Preschools, Day Care & PRIVATE SCHOOLS

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

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.

(434) 296-1116 | 925 E. Market St. | Registration: anytime | Ages: 6 wks – 8 yrs

Beau Pre Kindergarten

(434) 296-3477 | 1555 Beau-Pre Ln.

Bright Beginnings

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

Bright Beginnings | (434) 973-8414 | 3401 Worth Crossing | Ages: 16 mos. - 5 yrs

CBI Preschool of Congregation Beth Israel

"CBI’s early childhood program provides an opportunity for young children to play, learn, and grow together in a Jewish environment."

CBI Preschool of Congregation Beth Israel | (434) 295-6382 | preschool@cbicville.org | 301 E Jefferson St. (Downtown Mall) | Ages: 2 - K

Canterbury School

Flexible hours and close proximity to the Law School.

(434) 293-9265 | 2317 Barracks Rd. | Registration: early spring | Ages: 3 - 5 yrs (3 - 7 yrs during summer)

Chancellor St. Preschool Co-Operative

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.

Chancellor St. Preschool Co-Operative | (434) 296-6444 | University Ave. & Chancellor | Ages: 2 ½ - 5 yrs | Registration: Begins in February

Charlottesville Day School at ACAC

8:00–9:00 a.m. Morning Movers Early Care (Optional)
9:00 a.m. School Begins
12:30 p.m. School Dismissal
12:30–5:30 p.m. Aftercare is available through CDS (Optional)

Charlottesville Day School at ACAC | (434) 817-CDS1 | 200 Four Seasons Drive | Charlottesville, VA 22901

Charlottesville Waldorf School

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

Charlottesville Waldorf School | (434) 823-6800 | Ages: Preschool - 8th grade | Registration: January/early spring

Charlottesville location (Nursery/Kindergarten): ACAC on Four Seasons Dr.
Crozet Location: 1408 Crozet Ave.

Children's Montessori School

Limited after-school care.

(434) 971-6744 or (540) 456-6878 | 109 E. Jefferson St. | Registration: anytime | Ages: 3 yrs - K

Christian Preschool Adventure

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

Christian Preschool Adventure | (434) 296-5437 | 2505 Jefferson Park Ave. | Registration: February | Ages: 2 ½ - 5 yrs

Country Cottage Pre-School

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.

5013 Advance Mill Rd. | Earlysville, VA 22936 | (434) 973-2244 | Ages: 2 ½-5 yrs

Covenant School

Charlottesville’s only non-denominational Christian day school for pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. Traditional, college preparatory curriculum. Wide variety of competitive athletics. Outstanding performing and visual arts opportunities.

Covenant School | Admissions: (434) 220-7330 | 175 Hickory Street - Upper Campus (Grades 7-12) and Business Office | 1000 Birdwood Road - Lower School (pre-K - Grade 6)

Crozet Co-op Preschool

Small co-op preschool with a student- teacher ratio of four to one. A certified teacher/reading specialist instructs children in a phonic and literacy-based setting; open play and learning centers along with reading, math, science, and art activities on a daily basis.    Program is currently three days per week from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm. Parents actively assist in the program one day per month.

(434) 823-5039 | crozetschool@yahoo.com | Ages: 3 - 4 yrs

Early Childhood Development Center

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.

(434) 296-6198 | First Baptist Church, 735 Park St. | Registration: February | Ages: 2½ - K

Einstein School

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

(434) 974-1991 | 180 Townwood Dr. | Ages: K - 12 yrs

First Presbyterian Church Preschool

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

First Presbyterian Church Preschool | (434) 296-1447 | 500 Park St. | Ages: 18 mos. - 5 yrs

First United Methodist Preschool

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.

First United Methodist Preschool | (434) 296-6682 | 101 East Jefferson | Registration: ASAP | Ages: 2 - 4 years

Foundations Child Development Center, Inc.

Full day child care and preschool year round. Infants through age 5, school agers welcome summers and holidays.  Established in 1995.

Foundations Child Development Center | (434) 973-9218 | 3375 Berkmar Drive | Ages: Infants - 5 years

Four Seasons Learning Center

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.

(434) 975-4455 | Four Seasons, 20 Lakeview Dr. | Registration: anytime | Ages: 6 wks - 6 yrs

Free Union Country School

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.

