Pre-K (3 – 5 years)

Our free pre-k program welcomes children from three to five years old, and equips students with the skills they will need for success in kindergarten. We are an official pre-k provider through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia (OSSE) as a high-quality community based alternative to public school programs.

High-quality and Accredited
Educare DC promotes high-quality learning by ensuring our teachers have the education credentials (including bachelor’s degrees for lead teachers), time, and bandwidth to engage and support their students. We have low teacher:student ratios and continuing education. We are licensed OSSE and are a “Gold” rated program.

Curriculum
Educare DC uses Creative Curriculum, which focuses on language and literacy, social-emotional development, problem-solving, and early math concepts to promote school readiness. The philosophy behind this curriculum is that young children learn best by doing; positive interactions and relationships with adults are critical foundations for successful learning; social-emotional skills are significant factors in school success; the physical environment affects the quality of learning interactions; and teacher-family partnerships support development and learning. To accomplish these objectives, the curriculum addresses four areas of development: social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language. In each area, there is an emphasis on age-appropriate assessments, weekly lesson planning, program planning, teacher supervision, and family engagement.

Educare DC’s curriculum and teaching practices align with the District of Columbia Early Learning Standards for Pre-Kindergarten and the District of Columbia Common Core Early Learning Standards.

Continuity of Care
Educare DC maintains continuity of care so that each child and family has the opportunity to build relationships with their teachers. Children stay with the same classroom teachers from birth to age three, then move to another classroom with new teachers from ages three to five.

Enrichment and Wellness
Educare DC offers a number of vital health and wellness services to our children. We partner with other organizations to provide supplemental programming, such as art, literacy, movement, and music programs.

Family Support
Educare DC supports the whole family. With a team of five family engagement staff, we collaborate with parents as partners in the education of their children. This support includes increasing parents’ knowledge of child development and expectations for school readiness.

Educare DC frequently shares child progress with parents to support further learning both at school and at home. To further support parents as they nurture their children’s potential and strive toward their own personal goals, the school offers access to computers, resources for families facing challenges and support for parents’ personal goals. These programs and resources are vital to ensuring that parents have the help they need to create a thriving environment for their children and themselves.

Inclusive
At Educare DC, children with special needs receive personalized care in their classroom, as part of their regular school day. We support children with special needs and their families through dedicated in-house inclusion specialists, who:

• Help with identifying special needs
• Help parents navigate services and resources
• Work with parents and teachers to bridge the home and the school so that they work as a team to support the child

Educare DC also partners with Strong Start and other District programs to provide onsite therapy and early intervention services. 

Educare DC Difference

• Year-round care
• Health and Comprehensive Services 
• Family Engagement Services 
• Before and After Care 
• Future Scholars Program 

Learn more about how to enroll your child.