New daycare center in Annandale offers safe playtime for young children, learning pods for older ones

A classroom at My Baby Steps Academy.

A new daycare/education program, opening in Annandale Sept. 14, offers a place for children to play and learn in safety as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. 

My Baby Steps Academy, at 4602 Ravensworth Road, is based at Hope Lutheran Church. It’s operated by Wilson and Mina Marroquin, who have had a daycare business in their home in Annandale Acres for nearly seven years. 

The new childcare center is approved for up to 80 children ages age 6 weeks to 12 years. To comply with social distancing rules under the pandemic, the center will have low enrollment – just 10 or 20 children – small classrooms, and staggered playtime. 

A COVID-sensitive open house is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

“We understand parents working at home might not have the time or capacity for young children and still need daycare,” Wilson Marroquin says. 

For elementary school-age children, the My Baby Steps Academy will offer learning pods where students can participate in distance learning classes without distractions. 

“We pride ourselves in providing a safe, secure, and nurturing environment in which our children can learn through exploring freely both indoors and outdoors,” says Mina Marroquin. “As parents, we also understand the importance of having a safe and healthy environment to allow all of us to keep moving forward despite the current situation with COVID-19.”  

My Baby Steps offers a STEM-based program that lays the foundations for future academic success, she says. The program teaches children the skills they need to become creators, thinkers, leaders, problem solvers, doers, innovators, inventors, and most important, respectful, joyful, confident learners.