Here are some reviews and letters from Parents who's children attended our Center:
We had our 3 (now 4) year old boy at Zoia's for about 1-1/2 years.
This was his first time at a daycare, as he had been under his grandmothers or nanny care since he was born.. Like all new
environments, it took a few weeks for him to acclimate to his new environment and "share space" with others... But after a week or two -
during which time he was often resting in Zoia's arms for comfort - the only problem we ever had was trying to extricate him at the end of the day; he never wanted to leave. Zoia's daycare is a family-run affair and she and her engineer husband have detailed every aspect of the physical environment to provide the most nurturing experience possible for a child; for example, as an Architect, I immediately noticed the attention that went into the outdoor area, which is beautifully landscaped, well-equipped with stationary and mobile play items, is safe and fenced in. Inside it is clean but doesn't feel like a sterile institution. It feels like a normal living area in a loving home; and that's what it really is. Zoia's hand is in everything that happens during the day with these kids; Clearly, she plans
very day and sets the stage for learning and fun. As a previous comments said, Zoia seems to have boundless energy and is always organizing group activities and cultural festivities for the kids. She sends us the pictures, and the excitement on all the little faces (including our son's) tell us all we need to know about our son's day.... and explains why he didn't want to leave when I came to pick him up. We're a military family, with (at that time) a Wife in medical residency, and we needed a ton of flexibility. For example, there was the time (I think it was "snowmageddon" 2009/2010) when the power went out and our older son's kindergarten class was cancelled for a few days. Not only was Zoia open the next day (they have a generator), but she took in our older son as well for the
day. There were several more school closures - some anticipated and some not - and every time she extended the same flexibility.. Unlike the school he's in right now, Zoia never hit us up with late fees when picking up. In fact, i recall her hours were quite amenable (from 0700 to 1800 I think). My Wife and I were very particular about care for our child, and we searched for a long time and tried other care providers before we finally found Zoia. During that search period, we found that daycare providers were either high engagement but undertrained, or else highly qualified but "distant". Zoia possesses that rare combination of professionalism and training with high engagement and nurturing. She was a former early childhood school teacher and is clearly gifted in that area. Yet she loves all the kids. Our boy loved Zoia and really thrived and learned how to interact with others. As a Male poster here, I can't get real sentimental; but we've lived in about 6 different places in the last 10 years, and we often feel like place-less sojourners; The memories we have of our children with Zoia will remain with us as some of the fondest of all. Zoia really felt like an extension of family and we'll never forget her.
Matt S.
Chesapeake, VA
This was his first time at a daycare, as he had been under his grandmothers or nanny care since he was born.. Like all new
environments, it took a few weeks for him to acclimate to his new environment and "share space" with others... But after a week or two -
during which time he was often resting in Zoia's arms for comfort - the only problem we ever had was trying to extricate him at the end of the day; he never wanted to leave. Zoia's daycare is a family-run affair and she and her engineer husband have detailed every aspect of the physical environment to provide the most nurturing experience possible for a child; for example, as an Architect, I immediately noticed the attention that went into the outdoor area, which is beautifully landscaped, well-equipped with stationary and mobile play items, is safe and fenced in. Inside it is clean but doesn't feel like a sterile institution. It feels like a normal living area in a loving home; and that's what it really is. Zoia's hand is in everything that happens during the day with these kids; Clearly, she plans
very day and sets the stage for learning and fun. As a previous comments said, Zoia seems to have boundless energy and is always organizing group activities and cultural festivities for the kids. She sends us the pictures, and the excitement on all the little faces (including our son's) tell us all we need to know about our son's day.... and explains why he didn't want to leave when I came to pick him up. We're a military family, with (at that time) a Wife in medical residency, and we needed a ton of flexibility. For example, there was the time (I think it was "snowmageddon" 2009/2010) when the power went out and our older son's kindergarten class was cancelled for a few days. Not only was Zoia open the next day (they have a generator), but she took in our older son as well for the
day. There were several more school closures - some anticipated and some not - and every time she extended the same flexibility.. Unlike the school he's in right now, Zoia never hit us up with late fees when picking up. In fact, i recall her hours were quite amenable (from 0700 to 1800 I think). My Wife and I were very particular about care for our child, and we searched for a long time and tried other care providers before we finally found Zoia. During that search period, we found that daycare providers were either high engagement but undertrained, or else highly qualified but "distant". Zoia possesses that rare combination of professionalism and training with high engagement and nurturing. She was a former early childhood school teacher and is clearly gifted in that area. Yet she loves all the kids. Our boy loved Zoia and really thrived and learned how to interact with others. As a Male poster here, I can't get real sentimental; but we've lived in about 6 different places in the last 10 years, and we often feel like place-less sojourners; The memories we have of our children with Zoia will remain with us as some of the fondest of all. Zoia really felt like an extension of family and we'll never forget her.
