About Happy Home Christian Leadership Academy for Early Learners in Alexandria
We are a Montessori curriculum and Guiding Light Principle-based childcare center in Alexandria, Virginia. We care for children from 12 months to 5 years old and provide a range of age-appropriate resources and activities to encourage their development right up until they are ready to join kindergarten.
Our Philosophy
Happy Home is a school with a vast vision. Our goal is to be a proactive force in the lives of young children.
In an encouraging environment - with age-appropriate equipment and supplies enriching experiences are provided with an emphasis on sensory and perceptual skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Each child is encouraged to explore by our warm, qualified and experienced team.
Through our working relations with our community, we are able to create extensive programs that consolidate a pool of expertise like our Spanish and community outreach program where children visit the elderly.
Our philosophy is based on learning and self-expression. By blending indoor and outdoor classrooms and environments in a home-away-from-home environment, we are able to create a space where children feel empowered and ready to learn.
Who We Are
Happy Home CLA got its start in Alexandria in 1994 by Dr. Deborah Tillman. We decided to do things a bit differently at Happy Home by creating a space which fosters Christian-based early learning in a fun and safe environment, where children from 12 months to 5 years can explore the world around them.
We believe our innovative approach gives children a bright and positive start in life as we encourage both exploration and discovery, as well as emotional intelligence and building friendships.
Our vision is to create a strong, vibrant, purpose-driven and effective school that can lead the next generation in character development through service, education, morals, values, self-awareness, self-reliance and self-determination - we are committed to all children reaching their fullest potential, and it is our honor to play a part in this journey!
Our Story
Happy Home Christian Leadership Academy for Early Learners is not just your typical childcare center; it's a testament to founder Deborah Tillman's incredible journey from pain to purpose. Established in March 1994, Happy Home is the result of Deborah's unwavering commitment to providing top-quality childcare in Virginia, a journey that was born out of a deeply personal experience.
Deborah embarked on this journey when she encountered a significant challenge while searching for high-quality childcare services in Virginia for her son, Zeplyn. Disheartened by the limited options available to her, she realized that the level of care her child, and indeed all children, deserved was not easily attainable. Her awakening moment occurred when she discovered Zeplyn attempting to feed from an empty bottle attached to the wall in his crib, at the seventh childcare center she had enrolled him in. At this moment, she heard a calling from within, a divine message that urged her to make a change: "I want you to do it better."
With remarkable courage, Deborah made a life-altering decision. She walked away from her six-figure job, believing that with discipline and a powerful "why," she could achieve anything. Her journey began as a family childcare provider, where she began writing her own handbooks in order to establish her own school. Just ten months later, an opportunity presented itself when a local school went out of business. Deborah seized the chance, buying the school and embarking on a transformative mission.
With unyielding determination, Deborah tore apart the existing school and started from scratch, ensuring that her center would have all the amenities and values she so desperately sought herself. The result was a nurturing and warm environment where parents themselves would feel comfortable enough to stay, a true testament to the center's suitability.
Deborah's primary goal has always been to spare other parents the desperation and despair she once felt; Happy Home stands as a symbol of love, care, and compassion, firmly placing the needs of parents and children at the forefront—always.
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About Our Alexandria Location
When you visit us here at Happy Home Christian Leadership Academy for Early Learners, you’ll see firsthand what makes us different!
At Happy Home CLA, we offer:
A 7-module system for our Happy Home Parents that they can review in order to better teach, train and empower their children to reach their full potential.
Weekly parent meetings which give all parents a chance to discuss any questions with our dedicated and supportive team.
An open-door policy for all of our Happy Home families. We believe that the more we work together, the more successful your child will become - we encourage you to visit and communicate with us and we assure you that your opinions will always be valid.
For the first thirty days of enrollment, we informally observe children to ensure our school is a “good fit” for them; we also offer free screening for children who may have special needs.
We are able to offer a wide variety of activities for our Happy Home families to get involved with, including Classroom Mom/Dad/Grandparent, parent conferences, parent advisory board and monthly workshops.
Outdoor
Outdoor play sparks creativity and imagination, providing open spaces where children can invent games, stories, and adventures, all of which contribute to their holistic development. We believe that children benefit from outdoor play during every season and aim to spend approximately one to one and a half hours of each day outdoors.
Our outdoor play area offers a rich array of benefits for children's growth and development, serving as a natural playground for physical development and allowing children to build strength, agility, and coordination through active play. Beyond the physical, it becomes a canvas for cognitive development as children explore their surroundings, encounter challenges, and develop problem-solving skills.
Merging Teaching and Childcare
We offer a variety of programs, including childcare and early Christian-based education for infants and toddlers, preschoolers and pre-kindergarteners.
We also offer a Summer Camp between the end of June through August, for children ages 12 months to 12 years old. We offer a variety of fun experiences at our summer camp, including:
Field Trips to waterparks, animal farms, museums, aquariums, discovery zones, the circus, the zoo, and more!
