"My kids made some great memories with Mrs. Leisha.  I knew they were
in a safe, caring and fun environment to learn." 
- Gina Mastromarino (mother & exec. director at Upper Montgomery Assistance Network)

"Leisha is extraordinarily dedicated to providing child care of the highest quality in all respects.  She is truly a FIND! Our daughter received terrific developmental support educationally such that
she ​excelled upon starting a high-performance private kindergarten class." 
- Kevin Dowdell (father & director/co-owner of Montgomery TennisPlex)

Hello!  I'm Leisha Harrelson, family child care professional and owner of Gingerbread Play House.  I'm very excited to offer my child care services and high quality preschool program to families in the Frederick area..  
  
I went to college with the dream of becoming a director of an outdoor school/camp.  But, life took me in a different direction after my first marriage didn't work out.  I raised my child by myself without child support.  So, I'm more than familiar with parental concerns about the disappointments, expenses and hassles in finding quality child care..  Twenty-one years ago I met my husband, the love of my life,  After the opportunity presented itself, I was able to work from home to become a child care professional.  Now, I'm making a positive difference in the lives of young children.  I have created an enchanting hands-on world for young children right here in my home.  I love what I do and I hope my enthusiasm comes shining through!  I present to you...Gingerbread Play House...a nurturing and magical place to be a kid!

General Licensing::

• Licensed by MSDE in the state of Maryland - license # 156621
• Certified in basic first aid and CPR for infant/child/adult, infant safety, emergency disaster preparedness, and Child Care & Covid-19 safety training.

Advanced Credentials:

• Certified lead preschool teacher and school-age teacher in any child care setting
• Maryland Child Care Credential Program - Achieved Level 5 (with level 6 being the highest) - I've been recognized by MSDE for going above and beyond by completing specialized training to develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide the highest level of care for the children and families I serve.
• Participant of Maryland EXCELS - a voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for licensed child care providers.
•  Completed ​​Maryland Business Assessment Scale (BAS) training program with high scores to implement best business practices, continuous quality improvement to support excellence in teaching young children. 

Specialized college credit coursework includes:  

• Child Psychology & Behavior
• Child Growth & Development
• Activities for Young Children
• Creative Dramatics for Children
• Human Growth & Development
• Outdoor Education
• Intro. to Special Education
• Camp Counseling

• First Aid & Survival Techniques
• Left Brain/Right Brain:  issues & practiculum
• Social Psychology of Small Group Dynamics
• Community Recreation
• Outdoor Recreation Resource Management
• Personal & Community Health
• Advanced Biology
• and many other general required degree classes.  

Training Courses & Workshops::

• Making Learning Fun
• The Magic of Play
• The Art of Child Care
• Let's Play Outdoors
• Caring for Children In Your Home
• Administration of Medication to Young Children
• Learning Centers
• Parent Conferences
• After-School Programs
• Family Diversity
• National Safety Council First Aid
• Infant Safety & SIDS
• Communicating Effectively with Parents
• Medication Administration Training
• ​​Creating Schedules and Routines​​
• Child Care & Covid-19 Safety Training
• ​Transitions and Other Troublesome Times
• ​Child Development and Guidance
• Block Play
• ​Socio-Emotional Development in Young Children
• Challenging Behavior:  Positive Guidance in Child Care​​

• Inclusive Early Childhood Programs
• Making Mealtimes a Pleasant Experience for Young Children
• Keeping Adults Healthy
• National Safety Council Lifesaver Infant/Child/Adult CPR
• Emergency Preparedness Planning & Training 
• Mixed-age Groups in Early Childhood Programs
• Looking at Quality from a Business Administration Perspective 
• Stress and Day Care 
• Including All Children and the Americans With Disabilities Act 
• ​Many Ways to Learn for Toddlers and Preschoolers
• ​Preschoolers in Child Care
• Safe Spaces in Child Care
• Great Days with Kids! - Curriculum & Lesson Planning
• ​Parents and Child Care
• ​Developmental Screening
• Nurturing Children's Self-Esteem
• Johns Hopkins COVID Contact Tracing Course
• ​Understanding and Managing Allergies in Child Care
• ​Caring for Yourself and Achieving Your Goals
• ​Music and Movement
• Nutrition in Early Childhood:  Shaping a Healthy Future​

Professional Memberships:  

• National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC)