Accreditations & Licensing

The Standards We Hold Ourselves To

Licensing, accreditation, and the bar we set for every child

The Promise

What Makes Our Schools Special

Every one of our schools meets state licensing requirements, but we believe great early education goes beyond meeting standards. Our commitment is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. That belief guides everything we do.

GOING FURTHER

Accreditations and Quality Programs

Licensing provides an important foundation, and many of our schools choose to build on it through additional accreditations and quality initiatives. These programs often focus on areas such as curriculum, teacher development, and family engagement. Because each school is unique, your director can share details about the programs and recognitions offered at your location.

Standards are a Daily Practice

A standard only matters if it holds on an ordinary Tuesday. Here's how ours do.

Inspected and Accountable

Regular reviews help ensure our schools maintain high standards, and we welcome them because outside accountability is good for children.

Trained Beyond Minimum

Teachers complete required training each year, plus ongoing professional development, so growth doesn't stop at the requirement.

Curriculum Consistently Delivered

Our school curriculum guides classrooms across our family of schools, so quality of learning doesn't depend on which school you choose.

A Team Watching the Details

Behind every school, a dedicated support team works on training, resources, and quality, catching the small things before they become big ones.

How to Choose a School

Choosing care is a big decision. Here's how families usually find their fit.

Start With Your Priorities

Start with your family's needs: location, hours, ages, and the feel you want when you walk in the door. Knowing your priorities makes every other step easier.

Learn About The School

Explore programs, meet the director, and ask your questions, from daily routines to how teachers communicate. Good schools love the questions; they mean you care.

Come See It for Yourself

Nothing beats a visit. Schedule a tour, watch the classrooms in action, and trust what you see and feel. That gut feeling at drop-off matters.

Why Our Families Trust Us

"Wonderful Daycare with Joy for Learning in Dogwood! I am so grateful to have found The Joy of Learning Center! From day one, the friendly and dedicated staff made us feel welcomed and confident that our child was in caring hands. The center provides a warm, safe, and nurturing environment where children are excited to explore and learn each day. They offer age-appropriate programs from infants through preschool, with engaging activities that support social, emotional, and academic growth. Communication with parents is excellent, and the facility is clean and well-organized. My child comes home happy and proud of what she learned. I highly recommend this daycare to any family looking for quality childcare and early education!"

"My family and I moved out of state, with no help in the area after doing our research. The joy of learning center fit our needs and expectations. My eldest child has been enrolled for almost three years & my youngest just shy of six months . We’ve loved every second. You can feel the passion and love these providers have for our children. I’m thankful we found a safe space for our children."

"Both of my children attend the center and when I say the teachers are amazing it doesn’t do them justice! My son was nonverbal for a while however when Ms. Arkiatou became site director, the curriculum changed for the better! I mean both he and his sister started to engage more, sing, play, and show me what they’d learned. Daily mundane tasks are embedded into the curriculum and they help at home. I tell everyone I know who is looking for a childcare place that feels like home to come to Joy of Learning- Dogwood! A very special thank you to Mrs. Jada and Chelsey! ❤️ They are incredibly caring, patient, and loving with my daughter, and you can truly see how much they care about the children. My little one feels comfortable and happy with them, which means everything to us. We are so grateful to have found Lakestone Academy and truly appreciate all the love and attention they give our daughter. I would highly recommend them to any parent looking for a caring and trustworthy daycare! ❤️"

Common Questions

Everything You Need to Know

What does "licensed" actually mean?

It means the state has verified the school meets its standards for ratios, safety, staff screening and training, and daily operations, and continues to check. Licensing is enforceable: schools that fall short face real consequences, which is exactly why it matters.

Do all of your schools follow the same standards?

State requirements vary a little from state to state, but our expectations don't. Every school in our family follows the same approach to learning, the same safety practices, and the same commitment to trained, background-checked teachers.

How do I know what quality looks like when I visit?

Watch the classrooms: engaged children, attentive teachers, clean and secure spaces, and a rhythm everyone seems to know. Our guide to choosing a school walks through exactly what to look for, and every question worth asking on a tour.

Take the First Step Today

One step closer to an exceptional education for your child, every day.

Find Your Local School

Three schools across the Baltimore and Washington area, and one near you