Our innovative approach to early education is inspired by Reggio Emilia and Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE), both of which create a strong foundation for independent and creative lifelong learners. Here at Young School, we are proud pioneers of the "Cottage" learning environment. Our unique setting gives children a place where they are honored as individuals and valued as participating members of the community.
In everything we do, your child's safety remains our top priority. Guidance from state and local health authorities ensures a healthy, clean space. That's peace of mind for you as your child taps into the wonders of our dynamic, nurturing classrooms. You'll receive regular updates through our family communication app, so you don't miss a thing.
In everything we do, your child's safety remains our top priority. Guidance from state and local health authorities ensures a healthy, clean space. That's peace of mind for you as your child taps into the wonders of our dynamic, nurturing classrooms. You'll receive regular updates through our family communication app, so you don't miss a thing.
Services
Young School provides a thoughtful play on early education. We are proud pioneers of the Cottage learning environment and it continues to cultivate independence, foster creativity, and encourage children to play an active role in their classroom community. Here, children work together, embrace their natural curiosity, and explore meaningful educational opportunities.
Our dream of providing a higher quality of care and education for young children began in 1987. Founders Josh and Jo Ann Young opened their first location as YoungCare Child Development Center in Columbia, Maryland. Jo Ann's background in education and Josh's background in business operations created a solid foundation that is still going strong today.
We celebrate each child's unique qualities and we know it takes dedicated, nurturing teachers to help guide their natural curiosity and development. We believe the heart of a quality education begins with the people who care for our little ones, so we pay special attention to seeking those who believe in our mission and reflect our values.
We believe children are naturally drawn to exploration and problem-solving. At Young School, we value our role in supporting their learning journey as each child embraces their own knowledge and impressive capabilities. Our curriculum is inspired by two internationally acclaimed programs: Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) and the Reggio Emilia approach.
Our teachers are partners in your child's growth and development. Here, learning is guided through sensitive observation, questioning, and provocations designed to build upon each child's unique abilities and natural curiosity. Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) is an approach inspired by the natural integrity of infants and the formative power of relationships in their lives.
Reviews (15)
Anonymous
Oct 21, 2021
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The teachers are really wonderful. They are so good to our kids. However, the management is terrible. Hours are cut because of staffing issues (understand the times, I do) but the doors do not open on time and that’s NOT the teachers responsibility. It is the administrators. I don’t know any other business where it’s acceptable to say you open at 7:45, but parents are waiting outside at 7:55 with administrators in the building just not opening doors and then a teacher grabbing students on the way in. The teachers deserve more support. If we want good teachers, they need more.
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William P.
Oct 01, 2021
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The Young School's practices are worlds apart from what they claim. They promote leadership that does not embrace any of the positive learning environment philosophies that they publicly tout as part of their method. Staff infighting and leadership pettiness ensures that The Young School's model will offer you a very expensive day care but not a pre-school that helps young minds grow, which is a shame because there are teachers at the school trying to make a difference. Secretive leadership that tells half-baked half-truths is not conducive to a positive environment and kills good teachers
Kristen Risner
Jan 08, 2019
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Overall we are very pleased with our experience at The Young School at Kendall Ridge. Our daughter has attended for nearly 5 years since she was 3 months old and our son is set to start this year. The teachers are so nurturing and our daughter has had such a great experience here. We love their approach to teaching through creative play and independent exploration. They keep the kids together as much as possible so she has been with the same group of kids most of her time here. This summer they switched over to a more healthy snack menu with portioned serving sizes. It’s been a great experience
Meagan Gregory
Jan 06, 2019
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I have two children who currently attend the Young School at Kendall Ridge. My oldest is entering her last year in the preschool program and my youngest is moving from infant care to the "junior preschool" (the 2s room). Overall, I love the philosophy of the school. The children's interests is what guides the "curriculum" (in quotes because it is not about drilling letters, numbers, etc - though these things are also taught, just more naturally), which I love because it fosters a curiosity and a love of learning. I have found the teachers and administrators to be nurturing and supportive. I can
Danyelle Blackwell
Sep 24, 2018
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We are so happy to have found the Young School! Our 2 year old son (at the time) attended an in-home center that we loved - but we knew he needed more... specifically more opportunities to socialize with children of a variety of ages, with a more structured curriculum. We found that not only did the Young School gave a curriculum, but it was progressive... so our son contributed to its development along with his classmates! He’s had so much growth since attending the school and his vocabulary has exploded! We love the staff and highly recommend the school!
Katie P.
Aug 27, 2018
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We have been using the Young School for the past 4 months for our infant daughter. We LOVE this place! The teachers really care and want to be there, and develop great relationships with the little ones. The school leadership is great at communicating when it comes to both the good and the bad. We love their teaching philosophy and are really enjoying watching our daughter learn and grow with her classmates.
Mike A.
Aug 16, 2018
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My wife and I have had our daughter enrolled here since she was three months old and we couldn't be happier. She is obviously adored by her teachers and well cared for. We particularly like their use of the brightwheel app so we can check in on her throughout the day. We're very happy with their hours and administrative support as well.
