Valley Drive is a community of families who have chosen to take an active role in their child's preschool experience. Founded in 1958, Valley Drive is a parent-run, non-sectarian, cooperative preschool. Our purpose is to furnish the best possible educational opportunities for preschool children at the most reasonable cost. Members are accepted without regard to race, sex, color, national origin or religion.

As a cooperative school, Valley Drive parents work together and with school staff -- inside the classroom and out -- to give our children a great preschool experience.

Valley Drive is licensed by the State of Virginia.

Valley Drive's philosophy is "child centered--play based". We emphasize learning as a child-centered process. The teachers create an environment for children to learn through active exploration and interaction with adults, other children, and an array of materials.

While we recognize the crucial importance of skills such as reading and math as the children approach elementary school, play is the primary vehicle for preschool growth. It is our conviction that skills are nurtured best by a preschool emphasis on healthy emotional orientation toward school, and providing constructive play opportunities for students to develop those skills that will help them to be successful in elementary school.

In addition, Valley Drive places special emphasis on exploring both music and the natural world, and every class sets aside a portion of their week for music and science.

Valley Drive offers programs for 2, 3, 4 and 5 year-olds. Children attend 2 to 5 days per week, depending on the child's age. School begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 p.m.