How do I register?
Registration for fall 2024 begins in January 2024. Please see Registration Information for specific details.
Can I take a tour of the school?
Starting in January, you can call to schedule a tour. Tours are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in groups.
We do not do walk in tours
After February 28,2024, tours will be scheduled individually. Call 703-729-4673 to schedule a tour.
Does my child have to be potty-trained?
Because HOPE Preschool is permitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia to operate as a preschool and not as a daycare; therefore all students have to be potty-trained. This means they will have to wear underwear to school (no diapers or pull-ups), and be able to go into the bathroom, use the bathroom, clean themselves and pull up their clothing. Our teachers can help with zippers or buttons, but CANNOT physically assist children with cleaning themselves. If a child has regular accidents at school, he/she may not be allowed to remain enrolled.
Can my child be enrolled in two regular class sessions?
Once children are placed in a class, he/she stays in that class all school year. Children do not attend more than one class (this does not include enrichment or afterschool opportunities).
Speaking of enrichment and before/afterschool opportunities, are there options? What about summer?
HOPE has both enrichment classes and an before/after-school class. Please see Classes/Tuition for specific details. Once the school year is over at the end of May, HOPE will have 3 weeks of summer camp for current students (it is not open to the public), and then will be closed until September.
How is class placement determined?
Each student has to 3 by September 30, 2024 to be in a 3-year old class, or 4 by September 30, 2024 to be in a 4-year old class. We follow Loudoun County Public Schools for this policy. Students are placed in classes according to their birthdates and according to the class session requested on your application. We maintain specific ratios in the classrooms (either 12 or 16 children to 2 teachers) and once a class has reached that capacity, no additional students are placed in that full class.
If I don’t get my first choice of class placement, can I switch?
Up until August, class switches may be possible if there are spots still open. Please call 703-729-4673 to discuss this. Once school has begun, children remain in their assigned classes for the entire school year.
Does your calendar match the Loudoun County Public School (LCPS) calendar?
HOPE Preschool observes federal holidays and the same Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break. However, HOPE Preschool does not close for LCPS teacher workdays, student holidays, or holidays that are related to religious faiths other than Christian (for example, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, or Eid ul Fitr).
What if my child has a food allergy or dietary restriction?
Children with food allergies or dietary restriction are welcome at HOPE, but their families will need to provide snack for them every day. Our school attempts to be peanut- and tree-nut fee, but does not monitor food for other allergens such as dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, etc. Crossroads United Methodist Church occasionally uses the classrooms for other events during non-school hours and also attempts to be peanut- and tree-nut free, but utilizes many volunteers who may not be aware of our policy. If your child has an airborne allergy, HOPE Preschool may not be the best choice. Children in the extended day classes who bring a lunch must also follow our policy. Children who have doctor-prescribed Epi-pens or Auvi-Q devices may attend and parents must provide their child’s device to be kept in their classroom. Devices must be replaced if they expire during the school year. If a child has a dietary restriction (such as a vegetarian family), your child’s teacher will discuss a plan for snack time with you individually.
How do you keep the school secure?
Once arrival has finished, all of the doors that surround the perimeter of the school portion of the building are kept locked. All preschool and church staff have keys and electronic key fobs to allow access. All preschool and church staff have to complete federal-level background checks; all preschool staff also complete state-level background checks, state-required fingerprinting, and child abuse awareness training. Preschool staff also wear photo ID badges every day. Visitors are required to sign in and wear a visitor badge in the building. The school practices regular fire drills with the students and the staff is trained in intruder drills (we do not conduct intruder drills with the students, as this may be confusing and frightening for them). The preschool is inspected annually by the Loudoun County Fire Marshall, Loudoun County Health Department, and Virginia Department of Social Services.
What curriculum do you use?
We do not have a required or standard curriculum and allow for our talented staff to create their class curriculum. Our staff shares ideas and supplies, and uses a play- based, interactive, center-based approach. Individual needs of the students are addressed because of our low teacher-student ratio. The classroom themes and activities are based on seasons, holidays and topics such as animals, habitats, nature, alphabet, numbers, patterns, community, etc. All of the classes have daily “Circle Time” (calendar, weather, attendance, reading books, etc) and daily playground time. The classes also attend music class one time per week, with a music teacher. There are also special events such as a monthly puppet show, community service projects, field trips, special guests (Fire department and dentists), holiday celebrations, and fundraising events.
Can parents be involved or volunteer?
There are holiday celebrations that parents can attend, as well as a special event to honor parents in the spring. Parents chaperone the field trips and are invited to the monthly puppet show. All the teachers have volunteer room parents, and will schedule other parent visits to correspondence with a specific activity in their classrooms. Some teachers ask for volunteers to do classroom tasks such as making playdough, washing shared toys or bringing in library books.
When do tuition payments start?
Tuition payments start in August and continue until April, each school year. Payments are due on the 1st of each month. Payments have to be received by the 10th of each month in order to avoid a late fee. The August payment is non-refundable and cannot be applied to any future payment. If you have more specific questions about our tuition policy, please call 703- 729-4673.