Just moved to VA and looking for a preschool for a 2 year old!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A bit about the part-time vs full-time programs here:
- The part-time programs do a yearly application/lottery process, most applications are due in Jan. So you definitely still have time to identify the ones you are interested in and get your applications in.
- The full-time programs have running waitlists. Go ahead and get on the waitlists of those schools you are interested in now. You daughter may not get in for next year, but you never know!

This isn't true - most of the full-time preschools in this area (little ambassadors, columbia baptist, st. josephs, to name a few) have applications due in January, and have a waitlist after that. Columbia Baptist is kind of a racket in that if you don't get in the first year you apply, you have to pay to apply again the following year even if you were on the waitlist. That was a huge turn off for me, we didn't apply the second year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:its going to be a little tough because most preschools in the area start at age 2.5. Another one to look at is Easter seals. They take infants and up and I have a friend who has been happy there. I have always heard great things about Columbia Baptist and we plan to apply for our 2.5 year old, but I have heard other parents with the security concern many times. Many people in this area use a home daycare until 2.5 or 3 and then transition to the preschool programs. I totally get you probably don’t want to have to transition, but just throwing it out there if you don’t find something you like that takes 2 year olds. You can find a list on the Virginia DSS site or really the best way is through a mom board, not sure if falls church has one (I’m in Arlington so not sure).

Again, not true. Most of the full-time preschools I mentioned earlier accept kids starting at 2. It may be the half-day church preschools start at 2.5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the responses so far. I would like a preschool over a daycare but I’m honestly open to both at her age.

I did look at Columbia Baptist (the only one I’ve seen so far) and generally liked it, but was a little worried about the buildings security as I could walk right in and no one was at the front desk.

This was my biggest issue with Columbia Baptist as well - there are multiple entrances and no security.

A few other options:
Falls Church Preschool
St. Joseph's Preschool
Little Ambassador's Academy (in north Arlington, but very close to Falls Church)
Kaye Kare
Falls Church-McLean Toddler Center (or something like that)

There is also a full-day montessori that people recommend, and a few in McLean, too.

Me again - these are all full-time and accept kids starting at 2. Apply now, they probably all have waitlists. My own children have been at St. Joseph's since they turned 2 and we love it.

[Anonymous]

Another recommendation for Little Ambassadors' Academy. My DS is there. I cannot say enough good things about the school, I just *love* it. DS loves it, too. Go ahead and get on the waitlist now if you're interested in the school. Since I only focused on and applied to LAA, I'm not well-versed in other full-time programs. But there are other great ones!

Good luck in your search!

You may have already done this, but I recommend searching past posts in this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A bit about the part-time vs full-time programs here:
- The part-time programs do a yearly application/lottery process, most applications are due in Jan. So you definitely still have time to identify the ones you are interested in and get your applications in.
- The full-time programs have running waitlists. Go ahead and get on the waitlists of those schools you are interested in now. You daughter may not get in for next year, but you never know!

This isn't true - most of the full-time preschools in this area (little ambassadors, columbia baptist, st. josephs, to name a few) have applications due in January, and have a waitlist after that. Columbia Baptist is kind of a racket in that if you don't get in the first year you apply, you have to pay to apply again the following year even if you were on the waitlist. That was a huge turn off for me, we didn't apply the second year.

Incorrect about Little Ambassadors' Academy. I am an LAA parent. You can submit your application at any time throughout the year, via their website. You are then placed on the waitlist. When I applied to LAA, it was something like March.

[Anonymous]

Almost all of the full-day, full-year programs accept applications at any time to get on their waitlists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A bit about the part-time vs full-time programs here:
- The part-time programs do a yearly application/lottery process, most applications are due in Jan. So you definitely still have time to identify the ones you are interested in and get your applications in.
- The full-time programs have running waitlists. Go ahead and get on the waitlists of those schools you are interested in now. You daughter may not get in for next year, but you never know!

This isn't true - most of the full-time preschools in this area (little ambassadors, columbia baptist, st. josephs, to name a few) have applications due in January, and have a waitlist after that. Columbia Baptist is kind of a racket in that if you don't get in the first year you apply, you have to pay to apply again the following year even if you were on the waitlist. That was a huge turn off for me, we didn't apply the second year.

Incorrect about Little Ambassadors' Academy. I am an LAA parent. You can submit your application at any time throughout the year, via their website. You are then placed on the waitlist. When I applied to LAA, it was something like March.

Oops, sorry! Regardless - Columbia Baptist and St. Joseph's for sure have January application deadlines, but they do have rolling waitlists too.

[Anonymous]

Columbia Baptist is getting some new security features over the holidays so they will finally have a secure entrance.
Every family we know who went there (including us) absolutely loved it. But there will be church construction starting at some point- if you go on a tour that would be something to ask about. I have no idea on its timeline. It’s a great school if you have 2 working parents because they follow federal government for closures rather than the school districts (which close constantly for a dusting of snow).

[Anonymous]

I am a Montesspri fan. Make sure they are accredited/members of AMS etc. A number of them have good language programs like Reston Montessori.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Columbia Baptist is getting some new security features over the holidays so they will finally have a secure entrance.
Every family we know who went there (including us) absolutely loved it. But there will be church construction starting at some point- if you go on a tour that would be something to ask about. I have no idea on its timeline. It’s a great school if you have 2 working parents because they follow federal government for closures rather than the school districts (which close constantly for a dusting of snow).

Will the back door and the door between the childcare facility and the church also be secured? Front door security is useless if the door to the church is always open and the door between the church and the preschool are always open.

[Anonymous]

We have loved Congressional but I’m not sure it will be within your budget, honestly. If you are flexible, look into it. It has been wonderful for our child.

[Anonymous]

OP, don’t take it personally if a school you contact is unable to accommodate your family. I’ve noticed on yelp and other platforms that when some parents are told no or turned away for various reasons, they take to trashing the school because their feelings are hurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:its going to be a little tough because most preschools in the area start at age 2.5. Another one to look at is Easter seals. They take infants and up and I have a friend who has been happy there. I have always heard great things about Columbia Baptist and we plan to apply for our 2.5 year old, but I have heard other parents with the security concern many times. Many people in this area use a home daycare until 2.5 or 3 and then transition to the preschool programs. I totally get you probably don’t want to have to transition, but just throwing it out there if you don’t find something you like that takes 2 year olds. You can find a list on the Virginia DSS site or really the best way is through a mom board, not sure if falls church has one (I’m in Arlington so not sure).

Again, not true. Most of the full-time preschools I mentioned earlier accept kids starting at 2. It may be the half-day church preschools start at 2.5.

Some of the smaller half day ones require 2.5 and potty trained. They don’t want to deal with potty training or staff for it.

[Anonymous]

Depending on where you are in Falls Church, Resurrection Lutheran on Washington Blvd (east of EFC before Westover) might work for you. It's a morning program, but they have two 2s classes. Both of my children were very happy there. Like other part-time programs, the lottery is in January/Feb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depending on where you are in Falls Church, Resurrection Lutheran on Washington Blvd (east of EFC before Westover) might work for you. It's a morning program, but they have two 2s classes. Both of my children were very happy there. Like other part-time programs, the lottery is in January/Feb.

Also, potty training isn't required until the child enters the 3 year old class. They were very supportive when we trained our children.