About Us

Juanita Sawyer Watkins

When a dream became reality, The Early Learning and Development Center was born. Established in February 1996, ELDC received its license to operate in 1997. As owner, operator, and director, Mrs. Watkins has worked in the school system for thirty years. No stranger to the early learning teaching environment, she has been responsible for the growth, development, and teaching of the young child in Puerto Rico, Virginia, Harford County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City. It was in Baltimore City that she made the decision to establish The Early Learning and Development Center.

Mrs. Watkins earned a certificate in Infants and Toddlers from the Sojourner-Douglass College, an AA degree in Early Elementary Education from Harford Community College, and a BA degree from the Maryland Bible College and Seminary. She believes that the young child begins to learn the moment he or she is born. From that point on, the brain becomes hungry for the knowledge it receives and later perceives as the child focuses on the things in his or her environment. It is at this point that Mrs. Watkins wants to cultivate each child's growth at his or her own rate in the learning process. It is here at The Early Learning and Development Center where preparing for the future begins.

Natasha Watkins

Natasha Watkins has worked in day care for 20 years. She started out as a group leader at Little Steps in Randallstown and has worked her way up to Senior Staff. While in college, Ms. Watkins worked on campus at the day care facility as a student aid. Ms. Watkins earned a BA degree in Early Childhood Education with a secondary focus in Pre-Primary Education from Notre Dame of Maryland University. Ms. Watkins worked in the Harford County School System as a first grade teacher before joining Mrs. Watkins to open ELDC. Ms. Watkins teaches the Kindergarten Classroom.

Addie Ruffin

Mrs. Ruffin is the Principle Liaison between the Baltimore City Public School System and The Early Learning and Development Center. As the liaison, she keeps the staff of ELDC aware of and in step with changes within the BCPSS. She currently works within the BCPSS as a teacher at Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School (MERVO).