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.
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 2024-2025 School Year begins Thursday, December 14, 2023. Sign up today for a Tour or the Open House on December 12, 2023 (NEW DATE).
Ages: 18 months - 5 years
School Day: 9:15 AM - 1:15 PM
First Day of School: Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
*Children are placed as of their age on September 30.
Toddler classes | Children 18 months - 2.5 Years
Meets either Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday
Twos classes | Children 2.5+ years by September 30
Meets either Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday or Monday-Friday
Threes classes
Meets either five days per week or Monday-Wednesday-Friday
Fours classes
Meets either M/W/F or five days per week
Jr. Kindergarten
Meets five days per week 9am-2pm
This class is a wonderful pre-kindergarten option for children whose parents choose to give the gift of time for one year before starting Kindergarten. All students in this class must be 4.5 years old by September 30th and have attended a four-year program or a current MOPS 3-year-old program. With a small class size of 10 – 12 students, our curriculum offers a balance between giving children an opportunity to learn through play and exploration and offering them more structured learning experiences to prepare them for the academic challenges of kindergarten. We try to provide children with tools in pre-reading, writing, and mathematics while at the same time help them develop the social and emotional skills needed to make the transition to kindergarten a smooth one.
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.
Thank you for your interest in Mount Olivet Preschool. Early Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year begins Thursday, December 14, 2023. Sign up today for a Tour or the Open House on December 12, 2023 (NEW DATE).
Our registration is tracked via the Lillio (formerly HiMama) phone app, which is also used for attendance communication, and billing. In order to be considered for a class placement, please complete the online form. A $135 registration fee is required, as well as a detailed additional form that will be sent to you via Lillio. Please check your Lillio messages for the progress of your application status, payment information, and enrollment details.
Placements will begin in January. Current families, Mount Olivet UMC members, and alumni families have priority class placement. New families will be placed after. All families will be notified via email by February.
The 2023-24 MOPS School Year has annual tuition, based on the 42-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 + 2s
Annual Tuition: $3,990
10-Payment Plan: $399
Down Payment: $399
Three Day Toddlers + 2s
Annual Tuition: $5,000
10-Payment Plan: $500
Down Payment: $500
Five Day Toddlers + 2s
Annual Tuition: $6,900
10-Payment Plan: $690
Down Payment: $690
Two Day 3s
Annual Tuition: $4,200
10-Payment Plan: $420
Down Payment: $420
Three-Day 3s
Annual Tuition: $5,190
10-Payment Plan: $519
Down Payment: $519
Five Day 3s
Annual Tuition: $6,500
10-Payment Plan: $650
Down Payment: $650
Three-Day 4s
Annual Tuition: $6,400
10-Payment Plan: $640
Down Payment: $640
Five Day 4s
Annual Tuition: $6,530
10-Payment Plan: $653
Down Payment: $653
Five Day 5s
Annual Tuition: $7,160
10-Payment Plan: $716
Down Payment: $716
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.
Will there be daily temperature checks before entrance?
No. Please check your child's temperature at home prior and complete the daily health check through HiMAMA prior to coming to school.
Will parents be allowed in the building for pick up and drop off?
Yes. Parents and caregivers are welcome to enter the building for drop-off and pick-up.
Will the 15th Street Circle be used as a drop-zone?
The 15th Street Circle is reserved parking for those transporting infants and expectant mothers. Parking passes are available in the office.
Who will be required to wear masks?
Masking is optional for all adults and children in the preschool are optional.
What emphasis will be placed on more outdoor play, air purifiers, and opening windows?
We are increasing outside time as much as possible – having the extra fenced-in areas will help with that. The preschool utilizes a combination of air purifiers and open windows to increase fresh air.
How many classes will be allowed on the playground at once?
We have two (2) fenced-in areas so the numbers of groups will increase to allow for more outside time for instruction and play.
Will we still use the Fellowship Hall (“running room”)?
Yes. As long as cleaning of toys occurs between groups in accordance with VADSS regulations.
How will lunch and snack be handled?
If a positive case of COVID-19 occurs, will the entire preschool shut down for 2 weeks, or just infected class?
No. All close contacts who remain symptom free may return to school immediately.
How will COVID-19 cleaning occur?
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.
(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
