Accredited by NAEYC - National Association for the Education of Young Children

About Rainbow Riders

Our Center

Rainbow Riders opened its doors and its arms to children on August 26, 1986. Since that time, we have provided care for children ages six weeks to 12 years. We place an emphasis on making our environment a happy place where children can grow and learn. Developmentally appropriate opportunities encourage children to engage in a variety of experiences each day. We strive to ensure that each child feels loved, successful, and respected by the members of our learning community. Developing positive relationships is accomplished through professional teaching strategies, creative curriculum planning and involvement of families in our program.

Rainbow Riders has two sites that were designed with input from families and teachers to create safe, beautiful, and child-friendly environments. The Knollwood site opened in 1999. Ten years later, the Corporate Research Center (CRC) site opened in 2009. The Knollwood site provides about 200 enrollment slots and the CRC site offers about 240. While most class groups are full time, there are half-day morning preschool programs (8:30 - 12:30) at both sites for children ages 2 ½ to 5 years. This program operates with the same schedule as Montgomery County Public School system and closes whenever they are closed.

Staff Development and Training

We believe that Rainbow Riders has been successful due to the commitment and quality of its wonderful staff. We see ourselves as lifelong learners and we actively take part in numerous training opportunities including state, regional and national conferences. Our annual staff retreat and monthly meetings provide access to innovative early childhood practices. We consider ourselves a family and enjoy the positive results of being members of such a wonderful team.

Family Involvement

We have an “open door” policy for families at Rainbow Riders. You are always welcome to join us! Teachers and administration want your family’s experience to be successful and will respond promptly to questions and concerns. At least annually, families are invited to formally provide feedback that informs the Center’s practices and goals for the upcoming year.

Our Parent Teacher Association works together with teachers and families on special activities and projects to enhance our program. Meetings are held monthly at both sites and we encourage all families to be involved in the program as much as their schedule will allow.

Our Philosophy

Rainbow Riders philosophy reflects our images and beliefs about children, families, and teachers. Teachers make learning visible through our environment, curriculum and documentation.

Our Accreditation

Evidence of our commitment to high standards of quality in childcare is our national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), achieved by only 7 percent of early childhood programs nationwide. This achievement indicates that we have been recognized as a quality early childhood program promoting the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of young children. Some of the criteria for accreditation that you will notice at Rainbow Riders include: low staff-to-child ratios, individualistic care, regular family communication and involvement, planned learning activities, plenty of materials and supplies, warm adult-to-child interactions and nutritious snacks and lunches.

Our Curriculum

We implement an emergent curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach to guide our experiences with the children. Through observations and documentation teachers capture the interests and curiosity of the children and plan relevant activities. The environment is child-centered and feels warm and inviting. Children are empowered by the freedom to make choices from learning centers that include art, music, dramatic play, math, science, blocks, manipulatives and books. Large group experiences such as circle time provide opportunities for dialogue and include storytelling, music, movement and curriculum related activities. Children spend time in the morning and afternoon on the playground engaging in a variety of opportunities for exercise, learning, and play.

Written observations provide important examples of the child’s work and are collected along with work samples to assess developmental growth, inform curriculum and communicate to families about their child’s experience in our school. Families and teachers meet during the year to set goals and review the child’s developmental portfolio.

Rainbow Riders embraces the diversity of our families and teachers to create a welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Similarities and differences are celebrated and we are committed to help children learn to value, accept and comfortably interact with everyone.