycares are accredited – nearly 100% of our learning centers are.
That’s a big difference,
and that means KinderCare kids are getting the very best. Here’s why.
SCHOOL-READY
What Learning Looks Like
Our talented early-childhood teachers set kids down the path toward becoming lifelong learners in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment.
KinderCare on Smallwood Drive Programs
Infant Programs (6 weeks–1 year)
Leaving your baby in someone else’s care is a big step. Everyone at our
centers—most importantly, our naturally gifted infant teachers—will work with
you to make sure the transition goes smoothly. When you step into our infant
classroom, you’ll see how much we want your infant to feel safe, loved, and
ready to explore their world.
Toddler Programs (1–2 Years)
Everything in our toddler classroom is designed for little explorers. That’s
because a lot is going on at this age.
When your child is wandering all over the
place, that means they’re learning and discovering new things every day. We’ll
help them explore their interests (and find new ones!) as they play and learn.
Discovery Preschool Programs (2–3 Years)
This age is filled with so much wonder and curiosity. That’s why we offer a ton
of books and toys and bring artwork down to kids eye level. Children in
discovery preschool also begin to learn how we all work together in a
classroom. Simple math and science, pretend play, and group play help them
get used to a more structured school setting.
Preschool Programs (3–4 Years)
This age is all about expression, when kids really start to form their own ideas
about what they want to play and how they want to create. Every day in our
preschool classroom, your child will explore science experiments, create
artwork, and play pretend—all the skills needed for their big next step:
kindergarten!
Prekindergarten Programs (4–5 Years)
When you walk into one of our pre-K classrooms, you’ll see artwork and
writing displayed around the room.
Labels are everywhere to help kids connect
letters with words. You’ll also see pictures on the walls that reflect the families
in our community. Your child will also deepen their knowledge in language,
math, science, Spanish, and social skills.
Before- and After-School Programs (5–12 Years)
You can count on us to provide reliable care for your school-ager while you’re
at work, with safe transportation from our center to your child’s school and
back! Whether your child wants to start a drama club, build a volcano, or
create a comic book, they will have a place to follow their dreams. Your child
will start and end the day with a whole lot of fun!
School Break Programs (preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age)
Winter break, spring break, summer break—when school’s out (but you still need to work), you
can count on KinderCare to provide a safe and supportive learning environment that’s focused
on fun.
We welcome children ages 5–12 during school break times and make sure they have a
sensational, screen-free experience they won’t forget.
Participating Child Care Aware Center
KinderCare partners with Child Care Aware® of America to offer fee assistance for
Active Duty military families and flexible support to fit their needs when care at a Child
Development Center on the installation is not available.
Learning Adventures – Enrichment Program
Cooking Academy™ (3 – 12 Years)
In Cooking Academy, kids learn new recipes from cultures around the world and
develop a healthy relationship with food. They’ll whip up everything from Southwest
rainbow lettuce wraps to pumpkin muffins, building their skills in STEM, communication,
and more along the way. And yes—little chefs get to eat their culinary creations!
Music Explorers™ (2 – 4 Years)
KinderCare families are already giving a standing ovation to our newest Learning
Adventures program: Music Explorers! Kids will learn to sing, move, listen, play
instruments, and even create their own tunes.
Our original curriculum blends math,
science, social studies, literacy, and mindfulness (think yoga!) for a uniquely KinderCare
way of learning the foundations of music.
Phonics Adventures® (2 – 4 Years)
Learning how to read is a whole lot of fun at KinderCare! We help kids grow to love
books and words (and get ready for kindergarten) in our Phonics Adventures program.
From discovering the basics of vowels to practicing poetry, kids learn all about letters
and sounds in small-group lessons made just for their age group. (Bonus: Kids who
attend our phonics program are more prepared than their peers for school—and we
have the data to prove it.)
Spanish
Spanish Adventures provides young learners with a foundation for later success with
the Spanish language. Music, games, children’s Spanish literature, and other tools give
children multiple opportunities to hear, practice, and see Spanish language to develop
vocabulary and conversation skills.
Curriculum includes lessons on greetings, numbers,
colors, animals, family, body parts, and pets, as well as how to engage conversationally
during common scenarios at home, a restaurant, or at the zoo.
STEM Innovators (3-8 Years)
You’ve probably heard a lot about how important STEM education is for your child, but
what does that really mean? Our STEM Innovators program takes kids’ natural ability to
make sense of the world and applies it to robotics, chemistry, coding, geology, and
more. While your child experiments, they’ll discover how to use technology to do
amazing things!
Our Teachers
We’re the only company in early childhood education to select teachers based on natural talent. Being a great educator isn’t enough though.
KinderCare teachers are also amazing listeners, nurturers, boo-boo fixers, and smile-makers. Put more simply,
we love our teachers and your child will, too.
Meet just a few of our amazing KinderCare teachers!
A KINDERCARE TEACHER WITH
An Artist’s Heart
“My classroom is full of art!” says Mary Annthipie-Bane, an award-winning early childhood educator at KinderCare. Art and creative expression, she says, help children discover who they really are.
We put our best-in-class teachers in a best-in-class workplace. We’re so proud to have been named one of Gallup’s 37 winners of the Great Workplace Award.
When you put great teachers in an engaging center, your children will experience
an amazing place to learn and grow.
Family Stories
Don’t take our word for it. Hear what our families have to say about our amazing center!
-
My son Kai started at Smallwood when he turned one. My son is now three and has shown such an amazing improvement.
The staff is absolutely amazing and I couldn’t have my put my son in better hands.Nicole Wells – KinderCare Parent
-
My daughter, Mya, has been with KinderCare from the time she was a baby. I have been with the Director of KinderCare, Heather Murphy, on Smallwood since my child was in the womb and she was the Center Director of KinderCare on Post Office Road. Heather Murphy eased my nerves and fears of being a first time mother who would have to entrust her most precious blessing in the hands of, at the time, strangers, daily. Heather has always been warm and welcoming and entertained several tours, conversations and meetings throughout my years at KinderCare.
