Welcome to Mount Olivet Preschool! MOPS is an award-winning preschool for ages 18 months-5 years. We look forward to welcoming your family into an inclusive, loving community. We have a new phone number! Please call us at 571-562-0803.
Welcome to Mount Olivet Preschool. We believe that our developmental philosophy allows us to provide children in the community with stimulating experiences consistent with the best principles and purposes of early childhood education.
We do this in a safe, loving, and Christian environment with qualified and experienced teachers and staff. Our low teacher/child ratios and our teaching team approach enable us to nurture each child as an individual.
We strive to prepare all children for the next step in their preschool or elementary school experience and to provide them with the skills they need to live happily and cooperatively in the larger world outside the home. We work to ensure a close partnership with parents at all times.
Mount Olivet Weekday Preschool is a religious exempt child day center that is operated under the auspices of Mount Olivet United Methodist Church pursuant to Section 22.1-289.031 of the Code of Virginia. The Preschool and its staff are fully insured by Mount Olivet United Methodist Church.
Early Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year begins Friday, December 13, 2024. Sign up today for a Tour or an Open House date:
Thursday, January 16, 2026 at 10am
Tuesday, February 11, 2026 at 10am
Ages: 18 months - 5 years
School Day: 9:15 AM - 1:15 PM
First Day of School: August 26, 2025
Last Day of School: June 12, 2026
*Children are placed as of their age using September 30th as a guide.
Toddler classes | Children 18 months - 2 Years
Meets either Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday or Monday-Friday
Twos and younger Threes
Meets either Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday or Monday-Friday or Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday
Threes classes
Meets either five days per week or Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday- Friday
Fours classes
Meets either Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Monday-Friday
MOPS teachers are experienced and trained on early childhood development principles and early education best practices. Every teacher hired meets Virginia’s education and experience requirements for early childcare educators. Each year, MOPS teachers and staff acquire at least 16 hours of early childcare training through classroom or online instruction. Additionally, each teacher is First Aid/CPR certified and has passed the Virginia Mandated Reporter training annually and Virginia’s 10 Hour Pre Service training prior to employment.
Each classroom has a degreed Lead Teacher, guiding curriculum and daily activities, as well as qualified Assistant Teachers as needed to maintain appropriate student-teacher ratios. MOPS strives to surpass Virginia’s required child: teacher ratios:
All faculty report to the Preschool Director, who oversees preschool operations, enrollment, and special events throughout the school year. The Assistant Director manages the day-to-day activities, student attendance, and student records. The Preschool Director is supported by a Preschool Committee, which includes the Mount Olivet UMC Director of Children’s and Family Ministries, the Parents Group Board president, parent representatives, and two MOPS teachers.
Our Learning Style
Mount Olivet Weekday Preschool offers children a progression of knowledge and skills at an age-appropriate level in the following areas:
Physical well-being and fine and gross motor development through movement and coordination games and activities. Children participate in outdoor free play on our playground (weather permitting) or indoor play in the Fellowship Hall. Older children walk to the playground at Woodlawn Park as well. To promote the development of fine motor skills, we give children an opportunity to use a wide range of manipulatives and practice self-help skills.
Social and emotional development through Individual and group social situations that include story time, sharing, small group play, one-on-one meaningful work with classroom teachers, and cooperative play with classmates. These activities help children practice skills such as taking turns, learning to be a good friend, and expressing feelings in a healthy way.
Art and music appreciation through exposure and a creative process approach. Children are introduced to different visual art media, provided opportunities to create and express themselves (even if getting messy is part of the process!), and encouraged to display their projects. Children are exposed to different kinds of music through listening, singing songs, and using rhythm instruments. Many classes participate monthly in a music and movement class as well.
Cognitive development through activities that foster the growth of children’s thinking abilities. This includes areas such as concept development, symbolic thought, memory, categorization, reasoning, and problem-solving. Age-appropriate math and science skills are introduced. Classrooms are set up to stimulate and facilitate the pretend play that is so important to a child’s cognitive, social, and language development.
