Lake Anne Nursery Kindergarten

Posted: May 21, 2024

We LOVE LANK! I had my little cousins start about 30 years ago and have had 5 of my nieces go there plus my own 2 kids. They have been consistent over the past 30 years and stay up to date. I love their multicultural night and activities that bring families together.

It has been home away from home for my kids. They thrive there... Always enjoy themselves and have learned so much. We have loved my daughters teachers over the past 3 years and she is staying for kindergarten. They have a good balance of nature based activities as well. The director Mrs. Sara and Mrs. Kate are even more amazing! I love their welcoming energy every single time we see them.

Posted: May 21, 2024

Posted: May 21, 2024

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Posted: May 21, 2024

Posted: January 5, 2021

We cannot say enough about this treasure of a school. LANK is a true gem! We have 3 children, 12, 9 and 4 and they have all attended LANK. We cannot imagine sending them anywhere else! Not only is the staff loving and caring but they are also open and honest with communication. In the fall of 2020, we were faced with the decision of whether or not to send our then 3 year old back to school amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The directors held a virtual town hall and laid out their plans to safely reopen LANK. They provided detailed information about safety protocols and measures that would be taken, to include daily temperature checks of staff and children before entering the building and a checklist to ensure no one was experiencing any Covid symptoms. They spent almost 2 hours virtually going over their plan as well as answering questions and concerns raised by parents. We learned that class sizes would be decreased, staff and children would wear masks at all times (and for the youngest age group they would try their best) , cleaning and disinfecting would take place regularly throughout the day, and the list goes on. My husband and I had multiple conversations agonizing over making the right decision for our daughter and our family. Ultimately we decided that being in school in person was the best decision for our daughter. She has been back to school since the end of September and she looks forward to each and every day! And that is due to the tremendous care and love given by every staff member. They truly are our heroes. We have loved LANK since the first time we toured in 2011 and our love just keeps growing. LANKs play-based curriculum allows for children to express themselves as individuals. Each of our children has a love of nature that LANK helped foster. The staff is highly knowledgeable in early childhood practices which is evident in the development of our children. LANK truly is a special preschool and we have loved our experiences at this school.

Posted: January 5, 2021

Posted: January 5, 2021

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Posted: December 14, 2020

LANK was recommended to us by multiple families when we moved to the area. As an elementary school teacher myself, I was really careful about choosing the right preschool environment for my children. We visited numerous preschools but were really taken with the natural setting and open plan interior space. Our older 2 boys went for all three years of preschool and our youngest is currently in the 3 year old program. We have experienced most of the teachers and have been highly impressed with every single one. They are all nurturing in the perfect way for young children with strong knowledge in early childhood development, and promote great communication with families. The curriculum is play based, nature loving, and prepared my boys extremely well for kindergarten. The community is incredibly strong and my family has met friends for life through our children's friends here. LANK really is the highest level of preschool and we have been so happy with our experiences here.

Posted: December 14, 2020

Posted: December 14, 2020

Posted: December 14, 2020

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Posted: December 14, 2020

Posted: December 19, 2019

LANK is your home away from home. It is a safe haven and creative melting pot that invites curiosity and a love of learning, even for its youngest students. In addition to a strong academic foundation that will carry your child through their first years of elementary school, LANK truly inspires character, community generosity, responsibility, and growth. The class chandelier made with beads from painted salt dough at the beginning of each academic school year in the 5 day class is just one example of the type of thoughtful, collaborative and colorful projects that infuse and set apart the curriculum at LANK. I have never met a more creative, dedicated, nurturing, and loving staff of teachers and administrators. I knew even before my tour of the preschool was over that I wanted to be a part of such a thriving school and community that shapes a child’s first educational and social experiences in the world.

Posted: December 19, 2019

Posted: December 19, 2019

Posted: December 19, 2019

Posted: December 19, 2019

Posted: December 19, 2019

Posted: December 9, 2019

This is our third year at LANK, and we have been exceedingly pleased with our experience. My son started in the junior preschool program, which is such a great introduction to the school structure for your two year old, and moved up through the classrooms. One of the most important aspects to us was the focus on outdoor time. Everyday the kids get to go outside, unless there is rain or temperatures below freezing. The outside playground, being situated against the woods, is a perfect area to run and explore with your friends. A lot of the school lessons, and completed projects that come home, I see take advantage of this outdoor space with hands on learning, such as investigating bees, acorns, life cycles of flowers and pumpkins, and so on.

