Pre-Kindergarten
Readiness Is More
Than Letters
Pre-Kindergarten in Laurel, Maryland — reading, math, and the self-regulation skills kindergarten teachers actually ask for, inside a licensed home daycare capped at eight children.
Academic Skills And Self-Regulation
Advanced Literacy & Writing
Name-writing and sight-word recognition, built daily rather than crammed before September.
Math Concepts & Problem Solving
Counting to 20 and early problem-solving, worked into games rather than worksheets alone.
Science Experiments & Discovery
Hands-on experiments that build curiosity and the vocabulary to ask real questions.
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
An honest read on where your child stands before the first day, not a surprise in October.
Pre-K Cost, And What Actually Helps
I'll give you my actual Pre-K rate on a call rather than post a number I might have to walk back. What I can tell you now is what most families never check: roughly 1 in 6 Maryland families who qualify for the state's Child Care Scholarship Program never apply, usually because they assume they earn too much. The income threshold is 85% of state median income — about $90,000 a year for a family of four. Apply through mdchildcarehelp.org or call 1-877-918-2322.
A Dependent Care FSA caps pre-tax contributions at $5,000 per household per year — roughly $1,100 in savings at the 22% federal bracket. The federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (IRS Topic 602) covers 20-35% of qualifying expenses up to $3,000 per child, and the two can stack.
Pre-Kindergarten is the last of five licensed programs here before a child moves on to elementary school — and I'd rather point you to money you didn't know you qualified for than let you skip Pre-K over a number that turns out to be wrong.
When Pre-K isn't the right fit: if your child needs a formal academic assessment battery, extended before-7am drop-off, or care past 6:00 PM, I'm not that program. I'm one caregiver, eight kids total, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Pre-K Families Drive In From
Most of my current Pre-K families come from Konterra, Burtonsville, and Jessup — all a short drive from the daycare in Laurel.
Coming from Preschool, or planning what's next after kindergarten? See Preschool or After School Care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages does Pre-Kindergarten accept?
4 to 5 years, the year before kindergarten. Most children move up from Preschool; direct enrollment is also available if there's an opening.
What does kindergarten readiness actually mean here?
By the end of the program, most children can write their names, recognize sight words, and count to 20. Just as important: sitting through a group activity, taking turns, and following multi-step instructions — the self-regulation skills that actually predict a smooth kindergarten start.
Are there subsidies or tax credits that help with Pre-K cost?
Often, yes. Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program covers families earning up to 85% of state median income — about $90,000 a year for a family of four — which is a higher threshold than most families assume. The federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA can also apply and can stack with each other.
How many children are in the Pre-K group?
Maryland caps my license at 8 children total across all ages enrolled, so Pre-K is never a large group by design.
Is Lisa's Rascals licensed for Pre-Kindergarten?
Yes. Licensed under COMAR 13A.15 as a Maryland Family Childcare provider, with annual health and safety recertification.
Ready to Talk About Pre-K?
Schedule a visit and see what a readiness assessment actually looks like here.