Early Preschool
A nurturing first-school experience designed specifically for toddlers and young preschoolers — built on caring relationships, predictable routines, and the joy of discovery.
Placement is based on your child's age and individual readiness. We discuss placement with every family.
The Program
A Nurturing, Play-Based Beginning
Our Early Preschool welcomes children from 18 months through 3 years into a safe, warm environment designed specifically for their developmental stage. Small classes and a gentle daily rhythm give every child the individual attention and responsive care they need to feel secure and ready to explore.
Young children learn through relationships, play, movement, exploration, repetition, and responsive interactions with teachers. Every part of our Early Preschool day — from morning songs to sensory play to outdoor time — is purposefully designed to support language, confidence, curiosity, and growing independence.
18 months – 3 years
Age range
3 options
Flexible scheduling
Play-based
Whole-child approach
Whole-Child Development
Every part of our Early Preschool day supports five interconnected areas of development — through play, exploration, and joyful discovery.
Social & Emotional Development
Relationships, confidence, emotional expression, classroom routines, sharing space with others, and growing independence — the foundation for everything that follows.
Language & Communication
Conversation, songs, stories, vocabulary, listening, gestures, and expressive language — woven into every part of the day.
Cognitive Development
Curiosity, cause and effect, matching, sorting, early problem-solving, memory, and exploration through hands-on, open-ended play.
Physical Development
Fine-motor skills, gross-motor movement, coordination, outdoor play, and age-appropriate self-help skills developed through daily movement and exploration.
Creativity & Exploration
Art, music, sensory experiences, imaginative play, building, nature, and hands-on discovery — supporting self-expression and a love of learning.
Curie's STEAM++ Curriculum for Our Youngest Learners
Even our youngest learners begin exploring the world through Curie's STEAM++ Curriculum, adapted developmentally for this age group. Simple, age-appropriate experiences with nature, building, art, music, movement, cause and effect, problem-solving, and sensory discovery are woven naturally into play, exploration, conversation, creativity, and hands-on experiences — not through formal classes or structured lessons.
"Madame Curie School has been amazing for my kid. She has been going to this school for a couple of months now and she loves it. She has learnt a lot from school and she has a lot of fun at the same time. The teachers in the school, especially Ms. Sri, are very considerate, caring and patient. The teacher to student ratio is very less so the kids get a lot of attention from the teachers. They make the kids do a lot of activities like arts, crafts, music, instruments and also teach different languages. Overall, I couldn't be happier with Madame Curie School. It consistently goes the extra mile to ensure my child receives a top-notch education combined with a nurturing and enjoyable atmosphere. I have full confidence in the school's ability to continue shaping my child's future."
Mukund B.
Herndon Campus
Daily Rhythm
A Gentle Daily Rhythm
Predictable routines help toddlers feel safe, settled, and ready to explore.
Arrival & Welcome
Children settle in with a warm greeting, choose their first activity, and ease into the day at their own pace.
Morning Circle & Songs
The whole group gathers for songs, movement, and a shared morning snack before the day's learning begins.
Morning Meeting & Story Time
Teachers lead an interactive circle with read-alouds, conversation, and early language activities.
Outdoor Play
Children have scheduled outdoor play each day. When weather does not permit, indoor gross-motor activities take place in our Great Room.
Sensory & Discovery
Hands-on sensory bins, art, and open-ended materials invite curiosity and creative exploration.
Afternoon Enrichment & Rest
After lunch and rest time, children enjoy enrichment activities, additional outdoor play, movement, or active learning as appropriate, and stories before pick-up.
Every single day
Two outdoor sessions·Sensory play·Read-aloud·Small-group activities
Doors open 8:00 am · Morning Half-Day dismissal 12:30 pm · Afternoon Half-Day 1:30–6:00 pm · Full Day closes 6:00 pm
Times are approximate. Our teachers follow the children's rhythm — some mornings the sensory table holds everyone's attention a little longer, and that's exactly as it should be.
Creative Curriculum for Our Youngest Learners
Curie Preschool's Herndon campus was selected to participate in Fairfax County's Creative Curriculum Initiative. Teachers have completed Creative Curriculum training, materials have been received, and Curie is now incorporating these research-based resources into our toddler and Early Preschool programs at both campuses. Creative Curriculum serves as a supporting resource that complements Curie's STEAM++ Curriculum for our youngest learners.
Schedule Options
Three flexible options to fit your family's needs.
Morning Half-Day
A focused morning of play-based learning — ideal for families easing into preschool.
EnrollAfternoon Half-Day
An afternoon option for families with morning commitments.
EnrollFull Day
The complete Early Preschool experience — morning through end of day, Monday through Friday.
EnrollSchedule options are subject to classroom availability.
Detailed tuition and fee information is available on our Admissions page, or contact us with any questions.
Common Questions
Ready to Take the First Step?
Schedule a tour and see our Early Preschool classrooms in person. We'd love to meet your family.