Reasons to Love the Early Childhood Learning Center

Since moving to Northern Virginia nearly 10 years ago, I’ve experienced the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) through many lenses: first as a parent, then as an educator, and now as an administrator. Each role has deepened my appreciation for this community. People often ask why my three children and even my husband love being part of the ECLC family. What makes this place so special?

The moment I first walked through the ECLC doors in 2017 – as a parent searching for a preschool for our now 11‑year‑old son – I knew this was the right place for my child. As an early childhood educator, I immediately noticed the thoughtful environment and the time and intention given to documenting children’s daily learning. It was visible in every corner of the building.

Shortly after enrolling my older son, I applied for a teaching position and was hired as an infant educator. I appreciated the many opportunities to grow professionally within such a supportive, collaborative community. 

As an educator, I loved to witness the children’s daily learning and growth in my classroom. The ECLC is a space that allows children to express themselves through open-ended learning using the diverse perspectives from the children as well as the educators within the classroom. ECLC educators create “provocations” that occur daily as activities to spark the observations and ideas that are coming from the children. 

We share these observations and learnings with our families through “storyboards.” Storyboards combine photos, videos and anecdotes to create a snapshot of what occurs daily in the classroom. As a parent, I enjoyed reading these stories in the evening with my child as it was a way to connect to what he’d done during the school day. I saw how within the ECLC, partnerships between educators and families came naturally as we shared connections through these storyboards. 

My husband and I also cherished the way our son came home from the ECLC overflowing with stories about how he spent his day exploring the outdoor classroom, celebrating Jewish holidays, dressing up, building structures, and, most importantly, simply being himself. My husband was thrilled when teachers invited him to share his expertise in and love for astronomy with our children’s classes. 

Years later, we are still a proud ECLC family, and we continue to feel at home within the ECLC community. Our twins, who started the program at just five months old, are now completing their final year at the ECLC. It’s remarkable seeing how much they’ve grown during their time at the ECLC. 

ECLC has shaped our family’s journey in countless ways, and we are grateful to be part of a place where children, educators, and families can flourish together.

But don’t just take our word for it. When asked why they love the ECLC, here is what the children in our 3’s and 4’s classes answer: 

• “The Lego wall” 
• “Playing with my friends” 
• “Place to play games” 
• “Making things for my friends” 
• “Riding bikes in the gym”
• “Building jet skis and airplanes (out of mini Legos)” 
• “Spaces to draw with my friends” 
• “Nap time” 
• “Lunch time because I get really hungry at school”
• “Shabbat”
• “We can explore that further during provocation time” 

Registration is now open for the ECLC. Learn more and register on our website. You can also support early childhood education with your donation to the Pozez JCC.