Our Curriculum & Learning Framework
We Don't Babysit. We Teach.
At KALE, every moment is intentional. We use nationally recognized, research-based curriculum that meets every child where they are — and moves them forward. Here's exactly what your child learns here, and why it works.
Proud to Be Aligned With
Why Our Curriculum Matters
This is what's different about learning at KALE.
A lot of child care centers say they do curriculum. We actually mean it. Everything we teach is grounded in child development research, aligned to Virginia's early learning standards, and delivered by teachers who are trained to do it right. Here's what that looks like in practice.
Experience Early Learning Curriculum
We use Experience Baby™, Experience Toddler™, and Experience Preschool™ — nationally recognized programs that build 23–36 foundational skills per age group through relationship-based play, storybooks, music, and hands-on exploration. Every month brings new themes. Every week brings new growth.
STE(AI)M™ Enrichment
KALE layers our proprietary STE(AI)M™ framework into every program — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and AI literacy. Children as young as 6 weeks begin building the curiosity, problem-solving, and creative thinking that will define their futures.
STEAM Stations™
Our preschool and school-age programs use STEAM Stations™ — open-ended, hands-on investigation labs that rotate weekly. Children investigate real questions, use real tools, and discover real answers. No worksheets. No busywork. Real learning.
VQB5 & NAEYC Aligned
Our programs align with Virginia Quality Block 5 (VQB5) standards and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) framework — the two most respected quality benchmarks in early childhood education. This means you know what you're getting.
Brightwheel Daily Communication
Every family receives real-time updates through Brightwheel — the #1 early childhood communication platform. Photos, activity logs, meals, diaper/sleep records, developmental milestones, and teacher messages delivered to your phone throughout the day. You never miss a moment.
CACFP Meals — Included Daily
We participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which means breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack are included every day at no extra charge. Nutritious, age-appropriate, and ready — parents don't pack a thing.
Curriculum by Age Group
The right curriculum at every stage.
We don't use one curriculum for everyone. Every age group gets developmentally appropriate programming built specifically for where they are — and where they're going next.
6 weeks – 16 months
Experience Baby™ Curriculum — Relationship-based care and learning built on 23 foundational skills. Teachers use books, puppets, music, and sensory materials to build emotional connections, language, and cognitive development. Individualized for each baby's unique pace. Download Family Flyer →
16 months – 36 months
Experience Toddler™ Curriculum — Research-based curriculum that supports 36 foundational skills through play, storybooks, and exploration. New themes every month. New storybook every week. Language, social-emotional skills, and emerging independence built every day. Download Family Flyer →
3 – 5 years
Experience Preschool™ + STEAM Stations™ — Full literacy, math, science, social studies, and creative arts curriculum combined with open-ended STEAM investigation labs. Children graduate to kindergarten confident, curious, and genuinely ready. Download STEAM Sample →
All Ages
Our proprietary STE(AI)M™ framework layers AI literacy, robotics, coding, engineering challenges, and maker activities into every program. Character Before Code™ — we teach children who they are before we teach them what to build. Download 2025 Framework →
Family Communication
You're always in the loop.
We use Brightwheel — the #1 platform for early childhood communication — so you always know exactly what's happening in your child's day. No guessing. No waiting until pickup.
Real-Time Photos & Videos
See your child learning, playing, and growing throughout the day. Teachers post moments as they happen so you feel connected even from work.
Daily Activity Reports
Every meal, nap, diaper change, and activity logged and sent directly to your phone. You arrive at pickup already knowing how their day went.
Developmental Milestones
Teachers track and share developmental progress across all 8 early learning domains. You see your child's growth in real time — and celebrate every milestone with us.
Resources for Families
Download our curriculum resources.
Want to know more about what your child is learning at KALE? These documents tell the full story.
See the curriculum come alive.
Words and PDFs can only do so much. Come tour KALE and watch our teachers bring the learning to life in real classrooms with real children.