Overwhelmed with preschool choices--NoVA

[Anonymous]

I'm a first time mom who is also a SAHM. I'm looking into preschools for next year and starting to take tours. However, there are so many options. How do I narrow it down? I don't know any other moms with older kids who are in preschool (most are in daycare), so I have no one to ask about preschools.

I have made a list of 10 preschools that I have scheduled tours with. But I feel like I need to see more/learn about more. I also don't really know what I should be looking for. For example, this year my daughter and I are doing a Mommy and Me program at a preschool. However, I have decided not to send her there next year. I like the school overall but the other mothers are not friendly, and there is no opportunity to volunteer in the classroom. I also don't like the playground, and the preschool classrooms are not decorated very nicely with few toys, and the toys they have are really old/falling apart. There are also not enough social events at the preschool.

Here are the considerations that are most important to me:
-Co-op environment or active PTA where I can get involved/lots of opportunities to meet other moms and find a sense of community within the preschool
-Lots of social events for parents/families
-Experienced teachers
-Low teacher to student ratio, preferably as low as possible
-Warm, caring environment
-Nice playground space
-Bright classrooms with lots of toys (so many preschools I have toured have such depressing, dingy classrooms and not many toys.)
-Opportunities for music, art, etc.
-Bonus if they provide lunch
-Non-religious

Can anyone suggest other factors I should be considering? Distance from my house is not a factor. I'm willing to drive up to 30 min. each way.

We live near Old Town Fairfax.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

OP here. I forgot to add I'm only looking for part-time. Two or 3 mornings per week.

[Anonymous]

Find a co-op school. You seem to be looking for what co-ops provide.

[Anonymous]

Look at Beverley Hills Preschool. Lovely co-op school. It's associated with a church but not overly religious (I'm an athiest). You do need to lottery to get in though.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at Beverley Hills Preschool. Lovely co-op school. It's associated with a church but not overly religious (I'm an athiest). You do need to lottery to get in though.

I wouldn't commute from Old Town Fairfax for that. Don't be ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

30 minutes each way is 2 hours of driving per day. Just look for a play based one close to your house. It really doesn't mstter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:30 minutes each way is 2 hours of driving per day. Just look for a play based one close to your house. It really doesn't mstter.

+1, especially if you're hoping for a truly social community. Playdates and building community with other families is a lot easier if you are in proximity. Cross off anything that's beyond 15min away and hopefully that shortens your list.

Take the tours. Look up each school and its violations with the state of virginia (https://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/cc.cgi). Almost every facility has violations, you need to read carefully and decide if they are administrative (some other child's benadryl expired) or if they are things that raise red flags regarding the safety and welfare of the children. Ask if you can speak with some current families.

You sound like you have the time and desire to be engaged, so I'd definitely suggest a co-op preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at Beverley Hills Preschool. Lovely co-op school. It's associated with a church but not overly religious (I'm an athiest). You do need to lottery to get in though.

I wouldn't commute from Old Town Fairfax for that. Don't be ridiculous.

Gah! Sorry - read that as Old Town (as in Alexandria). No - don't drive that far.

[Anonymous]

Preschool teacher here, also a parent.

--30 minute commute will wear you down. you won't have time to do anything with a part day preschool if you are that far from home. Plus play dates will be hard to arrange if that's important to you.

--don't worry about the dingy classroom vs flashy classroom. Ask which manipulative they favor, what kind of sensory play they do, and if they focus on dramatic play.

--tour around and just get a feel for the schools. If you feel comfortable and the kids seem happy, you're probably in a good place.

[Anonymous]

What matters for preschool is the teacher - do you like the teacher, is she warm, experienced, comforting, someone you're comfortable with? The toys do not matter at all - your kid can play with toys at home. Blocks are good, trucks, open ended stuff, but preschool is about playing with others and doing things you wouldn't do at home. A dingy classroom is not a problem if the school is otherwise lovely - it's only two mornings a week. Don't get hung up on surfaces.

[Anonymous]

Do you have any preferences for the instruction style/philosophy? I see that you're looking for social opportunities as the mom, but couldn't that come from neighborhood play groups, mommy & me yoga, dance class, etc?

[Anonymous]

Check F.B. Meekins in Vienna. Exactly what you describe, minus lunch (though there is an opportunity for lunch 1x per week for kinds who are 3 and up). Might be a bit of a haul for you, but there are a couple of families who come from Fairfax or farther. They just love the school community and find the drive worth it.

[Anonymous]

Providence Nursery is a co-op in Fairfax. Check it out.

[Anonymous]

I also second Meekins. We love it! Great co-operative preschool, but may be difficult to get to/from during the morning rush.

I would also suggest you look at Providence. It is on Main Street, or is it Little River Turnpike. Its not too far from Trader Joes/Chuck Cheese strip mall on Pickett and Main, We really liked the school but ended up at Meekins due to the commute.

A lot of school will be making their decisions regarding enrollment in early February, so start researching and lining up tours and attending Open Houses.

Good luck!