Tondelia Ward-Smalls, Center Director
Ages: 16 months to 12 years
Open:
Elementary Schools Bussed To:
Orange Hunt, Cardinal Forrest, Keene Mill, West Springfield, Rolling Valley
Now serving Kings Park Elementary!
Our center is accredited by NAEYC.
Welcome to West Springfield KinderCare
Welcome to West Springfield KinderCare! We're located in Springfield, VA, within 6 miles of Annandale and 12 miles of Alexandria. We are staffed by dedicated teachers who possess the training, skills, and passion to create engaging and cheerful learning environments that help your child reach their potential. We are passionate about providing your children with all the support and the tools they need to be successful in all aspects of life and develop all facets of childhood growth.
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.
West Springfield KinderCare Programs
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!
Prekindergarten Programs (4–5 Years)
When you walk into one of our pre-K classrooms, you’ll see artwork and writing displayed around the room. Labels are everywhere to help kids connect letters with words. You’ll also see pictures on the walls that reflect the families in our community. Your child will also deepen their knowledge in language, math, science, Spanish, and social skills.
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.
Participating Child Care Aware Center
KinderCare partners with Child Care Aware® of America to offer fee assistance for Active Duty military families and flexible support to fit their needs when care at a Child Development Center on the installation is not available.
Learning Adventures - Enrichment Program
Cooking Academy™ (3 – 12 Years)
In Cooking Academy, kids learn new recipes from cultures around the world and develop a healthy relationship with food. They’ll whip up everything from Southwest rainbow lettuce wraps to pumpkin muffins, building their skills in STEM, communication, and more along the way. And yes—little chefs get to eat their culinary creations!
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!
-
“
My three year old daughter has been with Ms. Kristin for nine months now and I've been impressed with how well she knows my daughter even though she only attends part time. From working closely with her physical therapist in the class when she had one, to helping me get the pacifier away and get her potty trained, she has been a great support. She has provided me with excellent feedback on her progress and been open to hearing my concerns. My seven year old daughter attends after school and on most school holidays and has lots of fun! Whether they are working on a cooking project or making up a game, she has made some good friends who attend other schools which I think is really great. As a family, we love and appreciate Parents Night Out! Being new to the area without family makes it difficult to have a date night, this has been really helpful to us. Whenever I had a concern, Andrea, Chris and Bibi heard me out and acted swiftly to rectify the situation. Whether I am popping my head in the office with a quick question or just to chat, they always make me comfortable and greet my girls with a warm hello or hug.
”Carolyn K. - KinderCare Parent
-
“
We enrolled our daughter into the West Springfield KinderCare initially based on location. Living and working in Springfield, we wanted a center that would be accessible and had hours that supported both of our work schedules. We also needed an environment that would be supportive of our daughter as she had some speech and communication delays. The transition for our daughter was just wonderful. The center director sent me pictures on the first day so that I could see her in class and happy. Her teacher and the assistant have treated her like she is their child and provide a tremendous amount of encouragement and support for our daughter and her language needs. The entire staff know her by name and on those days when she decides to show all of her true three year old colors, they are all right there to give her a hug and help get her back on track. We have loved our experience thus far and look forward to one more fantastic year!
”Valerie H. - KinderCare Parent
-
“
We've been a part of the KinderCare family for about a year now. The staff goes out of their way to welcome the boys every day. We love the pre-school program and the teachers. My son is excited to go to KinderCare every day, which means a lot to me. The facility is well run and the teachers are wonderful to our kids, and us too!
”Leigh Ann S. - KinderCare Parent
-
“
Our daughter Megan has been attending KinderCare in West Springfield for nearly two years and we have loved watching her flourish socially and educationally. We have had an even better experience than expected as it relates to her finding a happy place that she's excited to visit every day and have also been amazed by how quickly she's advancing verbally since starting her phonics class at the center. And, when we hit a rough patch with an incident at the school, the entire staff was supportive, transparent and made changes and worked with us to ensure that Megan is safe and trusts her teachers and environment.
”Julie P. - KinderCare Parent
-
“
My son was at KinderCare for 2.5 years and when it came time to decide what pre-school my daughter would go to, there was no question what our choice was going to be -- the KinderCare on Bauer Drive in Springfield. My son was and my daughter is extremely well cared for both academically and emotionally. The center teachers understand that each child is different but create an environment where all of the children are included and loved. The center director and assistant director manage the facility seamlessly and ensure it is a safe and clean environment every hour of every day of the week. I am very lucky that this day care and learning center is so convenient to my house since I would not choose any other.
”Susan K. - KinderCare Parent
-
“It is clear that the entire staff at West Springfield Kindercare genuinely cares about the school, the children, and the curriculum. They have gone out of their way to make us feel welcomed and valued. They take action where ever needed and this flexibility and willingness to help is priceless. The facility is filled with artwork and projects made by the kids and it is clear that the teachers and staff make a significant effort to ensure that the kids are engaged and learning in a fun way. Any concerns that pop up are addressed promptly, patiently and in a tailored way that best fits with our kids or situation. Best of all, our kids LOVE their school and teachers and as a result have really blossomed. My older son has actually come home counting in Spanish!”
Rebekah L. - KinderCare Parent
-
“
West Springfield KinderCare is the best of the best. We were nervous about moving from an in-home daycare to begin with (and during a pandemic no less!) and West Springfield KinderCare made the transition seamless. They are taking every precaution necessary while also providing a warm, nurturing environment for all children. Our daughter has THRIVED in their pre-k classroom. Ms. Saher is spoken about daily (and always very highly) in our home because our daughter loves her so much. She does an amazing job of balancing social-emotional learning, free and cooperative play, academics, and everything else. Those children will be 100% prepared for kindergarten and then some. Mr. Kenny knows all children by name, greets them at the door and every single child is excited to see him-he has built a relationship with every family in a very short amount of time. We will be forever grateful for the care they have provided our daughter. West Springfield KinderCare-you are AMAZING!!
”Maya N. - 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 West Springfield KinderCare?
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 West Springfield KinderCare?
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.