Now Enrolling · Baltimore, Maryland · Ages 2–5
Early Learning. Personal Attention. Growth You Can See.
A Strong Foundation Early Learning combines the warmth of a small early-childhood environment, the intentional instruction of a high-quality preschool, and real-world experiences that help children apply what they learn.
Parent Promise: Make Learning Visible
“You won’t have to wonder what your child is learning.”
More Than Childcare—Intentional Early Learning
Small by Design
Our intentionally small setting allows educators to understand each child’s strengths, needs, interests, and progress.
Early Childhood Focused
Intentional experiences build early literacy, mathematics, communication, social-emotional development, independence, curiosity, and confidence.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Children connect classroom concepts to gardening, cooking, neighborhood exploration, libraries, community helpers, and other authentic experiences.
Family Connected
Families are educational partners who understand what their child is learning, what they have mastered, and what they are working on next.
Signature Program
The STRONG Start™ Early Learning Framework
STRONG Start™ is A Strong Foundation Early Learning’s educational framework for helping children grow academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and creatively. Through instruction, purposeful play, meaningful observation, and authentic experiences, children develop strong roots for lifelong learning.
Social-Emotional Growth
Friendships, emotional regulation, problem-solving, empathy, self-awareness, and classroom community.
Thinking and Problem-Solving
Curiosity, reasoning, creativity, investigation, and hands-on exploration.
Reading and Language Foundations
Alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness, vocabulary, storytelling, comprehension, and early writing.
Oral Language and Communication
Conversation, listening, questioning, storytelling, expression, and communicating ideas.
Numbers and Early Mathematics
Counting, number recognition, patterns, shapes, measurement, comparison, and mathematical thinking.
Growing Independence
Confidence, responsibility, routines, self-help skills, decision-making, and growing independence.
We support kindergarten readiness by helping children build foundational academic, social, emotional, and independence skills at their own pace.
Parent Promise
Make Learning Visible
“You won’t have to wonder what your child is learning.”
Each child can build a STRONG Start™ Portfolio that documents growth through assessments, developmental milestones, work samples, projects, photographs, and progress reports.
What am I learning?
What have I mastered?
What are we working on next?
How can my family help at home?
Quarterly family progress conversations help parents and educators celebrate growth, identify next steps, and support learning at home.
A Component of STRONG Start™
Growing the Whole Child
The Whole Child Framework recognizes that meaningful early learning includes academic, social, emotional, physical, creative, and character development. Every part of a child’s growth matters.
Strong Branches
Rich learning experiences that help children explore, discover, and develop the skills they need for lifelong success.
- LiteracyBooks, letters, storytelling, and early writing.
- MathematicsCounting, patterns, shapes, and reasoning.
- Science & DiscoveryQuestions, investigations, and exploration.
- Creativity & the ArtsArt, music, movement, and imagination.
- Physical DevelopmentActive play, coordination, and healthy habits.
- Social-Emotional DevelopmentFeelings, friendships, and self-regulation.
- Leadership & CharacterKindness, responsibility, and perseverance.
- Community AwarenessNeighborhood, helpers, and belonging.
Strong Roots
A nurturing foundation built on love, relationships, and meaningful experiences.
- LoveWarm, consistent care.
- SafetyA secure place to grow.
- Family PartnershipsFamilies as partners.
- TrustDependable relationships.
- RespectEvery child is valued.
- Purposeful PlayPlay with intention.
Learn It. Experience It. Apply It.
Learning children can hold in their hands
Children learn concepts through intentional instruction and purposeful play, then connect them to authentic experiences, so they understand: “What I learn here helps me understand the world around me.”
- Study plants, then grow and care for a garden.
- Explore numbers and money through a classroom market.
- Practice early writing, then write and mail a letter.
- Learn measurement while preparing a simple recipe.
- Study community helpers, then meet them in person.
- Extend learning through libraries, museums, parks, and neighborhood businesses.
We learn. We play. We grow together.
A Day at ASF Early Learning
Flexible hours to support working families: before care, core program, and after care.
Before Care
7:00–8:00 a.m.
Core Program
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
After Care
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Program Information
- Ages Served
- Children ages 2–5.
- Core Program
- 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.
- Before Care
- 7:00–8:00 a.m.
- After Care
- 4:00–6:00 p.m.
