We joined midway through the school year in the 2's class (which meets two mornings a week), and…read moreour daughter immediately felt right at home. It's such a wonderful school and a truly special community. As a cooperative preschool, parents help out in the classroom 1-2 times a month--and that's one of the things that makes it so unique and rewarding. Everyone gets to know each other's kids so well, and there's such a genuine sense of connection and support among the families. The teachers are absolutely fantastic--so kind, warm, and engaged--and the outdoor space is incredible. There are so many areas for the kids to explore, climb, dig, and play. It's the kind of place where childhood really feels like childhood. We love the balance of unstructured play and thoughtful, low-pressure structured activities. Our daughter looked forward to every single school day, and we always felt confident she was safe, happy, and learning through play. We can't recommend Ft. Hunt Preschool enough!

The 2s class at this school was my child's first school/care experience outside of our home, and I…read morecouldn't imagine a better place for her to go. You can tell that the staff here truly care for your child. This school really prioritizes nature, and there is a natural, wooded playground (not just a bunch of cement and plastic like so many playgrounds), rain barrels so the kids can play with water, a huge sand pit with a canopy, tree stumps and rocks, an outdoor kitchen. It creates an environment that is reminiscent of generations past, when children would run outside into nature and play freely. The parents and relationships you have the opportunity to form here are also wonderful. What could have been just a preschool has turned into a community for us.

We enrolled our children at Frog Pond because we were excited about the promise of a nature-based…read moreearly childhood education. Our oldest child had a positive experience in the younger classes, despite ongoing staffing challenges, and we initially felt we had found a special community. Unfortunately, by the Pre-K year, the program no longer resembled the nature-school experience that initially drew our family in. Persistent understaffing, extremely high staff turnover, and leadership challenges appeared to erode the quality and consistency of the program over time. Stable relationships are critical for young children, and the revolving door of teachers and staff made it difficult to feel confident in the environment. We also experienced situations that raised concerns about safety and communication. When concerns were brought forward, we often felt they were minimized or dismissed rather than addressed transparently and collaboratively. As parents, we were looking for accountability and partnership. Instead, we frequently left conversations feeling unheard and frustrated. What was especially disappointing was watching the program drift away from the thoughtful, intentional nature-based learning environment that had originally attracted us. Outdoor time remained part of the day, but the rich, well-supported nature school experience we envisioned was not consistently evident in practice. There were individual teachers who cared deeply about the children, and we are grateful for the positive experiences our child had in the earlier years. However, concerns about leadership, staffing instability, safety, and communication ultimately led us to withdraw our younger child and seek a different preschool. Choosing a preschool is one of the most important decisions families make. Based on our experience, Frog Pond was not able to provide the stable, transparent, high-quality nature school environment we were hoping for.

We had a truly mixed experience at Frog Pond and I want to share both the wonderful and…read moredisappointing aspects of this school so other parents can make an informed decision. The Positives: The heart of this school lies in its nature-based curriculum, and it really shines here. Our children spend their days outdoors, exploring, learning through play, and connecting with the natural world--something that's becoming increasingly rare in early education. It's a breath of fresh air (literally and figuratively), and we love the values it instills in our kids. The teachers--especially the long-standing ones--are the true gems of this school. They are warm, nurturing, and clearly passionate about early childhood education. You can tell they love what they do and care deeply about the children they work with. It's reassuring to drop your child off with people who feel like extended family. Another charming element is the presence of animals on the premises, which adds so much joy to the kids' days and is a great learning opportunity. The Negatives: Unfortunately, the administration tells a very different story. In our experience, the administrative staff are consistently rude, dismissive, and condescending to parents. Feedback is rarely taken seriously, and there is little to no accountability from leadership when problems arise. There is also a troubling pattern of high staff turnover, including the sudden and unexplained termination of beloved, long-term staff--some with 20+ years at the school. This has created instability and a sense of unease among both staff and parents. Visually, the campus is showing its age. While the philosophy emphasizes rustic, natural elements, there's a difference between intentional simplicity and neglect. Basic upkeep and repairs are often lacking, which doesn't match the high tuition price point. And lastly, one of the more frustrating elements is the expectation that parents "volunteer" large amounts of time and labor--not optional, and often physical work--despite already paying premium tuition. It feels like a bait-and-switch, and it places undue pressure on working families. In Summary: If you're looking for a beautiful, nature-forward education for your child and are lucky enough to land in a classroom with one of the veteran teachers, this school may be a great fit. But be prepared to deal with a difficult administration, unclear policies, and questionable treatment of staff. We truly wish the leadership reflected the same values the teachers and children bring to life every day.

