Finding the right daycare or preschool can be overwhelming for working parents who want to ensure their child is in a safe, nurturing environment. Alexandria has a range of daycare and preschool options to choose from, between home daycares and centers and specialized early education programs.
With the help of ALXnow readers through a Reader’s Choice Poll, we’ve rounded up the best preschools and daycares in Alexandria, Virginia. After two weeks of voting (Sept. 11-25) and nearly 500 individual votes cast, our readers decided on the best go-to preschool or daycare.
Last Vote: Poll: Best preschool/daycare in Alexandria | Poll Held: Sept. 11-25, 2026.
Top vote getters
1. Washington Street UMC Preschool
109 S. Washington Street
This preschool offers a half-day program for ages 2 to 5, with a focus on small class sizes, quality teachers, a play-based curriculum and a nurturing environment.
2. Discovery Time Learning Center
1509 Leslie Avenue; 420 Hume Avenue
Serving infants through PreK kids, these two locations emphasize a “safe, nurturing, and engaging early learning environment” to help kids get ready for school, work on their confidence and learning and make friends.
3. Hopkins House – Helen Day Preschool Academy
1224 Princess Street
This childhood education program is often named a top preschool in the region. It dates back to the 1930s and serves infants to 5 year olds from diverse backgrounds.
Other notable preschools/daycares
- Madison Day School
- ChildSpace Learning Center
- Creative Play School
Return to: ALXnow Readers’ Choice