Preschool

Welcome to Washington Street UMC Preschool

Learning to Live Lovingly since 1991

Now Accepting

2027-2028 Applications!

We are currently accepting applications through February 22, 2027 for the 2027-2028 school year with priority given to early applicants.

Preschool Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 12:10pm

Extended Day: Mondays & Wednesdays until 2:00pm*

For registration information, please click here.

* For students 3 years and older

Please contact us with your enrollment questions or to schedule a tour. 

We’re proud to recently be voted Alexandria’s #1 Preschool/Daycare

by ALXnow’s Readers Choice Poll!

At Washington Street Preschool, we offer a joyful, half-day program for children ages 2 to 5, where learning is driven by curiosity, creativity, and care. Our small class sizes, loving teachers, and sunny, spacious classrooms create a nurturing space where children feel safe to explore, play, and grow. Our play-based approach is guided by the Creative Curriculum goals and objectives, grounded in the power of play—especially dramatic play—to inspire big thinking, strong language skills, empathy, and real-world understanding.

Every day is filled with hands-on experiences that spark the imagination like:

  • Morning meetings & story time
  • Art projects & center time
  • Outdoor play & music and movement
  • Sensory tables, block play & dramatic play
  • Regular enrichment activities like Science, Music, and monthly Chapel

In order to introduce our students to a variety of experiences the school partners with community programs —local nature center, aquarium, museum, music performers, and even a chick-hatching program—to help the children explore the world beyond the classroom.

Early Literacy Skills

Children in our Frogs and Owls classrooms develop fine motor and early writing skills through the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum, a developmentally appropriate and engaging multi-sensory program designed to improve fine motor skills and letter recognition.

Learning That Embraces Every Child
We celebrate each child’s unique strengths and interests, using art, music, drama, and play to help them build confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of self. Children grow socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and intellectually—at their own pace, and in their own way.

We proudly welcome families of all backgrounds. While we honor our Christian roots with a once monthly Chapel (featuring age-appropriate songs and stories), we also celebrate diverse cultural and religious traditions to foster understanding and kindness like our Diwali and Lunar New Year Celebration.

Wondering how your child will adjust to preschool? Here are some simple, supportive ways to help them feel confident and ready.

Religious Exemption

As a mission of Washington Street United Methodist Church, WSUMC Preschool is a non-profit entity. Although exempt from state licensing mandates due to our religious affiliation, WSUMCP complies with health and safety standards established by the Virginia Department of Eduction (VDOE) for programs serving young children, and annually passes VDOE, health, sanitation and fire safety inspections.

Vaccination Policy

As of January 1, 2026, our preschool does not accept religious exemptions from immunization requirements. WSUMCP accepts only students who are “adequately or age appropriately immunized in accordance with the minimum requirements for attending school based upon the State Board of Health”, and certified by your physician’s office. Exemptions will be made in cases of documented medical necessity. Children on approved modified vaccination schedules are accepted; religious exemptions are not.