Language development through supporting and modeling effective communication, both talking and listening, and through the teaching of age-appropriate literacy skills in reading and writing. In a print-rich environment, children participate in making up stories, rhyming and other kinds of word play, and games and activities that require listening to and following directions.
Spiritual development through creating an atmosphere of love and acceptance of each child as a unique individual created by God. We encourage children to develop a sense of love, hope, and trust in God through daily prayers at meal time, occasional age-appropriate Bible-based stories and songs, and for our older children, monthly chapel time in the church sanctuary.
Enrichment Classes offering a variety of learning experiences taught by teachers from outside the program specialized in these areas. Examples include: Science Wonders, Music and Movement, and for our 5-day 5s, Writers' Workshop. The Fives have additional opportunities for field trips. Parents are encouraged to join their children on these trips, space permitting.
Daily Schedules vary by age and by class. Teachers post class schedules in the classroom and also provide monthly lesson plans. All classes spend at least 40 to 60 minutes daily playing outdoors on the playground or indoors in the Fellowship Hall. The school provides children with a mid-morning snack; children bring their lunch from home and eat it in the classroom. Children and teachers say grace before meals.
Registration for the 2025- 2026 School Year is Now Open! A complete registration includes the application form, the registration fee and a copy of your child's birth certificate.
Registration Fees:
$125 for returning students and siblings
$150 for new students
$25 waitlist only (applied to registration fee)
Fo returning students, please obtain a registration form from the Preschool Office.
For new students, please register online.
The 2025-2026 MOPS School Year has annual tuition, based on the 43-week school year. Therefore, no adjustments are made for vacation, holidays, school closings, days missed, or shortened days. Annual tuition is divided into a non-fundable Down Payment due upon accepting the offer plus nine equal payments from September to May, due on the tenth of each month. Detailed procedures are on the Financial Agreement Form, also due upon accepting the offer.
Two Day Toddlers
Annual Tuition: $6,500
10-Payment Plan: $650
Down Payment: $650
Three Day Toddlers
Annual Tuition: $7,800
10-Payment Plan: $780
Down Payment: $780
Five Day Toddlers
Annual Tuition: $14,300
10-Payment Plan: $1,430
Down Payment: $1,430
Two Day older 2s/younger 3s
Annual Tuition: $5,500
10-Payment Plan: $550
Down Payment: $550
Three Day older 2s/younger 3s
Annual Tuition: $6,800
10-Payment Plan: $680
Down Payment: $680
Five Day older 2s/younger 3s
Annual Tuition: $13,000
10-Payment Plan: $1,300
Down Payment: $1,300
Three Day older 3s/4s
Annual Tuition: $7,100
10-Payment Plan: $710
Down Payment: $710
Five Day 3s
Annual Tuition: $8,600
10-Payment Plan: $860
Down Payment: $860
Five Day 4s
Annual Tuition: $9,000
10-Payment Plan: $900
Down Payment: $900
Partial tuition scholarships are available based on need; please contact Alexis Joyce | Preschool Director | ajoyce@mtolivet-umc.org
Our Preschool has a very active Parents’ Group that works closely with the Preschool Director. This is a great way for parents to support the preschool. Opportunities include fundraising, outreach activities, educational seminars, social events, room parenting, and substitute teaching.
2024-2025 Confidential Information Form
2024-2025 Emergency Authorization for Treatment
2024-2025 Emergency Contact Information
2024-2025 Authorization for Pick Up
More Information Coming Soon!
MOPS is Planning a Summer Session for current and incoming students ages 3 through 5 beginning July 7, 2025, and ending August 1, 2025. Check back in mid-December for more information on this program as well as summer camp for school-aged children.
Ready to join a group? Just want to visit? Here you can browse all groups currently related to this ministry area. Select a group to learn more and get in touch with it's leader.
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(703) 527-3934contactus@mtolivet-umc.org1500 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207Traditional Worship on Sundays at 9:15 AMThe Way on Sundays at 11:15 AM
