The Parkside Advantage

Why the First Five Years Matter – And Why Parkside Makes Them Count

Did you know that 90% of a child’s brain development happens before the age of five? According to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, the early years are when the brain builds the architecture for future learning, health, and behavior. These foundational years are not just important—they’re critical.

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Corporate Child Care or Real Connection?

In a time when many child care centers are being acquired by national chains and venture capital firms, families must ask themselves a hard question:

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Do you really want to entrust these precious years to corporate daycare centers focused on margins—not milestones?

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At Parkside, we offer a different kind of early learning experience.

We are independent, community-rooted, and driven by a deep commitment to child development—not shareholder value. While large daycare chains may reduce children to database entries or financial metrics, every child at Parkside is known, nurtured, and respected.

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A Personal Approach that Builds Lifelong Foundations

At Parkside, we partner with families to guide each child’s unique development across emotional, social, and academic domains. Our curriculum is scientifically informed, developmentally appropriate, and intentionally designed to support the natural way young children learn—through exploration, play, and relationships.

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Unlike typical classroom settings, we provide an unmatched outdoor environment where children spend meaningful time engaging with nature. Research shows that outdoor play enhances cognitive flexibility, attention span, and emotional resilience, and at Parkside, it’s a daily part of life—not an afterthought.

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Recognized for Quality and Care

Parkside is an award winning Montessori preschool and the only American Montessori Society school in Sterling, Virginia to be an approved vendor by Virginia's VQB5 (Virginia Quality Birth to Five) program.

 

Parkside was recognized as the Washington Parent Magazine's Best Preschool in Virginia and a Finalist for Best Montessori School in Virginia.

 

We’re proud to be highly rated by Virginia’s VQB5 (Virginia Quality Birth to Five) program, the state’s unified quality measurement and improvement system for early childhood education. VQB5 recognition means families can trust that Parkside meets high standards in instructional quality, teacher-child interactions, and developmental outcomes. 

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Parkside Community Montessori is proud to meet all requirements to serve as an approved vendor for Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy Program. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards and we’re proud to share that our program has received zero licensing violations. Families can feel confident knowing their child is in a nurturing, well-regulated environment that meets and exceeds the state’s expectations for early childhood education.

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These recognitions reflect our deep commitment to authentic Montessori practice, individualized learning, and strong partnerships with families. We are honored to be celebrated by the community and remain dedicated to providing an exceptional early learning experience rooted in respect, discovery, and care.

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Authentic Montessori Program & Research Proven Approach

The Montessori approach to early childhood education offers a distinct alternative to conventional models like play-based, traditional, and Reggio Emilia programs. Grounded in Dr. Maria Montessori's principles and validated by over a century of practice and modern scientific research, its core philosophy centers on a deep respect for the child's innate capacity for self-directed learning. Montessori classrooms are meticulously prepared environments featuring child-sized furniture and carefully sequenced learning materials, designed to foster exploration and independence. Teachers serve as guides, observing and supporting each child as they pursue their interests and master academic, social, and practical life skills at their own pace.

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While some blended Montessori-Reggio Emilia programs may seem innovative, parents should be aware of the inherent risk of diluting core Montessori principles. The integrity of the Montessori method depends on its consistent, intentional design, which includes three-hour uninterrupted work cycles, specific mixed-age groupings, and carefully sequenced, didactic materials. These elements are scientifically proven to foster the deep concentration, independence, and skill mastery for which authentic Montessori education is known. When key components are compromised, children may not experience the full, transformative benefits of this time-tested approach. At Parkside, we honor the wholeness and balance of the true Montessori philosophy, so that every child can experience the powerful, integrated education it was designed to be.

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Parkside’s strength is also a reflection of our leadership.

Our administrative team has been working together for over ten years, creating a foundation of stability, trust, and shared vision for our school community. This long-standing collaboration means we know each other’s strengths, communicate seamlessly, and approach challenges with a unified perspective. For families, this continuity translates into consistent leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and a deep commitment to supporting both children and parents. Most importantly, our experience working side by side allows us to remain focused on what matters most, nurturing a thriving environment where children can grow and succeed.

 

Our founder and principal was recently named a finalist for the Virginia Child Care Aware "Heart of Service Lifetime Achievement Award", a recognition that celebrates decades of meaningful service to children, families, and the field of early childhood education. With nearly three decades of experience, he brings depth, compassion, and excellence to everything we do.

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