Severn School

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.

SmartFit Kids (also branded SmartFit Kids Academy) is a childcare and enrichment center at 780 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park, Maryland, serving families across Anne Arundel County including Arnold, Pasadena, Annapolis, and Glen Burnie. It runs three main programs: a full-day preschool, a before and after school care program for school-age children, and summer camps. The full-day preschool serves children ages 3 to 5 who are toilet trained, and is taught by a preschool teacher certified and licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education. Classroom work focuses on reading, writing, math, social skills, and physical skills, with added enrichment in STEM, Chinese, Spanish, Lego Robotics, and art. Taekwondo is included in the cost of full-day preschool tuition. The before and after school program picks children up from their schools at dismissal and runs until 6:00pm. Transportation is provided from several Anne Arundel County elementary schools, including Arnold, Broadneck, Belvedere, Cape St. Claire, Folger McKinsey, Jones, Oakhill, Benfield, and Severna Park. Afternoons include homework help, group practice in language arts and math, and martial arts Monday through Thursday, with fitness activities on Fridays. Optional introductory Chinese, Spanish, and STEM classes are offered for an additional fee. Registration involves a tour, an online enrollment form, a one-time fee of $315, and completion of MSDE paperwork reviewed with the director. After-school clubs, including a Chess Club open to enrolled and non-enrolled children, run after the homework segment. Summer camp spans roughly ten weeks (June 22 to August 21, 2026) and is split into three age groups: STEM Camp and Adventure Camp for children ages 6 and up, and Young Explorers Camp for those 5 and under, who follow Maryland's separate supervision ratios for younger children. Camp days run 8:00am to 5:00pm with optional before care (7:00 to 8:00am) and after care (5:00 to 6:00pm) at $50 per week each. STEM and Adventure tuition runs from $395 down to $355 per week with multi-week discounts, or $100 per day for drop-in; Young Explorers runs $425 down to $400 per week. Multi-week discounts, pay-in-full or three-installment payment plans, and a tiered cancellation policy are available. Families can reach the center at 410-777-9398 or admin@smartfitkidsacademy.com.

4STEPS Therapeutic Riding Program is a nonprofit therapeutic riding center on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, located in the Wicomico Forest at 5367 Sixty Foot Rd in Parsonsburg. Sandy Winter founded the program in 2002, and it operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a PATH International Member Center. The program serves children and adults with disabilities, including developmental, emotional, and physical challenges, using therapeutic riding and equine assisted activities. The farm setting includes an outdoor arena, a covered arena, and sensory trails, so sessions can run year round and move outdoors for trail rides through the forest. Programs cover both mounted and unmounted work. Therapeutic and Recreational Riding focuses on horsemanship and basic riding skills while working on muscle strength, coordination, balance, stamina, self confidence, and social interaction. Equine Assisted Learning and Horsemanship offers unmounted, experiential activities on the farm. The HORSEPOWER Empowerment Program uses horses for communication, problem solving, team building, and emotional growth, built around its four parts of Healing, Learning, Growing, and Riding. Equi-Thera-Play pairs horses with sensory stations, crafts, and outdoor play and is geared toward children, with an emphasis on social skills and engagement that fits families navigating autism. The center also runs HORSEPLAY, an adaptive summer camp, and Operation Charlie Horse, which provides riding lessons, trail rides, and seasonal trail ride socials for veterans, active and retired military, and their families. Private, one-on-one lessons are available for participants who prefer individual instruction, and programs can be tailored to individual needs. Summer camp cost varies according to available funding, so families should contact the program directly about pricing and any financial assistance. Instruction comes from certified therapeutic riding instructors, including PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI) and CHA-certified instructors for riders with disabilities, supported by a trained volunteer team that helps keep sessions safe. Every participant completes an application and health history before riding. The 2026 spring session runs from March 3rd through May 23rd. The program can be reached at giddyup4steps@aol.com.