WHO WE ARE

Early Bloom Academy (EBA) provides a nurturing, inclusive, and high-quality early learning environment where young minds flourish. As a licensed minority- and woman-owned childcare provider, we are committed to meeting and exceeding Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) regulations to ensure the safety, well-being, and development of every child in our care.

Our 100% female-led team consists of fully vetted, background-checked, and MSDE-approved educators who bring extensive expertise to our comprehensive, developmentally appropriate programs. We integrate evidence-based educational practices with innovative approaches, continuously adapting to meet the evolving needs of children and families in our community.

At EBA, we believe every child deserves a strong foundation for lifelong learning, and we are dedicated to fostering their growth in a safe, supportive, and enriching environment.

At EBA, Every Child Matters: Empowering Through Family, Leadership, Environment, and Community Support. A Collective responsibility, a community working together.

EBA’s MISSION

Early Bloom Academy’s mission is to nurture children’s potential through play-based learning in a safe, holistic, and inclusive environment.

EBA’s VISION

Early Bloom Academy’s vision is to provide the highest-quality care and education, where children thrive through social play and positive interactions.

EBA’s OBJECTIVES

Early Bloom Academy is committed to creating a welcoming and enriching environment where every child feels valued and respected. Our program prioritizes individualized care, recognizing the unique strengths, needs, and developmental stages of each child. We foster a responsive learning environment that supports children of all abilities, including those with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Through engaging play, positive interactions, and developmentally appropriate activities, we aim to nurture children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. Our focus is on providing consistent routines, age-appropriate experiences, and a safe and healthy space for all children to thrive.

Early Bloom Academy’s philosophy is rooted in providing a developmentally appropriate and nurturing program that holistically addresses the diverse needs of young children, from infancy through preschool, by deeply integrating their cultural heritage, its practices, and the rich tapestry of their languages through the active participation of families and educators. Recognizing the linguistic diversity within its community as a valuable asset, we proactively collect heritage and language information on our enrollment agreement to better understand and celebrate each child’s unique background. EBA intentionally weaves children’s primary languages into the daily fabric of the program. For example, educators learn and use basic greetings and key phrases in the children’s home languages, label classroom objects in multiple languages, and incorporate multilingual songs and stories into circle time. We actively invite families to enrich our learning environment by sharing music, books, and traditional arts and crafts, including materials in their native language, ensuring language experiences are meaningful and relevant. We actively incorporate children’s interests and cultural backgrounds into all facets of our program, fostering a collaborative approach between families and educators to ensure these experiences are meaningful and relevant. This commitment is further exemplified by EBA’s celebration of monthly cultural heritage events, where families are invited to share songs, stories, and traditions in their native languages, creating a vibrant and inclusive environment where every child feels genuinely valued and included, with families and educators actively contributing to these celebrations and enriching the language environment. By fostering a culturally and linguistically proficient setting for children and their families, with strong engagement from both home and school, EBA aligns with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and MD Excels standards, ensuring a high-quality early childhood education that honors and celebrates the unique identities and languages of each child. We build strong, collaborative partnerships with families and actively involve educators in understanding and respecting each child’s linguistic background, acknowledging both as vital contributors to their child’s individual growth and development. This partnership cultivates a caring, respectful, and responsive learning experience, fostering a profound sense of belonging for every child within our diverse community, supported by the shared commitment of families and educators to nurturing language development in all its forms.

Inclement Weather Policy

This Inclement Weather Policy outlines Early Bloom Academy’s (EBA) procedures for closures, delays, and early dismissals due to adverse weather conditions. EBA prioritizes the safety of children, families, and staff and will make decisions based on available information, including but not limited to reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (www.noaa.gov) and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

• Delayed Openings: EBA generally follows the MCPS schedule for inclement weather-related delays. If MCPS announces a delayed opening, EBA will open no later than 8:30 AM. This delayed opening allows EBA staff time to clear walkways, stairs, and parking areas of snow and/or ice, ensuring a safe environment for arrival. It also provides time for road crews to treat and clear local streets. While families may arrive earlier than 8:30 AM, they do so at their own discretion and risk, acknowledging that full staff may not be present and all safety preparations may not be complete.

• Closures: If MCPS closes due to inclement weather, EBA will also be closed. Closure announcements will be communicated through multiple channels, including:
  • Text message alerts (families must opt-in; see your director for details)
  • Phone calls
  • Emails
  • EBA website (www.earlybloomacademy.com)
  • EBA’s Facebook page
• Late Openings/Early Closures Due to Deteriorating Conditions: Even if MCPS does not close, EBA reserves the right to delay opening or close early if weather conditions in the immediate vicinity deteriorate. In such circumstances, EBA will make independent assessments considering local road conditions and the safety of staff and families. If a late opening is implemented, families are strongly encouraged to call EBA before arriving at the program to confirm staffing levels and operational status. If conditions worsen after a delayed opening, further communication regarding potential closures will be disseminated through the channels listed above.
• Communication: EBA will make every effort to communicate changes in operating status as promptly and efficiently as possible. Families are responsible for staying informed by checking the designated communication channels. For text alerts, please contact your director to enroll in the opt-in system.
• Disclaimer: EBA’s decisions regarding closures and delays are made in the best interest of the community. While EBA strives to provide consistent service, the unpredictable nature of inclement weather may necessitate changes to operating hours with minimal notice. EBA is not liable for any inconvenience or hardship resulting from closures, delays, or early dismissals. This policy is subject to change at EBA’s discretion.

Closed and Paid Holidays (The EBA Program will be closed during these holidays regardless of weekdays or weekends)

• New Year’s Day – January 1
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – the third Monday in January
• President’s Day – the third Monday in February
• Good Friday – This is a Christian holiday that falls on the Friday before Easter
• Memorial Day – the last Monday in May
• Juneteenth – June 19
• Independence Day – July 4
• Labor Day – the first Monday in September
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Columbus Day – Second Monday in October
• Veterans Day – November 11
• Thanksgiving Day – the fourth Thursday in November
• Day after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve & Day – December 24th & 25th
• Eid Al-Fitr Day – Islamic holidays with dates that vary based on the lunar calendar
• Eid Al-Adha Day

Child Vacation, Sick Leave, Late Arrival, or Dimensional Due to Illness

Parents/guardians must provide a one-week written notice in advance anytime their child will be out of my care for an extended time, such as vacations. Compliance with this notification for vacation will result in 50% of the tuition being reduced. If your child is absent due to illness, or late arrival and/or early dismissal due to illness, the full tuition rate is still due.

Provider’s Vacation, Sick Leave, and Personal Days

The provider has 5 Bereavement/Emergency Days within 12 months. In addition, the provider has 15 Vacation Days per year. The full tuition rate will be charged when vacation days are used. A prior 2–week notice will be given for any planned vacations. The provider also has 5 Personal/Sick days to use during the year. Full tuition will be charged when personal days are used. Notice will be given as soon as possible when using personal days. Any closures outside of these days will be discounted from the tuition as needed, unless it is weather-related or any other natural reason.