Programs
Age-Based Programs
Dolley Madison Preschool offers programs for the three years before kindergarten, serving children from 2½ to five years old. Our curriculum is based upon play as the fundamental learning instrument for young children, with an environment structured to ensure that play is both fun and instructional.
Our thematic approach emphasizes:
Social and emotional development
Communication development
Conceptual development
Visual and auditory perception
Fine and gross motor skills
Pre-academic skills
Morning Classes
Butterflies
Children who are 2 years old by May 1, of the current calendar year
Tuesday and Thursday mornings
Honeybees
Children who are 3 years old by December 1, of the current calendar year
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings
Full-Day Classes
Frogs
Children who are 4 years old by September 1, of the current calendar year
Four full days per week plus half-day Fridays
Bunnies
Children who are 3 years old by May 1, of the current calendar year
Five mornings per week, including lunch at school
Fish
Children who are 4 years old by November 1, of the current calendar year
Five mornings per week, including lunch at school
Pre-K Owls
Designed for students who would benefit from an additional year before kindergarten. Children must be 5 years old by December 1, of the current calendar year. The program is offered four full days per week plus half-day Fridays.
Butterflies & Honeybees
Our Butterflies Class meets Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 to 12:00.
Our Honeybees Class meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 to 12:00.
Sample Class Schedule
| 9:00am | Arrival @ the playground |
| 9:30am | Morning meeting |
| 9:40am | Free Play/Centers |
| 10:30am | Circle time & Story time |
| 11:00am | Snack |
| 11:30am | Recap/Goodbye circle |
| 11:40am | Recess |
| 12:00pm | Dismissal |
Ms. Mary: Butterflies & Honeybees Lead Teacher
“Hi, I’m Mary Anglo, lead teacher for the “2’s and 3’s” classes at Dolley Madison Preschool. I joined Dolley Madison in 2022. Before that, I spent 13 years loving and teaching children ages 2 – 5 at Chesterbrook UMC Preschool. I graduated cum laude from Northern Virginia Community College with an Early Childhood Development and Business Administration Associates degree.
I love preschoolers because of their affection, humor, and BIG imagination. My teaching philosophy is simple: to create a fun-loving home away from home where children can explore, learn, and always feel loved – no matter what or when.
When I’m off the clock, I am “mommyo” to three silly wild things ages 6, 4, and 2. I am also a “pawrent” to a 13 year-old Bichon-Shih Tzu named Lubdub. I find pure joy in family time, the holidays, cooking, the beach, road trips, and home décor.”
Bunnies
Our Bunnies class meets Monday - Friday, from 9:00 to 1:00.
Sample Class Schedule
| 9:00am | Arrival |
| 9:15am | Morning Activity |
| 9:45am | Circle Time |
| 10:00am | Snack/Bathroom Break |
| 10:30am | Outdoor |
| 11:00am | Centers |
| 12:00pm | Lunch/Carpet Activity |
| 1:00pm | Dismissal |
Ms. Michelle: Bunnies Lead Teacher
“Hi, my name is Michelle Yoon and I am the lead teacher for the Bunnies. I have been teaching preschoolers since 2007. When I first started at Dolley Madison Preschool in 2020 I immediately felt at home and knew it was the right school for me. With amazing staff who are passionate about teaching and such a supportive community, I am proud to call this place my second home.
I love working with kids because of their innocent hearts, and challenge them to be more creative each day. I hope to continue making a safe, loving, and fun environment for all of the children at Dolley Madison for many years to come.
During my free time I love to watch movies, travel, and find all the great restaurants in the Nova area. My ultimate bucket list is to travel to all 50 states in the next five years.”
Fish
Our Fish class meets Monday - Friday, 8:50 to 12:50.
Sample Class Schedule
| 8:50am | Arrival & Sign-in |
| 9:10am | Outside |
| 9:45am | Greeting Circle, Jobs |
| 10:00am | Snack |
| 10:15am | Instructional Circle |
| 11:30am | Table group activity |
| 10:45am | Centers/Individual craft projects |
| 11:45am | Show and Tell |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 12:30pm | Story time |
| 12:40pm | Outside |
| 12:50pm | Dismissal |
Ms. Gaby: Fish Lead Teacher
“My name is Gabriela Moran, and my students call me Ms. Gaby. In addition to being the lead teacher of the Fish class I am the co-director of Dolley Madison Preschool.
I started working at Dolley Madison in 1996 as an assistant teacher and was promoted to lead teacher a year later. In 2019 I became a co-director. I feel so fortunate to have found a place at Dolley Madison to do what I love best – working with young children.
I am from Chile, where I received my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I moved to the United States in 1987. My husband and I have one wonderful daughter, who is a former Dolley Madison Preschool student! In my free time I volunteer at my church and like to travel everywhere I can.”
Frogs
Our Frogs class meets Monday - Thursday, 8:50 to 2:50 and Friday 8:50 to 12:50.
