We love Spring Valley Montessori Academy! It's in Bethesda and has a great space. They have a morning & afternoon program Contact them about any openings.
www.springvalleymontessoriacademy.org

I used to live in the neighborhood and posted previously. I wanted to add that a popular choice seemed to be The Harbor School which starts with a 2s program. https://theharborschool.org/

Bradly Hills Presbyterian had a strong following too!
https://www.bhpcns.org/

My kids (now grown) went to Glenbrook Cooperative Nursery School. It was a great experience for our family. The parents assisted both in the classroom on a rotating schedule (there was a nursery for younger siblings whose parents were helping in the classroom) and with general school tasks. There were also parent meetings and occasional events. Having parents help around the school meant that there were low student/teacher ratios, and parents got to know each other, the other kids, and know what was going on at school. I’m sure it’s changed a lot since then, as by its nature if adapted according to the strengths of the parent community.

I think the schedule may be a little less time than you were looking for. Also, the school classroom is located in a church building, but is not affiliated with the church or religion. The curriculum is secular. I don’t remember any religious messaging, or even any religious decorations at all.

https://glenbrookschool.org/about/serious-about-play/

P.S. There are preschool programs at the German and French schools. Both have bus stops in the neighborhood. I don’t know if there is an age requirement for either of the buses, but the schools aren’t far if you initially need to drive. We used the bus service and appreciated the convenience!

It’s a great neighborhood! I used to live a few blocks from Ayrlawn Park and loved it. The majority of kids near us went to a mix of private schools: German, French, Bullis, St. Jane’s, Woods, WES, Heights, Stone Ridge, and more. There were walkers to the neighborhood public schools, but more private school kids in our immediate vicinity. It probably varies block by block.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you everyone! We are an interfaith family( dad is Jewish). So prefer a non-denominational preschool. Sounds like a great community to move into!
Do most kids attend public schools?

Can vary by street or block. On our block, it was like 8 out of 9 went private (different privates, so many to choose from in this area). The next street over, most went to Wyngate/NB.

IME, mostly WYngate but some families go to privates including st Jane or woods academy or McLean. Probably half the families I know that chose private did so because the kids has some needs that weren’t well met in public (dyslexia, ASD, social anxiety, etc.). But there’s plenty going public so there’s typically friends close enough for your kid to walk to their house and easy for parents to get to know one another.

Woods Academy is horrible. Not diverse, academics are lower quality, teacher turnover. Also, several incidents of racism at the school.