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Infant - Grade 8 Private School. 40 Acre Campus in Falls Church, Virginia.
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WELCOME TO EARLY CHILDHOOD

Infants - Under 3 Years Old

Congressional School's Early Childhood program for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years is more than a day care. Our program is specifically designed to nurture the physical, emotional and cognitive needs of young children. Emphasis is given to language development, fine and gross motor skills, self-awareness, building relationships with others, exploring the environment, and preparation for our advanced academic program beginning in preschool.

When parents see their children on daily walks enjoying the beauty of nature, or when they see their children sharing and playing with others, they get a glimpse of some of the things that make our Early Childhood program special – but when they see the chemistry that grows between the children and their caregivers, they understand just how special.

VIEW SOME OF OUR COVID-19 PROCEDURES
FACULTY AND STAFF
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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS

In 2019, we celebrated the 30th Anniversary for our Early Childhood Program. Read the story. 

MEET THE DIRECTOR

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Kim O'Neil
Assistant Head of School and Director of Early Childhood and Primary School

Learn More about Kim O'Neil

WE ARE OPEN!

CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR COVID-19 PROCEDURES

For more information, please reach out to us! We are more than happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Daily Health Screening

Temperature and COVID-19 Questionnaire is taken daily for all faculty and staff and children who enter the building.

Rigorous Cleaning

We maintain a rigorous cleaning schedule including high traffic areas, toys, restrooms, and playgrounds. Classroom surfaces are regularly wiped down throughout the day.

Limited People in the Building

Only authorized faculty and staff along with the children in our program are permitted in our building. Parents and guardians are asked to drop off and pick up their children outside the front door. The front door is the only allowed entrance.

Outdoor Time

We are encouraging teachers to take advantage of our campus and take their students outdoors as much as possible (and open windows for fresh air indoors). Groups go on daily walks, play on our playground, and explore the creek and woods.

Regular Hand Washing

All faculty, staff, and children will wash hands before entering a classroom and wash their hands frequently throughout the day.

Use of Masks

All faculty and staff on campus are required to wear masks. At this time we are not requiring our infants and toddlers to wear a mask. Parents must wear a mask while dropping off and picking up their children. Faculty and staff are permitted to remove their face masks while outdoors during break time and while keeping 6ft social distancing.

Limited Capacity Classrooms

While we always maintain a low teacher-student ratio, classrooms have been spread out in our building and classroom size is limited to less than 10 students. Students and teachers in each group avoid coming into contact with other teachers and students through scheduled transitions and eating snack and lunch outside or in the classroom (not in our shared cafeteria).

QUICK FACTS

Accredited and Licensed

Faculty specialists teach music, PE, and library

Catered meals and snacks, designed by a nutritionist

40 Acre Campus Ready for Exploration

No-Screen, Play-Based Program

Focus on Parent Partnership

7am-6pm

Monday through Friday

12

Months per Year

3

Dedicated, Age-Appropriate Playgrounds

1

On-Campus Clinic with Full-Time, Licensed Nurse

3

Specialty Classes Taught by Experts: PE, Library and Music

TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIOS

1:4 (children under 16 months)
1:5 (children 16-24 months)
1:8 (ages 2-3)

BEHIND THE SCENES AT CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL

Movement and Learning

In Early Childhood, we continually look for new ways to connect with our students and make learning meaningful. Read about movement and learning in our classrooms.

Click an image to scroll through current stories around campus and to read their full captions.
Today we wrapped up a week-long celebration of the young child! The week is promoted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in celebration of early learning, young children, their teachers, and families. Our celebration was focused on our youngest learners—infants through kindergarten. Each day featured a special activity. We had "Mix it up Monday" (wacky dress and trail mix making), "Try it out Tuesday" (Zumba), "Work Together Wednesday" (cleaning up campus), "Tip Tap Tapping Thursday (Little Kids Gala), and "Family Fun Friday" (pancake breakfast).
The Fireflies had fun making works of art this week. They used pretty pink paint and large building blocks to stamp patterns on their papers. They did a great job following directions and loved seeing the patterns that emerged. The exercise helped them practice their fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination.
Our blue blocks are a huge hit with our youngest friends! Our Ladybugs used them in a STEM exercise this week—a great opportunity build collaboration, eye-hand coordination, and gross motor skills.
As a part of one of their lessons this week, the Dragonflies class learned all about Rosa Parks. After their story time, they headed to the table where they worked on a bus craft! #BlackHistoryMonth
Four Hugs A Day is the minimum in the Fireflies class. The friends had fun singing this classic song to help them practice counting to four. As they sang, they used their fingers to reinforce the counting steps as prompted by the song…Step one, look them right in the eye…Step two, nose to nose…Step three, reach your arms…Step four, you can't do any harm. They did a great job following the directions.
It feels like we highlight music class with our littlest friends a lot, but just look how cute our Busy Bees are playing their drums! They've grown so much in the past 5 months. It's such a pleasure to be a part of their development!
What a treat! Mrs. O'Neil, Director of Early Childhood and Primary School, stopped in to Early Childhood to read a story to our Butterfly friends.
We had some beautiful days this week! We hope you were able to get outside and enjoy the weather for at least a bit. Our Lady Bug and Busy Bee friends made sure to take advantage!
The Dragonflies have been busy all week preparing for their Valentine’s Day party. They made lots of decorations in celebration of the holiday and even decorated their own treat bags that they got to take home filled with yummy snacks!
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To learn more, ask questions, or schedule a tour for our Early Childhood  program for infants and toddlers ages 6 weeks - less than 3 years, please contact:

Stephanie Hecker
Early Childhood Coordinator

shecker@congressionalschool.org