Sol Livingston, Center Director

Bio:

For Sol, working with children is not just intellectual but instinctual as her passion has always been to create strong and healthy foundations for children. Sol believes that KinderCare, Isaac Newton Square can make a very positive impact on your child's development and knows that you will feel comfortable and at ease when you leave your children in the center's care. Throughout the years, by listening to and observing children, parents and teachers, Sol has developed the philosophy that a nurturing, safe, and enriching environment gives children a sense of security and freedom, allowing learning to occur naturally. This is the philosophy of her center and it is what makes KinderCare, Isaac Newton Square unique and differentiates it from other centers.

Previous Experience:

Sol has worked in public and private education sectors as a teacher, administrator, and consultant. She has conducted a variety of workshops and trainings around early childhood education and development for schools, parent groups, and organizations such as Foundations for Families, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and most recently, at the Virginia Association of Early Childhood Education's annual conference. Sol Livingston has also contributed to the Office of Head Start’s 2008 art, literacy, and family involvement program, Family Night at the Museum, and is featured in its "A Head Start on Picturing America Resource Guide," a tool used by educators nationwide to integrate art into early childhood classrooms.

Quote:

I am proud to work at a center that encompasses all that a quality early childhood program should be: happy and healthy children, a creative and professional staff, and parents that are warm, supportive and interested in their children’s development!

Ms. Merbouha, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Merbouha has her Child Development Associate's credential and has been working at KinderCare for seven years. Before she started at KinderCare, Ms. Merbouha lived and worked as a teacher in Algeria.

Ms. Sandy, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Sandy was a substitute teacher with various schools in both Texas and New Mexico. In addition Ms. Sandy worked with local high schools as a parent liaison for Spanish speaking families. Ms. Sandy also has an extensive background in customer service.

Ms. Hedia, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Hedia has her Child Development Associate's credential from NOVA and has been working in child care for about 25 years. She loves children with all her heart and no other job would make her happier. Ms. Hedia is very passionate about the work she does with children. Parents feel safe and secure to leave children in her care.

Ms. Afifa, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Afifa has worked in child care for almost seven years and she loves it! Teaching, reading, and playing with children are just a few of the ways how she engages with the children every day.

Ms. Wasan, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Wasan is originally from Iraq, where she worked in a child care center for five years. She is a mother of two beautiful kids: a 16-month-old and a five-year-old. She has a big heart and sincerely enjoys working with the children and staff of at KinderCare, Isaac Newton Sqare.

Ms. Angie, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Angie has her Associate’s Degree in Social Science and is currently studying for a Bachelor’s Degree at UVA. Previously, Ms. Angie was as children’s fitness and sports coach children and has worked as a full-time two-year-old teacher. For Ms. Angie, no feeling is better than to see happy children enjoying themselves and the company of their teachers.

Ms. Sonya, Infant Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Sonya was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. She moved to the United States with her husband and three wonderful children 22 years ago and has lived here ever since. She has been working in this center for over 20 years and she loves it! She enjoys being a part of the children’s lives in helping them learn and develop their skills

Ms. Ryan, Toddler Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Ryan grew up in Leesburg and received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Christopher Newport University. She began working with kids at a karate after-school program when she was 18, and has been caring for children ever since. Ms. Ryan spent four years as a private nanny for families with children ranging in age from two to 14, and she's excited to now be working at KinderCare as a teacher.

Ms. Vera, Discovery Preschool Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Vera holds Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working in the field for 23 years. Ms Vera has managed early childhood programs for several years; however, she enjoys being in the classroom and interacting with the children most of all.

Ms. Stefanie, Prekindergarten Classroom

Bio:

Ever since Ms. Stefanie was young she knew taking care of children was her passion. Babysitting at a young age and taking three years of Early Childhood Education classes in high school helped build Ms. Stefanie’s passion for working with kids. She started working at a child development center after high school and has been in the field ever since. She loves coming to work everyday to teach and spend quality time making an imprint of children’s lives.

Ms. Aziza, Prekindergarten Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Aziza came to the United States in 2001. She ran a home daycare six years in her home and has been working for KinderCare for three years. Ms. Aziza enjoys working with the children. She respects the children in her care just like her own and loves seeing them learn and grow. Ms. Aziza is currently working on her Child Development Associate's credential.

Ms. Carolyn, Prekindergarten Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Carolyn has been in the teaching profession for over 25 years and has been with KinderCare for 22 years, teaching Preschool first and then moving into Prekindergarten for 12 years. Ms. Carolyn provides a well structured, nurturing, and learning classroom providing all the necessary skills for children to do well in Kindergarten. Achievement awards given to Ms. Carolyn’s classroom include Distinct Manager’s Choice Award for the best Prekindergarten classroom in 2012 and Most Enriched Classroom in 2011.

Ms. Lisa, Interactive Private Kindergarten Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Lisa began working in early childhood education. She came to KinderCare in 2004 and worked with the preschoolers, earning the honor of Best Preschool Class in the region in the fall of 2005. After completing her college education, Ms. Lisa was promoted to teach the Private, Interactive Kindergarten at KinderCare, Isaac Newton Square. After a successful first year teaching Kindergarten, Ms. Lisa’s Kindergarten class was chosen as the Best Kindergarten Class on the East Coast. In the spring of 2012, her class scored in the 90th percentile in the Terra Nova standardized test.

Ms. Rio, School Age Classroom and Health and Safety Coordinator

Bio:

Ms. Rio studied at George Mason University and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, with a concentration in Developmental Psychology. With her knowledge for children’s development and her passion of working with the next generation, her attributes make the environment exciting as well as enriching. In the school age class, activities in various developmental areas are ongoing. Long tern projects such as building an igloo from recycled milk cartons, designing a school-age magazine with the children’s art work and writing, and erupting volcanoes keep children from ages five to 12 years interested, stimulated, and engaged in the social environment.

Ms. Cheryl, Learning Adventures Classroom

Bio:

Ms. Cheryl finds it most rewarding working with children by helping them fulfill their potential through Learning Adventures (Phonics, Reading, Math, Science, and Chess). She loves seeing the children advance and progress. For Ms. Cheryl it is really about building a joy for learning! Learning Adventures opens doors for children by giving them a solid foundation for future success.

Quote:

I love being in the world of children. What a wonderful world!