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!

For over 60 years, Aidan has built its legacy on a tradition of Montessori excellence, cultivating a love of learning in generations of students. With the innovative and proven Montessori Method at our core, Aidan prepares children to learn confidently, think independently, and succeed wherever they go.

Aidan Montessori School is a co-ed, independent private school for children ages 18 months through grade 6. Founded in 1961, Aidan is the only school in DC that holds accreditation from the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools and American Montessori Internationale.

Aidan follows the highest standards of Montessori pedagogy to prepare children for successful and fulfilling lives. Everything at Aidan revolves around how children learn best. Our students grow into independent thinkers, confident learners, effective collaborators, and responsible citizens.

Student Ages:
18 Months to Grade 6

Open Houses:
October 14, 2022
November 4, 2022
November 17, 2022 (Virtual)
December 2, 2022
January 6, 2023
January 11, 2023 (Virtual)

Application Deadline:
January 13, 2023

Primrose® Schools – The Leader in Early Education

90% of brain development occurs by your child’s 5th birthday. Maximize potential with our Balanced Learning® approach. Primrose School of Arlington is an accredited childhood education center offering full-day care for children ages six weeks through Pre-Kindergarten.

Our program includes STEAM based learning, meals, snacks, and ancillary programs all developed exclusively to help create active minds, healthy bodies, and happy hearts.

Admissions are rolling, schedule a tour to learn more.

Student Ages:
Infant – Pre-Kindergarten

Open Houses:
Open houses are held monthly. Please see the website for details.

Application Deadline:
Rolling admissions

The Edlavitch DCJCC Preschool fosters a nurturing environment of open-ended exploration and growth that deepens our connections to Judaism, our community, and the world around us.

Our program provides a day full of learning and fun for children ages 2–5, year-round. We welcome all families, regardless of religion, race, family type, or cultural background.

Student Ages:
2 – 5 years old

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Open Houses:
October 3, 2022
October 13, 2022
October 25, 2022
November 9, 2022
November 22, 2022
December 5, 2022
December 20, 2022
January 10, 2023
January 26, 2023

The Goddard School’s unique and flexible learning environment, child development is about more than just reaching milestones.

It’s about turning everyday encounters into teachable moments, allowing your child’s interests to influence their learning experiences by balancing academic, mental, physical and social-emotional growth. But most of all, it’s about igniting your little one’s curiosity and instilling a lifelong love of learning.

Student Ages:
6 weeks – 6 years

Application Deadline:
Rolling admissions

Open House:
October 10, 2022, from 3:30pm-5:30pm

Welcome to Saint Ann Catholic School Preschool! Our Christ-centered family provides a loving and nurturing environment where students flourish as their unique gifts and talents emerge and develop. Our teachers love and care for each individual child, who is created in the image and likeness of God. We are proud to offer an educational program that nourishes the mind, body, and soul as we work with parents to prepare their children for kindergarten.

This nurturing environment fosters confidence and the ability to achieve class and individual goals. You won’t believe what students from our small and mighty school go on to do after they leave Saint Ann’s – rocket scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, foreign service officers, teachers… the list goes on and on.

The Saint Ann Catholic School family believes, achieves and inspires. We believe in the Gospel teachings of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. We achieve personal excellence in an academic community that nurtures mind, body and soul. We inspire one another to glorify God by embracing his call to love and serve.

Student Ages:
3 years through 8th grade

Application Deadline:
Rolling admissions

Private Tours:
By appointment

Bright Horizons® knows childhood is a treasured time and they believe it is their responsibility to provide environments and experiences that capture the joys of childhood, nurture each child’s individual growth and development, and pave the way for success in school and life.

Bright Horizons’ exceptional educators have been providing high quality early education and care to children in the DC area for over 20 years. Learn more and schedule a visit at one of our 30 DMV locations.

Student Ages:
Infants to Kindergarten Prep

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Our Lady of Victory is a dynamic and diverse Catholic school located in the heart of Washington, DC, with 225 students in PK3 through 8th grade.

OLV is well known for its academic excellence, superior staff, small student/teacher ratio, well-rounded graduates and its recognition as a two-time National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

Student Ages:
PK3 – 8th grade

Application Deadline:
January 31, 2023

Open Houses:
October 5th, 2022
October 19th, 2022
November 2nd, 2022
November 16th, 2022
December 7th, 2022
January 4th, 2023
January 18th, 2023
February 15th, 2023

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.

Children are full of energy, curiosity, and potential during this magical time of life. A Primary Day education taps all three to the fullest.

Student Ages:
Pre-K – 2nd Grade

Application Deadline:
January 13, 2023

Open Houses:
November 17, 2022 – 6:30-8:30 pm
January 11, 2023 – 9:30-10:30 am

With just over 100 students and 25 teachers, Grace is a place where children are known and nurtured. Our intimate, vibrant learning community is situated on a 11-acre campus that cultivates well-being and curiosity.

Grace’s focus on early childhood and elementary education honors these foundational years, and our faculty possess the expertise to guide and inspire students during these important developmental stages. Our student-centered, hands-on learning curriculum is grounded in wonder, purpose, and belonging.

Student Ages:
3 years – 5th Grade

Application Deadline:
February 3, 2023

Open Houses*:
Saturday, October 22, 2022 – 10:00-11:30 am
Saturday, January 7, 2023 – 10:00-11:30 am
Saturday, January 21, 2023 10:00-11:30 am

* Pre-registration is required and can be completed through Ravenna.

School for Friends is a preschool offering full-day educational programs for 18 months to five year old’s, five days a week.

The School is open 8:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. year-round and is closed all federal and winter holidays and one week in August for staff development.

Student Ages:
12 months – 5 years

Application Deadline:
March 1, 2023

Open Houses:
Coming soon!