Matt S.
Chesapeake, VA
Our children attended Zoia's Childcare for close to three years, and we (and they) could not have been any happier with the experience. From the moment we walked through the doors on the day of our first visit, we were treated like family. That is the strength of this hidden gem. Zoia treats each and every child as if they were her own, and spares no emotional or financial expense to ensure that they are well cared for and loved. As a professional in the field of Early Childhood Education, it was of utmost importance to me to place my
children in an environment where social-emotional development was emphasized as much (if not more,) as the building of academic skills. We found this at Zoia's.
She built community among the children at her center through shared experiences, positive and respectful communication, meaningful experiences and authentic relationship building. The children were taught how to resolve conflicts in a respectful manner, independence skills were taught through various small tasks (e.g. assisting with putting the cots our for nap time,) and cognitive skills were developed through numerous activites that focused upon art, literacy, math, music, science and social studies activities. Zoia was always open and
approachable, and addressed any issues or concerns with immediacy and grace. The children in her care were always happy and engaged in purposeful play either indoors or outside. The older children were nurturing of the younger children, and everyone had the sense that they were part of a very special family.
Our children flourished at Zoia's Childcare, and now flourish at their schools due to the solid foundation that was built when they attended Zoia's. She is still very much like family to us and we know that her doors are always open to welcome us back for a visit. We would recommend Zoia's Childcare without reservation.
T. S.
Bethesda, MD
children in an environment where social-emotional development was emphasized as much (if not more,) as the building of academic skills. We found this at Zoia's.
She built community among the children at her center through shared experiences, positive and respectful communication, meaningful experiences and authentic relationship building. The children were taught how to resolve conflicts in a respectful manner, independence skills were taught through various small tasks (e.g. assisting with putting the cots our for nap time,) and cognitive skills were developed through numerous activites that focused upon art, literacy, math, music, science and social studies activities. Zoia was always open and
approachable, and addressed any issues or concerns with immediacy and grace. The children in her care were always happy and engaged in purposeful play either indoors or outside. The older children were nurturing of the younger children, and everyone had the sense that they were part of a very special family.
Our children flourished at Zoia's Childcare, and now flourish at their schools due to the solid foundation that was built when they attended Zoia's. She is still very much like family to us and we know that her doors are always open to welcome us back for a visit. We would recommend Zoia's Childcare without reservation.
T. S.
Bethesda, MD
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Just wanted to share our bit of experience with Zoia's daycare. We have sent both of our kids, now 8 and 10 years old to Zoia's. She and her family welcomed the kids with an open heart and treated them like their own. There was plenty of hugging and cuddling to go around: my son at the time 8 months of age had a bit of a transition to make from home to a new place, so for a while Zoia's sons
were caring him around and letting him nap on their chest for comfort. Zoia and her family love children and truly make them feel at home and cared for.
There are lots of activities for the kids of different ages in the daycare and adults to supervise and direct them: story time, computer awareness, music time (Zoia plays an accordion and teaches kids to listen and to sing), structured physical exercise, art sessions, and free play. Kids learn the alphabet, colors, numbers, seasons, etc. and how to write their names. Zoia is an energetic and
very creative woman always coming up with new ways to engage the kids in learning.
On major holidays the daycare is lavishly decorated and Zoia stages musical performance as well as a display of kids achievements to the parents with lots of food for everybody to partake. Kids birthdays also have special celebrations as well graduations from the daycare.
the Center also has a password only accessible website where pictures from the events are posted.
Angelouch, Zoia's husband, attends to the structural and virtual running of the daycare with passion.
