Greater Washington Preschool Programs

Looking for a high-quality, loving preschool for your child? Explore the Jewish early childhood programs in Greater Washington as well as resources for parents below.

Please note that this list is still in formation and subject to change.
For more information, contact Sharon Sherry, Director, Community Outreach and Education at [email protected]

PRESCHOOLS

WASHINGTON DC

Edlavitch DCJCC Preschool
NW Washington, DC

Address:
1529 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20036

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 7:45 AM – 6:00 PM

Address:
3935 Macomb Street NW
Washington, DC 20016

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 3:00 PM

Address:
2850 Quebec St NW
Washington, DC 20008

Ages: Infant, Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:50 PM

Address:
212 East Capitol St NE
Washington, DC 20003

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: Full day 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Part day 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Address:
4715 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20011

Ages: Pre-K

Hours: Monday — Thursday 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Enrichment programs available on Tuesday until 4:30 PM. Aftercare program run by Wonders Monday-Friday (closes at 6:30 PM)

Temple Sinai Nursery School
NW Washington, DC

Address:
3100 Military Rd NW
Washington, DC 20015

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: TBA

MARYLAND

Alef Bet Montessori School
North Bethesda, MD

Address:
6125 Tuckerman Lane
North Bethesda, MD 20852

Ages: Infant, Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Address:
6301 Montrose Road
Rockville, MD 20852

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Address:
6125 Montrose Road
Rockville, MD 20852

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Address:
13300 Arctic Avenue
Rockville, MD 20853

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM. After Care until 5:30 PM

Beth El Preschool
Bethesda, MD

Address:
8215 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: Core Program 9:15 AM -12:00 PM Monday – Friday
Lunch Bunch 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Monday – Friday
Enrichment 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM Monday -Thursday

Address:
11825 Seven Locks Rd
Potomac, MD 20854

Ages: Infant, Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Address:
1901 East Jefferson St
Rockville, MD 20852

Ages: Pre-K

Hours: 8:15 AM – 3:30 PM with aftercare until 6:00 PM

Address:
18401 Burtfield Dr
Olney, MD 20832

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Address:
14330 Travilah Road
Rockville, MD 20850

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday-Friday

Address:
10621 South Glen Road
Potomac, MD 20854

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Address:
8300 Meadowbrook Lane
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: M-F 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM; Close early on Friday during winter for Shabbat (1/2 hour before sunset)

Address:
11810 Falls Road
Potomac, MD 20854

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Address:
1409 Main Street
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours:7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, or 9:15 AM – 1:00 PM Monday-Friday

Address:
11510 Falls Rd
Potomac, MD 20854

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Shomrai Preschool
Silver Spring, MD

Address:
813 University Blvd W
Silver Spring, MD 20901

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Silver Spring Learning Center
Silver Spring, MD

Address:
1401 Arcola Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20902

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Simcha Educational Center
Gaithersburg, MD

Address:
15021 Dufief Mill Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Ages: Infant, Toddler, 2s, 3s

Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM with extended care available

Address:
10101 Connecticut Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Address:
12200 Scaggsville Road
Fulton, MD 20759

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 9:15 AM – 12:30 PM or 9:15 AM – 2:00 PM. Early Arrival and Late Stay available.

Address:
8401 Grubb Road
Chevy Chase, MD 20902

Ages: Infant, Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The Gan Montessori
Silver Spring, MD

Address:
519 Lamberton Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20902

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 7:45 AM – 5:00 PM

Address:
2200 Baltimore Road
Rockville, MD 20851

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Adat Reyim Preschool
Springfield, VA

Address:
6500 Westbury Oaks Court
Springfield, VA 22152

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 9:15 AM – 1:30 PM

Agudas Achim Preschool
Alexandria, VA

Address:
2908 Valley Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM with optional early drop-off and late pickup available

Address:
12523 Lawyers Rd
Herndon, VA 20171

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM. Before care and after care available

Address:
2920 Arlington Blvd
Arlington, VA 22204

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: Full day 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Half day 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Address:
3939 Prince William Dr
Fairfax, VA 22031

Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Address:
4800 Mattie Moore Ct
Fairfax, VA 22030

Ages: Pre-K

Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (with before and aftercare) 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (regular Preschool program)

J-Care of Alexandria
Alexandria, VA

Address:
3830 Seminary Rd
Alexandria, VA 22304

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Address:
3800 Glenbrook Rd
Fairfax, VA 22031

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Pozez JCC-Beth El ECLC
Alexandria, VA

Address:
8900 Little River Turnpike
Fairfax, VA 22031

Ages: Infant, Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Address:
3830 Seminary Rd
Alexandria, VA 22304

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

RUJEC
Leesburg, VA

Address:
19357 Evergreen Mills Road
Leesburg, VA 20175

Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K

Hours: Currently closed

Address:
2100 Westmoreland St.
Falls Church, VA 22043

Ages: Parent/Child classes, 2’s, 3’s, Pre-K, and Kindergarten

Hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM classroom; Kindergarten 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Early drop-off available 8:00 AM; Extended Aftercare available (M-Th) 5:30 PM (F) 4:00 PM

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A PRESCHOOL

Schedule a time to tour the school and meet with the director.

Before the tour: 

  • Make sure that the school’s hours, costs, sick policy, and location work for your family logistically 

During the tour:

  • Observe the relationships, activities, and space 
  • Is the school warm and inviting?   
  • Is the atmosphere exciting with lots of learning opportunities and activities for the children? 
  • Are the teachers involved with the children?   
  • What kind of work is up on the walls?   
  • How do you feel when you enter the school?   
  • How do you feel when you exit the school?  

Questions to ask the director: 

  • Ask about the school’s educational philosophy 
  • Ask about the curriculum and what a typical day looks like 
  • Ask about communication and community involvement 
  • Ask about the teacher-student ratio 
  • Ask about how the teachers help the children resolve conflicts 
  • Ask for parent references so that you can hear another perspective and gain additional insights 

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

Recommended Reading for Preschool Parents

List compiled by Ora Cohen Rosenfeld and Miryam Buchler.

No Bad Kids by Janet Lansbury: a collection of Janet’s most popular and widely read articles pertaining to common toddler behaviors and how respectful parenting practices can be applied to benefit both parents and children.

Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky: Galinsky brings the work of more than a hundred scientists into a form that parents everywhere can use, showing parents not only what children are capable of, but specifically how to develop those capabilities in their children from birth up until age eight.

Elevating Child Care by Janet Lansbury: Eschewing the quick-fix ‘tips and tricks’ of popular parenting culture, Janet’s insightful philosophy lays the foundation for a closer, more fulfilling parent/child relationship, and children who grow up to be authentic, confident, successful adults.

The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel, Ph. D.: The beloved bestseller that offers a practical, inspiring new roadmap for raising self-reliant, ethical, and compassionate children.

How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish: This bestselling classic by internationally acclaimed experts on communication between parents and children includes fresh insights and suggestions, as well as the author’s time-tested methods to solve common problems and build foundations for lasting relationships.

The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler: New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler has drawn up a blueprint for modern families — a new approach to family dynamics, inspired by cutting-edge techniques gathered from experts in the disciplines of science, business, sports, and the military.

NY Times: Yes, Your Kids can Play Outside in Winter

Schemas in Children’s Play