Preschools and Day Care

From the Virginia Law Families supplement:
Good preschools fill up quickly and maintain waiting lists. They generally register for the September school year very early. January sign-up for returning students and their younger siblings (and church members for those affiliated with one) is typical, with February sign-up for the general public. If the one you want is full, ask to be put on a waiting list. Also consider signing up for several even if you expect to get into the one you think you want. Most offer several different programs (e.g., two, three, or five days a week) and they may not offer you the choice you want.

The University-affiliated Child Development Center has a very good reputation and reasonable rates, but has an extremely long waiting list for very young children—if you didn't sign up at conception (or before!) you probably won't get an infant in until they're two, unless you have an older sibling you can enroll first—they don't advertise this but they give precedence to siblings of children already enrolled, and there is often little to no wait for children aged two and above.
—Provided by Virginia Law Families

ABC Preschool-Daycare
296-1116
925 E. Market St.
Registration: anytime
Ages: 6 wks – 8 yrs

Can make a flexible schedule to meet parents' needs. Children in small groups. Preschool program in morning sessions. Well-equipped center. Many displays of children's art work. Warm, caring atmosphere. Licensed. Ten percent discount for families enrolling more than one child.

Beau Pre Kindergarten
296-3477
1555 Beau-Pre Ln.

Bright Beginnings
www.brightbeginningsva.com
973-8414
3401 Worth Crossing
Ages: 16 mos. - 5 yrs

The school offers both full- and half-day schedules, field trips, guest speakers, and a PE program. 

CBI Preschool of Congregation Beth Israel
Web site
295-6382
301 E Jerfferson St. (Downtown Mall)

“CBI Preschool operates as an extension of the Jewish home, providing an opportunity for young children to play, learn, and grow together in a Jewish environment.”

Canterbury School
293-9265
2317 Barracks Rd.
Registration: early spring
Ages: 3 - 5 yrs (3 - 7 yrs during summer)

Flexible hours and close proximity to the Law School.

Chancellor St. Preschool Co-Operative
Web site
296-6444
University Ave. & Chancellor
Ages: 2 ½ - 5 yrs
Registration: Begins in February

A co-op preschool where parents volunteer for one day as teacher assistant for each month a child attends. Lots of parent involvement. Two qualified teachers.

Charlottesville Day School
www.charlottesvilledayschool.org   
817-CDS1
200 Four Seasons Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22901

8:00–8:30 a.m. Morning Movers Early Care (Optional)
8:30 a.m. School Begins
12:30 p.m. Preschool Dismissal
3:30 p.m. Elementary Dismissal
12:30–5:30 p.m. Aftercare is available through CDS (Optional)

Charlottesville Day School is an elementary and preschool. Twenty-four educators are on staff serving 142 children from diverse backgrounds.

Charlottesville Waldorf School
http://cwaldorf.org
823-6800
Charlottesville location (Nursery/Kindergarten):
ACAC on Four Seasons Dr.
Crozet Location: 1408 Crozet Ave.
Ages: Preschool - 8th grade
Registration: January/early spring

Nursery, kindergarten, grade school. After-school care until 6 p.m.

Children's Montessori School
971-6744 or (540) 456-6878
109 E. Jefferson St.
Registration: anytime
Ages: 3 yrs - K

Limited after-school care.

Christian Preschool Adventure
www.jpbc.org/preschool.html
296-5437
2505 Jefferson Park Ave.
Registration: February
Ages: 2 ½ - 5 yrs

Curriculum: learning through play. A ministry of Jefferson Park Baptist. Hours are 9 am - 12 pm.

Country Cottage Pre-School
5013 Advance Mill Rd.
Earlysville, VA 22936
973-2244
Ages: 2 ½-5 yrs

Monday, Wednesday, Friday; Tuesday, Thursday; and Monday through Friday programs available from 9 am to noon. Class size is limited to five children in a nature-oriented environment.

Covenant School
www.covenantschool.org
175 Hickory St. (campus and business office)
Admissions: 220-7330
1000 Birdwood Rd. (upper-grade campus 7th-12th): 220-7329
Ages: K - 12th grade

Nondenominational Christian orientation. College prep.

Early Childhood Development Center
296-6198
First Baptist Church, 735 Park St.
Registration: February
Ages: 2½ - K

Developmental program with one teacher and one aide per class. Curriculum includes math and reading readiness, social skills, creative art, science, cooking, excursions, and celebration of special days. NAEYC accredited.

Einstein School
974-1991
180 Townwood Dr.
Ages: K - 12 yrs

Highly individualized program especially suited for bright children and students with learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia, underachievement, etc.). Low student-teacher ratio.

