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Top Daycare Centers / Preschools

With so many households having both adults working and placing their bundles of joy in the hands of daycare providers, we here at Northern Virginia Magazine want to help parents make informed choices. We sent over 650 surveys to state-licensed daycare centers in the Northern Virginia area asking for information about their staff, curriculum and facilities. The centers on the Top Daycare/Preschool listing are centers whose staff and facilities go above and beyond both the state’s licensing requirements and the average center in Northern Virginia.

Grading: From the responses we received, we graded each center in five areas, using both the new Virginia Star Quality Program and NAEYC standards as a basis for our own grading scale.

Teacher certifications: Each center was ranked on a scale of 1-20 for the certifications the directors, lead teachers and assistant teachers held from Master’s in Early Childhood Education down to high school diploma.

Teacher-to-Student Ratios: Centers were asked to supply the teacher to student ratios for each age group (in year increments) as well as maximum class size. Those with the smaller ratios and class size were awarded higher grades.

Parent and Teacher Communication: We asked each center how often they perform the following: conferences, activity logs/schedules and assessments; as well as what tools they offer parents: translators, unannounced parent visits, video taping of classrooms and parent volunteer opportunities.

Curriculum: Centers were given a checklist of 10 curriculum standards: formatted daily schedule, individualized learning practices, rest/nap time, art time, literacy time, language, math, science, computer and free play, and were given points for each addressed in the centers program.

Facilities: Centers were given a checklist of 10 items: individualized space for children’s things, dramatic play/dress up area, sensory materials, playground equipment, bike area, ball area, open space, swings, book area and TV area.

 

Accotink Academy Preschool
6215 Rolling Road, Springfield; 703-451-5797
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: part-time
Price: $206-$750/month
Age group served: 24 months and up

Animated Child, Inc.
5167 Waterway Drive, Dumfries; 703-763-0003
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $80-$266/week

Annandale Unitted Methodist Weekday Children’s Programs
6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale; 703-256-5244
Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: varies
Age group served: infants and up

Booz Allen Hamilton Family Center
8283 Greensboro Drive, McLean; 703-377-0290
Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $1229- $1826/month
Age group served: infants and up

Boyd School – Broadlands
42945 Waxpool Road, Ashburn; 703-723-3364
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $966-$2051/month
Age group served: 3 months and up

Calvary Children’s Center
2315 S. Grant St., Arlington; 703-892-4112
Full/Part-time options: part-time
Price: $315/week
Age group served: infants and up

Capital Kids Preschool & Learning Center
8758 Richmond Highway, Alexandria; 703-360-3668
Hours: 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $150-$280/week
Age group served: infants and up

Carousel Child Development Center
9151 Centreville Road, Manassas; 703-365-7622
Hours: 6 a.m.-6:45 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $150-$226/week
Age group served: infants and up

Centreville Preschool
13916 Braddock Road, Centreville; 703-830-5656
Hours: 8:50 a.m.-3:05 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $114-$333/month
Age group served: 24 months and up

Child & Family Network Centers
3701-A Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria; 703-836-0214
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: free
Age group served: 4 years

Children’s International School-Clarendon
1227 N. Scott St., Arlington; 703-527-3607
Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $280-$310/week
Age group served: 24 months and up

Children’s Place
860 Dranesville Road, Herndon; 703-437-8884
Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $120-$295/week
Age group served: infants and up

Classroom of Discovery
201 E. Frederick Drive, Sterling; 703-927-3333
Hours: 9 a.m.-noon
Full/Part-time options: part-time
Price: $325-$600/month
Age group served: 24 months and up

Common Ground Child Care Center
1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston; 703-437-8226
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $700-$1750/month
Age group served: infants and up

Country School House
13316 Braddock Road, Clifton; 703-266-0747
Hours: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $135-$295/week
Age group served: infants and up

Early Years Preschool and Parents’ Day Out
3701 Lorcom Lane, Arlington; 703-465-8687
Hours: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $195-$760/month
Age group served: 1 year and up

Fairfax Presbyterian Preschool
10723 Main St., Fairfax; 703-273-4333
Hours: 9:10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: part-time
Price: $186-$340/month
Age group served: 24 months and up

