Preschool Prep
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Multi-Week School Readiness Class
Ready for your little one’s big step into preschool? Prepare them with the Virginia Discovery Museum’s multi-week preschool readiness class for children ages 2 to 4 and an adult caregiver. Taught by Amy Griffith, a certified teacher and the Museum’s Education Manager, Preschool Prep combines fun and learning to help toddlers master fine motor skills, ease into gentle separation, and explore the essential skills they’ll need for preschool success. Meanwhile, adult caregivers will participate in targeted discussion groups to learn about different types of preschools, explore tips and activities to enhance their child’s learning at home, and more.
Program Details | Upcoming | General Policies | FAQs | Contact
Upcoming Classes
General Policies
Program Participants
- Program participants with any of these symptoms are asked to refrain from visiting the Museum.
- All parents/guardians must Check-In at the front desk before dropping off program participants in the Sound & Music Studio. Parents/guardians will then meet in Creation Station.
- No food, gum, or drinks are allowed in the Museum, except water bottles.
Check-In & Check-Out
- 9:25-9:30 a.m.: Arrival & Check-In
- Takes place in the Museum’s front lobby area.
- After dropping off their children in the Sound & Music Studio, parents/guardians will meet in Creation Station.
- Preschool Prep does not include playtime in the Museum galleries, but all participant families are welcome to stay and play after the end of class if they wish.
- 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Class Instruction & Activities
- 10:30-10:35 a.m.: Pick-Up & Check-Out
- At the end of class, parents/guardians may pick up their children from the Sound & Music Studio.
- All participant families are welcome to stay and play in the Museum galleries after the end of class if they wish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Germ Concerns
Will VDM be open for general admission during Preschool Prep?
VDM will be open for general admission during Preschool Prep, but the Sound & Music Studio and Creation Station rooms will only be open to program participants.
Who else will be in the program room during Preschool Prep?
The class instructors will be present during every Preschool Prep class, and they are fully vaccinated against COVID.
How often is the Museum cleaned?
The Museum is cleaned daily, and a crew will be on site after the Museum closes to clean and sanitize.
Registration & Waitlists
What if the Preschool Prep class I want to participate in has filled?
Preschool Prep classes have a maximum capacity of 16 children. If you have an interest in a class that is full, please contact Education Manager Amy Griffith at amy@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x106 to add your child's name to the waitlist. In the event of a cancellation, those on the waitlist will be contacted in the order their requests were received.
Financial Assistance
Does VDM offer financial assistance for Preschool Prep?
In accordance with the Museum’s mission, VDM does offer a limited number of scholarships for all of its programs, including Preschool Prep. For information about applying for a scholarship, contact Director of Operations Lindsay Jones at operationsdirector@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x102.
Annual Members
How do I apply my 10% annual member discount?
To apply this discount to program registrations made online, you must have an active annual membership and will need to create a Website User Account and link it to your membership record by following these instructions. If you have already created a Website User Account, click the registration link for the program you wish to register for and sign in using the link at the top of the registration page. If you need help applying your 10% discount when using our online order forms, please contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103.
How do I set up my Website User Account?
You can follow the instructions here or contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103.
Did I successfully link my Website User Account and membership?
Contact Visitor Services Manager Matt Berman at matt@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x103, and we’ll make sure everything is all set.
Cancellations & Refunds
What is VDM’s cancellation and refund policy Preschool Prep?
A minimum of 6 children is required for a class series to run. If a class series is canceled by the Museum due to insufficient enrollment or other extenuating circumstances, the registration fee will be refunded to all registrants.
Individual cancellations must be made at least 5 days before the program to be eligible for a refund. If an individual cancellation causes the program roster to fall below the required minimum, the refund will be contingent upon the vacancy being filled. If an individual cancellation is made within 5 days of the program, the registration fee will be forfeited. No refunds will be issued after a program begins.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Where can I park to attend this program?
VDM validates parking for program participants at the Market Street Garage and Water Street Garage. Both locations provide the first hour of parking for free, and program participants receive an additional hour of free parking – for a total of two hours – when they request a validation ticket at VDM’s front desk. The Museum is also located next to the Downtown Transit Station, and Charlottesville Area Transit offers a Free Trolley that stops at the station as it travels through Downtown and the University of Virginia. Click to learn more about parking downtown or more about public bus routes and fares.
Click the icon in the upper left corner for map legend and details.
Does Preschool Prep include gallery playtime?
Preschool Prep does not include playtime in the Museum galleries, but all families are welcome to stay and play after the end of class if they wish.
Contact Us
To learn more about Preschool Prep, contact Education Manager Amy Griffith at amy@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x106. For scholarship information, contact Director of Operations Lindsay Jones at operationsdirector@vadm.org or (434) 977-1025 x102.