First Presbyterian Church Preschool
Web site
296-1447
500 Park St.
Ages: 18 mos. - 5 yrs

Open 9 am - 12 pm. Strong program. Fills up quickly. Two-, three-, four-, and five-day programs.

First United Methodist Preschool
Web site
296-6682
101 East Jefferson
Registration: ASAP
Ages: 2 - 4 years

Qualified teachers. Nationally accredited. Newly renovated facilities. Developmentally appropriate. High-scope curriculum, which encourages children to share control in planning their day. Emphasis on self-control.

Four Seasons Learning Center
975-4455
Four Seasons, 20 Lakeview Dr.
Registration: anytime
Ages: 6 wks - 6 yrs

Very experienced staff. Small number of children. Good mix of structure and free play. Homey environment. Preschool program. Licensed. Serves hot lunch daily. Full day program.

Free Union Country School
www.freeunioncountryschool.org
978-1700
4220 Free Union Rd., Free Union, VA 22940
Ages: 3 yrs – 5th grade

Scenic rural campus. Warm family atmosphere. Parents actively involved. Developmentally appropriate curriculum, rigorous academics, careful attention to the social/emotional needs of students. Enrichment program includes art, science, music, P.E.., Spanish, nature hikes, and overnight camping. A parent interview and classroom visit are required. Diversity is sought. Financial assistance available.

Frost Montessori School
979-5223
1553 Delphi Dr.
Ages: 18 mos. - 6 yrs

James Hicks Child Care Center
293-6601
1042 Preston Ave.
Ages: 2 – 8 yrs

Supported by the Curry School of Education. The school offers potty training. Full- and half-day schedules are available. Meals and snacks are provided.

The International School of Charlottesville
www.theisc.org
984-2174
2416 Jefferson Park Ave.
(Mailing address: P.O. Box 132, Free Union, VA 22940)
Ages: 2½ - 5 yrs
Registration: anytime

The "international preschool of Charlottesville." French- and Spanish- language immersion preschool and kindergarten. No previous exposure to French or Spanish necessary. Emphasis on art, music, and other hands-on activities. Reading, writing and math readiness. Summer camp.

Jefferson Park Junior Academy
296-2606
2437 Jefferson Park Ave.
Ages: Grades K - 8

Affiliated with the Charlottesville Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Features Christ-centered curriculum.

KinderCare Learning Center
www.kindercare.com
977-3973
1409 N. Emmet St.
Registration: anytime
Ages: 6 wks - 12 yrs

Full-time and part-time care. Reading readiness for 4-year-olds. Contact the director to try facility for a day. Licensed. Accredited.

Living Stones Montessori Christian Preschool
979-9867
1405 E. Market St.

Malcolm W. Cole Child Care Center
www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/childcare
924-2907 or 924-5140
839 Estes St.
Registration: anytime
Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

The Center is for UVA employees only, with priority given to hospital staff. Staff is very qualified. Well-run preschool program including music and art. Very well equipped indoors and out. Children can be registered when applying for employment in anticipation of employment.

Merridale Preschool
973-3000
1414 Old Brook Rd.
Ages: 3 - 4 yrs

Small Christian preschool. Academic program and small class size. Half-day programs.

Mighty Minds, Little Hands International Preschool
Web site
2117 Angus Road (Behind Best Buy/World Market)
466-3971
Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

French and Spanish immersion preschool and daycare. Preschool children learn music and computer skills. SOL preparation is available for 4-5 year-olds. Summer sessions offered.

Miller School
823-4805
1000 Samuel Miller Loop
Grades 6-12

Co-educational day and boarding school with small class sizes, located in western Albemarle County. College prep; emphasizes character and honor.

Millstone of Ivy Preschool and Summer Camp
979-2111/979-6111
Ages: 2½ - 5 yrs
Summer Camp Ages: 3 - 10 yrs

Half- and full-day options. Offers Spanish and reading readiness classes along with normal preschool activities.

Molly Michie Preschool
Web site
977-7406
717 Rugby Rd.
Registration: ASAP
Ages: 2 - 5 yrs

Qualified preschool teacher. Parents take turns as teacher assistant. Hands-on approach. Curriculum includes math and reading readiness, social skills, art, music, cooking, and field trips. Variety in equipment inside and out. NAEYC accredited.

Montessori Pantops Mountain Community School
www.montessoripantops.org
979-8886
1538 Richmond Rd. (250 East)
Ages: 3 - 14 yrs

Encourages cooperative learning through peer teaching and interaction in three-year class groupings. Emphasis on intrinsic motivation, self-education, and the development of imagination and creativity through the use of a diverse set of materials, activities, and experiences.

