Raquel Santiago, Center Director
Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
Open:
Neighborhood:
Located at Windward Parkway and Edison on the ADP campus
Elementary Schools Bussed To:
None
Our center is accredited by NAEYC.
Welcome to Windward Child Development Center
Welcome to Windward Child Development Center, located on the beautiful campus of ADP in Alpharetta, GA. Here, everyone belongs in our circle — we love our families and meeting new friends. We offer specialized discover preschool programs as well as phonics and music enrichment programs in addition to our engaging and inclusive toddler, preschool, and kindergarten programs. It's our mission from the moment you walk into our center that you feel welcomed and a part of our KinderCare family!
Our classrooms are places to thrive!
In our safe and healthy classrooms, your child will be engaged in learning experiences that meet them where they are, both socially and academically. With fun daily activities, passionate teachers, and great friends, a lifetime of confidence starts here. Contact the center director to learn more about our child care options and schedule a tour!
Meet Raquel Santiago, Our Center Director
At KinderCare Since: 2004
Education: Child Development Associate
Favorite Children's Book: Frog and Toad
Meet Raquel Santiago! She is the Center Director at Windward Child Development Center in Alpharetta, Georgia. Raquel attended Seminole State College and holds a Child Development Associate credential. She has been with KinderCare since 2004. Every day, Raquel enjoys helping children learn and discover their true potential. Her favorite quote is, “Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.” – Maria Montessori. Outside of work, Raquel enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her family.
AMERICA’S MOST ACCREDITED
We’re so proud!
Nationally only 10% of daycares are accredited - nearly 100% of our learning centers are. That’s a big difference, and that means KinderCare kids are getting the very best. Here’s why.
SCHOOL-READY
What Learning Looks Like
Our talented early-childhood teachers set kids down the path toward becoming lifelong learners in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment.
Windward Child Development Center Programs
Infant Programs (6 weeks–1 year)
Leaving your baby in someone else’s care is a big step. Everyone at our centers—most importantly, our naturally gifted infant teachers—will work with you to make sure the transition goes smoothly. When you step into our infant classroom, you’ll see how much we want your infant to feel safe, loved, and ready to explore their world.
Toddler Programs (1–2 Years)
Everything in our toddler classroom is designed for little explorers. That’s because a lot is going on at this age. When your child is wandering all over the place, that means they’re learning and discovering new things every day. We’ll help them explore their interests (and find new ones!) as they play and learn.
Discovery Preschool Programs (2–3 Years)
This age is filled with so much wonder and curiosity. That’s why we offer a ton of books and toys and bring artwork down to kids eye level. Children in discovery preschool also begin to learn how we all work together in a classroom. Simple math and science, pretend play, and group play help them get used to a more structured school setting.
Preschool Programs (3–4 Years)
This age is all about expression, when kids really start to form their own ideas about what they want to play and how they want to create. Every day in our preschool classroom, your child will explore science experiments, create artwork, and play pretend—all the skills needed for their big next step: kindergarten!
Before- and After-School Programs (5–12 Years)
You can count on us to provide reliable care for your school-ager while you’re at work, with safe transportation from our center to your child’s school and back! Whether your child wants to start a drama club, build a volcano, or create a comic book, they will have a place to follow their dreams. Your child will start and end the day with a whole lot of fun!
School Break Programs (preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age)
Winter break, spring break, summer break—when school’s out (but you still need to work), you can count on KinderCare to provide a safe and supportive learning environment that’s focused on fun. We welcome children ages 5–12 during school break times and make sure they have a sensational, screen-free experience they won’t forget.
Georgia Preschool
Learning Adventures - Enrichment Program
Music Explorers™ (2 – 4 Years)
KinderCare families are already giving a standing ovation to our newest Learning Adventures program: Music Explorers! Kids will learn to sing, move, listen, play instruments, and even create their own tunes. Our original curriculum blends math, science, social studies, literacy, and mindfulness (think yoga!) for a uniquely KinderCare way of learning the foundations of music.
Phonics Adventures® (2 – 4 Years)
Learning how to read is a whole lot of fun at KinderCare! We help kids grow to love books and words (and get ready for kindergarten) in our Phonics Adventures program. From discovering the basics of vowels to practicing poetry, kids learn all about letters and sounds in small-group lessons made just for their age group. (Bonus: Kids who attend our phonics program are more prepared than their peers for school—and we have the data to prove it.)
STEM Innovators (3-8 Years)
You’ve probably heard a lot about how important STEM education is for your child, but what does that really mean? Our STEM Innovators program takes kids’ natural ability to make sense of the world and applies it to robotics, chemistry, coding, geology, and more. While your child experiments, they’ll discover how to use technology to do amazing things!
Our Teachers
We're the only company in early childhood education to select teachers based on natural talent. Being a great educator isn't enough though. KinderCare teachers are also amazing listeners, nurturers, boo-boo fixers, and smile-makers. Put more simply, we love our teachers and your child will, too.
Meet just a few of our amazing KinderCare teachers!
