Educational Childcare and Preschool
ABOUT OUR CENTER
Capital Kids DC is locally owned and our owners work on site. We have been a part of the West End neighborhood for over 25 years. Unlike many other centers, this is our one and only location and all of our love and attention goes into it. As far as childcare centers go, we are a small one! We enroll up to 60 children which is considerably less than other schools. Our small size is a strength and means more individualized attention for your child and a community feel that is sometimes lacking in larger centers.
We are located in the WWF headquarters building and our center is only accessible from inside the building. Anyone using the rear entrance of the building must use a key code, our suite is only accessible through key-coded interior door, and our building employs a full time security guard who is in the lobby. Also, parents have use of designated parking for drop off and pick up!
OUR OWNERS
Sulfyna Murji. For 20 years Sulfyna has worked inside and outside the classroom in North America, Central Asia and the Middle East. Born in Vancouver, Canada, she has taught, trained teachers, served in various administrative roles, and managed an international preschool while her and her husband lived overseas. Sulfyna is passionate educator and advocate for children with special needs. Her hope for Capital Kids DC is that every student meets their full potential while developing a deep love for learning. Sulfyna has two boys, her eldest is a junior in high school and youngest is in middle school. She and her family love movie nights at home and family bike rides!
Michael Jimenez. When Michael and his husband decided to adopt, he knew he wanted a hand in shaping his child's earliest experiences and ended his in-house corporate lawyer days. His goal is for Capital Kids DC to be an inclusive community where everyone is valued and differences are cherished. Michael serves on the board of a local non-profit which creates opportunities for Latino and other historically underserved youth to realize their highest potential and thrive. He also serves as a Commissioner on the Montgomery County Commission on Children and Youth. He enjoys checking out coffee shops and museums. Oh, and in 2021 he and his husband welcomed the most beautiful baby who now attends Capital Kids DC!
OUR EDUCATORS
Our Director and teachers are dedicated educators who have pursued careers in early childhood education. On average, our teachers have worked here for over 6 years and some have worked here for 15+ years. Our Director, Ms. Erika, has her Ed.D in Educational Leadership and over 20 years of experience in early childhood education.
We offer teachers up to three weeks of vacation and an extra week of paid leave during Winter Break in addition to reimbursement for their CPR certification and CDA certification. We also participate in the Healthcare4ChildCare program which provides major medical health coverage to all full time employees without any employee contribution (starting 1/23). As a DC employer, our employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid parental leave and 12 weeks of leave to care for themselves or a family member's serious health condition. We are proud of our teachers and support them so they can best support our students!
OUR CURRICULUM
We are strong proponents of play-based education, a research-backed approach to early childhood education focusing on purposeful and supervised play. As children, we learn through play. Our teachers meet students at their level and introduce developmentally appropriate concepts into play. Our curriculum has a strong focus on books designed to help infuse a love of books and reading into our students.
Typical activities include:
- Story time and incorporating concepts from a "book of the week".
- Sensory and art activities tied to weekly and monthly themes.
- Outdoor play in the green spaces and parks that border our school.
- School play activities with developmentally appropriate toys and materials
- Weekly music enrichment through our partner, Little Hands Music, an award winning program offering music and movement classes.*
- Two soccer season annually provided by Excite Soccer for children 2 and up.*
*Subject to an additional fee