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

[Anonymous]

My family just moved to VA from the NYC area and we are scrambling to find a school for our daughter for the 2020-2021 year as I just noticed applications are due soon. Our daughter will be 2 in August 2020 so she'll just meet the age requirements at many places. We live in the Falls Church area and our priorities are safety/security, quality teachers, and low ratios. Would appreciate your thoughts on some of the top schools in the area! Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Forgot to add that budget would be 2k a month and I'd prefer a full day program but can be flexible.

[Anonymous]

I have two kids go through Columbia Baptist in Falls Church. It’s a little hard to get in the younger classes though (more openings at age 3). I think applications will be due in January. Low teacher turn over and we have had a great experience (my youngest is in their Jr K now).

[Anonymous]

This area is not as challenging for preschool applications like NYC is, so don’t panic yet. Additionally, it’s a very transient area, so people can often find out they’re being transferred after they’re in a program, so openings do happen. That said, two is young for preschool, and you’ll find more part-time programs than full-time. Co-op’s are also somewhat popular here, if that could work for you.

Pp’s question was valid, I think. Full-time care is different than preschool. Preschools often follow an academic calendar and aren’t built around the needs of two working parents like a daycare would be. It would be helpful if you clarified what your situation is.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

The better question than bitchy PPs' would be - are you looking for part-time or full-time preschool?

There are a ton of part-time options - mostly at churches.

There are fewer full-time options, but still good ones both at churches and stand-alone. Applications are usually due in January, so start calling now.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Rodef Shalom

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. I would prefer a preschool but am open to daycares as well given her young age.

[Anonymous]

Early Years Preschool in N Arlington and close to Falls Church. I think they have longer hours then a typical preschool

[Anonymous]

In Falls Church I would look at Congressional,

[Anonymous]

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!

[Anonymous]

Your timing is good if you want full-time because while the full time programs have rolling availability, a lot of spots tend to come up in summer. That's because summer is when kids "graduate" out of daycare programs and start PK-3 and it is also when the largest number of families move.

[Anonymous]

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).

[Anonymous]

Little Ambassadors! The Overlee Campus is close to Falls Church.