Welcome
Bienvenidos to Huellitas Kids Family Childcare
Spanish immersion program for curious young minds. "Learning through play, growing through language."
About Huellitas Kids
Philosophy
Our philosophy is rooted in developmentally appropriate practice. We guide our program by the needs of the children we serve, teaching in ways that match how they naturally grow and learn. Children are gently challenged just beyond their current abilities, with ongoing opportunities to practice new skills. Learning unfolds through play, social interaction, and structured skill‑building that prepares each child for a confident transition into preschool.
At Huellitas Kids, we partner with families to create a joyful, inclusive community where every child can thrive, express themselves, and discover the world with confidence.
Our Teachers
At Huellitas Kids, our diverse and experienced educators are the heart of our program. Each teacher brings unique skills, cultural perspectives, and a deep commitment to providing developmentally appropriate care in an inclusive and supportive environment. Our team is highly qualified, engages in ongoing professional development, and stays current with best practices in early childhood education. With low teacher to child ratios, we ensure every child receives individualized attention, high‑quality care, and meaningful learning experiences. Our educators follow the highest OSSE standards for health, safety, and early learning, and our Spanish immersion program further enriches the curriculum by enhancing language development and cultural understanding.
Spanish Immersion Model
At Huellitas Kids, our Spanish Immersion Model is designed to help children acquire language naturally, confidently, and joyfully. We use a full immersion approach, allowing children to absorb Spanish the same way they learn English through meaningful interactions, daily routines, and rich social experiences rather than translation.
Our native‑speaking teachers use Spanish throughout the day, supported by bright visuals, gestures, expressions, and engaging voices that make comprehension intuitive and fun. Rhythmic chanting, repetition, and consistent phrases strengthen retention, while small group settings ensure developmentally appropriate care, individualized learning, and peer modeling.
Our curriculum focuses on functional, everyday language children can use right away. We emphasize key phrases (“language chunks”), clear sheltered language for understanding, and constant exposure that builds fluency over time. With positive reinforcement and the freedom to progress at their own pace, children develop confidence, curiosity, and strong bilingual foundations that will support them for years to come.
Inside Our Program
Our Early Learning Program
Our Early Learning Program
Our Early Learning Program
Our play‑based program offers developmentally appropriate care that nurtures each child’s curiosity, creativity, and individuality while supporting their natural development. Through hands‑on exploration, social interaction, and gentle guidance from our educators, children build confidence, essential early skills, and a love of learning that prepares them for preschool and beyond. Additionally, our Spanish immersion program enhances their learning experience.
Thematic Learning
Our Early Learning Program
Our Early Learning Program
Our curriculum is organized into themes that rotate every 4–5 weeks, providing variety and meaningful language exposure in the classroom. These themes provide children with context for practicing new skills while learning in a supportive, respectful community. We proudly use the Creative Curriculum to guide our developmentally appropriate care, ensuring engaging learning experiences that support early childhood education. Additionally, our program enhances language skills and cultural understanding.
Flexible Scheduling
Our Early Learning Program
We understand that every family has different needs, which is why we offer flexible childcare scheduling in Petworth to fit your busy lifestyle. Whether you need full-time, part-time, or drop-in care.
Curriculum
At Huellitas Kids, we follow the Creative Curriculum, a play based, developmentally appropriate approach that nurtures physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. Our program blends hands‑on exploration with a strong language development model that goes beyond vocabulary lists to focus on functional, meaningful communication.
Children learn through Language Chunks for immediate use, Sheltered Language for clear comprehension, Rhythm and Repetition for retention, Constant Language Exposure throughout the day, and Positive Reinforcement that builds confidence. Through our Spanish immersion program, children build essential skills while exploring the world through play, creativity, and joyful learning experiences.
Our Facility
Family Partnership
We understand that a child’s environment plays an important role in their growth and development. Our facility, is designed to be safe, welcoming, and engaging. With bright, organized spaces, children can explore, play, and learn with confidence.
Our clean, well equipped classrooms promote developmentally appropriate care, encouraging hands-on learning, creativity, and social interaction throughout the day. Additionally, we work closely with parents to support each child’s development, creating a space where families feel comfortable, informed, and connected.