- Meals & Snacks
- Included each day.
- Potty Training
- Not required — we partner with families.
- Curriculum
- Creative Curriculum for intentional planning.
- Early Literacy
- Heggerty Phonemic Awareness.
- Subsidies
- Maryland Child Care Scholarship and approved subsidies accepted.
- Educator-Led
- A warm environment led by an experienced educator.
- Small-Group Learning
- Personal attention every day.
We Are STRONG!
Safe
We keep ourselves and others safe.
Trustworthy
We are honest and kind.
Respectful
We respect ourselves, others and our environment.
Open-Minded
We listen, learn and try new things.
Nurturing
We care for ourselves and others.
Goal-Focused
We do our best and never give up!
Enrollment
- 1Request a tour and family conversation.
- 2Visit the program and meet the Founder & Director.
- 3Submit the enrollment application and $30 registration fee.
- 4Provide the required health, emergency, and enrollment forms.
- 5Review program policies, routines, and family expectations.
- 6Receive the child’s confirmed start date and welcome information.
Registration Fee
One-time and non-refundable
Contact us for current tuition rates.
A Strong Foundation Early Learning welcomes families using the Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program and other approved childcare subsidies.
Potty training is not required. We partner with families to support each child’s developmental progress and growing independence.
Our Core Beliefs
Every Child Can Learn
Every child has unique strengths, talents, interests, and unlimited potential.
Families Matter
Families are children’s first teachers, and meaningful partnerships create lasting success.
Relationships Come First
Children flourish when they feel safe, known, respected, supported, and valued.
Learning Should Be Joyful
Purposeful play, exploration, discovery, and meaningful instruction build curiosity and confidence.
Character Counts
Kindness, responsibility, respect, perseverance, trustworthiness, and leadership are intentionally modeled and encouraged.
Every Child Belongs
We celebrate diversity, inclusion, family culture, individual strengths, and the unique identity of every child.
Meet Our Founder & Director
Kelly Walker
Founder & Director
Kelly Walker is a Baltimore City native, West Baltimore community member, and educator with more than 20 years of experience supporting children, teachers, and families. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Morgan State University and a master’s degree in Teacher Leadership from National University.
Her experience as a classroom teacher and instructional coach shaped her belief that young children thrive when they receive intentional instruction, personal attention, meaningful encouragement, and opportunities to apply what they learn.
Kelly founded A Strong Foundation Early Learning as a personal calling to provide families with a warm, dependable early-learning environment where children feel safe, curious, confident, and known.
“Every child deserves an early-learning environment where they feel known, supported, challenged, and confident in who they are becoming.”
Our Mission
A safe, nurturing place to grow
Our mission at A Strong Foundation Early Learning is to provide a safe, nurturing, and engaging early learning environment where every child is empowered to grow academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and creatively. Through purposeful play, meaningful relationships, and research-based instruction, we inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare children for lifelong success. We are committed to partnering with families to foster character, resilience, leadership, and a lifelong love of learning while honoring the unique strengths, cultures, and abilities of every child entrusted to our care.
We fulfill our mission by
- Creating a safe and welcoming environment where every child feels valued.
- Providing developmentally appropriate, hands-on learning experiences.
- Building strong partnerships with families through open communication.
- Promoting literacy, early learning, and whole-child development.
- Teaching kindness, respect, responsibility, and leadership every day.
Our Vision
Confident, compassionate, lifelong learners
Our vision is to inspire a generation of confident, compassionate, and lifelong learners by providing exceptional early childhood education rooted in excellence, equity, and strong family partnerships. Our goal is to cultivate curious minds, caring hearts, and resilient leaders who embrace learning, celebrate diversity, and positively impact their families, schools, and communities.
Our vision in action
- Every child feels safe, loved, and respected.
- Learning is joyful, engaging, and meaningful.
- Families are valued as essential partners.
- Children develop confidence, curiosity, and resilience.
- Children grow the skills and character to thrive in school and in life.
Family Fun
Meet Owlie, the ASF Early Learning Mascot
Owlie is curious, kind, and always ready to learn. He helps children explore new ideas, celebrate progress, practice strong character, and remember that every day is a new opportunity to grow.
Visit Us
Schedule a Tour
Tell us about your family and we’ll reach out to arrange a visit and a family conversation.