When Heather moved over to the KinderCare on Smallwood is when I really saw her blossom as a Center Director. The whole staff at KinderCare on Smallwood works as a team. It took me a year to move my daughter over to the Smallwood center from Post Office Road, but most of the staff that was there had moved there already, knew and loved my daughter and the new staff to my family was nothing but welcoming and embracing. What most eased my transition to the new center was the consistency. My daughter and I saw the same staff daily and I was able to get to know and bond with staff.
I pride myself on being a parent who knows her child and it comforts me that the staff at this center is more than ‘caregivers’. They are educators who are interested and invested knowing the children under their care and having and watching them grow. While I, of course, feel my child was always bright and advanced, I saw a marked difference in her growth and learning when she moved over to the Smallwood Center from the age of 3.
The staff at KinderCare has set my daughter up for success in her early developmental years. When she entered Kindergarten she was already above the standard level due to the daily preparation and education of the team at Smallwood. She remains at the top of her class since starting school and she continues to grow. Outside of education, KinderCare also nurtures their children with other interests to include all the programs and trips they take during their summer camp, after school activities such as additional reading and math classes and cooking for those interested.
In my eight years of working with Heather Murphy and KinderCare I cannot imagine me and my daughter’s life without them. I know that everyone at the center genuinely cares about and loves my family and they are more than just a team of educators, but family.
Elissa (With KinderCare since 2006)Elissa R. – KinderCare Parent
-
My daughter is nine-years-old and has been attending the same KinderCare for six years. Every day when I drop her off and go to work, I am 100% confident that she is loved and well taken care of by our “family” (her wonderful teachers). The Phonics program and the teachers are amazing! She has also enjoyed their cooking club and made yummy foods.
As a parent, knowing your child is so loved and safe means more than anything. I can’t imagine her being in another environment!Kim P. – KinderCare Parent
The staff is absolutely amazing and I couldn’t have my put my son in better hands.
What most eased my transition to the new center was the consistency. My daughter and I saw the same staff daily and I was able to get to know and bond with staff.
Share Your Story
If you have a story about your experience at KinderCare,
please share your story with us
.
Who Are KinderCare Families?
They hail from hundreds of cities across the country from countless backgrounds, and proudly represent every walk in life. What our families have in common,
though, is the want to give their children the best start in life. We are so proud to be their partner in parenting.
Hear from just a few of our amazing KinderCare families.
A Globe-Trotting Family Finds A
Home in Houston
Four young children, four different passports, two languages, two full-time jobs…oh, and a few triathlons thrown in for good measure.
Meet the globe-trotting Colettas—a family on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accreditations does KinderCare have?
We are your trusted caregiver. Our centers are state-licensed and regularly inspected to make sure everything meets or exceeds standards, including child-to-teacher ratios and safe facilities.
Our centers aren’t just licensed—most are accredited, too! Find out more.
Do you offer part-time schedules at KinderCare on Smallwood Drive?
Everybody’s schedule is different. We’re happy to offer quality, affordable part-time and full-time childcare. Drop-in care may also be available. Reach out to your Center Director to learn more.
How does naptime work at KinderCare on Smallwood Drive?
Our teachers meet every child’s needs during naptime. Our teachers know how to get babies to nap. In fact, they are pros at getting children of any age to nap. Visit our article on “10 Ways We Help Kids Get a Great Daycare Nap” to learn more.
Do you support alternative diets?
We strive to be as inclusive as possible. To that point, we provide a vegetarian option at mealtime, take care to not serve common allergens and can adapt menus based on your child’s food sensitivities. If your child has additional needs, we’ll work with you to figure out a plan.
Are meals included in tuition? Can I choose to send my child with lunch?
We provide nutritious meals and snacks developed by a registered dietician to meet the needs of rapidly growing bodies and minds.
If your child has special dietary requirements and you would prefer to bring in their lunch, please make arrangements with the center director.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
Every child begins toilet learning at a different age. Until your child shows an interest in toilet learning, we’ll provide diaper changes on an as-needed basis. When your child shows an interest, we’ll discuss how to work together to encourage toilet learning.
KinderCare in Waldorf MD – CareLuLu
Daycares and Preschools
>
KinderCare
>
Waldorf, MD
KinderCare on Smallwood Drive
Fort Washington KinderCare
See More Results
Filter by:
Type of Program
Home DaycareDaycare CenterPreschoolsInfant
See All
Philosophy
MontessoriWaldorfPlay-basedCooperative
See All
Language
SpanishChineseFrenchAmerican Sign LanguageArabicArmenianGermanHebrewHindiJapaneseKoreanPersianRussianUrdu
See All
Religion
ChristianJewishCatholicBaptistCalvaryEpiscopalLutheranMethodistPresbyterian
See All
Type of Care
Full-timePart-timeDrop-inWeekend
See All
Other
AccreditedSpecial NeedsPeanut-Free
Hours
Opens before 6amCloses after 6pm24 hours a day6:30am – 6:30pm
See All
Age
0 – 1 Years1 – 2 Years2 – 3 Years3 – 4 Years4 – 5 YearsKindergartenBefore/After SchoolSummer Camp
See All
Weekly Budget
$0 – $100$100 – $200$200 – $300$350+Accepts Vouchers
See All
Facility
PlaygroundVideo CamerasIndoor GymComputersLive Video StreamingPool
See All
Extra-curricular
MusicSportsDance
Services
TransportationMeals
Recent Reviews for KinderCare in Waldorf MD
North Point Early Childhood Training Program, Waldorf
“I honestly wish I knew about this program sooner.
