Play based preschool in Arlington, Falls Church, Mclean, etc.

[Anonymous]

Hello. I am looking for a half-day PLAY based preschool in the Arlington, Falls Church, Mclean area. I would like it to be truly play based (no worksheets, for example) and I would really like a school that is open to parental involvement (maybe coming in to read a story from time to time or volunteer in some other way in the classroom).
However, I am not looking for a co-op as I have an infant as well as a preschooler.
Many thanks.

[Anonymous]

Country Day

[Anonymous]

We love Country Day!

[Anonymous]

Mount Olivet in Arlington

[Anonymous]

Columbia Baptist.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. At the schools listed above how much opportunity is there for parents to come into the classroom every now and then and do things like read a book, or lead an activity or just spend a morning?

[Anonymous]

Most of the church-based ones in Arlington - Westover Baptist, Mt Olivet, Trinity Lutheran, Columbia Baptist in Falls Church

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. At the schools listed above how much opportunity is there for parents to come into the classroom every now and then and do things like read a book, or lead an activity or just spend a morning?

We've been very happy with Dolley Madison! They're always open to parents doing stuff like that.

[Anonymous]

Country Day is totally open to parents coming into the class to read, help with a craft or just have snack. It's a very open door environment if you want to get involved but there is no pressure to do so.

[Anonymous]

Faith Lutheran in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Country Day is totally open to parents coming into the class to read, help with a craft or just have snack. It's a very open door environment if you want to get involved but there is no pressure to do so.

NP. How big is the class size at country day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country Day is totally open to parents coming into the class to read, help with a craft or just have snack. It's a very open door environment if you want to get involved but there is no pressure to do so.

NP. How big is the class size at country day?

It depends partly on age and whether they are full day or half day, but generally between 10-15 kids with 2 teachers. They are offering a lot more options next year - full day for 3 year olds, extended day until 6:00 and more so I'm not sure how that will effect class size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. At the schools listed above how much opportunity is there for parents to come into the classroom every now and then and do things like read a book, or lead an activity or just spend a morning?

At Country Day, they welcome it, but there isn'to pressure to do so. ~2x/year, they have something in the classrooms where parents are invited (like a holiday party). The rest of the year you can come in whenever you arrange it with the teachers. To read, do a craft, for a birthday, etc. I usually go in 3-4 times/year to do this and my husband usually reads once or twice.

Classes are usually 10-15 kids per class.

I really love this school. I was sad when my oldest was too old to go there. It is a really great place that really focuses on being developmentally appropriate and meeting kids where they are.

[link29]

Eastern Ridge School near McLean in Great Falls. Such a great little school where children spend the majority of their day outdoors in a play-based, nature-based, inquiry-based environment. The ratios are 1 teacher per 4 to 6 children. There are no work-sheets anywhere and parents are a part of the community and attend workday, social gatherings, and play dates. Its a great school for children but also for the families. Core program runs from 8:30-3.

[Anonymous]

Chesterbrook, Country Day, Fiore