Comprehensive Guide to Preschools in the DC Area

With so many amazing preschools in the DC area, it can be hard to decide which is best for your child and family.

We created this comprehensive list of local preschools to help ease the decision-making process for you. Read about some of our sponsored schools, and take a look at the tabs below for a list of all of the wonderful preschools in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

From free Pre-K3 in some public schools, to charter schools, private schools, and more, there is an awesome, accessible preschool program for every family!

Ivybrook Academy Sterling is a Montessori and Reggio Emilia–inspired preschool that meets children and families where they are in their learning journey. The school offers a nurturing and stimulating environment where curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning naturally flourish.

Through a balance of hands-on exploration and intentional teaching, Ivybrook Academy Sterling empowers each child to think independently, express themselves confidently, and collaborate with others. The academy offers both half-day and dual session programs with flexible enrollment options designed to meet the needs of today’s families.

With dedicated educators, thoughtfully designed classrooms, and a community-centered approach, Ivybrook Academy Sterling provides the perfect foundation for a child’s growth—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Student Ages:
18 months – Pre-K

Open House:
Personal tours by appointment

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Welcome to Saint Ann Catholic School Preschool!

At Saint Ann, our Christ-centered family provides a nurturing environment where each child’s unique gifts are cherished and developed. Teachers lovingly guide every student, recognizing them as created in the image and likeness of God. Partnering with parents, we prepare children for kindergarten by fostering growth of mind, body, and soul.

Our program develops the whole child—spiritually, socially, emotionally, and academically—through faith-filled lessons, creative play, and engaging curriculum. Students explore reading, math, science, and problem-solving while practicing social skills, prayer, and song.

Contact us at 703.525.7599 or [email protected]. Believe, Achieve, Inspire!

Student Ages:
3 Years – 8th Grade

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Personal Tours:
By Appointment

The Brooksfield School is a Toddler-Kindergarten (2-6 years) private Montessori school located in McLean, VA dedicated to providing a loving, stimulating and creative environment with a focus on the arts and the outdoors including Spanish, music, art, Mindfulness, outdoor education, organic gardening, outdoor adventures, PE, orienteering and more.

Summer camp as well as before/after care programs available. Brooksfield students develop a love for learning that fosters lifelong friendships between children, families, teachers and the community.

Now Enrolling. Tours run daily. Come see our new location in McLean!

Student Ages:
2 – 6 years (Toddler – Kindergarten)

Application Deadline:
February 1, 2026

Open Houses:
Tours run daily!

Grace Episcopal Day School: Inspiring Confident, Joyful Learners Ages 2–11

The earliest years matter most. Grace Episcopal Day School in Kensington, MD, is intentionally designed for ages 2–11, when children’s brains grow rapidly and foundational skills take root.

With small classes, nurturing teachers, and a research-based curriculum, we spark curiosity, critical thinking, and love of learning. Our Reggio-inspired early years and inquiry-driven elementary program cultivate independence, problem-solving, and resilience.

Grace graduates enter middle school not just prepared—but confident, compassionate leaders ready to thrive.

Student Ages:
2 years – grade 5

Application Deadline:
January 25, 2026

Open Houses:
October 16, 2025
December 3, 2025
January 10, 2026
April 16, 2026

Educare DC is your partner for preparing your child for success in school and life. Educare’s safe, fun and challenging programs are led by caring and compassionate childhood development experts who use your child’s curiosity to build a lifetime love of learning—providing the highest quality care and education to families. Educare DC delivers comprehensive services to children as young as six weeks old. From infant to toddler to pre-K, Educare DC partners with your child throughout their growth and development to ensure their success.

Our Parkside location, a NAEYC accredited center, serves infants and toddlers, as well as pre-k aged children.

Educare DC’s full-day, full-year program offers:

• Nutritious and well-balanced breakfast, lunch, supper, and snack each day at no cost.
• On-site health and wellness program ensures that students receive immunizations as well as hearing, vision, and dental screenings.
• Highly qualified teachers who work closely with parents to ensure that all students are learning and developing appropriately. They assist families if additional resources and services are required.
• A dedicated family engagement team, who work closely with parents and caregivers as their child’s first – and most important – teacher. This dual generation approach supports parents to be advocates and drivers of their children’s education.
• Strong community partnerships, including local fitness, arts, gardening, and health organizations, to deliver expertise and enrichment.