My daughter has only been in the program one year and is headed to Kindergarten in the fall. She absolutely loves the teachers”
Read More
Little Cherubs Christian Daycare, Waldorf
“Carolyn has cared for both of my little boys (the first starting at age 1.5 and the second as an infant). Her gentle spirit, faith and genuine love of children is evident, and”
Read More
Other KinderCare near Waldorf MD
Buckman Road KinderCare
Buckman Road KinderCare is a year-round center in Alexandria, VA. We are open from 6:30am until 6:30pm and care for children as young as 6 weeks…
Fordson Road KinderCare
Fordson Road KinderCare is a year-round center in Alexandria, VA. We are open from 6:30am until 6:30pm and care for children as young as 6 weeks…
See More Results
People Also Searched For
Emergency Child Care
Daycare Centers
Preschools
La Petite Academy
Cities Near Waldorf MD
Washington Daycare and Preschools
Fort Washington Daycare and Preschools
Port Tobacco Daycare and Preschools
Mount Vernon Daycare and Preschools
Fort Belvoir Daycare and Preschools
Frequently Asked Questions
How many KinderCare centers are there in Waldorf?
There are 1 KinderCare centers in Waldorf, based on CareLuLu data.
This includes 0 home-based programs and 1 centers.
How much does daycare cost in Waldorf?
The cost of daycare in Waldorf is $764 per month. This is the average price for full-time, based on CareLuLu data, including homes and centers.
How many KinderCare centers accept infants in Waldorf?
Based on CareLuLu data, 1 KinderCare centers care for infants (as well as toddlers). This includes 0 home-based programs and 1 centers.
How many KinderCare centers offer part-time care or drop-in care in Waldorf?
Based on CareLuLu data, 1 KinderCare centers offer part-time care or drop-in care in Waldorf.
Top Resources Related to Daycares
Child Care During Coronavirus (COVID-19): The Definitive Guide
Is daycare safe? How to find child care during COVID-19? Get answers in this guide.
Is daycare safe right now? Do parents still pay if daycares close? How to find daycare during closures? Here’s your guide to child care during coronavirus.
See More
10 Tips for Finding Quality Child Care
Here are 10 tips to help you find affordable and quality child care.
When I needed a daycare and a preschool for my girls, I spent days on Google, phone, and visiting in person. I toured 16 centers before settling for the one that felt right for us. Here are 10 tips to help you find quality child care more easily.
See More
Child Care Center vs. Home-Daycare: Pros & Cons
Which environment is better, a child care center or a home-based daycare? The answer is simple…
During a child care seminar for parents and parents-to-be, I realized the differences between child care centers and home-based daycares were unclear to a lot of families. I was asked which environment was the best, center or home. My answer was simple…
See More
Is Daycare Bad for Kids?
For years, parents have debated what seems like a simple enough question: is daycare bad for kids?
For years, parents have debated what seems like a simple enough question: is daycare bad for kids? There is still no definitive on the long-term effects of daycare, but there are steps parents can take to give their children the best daycare experience.
See More
What High Quality Child Care Looks Like
Entrusting your child to someone else is a big deal. So, how do you know if the center is actually good?
Entrusting your child to someone else is a big deal. In fact, is there a bigger deal? So, how do you choose the right people to care for your child? How do you know if a child care center is actually good? How can you tell, when your child is so young?
See More
How To Be Involved Now That My Child Is In Preschool/Daycare
How can you know what your little one has been up to in daycare?
For many full-time working parents, whose children are in day care for long stretches of the day, your child’s activities are somewhat of a mystery. How can you know what your little one has been up to? Here’s how to know…
See More
Find Daycare Cost Near You: Use the Daycare Tuition Calculator
How much does full time daycare near me cost? Is home daycare more affordable than a center?
How much does full time daycare cost? Is home daycare near me more affordable than a center? Use our Daycare Tuition Calculator to find out average daycare tuition rates in your zip code.
See More
How To Get Your Child Care Tax Credit
Here are 10 things you need to know to claim your Child and Dependent Care Credit…
For most families, child care is the highest single household expense. But, there’s good news! Uncle Sam is here to help and can offset some of your daycare costs. Here are 10 things you need to know to claim your Child and Dependent Care Credit…
See More
FOR PARENTS
Parent ResourcesHow It WorksTestimonialsTerms of UsePrivacy Policy
FOR PROVIDERS
Provider ResourcesHow It WorksTestimonialsTerms and ConditionsList Your Program
MORE
About UsPressJobsContact Us
About UsHow It WorksContact Us
Parent ResourcesProvider Resources
Help Center
KinderCare on Smallwood Drive | Waldorf MD
About the Provider
Description: Welcome to Westlake KinderCare in Waldorf, Maryland.
We look forward to meeting with you and your family. We believe in developing the whole child with an emphasis on assisting your child’s growth with their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Here at Westlake KinderCare, your child will be provided a safe and stimulationg environment to learn in and have the best teachers who believe in education and care for the children as if they were their own.
Additional Information: MSDE-Approved Education Program.
Program and Licensing Details
- License Number:
32002 - Capacity:
110 - Age Range:
6 weeks through 17 months, 18 months through 23 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 5 years to 15 years - Achievement and/or Accreditations
NAEYC - Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program:
No - Type of Care:
Infant Programs, Toddler Programs, Discovery Preschool Programs, Preschool Programs, Prekindergarten Programs, Before and After School Programs, Summer Programs - Schools Served:
C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School - District Office:
Region 10 – Southern Maryland Office - District Office Phone:
(301) 475-3770 (Note: This is not the facility phone number.)