Family Partnership
Family Partnership
At Huellitas Kids, we believe that families and teachers work best as a team. We value open communication and encourage parents to share observations, concerns, and ideas. By partnering together, we can:
- Ensure consistency between home and school routines
- Support each child’s social, emotional, and academic growth
- Celebrate cultural traditions and family values within our community
- Build trust and create a nurturing environment where children thrive
We see parents as essential partners in their child’s learning journey, and we are committed to maintaining a warm, transparent relationship with every family.
Huellitas Kids Child Care - Where Learning is Fun!
Sample Daily Schedules
At Huellitas Kids, our approach emphasizes consistent routines that create a predictable environment. This builds trust, helps children feel secure, and fosters a strong sense of belonging in our community.
Infants' sample schedule (6 weeks - 12 months)
In our infant room, we prioritize developmentally appropriate care by following each child’s unique rhythm and needs. Babies have individualized schedules for eating, sleeping, and play, allowing them to grow and explore at their own pace. Throughout the day, infants also enjoy walks and playground time when the weather allows.
Our teachers partner closely with families to maintain consistent routines and provide responsive care that supports every baby’s development, aligning with our commitment to early childhood education.
Toddlers sample schedule (1 - 3 years old)
8:00–9:30 AM
Arrival, Breakfast & Morning Play
Children ease into the day with breakfast, small-group activities, or independent play.
9:30–10:00
Clean‑Up, Diapering & Toileting
10:00–10:30
Circle Time
Weather check, calendar, stories, songs, circle games, and curriculum‑based activities.
10:30–12:00
Gross Motor Activities
Outdoor walks and playground time (weather permitting).
12:00–12:45
Stories, Lunch & Clean‑Up
12:45–1:30
Diapering, Toileting & Nap Preparation
1:30–3:30
Nap & Quiet Time
3:30–4:00
Wake‑Up, Afternoon Snack, Diapering & Toileting
4:00–4:30
Outdoor Play
Walks and playground time (weather permitting).
4:30–5:00 PM
Creative Play & Pick‑Up
Arts and crafts, curriculum activities, circle time, choice time, and dismissal.
Our Qualified Early Childhood Professionals
Director
Blanca Huezo brings her rich cultural heritage from El Salvador and over a decade of experience in early childhood education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Community Education from Trinity Washington University and has served as both a teacher and program leader in childcare settings in Washington, DC since 2013.
Blanca has also contributed her expertise to nonprofit organizations, including the Multicultural Spanish‑Speaking Providers Association, where she supported and advocated for diverse early childhood educators. Her approach to childcare in DC blends strong leadership with hands-on classroom experience, providing developmentally appropriate care. Additionally, she is committed to enhancing programs like the Spanish immersion program, all while maintaining a warm, professional, and deeply committed attitude toward children and families.
Lead Teacher
Rosa Pelaez, proudly from Mexico, brings over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, specifically in childcare in Petworth and throughout Washington, DC. She holds an Associate in Arts (A.A.) in Education from the University of the District of Columbia, where she specialized in providing developmentally appropriate care for children from birth to age three.
Rosa’s teaching philosophy emphasizes patience, respect, and the belief that children thrive when they feel safe, understood, and free to explore at their own pace. In her role as Lead Teacher at Huellitas Kids, she creates calm, nurturing classroom environments where little ones build confidence, develop independence, and discover the joy of learning through meaningful interactions. Rosa also incorporates elements of a Spanish immersion program, sharing her deep expertise and gentle guidance with families each day, helping children flourish during their earliest years.
Teacher Assistant
Tania Estrada, bringing her cultural roots from Mexico, is currently pursuing her associate in arts (A.A.) in Infant/Toddler Education at the University of the District of Columbia. She began her work as an educator in 2023 and is dedicated to providing quality early childhood education, including developmentally appropriate care for young children. As a Teacher Assistant at Huellitas Kids, Tania supports the classroom with enthusiasm and care, helping create a nurturing environment where young children feel safe, engaged, and excited to learn. Her commitment also includes contributing to a Spanish immersion program that enriches the learning experience for all students.
Explore the joy of learning at Huellitas Kids
Every cuddle, song, and sensory activity supports our infants' early language development and builds a foundation for bilingual learning.
Every tower becomes a chance to learn new concepts and new Spanish vocabulary, as children practice problem‑solving, teamwork, and creativity through play.
Our manipulatives, science, and art area encourages our toddlers to explore patterns, cause‑and‑effect, and endless creative possibilities through meaningful, hands‑on play.
From cooking and caring to dressing up and storytelling, toddlers practice problem‑solving and social skills in joyful, pretend‑play moments at our dramatic play area.