Cookouts
Weekly Swimming
Waterplay
Pizza Parties and Picnics
Face Painting
Ice Cream Parties
Arts and Crafts
We believe that it’s never too early to start learning and that it’s vital to always present opportunities for children to learn and grow as soon as they start at our center.
By developing our programs with curriculum experts and childcare specialists, we’ve been able to hone in on what makes early education a success and created a learning program that allows our children to enter school seamlessly while building their leadership skills, self-awareness and social and emotional skills.
About Our Team
The Happy Home family includes a diverse team of passionate educators who are committed to your child’s success.
Rabia Maaroufi
Managing Director
The Managing Director of Happy Home CLA is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the facility. She oversees all administrative, financial, and operational aspects, ensuring the center's smooth functioning and maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for children. She plays a critical role in setting the center's vision, policies, and strategic direction, as well as building relationships with parents and the community to support the center's mission.
Teia Ingram
Lead Teacher
The Lead Teacher in a 4 to 5-year-old classroom at Happy Home CLA is responsible for providing a structured and engaging learning environment for preschool-aged children. She plans and leads age-appropriate lessons, activities and play, while also fostering social and emotional development. She creates a safe, inclusive, and stimulating atmosphere, guides children's development, monitors progress, communicates with parents, and collaborates with colleagues to ensure a well-rounded educational experience.
DaBreka Carter
Curriculum Manager
Responsible for developing appropriate curriculum plans and working collaboratively with staff, making sure that they have curriculum materials for their projects and that their projects are not “teacher led.” She identifies and creates opportunities for professional growth of staff with respect to workshops, conferences, conventions, professional organizations that teachers should be involved in, and appropriate in-service education programs and books that the owner recommends each quarter. Her role is essential for creating a nurturing and effective learning environment for children.
Tebba Ouahiba
Associate Teacher
The Associate Teacher in a 2 to 3-year-old classroom at Happy Home CLA provides valuable support to the Lead Teacher. They assist in creating a nurturing and safe environment for toddlers, engage in play and activities, and help with daily routines like feeding and napping. The Associate Teacher also helps manage classroom behavior, ensures a clean and organized space, and communicates with parents about children's progress and needs. She plays a key role in promoting early childhood development and learning in the classroom.
Evangelina Rivera
Assistant Teacher
The Assistant Teacher in a 1 to 2-year-old classroom at Happy Home CLA provides essential support in caring for and nurturing very young children. Her role includes assisting the Lead Teacher in creating a safe and stimulating environment, attending to the basic needs of children (such as feeding, diapering, and napping), engaging in age-appropriate play and activities, and ensuring a secure and hygienic space. She also helps with maintaining records and communicating children's progress to parents while promoting a warm and caring atmosphere for the children under their care.
Emirna Portillo
Lead Teacher
The Lead Teacher in a 1 to 2-year-old classroom at Happy Home CLA is responsible for nurturing and supporting the development of very young children. Her role involves creating a safe and comforting environment, and planning and leading basic developmental activities, including play and early socialization. The Lead Teacher focuses on providing essential care, such as feeding and diapering, while introducing basic educational concepts. She maintains open communication with parents and ensures the children's well-being in a warm and welcoming environment.
Hafida Tadoummant
Associate Teacher
The Associate Teacher in our 3 to 4-year-old classroom at Happy Home CLA works alongside the Lead Teacher to support the educational and developmental needs of preschool-aged children. She assists with classroom activities, provides individualized attention, and ensures a safe and nurturing environment. The Associate Teacher helps implement the curriculum, fosters social skills, and communicates with both the Lead Teacher and parents to promote the children's overall growth and well-being.
Isabel Sacotingo
PT Nurse
The Nurse in our school is responsible for maintaining the health and well-being of children. Her role includes administering first aid, managing minor illnesses, maintaining health records, providing health education, and ensuring safety practices. She plays a vital part in promoting the overall health and safety of children in the center.
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What to Expect from Happy Home Christian Leadership Academy for Early Learners
Our mission is to provide the highest quality childcare in Virginia, if not the world!
As part of our commitment, we provide all of our kids with:
Healthy chef-prepared meals each day that meet dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.
Flexible hours to accommodate parents with busy schedules (including parents night out)
The opportunity to explore the surroundings with field trips to waterparks, animal farms, museums, aquariums,and more!
Events that allow kids to learn more about the world around them like career day, guest speakers, etc.
A Christian-based education that prepares our children not just for kindergarten, but for their whole lives.
Daily outdoor play that teaches little ones how to respect Mother Nature and interact with her in a meaningful way.
A diverse, all-inclusive environment where all cultures and traditions are honored and respected.
Spanish class for children ages 3- 5 years old.
Healthy Eating
At Happy Home, we prioritize the well-being of all of our children and strongly believe that healthy eating is a cornerstone of happy and thriving children.
Our commitment to fostering a happy and healthy environment extends to our chef-prepared meals. Tailored to meet various dietary needs, including gluten-free and vegetarian options, our menu showcases our dedication to promoting nutritious and delicious choices.
Check out our sample menu below for a glimpse into the wholesome culinary experience we offer at Happy Home.
Sample Menu:
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