Sample Class Schedule
| 8:50am | Arrival & Sign-in |
| 9:00am | Playground |
| 9:30am | Hello Circle |
| 9:45am | Snack |
| 10:00am | Instructional Circle |
| 10:15am | Work & Play |
| 11:15am | Playground |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 12:30pm | Quiet time |
| 12:45pm | Playground |
| 1:10pm | Instructional circle |
| 1:20pm | Work & Play |
| 2:05pm | Story time |
| 2:15pm | Snack |
| 2:30pm | Show & Tell |
| 2:50pm | Dismissal |
Ms. Emily: Frogs Lead Teacher
“Hello, my name is Emily Navarro. I have been teaching at Dolley Madison Preschool for two years – and before that, I attended Dolley Madison Preschool when I was 4 years old!
I truly love to teach children. I find teaching to be very rewarding, and enjoy seeing how children learn and grow.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband. Together we like to travel, try new foods, participate in volunteer work, and take our dog, Lilu, on walks.”
Ms. Emily back in the day
Owls Pre-K
The Owls Class is designed for students who have completed a 4 year-old class and would benefit from an additional year before entering Kindergarten. Our Owls Class meets Monday-Thursday, 8:50-2:50, and Friday, 8:50-12:50.
Sample Class Schedule
| 8:50am | Greet/Playground |
| 9:15am | Snack/Bathroom break |
| 9:45am | Circle time, Jobs |
| 10:00am | Group activity/Letter of the week |
| 10:30am | Centers/Free play |
| 11:30am | Bathroom break/Playground |
| 12:15pm | Story time |
| 12:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | Quiet time |
| 1:30pm | Group activity |
| 1:45pm | Bathroom/Playground |
| 2:15pm | Story time/Songs |
| 2:30pm | Snack |
| 2:50pm | Dismissal |
Ms. Maeva: Owls Lead Teacher
“My name is Maeva del Campo, and I am the Pre-K teacher. I was born and raised in Chile and I moved to the USA in 2000 with my husband and two daughters.
I started working at DMPS in 2001 as an assistant in the Pre-K program and other classes. Here is where I found my true vocation. After working as an assistant for a few years I decided to get my certification in Early Childhood Education and in 2006 I was offered the position as the lead teacher in the Pre-K class. It has been a beautiful journey which has allowed me to meet incredible children and families.
My husband, two daughters, one son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, one grandson, and one granddog are my amazing family. Fortunately, everyone lives in the Northern Virginia area so we see each other as much as we can. We love going to the beach and spending time together wherever life takes us.”
“My name is Simin Fathollahi and l am one of the Pre-K teachers. I have been part of the Dolley Madison Preschool team for the past three years and l have been working with young children for over twenty years.
It’s fun to be around children and to help foster their curiosity and creativity.
In my spare time I enjoy cooking,reading, photography, going to the gym and traveling with my family.”
Simin Fathollahi: Owls Lead Teacher
School-Based Speech & Language
Children who need speech and language support at Dolley Madison Preschool are seen by our speech-language therapists during their preschool day. Therapy and support service are provided during class time so that children can improve their communication skills and fully participate in the preschool curriculum.
The therapy service delivery model for the preschool program is a combination of pull-out therapy, classroom-based therapy, and collaboration consultation services. The service delivery model is dependent on the needs and progress of each child enrolled in the program.
There typically are two to four slots reserved for children who need this support within a classroom of 12-16 children. The additional fee added to the tuition covers two- three half-hour sessions weekly of direct therapy, weekly therapy notes, progress reports, parent meetings, team meetings with class staff, case management and evaluations, as needed. In order to maintain appropriate ratios, children who currently receive or qualify for speech and language therapy are required to accept a speech and language support slot.
If you have questions regarding whether your child requires this support, please contact Sue Lyons at Speech and Language Services at 703-356-2833 or email her at suelyons@slcnv.org.
Early Start
We offer an Early Start Program on Monday through Friday mornings from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. All children must be potty trained.
Permanent enrollment is month-by-month, and permanent attendees receive a discounted rate. Permanent attendee fees are due with tuition each month.
Occasional drop-ins are also welcome. Please email the office at info@slcnv.org by 5:00 PM the day before the drop-in is needed. Payment is due the day of drop-off.
| Attendee Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Permanent Attendee) | $25/day |
| 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM (Permanent Attendee) | $15/day |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Occasional Drop-Off) | $30/day |
| 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM (Occasional Drop-Off) | $20/day |
Enrichment (Art & Music)
Miss Ana: Music & Art Enrichment Teacher
Hello my name is Miss Ana, and I teach Art and Music Enrichment. I am originally from Moldova, and have been living in the USA with my husband and our two children for the past 22 years. Both of our children are in college now, but when they were little their first preschool experience was at Dolley Madison. I loved the preschool community so much that I started teaching in 2007, first as an assistant, later as a lead teacher, and now as a music and art teacher.
When I graduated from the Music and Arts College in Moldova, where I studied violin, I did not imagine teaching music and arts in the USA two decades later; however, being surrounded by children has always been one of my dreams. Seeing children's enthusiasm and eagerness for learning through music, movement and art is very rewarding. In my free time I enjoy reading and learning new skills, love being outdoors - running, hiking or practicing yoga. I feel very grateful to be a part of the Dolley Madison Family.
