4 Steps Therapeutic Riding Program

A Child's Garden is a preschool and daycare in Severna Park, Maryland, founded in 2001 as a sister school to nearby Wee Lad & Lassie. It is built around the very young learner, with a toddler program starting at 18 months, a 2-year-old program (split into young twos and older twos), and a 3-year-old program. Morning preschool classes run from 9 a.m. to noon, and full-day extended care runs from 7:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. for working families. Attendance is flexible, with schedules ranging from two half-days a week up to five full days. The school is accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), which it earned in 2005 through the Early Childhood Accreditation Project, and it holds a Check Level 5 rating, the highest tier under the Maryland EXCELS quality program, awarded in 2015. The program teaches Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and the Arts through hands-on, play-based activities, and it keeps adult-to-child ratios and group sizes low so teachers can individualize instruction. Teaching staff are degreed and work from developmentally appropriate practice, and the school treats parents as partners in the learning community. A Child's Garden specializes in the care of children with food allergies and operates as a peanut and tree nut free facility. It maintains a Disability Nondiscrimination Policy and points families toward Anne Arundel County special education and ADA resources. The school also runs themed summer camps that mix outdoor play with reading, projects, and weekly themes, held at either the A Child's Garden site or the Wee Lad & Lassie campus at 1281 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd in Arnold, MD. For enrollment, families register by appointment with a $100 registration fee, a two-week deposit, and a signed contract. The school accepts CCS, Childcare Aware, and MCCYN payments. New school year enrollment opens in February, and tours can be scheduled on weekdays between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. by calling the office at (410) 647-2300.

Aberdeen Middle School, known as the home of the Eagles, is dedicated to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for students in grades six through eight. Its core mission focuses on expanding horizons and cultivating a culture of success, specifically catering to a diverse student body that includes those with unique learning needs. The school employs innovative instructional methods and therapeutic programs designed to address various challenges, including language-based learning disabilities and social-emotional difficulties. With a strong emphasis on community support, Aberdeen Middle School stands out as a Community School that provides essential resources through initiatives like its Community Pantry, ensuring that all families have access to necessary assistance. The school's commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio allows for personalized attention and strong family partnerships, enhancing the educational experience. Unique community events further enrich the school's culture, making it not just an educational institution but a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.

The Dr. Charles R. Drew Center at 1200 Swingingdale Drive in Silver Spring (zip 20905) is one of several Montgomery County campuses operated by Academy Child Development Center, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization that has served the area since 1981 and is not part of a childcare chain. This particular location runs a school-age child care program for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade during the school year, with before and after care that operates from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Both full-time and part-time schedules are offered. The center director is Carmen Jackson, and the site sits in a quiet residential neighborhood with large setbacks, free parking, separate outdoor play areas for different ages, basketball courts, and open green space. Academy's leadership and staff bring backgrounds in early education, special education, elementary education, and business, which is relevant for families whose children have developmental challenges or language-based learning disabilities. Language and literacy are treated as the foundation of the curriculum, and the organization emphasizes smaller teacher-to-child ratios so children get more individualized attention. Across Academy programs, enrichment classes in art, music, and Spanish are part of the curriculum and included in tuition. The not-for-profit also maintains partnerships with Montgomery County Public Schools, Mental Health Consultation Services, and the Gaithersburg Judy Center. All Academy programs are accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), licensed by the MSDE Office of Child Care, and hold a Maryland Excels Level 5 rating. Staff complete FBI and State of Maryland background checks with fingerprinting and reference checks, and are trained in CPR, First Aid, emergency preparedness, and medication administration. The buildings use cameras and limited-access entries, with daily sanitizing plus professional after-hours cleaning. The Drew Center accepts financial assistance, including Working Parents Assistance (WPA) and Purchase of Care (POC) vouchers. Across its locations Academy also works with the Maryland Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program, the Infant and Toddler EquiCare Grant, the PreKindergarten Expansion Grant, and Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN). The center provides a morning and an afternoon snack, while families pack a healthy lunch. To reach this location, call 301-989-0245 or email cdacademy@academychild.com.