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Preschool at Pinecrest has been a wonderful experience for our daughter. We’ve watched her come out of her shell, make new friends and thoroughly enjoy school. —Current Parent
PINECREST'S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM
Preschool
- 3 year old students
- Half-day
- Annual Tuition: $7,736.63
- After-care available until 6:00pm
Half-Day
Pre-Kindergarten
- 4 year old students
- Half-day
- Annual Tuition: $7,736.63
- After-care available until 6:00pm
Full-Day
Pre-Kindergarten
- 4 year old students
- Full-day
- Annual Tuition: $15,500
- After-care available until 6:00pm
EARLY CHILD HOOD
AT A GLANCE
Pinecrest School Founded: 1957
Ages: 3-4
Accreditation: VAIS
Commonwealth of Virginia: Currently licensed by the Virginia Department of Early Childhood Education (formerly Social Services)
Half-day Hours: 8:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m., Monday-Friday; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m.
Full-day Hours: 8:50 a.m.-3:35 p.m., Monday-Friday; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m.
Maximum Class Size: 10 students with one teacher
Enrichment Classes: Physical education 2x a week; art 2x a week; music 1x a week
2024-25 Half-day Pre-kindergarten & Preschool Tuition: 7,740
2024-25 Full-day Pre-kindergarten Tuition: 15,500
Sibling Discount: 15%
Before-care: Offered from 8:00-8:30 a.m., billed at a rate of $7 per day.
After-care: Until 6 p.m.; $14 per hour with a $800 monthly cap
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; applications accepted year-round.
Pinecrest School offers one of the best Preschool & Pre-kindergarten programs in Northern Virginia. In an atmosphere of warmth and affection, students at Pinecrest School learn to function in structured group settings within a framework of nurturing social and emotional support. Our early childhood program prepares children for kindergarten by emphasizing fine and gross motor skills and speech and language development, all in accordance with each child’s learning pace. Classrooms are big and bright and are filled with books, games, toys, puzzles, and art supplies for children to explore, create with, and learn. All Preschool & Pre-kindergarten classrooms have bathrooms and sinks.
The typical Preschool & Pre-kindergarten day combines free play with teacher-directed activities designed to introduce students to pre-literacy, pre-numeracy, science and social studies concepts. Children regularly practice mindfulness activities to encourage calm and focus. Students have recess daily; an indoor multipurpose room and modern, high-quality outdoor play facilities provide fun and safe recreational activities.
Students also have enrichment classes during the school week. Enrichment classes are taught by dedicated enrichment teachers and are included with tuition. Preschool & half-day Pre-kindergarten students will have one session per day. Full-day Pre-kindergarten students will have two per day. Each session is twenty minutes long.
FAQ: WHICH CLASS IS BEST FOR MY CHILD?
Pinecrest believes that a half-day program is an age-appropriate length of time for academic learning within the classroom for 3-year-old students in our Preschool Class. As our students grow into the Pre-kindergarten age, personality, family schedule, and each child’s individual educational journey may impact whether a full-day or half-day Pre-kindergarten is a better fit for your child. Reach out to the Engagement and Program Director to discuss any personalized questions.
Field trips and special in-house presentations can play an important part of the Early Childhood curriculum. Students sometimes visit local nature centers, science centers, and more for age-appropriate and curriculum-based experiences. Pinecrest sometimes invites campus visits from local fire departments, dentists, puppeteers, story-tellers, and others for all classes as well.
Pinecrest maintains full accreditation. Pinecrest School is proud to be part of Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) and National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
PRESCHOOL & PRE-KINDERGARTEN FAQs
Does Pinecrest offer 2- or 3-day-a-week classes?
All classes are 5 days a week, Monday-Friday. Pinecrest believes that consistency is key for preschoolers to not only enjoy school, but also feel comfortable, build confidence, and nurture independence if they have an uninterrupted weekly school routine.
Do children starting Preschool or Pre-kindergarten need to be toilet-trained?
Yes, incoming students must be toilet-trained. Pinecrest understands that the occasional accident might happen, and that’s not a problem. We ask parents to supply a full change of clothes to be kept in the classroom during the school year in case of emergencies. However, Pinecrest doesn’t have the staff to change diapers or pull-ups.