We've been to a few daycares in the area, and Virginia Hills is by far the best experience we've…read moreever had - our children love it, and we love that they do too! The teachers are incredible, caring and genuinely want your children to succeed. This isn't just a daycare, they have a curriculum, they have enrichment activities - it's just exceptional! Can't recommend them enough!

We have been welcomed to VHP with open arms. Our toddler daughter had such a seamless transition…read moreto her new school, which I attest to the warm, caring, and organized environment. What stood out when we first explored the school is the kind, collegial relationships among the admin and staff with low turnover. The class sizes are not too big. There are flexible enrollment options for full and half day at reasonable rates for the region. Additionally, our daughter loves the music program! She has blossomed and made friends easily. And we parents appreciate the clear communication, events, and camaraderie at this sweet school.

Amazing preschool with a very talented and dedicate staff. Church is amazing as well. We were…read morevery happy here with the three year olds program and four year olds programs. Excellent afternoon programs as well. We loved it here!

The best preschool. Affordable, with fantastic teachers and staff. My 3 yr old loved going to…read moreschool and always came home spouting new things he learned about "the white house" or "groundhogs," etc. His teachers were incredibly kind and kept me informed of his progress. Our fridge is decorated with "projects" that he did himself. He made great little friends and is always asking to play with them. Fantastic school!

I am a parent of a child that attends the Inova Mt Vernon location, and I am more than satisfied. I…read morehave found that not only are the administrators very welcoming, but ALL of the staff have been nothing but accommodating; loving; engaged and always keeps us informed. The communication is wonderful, especially since beginning to use the ipads which allows us to know how our child is doing throughout the day. We get real time notifications for toileting; meals or just that special moment captured in which they send to us. The center has a "homely" feel which is one of the reasons that we chose this location. Many of the teachers have been here for years and some not that long, nevertheless, I have observed on many occasions and found ALL of the staff to be loving and engaged to all of the children. They will go out of their way to assist when needed and we appreciate it. Myself and other families we have spoken to are very happy and will continue to recommend this child care center. It is truly a hidden gem - located inside of the Inova Mt Vernon Hospital.

Bright Horizons at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital is the worst day care I have ever seen so far. The…read morefacility is OK, but some of their staff is horrible. I have 3 kids, all of them attended Bright Horizons, but this location is poorly staffed. My kid comes home and repeats everything teachers say throughout the day, and trust me this is not something a parent wants to here. I know some of the teachers work there for 10 years or so, and they are ok, but recent staff, like Ms. Teresa - is horrible. The way she talks to kids and relates to them is insane. She yells and addresses children the wrong way. My question is - how do they hire teachers? What is the criteria? Not all the teachers have degrees, but all of them have to have passion for working with kids, Ms. Teresa is far away from liking the kids, she doesn't want them and she does not have a talent for it, she is not soft and gentle, I don't want her around my kids, and all others. Moms and Dads pay attention, this is the wrong day care for your kids. Do not confuse all other Bright Horizons with this one.

This daycare has been great. Super accommodating, flexible and great communication. They have…read morelesson plans teaching the kiddos all kinds of stuff We always get tons of pictures and updates for our kid throughout the day. 100% would recommend. Amanda, the center director always keeps the parent well informed about any issues.

Amanda is wonderful. She's the director at this facility. During this pandemic it has been very…read morestressful regarding where can I safely leave my daughter while I go to work. Amanda helped me get that security and confidence to have my daughter safely attend this facility. All the people that work here are so great. My daughter loves all of them and she looks forward every day to go to day care. Never gives me a hard time, I know she enjoys where she goes every day. I don't have to worry. Thanks everyone at Kindercare on Buckman Rd!!

We've been an ACP family for nearly a year and half. They've gone through a lot of change…read morepost-covid. We are really impressed by recent improvements - the staff are engaging and committed to standards, the teachers are loving and fun, and the curriculum is great! It's a safe and inclusive learning and playing environment. We currently have a child in SACC/Summer Camp, a child in PreK, and our youngest will be starting Preschool when the school year begins. We are so happy to have a great early childhood development center right in our community!

