Childway Early Learning Center

Childway Early Learning Center includes individual and small group activities such as talking, playing, moving, singing, and reading. Children take part in active learning through hands-on activities, play, and self-exploration, with a focus on language development and socialization. Daily experiences can include books, finger plays, songs, felt board stories, games, arts and crafts, learning centers, and snack time, along with outdoor play for thirty minutes a day when the weather allows.

• Ages: 0–12 years old
• Schedule: Children have a set homework time that usually begins at 5:00 PM, and they go outside for thirty minutes daily, weather permitting.

Programs at Childway Early Learning Center include an Infant Program, Toddler Program, 2 Years Old Program, 3–5 Years Old Program, a Kindergarten Program at the Burtonsville location, a Before & After Care Program, and a summer camp described as “Unleash the Adventure: Summer Camp Fun Starts Here!” The Before and After Care program accepts children until 12 years of age, and children in the after-school program are served a snack upon arrival and are encouraged, but not forced, to eat it. Children are encouraged to put away all toys and equipment at clean-up and departure.

The program includes developmentally appropriate activities to strengthen muscles and supports math, memory, writing, and phonics skills, as well as homework time beginning at 5:00 PM. Children have access to a Game Area and Quiet Area activities, and potty training is supported with pull-up diapers to help transition to underwear. During potty training, parents receive a schedule of the times the child went to the bathroom and each time the child was changed, and parents are encouraged to have time for potty training at home.

Staff at Childway Early Learning Center stay up to date in the latest child care training, are well evaluated, and receive additional training. As of Fall 2015, the Investigator Club curriculum is used, and the Kindergarten program uses the Investigator Club curriculum with S.T.E.A.M. as of Fall 2015. All of the programs are licensed by the Maryland EXCELS program.

The mission at Childway Early Learning Center states that young children learn by doing and that maturation contributes to learning by providing a framework for how learning proceeds. The mission explains that children acquire knowledge about the physical and social worlds through playful interaction with objects and people and are self-motivated by their desire to make sense of the world they live in. It also states that, in addition to academic skills, each individual should develop intellectual capabilities and learn to live in a social environment, including thinking creatively, reasoning logically, applying knowledge usefully, dealing with abstract concepts, solving problems, developing knowledge of themselves and others, developing sensitivity to others and their needs, and developing the ability to act responsibly.

A parent testimonial states, “My 2 year old daughter loves coming to daycare. Every morning she greets all the teachers with a smile and they embrace her each time. I would definitely recommend parents sending their child/children to Childway. I know that while I'm at work my child is safe and well taken care of. Thank You Childway!!!” from Brie F.

Last updated January 22, 2026.