Preschools in Washington
11 preschools near Washington, DC, including Montessori and other private programs. Compare approach, tuition, hours, and location — then save your shortlist.
Capitol Hill Montessori School @ Logan
A public Montessori school in the Capitol Hill neighborhood offering preschool programs using the Montessori method.
District Montessori
A Montessori program in the Capitol Hill neighborhood serving toddlers and young children.
Capitol Hill Cooperative Nursery School
A parent cooperative nursery school in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
School for Friends
A Quaker community preschool in the Dupont Circle neighborhood serving children from toddler through kindergarten age.
The Georgetown Preschool
A preschool and child care center in the Georgetown neighborhood.
St. John's Episcopal Preschool
A Reggio-inspired preschool located at St. John's Episcopal Church in the Georgetown neighborhood.
National Child Research Center
An inclusive play-based preschool in the Cleveland Park neighborhood serving children ages two to five.
Amazing Life Games Preschool
A play-based cooperative preschool located on 16th Street NW in Northwest Washington.
Aidan Montessori School
A Montessori school in the Woodley Park area of Northwest Washington.
Beauvoir, The National Cathedral Elementary School
A primary school on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral offering pre-kindergarten in the Cathedral Heights area.
Lowell School
A progressive pre-K through 8th grade school in the Colonial Village/Shepherd Park area of Northwest Washington.
Preschool approaches in Washington
The programs listed here include Montessori, cooperative, Reggio Emilia, play-based and progressive. New to the differences? Compare Montessori vs. play-based, read what children learn in preschool, or browse all our guides.
Montessori preschools in Washington
3 of the programs listed above are Montessori preschools — child-led, mixed-age classrooms with hands-on materials and long, focused work periods. New to the method? Read what Montessori is, compare Montessori vs. play-based, and see how much Montessori costs.
How much does preschool cost in Washington?
Preschool tuition in Washington depends on the program, the schedule (half-day vs. full-day), and the approach — Montessori and full-day private programs usually cost more than part-time or co-op options. Where a school publishes pricing it's shown on its listing above; otherwise ask the school for a current quote. Our guide on how much preschool costs shows how to compare the real price, and how to afford preschool covers subsidies, TK, and Head Start that can lower it.
Guides for your preschool search
Preschools near Washington
Frequently asked questions
What preschool approaches are available in Washington?
First Cubby lists Montessori, cooperative, Reggio Emilia, play-based and progressive programs in Washington, among others. Each school's approach is shown on its listing.
How much is preschool tuition in Washington?
Preschool tuition in Washington varies widely by program, schedule (half- vs. full-day), and approach — Montessori and full-day private programs typically cost more. Pricing is shown on a listing where the school publishes it; otherwise contact the school. Our guide on how much preschool costs explains how to compare the real price, and how to afford preschool covers subsidies and free options.
Are there Montessori preschools in Washington?
Yes — 3 Montessori programs are listed in Washington above. Montessori classrooms are child-led and mixed-age with hands-on materials; see our guide on what Montessori is.
Are the preschools in Washington private?
Most standalone preschools in Washington are private (tuition-based). Free and lower-cost options can exist too — Transitional Kindergarten, state pre-K, and Head Start — which our guides on preschool cost and how to afford preschool explain.
How do I choose a preschool in Washington?
Shortlist nearby schools, then tour your top choices. Our guides on how to choose a preschool and the questions to ask on a tour walk you through it step by step.
Free. Save your shortlist, track tours and deadlines, and compare side by side.