The whole lower level of Zoia's big house is dedicated solely to the daycare: it is spacious, warm, clean and bright, with separate
sleeping area, play area, kitchen and art sections. Daycare bathroom is big and has its separate dedicated area for diaper changes that is very clean. My children never had a diaper rash while attending Zoia's daycare.
The family goes to a great length to keep the daycare furniture, equipment, supplies, and toys up-to-date, age appropriate, and entertaining.
Zoia takes kids outdoors (well equipped day care playground) regularly and to the library nearby for another story time experience.
Zoia communicates with parents regarding the child's day routinely: the mood, the food, the nap, the activity level, etc. and will work with you if something comes up.
A true testament of how the kids feel about the place is when it is the time to get them home, they never want to leave. To this day, my kids miss Zoia and want to visit her to say hi.
Yuliya Yasinskaya,
Bethesda, MD
My daughter went to Zoia's for two years from age 10 months to 2 and a half. We just stopped attending because we went back to live in France. During those 2 years, we never had a problem ,be it with Zoia or any other member of the daycare. Zoia has always been very caring and helpful. Our daughter really loved going there and kept asking for Zoia when we left.
Zoia is very dedicated to the children she takes care of , she does everything she can to make them happy and comfortable and you can see that the children are glad there. She is also very nice to the parents and never refused to answer any questions unlike what
the other person seemed to say.
Zoia made sure the children were respectful with each other, there never were any big tantrums or screaming , the atmosphere
was always relaxed unlike in other daycares I had visited before choosing Zoia.
To me , Zoia, Ilia, Raya, and Tony are very trustworthy people and I would not hesitate to recommend this daycare.
Delphine Dejean,
Saint-Gervasy, Gard, France
were caring him around and letting him nap on their chest for comfort. Zoia and her family love children and truly make them feel at home and cared for.
There are lots of activities for the kids of different ages in the daycare and adults to supervise and direct them: story time, computer awareness, music time (Zoia plays an accordion and teaches kids to listen and to sing), structured physical exercise, art sessions, and free play. Kids learn the alphabet, colors, numbers, seasons, etc. and how to write their names. Zoia is an energetic and
very creative woman always coming up with new ways to engage the kids in learning.
On major holidays the daycare is lavishly decorated and Zoia stages musical performance as well as a display of kids achievements to the parents with lots of food for everybody to partake. Kids birthdays also have special celebrations as well graduations from the daycare.
the Center also has a password only accessible website where pictures from the events are posted.
Angelouch, Zoia's husband, attends to the structural and virtual running of the daycare with passion.
The whole lower level of Zoia's big house is dedicated solely to the daycare: it is spacious, warm, clean and bright, with separate
sleeping area, play area, kitchen and art sections. Daycare bathroom is big and has its separate dedicated area for diaper changes that is very clean. My children never had a diaper rash while attending Zoia's daycare.
The family goes to a great length to keep the daycare furniture, equipment, supplies, and toys up-to-date, age appropriate, and entertaining.
Zoia takes kids outdoors (well equipped day care playground) regularly and to the library nearby for another story time experience.
Zoia communicates with parents regarding the child's day routinely: the mood, the food, the nap, the activity level, etc. and will work with you if something comes up.
A true testament of how the kids feel about the place is when it is the time to get them home, they never want to leave. To this day, my kids miss Zoia and want to visit her to say hi.
Yuliya Yasinskaya,
Bethesda, MD
My daughter went to Zoia's for two years from age 10 months to 2 and a half. We just stopped attending because we went back to live in France. During those 2 years, we never had a problem ,be it with Zoia or any other member of the daycare. Zoia has always been very caring and helpful. Our daughter really loved going there and kept asking for Zoia when we left.
Zoia is very dedicated to the children she takes care of , she does everything she can to make them happy and comfortable and you can see that the children are glad there. She is also very nice to the parents and never refused to answer any questions unlike what
the other person seemed to say.
Zoia made sure the children were respectful with each other, there never were any big tantrums or screaming , the atmosphere
was always relaxed unlike in other daycares I had visited before choosing Zoia.
To me , Zoia, Ilia, Raya, and Tony are very trustworthy people and I would not hesitate to recommend this daycare.
Delphine Dejean,
Saint-Gervasy, Gard, France
