Early Childhood Programs
Nurturing curious minds from infancy through Pre-K — a safe, loving, faith-centered environment where children build self-esteem, friendships, and a lifelong love of learning.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Learning Through Play & Faith
Our Early Childhood program is licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education and is designed to build self-esteem, self-confidence, and positive relationships in a safe, clean environment.
Children are encouraged to play, question, think for themselves, and verbalize their feelings. We focus on social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through hands-on experiences, meaningful routines, and a nurturing Islamic atmosphere where faith is at the heart of learning.
From daily Quranic audio during rest time to learning beginner Surahs and duas, Islamic values are woven naturally into every part of the day — building character, compassion, and a love for Allah from the earliest age.
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Daycare
6 months – 2 years
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Preschool
Ages 2–3 (potty trained)
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Pre-Kindergarten
Age 4 by September 30
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Hours
7:45 AM – 4:00 PM
OUR CURRICULUM
Powered by Experience Curriculum
Our Daycare and Preschool classrooms follow the Experience Curriculum by Brightwheel — a research-based early learning program that combines digital lesson planning with hands-on monthly material kits delivered to our classrooms. Paired with our Islamic values framework, it creates a joyful, faith-centered learning experience.
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Science of Reading
Systematic, research-based instruction in phonics and phonological awareness to build strong literacy foundations.
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Hands-On Kits
Monthly material deliveries with storybooks, manipulatives, games, art projects, and music resources for engaging activities.
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Social-Emotional Growth
Emphasis on problem-solving, positive peer interactions, and building confidence through collaborative learning.
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Math Foundations
Strengthened number sense, early computation skills, and mathematical thinking through playful exploration.
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Bilingual Support
Spanish teaching resources and literacy kits support our bilingual learning environment for dual-language learners.
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Family Connection
Digital integration through Brightwheel lets families track their child’s progress and see learning activities in real time.
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8 Learning Domains
Covering 36 skills and 73 subskills across cognitive, physical, creative, and social-emotional development areas.
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Approaches to Learning
Fosters curiosity, exploration, and flexible thinking — encouraging children to discover and grow at their own pace.
The Experience Curriculum covers three age groups: Baby (3–18 months), Toddler (18 months–3 years), and Preschool (3–5 years) — aligning perfectly with our Daycare and Preschool programs.
PROGRAM DETAILS
6 MONTHS – 2 YEARS
Daycare
Infants and toddlers receive warm, nurturing care from qualified caregivers. Following the Experience Curriculum by Brightwheel, children engage in research-based sensory activities, art, educational songs, circle time, outdoor play, and imaginative free play.
What They’ll Learn:
• Colors, shapes, alphabets, and numbers 1–10
• Fine and gross motor skill development
• Hand-eye coordination and social skills
• Beginner Surahs and Islamic routines
• Spanish colors, numbers, shapes, and days of the week
Bilingual: Spanish instruction incorporated daily · Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
AGES 2–3 · POTTY TRAINED
Preschool
Guided by the Experience Curriculum, our preschool provides a safe, nurturing, and engaging early learning environment that fosters independence and critical thinking, preparing students for Pre-K as confident, lifelong learners.
What They’ll Learn:
• Alphabet recognition and beginning writing
• Counting to 20, shapes, and patterns
• Body parts, senses, family, and nature
• Fine and gross motor skill strengthening
• Beginner Surahs and daily duas
• Independence in self-care and clean-up routines
Quranic audio plays during rest time · Hours: 7:45 AM – 4:00 PM
AGE 4 BY SEPTEMBER 30
Pre-Kindergarten
A structured, play-based program blending Islamic education with comprehensive early learning. Students build kindergarten readiness through hands-on STEAM experiments, public speaking, and station-based activities.
What They’ll Learn:
• Phonics, reading readiness, and math concepts
• STEAM experiments and science exploration
• Arts and crafts — drawing, cutting, and gluing
• Public speaking and peer sharing
• Daily Quranic memorization and Islamic character lessons
Field trips to Smithsonian museums, local farms, and community sites · Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
A DAY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
Sample Daily Schedules
Daycare & Preschool
8:00 Arrival & Breakfast
9:00 Circle Time
9:30 Snack & Restroom
10:00 Small Group Instruction
10:45 Outdoor / Indoor Play
11:30 Lunch
12:30 Story Time
12:45 Nap with Quranic Audio
2:30 Afternoon Snack
3:00–4:00 Pick-up
Pre-Kindergarten
8:00 Morning Meeting
9:30 Snack Time
10:00 Phonics, Math, or Science
11:00 Islamic Studies, P.E., or Art
11:40 Lunch
12:15 Free Play
1:00 Library Time
1:30 Quiet Time
2:40 Snack Time
3:00 Group Du’aa & Dismissal
Enrichment & Experiences
Field Trips
Smithsonian museums, local farms, fire stations, and DC-area attractions.
Special Events
Mommy & Me Day, STEAM Day, International Day, and Career Day.
Bilingual Learning
Daily Spanish instruction in Daycare — colors, numbers, shapes, and vocabulary in English and Spanish.
OUR TEAM
Meet Our Early Childhood Teachers
Our dedicated team brings years of experience, professional training, and a deep love for working with young children. Every teacher is committed to creating a warm, safe, and joyful learning environment.
Daycare
Sr. Greisa Torres
A nurse graduate who discovered her passion for early childhood education in 2010. With 11 years of preschool teaching and administration experience, Sr. Greisa brings a hands-on, bilingual approach — incorporating daily Spanish instruction. Mother of five MCS students.
Daycare
Sr. Greidy Pacheco
Originally from Cuba with seven years of nursing experience including neonatology and cardiovascular surgery. Sr. Greidy brings a caring, clinical eye to early childhood — ensuring every child feels safe, healthy, and surrounded by joyful, creative moments.
Preschool
Sr. Lule Burrow
A qualified preschool teacher with 15 years of business experience in staff training and development. A member of the school community since 2014 with four children attending Alim Academy, Sr. Lule understands both sides of the parent-teacher partnership.
Preschool
Sr. Khadija Khatun
With prior Montessori school experience in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Sr. Khadija joined the community in 2023 and quickly became a full-time teacher. She is dedicated to supporting each child’s growth through engaging, nurturing learning experiences.
Pre-Kindergarten
Sr. Irda Nurwahyuni
With 11 years of Pre-K teaching experience, Sr. Irda brings deep expertise in blending foundational Islamic learning with emotional, intellectual, physical, and academic skill-building — creating a classroom where every child feels valued and inspired.
Pre-Kindergarten
Sr. Maryam Esmailpour
With four years of experience teaching ages 3–5, Sr. Maryam specializes in play-based learning, storytelling, hands-on activities, and art — creating joyful and meaningful experiences that spark curiosity and a love for discovery in every child.
PARENT TESTIMONIAL
“Their patience, creativity, passion, and enthusiasm is incomparable. Everyday, our daughter is beyond excited to go to school!”
— M.T., Pre-K Parent
Early Childhood Parent Portal
Early Childhood families use Brightwheel for daily updates, photos, attendance records, and tuition payments.