We've had two children attend Children's House. One began in the preschool program at age four (now…read morein first grade), and the other started in the toddler program for a summer before transitioning into preschool just before turning three. Despite their very different personalities, both of my daughters have had wonderful, nurturing, and growth-filled experiences at CHMS. From an administrative standpoint, I've appreciated the clear communication and guidance provided to families around scheduling, including drop-off and pick-up procedures, school events, birthdays, and conferences. As someone who tends to worry about logistics, this structure has been incredibly reassuring. We also appreciate their early (but wide) drop-off window and their EP (after school) program. Our schedule as a family is different every day, so we've enjoyed a lot of flexibility with pick-up and drop-off times. Also would love to shout out that they worked hard to open up the school during the aftermath of the ice storm this year DAYS before APS was even open. I've also felt supported and encouraged through conversations with administrators about my children, including times when they've struggled at school or at home. Mr. Jad, Ms. Denise, and all of the guides are approachable and responsive, and it truly feels as though their door is always open. CHMS has felt like our village. This sense of community was especially meaningful during the post-COVID period, when my older daughter had limited opportunities for social interaction outside of school. From an environment perspective, the guides at CHMS have shown genuine care for my children and created a safe, joyful setting in which they can thrive. I've been continually impressed by the skills they've developed, many of which I previously associated with kindergarten or first grade. My younger daughter walks into school each day excited to see her friends and teachers, and she comes home eager to share what she learned, what she hopes to work on next, and stories about celebrating her classmates' accomplishments. My older daughter, now in first grade, is frequently praised for her love of learning and ability to focus, both of which are skills she developed during her time at CHMS. I attribute so much of my older daughter's independence, empathy, and confidence to her time at CHMS, and it has been special to see those same qualities taking root in her younger sister. We've also met friends through CHMS who feel like family, and I'm forever grateful for the school's focus on community and the events that bring families together.

This school markets itself as nurturing and child-centered, yet somehow thought it was okay for my…read more2-year-old to sit in poop long enough to come home in soiled clothing. Not once. Multiple times. Accidents at this age are NORMAL. Ignoring them is not. When I raised concerns, I didn't get accountability--I got philosophy. I was told this was about "independence" and "body awareness." Let me be clear: a 2-year-old in poop is not Montessori, it's neglect. Between the constant dirt, lack of supervision, and disturbingly casual attitude toward hygiene for toddlers, this place felt chaotic and unsafe. If you're okay with your child being uncomfortable, unclean, and your concerns being brushed off with buzzwords, this may work for you. I wasn't--and neither was my kid.

Choosing a preschool for our child was very hard, especially coming from overseas. Today we are…read morevery happy with our choice of Full Circle Montessori School. The teachers and staff have consistently exceeded our expectations in making our child adjust to the new environment and making learning fun and engaging. Adjustment time was needed (very sensitive child)to fit into a new environment. But with a welcoming and comforting environment, our child adjusted to school very well. Also, with the thoughtfully designed curriculum that promotes both academic readiness and essential social-emotional skills, our child is very excited about going to school every day now. Communication with parents is superb; the scheduled updates and photos make us feel connected and informed about her activities. The facility itself is bright, clean, and safe, offering a wonderful space for the children to explore and play. We highly recommend Full Circle Montessori School for families seeking a positive, enriching, and high-quality early childhood education experience.

We started our son in public school for kindergarten, but halfway through the year, we became…read moreunhappy with the experience and began looking into other options. The lack of communication, heavy screen time, and the way our son was feeling about himself made it clear that we needed a change. He would often come home saying he was a "bad kid" because he kept getting in trouble at school, which was hard to hear as a parent. Switching to Full Circle Montessori has been one of the best decisions we've made for our family. The difference in our son was noticeable within a few weeks. He's much more regulated coming home from school, and we've seen a noticeable boost in his self-confidence. One of the first things he told us after starting at Full Circle was how nice the teachers are he said they actually talk to him instead of yelling. That shift alone was huge for him, and for us. Academically, he was at the top of his class in public school, but that often led to boredom. Since he wasn't being challenged, he would try to socialize, which would get him in trouble. At Full Circle, he learns at his own pace with a hands-on approach that keeps him curious and engaged. If you have a child who isn't thriving in a traditional school setting or struggles with the sit-still-all-day model, we can't recommend Full Circle Montessori enough. It's been a truly positive and empowering experience for our son and for us as parents.

We've been part of the LB school for over a year and have been so thankful to find this community!…read moreWIth one child enrolled and another soon to be enrolled, we fully trust the administration, teaching staff, and parent community. The daily activities/weekly themes are creative, educational, and fun. The meals are varied and nutritional. Plus, the outdoor time at playgrounds and neighborhood walks are a huge bonus. The music and Spanish classes every week also make for a well-rounded experience. We looked into many programs in Arlington and have never reconsidered our decision after enrolling at LB. Our child is truly so happy to go to school each day.

Our son has been attending LB fr 2 years now and we couldn't be happier. The class sizes are small…read moreand the teachers are great! Our son has been lucky enough to make a lot of friends and he learns something new each day! I highly recommend enrolling your infant to pre-k child at this center.

