Kids 1st Childcare Academy

Philosophy

Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that children learn best when they feel safe, loved, respected, and encouraged to explore. We strive to create a warm, nurturing home environment where every child is welcomed as a unique individual and given opportunities to grow at their own pace.

We believe that the early years are an important foundation for lifelong learning. Through play, hands-on experiences, meaningful interactions, and daily routines, we support each child’s social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development. We encourage curiosity, independence, kindness, confidence, and respect for others.

As a family day home, we value the close relationships we build with both children and their families. We believe parents are a child’s first and most important teachers, and we work in partnership with families through open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to each child’s well-being.

Our goal is to provide a happy, safe, and enriching home away from home where children can learn, play, develop meaningful relationships, and feel a true sense of belonging.

Location

Kids 1st Childcare Academy is located in a peaceful residential neighborhood in Alexandria, VA 22309, in Fairfax County’s Mount Vernon area. We offer a calm, home-like setting while remaining conveniently located for families commuting throughout Alexandria and Northern Virginia.

Our area is surrounded by family-friendly neighborhoods, parks, green spaces, and community resources, with easy access to major roads, Fairfax Connector bus service, and the Huntington Metro area. Nearby parks include Fort Hunt Park, Grist Mill Park, and Mount Vernon Woods Park, along with the beautiful Mount Vernon Trail.

About our program

Kids 1st Childcare Academy provides a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where children can learn and grow through play, exploration, and everyday experiences. We follow applicable Virginia and local requirements and maintain an environment designed to support children’s health, safety, development, and well-being.

We believe children learn naturally through hands-on experiences and meaningful play. Our daily activities are designed to encourage curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, communication, movement, and social-emotional development. Children have opportunities for both child-directed play and teacher-guided activities, allowing them to explore their interests while developing important early learning skills.

Because we are a family day home, we are able to provide a more personal and home-like atmosphere where children can build strong relationships with their caregiver and peers. We offer a balance of structured activities, free-choice play, outdoor time, quiet time, meals, and rest.

Most importantly, we want every child to feel secure, valued, and cared for. We strive to make each day a joyful opportunity for children to discover something new, build confidence, and develop a love of learning.

Admissions

Join the Kids 1st Childcare Academy community in 3 easy steps:

1. Explore

Learn about our philosophy, program, and offerings to see if we’re a good fit for your family.

2. Tour

Come visit us, meet our team, and see our program firsthand. Request a tour at the top of this page. If tours are unavailable, select Request Info to be notified when they resume.

3. Apply

After your tour, select Apply to Enroll to submit your enrollment application.

Please complete a tour before applying to enroll.