Classroom of Discovery

Classroom of Discovery is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3)  preschool located in Sterling, Virginia. We offer a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio with a maximum of 10 students in each class.

Our primary mission at Classroom of Discovery is to offer a self-paced learning program for preschool children that provides a rich and open environment for children to engage in imaginative play and to bring out their creative genius.

At Classroom of Discovery, our motto is, “Learning begins with play.”  Through play, children use their imaginations to express and work through emotions and to interact with the world around them. Encouraging creative talents is a fundamental building block of childhood development, helping to establish skills and confidence that are invaluable as children progress socially and academically. Children’s imaginative powers are essential to problem-solving and the development of innovative approaches and resolutions to life’s tasks.

CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

Our preschool program is licensed by the state of Virginia (Department of Social Services).  We borrow from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), HighScope, Conscious Discipline, and the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening for Preschool (PALS-PreK) in our daily curriculum planning and assessment.

We are proud to be featured as a TOP PRESCHOOL in Northern Virginia Magazine. We attribute this honor to our dedication to providing children with a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based learning experience that focuses on four domains of child development: Language and literacy, gross and fine motor, social and emotional, and cognitive development.

COMMUNICATION AND PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

At Classroom of Discovery, communicating via email is our preferred mode of communication. Parents receive weekly emails from their child’s teacher detailing the morning activities and stories enjoyed by their child as well as any special information about upcoming events.

We emphasize that communication is an important element to a successful program and welcome communication between family and staff. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or the director at any time.

Parent-teacher conferences are held twice yearly.  A phone conference will occur in the fall to discuss your child’s experiences and adjustment to school.  In February, an in-person conference is scheduled and narrative style progress reports are provided twice a year to discuss and celebrate your child’s progress in all areas of development.

BRIDGE TO DISCOVERY FOR AGES 18 MONTHS TO 36 MONTHS
Wednesdays (time TBD)
The Bridge to Discovery Adult/Tots Class (BTD) offers imaginative play and learning experiences for children 18 to 36 months of age. A parent or caregiver participates as an essential part of the experience. Our program includes activities to nurture your child’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language skills. A typical class consists of:

• Imaginative play and art activities
• Family circle time (stories, songs, finger plays)
• Healthy organic snacks
• Parachute play, music, and movement

The Bridge to Discovery session I begins in September. A session consists of twelve 90 minutes classes that meet one day a week. Session II typically begins in January. Enrollment is on-going with tuition pro-rated based on enrollment dates. For more information or current class times and tuition rates, call 703.927.3333 or email Jackie at [email protected]

PRESCHOOL FOR AGES 2 1/2 TO 5 years
9:00am -12:00pm (2-day, 3-day, or 5-day)
Our preschool program offers an environment that encourages creativity and learning through imaginative play, finger plays, music and movement, art projects, and social and emotional learning experiences. A typical class consists of:

• Ten students and two teachers
• Uninterrupted play and learn time
• Open-ended art projects
• Healthy organic snacks
• Family circle time (stories, songs, finger plays)
• Parachute play, music, and movement
• Physical inside and outside gross motor play

LUNCH & LEARN EXTENDED DAYS
Available on certain days October through May, 12:00pm- 1:30pm. Offerings vary but typically include: Spanish, science, music or sports.

While our preschool classes typically fill by September, enrollment is on-going with tuition pro-rated based on enrollment dates. For more information or current tuition rates, call 703.927.3333 or email Jackie at [email protected]

If you are interested in enrolling your child in our Bridge to Discovery toddler class or preschool program, please email Jackie Baker at [email protected] and provide the following:

1. 1. Your first and last name
   2. Your child’s name and age
   3. Your phone number and email address
   4. Class preference (BTD, 2-day, 3-day, 5-day)

Enrollment Paperwork and Instructions
The following paperwork is only for families who have accepted a spot in our 2-day, 3-day, or 5-day preschool program, and have signed and returned a contract. Please read the following information very carefully before completing and submitting any paperwork to our director.

1. Registration Form
When completing this registration form, provide complete addresses. Please include any allergy or intolerance to food or medication and action to take in an emergency. If your child requires an Epipen, your physician’s protocol is required. Before your child enters our program, we will need to see a copy of your child’s birth certificate per licensing.  CLICK HERE to download the registration form.

2. Medical Authorization Form
Please fill this form out using complete addresses and insurance information. CLICK HERE to download the emergency medical authorization form.

