Technology-focused Preschool to Open in Brambleton

Parents in the Brambleton and Broadlands communities looking for a pre-K and kindergarten enrichment program that offers traditional learning methods coupled with cutting edge technology, your school has arrived.

Kindertown, a home-based, licensed preschool facility opens in Brambleton in mid-September.

Owners Nisha and Faz Azad said the concept was born out of the need for a longer day for kindergarteners in Loudon County.

“Coming from a full day kindergarten program for the past three years in Fairfax and Montgomery counties, I just felt that kids could not learn anything in three hours,” Nisha Azad said. “It’s like glorified babysitting, and by the time you physically set them down and do anything to teach them, the time is over.”

Nisha Azad, a public school teacher for the past five years in both Maryland and Virginia was teaching first grade at Dogwood Elementary School in Reston. Azad left her field to have a baby last year but missed teaching, so she decided to open Kindertown and teach from her home.

The couple took into consideration what working parents go through to arrange child care when their children attend a short kindergarten program like the one offered in Loudon County Public Schools.

“Where do kids go when the kindergarten program ends? We looked into it, and there are after school programs offered at the schools, but they aren’t all day. So as a full time working parent we thought where can the kids go? Well they can come to an enrichment program after school,” Azad said.

Kindertown offers pre-K and kindergarten enrichment four days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. She said the curriculum is based in a program used in public schools all across the country, combined with her own experience as a public school teacher and standards set by the county.

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned throughout my career is each child is unique,” Azad said. “You can’t be a cookie-cutter teacher, you need to adapt to the students needs.”

Kindertown uses traditional methods such as circle time and centers, combined with technology in the classroom to meet those needs. The school has a SMART board that puts Azad in touch with thousands of teachers and lesson plans across the country, and, she said, the students will also use iPads as part of their learning centers.

“The primary focus of Kindertown is to teach the children that learning is fun,” Azad said. “I’m not just a teacher, I’m a parent also. So I’m coming from both perspectives. I have a better idea of what children need in terms of a nurturing environment, as well as educationally, in addition to knowing not to put too much stress on them.”

Kindertown is set in a bright, sunny area of the Azad home, which offers LED lighting, touch free faucets, soap dispensers and paper towel dispenser. A kitchenette equipped with a mini fridge provides space for students to put their lunches. And a walkout basement opens into the yard for playtime.

Right now, Kindertown can be found on the list of after school care at both Creighton’s Corner Elementary and Legacy Elementary in Brambleton. Because Kindertown cannot transport children from school to the facility Nisha and Faz have only contacted elementary schools close to them. But they won’t turn anyone away.

Enrollment is limited to 12 students; applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis. For more information about Kindertown and how to enroll go to www.kindertownva.com.