Program

About Walker Chapel Preschool

The WCP Experience

 

Following the best principles of early childhood education, we foster educational, physical, social, and emotional development through both unstructured and organized play. Our curriculum is enhanced by daily craft projects, exploring music and instruments, science experiments and gross motor skill movement classes. Students learn and play large sun-filled classrooms, a fenced playground offering opportunities for outdoor exploration, and a large recreation room for imaginative indoor play year-round.

 

The curriculum includes guest speakers (e.g., a policeman, a fireman), music, movement, science and other enrichment programs. Parents help run the program by getting involved in the Parents' Committee and various classroom opportunities.

 

All WCP Teachers and Assistant Teachers have extensive educational backgrounds with experience as a teacher, parent, or both. Several of our teachers have advanced degrees in fields including education and psychology. They are certified in basic first aid and CPR and are all experienced parents. In addition, the teachers at Walker Chapel all participate in frequent courses, workshops, and conferences to keep current in their fields. All staff are also certified annually by a physician to be free from any disability which would prevent them from caring for children. Most of the staff have been with our program for more than 10 years - some as long as 30 years!

 

A Parents' Committee organizes guest speakers, fundraising events, and facilitates communication between staff, church, and parents. Input from parents is an integral part of the committee process and helps the Committee set goals and develop programs for the preschool. Additionally, Committee meetings, surveys, and personal conversations serve as means for parents to express their opinions. All parents are encouraged to attend meetings and actively participate in the governing process. 


Our Class Offerings

 

We are pleased to offer three age-specific classes designed for 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds preparing for kindergarten. Our small classes and low teacher/student ratios foster your child’s year-over-year growth and the development of lasting friendships.  

Eligibility Class Size Class Schedule
2-Year-Old Class Age 2 by September 30th 10 Children; 5:1 Ratio T/Th, 9:15am - 12:45pm*
3-Year-Old Class Age 3 by September 30th 12 Children; 6:1 Ratio M/W/F, 9:15am - 12:45pm
Pre-K/4-Year-Old Class Age 4 by September 30th; Children must be toilet trained 12 Children; 6:1 Ratio M/T/W/Th/F, 9:15am - 12:45pm

* Children in 2-Year-Old Class are picked up at 12:00pm for the first two months of school, after which pick up time moves to 12:45pm.

Our Educators

 

Each WCP classroom is led by a highly qualified Teacher and qualified Assistant Teachers, and students benefit from teacher/student ratios lower than those required by the State of Virginia.

 

All our Teachers and Assistant Teachers have extensive educational backgrounds that meet or exceed the State of Virginia’s educational and experiential requirements for early childcare educators. They complete at least 16 hours of early childhood training each year, maintain First Aid and CPR certifications, and complete Virginia’s Mandated Reporter training annually. Teachers and Assistant Teachers frequently participate in other courses, workshops, and conferences to keep current in their fields. Additionally, all staff are certified annually by a physician to be free from any injury which would prevent the caring of children.

 

WCP is led by the Preschool Director, who manages the entire WCP staff, oversees all day-to-day operations, enrollment, special events, and strategic planning throughout the year. The Preschool Director is supported in administering the program by an advisory committee composed of staff, parents, and Walker Chapel UMC members, as well as the WCP Lead Teachers, the Parents Group Board and parent representatives for each class. The program operates under the education committee of the outreach program provided by Walker Chapel UMC and is covered by the church’s public liability insurance.

 

Academic Calendar

 

The WCP academic calendar begins in early September with orientation for all classes prior to their first day of school, and classes run through early June. WCP is closed in observance of federal holidays, as well as for week-long breaks over the Christmas holiday and Arlington Public School’s observed Spring Break. Please see our Policies & Resources page for full details. 


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