A KINDERCARE TEACHER WITH
An Artist's Heart
"My classroom is full of art!” says Mary Annthipie-Bane, an award-winning early childhood educator at KinderCare. Art and creative expression, she says, help children discover who they really are.
We put our best-in-class teachers in a best-in-class workplace. We're so proud to have been named one of Gallup's 37 winners of the Great Workplace Award. When you put great teachers in an engaging center, your children will experience an amazing place to learn and grow.
Family Stories
Don't take our word for it. Hear what our families have to say about our amazing center!
-
“
I would like to share my experiences from when I first called Windward Child Development Center. I was going through a really rough patch and needed to get my daughter into prekindergarten. I searched and searched, called a few schools, but none of them felt right, even from phone conversations. I called and Ms. Raquel answered. She told me there were two slots left: one was about to be filled and one slot had a family coming to view the school. As soon as I hung up, I went straight to the school. Ms. Raquel was very inviting and made me feel really good. All of the teachers are welcoming--it's almost like walking into a family member's home. We have been a part of this family for a couple months, but it seems like years! I appreciate all the hard work the staff does daily and I wish there was a way to repay them for putting up with my four-year-old! Out of all of the daycare facilities I have been with, Ms. Raquel and her team have truly set the standard! They are always keeping the parents informed and each one of the staff members are very personable. Words cannot express how happy my family is with the center.
”Tonya F. - KinderCare Parent
-
“
I absolutely love bringing my son to Windward! The facility is clean and the staff is wonderful. Ms. Janet and Ms. Raquel have both really taken the time to get to know my son and he just loves them both. He really enjoys going to school and has learned so much in the year that he has been enrolled. Thank you for taking such great care of him. I know I don’t have to worry when I leave him, and that is a great feeling.
”Shannon B. - KinderCare Parent
-
“
As a parent, I entrust my greatest blessing to the staff at Windward every day, and I am grateful for the loving care and guidance she receives. The teachers and Director look at children as individuals, with their own strengths and needs. My daughter has been blessed with awesome teachers who understand her and handle her with grace. My child has learned so much and continues to share with me the great activities that go on each day at "school!" Thank you to Windward for an incredible early childhood curriculum that engages and teaches at all steps of the day, and a special thanks to Ms. Raquel and her staff--they continue to do amazing works of "heart" with all children.
”Soni S. - KinderCare Parent
-
“
My children have been in attendance since we moved from New Jersey at the end of 2013. My girls were treated as if they have been there since they were babies--my family adapted really quickly and we immediately felt like we were a part of this great family. I can't honestly say that until this day I haven't had a complaint or a situation where I have felt unhappy with the daycare center. Starting from the center's Director, Assistant Director, teachers, facility, and the way my kids never want to leave the facility, I am very pleased. As a parent, I can work worry-free knowing that my kids are well taken care of, loved, and guided appropriately. I am free to always have discussions with the teachers, and I never feel rushed--they always have time to explain my children's progression. It's amazing to also see how the Director is involved in the classes and the children's activities. The staff truly cares about the children and their families--I recommend this wonderful child care center.
”The Mota Family - KinderCare Parent
Who Are KinderCare Families?
They hail from hundreds of cities across the country from countless backgrounds, and proudly represent every walk in life. What our families have in common, though, is the want to give their children the best start in life. We are so proud to be their partner in parenting.
Hear from just a few of our amazing KinderCare families.
A Globe-Trotting Family Finds A
Home in Houston
Four young children, four different passports, two languages, two full-time jobs…oh, and a few triathlons thrown in for good measure. Meet the globe-trotting Colettas—a family on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accreditations does KinderCare have?
We are your trusted caregiver. Our centers are state-licensed and regularly inspected to make sure everything meets or exceeds standards, including child-to-teacher ratios and safe facilities. Our centers aren’t just licensed—most are accredited, too! Find out more.
Do you offer part-time schedules at Windward Child Development Center?
Everybody’s schedule is different. We’re happy to offer quality, affordable part-time and full-time childcare. Drop-in care may also be available. Reach out to your Center Director to learn more.
How does naptime work at Windward Child Development Center?
Our teachers meet every child’s needs during naptime. Our teachers know how to get babies to nap. In fact, they are pros at getting children of any age to nap. Visit our article on "10 Ways We Help Kids Get a Great Daycare Nap" to learn more.
Do you support alternative diets?
We strive to be as inclusive as possible. To that point, we provide a vegetarian option at mealtime, take care to not serve common allergens and can adapt menus based on your child’s food sensitivities. If your child has additional needs, we’ll work with you to figure out a plan.
Are meals included in tuition? Can I choose to send my child with lunch?
We provide nutritious meals and snacks developed by a registered dietician to meet the needs of rapidly growing bodies and minds. If your child has special dietary requirements and you would prefer to bring in their lunch, please make arrangements with the center director.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
Every child begins toilet learning at a different age. Until your child shows an interest in toilet learning, we’ll provide diaper changes on an as-needed basis. When your child shows an interest, we'll discuss how to work together to encourage toilet learning.