Paul Barnhart Elementary SchoolInspection/Report History
Where possible, ChildcareCenter provides inspection reports as a service to families. This information is deemed reliable,
but is not guaranteed. We encourage families to contact the daycare provider directly with any questions or concerns,
as the provider may have already addressed some or all issues. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Date | Type | Regulations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-04 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.06A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: Although this regulation states the operator has 5 working days to provide a signed and notarized permission to examine records of abuse and neglect of children and adults for a new employee, regulation .  02.01 I (1) and (2) states: The operator may not allow an employee, staff member, substitute, or volunteer to: (1) Be assigned to a group of children or have access to a child in care until the individual has successfully passed the child abuse and neglect clearance and a federal or State criminal background check; or (2) Be alone with a child or group of children until all checks have been successfully passed Upon arrival to the center there was an employee, A.G., that was in the classroom but she had not been cleared by the Office of Child Care. The center may not allow a person to begin working until the Office of Child Care has completed all clearances and they receive written notice from the office that the person is clear to work. |
|||
| 2022-03-04 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.09A(5) | Corrected |
| Findings: The following staff did not complete the Basic Health and Safety course within 90 days of employment: S.  B., and S. C.. Please send documentation that the course has been completed within 30 days of the date of this inspection. |
|||
| 2022-03-04 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.09C | Corrected |
| Findings: Preschool Teachers, M.S. and K.G., have completed their yearly training but finished late. |
|||
| 2022-03-04 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.12A(3) | Corrected |
| Findings: Aide, T. V., has been employed with the center since October 4, 2021 and has not completed the Basic Health and Safety Training. She will need to complete ASAP and send documentation to the specialist within 30 days of the date of this inspection. |
|||
| 2021-10-15 | Complaint | 13A.16.08.01B(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: The Office of Child Care received a complaint that the teacher left a group of preschoolers outside while she came back in the center to get her cell phone.  This was witnessed by two staff. The two staff were interviewed by this licensing specialist. The teacher in question has been put on administrative leave so was not at the center at the time of the inspection. The licensing specialist will make contact with her and discuss the allegations. See remarks for additional information. |
|||
| 2021-03-03 | Full | 13A.16.06.09C | Corrected |
| Findings: The following staff did not complete their continued training as required: H.D.- there is documentation that she completed 7.5 hours of the required 12 hours of continued training for her 11/19 – 10/20 training cycle, she will need to complete another 4.5 hours ASAP; M.S. – there is documentation that she completed 7.5 hours of the required 12 hours of continued training for her 12/19 -11/20 training cycle, she will need to complete another 4.5 hours ASAP. Please send copies of training certificates within the next 30 days.  |
|||
| 2020-06-29 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.05C(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: The Director’s training cycle is from June 1 to May 31 each year. She completed 6 hours of training for the training cycle of June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 so will need to complete another 6 hours of approved continued training ASAP. Remember to complete a full 12 hours of approved continued training each training cycle. Please send copies of training certificates to the licensing specialist within the next 30 days. |
|||
| 2020-06-29 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.09B(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: The following teachers are overdue for continued training: M.L.: training cycle is from February 1 to January 31 each year- for the training cycle 2/1/19-1/31/20 she completed 10 hours of approved continued training- she will need to complete an additional 2 hours of approved continuing training ASAP A.  R.: training cycle is from March 1 to February 28 each year – for the training cycle 3/1/19 – 2/29/2020 she completed 6 hours of approved training- she will need to complete another 6 hours of approved training ASAP T.S. : training cycle is from March 1 to February 28 each year – for the training cycle 3/1/19 – 2/29/2020 she completed 6 hours of approved training- she will need to complete another 6 hours of approved training ASAP Please send copies of training certificates to the Licensing Specialist within the next 30 days of the date of this inspection. |
|||
| 2019-02-27 | Full | 13A.16.03.04G | Corrected |
| Findings: A sample of files were reviewed and of this sample there was one child that did not have evidence of immunizations and few need evidence of updated immunizations. Please review all files and send a letter of corrections to the licensing specialist within 30 days of the date of this inspection.  |
|||
| 2019-02-27 | Full | 13A.16.09.02C | Corrected |
| Findings: The center had “feeding plans” for the infants in the Infant I room but it did not contain the information required by the regulation. The center did not have feeding or activity plans for the children in the Infant II room or the Toddler room. This licensing specialist provided a sample activity plan that can be used to the director and she was advised to have one completed for all children under 24 months of age. They need to be updated every 3 months. Please be sure to post the plans in the classroom for staff reference. Send a letter of corrections to the licensing specialist within 30 days of the date of this inspection. |
|||
| 2019-02-27 | Full | 13A.16.03.04D(3) | Corrected |
| Findings: A sample of files were reviewed and of this sample there were 2 files that were missing Part II of the Health Inventory, 1 file the Health Inventory I was not complete and one child’s health inventory was not dated by the parent.  Please review all files to be sure all information is complete and both the Health Inventory I and II are in the file. |
|||
| 2019-02-27 | Full | 13A.16.03.03B(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: A sample of files were reviewed and of this sample only one had evidence that the handbook was given to the parent. The handbook contains the discipline policy. The center needs to be sure that each parent receives a handbook and the acknowledgement sheet is signed and kept in the file. Please send a letter of corrections to this licensing specialist within 30 days of the date of this inspection. |
|||
| 2019-02-27 | Full | 13A.16.06.04A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: There were several staff that were missing a medical evaluation- see remarks for details. |
|||
| 2019-02-27 | Full | 13A. 16.03.04E |
Corrected |
| Findings: A sample of files were reviewed and of this sample there were several children that were missing evidence of a lead blood test at 12 months and 24 months. Please review all children’s files that were born after January 1, 2015 to ensure that a lead blood test was completed at 12 and 24 months. If the child is over 24 months there needs to be evidence that at least one lead blood test was completed. Please obtain this evidence from the parent and be sure it is in the file. Send a letter of corrections to this licensing specialist within 30 days of the date of this inspection. |
|||
| 2019-02-27 | Full | 13A.16.09.01C(6) | Corrected |
| Findings: A sample of files were reviewed and of this sample there was only one file that had evidence that the parent was provided with the screen time policy. The director said she is aware that this needs to be completed and she has given each teacher the policy for each parent to sign.  She has received many but not all from the teachers. Once all are received please send a letter of corrections to this licensing specialist but no later than 30 days from the date of this inspection date. |
|||
If you are a provider and you believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.