Free Union Country School | (434) 978-1700 | 4220 Free Union Rd., Free Union, VA 22940 | Ages: 3 yrs – 5th grade

Frost Montessori School

(434) 979-5223 | 1553 Delphi Dr. | Ages: 18 mos. - 6 yrs

James Hicks Child Care Center

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

(434) 293-6601 | 1042 Preston Ave. | Ages: 2 – 8 yrs

International School of Charlottesville

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.

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

Jefferson Park Junior Academy

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

(434) 296-2606 | 2437 Jefferson Park Ave. | Ages: Grades K - 8

KinderCare Learning Center

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

KinderCare Learning Center | (434) 977-3973 | 1409 N. Emmet St. | Registration: anytime | Ages: 6 wks - 12 yrs

Living Stones Montessori Christian Preschool

(434) 979-9867 | 1405 E. Market St.

Malcolm W. Cole Child Care Center

The Center is for U.Va. 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.

Malcolm W. Cole Child Care Center | (434) 924-2907 or (434) 924-5140 | 839 Estes St. | Registration: anytime | Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

Merridale Preschool

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

(434) 973-3000 | 1414 Old Brook Rd. | Ages: 3 - 4 yrs

Miller School

(434) 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

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

(434) 979-2111/(434) 979-6111 | Ages: 2½ - 5 yrs | Summer Camp Ages: 3 - 10 yrs

Molly Michie Preschool

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.

Molly Michie Preschool | (434) 977-7406 | 717 Rugby Rd. | Registration: ASAP | Ages: 2 - 5 yrs

Montessori Pantops Mountain Community School

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 Pantops Mountain Community School | (434) 979-8886 | 1538 Richmond Rd. (250 East) | Ages: 3 - 14 yrs

Montessori School of Charlottesville

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.

Montessori School of Charlottesville | (434) 295-9055 | 631 Cutler Ln., 674 Hillsdale Dr., ACAC at Four Seasons | Registration: early spring | Ages: 21 mos. - 6 yrs

Northridge Preschool

A half-day academic Christian preschool dedicated to achieving a positive learning experience.

Northridge Preschool | (434) 964-1560 | 5100 Dickerson Rd. | Registration: anytime | Ages 3 - 5 yrs

Northside Christian School

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

Northside Christian School | (434) 974-6799 | 1325 E. Rio Rd. | Ages: 4 yrs - 12th grade

Old Dominion Day School

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

Old Dominion Day School | (434) 977-0511 | 400 Georgetown Rd. | Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

Pantops Children's Center

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

(434) 295-8569 | 201 Riverbend Dr. | Ages: Infant- to Pre-k

Paran Preschool

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

Paran Preschool | (434) 973-9077 | 5145 Dickerson Rd. | Ages: 2 ½ - 5 yrs

Park Street Christian Preschool

(434) 296-8922 | 1200-B Park St.

Peabody School

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

Peabody School | (434) 296-6901 | 1232 Stoney Ridge Rd. | Ages: Pre-K and K - 8th grade

Renaissance School

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

Renaissance School | (434) 984-1952 | 406 E. Main St.

Seventh-Day Adventist Early Learning Center

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

2437 Jefferson Park Ave. | Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

St. Anne's-Belfield School

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. Anne's-Belfield School | (434) 296-5106 | 2132 Ivy Rd. | Ages: 3 yrs – 12th grade

St. Mark Preschool

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

St. Mark Preschool | (434) 293-0792 | 100 Alderman Rd. | Registration: January | Ages: 2½ - 5 yrs

University Montessori

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

University Montessori | (434) 977-0583 | 1034 Reservoir Rd. | Ages: 3 - 6 yrs

UVA Child Development Center

A Children's World Learning Center associated with U.Va. 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).

UVA Child Development Center | (434) 293-6110 | 180 Copeley Rd. (on U.Va. Grounds) | Ages: 6 wks – Pre-K | Registration: anytime

Wesley Community Child Care Center

The Wesly Community Child Care Center is convenient to U.Va. with programs that 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.

Wesley Community Child Care Center | (434) 296-5204 | 1901 Thomson Rd. | Ages: 6 wks - Pre-K

Westminster Child Care Center

Affiliated with the U.Va. 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.

Westminster Child Care Center | (434) 977-3322 | 190 Rugby Rd. | Registration: anytime | Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

Woodlands Day School Inc.

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

(434) 973-2777 | 601 Hillsdale Dr. | Ages: 6 wks - 5 yrs

YMCA Day Care Center

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.

YMCA Day Care Center | (434) 974-9622 | 442 Westfield Rd. | Registration: anytime | Ages: 2 - Pre-K