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Home » Early Childhood

Early Childhood

APS offers three high-quality early childhood programs for children ages 2 years and 6 months through 5.

NEW APPLICATION TIMELINE
The application window for ALL Early Childhood Programs  will be open  
November 4, 2024 through January 24, 2025  at 4 p.m.

NEW PROCESS FOR VIRGINIA PRESCHOOL INITIATIVE (VPI )APPLICATIONS

  1. Required Phone Screening: to Determine Eligibility
  2. In-person appointment for Eligible Families: to submit required documents and complete the application with APS staff.
  3. Application Submission: VPI applications can only be submitted with APS staff during the in-person appointment. Submission through SchoolMint independently is no longer an option.

Learn More!

Each program shares the goal of setting our students on the course for academic and social-emotional success in future years. Our programs target early literacy and math skills, communication and motor development as well as social-emotional growth in warm and inviting environments across our schools.

Teacher playing with toy blocks in class at the school

Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) - Ages 4 to 5

VPI is a free program for families that meet income eligibility guidelines.

A super cute preschool girl of African ethnicity is laughing and smiling as she is playing with some colourful rainbow blocks at her classroom.

Primary Montessori - Ages 3 to 5

A full-day Montessori Pre-K program is offered at 6 elementary schools.

Playful boy with Down's Syndrom has fun with classmate

Community Peer Pre-Kindergarten (CPP)

CPP provides children with and without disabilities the opportunity to participate in an inclusive preschool program.

Child Find Office

The Child Find process is a part of the APS Department of Student Services and Office of Special Education. Children with suspected delays, such as in the areas of cognition, communication, hearing, vision, social-emotional skills, and/or motor skills, are referred to a student study committee to determine whether the child requires assessment for consideration of eligibility for special education services. To learn more, contact the APS Child Find Office at 703-228-2550.

Find out more about Pre-K Special Education at APS.

Kindergarten Program

Arlington Public Schools (APS) offers a high quality, developmentally appropriate kindergarten program.  This full-day program is designed to meet the emotional, social, physical, and academic needs of all children and is based on the Virginia State Standards.

Contact

Office of Early Childhood

Syphax Education Center
2110 Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22204

 

For assistance with the application, contact the APS Welcome Center at 703-228-8000 and select option 1

For questions about Primary Montessori, contact the Early Childhood Office at 703- 228-8632

Additional Resources

Head Start – Northern Virginia Family Services

Northern Virginia Family Services’ Head Start program serves families of children ages 3-5 years old that meet income requirements, to enhance and promote social cognitive, physical, and emotional development and help children toward educational literacy as they prepare to enter public school.Please contact Anisah Bailey at 571-748-2793 for enrollment questions and information.

Arlington County Office of Child & Family Services

The Arlington County Office of Child & Family Services serves over 200 private preschool and daycare providers. View a complete list: https://family.arlingtonva.us/child-care/