Playing is LearningChildren learn best through play. Imaginative play engages children and allows them time to try out new ideas and to develop a sense of their place in the world while at the same time building language and vocabulary skills, social skills, physical abilities and problem-solving proficiency.
We encourage active involvement, meaningful experimentation and reinforcement through repeated opportunities. We strive to balance structure and free-choice, as well as active and quiet times, and indoor and outdoor play and exploration. |
Nature InspiresChildren are naturally curious about their surroundings, and they are intrigued by water, soil, plants and animals they discover in the natural world. Through exposure to natural elements and experiences in and with nature, children learn to care more deeply about nature and conservation, while at the same time building independence, self-confidence, strength, endurance, determination, social skills, problem-solving skills, resilience, and friendship.
Experiences in and with nature take children's play to a higher level, leading to social, emotional, physical, and community benefits. |
Cooperation is KeyThe most rewarding and successful preschool program is one that involves family participation. A cooperative preschool gives families the opportunity to be intimately involved with their child’s education, which studies show contributes to future academic success. A cooperative creates a strong sense of community, provides family education, and can give you a wonderful connection with your child.
Families become stronger when they play and make meaningful connections to nature together. |
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At Hunters Woods Cooperative Preschool, families assist in the classroom on a rotating basis. Family members contribute their time, enthusiasm, skills and talents to create a rich and diverse preschool environment. Through classroom participation, families are able to make friends within the community and to observe for themselves the progress their child is making,
Regularly scheduled conferences, class coffees, and membership meetings allow parents to discuss topics of interest to them, and to have an active voice in the policies and operation of the school. In addition, parent polls and surveys are conducted annually to solicit feedback and suggestions to improve the school.
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"I think the best selling point of Hunters Woods Cooperative Preschool is that there is nothing else like it. This is a community of parents helping each other." |
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We value the active involvement of parents in our program, both through committee and classroom participation. Helping-parent days enable the children to see their parents as important and concerned members of the school environment, while providing parents with opportunities to observe the child with teachers and other children.
Parents may gain valuable insights and techniques from the expertise of the staff, and, at the same time, share their own talents and interests to maintain the excellent quality here at HWPS. School becomes a shared family experience, which hopefully will continue throughout each child’s education.
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Sensory, motor, perceptual, and language skills are introduced through materials and activities, which are both child-centered and teacher-directed. Work emphasizes the process rather than the product, fostering a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Recognizing that children develop at their own pace, we treat each child as an individual, working from the level each child has attained and moving forward one step at a time. We teach a love of learning by allowing children to explore their own interests and helping them to feel success without pressure.
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The best way to learn about HWPS is to visit the school and see the classroom in action. But if that's not possible, this video gives a pretty good feel for how things work.
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Family involvement is at the core of HWPS operations. We believe in the old saying "Many hands make light work." While teachers do the planning and preparation for each school day, parents take turns coming to school with their children to help in the classroom.
Teachers also encourage family members to share their talents and interests in class. Talent comes in all shapes and sizes, and you don't have to be an expert to impress a 4 year old, so get that old violin out of the back of your closet. You own a pet snake? You speak Spanish? You love to cook? You definitely have a talent to share! |
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Dianne RoseEducator - Afternoons
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Sheri KelleherEducator - Mornings
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Jennifer FalconeEducator - Mondays
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Allison RankinDirector
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Elizabeth DraxlerPresident
Jennifer ProsserTreasurer
Emily MenardFundraising/Koalas Class Parent
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Annette BledsoeVice President/Admissions
Mary BurkhalterPrograms/Social
Kit Mace-LaCroixRabbits Class Parent
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+ Graduated 1,200+ students
+ Celebrated 2,480 birthdays (wearing crowns and blowing out candles on the fake cake) + Benefitted from the creativity of 13 teachers + Raised 36 gerbils, one goldfish, six hermit crabs, and many, many tadpoles. And some butterflies. And ladybugs. + Eaten 4,365,000 Ritz crackers + Experienced 227 snow days + Travelled on 535 field trips + Stayed in one cozy classroom at the Glade Room + Been a part of the lives of thousands of families + Loved every minute of our time and every connection we've made in the Reston (and Herndon and Vienna and Ashburn and Centerville) community. |
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In the early days of Reston, a group of neighborhood moms led by Janet Hyman came together and created our cooperative preschool. The school opened in 1970 with Harriet Wasserman teaching the single three-morning a week class. We thank both Janet and Harriet for their contribution to our school!
Hunters Woods Preschool has been operating in the second floor of the Glade Room since the building was built by the Reston Association in 1970. Our longstanding relationship with RA helps us to keep our program consistent and our tuition low. In order to have a successful preschool, you have to have fantastic teachers whose love and guidance provides a warm and positive experience for the formative years of your children's education. Lois Male, Madeline Flynn, Marsha Romano, Paula Street, Carol Roach, and Karen Kenneally dedicated many, many years to teaching the children of Reston. More recently Sheri Kelleher, Allison Rankin, and Dianne Rose have become the face of the preschool. We are thankful to all of our teachers for their dedication to our school and their influence on our children. We are especially thankful for our former Head Teacher, Lois Male. Although Mrs. Male is no longer teaching in the classroom each day, for many years she was the backbone of HWPS. |
"One of the best assets of having a child in this school is the incredible community you get to be a part of. As a stay-at-home mom it was hard for me to get out and form meaningful relationships with other parents. But through the school and its' cooperative preschool model, I have met the most amazing, kind, and caring people who offer nothing but continuous support.” -- Annette B.
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