Fairfax United Methodist Church Preschool
10300 Stratford Ave., Fairfax; 703-591-3177
Hours: 9:15 a.m.-noon
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $170-$325/month
Age group served: 3 years and up

Fairlington Preschool
Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King St., Alexandria; 703-671-3939
Hours: 9 a.m.-noon
Full/Part-time options: part-time (Sept.-June)
Price: $300-$500/month
Age group served: 24 months and up

Falls Church Preschool and Daycare
105 N. Virginia Ave., Suite 106, Falls Church; 703-608-2128
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $1195/month
Age group served: 2.5 years and up

Fredericksburg Children’s Academy
365 Ferry Road, Fredericksburg; 540-371-9300
Hours: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $105-$211/week
Age group served: infants and up

Happy Home Child Learning Center II
1400 Duke St., Alexandria; 703-838-2617
Hours: 6:45 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $225-$275/week
Age group served: infants and up

Happy Home Child Learning Center
5001 Seminary Road, Suite 109, Alexandria; 703-931-1051
Hours: 6:45 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $195-$220/week
Age group served: 1 year and up

Herndon Children’s Center, Inc.
530 Huntmar Park Drive, Suite 800B, Herndon; 703-707-3737
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-time
Price: $1227-$1729/month
Age group served: infants and up

Horizon Child Development Center School for Early Learning
4600 Holly Ave., Fairfax: 703-222-0900
Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $320/week
Age group served: infants and up

Kiddie Academy of Ashburn
20775 Century Corner Drive, Ashburn: 571-223-0800
Hours: 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $289/week
Age group served: infants and up

Kiddie Academy of Gainesville
13980 Estate Manor Drive, Gainesville; 703-348-7200
Hours: 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $79-$309/week
Age group served: infants and up

Kiddie Academy of Leesburg
400 Sycolin Road, S.E., Leesburg; 703-771-9871
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $139-$321/week
Age group served: infants and up

KinderCare Learning Center #75122
7136 Telegraph Road, Alexandria; 703-971-2793
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $170-$315/week
Age group served: 16 months and up

KinderCare Learning Center at Sterling Park
106 Free Court, Sterling Park; 703-430-7373
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $162-$313/week
Age group served: infants and up

La Petite Academy-Clara Barton
10996 Clara Barton Drive, Fairfax Station; 703-250-5305
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $285-$355/week
Age group served: infants and up

Lake Manassas Academy
14930 Holly Knoll Lane, Gainesville; 571-248-6571
Hours: 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $60-$285/week
Age group served: infants and up

Learning Tree Academy
9840 Grant Ave., Manassas; 703-369-6077
Hours: 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $172-$212/week
Age group served: infants and up

Little Acorn Patch at Kingstowne
5801 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria; 703-822-0803
Hours: 7 a.m.-6:15 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $93-$319/week
Age group served: 1.5 year and up

Little Acorn Patch
6226 Rolling Road, Springfield; 703-451-7071
Hours: 6:45 a.m.-6:15 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $93-$257/week
Age group served: infants and up

Little Ambassadors’ Academy
5232 Lee Highway, Arlington; 571-335-4493
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $700-$1495
Age group served: 24 months and up

Little Beginnings Child Development Center
606 N. Irving St., Arlington; 703-527-9270
Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $332-$434/week
Age group served: infants and up

Little Learners Academy
45135 Waterpointe Terrace, Ashburn; 703-729-2224
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $90-$320/week
Age group served: infants and up

Loudoun P&R – Lucketts Community Center
42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg; 703-771-5281
Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $189-$215/week
Age group served: 3 years and up

Manassas Park Preschool & Extended Care
99 Adams St., Manassas Park; 703-335-8872
Hours: 6 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $140-$190/month
Age group served: 3 years and up

McLean Preschool
8991 Brook Road, McLean; 703-442-4766
Hours: 9 a.m.-noon
Full/Part-time options: part-time
Price: $265-$565/month
Age group served: 24 months and up

Merritt Academy
9211 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax; 703-273-8000
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $1438-$1675/month
Age group served: infant and up

Minnieland Academy @ Belmont
43900 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn; 571-442-8358
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: varies
Age group served: infant and up

