Parent Testimonials

March 2022

As a parent of a timid 2.5 year old who was wary of new people and new situations I was very concerned about what would happene to him when school started. The pandemic was adding to my anxiety not only because an indoor group setting represented a heightened risk for my little one of getting infected, but also because the restrictions to ensure kids' safety meant that I would not be allowed in the classroom at drop off and my son could not take his beloved plushie along for reassurance.

To ease my son's transition from staying at home with us full time to going to school we opted for the 3 day per week schedule offered by Wesley.  The school however, also offers a 2 day program as well as 5 day program.  Class starts at 9:00am and ends at 12:00pm but after-school programs  such as Lunch Bunch and Young scholars are offered from 12pm to 1:00pm.

A  few days prior to the first day of school I was having major anxiety,  imagining my kid sobbing uncontrollably in the corner of a classroom,  desperately crying for his father and me. I was wrong. When I picked him  up that first morning, he was totally fine. Two days later, for his second day, I was expecting an epic meltdown at drop-off ...No such  thing...He got in the classroom, said hi to the teachers and made a beeline for the toys without a backward look at me. No tears, no pleading, not even a good-bye kiss...My ego was shattered ! Joking aside, what a relief!  And it can all be credited to his wonderful teachers as well as to the warm and welcoming atmosphere fostered by the whole staff at Wesley.
A week after school started it seemed that  most administrative staff members and teachers knew my son and his peers' names and were enthusiastically greeting each child as they saw them. The masks on the staff and teachers' faces were/are not enough to protect you from their contagious smiles and infectious cheerfulness.

Now my son usually runs to his classroom in the morning and drags his feet to come back home at noon. He is much more social and despite attending only three days a week he has ample opportunities to develop his gross and fine motor skills as well as language and cognitive skills through process art, sensory play, music etc ...I often overhear him singing songs he has learned at school while he plays. He just turned three and knows his alphabet, can recognize most letters and knows their sounds and can read numbers from 0 to 11. He is a happy toddler who always goes to school with much enthusiasm.

Other great points of Wesley:

Communication:  The administrative staff and teachers are very responsive and  committed to give your children the best experience. Emails and concerns are answered within 24 hours thoroughly and in a very courteous manner.  Teachers send weekly email updates about classroom activities and events. Director sends monthly recaps as well as specific information emails on an as needed basis. Tuition payment reminders are sent  monthly.

In house field trips : little ones can discover our world in a fun and age-appropriate way (as seen on this beyond cute Facebook video: facebook.com/10006711895…)

2.5 year old students are not required to be to toilet trained to attend.  Wesley has been wonderful accompanying my son and us through his potty training journey. He is now almost fully potty trained (with a few  accidents now and then :) )

COVID : the preschool has done a very  good job at managing the epidemic. Parents are asked to fill out a child wellness form every morning reporting children's temperatures and confirming that a daily health check was performed. Everyone entering the school building must wear a mask.  Parents are also asked to  reinforce at home the importance of thoroughly washing hands just like kids practice at school. Not a single case of COVID happened in my son's class. Other classes had cases but were promptly asked to quarantine.  Protocol is currently being reviewed as the State of Virginia has begun lifting masks mandates.

Students to teacher ratio : the 2.5 year old class has 10 students for 2 teachers which is great for each child to get individual attention.

If you are looking for a preschool that feels like a second home to your child and offers the kind of environment that instills a lifelong love of learning, then Wesley is  definitely an excellent choice.

- Anne-Claire D.