Do you have a child who will be ready for PreK next year? Well, now is the time to start thinking about your plans for the upcoming year. PreK is an important year because, for many children, it provides some of their first exposure to a school setting. Children learn self-regulation, their creativity is nurtured, and they can learn in a playful environment. PreK classrooms are the perfect place for young children to learn how to pay attention, deal with difficult emotions, and interact with their classmates.
Now, where does one start looking for such a place? Luckily, the city of Alexandria has many publicly funded options.
Alexandria City Public Schools
ACPS offers free preschool to qualifying families through the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI). The purpose of VPI is to provide quality early childhood programs for eligible four-year-olds (must turn 4 years old by September 30th). Eligibility is based on family income and child and family risk factors. VPI is a program designed for families who might not otherwise be able to access quality early childhood education opportunities. To learn more about the program, please view this video in English or Spanish.
The Campagna Center
The mission of The Campagna Center is to deliver exceptional educational and social development programs for children, teens, and adults. They offer early childhood education programs throughout the city of Alexandria, as well as programs supporting health and nutrition awareness, before-and-after-school programs, tutoring and mentoring, career and college readiness planning, and classes for English language learners.
The Child and Family Network Centers
The Child & Family Network Centers is an Alexandria-based network of 8 free, high-quality bi-lingual preschools that provide low-income children with the tools they need to succeed in school and in life. CFNC fills a void ensuring that children of the working poor have ongoing access to preschool so that they start elementary school on par with their classmates. Beyond preschool, CFNC helps the whole family by providing comprehensive educational and supportive services.
Creative Play School
Creative Play School is a private, professional preschool that provides early childhood care and education at two locations in Alexandria. Their goal is for every child to enjoy coming to school and learning as this is the groundwork for later success.