Minnieland Academy at Dale City
13923 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge; 703-670-9444
Hours: 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $221-$227/week
Age group served: 24 months and up

Montessori of Chantilly-Casa dei Bambini
4212-F Technology Court, Chantilly; 703-961-0211
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $750-$1300/month
Age group served: 20 months and up

Montessori of Gainesville – Casa dei Bambini
14130 Glenkirk Road, Gainesville; 703-754-0946
Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $700-$1350/month
Age group served: 24 months and up

Montessori School of Herndon
840 Dranesville Road, Herndon; 703-437-8229
Hours: 7 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $589-$1278/month
Age group served: 24 months and up

Noah’s Ark Christian Preschool
8904 Yorkshire Lane, Manassas; 703-915-5243
Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $170-$225/week
Age group served: infants and up

Nysmith School for the Gifted
13625 Eds Drive, Herndon; 703-713-3332
Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $2020/month
Age group served: 3 years and up

Open Arms Christian Child Development Center
43115 Waxpool Road, Ashburn; 703-729-9144
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $275-$332/week
Age group served: infants and up

Potomac Crescent Waldorf School
923 S. 23rd St., Arlington; 703-486-1309
Hours: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $420-$1400/month
Age group served: 3 years and up

Primrose School of Ashburn
44830 Lakeview Overlook Plaza, Ashburn; 703-724-9050
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $97-$397
Age group served: infants and up

Prince William Academy
3480 Commission Court, Woodbridge; 703-491-1444
Hours: 6 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $395-$1450/month
Age group served: infants and up

Rainbow Child Development Center
14311 Braddock Road, Centreville; 703-222-9550
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $262/week
Age group served: infant and up

Rainbow Station At Haymarket
6800 Piedmont Center Plaza, Gainesville; 571-261-2020
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $273-$327/week
Age group served: infants and up

Reston Montessori School
1928 Isaac Newton Square W, Reston; 703-481-2922
Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $1060-$1775/month
Age group served: infant and up

Spring-Mar Cooperative Preschool
10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke; 703-239-1213
Hours: 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: part-time
Price: $193-$315/month
Age group served: 24 months and up

St. Mark Catholic School
9972 Vale Road, Vienna; 703-281-9103
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $189-$612/month
Age group served: 3 years and up

The Academy of Christian Education
1808A Michael Faraday Court, Reston; 703-471-2132
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $1600/month (ten months)
Age group served: 3 years and up

The Boyd School Cascades “Lola’s Place”
20685 Fernbank Court, Sterling; 571-434-7555
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $949-$1740/mothly
Age group served: infant and up

The Compass School
9811 Godwin Drive, Manassas; 703-331-1303
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $450-$1315/month
Age group served: infants and up

The Goddard School – Ashburn
45091 Research Place, Ashburn; 703-724-0601
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: varies
Age group served: infants and up

The Goddard School of Ashburn at Belmont Greene
42885 Orchard Oriole Drive, Ashburn; 703-723-8434
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $479-$1637/month
Age group served: infants and up

The Goddard School
12405 Cape Cod Court, Lake Ridge; 703-490-8553
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: varies
Age group served: infants and up

The Learning Experience
4150 Pleasant Valley Road, Chantilly; 703-378-7391
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: varies
Age group served: infant and up

The Red Apple School Inc.
107 Autumn Drive, Stafford; 540-752-1487
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $155-$699/month
Age group served: 3 years and up

Willowcreek Academy
8171 Linton Hall Road, Gainesville; 703-754-7767
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $58-$312/week
Age group served: infants and up

Willowcreek Academy
6100 Redwood Square Center, Centreville; 703-815-3000
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $66-$337/week
Age group served: infant and up

Winwood Children’s Center III
1841 Explorer St., Reston; 703-787-0533
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $305-$390/week
Age group served: infants and up

Winwood Children’s Center IV
7830 Old Linton Hall Road, Gainesville; 571-261-5566
Hours: 6 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Full/Part-time options: both
Price: $51-$359/week
Age group served: infants and up

YWCA Children’s Center
8101 Wolftrap Road, Vienna; 703-560-1111
Full/Part-time options: full-day
Price: $1054-$1418/month
Age group served: infant and up

 

(January 2014)