Student Ages:
6 Weeks – Pre-K 4

Application Deadline:
Ongoing Enrollment

At Acorn Hill Waldorf Kindergarten & Nursery, we believe that play is the serious work of childhood, and that learning by doing provides the foundation for critical thinking, problem solving and a lifelong enthusiasm for knowledge.

Waldorf Education is based on a developmental approach that addresses the needs of the growing child. Waldorf teachers strive to transform education into an art that educates the whole child.

We provide a warmth-filled place for children to play and create. Our program is primarily outdoors throughout the school year, providing ample time for children to build their resilience and appreciation for the world around them.

Student Ages:
3 – 6 years

Application Deadline:
January 30, 2026

Open Houses:
November 13, 2025
December 4, 2025
December 11, 2025
January 8, 2026
January 15, 2026
January 22, 2026
January 29, 2026

Wee World Early Childhood Development Center is a multilingual, play-based preschool in Friendship Heights, DC, dedicated to nurturing the whole child through curiosity, creativity, and cultural connection. The school blends strong early academics with social–emotional growth and immersive language learning, helping children build confidence, empathy, and identity.

Wee World offers full immersion preschool classrooms in Chinese-English, Farsi-English, French-English, and Spanish-English. Each classroom’s curriculum and lesson plans are designed around its target language and culture, led by at least one native-speaking teacher who helps children naturally learn both languages through play, stories, music, and everyday interaction.

With small class sizes, a holistic curriculum, and deep family partnerships, Wee World empowers children to stay rooted in their heritage while embracing the beauty of a global community — preparing them to thrive in an interconnected world.

Student Ages:
6 Weeks to 5 Years old

Application Deadline:
Ongoing

Open Houses:
Call or email to visit!

The Gardner School is a premium preschool and child care provider offering academically focused programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, including infant care, toddler programs, preschool, and Pre-K. Their thoughtfully designed classrooms and enrichment spaces support early literacy, math, creativity, and social development, helping children build confidence and a lifelong love of learning. The Gardner School has multiple locations across Northern Virginia and DC including locations in Arlington, Ashburn, Herndon, Manassas, and Union Row.

Age Range:
6 weeks to 5 years

Application Deadline:
Rolling admissions; always enrolling

Open Houses:
Contact us to scheduled a tour!

The Primary Day School in Bethesda, Maryland, educates boys and girls during the four most important learning years of their lives—Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade.

It all begins in Pre-K, where children’s natural energy, curiosity, and potential are nurtured and guided. During this magical time of life, a Primary Day education taps all three to the fullest, building the foundation for a lifetime of joyful learning and discovery.

Student Ages:
Pre-K – 2nd Grade

Admission Deadline:
January 12, 2026

Open House:
November 12, 6:30-8:30 pm

Pinecrest School’s Early Childhood Program is for students ages 3 & 4 with full and half-day opportunities.

The program is rooted in the belief that children deserve access to a world of knowledge through stories, discovery, and play, while applying developmentally appropriate practices that differentiate content and experiences. We meet children where they are!

By combining teacher-led instruction with self-directed play, the program ensures children develop a deep understanding across subjects like language & literacy, math, science & nature, history & culture, and Fine Arts & music. The curriculum includes hands-on activities with equal focus on social-emotional learning and academic growth.

Student Ages:
3 years – 6th Grade

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Open Houses:
October 4, 2025, 10:00-1:00pm
November 16, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm
February 21, 2026, 10:00-1:00pm
March 22, 2026 – 1:00-3:00pm

Young children discover themselves through imagination, stories, songs, puppetry, and play. They discover the world through tasks like baking, sewing, hammering, whittling, and gardening. Gentle daily and weekly rhythms nurture children’s sense of awe and wonder while offering them meaningful roles in the classroom community and enhancing their understanding of how to work cooperatively and collaboratively.