Reviews
Be the first to review this childcare provider.
Write a review about KinderCare on Smallwood Drive. Let other families know what’s great, or what could be improved.
Please read our brief review guidelines to make your review as helpful as possible.
Email address (will not be published):
Display name:
Which best describes your experience?:
Select from belowI have used this provider for more than 6 monthsI have used this provider for less than 6 monthsI have toured this provider’s facility, but have not used its servicesI am the ownerI am an employeeOther
Rating (1=poor, 5=excellent):
Select your Rating1 star2 star3 star4 star5 star
Review Policy:
ChildcareCenter.
us does not actively screen or monitor user reviews, nor do we verify or edit content. Reviews reflect
only the opinion of the writer. We ask that users follow our
review guidelines. If you see a review that does not reflect these guidelines, you can email us. We will assess
the review and decide the appropriate next step. Please note – we will not remove a review simply because it is
negative. Providers are welcome to respond to parental reviews, however we ask that they identify themselves as
the provider.
Sect for the little ones: why Waldorf schools and kindergartens are dangerous | Articles
In Perm, by a court decision, the work of a private kindergarten was temporarily suspended. The reason for the closure was an inspection conducted by employees of Rosobrnadzor, during which violations in the work of the garden were revealed. In particular, there were no beds for children to sleep in the room, and the children themselves slept on the floor during quiet hours.
Kindergarten “Orange” calls itself a space with elements of Waldorf pedagogy, and its founders claim that they were inspired by Scandinavian kindergartens and schools. Why Waldorf kindergartens have gained popularity in Russia and what problems education in a “harmonious atmosphere” creates for the future life of a child – Izvestia sorted it out.
Garden without beds
In the fee-paying kindergarten “Orange”, which was closed by court order, there was not only a room for preschool children under one roof, but also a private school. The test was carried out after one of the kids was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of whooping cough. It turned out that the beds in the building were absent in principle, and the bed linen on the mattresses was changed less than once a week. In addition, the room was not ventilated and the temperature regime was not observed, and the food in the kitchen was stored in violation of the conditions. The head of the kindergarten, Lidia Mikhailova, admitted the situation was “sucked from the finger” and did not comment on the lack of beds in the kindergarten.
Photo: TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Parents’ comments about “Apelsin” are extremely enthusiastic not only on the page of the garden itself, but also on independent sites. Mothers note the warm attitude towards children on the part of educators, good food and a large number of holidays. Judging by the video made by the creators of the site, a creative atmosphere reigns inside: garlands of cones and craft bags are hung in the room, each of the children has their own soft box, there are wall-to-wall slates in the classroom and a huge number of handicrafts. However, all this eye-pleasing picture reflects only the external side of what is happening. At the heart of the upbringing and education of children in this garden is the Waldorf system, thought out by the Austrian Rudolf Steiner at the beginning of the last century. The educational process is built around the doctrine of anthroposophy, which has occult roots.
According to the Association of Waldorf Kindergarten Teachers in Russia, at least 53 kindergartens across the country are members of this organization.
Most of them are in private kindergartens, but in a number of cities there are Waldorf groups in municipal kindergartens. Perm Kindergarten “Orange” is a member of this association.
Put pressure on consciousness
The apologists of Steiner’s teaching see the goal of education in “the development of man as an integral being” and the search for his vocation in life. And what makes a person whole is learning according to this system throughout childhood – from preschool age to adulthood. The Waldorf system presents classical education as a “school assembly line” and opposes the individual approach that the school gives to children, “awakening the consciousness” of children.
The desire to make the process of Waldorf education so long is not accidental: children growing up in greenhouse conditions are practically not adapted to learning in a regular school. They are not used to the fact that the teacher needs to be obeyed, and their knowledge will be evaluated.
At the Waldorf School, children learn about the world through creativity: crafts made from natural materials, songs and heuristic dances. Assessing the progress in the development of a child based on his ability to sing, dance and sculpt crafts is quite problematic, but this is not necessary.
society
Photo: Depositphotos
The Irenaeus of Lyons Center for Religious Studies lists Rudolf Steiner’s Waldorf schools as occult sects. There are several reasons for this: the esoteric teaching is built on Steiner’s personal revelations about the spiritual world, which are a mixture of religious, scientific, historical and mystical aspects. It mixes the philosophy of Zoroastrianism, polytheism and Hindu ideas about karma and reincarnation.
The planets in Steiner’s philosophy correspond to historical epochs, the constellations of the zodiac to the twelve parts of the human body, and the four elements to the four types of human temperament.
A clear sign of the sect, according to researchers, is that Steiner recognized his revelations as the only truth, rejecting any other types of knowledge, and after his death, no corrections or additions are allowed in his teaching.
Waldorf kindergartens owe their attractiveness to parents to the fact that the visitor sees the beautiful decorations and pleasant atmosphere inside the institution, as well as the compassion and attitude of teachers towards their children. Open days are held regularly, and the task of educators, called gardeners, is not to impose anything on parents and not to bring up sectarian ideology in any way. And only the most curious of those who came will be interested in the works of Steiner, on which the process of raising children is built.
Photo: Depositphotos
The screen of teacher’s enthusiasm and individual approach has huge advantages in comparison with a regular school, where teachers put knowledge much more than self-knowledge and creativity.
It is the contrast of endless family celebrations in the Waldorf school and large classes with cramming in the ordinary that makes an indelible impression on parents. This system is especially attractive for followers of natural parenting and other child-centric parenting models.