Busy Bee is one of Northern Virginia's best early education centers, masked as a cozy, inviting…read morecommunity school. The director is phenomenal, with an engaging curriculum for each age level and a teaching staff that has been with the school for many years. Each teacher is also exceedingly kind. Beyond kindergarten readiness metrics, where Busy Bee excels, it is a fun place to go to school! Over decades, Ms. Rocio has built a strong, inclusive sense of community. With both top marks in parent and child endorsements, we couldn't recommend Busy Bee more highly.

Excellent school with very caring, attentive and loving staff. This place is truly special. The…read moreonly drawback and reason they get 4 stars and not 5 is because an entire Hispanic staff, speaks no Spanish to the kids. I begged them for years and they never did it. Still good people but deprived my child of learning another language.

St Charles is the perfect place to send your PreK children. There are not many options for 2-year…read moreolds and this has been a blessing for our daughter. After just a few weeks, we noticed an improvement in her social and motor skills. The school is also nestled next to a bunch of cafes so if we show up early for pick-up, there are plenty of places to wait while enjoying a lovely croissant and latte. Unfortunately, the rumor is that the school will be closing after next year. :(

My husband and I are continuously impressed by the quality of the teachers at St. charles; our kids…read morelearn a lot and very much enjoy school. We wanted to share some stories that highlight why we appreciate the school and it's wonderful teachers ... Today our son, Michael, recited the entire Lords Prayer and was so proud of himself :) We very much appreciate the wealth of religious knowledge they gain at school whether it's saying grace or learning biblical stories ... Michael often requests that we take a trip to China. When he asked again today, our daughter, Brianne, started singing "Ni Hao Parker". We couldn't believe it!! We are so appreciative of the education on diversity they receive from their teachers who do an excellent job discussing different countries, cultures and languages with them!! There are countless similar stories ranging from their teachers working with them on motor skills or learning basic skills/concepts or exploring various topics. The school is also very flexible and supportive of our family given that both my husband and I work full time! I would highly recommend this school!

My daughters went to Tender Roots when it opened in 2006. We found the atmosphere to be…read moreoutstanding for young minds to develop in a way that made the children want to learn, experience new things and explore. While the original founder, Dusty Rummer, seems to have moved on, looking at the available pictures seems to indicate that her vision and method are still in place, and have been expanded upon. If that's the case, then I would recommend Tender Roots for an early childhood educational venue without any hesitation. My now teenaged girls loved it, and have fond memories of it.

Tender Roots is wonderful, a gentle beginning for your child into exploration and a school…read moreenvironment. There's free play, circle time, exploration, snack, studio time, yoga, music & movement and playground fun! Being able to see your child engage and explore with peers ranging in ages from 9 months to 3 is priceless. One of the biggest comforts is the connections made with parents, increasing each year into a supportive and collaborative community, that stays with you beyond your time at Tender Roots.

My son has been at AMH for the past three years and we could not be happier. He is a second…read moregeneration AMH student - both of his uncles went in the early 90s. While to school is a bit larger today then it was in the 90s, the core values and overall feeling is still the same. Ms. Christine has been wonderful for our son and helped him grow both academically and socially while still allowing him to be his true self. We feel he is ready for elementary school and that is a true testament to AMH level of education.

This is a wonderful Montessori school. We love the intimate atmosphere, the beautiful home-y…read moreclassrooms, and the fabulous Guides, assistants, and staff. It is the only AMI certified primary Montessori program in Arlington and, as the AMI certification reflects, it is a very high quality program. Since starting the program, our child has thrived and learned so much. We appreciate the focus on independence, concentration, and following the child so they learn at their own pace. It is such a great school!

I had the opportunity to work at this beautiful school, and I can share that behind those red…read moredoors, the staff and administration make a wonderful effort to make each child feel like a second family. It's a place where early childhood education is approached with professionalism and a commitment to helping children develop their cognitive, cultural, and most important, their social skills. There may be schools with more technology and innovations, but none as welcoming, cute and unique as Childrens International.

Wonderful, caring school. I loved their curriculum for pre-K children. There were engaging and…read morewonderful activities each week! I also appreciated the communication - including the emails sending out the curriculum and menu, and the newsletters documenting the children's activities, with pictures. My son loved his time at CIS, and loved the wonderful graduation ceremony he got to be a part of.

An amazing church that does so much good for the community with thriving programs for all ages…read more They welcome everyone- seriously! It's inclusive and friendly. Their Christmas Eve services are the best in Arlington- vibrant, meaningful and kid-friendly.

I started going here around 5 years ago. I love it because of the variety of services, there is…read moresomething for everyone. An 8:30 traditional service for early birds. 9:30 Sunday schools for all age groups and interests. Then there is an 11:00 traditional service. During that time there is a modern "rock" worship service downstairs in the fellowship hall. I usually go to the 11:00 traditional service. The choir sings beautifully with voices from soprano to bass. The pastors are skilled and welcoming. Also, the acolytes are very skilled. There ministries are very good especially the massive operation of community assistance. I recommend this service to all people looking for a new church.

My son has been attending Kinhaven for two years. The school emphasizes social-emotional growth and…read moredevelopment, and the teachers are outstanding, showing kindness and patience with all of the children. I highly recommend this school.

I highly recommend Kinhaven. This is my son's second year at the school and it's been wonderful…read moreseeing him grow and thrive. The teachers and staff are wonderful and provide a thoughtful and kind environment with a focus on play. We've also enjoyed getting to know the broader community through play dates, the 5K and other events.