An accredited school serving the community for over two decades. Children grow and are nurtured in a loving, true to the philosopy of Montessori, environment.

Student Ages:
18 months – 12 years old

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Open Houses:
Open House every Wednesday at 9:30AM

The Rock Creek Montessori School, located in a beautiful wooded setting in Silver Spring, MD, serves children from 18 months through kindergarten using the philosophy and curriculum of Dr. Maria Montessori.

Rock Creek follows the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori. It recognizes the child’s need to learn academic skills, observe the environment, do independent work and cooperate in a community. The goal of the school is to enable children to follow their greatest interest while learning about the world immediately around them. The classrooms will allow children to be discoverers in the learning process.

Student Ages:
18 months – Kindergarten

Application Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Open Houses:
To be announced via our website

The Little Folks School is an independent Nursery School for children ages eighteen months to five years, located in Georgetown and founded over 50 years ago.

At Little Folks School, children learn through active exploration and interaction with teachers, other children, and materials in a carefully prepared environment. Small class sizes and low teacher-student ratios allow for individualized instruction focusing on each child’s strengths, needs, and interests.

We focus on educating the whole child, including physical, social-emotional, and pre-academic skills. Little Folks School serves children, ages eighteen months to five years old.

Student Ages:
18 months – 5 years old

Admission Deadline:
February 10, 2023

Open Houses:
October 12, 2022
November 16, 2022
December 7, 2022
January 11, 2023
February 1, 2023

Through an increased understanding of early brain development, we know that a well-balanced preschool curriculum rich in unstructured free play, self-guided discovery, and academic instruction helps to establish a strong foundation for learning and prepares young minds for the rigors of academic life.

The benefits of a St. Andrew’s Episcopal School preschool experience include:

• A highly trained and experienced teaching faculty who receive ongoing education in the Responsive Classroom approach, social-emotional learning, and Mind, Brain, and Education Science
• A loving and supportive learning environment
• An inquiry-based curriculum and student-centered pedagogy that includes music and movement, art, science, physical education, Spanish, religion, mindfulness (Peace of Mind curriculum), and formal yoga instruction.

Student Ages:
2 through Grade 12

Admission Deadline:
January 17, 2023

Open Houses:
November 11, 2022
December 10, 2022

Washington Waldorf cultivates each student’s capacity to think clearly, feel compassionately, and act purposefully in the world. We believe that young children have innate capacities for wonder, awe, and imagination and that early childhood is a rich developmental stage that should not be rushed through.

Our preschool and kindergarten programs emphasize creative play as a foundation for independent activity and creative thinking. Our students spend an abundance of time outdoors (in all kinds of weather) and we have a forest kindergarten option with an outdoor classroom in the woods on our 6 acre campus.

Student Ages:
2 years through 12th grade

Application Deadline:
January 31, 2023

Open Houses:

• Nov 5, 10am – Sat Open House (PreK & K)
• Nov 9, 9am – AM Tour (PreK – G12)
• Nov 29, 9am – AM Tour (PreK – G5)
• Dec 6, 4pm – PM Open House (PreK – G12)
• Dec 13, 9am – AM Tour (PreK – G12)
• Dec 15, 9am  – AM Tour (PreK – G5)
• Jan 12, 9am – AM Tour  (PreK – G12)
• Jan 18, 9am  – AM Tour (PreK – G5)
• Jan 21, 10am – Sat Open House (PreK & K)

Pinecrest School is a non-profit progressive private school in Northern Virginia, serving ages 3-12.

In a warm atmosphere fostering curiosity and confidence, preschoolers learn to function in structured group settings within a nurturing framework and an individualized approach to education.

Kindergarten-readiness is emphasized with fine/gross motor skills, speech/language development and social/emotional learning. The typical day combines free play with teacher-led literacy, numeracy, science and social studies activities. Children regularly practice mindfulness and enjoy art, PE, music and yoga classes.

Student Ages:
Ages 3 – 12 (Preschool 3 through 6th grade).

Admission Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Open Houses:
November 20, 2022
November 30, 2022 *
January 18, 2023 *
January 22, 2023
February 1, 2023 *
February 11, 2023
February 15, 2023 *

* Virtual Open House

Encouraging a lifelong love of learning!

As Potomac’s hidden gem, Geneva Day School provides exceptional classes and extraordinary programs for children aged two through kindergarten.

Join as a two. . . This nurturing and innovative school grows with you. Many students maintain lifelong friendships and a number of graduates enroll their children so as to grant the gift of a Geneva education.

Geneva’s enriching, academic curriculum is powered by STEAM (science-technology-engineering-arts-math) and includes specialized Art, Environmental Education, Mindfulness and Physical Education. An “outdoor classroom” presides over gorgeous, Maryland Green School grounds, often visited by the very butterflies that serve as the school’s mascot.

See you outside!

Student Ages:
Ages 2 – Kindergarten

Admission Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

BCDC’s warm, experienced teachers provide full day child care in a nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment.

Spaces are available now…Come see us!

Student Ages:
6 weeks – 5 years

Admission Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Open Houses:
Open houses are held the first Friday of each month at 10:00am

Two Birds is a Reggio inspired school for children, infants through pre-k. Our all inclusive approach to education supports the entire family through its spaces, services and community. In addition to full time care during the week, families have complimentary access to weekend programming and coworking space.

At Two Birds, children have the opportunity to explore and research the world around them while building knowledge through interactions with teachers, classmates, and open-ended materials. Family engagement is highlighted through the integration of technologies that enhance classroom documentation as well as through opportunities to experience children’s work during exhibitions and family events.

Student Ages:
Infants through Pre-K

Admission Deadline:
Rolling Admissions

Private Tours:
By Appointment