🏆 2026 Best Day Care & Preschool - Northern Virginia Magazine
⭐ #1 Preschool in Arlington - ARLnow Readers’ Choice AwardsA Warm and Stable Early Childhood Environment
Ballston Children’s Center is a trusted daycare and preschool in Arlington, VA, located in the Ballston / Virginia Square neighborhood. We provide a warm, stable, and nurturing environment for children ages 2.5 to 5. With a teaching team averaging over 15 years at the center, we offer exceptional continuity, stability, and experience qualities families value most when choosing early childhood programs.
Our structured routines, enriching activities, and individualized care help children build confidence and develop the skills needed for a successful transition to elementary school.
Award-Winning Preschool in Arlington, VA
Trusted by Arlington families for over 20 years, with a teaching team averaging 15+ years of experience.
Voted #1 Preschool in Arlington, VA
ARLnow Readers’ Choice Awards
Named “Best Daycare & Preschool”
by Northern Virginia Magazine (Winner: 2021–2024 and again in 2026)Preschool Program Focused on Confidence & Growth.
Our thoughtfully designed program blends structured learning with plenty of hands-on exploration. Children enjoy creative art, music, movement, Spanish, yoga, and daily outdoor play experiences that support social, emotional, and cognitive growth. We provide breakfast and nutritious AM/PM snacks on-site, while a trusted catering company delivers healthy daily lunches. With a dedicated Cafeteria/Activities Center for performances and group events, our program offers a well-rounded foundation that builds confidence, curiosity, and a lasting love of learning.
Performances That Build Confidence.
Throughout the year, children participate in joyful performances for their families - singing, dancing, acting, and presenting their growing confidence on our dedicated stage. These shows bring our community together and give children a fun, encouraging way to express themselves, build public-speaking skills, and celebrate their achievements. Parents consistently tell us that these performances are among their favorite traditions at Ballston Children’s Center.
Engaging Preschool Classrooms.
Bright, spacious, and designed with young learners in mind, our classrooms provide a safe and engaging environment filled with opportunities to explore, create, and learn.
Outdoor Play & Exploration.
Our children spend a lot of time outdoors on our large, tree-shaded playground. The playground includes a variety of structures that encourage climbing, sliding, exploring, and active play. Children enjoy fresh air, movement, and plenty of opportunities to socialize and have fun.
Preschool Curriculum & Early Learning.
Our preschool curriculum develops a wide range of skills that support children’s growth and readiness for elementary school. Children learn through play, exploration, and hands-on activities.
Our well-balanced curriculum introduces early math, reading, writing, language arts, comprehension skills, fine motor development, gross motor skills, and social development. Spanish Enrichment is integrated into daily learning through songs, vocabulary, games, and interactive activities.
We further enrich our program with Yoga for Kids, Dance Class, Gym Time, Library Time, Pre-K Virtual Classes, and more. Two months of the Summer Program provide additional fun, creativity, and exciting seasonal activities.
Experienced Early Childhood Teachers.
At Ballston Children’s Center, we provide a safe, caring, and supportive environment where children feel confident and valued. Our experienced and dedicated staff promote social and emotional development by helping children work together, respect one another, and appreciate cultural and ethnic diversity.
Our teaching team is exceptionally stable, with an average tenure of 15 years ranging from 6 to 20+ years providing consistency and deep understanding of each child's needs.
Preschool Enrichment & Learning Activities.
We design daily activities that engage children in art, music, crafts, language arts, early math, reading, writing, science, and motor-skill development.
We foster creativity by encouraging children to solve problems, explore new ideas, adapt to challenges, and stay curious and adventurous in their learning.
Creative Projects & Hands-On Learning.
Our educational projects spark curiosity and imagination. Using diverse art materials and hands-on tools, children experiment, create, and express their ideas freely. These projects support artistic growth and help children gain confidence as unique, creative individuals.
Spanish Enrichment Program.
All children participate in activities that naturally integrate Spanish language into their routines. What makes our program special? Our bilingual, native Spanish-speaking teachers introduce Spanish words and phrases to the children through stories, songs, games and imaginative play in a fun and meaningful way. The program sets the foundation for bilingual fluency.
Yoga for Preschoolers.
We introduce traditional yoga techniques in a playful, simple, and calming way perfect for young learners. Our yoga sessions include: fun and gentle poses, interactive games, breathing exercises, singing, and counting activities. These sessions help children develop body awareness, focus, flexibility, and a sense of calm all while having fun!
Dance, Music & Performance.
Dancing offers countless benefits for children. It enhances flexibility, coordination, rhythm, balance, posture, range of motion, stamina, muscle tone, and strength. Beyond physical benefits, dance also promotes self-discipline, confidence, and a deep appreciation for music. Through learning choreography, children strengthen their cognitive abilities and memory skills all while having fun. Our exquisite stage provides the perfect space for young dancers to shine and express themselves with joy.
Movement & Gross Motor Development.
A physically active child is a healthy child! During Gym Time, your child will jump, spin, hop like a frog, crawl like a crab, do jumping jacks, jog in place, balance on one foot, tumble, stretch, and enjoy the workout of a lifetime. It’s all about building strength, coordination, and confidence while having tons of fun!
Early Literacy & Library Time.
Children love books and reading is fun! Each week, your child will visit our library, where stories come to life. Books are read to the children daily, helping develop fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, phonics, and more. Interactive storytime performances on our stage make reading an exciting and engaging experience!
Outdoor Learning & Exploration.
Weather permitting, the children spend time at the playground each morning and afternoon. These include group games, nature exploration, picnics, seasonal celebrations, and creative outdoor projects that build teamwork, confidence, and physical development.
Summer Camp.
Summer Camp is all about fun, creativity, and unforgettable memories! Each day features a playful and engaging theme like kite flying, origami, circus performing, cooking, jewelry making, and more. Children enjoy water play, gardening, fitness activities, and exciting shows by special guest entertainers including magicians, musicians, puppeteers, dancers, clowns, and singers. It’s a summer filled with laughter, learning, and discovery!
Healthy Meals & Snacks.
We provide well-balanced, nutritious meals to support your child's growth and energy throughout the day. Breakfast, morning, and afternoon snacks are included in the tuition and feature wholesome options such as fresh fruits, dairy, whole grains, 2% milk, 100% juice, and herbal tea.
Hot lunches are available through a catering service for an additional cost. Parents may also choose to provide a nutritious lunch from home.
Older Siblings & Former Students.
This program provides a safe, structured, and engaging environment for older siblings and former students during school breaks, teacher workdays, and other non-weather-related school closures.