Our two oldest children attended ACP @ HH and loved it ...more recently, despite signing up for the…read morefall, our youngest was sadly unable to attend due to an unexpected autism diagnosis. Without going into too much detail, ACP went out of its way to work with us regarding her fall registration and we are beyond grateful for their understanding/kindness!! We highly recommend ACP; the experience is great, prices more than fair and staff = amazing!!!

If you live in the area and are looking for childcare. I highly recommend Anne's Family Child Care!…read more It is incredibly hard to put into words what Anne and her daycare have meant to our family. Two of our children have had the privilege of being in Anne's care since they were infants, and sadly, our oldest is now getting ready to leave her and head off to kindergarten. While we are incredibly proud of him, there is definitely a part of us that wishes we could keep him with Anne forever. If we had more children, there would be absolutely no question where we would want them to go. Anne provides so much more than childcare. She has created a loving, safe, fun, and genuinely educational home where our children have been able to grow and thrive. Our son comes home every single day with something new to tell us. New facts he has learned. New things he can do. New stories about what they talked about that day. He is constantly surprising us with how much he knows. Then there are the stories about the food they make together--including what he proudly calls their "gourmet flatbread pizzas." He doesn't just get fed; he gets to participate, learn, create, and take pride in what he helped make. That is what makes Anne's daycare so special. The children aren't simply being watched until their parents come home. They are being taught, encouraged, included, loved, and cared for. And Anne herself is one of the kindest and most loving people we have ever met. I think one of the greatest endorsements of Anne has nothing to do with anything I could write here. It is what happens years after children leave her care. Her former daycare children still come back to visit her. Recently, one of her former daycare kids showed up with a cake for Anne's birthday. There was no obligation and no reason other than that she loves Anne and wanted to do something special for her. I think that tells you almost everything you need to know about Anne. Children remember how people make them feel. The fact that kids grow up, move on from daycare, and still want to come back and celebrate Anne says more about the love in her home than any review ever could. Choosing someone to care for your children is an enormous decision. You're trusting someone with the people you love most in the world. We trusted Anne with ours, and she has given us more in return than we could have hoped for. Our son may be graduating from Anne's daycare and heading to kindergarten, but I don't think you really "leave" Anne's. She has become part of our children's story and part of our family. And as far as we're concerned, that's exactly where she'll stay.

My daughter spent 3.5 years here and it was the best child care experience I could have asked for,…read moreespecially as a first time mom. From learning how to grow food (peppers) to building a great vocabulary by reading, we've had an amazing time. Practicing hand writing and spelling her name really set us up for greater success in a traditional school setting. Truly found someone who I'm glad to call apart of my little one's village.

One of the most important investments, which parents can make today, is to ensure that their…read morechildren have a good educational and moral grounding. As such, I believe the Hopkins House is playing a significant role in the development of children. In developing children today, the belief that "it takes a village" to do that, is absolutely correct. The Hopkins House is that village. Given the many challenges and stresses, which children face today, parents must be strategic and partner with those organizations, which have proving records of being extremely successful in the development of children. I have found that there is no better organization to take on this critical task, than the Hopkins House. It is the high quality of the staff and teachers at the Hopkins House, which makes this all possible. The Hopkins House is not only making a "high standard" impact in the lives children, the Hopkins House is also making a significant impact in the development of our community. When it comes to the Hopkins House, the engine of developing children, is working efficiently and properly. In addition, the world is changing and we, as parents, must realize that things will never be the same again. In this regard, the Hopkins House is playing an important role in ensuring, that children become capable of taking on all of the challenges, they will be faced with in the future.

This is the BEST Preschool anyone can think of when looking For Early childhood education. It's…read morevery family oriented and a safe, loving and learning environment for all children

Our family was part of this school for two years, and in the beginning we truly felt at home. The…read moreteachers cared, our children were happy, and it felt like a community. Things changed after new leadership came in. The atmosphere shifted, communication became strained, and we started to feel pushed out. At one point our child's personal information was shared, which crossed a line for us. This used to be a warm and welcoming place that valued different backgrounds and perspectives. Sadly, that sense of inclusion is gone. I hope one day it becomes that kind of space again, but right now I wouldn't recommend it to families looking for a safe or supportive environment.

Outside, nature and play-based education - so the kids are having fun and don't even realize…read morethey're learning. My 5yo and 3yo are both thriving. It's a great community for children (and their parents too, let's be honest), and we are so glad every day that we found this hidden gem of a preschool.