Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Department Resources

Riverbend Park Forest Preschool

Riverbend Park Forest Preschool Enrollment Inquiry Form

View Operational Hours

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. $335
3-5 yrs. Mon/Wed/Fri 3 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $470
3-5 yrs. Mon-Friday 5 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $760

Preschool Handbook for Parents

Requirements

  • Children must be 3 years old by the start of pre-K.
  • Agree with forest preschool learning model.
  • 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"
  • Open house dates for the 2025-2026 school year will be announced in the summer of 2024. Please fill out an enrollment inquiry form to be added to the waiting list.

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
Close
Fairfax Virtual Assistant