Does Pinecrest offer year-round care in the Early Childhood Program?
Pinecrest is a school, not a daycare center, so we don’t offer year-round classes. However, for additional fees, we offer our camp in the summer months, Pinecrest Pavilion.
Does Pinecrest offer camp to Preschool & Pre-kindergarten students?
Pinecrest School runs Pinecrest Pavilion, a summer camp with morning-only classes for preschoolers who will be four by September 30 of the upcoming school year, are toilet-trained, and have attended preschool before.
Does Pinecrest give students a snack?
Pinecrest does not provide preschoolers with snack or lunch. Preschool students must bring a mid-morning snack and, if staying in after-care, a lunch and an afternoon snack all from home. This allows parents to have autonomy over what their children are eating on a daily basis.
What are Pinecrest’s policies regarding allergies or medical conditions?
Pinecrest staff members are very willing to work with parents/guardians to learn more about their child’s allergies and/or medical conditions and to address any concerns. Parents/guardians of incoming students must complete a Medical/Emergency Care Form listing their child’s allergies and other chronic conditions. It is in a child’s best interest to provide as much information as possible; for example, please specify if an allergy or medication condition will affect school performance and what activities or food(s) must be avoided during school hours as well as if the allergy is ingestion, inhalation and/or touch. Parents/guardians should describe all possible reactions their child may exhibit if exposed to an allergen and delineate the specific procedural instructions the school must follow if the child is exposed to an allergen. Parents/guardians are responsible for keeping Pinecrest informed as quickly as possible of any changes in their child’s health or restrictions. Please note, however, that Pinecrest is not a nut-free environment.
What is Pinecrest’s inclement weather policy?
Pinecrest follows the late opening and closing decisions of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). If FCPS starts one or two hours late, Pinecrest will start one hour late, with before-care opening at 9:00 a.m., drop-off beginning at 9:30 a.m. and school starting at 9:50 a.m. If FCPS closes due to weather, Pinecrest will also close.
SAMPLE EARLY CHILDHOOD WEEKLY SCHEDULE
This schedule is meant to provide an idea of how a typical Preschool & Pre-kindergarten morning might look at Pinecrest School. Each individual teacher will create their own individual schedule for each class, and activities will be age- and developmentally-appropriate for each group. * Project Work can be activities, games, work papers or art projects led by the teacher **Enrichment Classes vary as noted above.
TIME
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
8:30-9:20 a.m.
Free Play/Project Work*
Free Play/Project Work
Free Play/Project Work
Free Play/Project Work
Free Play/Project Work
9:20-9:35 a.m.
Circle Time/ Movement Songs
Circle Time/ Movement Songs
Circle Time/ Movement Songs
Circle Time/ Movement Songs
Circle Time/ Movement Songs
9:35-10:05 a.m.
Bathroom & Snack
Bathroom & Snack
Bathroom & Snack
Bathroom & Snack
Bathroom & Snack
10:05-10:25 a.m.
Enrichment Class
Project Work/Story
Enrichment Class
Project Work/Story
Project Work/Story
10:30-10:50 a.m.
Project Work
Enrichment Class
Project Work/Story
Enrichment Class
Project Work
10:50-11:00 a.m.
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathroom
11:00-11:35 a.m.
Project Work/Free Play/Story
Project Work/Free Play/Story
Project Work/Free Play/Story
Project Work/Free Play/Story
Enrichment Class
11:35 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Outside Play
Outside Play
Outside Play
Outside Play
Outside Play
12:00-12:05 p.m.
Dismissal for Preschool & Half-day Pre-kindergarten
Lunch for Full-day Pre-kindergarten & Students attending after-care
Dismissal for Preschool & Half-day Pre-kindergarten
Lunch for Full-day Pre-kindergarten & Students attending after-care
Dismissal for Preschool & Half-day Pre-kindergarten
Lunch for Full-day Pre-kindergarten & Students attending after-care
Dismissal for Preschool & Half-day Pre-kindergarten
Lunch for Full-day Pre-kindergarten & Students attending after-care
Dismissal for Preschool & Half-day Pre-kindergarten