3. Virginia Child’s Health and Immunization Form
All children entering preschool are legally required to have the most current health and immunization form on file. This form needs to be completed by your doctor. Please do not include your child’s social security number on this form. CLICK HERE to download the VA Health Immunization form.

“Classroom of Discovery is a wonderful preschool. My son, Jake, has been going for 2 years now and he has made tremendous progress!! He started when he was three and he was very reserved and barely spoke to anyone, but now he has a very large vocabulary and can now speak comfortably with adults he has just met!! Jackie Baker, the 3 day teacher and director of the program, has really helped bring him out of his shell. She was also instrumental in helping him adjust from staying at home with two parents to going to preschool. I love that they provide him with nutritious organic snacks during snack time and their policy is learning through play. The ratio is 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio it is one of the few NAEYC accredited preschools in the area for 2 1/2 to 5 yrs old and they don’t need to be potty trained (a huge bonus in our situation).” – Linh T (Sterling)

“My family loves Classroom of Discovery. Another mom has already posted about CoD and I can’t agree with her more. My son has flourished as a student there. The class is small, just ten students with two teachers. My son receives tons of individualized attention, yet the class has enough students that he is learning to become a little social butterfly. When looking for a preschool environment I struggled to find a location that didn’t think a big cup of juice and some sugary cookie qualified as a morning snack. At CoD, they serve healthy, organic snacks that are fun and delicious. My son is often sad that he “only” gets second of the delicious but wholesome snacks. CoD also employs the most amazing teachers. My son’s teacher not only has children of her own, but is also highly educated in early childhood development. She has taught me the value of letting my son play and experience the world around him. Overall, this is a fantastic preschool. I can’t say enough good things about it.” – Miriam T (Potomac Falls)

“As an educator myself, I conducted a year-long search for a preschool program that would best meet our needs and prepare our son for elementary school. After reading about the options in our area, I narrowed the list to seven schools to visit. I knew that the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) had a rigorous process, and Classroom of Discovery was one of the only NAEYC accredited schools in our area. Through our visits, we found that most of the schools had very caring teachers and engaging activities, but very few provided professional development for their teachers or employed consistent approaches to managing behavior. Classroom of Discovery uses the highly effective Conscious Discipline approach, and all teachers have regular opportunities to learn about it through workshops and book studies. My son learned about his own behavior and how his choices impact his relationships through the teachers’ consistent use of this approach. The balance of play-based learning and small group instruction was ideal for him, as well. Another distinguishing point for Classroom of Discovery is the small class size with 10 students and two teachers – a teacher to student ratio that is rarely found in our area. He attended the two-day program for one year and the three-day program the following year. We could not have been happier.” – Monique L (Leesburg)

“My daughter attended Classroom of Discovery (CoD), and absolutely LOVED it. Several friends have sent their kids there too, with such a great, positive experience. The staff is very pleasant, the curriculum is excellent, and the overall learning experience is top-notch. Because of the size and genuine care of the staff, CoD was like another family.  I can’t say enough good things about CoD. I would highly recommend it to anyone.”  – Sandi B (Potomac Falls)

“I can’t say enough good things about Classroom of Discovery (CoD) and Mrs. Baker. This is my daughter’s second year with CoD and I love it this year more than I did last year. More importantly, my daughter loves it too. She thrives in this environment. She enjoys going to school and is happy at the end of each day. She is learning important life skills and having a great time in a safe, caring, loving environment. My only complaint is that she has to leave CoD to go off to kindergarten next year.” – Tracey (Sterling)

The Classroom of Discovery is located in St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church across the street from Briar Patch Park off of Sterling Boulevard (201 East Frederick Drive) in Sterling, Virginia. To learn more about our program, please contact the director, Jackie Baker:

Classroom of Discovery
PO Box 650955
Sterling, VA 20165-0955

Phone Number: 703-927-3333
Email:  [email protected]

Although we generally follow Loudoun County Public Schools’ weather delays and closings, we will email by 8am the morning of the delay/closing. If a staff member or student needs to be quarantined due to COVID-19, We follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC.

The school is an independent, non-sectarian, not-for-profit organization. The Classroom of Discovery admits without regard to race, religion, cultural heritage, political beliefs, disability, marital status of family, family lifestyle, or national origin.

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"Children are apt to live up to what you believe in them."

- Lady Bird Johnson

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"Imagination is more important than knowledge."

- Albert Einstein

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"Children are our most valuable natural resource."

- Herbert Clark Hoover

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"We worry about what a child will live up to tomorrow; yet we forget that he is someone today."

- Stacia Tauscher