Debbie Goldberg
Jul 28, 2018
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Overall we have had a very positive experience at The Young School at Kendall Ridge. The facility is clean and welcoming. We love the emphasis on natural materials and creative play rather than standard fisher price type toys. Academically we are pleased with what the preschool has to offer. Any issues that we have had have been quickly and professionally addressed by the cottage directors. The school recently introduced a new healthier snack menu, which is a much appreciated change. Overall we have been very happy with our experience at the young school over the last 5 years and highly recommend
Stephanie I.
Aug 11, 2016
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Our daughter has been at Young School since she was 3 months and we could not be happier. The staff there have been amazing since the day we walked through the door looking for a daycare. We wanted a place that was safe, structured, and looked like a place that people generally liked to work at. We love that when the kids move rooms, their fellow classmates and teachers move with them. Many of my friends who have kids in other schools do not have that and struggle with the transitions. What really helped with our decision to choose the young school is that I never see any of the staff on their
Christy F.
Aug 09, 2016
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I'm updating my review as we've been with the Young School for a while longer now. The high points of the Young School are:
- a wonderful, warm environment for kids with lots of influences from nature
- an emphasis on making kids comfortable with new situations - thoughtful transitions between levels of school
- fun summer programming with lots of water play and themed fantastic fridays!
-proper structure for kids with curiosity - daily group events like 'hug circle' but also stations for kids to learn through exploring
-cottage environments for babies: safe but encourages
- a wonderful, warm environment for kids with lots of influences from nature
- an emphasis on making kids comfortable with new situations - thoughtful transitions between levels of school
- fun summer programming with lots of water play and themed fantastic fridays!
-proper structure for kids with curiosity - daily group events like 'hug circle' but also stations for kids to learn through exploring
-cottage environments for babies: safe but encourages
Colleen Ryland
Feb 02, 2016
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I cannot say enough positive things about The Young School- Kendall Ridge. My daughter has attended since she was an infant and my son since he was two. All teachers are nurturing and skilled in working with young children. I am confident that all of my children’s emotional, cognitive, and social needs are met while at The Young School. The school encourages all students to develop at their own rate and teachers plan activities that are engaging and allow students to learn academic skills through play and exploration. Both of my children have learned so much and have become confident preschoolers
Thomas Kopf
Nov 29, 2015
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My son has been with The Young School since he was 8 weeks old and we have had a wonderful experience. He loves all of his teachers and they all know and care for him. It is such a comfort knowing our child is well cared for every day.
The school's rules and philosophy allow my son to learn and grow in a safe environment. The classrooms provide lots of opportunities to develop the children's skills and the teachers have lesson plans to encourage the completion of developmental milestones. Parent/teacher conferences are also offered where the milestones are explained with how your child is demonstrating
The school's rules and philosophy allow my son to learn and grow in a safe environment. The classrooms provide lots of opportunities to develop the children's skills and the teachers have lesson plans to encourage the completion of developmental milestones. Parent/teacher conferences are also offered where the milestones are explained with how your child is demonstrating
Tahirih Samadani
Oct 21, 2015
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I highly recommend the Young School at Kendall Ridge in Columbia, Maryland. I have been sending my kids there for six and half years. My oldest daughter has already graduated from the school and my youngest is in the preschool program. When my children were babies, I had no doubt in my mind that they were receiving the best care while I was at work. I thought that they enabled my child to be independent and explore her surrounding in a safe and loving environment. Their teachers were exceptional and responsive to any request that I made. When my children were in the preschool program, they were
Megan Knysak
Oct 02, 2015
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Sending our daughter to the Young School Kendall Ridge is the best parenting decision we have made. The warm, caring, creative, and inspiring atmosphere has helped our shy child find herself and her place with her peers. The bonds she has formed with her teachers speaks to how much they genuinely love and care about the students at the school. Every day my daughter has to find all of her teachers to give them a goodbye hug. She has grown emotionally, academically, and socially in the 9 months she has attended Young School and we can't wait to see how she grows next year. We love it so much that
Amanda S.
Jun 23, 2015
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My son is in the infant room and has been for several months.
The Young School provides a safe, exploratory environment for babies. They have really thought through the design of the classroom from a baby's perspective. My son has learned well how to play by himself. I also like that the teachers have a lot of experience; to me, this signals that the school treats their teachers well.
At times the RIE philosophy seems to get in the way of common sense (e.g. not helping a child into the sitting position who clearly wants to and cries in any other position because she can't yet do
The Young School provides a safe, exploratory environment for babies. They have really thought through the design of the classroom from a baby's perspective. My son has learned well how to play by himself. I also like that the teachers have a lot of experience; to me, this signals that the school treats their teachers well.
At times the RIE philosophy seems to get in the way of common sense (e.g. not helping a child into the sitting position who clearly wants to and cries in any other position because she can't yet do
