🏆 2021–2024 and again in 2026 Best Day Care & Preschool - Northern Virginia Magazine
⭐ #1 Preschool in Arlington - ARLnow Readers’ Choice Awards🎉 Celebrating 30 Years Serving Arlington Families (1996–2026)
🏫 Teaching Team Averaging Over 15 Years at Ballston Children's Center
👩🏫 Zero Classroom Teacher Turnover in the Past 8 Years
🌳 Arlington's Largest Tree-Shaded Daycare & Preschool Playground
🚗 Convenient On-Site Parking & Easy Drop-Off and Pick-Up
For 30 years, our school has helped Arlington children build confidence, discover the joy of learning, and build a strong foundation for future success. Today, Ballston Children's Center is an award-winning daycare and preschool in Arlington, VA, serving children ages 2.5 to 5 through a structured educational program that inspires curiosity, encourages independence, and prepares children for a successful transition to elementary school.
Families choose Ballston Children's Center for the consistency, stability, and personal attention that only a long-tenured teaching team can provide. Combined with enriching daily activities and a structured curriculum, children build confidence, independence, and the skills needed for a successful transition to elementary school while developing a lifelong love of learning.
Award-Winning Preschool in Arlington, VA
Trusted by Arlington families for over 30 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 in 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 Self-Expression.
Throughout the year, children participate in joyful performances for their families - singing, dancing, acting, and presenting their growing self esteem 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.
Children learn best in environments where they feel safe, confident, and inspired to explore.
Bright, spacious, and designed with young learners in mind, our classrooms provide a warm, engaging environment where children feel comfortable exploring, creating, learning, and building independence each day.
Outdoor Play & Exploration.
Daily outdoor play supports children’s physical health, emotional well-being, confidence, and healthy development.
Children enjoy daily outdoor play on Arlington’s largest tree-shaded daycare & preschool playground, featuring spacious play areas, mature shade trees, and a separate gated grassy play area with plenty of room to run, climb, explore, and play.
Children have space to move freely, stay active, and release their energy in a healthy and positive way.
The playground’s variety of play structures, open space, and natural surroundings encourage movement, creativity, independence, and social interaction.
Preschool Curriculum & Early Learning.
Children at Ballston Children’s Center learn through a balanced blend of structured academics, creativity, movement, hands-on exploration, and social development.
Our well-balanced curriculum helps children build early literacy, math, writing, language, comprehension, fine motor, gross motor, and classroom readiness skills through play-based and engaging learning experiences.
Frequent performances help children build self-expression, communication skills, and comfort speaking in front of others.
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 seasonal Summer Program activities that encourage creativity, confidence, and a love of learning.
Experienced Early Childhood Teachers.
Experienced, caring teachers are at the heart of a child’s early learning experience.
At Ballston Children’s Center, children are supported by nurturing teachers who create a warm, stable environment where children feel safe, confident, and valued.
Children build strong connections with their teachers and classmates, and many families tell us their children talk about school at home with excitement.
Through daily guidance, encouragement, and positive interactions, children develop important social, emotional, and classroom skills.
Our long-tenured teaching team has worked together for many years, creating the consistency and stability families value in early childhood education.
Preschool Enrichment & Learning Activities.
Daily enrichment activities encourage creativity, curiosity, comunication skills, and a love of learning.
We design engaging activities in art, music, crafts, language arts, early math, reading, writing, science, and motor-skill development.
Through hands-on experiences, children explore new ideas, strengthen problem-solving skills, and develop confidence in their abilities.
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 independence 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!
Dedicated Performance Stage.
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, self expression, 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 self esteem 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.
