How many classes do you offer?
We offer classes for 2s, 3s, and 4-year-olds.
2s – There are two classes for children this age. One class meets for two days a week – Wednesday/Friday mornings and on class three days a week – Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings. Children in this group must be two years old by September 30. There are eight children in each class. Children do not have to be toilet trained.
3s – There are two classes for children this age. One class meets two days a week – Wednesday/Friday mornings and one class meets three days a week – Monday/ Wednesday/Friday mornings. Children must be 3 years old by September 30 and toilet trained. There are ten children in each class.
4s – There are two classes for this age group. One class meets three days a week – Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings and one class meets five days a week – Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday and Friday mornings. Children must be four-years-old by September 30 and be toilet trained. There are ten children in each class.
How do I register?
Registration begins at the end of January and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Parents are encouraged to visit the preschool with their child and then pick up a registration form at that time. Registration packets are also available here, online. Please call if you have questions, 703-273-4094.
Registration includes
– filling out a registration form
– submitting a $100 non-refundable registration fee
– completing a Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Health Form with the signature of the child’s physician
– presenting a birth certificate or passport
– paying the September tuition when you register
What is a Parent Participation Program?
We request parents help in their child’s classroom on a rotating basis as an extra adult who supports the teacher during the class session. The parent helper provides assistance by setting out craft supplies, helping the students wash hands, guiding the children during clean up time, and other like activities.
This program is an excellent way for the parent to be involved with the child’s first school experience. By being in the classroom, the parent sees the activities going on in the classroom, gets to know her child’s teacher and classmates, and is involved with the preschool program. Parents are pleased to see their children interacting with playmates and to know their children are in a loving, caring environment.
In the 2-year-old and 3-year-old classes, the parents help out in the class approximately once a month. In the 4-year-old classes, the parents help less often in the class – approximately 4 times a year.
If a parent cannot help due to work or other concerns, that parent pays a $25 non-participation fee each month and the money goes to another parent who is willing to work for the first parent.
Do you teach academics?
At Christ Lutheran Preschool the emphasis is on social development. The total development of young children is far more important than the acquisition of factual knowledge. In discussion with teachers and administrators from Fairfax County Public Schools, we have agreed that children who are socially ready for kindergarten will be better prepared to learn the academics once in elementary school. The elementary school staff wants the preschool to prepare the children socially and let them take the children forward academically. Our preschoolers learn to interact appropriately with classmates by sharing and taking turns. They become increasingly self -reliant performing the day’s activities, and they grow and mature with their verbal and listening skills so they are ready for kindergarten after their time with us.
In addition to the social skills, the children do have appropriate experiences with the alphabet, numbers, printing their name, and developing their fine and gross motor skills.
We have been pleased to hear comments from kindergarten teachers saying they know children from Christ Lutheran Preschool will be prepared when they enter their classroom.