Our emphasis on social-emotional learning, creative play, and spending plenty of time in the natural world gives children a developmentally appropriate environment for growth and exploration while building a firm foundation for academic learning in the years ahead.

Forest kindergarten option available.

Student Ages:
Age 2 – Grade 12

Application Deadline:
January 12, 2026

Open Houses:
October 18, 2025, 10:00-12:00pm
December 6, 2025, 10:00-11:30am
April 11, 2026, 10:00-12:00pm
June 6, 2026, 10:00-12:00pm

Two Birds is a Reggio inspired play based preschool program and daycare that provides unique amenities to families which include diapers, wipes, three meals each day, co-working spaces, and weekend enrichment classes.

Student Ages:
Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, and Pre-K

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

School Tours:
Tours of centers are scheduled following a virtual information session.

The River School serves children ages 18 months – Grade 5 with a one-of-a-kind model: each classroom is paired with a master’s-level educator and speech-language pathologist. Since 2000, River has offered an experiential, collaborative learning approach that nurtures academic growth and personal and social development.

Children thrive in River’s play-based, thematic curriculum that’s complemented by a rich Arts & Sciences program. Preschool offers both half-day and full-day options based on age.

River inspires students to find their voice, strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills, persevere through academic and social challenges, and communicate effectively–while building solid foundations in reading, writing and math.

Student Ages:
18 Months – Grade 5

Application Deadline:
January 9, 2026

Open Houses:
September 30, 2025
November 7, 2025
December 10, 2025
January 7, 2026
April 27, 2026

At Palisades Montessori, your child’s first school feels like home – safe, beautiful, and inspiring. With AMS-trained teachers, cozy classrooms, and two private campuses in the Palisades DC, we nurture independence, curiosity, and confidence from birth to age five. We also offer Afterschool programming and summer camps. More than education, it’s a foundation for life.

Student Ages:
3 Months – 12 Years

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Open Houses:
November 16, 2025, 11:00-12:00pm
January 11, 2026, 11:00-12:00pm

Rock Creek Montessori School is an all-day authentic, bilingual Montessori program serving children 1.5-6 years old in Silver Spring, MD. We strive to serve each unique child as they work to become independent, curious, and peaceful people.

Our approach features a dedication to peace education and global awareness, a 100+ year tradition of literacy backed by modern studies such as Science of Reading, and beautiful materials to support advanced mathematics.

Children experience daily activities designed to give them independence with dressing, cooking, cleaning, gardening, and artistic expression.

At Rock Creek, we ensure that every child is free to shine!

Student Ages:
18 Months – 6 Years (Toddler – Kindergarten)

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

School Tours:
Dates Coming Soon!

Discover the Wonder of Learning at Exploring Child Learning Center!

At Exploring Child Learning Center, we believe every child is a capable, curious, and creative learner. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, our program celebrates exploration, collaboration, and hands-on discovery. Children are encouraged to ask questions, express ideas, and build understanding through meaningful play and real-world experiences.

We proudly serve children 6 weeks to 5 years old, providing a safe, nurturing environment that supports each child’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Our teachers partner closely with families to create a warm community where learning feels joyful and natural every day.

Visit us at 2027 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC. Enroll today and experience a learning environment where your child’s imagination leads the way!

Student Ages:
6 Weeks – 5 Years

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Welcome to AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School, with 13 locations across DC.

Our school is a vibrant place where learning is engaging and fun, fostering creativity and curiosity. We prioritize our students, valuing their unique qualities and abilities and creating an inclusive environment where every child thrives. Our commitment is to provide a strong foundation for your child’s future success through our Every Child Ready Curriculum.

Join our school and experience the magic of AppleTree, where imagination and learning come together for an exciting educational journey. We are excited to welcome you and your child to our AppleTree family!

Student Ages:
Age 3 and 4 (Grades PK3 and PK4

Application Deadline:
My School DC is the common application and common lottery for the District’s public school options. Find everything you need right here to learn, apply, and enroll. Families must apply between December 15, 2025 and March 2, 2026 Visit https://appletreedc.org/dcareamom to see available dates for Open Houses and tours at each of our locations.