Riverbend Park

CONTACT INFORMATION: Visitor Center Hours: Open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
703-759-9018 TTY 711
8700 Potomac Hills Street
Great Falls, Virginia
Kylie Lee
Manager

Department Resources

Riverbend Park Forest Preschool

NOTICE: Preschool enrollment is full for the 2023-2024 school year.

Riverbend Forest Preschool Open House

This program is designed for parents/guardians of 3–5-year-olds to learn about the philosophies and practical implications of enrolling your child into the Riverbend Forest Preschool. Meet with the lead teacher and explore the outdoor learning environment and the limited-use indoor classroom. This open house is designed as an adult information session, it is encouraged to leave little ones at home. Attending an open house is a requirement for potential registration in the program.

Dates:

Riverbend Forest Preschool Open House

Virtual: Saturday, October 23, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

In-person: Saturday, November 11, 9-1 a.m.

Virtual: Wednesday, December 20, 7-8 p.m.

Sign Up!

Riverbend Forest Preschool logo

The Riverbend Park Forest Preschool is designed for children 3-5 years old.

Class hours are 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Riverbend Forest Preschool is located at the nature center at 8814 Jeffery Road, Great Falls, VA

Parents can enroll their children for two (Tuesday/Thursday), three (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), or five-day per week sessions.

Play. Get Dirty. Learn.

Play, Learn, Get Dirty Outdoors

Play and learning outdoors in all weather, getting dirty, and immersing yourself in the outdoors:

Our school days are spent outdoors, rain or shine, hot or cold. Our students need come to school prepared for all of the elements. Rain, mud, and weather can provide exciting and happy experiences for our kids. Children will get dirty, touch bugs, and experience nature. We ask families to support our classroom by dressing children appropriately for the weather. Kids may go home tired, messy, and happy!

Growth mindset and play-based learning

A willingness to confront challenges, a passion for learning, and viewing failure as a springboard for growth are characteristics associated with a growth mindset. We strive to instill a growth mindset in our preschoolers. Children are naturally curious, and our curriculum will evolve naturally with their interests. Our teachings follow nature and how it changes throughout the year. Our program is a balance of teacher-directed and child-directed activities. Teacher-directed activities include letters, numbers, drawing, and nature explorations. Child-directed activities focus on the experiences in nature and the natural curiosities of a preschooler. Our goal is to instill in the children a lifetime love of learning.

Fees

 

Non-Refundable Registration Fee (All Sites)
  Fee
1st Child $125.00
2nd Child $115.00

 

Riverbend Park Forest Preschool at Riverbend Park
Ages Days Number of Days Times Monthly Fee
3-5 yrs. Tue/Thurs 2 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $320
3-5 yrs. Mon/Wed/Fri 3 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $430
3-5 yrs. Mon-Friday 5 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $725

Preschool Handbook for Parents

Riverbend Park Forest Preschool Enrollment Inquiry Form

Requirements

Children must be 3 years old by the start of pre-K.

They must be potty-trained.

Attending an open house is a requirement for potential enrollment. To register for the next open house, please follow this link FairfaxFCPA - Programs And Special Events (usedirect.com) and select "Riverbend Forest Preschool Open House"


The Park Authority also offers preschool programs at Franconia and Spring Hill Rec Centers. 

Programs / Activities

Birdwatching
Birthday Parties
Campfires
Classes and Camps
Events in the Park
Field Trips/Outreach
Fishing
Plants and Wildlife
Riverbend On Your Own
Scouts
Wagon Rides
Astronomy

Facilities / Rentals

Riverbend Park HOME
Boating
Forest Preschool
Hours and Fees
Location
Picnics
Trails
Visitor Center

Connect

Contact Us
Friends of Riverbend
Internships
Potomac River Information
ResOURces Newsletter
Volunteer
Ask a Historian
Ask a Naturalist
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