Montessori School of Charlottesville
www.montessoriofcville.org
295-9055
631 Cutler Ln., 674 Hillsdale Dr., ACAC at Four Seasons
Registration: early spring
Ages: 21 mos. - 6 yrs

Same program for 3- to 6-year-olds at second location, 974 Hillsdale Dr., and for 18 months to 8 years at ACAC. Mixed-age classes. Excellent exposure to creative and learning experiences. Program varies from one teacher's classroom to the next. Summer program available. AMI and AMS Certified. Offers parent/infant class.

Northside Christian School
www.albemarlechristianacademy.com
974-6799
1325 E. Rio Rd.
Ages: 4 yrs - 12th grade

Offers summer day camp for ages 4 through sixth grade during June-August.

Old Dominion Day School
www.olddominiondayschool.com
977-0511
400 Georgetown Rd.
Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

Accredited and certified staff offers a variety of programs for all pre-kindergarten aged children.

Pantops Children's Center
295-8569
201 Riverbend Dr.
Ages: Infant- to Pre-k

Teachers are certified early learning specialists and the school is accredited by IACCEPT.  Offers full- and half-day programs.

Paran Preschool
Web site
973-9077
5145 Dickerson Rd.
Ages: 2 ½ - 5 yrs

Small classes taught in a Christian environment.  Half-day program from 9 am – Noon. 

Park Street Christian Preschool
296-8922
1200-B Park St.

Peabody School
www.peabodyschool.org
296-6901
1232 Stoney Ridge Rd.
Ages: K - 8th grade

School for intellectually advanced children. Testing required for admission. Accelerated, enriched curriculum. Teachers trained in gifted education. Limited partial scholarships available.

Renaissance School
www.renaissanceschool.org
984-1952
406 E. Main St.

Provides intellectually and artistically motivated high school students with an interdisciplinary learning environment that integrates the arts, humanities, and sciences.

Seventh-Day Adventist Early Learning Center
2437 Jefferson Park Ave.
Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

Christian-based curriculum. Computer classes, music center, creative learning experiences, large playground in park setting, vegetarian meals. In Charlottesville for over 35 years.

St. Anne's-Belfield School
www.stab.org
296-5106
2132 Ivy Rd.
Ages: 3 yrs – 12th grade

Nondenominational, college prep. Difficult to get into. Suggest applying before April, but will accept applications at all times. Enrollment is approximately 800 students. Financial assistance available.

St. Mark Preschool
Web site
293-0792
100 Alderman Rd.
Registration: January
Ages: 2½ - 5 yrs

Qualified teachers. Full preschool curriculum includes readiness skills in math and reading, social skills, art, and music. Scholarships available. NAEYC accredited.

University Montessori
www.universitymontessori.org
977-0583
1034 Reservoir Rd.
Ages: 3 - 6 yrs

Full-day and half-day programs/summer camp; emphasis on foreign language and cultures.

UVA Child Development Center
www.virginia.edu/childdevelopmentcenter
293-6110
180 Copeley Rd. (on UVA Grounds)
Ages: 6 wks – Pre-K
Registration: anytime

A Children's World Learning Center associated with UVA and available to faculty, staff, and students. Close to the Law School and University family housing. Clean and well run. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Wesley Community Child Care Center
Web site
434.296.5204
1901 Thomson Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Ages: 6 wks - Pre-K

The Center is convenient to UVA and programs provide children with social and emotional development and problem solving skills. The Center is committed to ethnic, racial and economic diversity and provides a community where tolerance, openness, and respect for all faiths, cultures, traditions, and individuals is valued.

Westminster Child Care Center
www.westccc.net
977-3322
190 Rugby Rd.
Registration: anytime
Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

Affiliated with the UVA School of Education and close to main Grounds. Well-qualified staff and creative preschool programs. Good outdoor play area. Lots of children at center, but individual classes are small. NAEYC accredited. Scholarships available. Diversity is sought.

Woodlands Day School Inc.
973-2777
601 Hillsdale Dr.
Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

Preschool, pre-kindergarten. Full- and half-day programs; two, three, or five days a week. "Teaching children the art of self-control."

YMCA Day Care Center
www.piedmontymca.org
974-9622
442 Westfield Rd.
Registration: anytime
Ages: 2 - Pre-K

Full- and half-day programs include music, art, math and reading readiness, computer classes, excursions, and celebration of special days. Scholarships available. Summer camps for older kids.

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Photo courtesy of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.SoVeryVirginia.com