Markita Kelly

Markita Kelly – Owner & Educator, A Place to Grow Childcare

Markita Kelly is a dedicated early childhood educator with over a decade of experience in the field. She began her journey in early childhood education (ECE) in 2013, working as an instructional assistant, lead teacher, and mentor teacher before founding A Place to Grow Childcare in 2022. She holds a Bachelor's degree and has earned a Level 5 Credential from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). She is currently pursuing her Master's in Early Childhood Education while working toward National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) accreditation and maintaining a Level 3 rating in the Maryland EXCELS program.

Markita’s passion for early childhood education stems from her belief that every child deserves a strong foundation for lifelong learning. She was inspired to open A Place to Grow Childcare to create a nurturing environment where young children can develop socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. Her educational philosophy emphasizes exploration, discovery, and creativity, fostering a love of learning through play-based and developmentally appropriate experiences.

Her goal is to prepare children for future academic success by equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in traditional education settings while also fostering independence, confidence, and curiosity. She is committed to empowering families, strengthening community connections, and continuously improving the quality of care and education provided at A Place to Grow Childcare.