“Teachers show no less enthusiasm and love for children than Catholic nuns. Every morning they greet each student with a handshake and a warm smile, always looking into their eyes. Primary school teachers stay with their students until graduation, largely replacing their parents. Therefore, it is not surprising that the physical beauty and caring atmosphere of schools, as well as the idealism of teachers, make Waldorf pedagogy extremely attractive to parents.0004,” according to a study by Dan Dagan and Judy Daar.
The curriculum includes two languages from the first year, drawing and eurythmics – slow movements to music, carrying a special meaning, according to the teachings of Steiner.
Before eating, children sing a prayer praising the sun. It is also curious that gardeners develop the individuality of the child through imitation.
sect2
Photo: Depositphotos
Moms discussing entering a Waldorf kindergarten on the forums almost unanimously note that the treatment they and their children receive is incomparable to a state institution. For the sake of this, they are ready to close their eyes to strange prayers before meals, and the fact that in the garden they do not prepare for entering school, and even the fact that if they continue their studies at the Waldorf school, the child will not be prepared for entering the university.
“Before eating, they sing: “Each fruit is born by the Earth, filled with the power of the Sun, I praise the Sun, I praise the Earth, I accept everything gratefully!” Then they say in chorus: “Bon appetit.” I don’t see anything wrong with that, ”wrote the mother of a Waldorf kindergarten pupil.
Children are not allowed to use plastic toys: everything must be natural and preferably handmade. Ideally, there should be no televisions or computers either at school or at home. Parents must be fully involved in the life of the kindergarten: they must participate in all holidays, and they must spend the first two months every day with their child in kindergarten.
Waldorf school graduates quite often become teachers in the same “kindergartens and schools for free people”. It is not necessary to receive a classical education to work in a Waldorf kindergarten, it is much more important to be from the circle of one’s own and be intimately familiar with anthroposophy.
Raise the physical body
Waldorf pedagogy is not an independent system, but just an “application” of the occult pseudo-scientific esoteric teaching of anthroposophy. Anthroposophists believe that a child is not yet a complete person. Steiner divides life into seven-year physical cycles.
The child in this context is the physical body, then the astral body appears, then the etheric body, and so on every seven years. Only at the age of 21 does a person become formed, explained Alexander Dvorkin, deputy chairman of the expert council for conducting state religious expertise under the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, in an interview with Izvestia.
“A child under seven is a physical body, which must be treated accordingly: intellectual development is not encouraged, only the manifestation of emotions. The intellect, according to this teaching, is formed by the age of 21, therefore in kindergarten they are not taught to read and write, but only arrange constant non-objective holidays. This is the upbringing of terry infantilism: children are deliberately brought up with a developmental lag,” notes Alexander Dvorkin.
According to Dvorkin, parents are deceived by intrusive manipulative advertising: they are told about the world-renowned elite system, exceptional results, and show how children are surrounded by love and affection.
Adults ignore the fact that in kindergarten and school there is no main thing – the education and development of children.
society
Photo: Global Look Press/Sebastian Gollnow
“Children are surrounded by endless lisping and games that do not develop. He draws some kind of abstract picture, because they are not taught to draw in detail. Everyone around admires how brilliant it is, although the children were not even taught to draw a simple line. Some of the parents themselves are adherents of anthroposophy, but for the majority they stuff this teaching from the back door, ”added the professor.
The Waldorfs claim that they don’t involve anyone in schools in anthroposophy. But they cannot involve, since anthroposophy positions itself as a secret teaching for selected people, and children, by definition, are not yet people. But the anthroposophical worldview is instilled in students from the very beginning, under the guise of “philosophy”, “natural science”, “rhythm”, etc.
To hide the religious component of the sect, a deliberate substitution of concepts is practiced: prayers are not called prayers, and pagan rites are disguised as traditions.
“Children are taught to lie in order to hide the pagan elements of anthroposophy and not to make parents feel that this is a religion. All teachers in such schools should be practicing anthroposophists, or at least people deeply sympathetic to this system. This is necessary in order to create a substitution of concepts and present anthroposophy as a secular teaching, which is not even close. Children will not receive the necessary education, they will be surreptitiously stuffed with an anthroposophical worldview, and then those of them who may seem useful will find themselves inside the sect and will spread its ideas, ”said Dvorkin.
Atmosphere of non-intervention
Anastasia studied at the Waldorf school for three years, and her younger brother went to kindergarten according to this system.
During the time spent within the walls of the “special” school, the level of her knowledge dropped significantly, and she had to study with tutors for six months to catch up with the program in general education. She decided to leave the school because of the strange atmosphere that prevailed there, as well as several incidents with teachers.
“Until the fifth grade, raising children is as gentle as possible. Children write with pencils, draw circles with crayons and do not use pens. All drawings are abstract, airy and no specifics. Estimates should not be given, because it can suppress the child’s psyche. When I came from a regular school, I calmly knew how to solve equations, but in the Waldorf school no one had heard of what it was. For three years, I lost all my knowledge in the exact sciences, and when I returned to the ordinary one, it was very difficult for me to catch up in geometry, algebra, because my knowledge was very weak. The literature program was very limited, so I had to read a lot of books afterwards.
Basic knowledge has always been in second place, and in the foreground is the inner life of the school, ”said Anastasia.
sect3
Photo: Global Look Press/Fabrice Cateloy
Monday started with a general meeting, each class had 10-15 people. Everyone gathered there and read thank-you texts that set the children up for successful studies. Every week a major subject was chosen and studied more than the others.
“There were classes like eurythmy that seemed very strange to me. Something similar to gymnastics, but there you need to depict letters and use sticks. This cycles through and affects the brain. There was such a system that if you do something in your own way, then you are immediately punished: kicked out, scolded and belittled. If you draw or dance not as you were asked, you are wrong. Any initiative is condemned. I got the impression that this is a system that does not nurture individuality, but, on the contrary, teaches you to be malleable and easy to use, ”added the former student of the school.
Anastasia was the only girl in the class, and at first she didn’t get along well with her classmates. The teachers preferred to distance themselves from problems and advised the student to endure and reconcile.
“Public schools were constantly scolded that everything was bad there, everyone was beaten, individuality was suppressed. Although when I studied at a regular school, I first learned how to survive in it, and it was even useful. At the Waldorf school, I came to a class where there were only boys, and for the first six months I was simply beaten. Relationships were difficult with everyone. The teachers did not take any action and simply told me to be patient and humble. The psychologist locked me in the office to prove that I was wrong. It is good for those who never show their qualities and do not express their opinion. This theory itself appeared shortly before the Hitler era and was conceived as a system for educating children of the working class, ”added the former student of the Waldorf school.
Photo: Global Look Press/uwe umstätter
In the summer, the children were taken to a residence where they were supposed to rest, but in fact they worked for free. All this was paid for by the parents. It was necessary to wash dishes, take care of livestock, work in the kitchen.
“In fact, they only yelled at us there, because we did everything wrong. I refused to work and threatened to tell my parents about what we were doing. A lot of families live there and there is a female mentor. Every morning they gather in the hall, read these prayers and Steiner’s texts, and then distribute the work. Many of those who live there have sold their apartments to invest in this community. They are very convinced that they live right and do everything right, but in fact there is a lot of falsehood. At the residence, I was bitten by a dog, almost tore off my finger. There was a scandal, but they decided to hush it up and did not tell their parents ,” added Anastasia.
According to her, the “friends of the Waldorf school” are a large community in which they absolutely sincerely believe in Steiner’s ideas and revere him as a saint. They often arrange congresses and meetings in the Slavic style, but at the same time they read the works of the German thinker and from time to time read Christian prayers.
“They are all magical, magical and holy, but in fact it’s all very scary. Mothers who bring their children there believe that only in such a school can a child’s talents be developed, because he is unique. But when a person has lived in such an atmosphere for a long time, it is difficult for him to adapt to the real world, ”summed up the student of the Waldorf school.
SEE ALSO
Waldorf kindergarten
History of creation. Waldorf pedagogy originated in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. The first Waldorf school was founded in 1919 and funded by the Waldorf-Astoria.
Therefore, the school was called Waldorf. The founder of the Waldorf school – Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) – is the inspirer not only of special pedagogy, curative pedagogy and medicine, but also of a whole spiritual direction, which he called anthroposophy. After Steiner’s death, Waldorf kindergartens and schools spread throughout the world and are now one of the leading trends in modern pedagogy.
The main task of pedagogy, according to Steiner, is the most complete disclosure of the child’s abilities and inclinations, and all aspects of the child’s being – thinking, feeling and will – must develop in harmony. Therefore, in Waldorf pedagogy, along with the intellect, arts, various needlework and crafts play an important role. This idea of integrity in development can be considered the main one for all pedagogy as a whole.
From the very beginning, Steiner attached great importance to the development and education of preschoolers, long before it became fashionable in the 60s and 70s.
Since that time, interest in Waldorf kindergartens and schools has increased dramatically. Now there are more than 2000 Waldorf kindergartens. They exist in almost all countries of the world, but there are especially many of them in European countries. In our country, Waldorf kindergartens appeared only about 10 years ago. They are very popular with parents, and, unfortunately, they are too few compared to demand.
The main idea and how to implement it. In the first years, the foundation is laid for the whole future life of a person. The infant is completely dependent on his environment, from which he receives manifold impulses for his development. Therefore, it is so important from the very beginning to stimulate development correctly, in accordance with the processes that occur with the child. In the first months after birth, the child must adapt to the new conditions of life outside the mother’s womb, to a new way of breathing and eating. Then the baby begins to master his body and his immediate environment, learns to sit down, crawl and, finally, stand and walk.
All these are serious achievements for the child, and at each stage he requires from us the help and support corresponding to this particular stage. The child needs time. One should not, according to Waldorf educators, strive to accelerate development. If we want our child to develop faster, we can harm him rather than help him. But this does not mean passivity. We can do a lot of things that are useful and necessary for the child right now, and not in the future. This is the basic principle of Waldorf education.
The main thing at the beginning is to provide the child with a reliable “shell”, like a warm nest, in which he would be protected from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Waldorf educators recommend the old way – make a cradle and cover it on one side with a transparent pink cloth. Suspended in the air, non-rigid, swinging cradle forms a kind of smooth transition from the state of life in the womb to life in the physical world.
In the first months, the abundance of impressions is not as important as, on the contrary, peace and security.
The main stimulation of development at this age is the contact between mother and child at all levels: bodily, mental and spiritual . There are many opportunities for such emotionally filled, close contact. This is breastfeeding, swaddling, baby care. It is extremely important to understand that the hygienic care of a mother for a child is a process that concerns not only hygiene, but the whole child is involved in it both in body and emotionally and spiritually. This is what many do not understand at present, believing that caring for a child’s body is a purely bodily thing that has nothing to do with intellectual development and that the child needs to be further developed in some other way. Bodily contact between mother and child, feeding, carrying and affection are the main stimuli for the development of the child in the first months of his life, the importance of which remains in the future . This “child-mother” relationship is the pivot on which all development then takes place: emotional, intellectual and bodily.
Everything else you can do – toys, rattles, etc. – all these are only additional incentives for development, but not the basis of it.
