Growing Minds Learning Center, Bethesda

She was a wonderful caregiver to our son. She created a warm and energetic environment for him to learn and play. We miss her!

Until our children started attending this family child care, I thought it was just a common phrase that "they will take care of your children as if they were their own." This is not just a phrase. This has been our experience with her program. Since he was an infant, our oldest son attended three different large childcare centers. They were fine, but we were just one a hundred families, looking to find personalized attention and care where there was none. We wanted our children to attend a program with structure, accountability and attention to personal growth. We wanted communication with our childrens' teachers about their daily routine, their growth, and other challenges we might not see at home. We found exactly what we were looking for at this family child care. So conveniently located for us across the street from the NIH, we quickly noticed differences about her program that quickly elevated it above the larger center-based programs. Montessori-type gross and fine motor skills activities. An emphasis on cooperative play and make-believe. Recognition of our children's strengths and tailoring activities to them. We never observed this level of attentiveness at the larger centers with our son, so when space was available we quickly enrolled his younger sister as well into her toddler program. After our third child was born, we reserved an infant space for her. We could not be happier with our decision to entrust all three of our children to the care of her program. We receive updates throughout the day in the form of pictures, meals/snacks and other activities through the app. Our older children LOVE her homemade and healthy lunches and snacks. We get the opportunity to talk to her every day about our children, which was never possible at the larger centers. Our children are getting the best of both worlds -- a high quality, safe and licensed early childcare experience with the love and care that only a family child care center like her's can provide.

We have had Mikey with this child care provider since April and he adores her. She is so loving and kind with babies and has great knowledge of childcare to share and very trust worthy. We have used her as babysitter as well and trusted her in our home.

My son attended this daycare from 8 months until he was almost 3. He is now at a preschool and is doing amazing! The provider prepared him so well through the structure and curriculum that she provided. He was more than ready for preschool! I always felt that my son was very safe and she always had his best interest in mind.

Both our toddler and our newborn are at this daycare. We love the environment! Lots of fun activities for all ages, great food, loving staff, they were definitely able to help our newborn transition to daycare... it's been really wonderful!