ABOUT OUR CENTER
Capital Kids DC is locally owned and our owners work on site. The West End neighborhood has been our home 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 many 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 CURRICULUM
Capital Kids DC has adopted the Experience Curriculum. Just like Capital Kids DC, this thematic and play-based curriculum has been around for over 25 years and continually improved for the benefit of students.
Experience Curriculum's integrated system weaves 35 research-based skills into playful games and discovery projects. The cross-disciplinary model supports a child's on-going social-emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development.
In addition, we supplement our robust curriculum with the following:
- Spanish language music enrichment through our partner, Little Hands Music, an award winning program offering music and movement classes.*
- Soccer provided by Excite Soccer for children 2 and up.*
*Subject to an additional fee
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, Dr. 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 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. As a gay dad with an adopted son who attends Capital Kids DC, Michael's goal is for our center to be one where diversity and differences are valued.​ Building community and improving youth outcomes is more than a business for Michael. He 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 and his husband enjoy checking out coffee shops and museums (when their toddler is cooperative).