A child – especially a small one – is always a whole, and his intellect develops only in the context of general development . Example: when a child plays with enthusiasm and selflessly, then within this process all aspects of his personality develop in harmony, and above all, his creativity, his imagination. But it is precisely this – according to the latest research – that is the most valuable quality of intelligence, and not at all the possession of logical operations. Much more important was the emotional and volitional side of the intellect. It is this creative intelligence that develops primarily in the game. The Waldorf school has a lot of its know-how to awaken and develop the child’s ability for such a game, for which special time is allocated in the program, and special conditions are created in the group. In addition to free play with children, Waldorf groups engage in a wide variety of activities that meet the needs of this age: these are various types of arts, needlework, finger, outdoor and musical games, etc.
Children are told many fairy tales and stories, they show puppet shows, which are often staged by the children themselves, etc. Children, in the vast majority, love to go to the Waldorf kindergarten and even begin to get sick less often.
Waldorf kindergartens accept children from 3.5 years of age and are designed for healthy children. However, in recent years there has been an increase in cases when parents bring children with problems to groups in the hope that their children will be helped in the Waldorf kindergarten. Very often their hopes are justified, but only on the condition that the problems that children come with have a pedagogical, and not an organic reason . For really sick children there is a special branch – curative pedagogy.
Waldorf Kindergarten is open daily. There are full and part-time groups. The group is led by a certified educator who has received special training. Only after some experience of successful work is the group given the name “Waldorf”.
Waldorf family education is carried out, of course, by the parents. For interested parents, classes are held throughout the year on various topics. In many centers for working with preschool children, teachers use elements of Waldorf pedagogy (for example, in the center “Rozhdestvo”, etc.).
Results. Experience has shown that children from Waldorf kindergartens quickly and well adapt to school, although they are not specifically taught according to the school curriculum. They are distinguished by a higher overall stability, sociality – the ability to find oneself in a peer group, creative activity, spontaneity and spontaneity. Studies of the biographies of former Waldorf school graduates have shown that they choose a variety of professions (that is, the school does not push them in any one direction) and that they are successful in life. And this is the most important thing today.
Samara teacher about what a Waldorf kindergarten is and how to get into it > Rubric in Samara
There is an unusual kindergarten in the Zheleznodorozhny district of Samara.
Its employees are adherents of Waldorf pedagogy, which originated almost a hundred years ago in Germany. Olga Matveeva, the teacher of the institution, the curator of the Waldorf groups of the Volga region, told about how this kindergarten differs from others.
— Olga Alekseevna, how did you get acquainted with Waldorf pedagogy?
— I had good teachers at school, but I always wanted something else: more trusting relationships, heart-to-heart communication. Where to go to study further, I also did not know. I was looking for myself, I wanted to be either an actress or a psychologist. Chukovsky helped. I read his book “From Two to Five” and made sure that everything that is in a person is laid down in childhood. This is the foundation for adult life.
I wanted to help little people, make them happy. In the early 90s, after receiving a basic pedagogical education, I found out that in Moscow at one of the universities you can take a course in Waldorf pedagogy.
It seemed to me that I found what I was looking for, finally realized who I want to be. Studied for three years. I have been working in the Samara Waldorf kindergarten since its opening, for 25 years.
— What is the peculiarity, the uniqueness of Waldorf pedagogy?
— Its main goal is the formation and development of a healthy personality. Question about tools. Our methods enable children to independently form their own concepts and judgments. The child is an explorer. He plays and during the game he learns the world.
How are our drawing lessons going, for example? We give the baby three basic colors: yellow, red and blue. And he himself, in a practical way, understands that all the rest can be made from these three colors. When yellow meets red, it becomes orange; when it meets blue, it becomes green. We do not tell them about it, passing on our own knowledge, they come to the answer themselves.
Children are pioneers, little newtons who discover the laws of the existence of the world.
They first do, then they experience, and then they comprehend.
— How many pupils do you have and how to get into your kindergarten?
— Our institution is a municipal institution, but at the same time, thanks to the Department of Education, we work according to our own methods. When the kindergarten was created, we had a lot of questions. But we were heard and supported.
You can get to us, like any other kindergarten, by submitting an application to the MFC. The only problem is that the groups are overcrowded. We would like to have no more than 20 guys in each, but it turns out 28 each. It is clear that in this way you cannot give the necessary attention to everyone. The more kids, the harder it is to do.
— You can have children of different ages in the same group, why?
— I read the works of great teachers, psychologists — Ushinsky, Wenger, and many others. They all said that the company of older children is useful for the little ones: they follow them, recognize their authority.
Older children, in the presence of small ones, feel like adults, try to show their skills and abilities.
This is especially evident in the course of our classes, which we call workshops. Two workshops unfold in parallel, for example, wool felting and drawing. Every child, regardless of age, can choose one of them or move from one to another. The main thing is that he sees the beginning and the end of the process, understands how this world works.
For example, with the onset of cold weather, we all roll wool together, which was given by a sheep. Then we cut out the insole along the child’s leg. He will put it in a boot and will not freeze in winter. And the baby will understand why he is warm. During the harvest period, we grind flour. Parents bring us spikelets, the guys extract grains from them with logs. Then we grind them in a mill and bake buns. In parallel, we sing songs, read poetry. In general, Waldorf pedagogy unobtrusively teaches children to work from a very early age.
— Do parents who already have an idea about Waldorf pedagogy bring their children to you?
– Usually yes. They know about us, they want to get to us. But there are those who have never heard of Waldorf pedagogy. We hold meetings with them, talk about the methodology. There are many who want, much more than we can accept. Now we have three groups, we dream of doing at least four, but so far the space does not allow.
In general, the role of parents in Waldorf pedagogy is very high. Kindergarten is a continuation of home education and vice versa, thus providing a single ideological space. My parents and I are like-minded people. Therefore, before the child comes to our kindergarten, mothers and fathers go through a parental school. These are seven lectures of two hours each. We talk about the principles of Waldorf pedagogy, the importance of toys for preschool children.
Free play is one of the cornerstones of our upbringing. We talk about music, modeling, movement, interaction with the outside world.