McLean preschools

[Anonymous]

We are new to the area and are looking at preschools for our daughter.

Does anyone have experience to share about:

-Lutheran Redeemer
-Trinity UMC
-Dolley Madison

There are some older posts on here several years old, but was wondering if anyone had more recent feedback.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Also look into:

McLean Montessori on Kirby Rd
Brooksfield School on Kirby Rd
Lewinsville Montessori on Great Falls St
Country Day on Georgetown Pike
Ridgemont Montessori on Georgetown Pike

I suggest looking into each of these plus the ones already on your list. Combined those preschools have a WIDE range of different styles. Pick the one that most nearly offers the style you want for your child.

Note that both “montessori” and “play-based” (in metro DC at least) are mostly meaningless in decoding how a preschool really operates. Different schools mean VERY different things when they use either of those phrases. Instead, ask if there is a curriculum (if yes, what is it ?) and ask about “open classroom” and whether child is 100% free to play with anything all day long. Ask whichever specific questions which you care about.

[Anonymous]

Trinity UMC is a “Parents Day Out (PDO) program, meaning it mostly is just child care. It lets a mostly SAH parent get groceries or run errands; the child gets socialization along with indoor/outdoor play.

Redeemer Lutheran’s Preschool is open-classroom and uses “Creative Curriculum”.

Dolley Madison Preschool is more focused on children with speech/language challenges and/or motor development challenges. I believe they will accept kids without those needs, but their focus is on children with those needs.

These 3 are very different from each other. They really aren’t in the same category.

Can you describe what you are looking for in a preschool for your child ?

By the way, for next Fall one needs to focus and move quickly. Enrollment has started already at most preschools and demand for preschool places often exceeds supply in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also look into:

McLean Montessori on Kirby Rd
Brooksfield School on Kirby Rd
Lewinsville Montessori on Great Falls St
Country Day on Georgetown Pike
Ridgemont Montessori on Georgetown Pike

I suggest looking into each of these plus the ones already on your list. Combined those preschools have a WIDE range of different styles. Pick the one that most nearly offers the style you want for your child.

Note that both “montessori” and “play-based” (in metro DC at least) are mostly meaningless in decoding how a preschool really operates. Different schools mean VERY different things when they use either of those phrases. Instead, ask if there is a curriculum (if yes, what is it ?) and ask about “open classroom” and whether child is 100% free to play with anything all day long. Ask whichever specific questions which you care about.

Thank you! Which preschools are the most structured... and with kids academically prepared for kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

Dolly Madison is actually not primarily focused on speech and language delays but they do a great job helping kids with those issues.

There is a new full time preschool opening in McLean (Tysons) called Celebree School. If you are looking for a more full day option may be worth a look as they are new and may be easier to enroll for the fall - A lot of the schools mentioned here are likely full already.

[Anonymous]

My kids went to Country Day. It is a great little school.

[Anonymous]

I sent my kids to First Steps Academy in Tysons. Youngest is still there and my older 2 were very well prepared for Kindergarten. Definitely recommend looking, not sure of their availability

[Anonymous]

We were at First Steps with DC2, great program... but when older DC2 joined DC1 at Montessori School of McLean (MSM) which we preferred for both the development program and also the outdoor resources (outdoor classroom, large playground and field, etc.)... both our kids love being outside and First Steps is in a more urban setting (1st floor of an office building). DC1 also spent some time at Brooksfield, which is similar to MSM but many of the classrooms are indoors with limited natural light, whereas most MSM classrooms have a full wall of windows with much more natural light. Lots of good programs and I'm sure most kids would thrive at any of them (though within any program I also think finding a teacher who fits well with your child is very important), but MSM just seemed the best fit for us program-wise, and also hands-down the best facilities-wise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trinity UMC is a “Parents Day Out (PDO) program, meaning it mostly is just child care. It lets a mostly SAH parent get groceries or run errands; the child gets socialization along with indoor/outdoor play.

Redeemer Lutheran’s Preschool is open-classroom and uses “Creative Curriculum”.

Dolley Madison Preschool is more focused on children with speech/language challenges and/or motor development challenges. I believe they will accept kids without those needs, but their focus is on children with those needs.

These 3 are very different from each other. They really aren’t in the same category.

Can you describe what you are looking for in a preschool for your child ?

By the way, for next Fall one needs to focus and move quickly. Enrollment has started already at most preschools and demand for preschool places often exceeds supply in this area.

Incorrect about Dolley Madison. They take 2-3 kids with speech delays in each class of about 14 kids. It’s an amazing school, but likely full for the fall. Country day would probably fit you the best as they are mostly outdoors however they’re probably also full already. Worth calling to check for cancellations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trinity UMC is a “Parents Day Out (PDO) program, meaning it mostly is just child care. It lets a mostly SAH parent get groceries or run errands; the child gets socialization along with indoor/outdoor play.

Redeemer Lutheran’s Preschool is open-classroom and uses “Creative Curriculum”.

Dolley Madison Preschool is more focused on children with speech/language challenges and/or motor development challenges. I believe they will accept kids without those needs, but their focus is on children with those needs.

These 3 are very different from each other. They really aren’t in the same category.

Can you describe what you are looking for in a preschool for your child ?

By the way, for next Fall one needs to focus and move quickly. Enrollment has started already at most preschools and demand for preschool places often exceeds supply in this area.

I’m not the OP, but thank you for the detailed explanation. I’m looking for a preschool with a structured curriculum and prepares well for kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sent my kids to First Steps Academy in Tysons. Youngest is still there and my older 2 were very well prepared for Kindergarten. Definitely recommend looking, not sure of their availability

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sent my kids to First Steps Academy in Tysons. Youngest is still there and my older 2 were very well prepared for Kindergarten. Definitely recommend looking, not sure of their availability

Thank you!

Isn't that more of a daycare? Not that there's anything wrong with that - it just might be way more hours than OP needs.

[Anonymous]

OP, at this late date, I'd love for you to report back who has openings. Every place in McLean seems fully enrolled.