Nestled in a quiet neighborhood in Great Falls, Virginia, Eastern Ridge Nature Preschool is a full-time, year-round nature-based preschool. We draw inspiration from Scandinavia’s Forest Schools and Italy’s Reggio Emilia approach. 

Our students spend the majority of each day exploring the outdoors, which might mean deciphering animal tracks at Faraway Hill, tending to vegetables in the Big Garden, sledding in the Crow’s Nest, jumping into leaf piles in the Meadow, or building and creating with art materials and nature findings. Twice a month, each of our three classrooms visits nearby Wolf Trap National Park for a hiking adventure.

In addition to being an outdoor school, Eastern Ridge values learning through play. We believe that “play is the work of early childhood,” and provide an environment ripe for creative problem solving and imaginative play with plenty of support from their teachers along the way.

More than a preschool, Eastern Ridge is a community. We offer social and educational gatherings throughout the year, and parents and caregivers serve on committees and attend community work days, helping with projects around our three-acre property. We find that children gain greatly by seeing their parents actively involved with their second home. Families benefit, too, often forming long-lasting friendships.

We’re a small school with a big heart.