Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. Play is the foundational building block of human cognition, emotional health, and social behavior. Play improves memory and helps children learn mathematical problems in their heads, take turns, regulate their impulses, and speak with greater complexity.
Preschool educators have long known that animals, plants, water, and other aspects of the natural world delight children and draw them in as learners. Nature preschools have all the same child development goals that more traditional schools have, but they also are committed to accomplishing those goals through experiences in and with nature, and have an added goal of helping children begin to develop care and concern for the natural world.
Preschool educators have long known that animals, plants, water, and other aspects of the natural world delight children and draw them in as learners. Nature preschools have all the same child development goals that more traditional schools have, but they also are committed to accomplishing those goals through experiences in and with nature, and have an added goal of helping children begin to develop care and concern for the natural world.
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Children learn best through play. Imaginative play engages children and allows them time to try out new ideas and to develop a sense of their place in the world while at the same time building language and vocabulary skills, social skills, physical abilities and problem-solving proficiency. We encourage active involvement, meaningful experimentation and reinforcement through repeated opportunities.
Educators at HWPS design programs for different ages and stages using developmentally appropriate practices as recommended by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). All programs are founded in our play-to-learn philosophy. As the students grow and change, the program changes with them.
Hunters Woods Cooperative Preschool is located on the second floor in the Reston Association Glade Room at the intersection of Glade and Soapstone Drive. While this is the permanent location of HWPS, the community room is used for other activities when school is not in session. Our school year runs from September through May.
We follow the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) school year calendar with the exception of beginning and end dates. We also follow FCPS for inclement weather delays and closings, however, in extreme weather conditions we may make closing decisions independently. This is an ever growing and changing list of things that might be interesting or helpful for parents of preschoolers.
Reviews (10)
Antoinette Velikina
Jan 17, 2020
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Amazing little school! My older son is graduations from Rabbits this year and my younger is in Play and Stay.
My children love going to school, they have found an amazing place to play and learn away from home. As a parent, I have always been impressed with the personal approach of the school’s teachers, the positive way they have addressed any issues and the incredible amount of love and support my children receive every day. I highly recommend the school!
My children love going to school, they have found an amazing place to play and learn away from home. As a parent, I have always been impressed with the personal approach of the school’s teachers, the positive way they have addressed any issues and the incredible amount of love and support my children receive every day. I highly recommend the school!
Lyndsey Zeigler
Jan 17, 2020
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When my oldest daughter started kindergarten I decided to stop working so I could be home with them. My second child was starting kindergarten the following year so I needed to find a school for her but I couldn’t afford to continue her full-day daycare facility. By word of mouth I found this amazing school! They do so many fun art projects, science experiments, reading and writing activities and so much more. The teachers include the kids everyday with helpful jobs roles like “book collector, line leader, weather person and many more. Birthdays and field trips are always a fun time and I knew
Sarah Piotrowicz
Dec 14, 2019
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This school is a hidden gem. It has been above the room at Glade Pool for the past fifty years, so it has deep roots in the community. Sometimes I am skeptical of the "school on the corner." I have had friends send their kids to close, convenient schools only to find out they were terrible places. But HWPS is different. It is safe, nurturing, educational, and fun. My daughter has always had worse separation anxiety than any of her peers, but she has never once cried when I left her at HWPS. She loves her teacher and knows instinctively that it is a place where she will be safe. As a final note
Michelle Duffy
Nov 30, 2019
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This is by far the best preschool around. Two of my 3 children have attended and my 3rd can't wait to attend. Please come and check out our great little preschool as we are heading into our 50th year. It has a great focus on play learning, hands on learning, visits to the nature center, educational field trips, and so much more. The teachers are loving and caring. I love the parent participation and interaction with the classroom. I can't say enough about this fantastic preschool.
Emily Menard
Nov 25, 2019
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Tee Beauty
Nov 02, 2019
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Debbie Anguizola
Jul 24, 2019
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Hunters Woods Cooperative Preschool has been a wonderfully enriching experience for my daughter. This play-based school does it right! The teachers are warm and caring. The student- teacher ratio is great as my daughter receives a lot of attention. I love that it’s located so close to the Nature Center...the walking field trips have been a great resource. Such a nice community of parents also! Definitely recommend this school!
Ellen Harr
Jul 03, 2019
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We are so happy our family has found Hunters Woods Cooperative Preschool! The play-based preschool curriculum has been a wonderful first school experience for our child. The classroom is a warm and loving environment that supports each child's individual growth. Parents are an integral part of the school, which allows for lots of one-on-one attention keeps tuition rates low. The co-op model has allowed me to be involved in the classroom and builds a strong a sense of community among the students, parents, families and teachers.
Jennifer Falcone
Jun 24, 2019
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Wow, I can't believe a gem like this exists in Reston! This fabulous school has been around for 50 years, I was referred here by a lot of Mom friends in the area whose kids went here. The teachers are so kind and gentle and caring. Plus the emphasis here is truly on learning through play, which is quickly disappearing in this fast-paced city. There is truly nothing like it around, the co-op model means you get to know every other family and the kids so well. I'll be honest, a big motivator for me was the low tuition though. Reston preschools are getting SO pricey! Highly recommend.
Kate Nagel
Jun 01, 2014
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