About Kidstretch
Preschool & Child Care Center
Phone: 703-300-7329 | Fax: 703-237-4540
Hours: 8:15AM-5:30PM
303 S. Maple Ave, Ste. 100, Falls Church, VA 22046
[email protected]
License #: CDC 1107131-L110
Kidstretch is a Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) classroom. VPI is a state initiative that provides access to high-quality preschool programs for 4-year-olds with eligible incomes. VPI programs such as ours support school readiness and success in kindergarten and beyond. Kidstretch students follow a state-approved, developmentally appropriate curriculum to address their learning needs. By participating in the VPI program, Kidstretch provides child screenings for hearing, vision, developmental, dental and mental health, as well as family engagement opportunities. All of our children ages three to five reap the benefits of participating in our VPI classroom.
Quality early learning matters to Kidstretch, which is why we are a part of Virginia Quality Birth to 5 (VQB5). Through this program, we are focused on strengthening our teaching skills and demonstrating our quality in areas proven to matter to children’s school success. View our 2023-2024 quality performance information at: Kidstretch-178 | Virginia Department of Education (virginia.gov). Kidstretch received a quality ranking of “Exceeds Expectations,” placing us in the top 3% of participating sites in Virginia.
History
Homestretch, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in 1990 to help homeless families rebuild their lives. Homestretch is a comprehensive program offering subsidized transitional housing and support services aimed at helping families become self-sufficient. Their highly-valued Child Services Department links families to community resources. One service families need immediately is access to quality childcare programs which have a strong school readiness component.
The Child Services Department found that finding quality early childhood programs was very difficult for low-income families. Centers were frequently full and expensive; preschool programs such as Head Start had lengthy waiting lists. Some children were not exposed to a structured learning environment before they entered kindergarten! The Child Services Department knew that research showed children in poverty who do not attend high-quality preschool are more likely to struggle with delinquency, drop out of high school, and earn less than their peers as adults. With the help of many in the community, Homestretch opened Kidstretch in August 2012 to fill the gap so that children can get an early start on their education.
Most of the children we serve come from low to moderate-income families, many who are in Homestretch. Kidstretch is also open to the public and provides full-time care to children regardless of their economic status. We place a high value on diversity and believe that it is beneficial for children to interact with one another regardless of their economic, social, or religious backgrounds.
Mission
The Kidstretch mission is to empower children to develop the skills they need to build their own knowledge, prepare for the next school environment, and cultivate a love of lifelong learning.
Staff
Kidstretch teachers are highly motivated and love working with young children. Most hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or a child-related field. Staff members are active on a Fairfax County School Readiness team and partner with professionals from Falls Church City Public Schools and Child Find. All teachers are required to participate in ongoing professional development.
A Representation of Kidstretch
At Kidstretch you will find...
- A safe, supportive, and connected place
- Small student to teacher ratio
- Meaningful interactions
- Developmentally appropriate activities
- Stimulating variety of materials
- Active, hands-on learning
- Consistent routine
- Respect for and inclusion of diverse backgrounds
- Language-rich environment
- Promotion of higher-order thinking skills
- Student-given voice and choice
- Children’s play encouraged
Goals for Kidstretch Children:
- Develop cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically
- Be creative
- Be curious
- Be healthy
- Love learning
- Make friends
- Take initiative
- Resolve conflicts
- Regulate emotions
- Respect differences
- Practice self-help skills
- Attend school consistently
Curriculum/Daily Routine
Kidstretch teachers follow Creative Curriculum for Preschool. It is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that encourages children to become creative, confident thinkers. The curriculum provides many opportunities for hands-on exploration and discovery of topics relevant to their everyday experiences. It is content-rich and well-suited for children with diverse backgrounds and skill levels. The Kidstretch learning environment is both fun and intentional, as teachers plan a mix of child-initiated and teacher-directed activities.
The Creative Curriculum objectives for child development and learning are aligned with state early learning guidelines and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework. The objectives cover 10 areas of child development and content areas, which include:
- Social-Emotional
- Physical
- Language
- Cognitive
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- Social Studies
- The Arts
- English Language Acquisition
Daily Routine
- 8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Arrival/Morning Snack/Individual Choice Time* - 9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Group Circle Time including Read-Aloud and Music/Movement - 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Small Group Time—Literacy, Math, Science, and Art Rotations (at least 2 teacher-led)
- 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Bathroom Break/Outdoor Play - 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch Time - 12:30 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Bathroom Break/Make Beds - 12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Rest Time - 2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Clean Up Transition/Bathroom Break - 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Group Circle Time - 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Afternoon Snack - 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Bathroom Break/Outdoor Play - 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Individual Choice Time*
*Individual Choice Time includes Art, Painting, Blocks, Dramatic Play, Games, Puzzles, Music/Movement, Books, Writing, Math Manipulatives, Fine Motor, Sensory, and Science/Nature Exploration Center.
Kidstretch is honored to receive a gift in memory of Lou Bronfman who loved children.
To learn more about the Kidstretch story please view this video.
“My son attended Kidstretch for two years and it was a wonderful experience. The facility, class sizes and teacher credentials are great, and the curriculum is perfect for a bright, curious child. My son was always excited to go to school and often didn’t want to leave! The very best thing about Kidstretch was the professionalism and the caring kindness of the staff toward every child and parent. They were always so kind and patient. We would definitely recommend the Kidstretch program to other families and are going to be sending our son there in a couple of years!”
— Kidstretch Parent
“My son loves his school! Thankfully, Kidstretch allows working parents a full day of care and learning for children throughout the year. While it can be a long day for the kids and a long day to be without your child, Kidstretch makes sure that every day is full of the most positive and fun learning experiences I could hope for my son. When your child spends that much time away from you, one hopes they will be happy, cared for and loved and I feel like Kidstretch is an extended family.”
— Anna Smith