There is a great line of communication between the parents, teachers, and administration. Any question or concern will be addressed, and any teacher is easily accessible via email or phone. We love the community, and there are so many ways to be involved and to get to know the other parents. And lots of fun family events throughout the year!

The bottom line is once your children walk down that hill, you can be confident that they will be loved, they will play, they will learn, they will make best friends, they will have fun, and they will come home with a big smile. It is such an amazing start, and we have been so happy we chose LANK as our preschool.

Posted: December 9, 2019

Posted: December 9, 2019

Posted: December 9, 2019

Posted: August 11, 2019

Both of my children gained confidence during their time so far at LANK. The teachers are extremely supportive and engaged with each child on a personal level to ensure their success and growth personally and academically.

Posted: August 11, 2019

The leadership at LANK is the driving force behind this great school. Mrs. Wain and Mrs. Marsh are always available for any questions or concerns from parents. They truly care about the well being and experience of the students and teachers.

Posted: August 11, 2019

We are so pleased with our children's experience at LANK. All of us are a bit sad that my oldest graduated to head to Kindergarten, because she had such a wonderful experience. I whole heartedly recommend this preschool to anyone who is looking for a loving, engaging, and fun place for their kids.

Posted: August 11, 2019

We have had a wonderful experience with both of our children's teachers over the last two school years. My oldest will be attending Kindergarten in the fall, and while she is certainly well prepared academically, she also has learned to love school. The teachers at LANK are compassionate and caring and also lead enriching activities that my children truly enjoy.

Posted: August 9, 2019

Homework is not mandatory at LANK. The lines of communication between teachers and parents are excellent. We always felt well-informed of what our children were learning and how we could support them at home. Optional learning activities and worksheets are sent home but not required to be completed.

Posted: August 9, 2019

Having gone through the preschool/Pre-K program with twin daughters, I can offer that LANK did a phenomenal job of nurturing and teaching to our girls’ individual strengths, needs, personalities and temperaments. We are grateful to their teachers, Mrs. Hanes, Mrs. Glahe, Mrs. Scanlan and Mrs. Ruesch. Their dedication, compassion, humor, creativity, patience and wisdom were evident in the lessons and knowledge imparted on our girls as well as the amazing arts, crafts and photos that accompanied them home on a daily basis. We were pleased with the curriculum and the daily hands-on learning opportunities evidenced by the girls’ dirty clothes and blossoming curiosity and skills. Highlights from this past year included learning about the life cycle of various animals by actually having the animals in the school for the children to interact with on a daily basis including chickens, eggs and eventually baby chicks, tadpoles and cocoons/butterflies. The recycling, reusing and repurposing unit made a lasting impact on our girls as did the bees and world travel units. The Music and Movement classes were much beloved by our girls.

Posted: August 9, 2019

Our daughter said it best while reminiscing about her time at LANK: “On our first day of LANK, so much fun and joy. We stick together, no matter what. It’s time to open up your heart.”

Posted: August 9, 2019

The dedication of the school’s administrators and staff exceeded our expectations. Executive Director, Joan Wain and Administrative Director, Patty Marsh make an outstanding leadership team. They were outside every morning to greet the children and parents/caregivers and returned again at dismissal. I’m still in awe of their ability to know every child by name – as well as parents – and even grandparents! Along with the teachers, they made drop off and pick up a wonderful learning opportunity for the kids – to nurture their social skills including meeting and greeting, making eye contact, taking turns and being respectful toward others. As a first time parent of then 3 and 4 year old twins, I also appreciated the warm smiles and encouraging words from the administrators and teachers who welcomed us in the carpool lanes.

Posted: August 9, 2019

One of our daughters had a challenging first year as she acclimated to preschool and her teachers at LANK truly were among her best champions. Her 3 Day teacher’s insights and encouragement led us to seek additional testing and interventions that have been transformative for our daughter. The Pre-K teachers never underestimated our daughter's abilities.

Posted: August 9, 2019

I was not aware of any bullying but I can say that LANK's teachers were well equipped with a variety of teaching strategies and techniques – as well as patience and respect – to work with students who had big personalities.

Posted: August 9, 2019

We consider ourselves fortunate to have selected LANK for our twin daughters’ first experience with school. Our lasting impression when touring LANK was how joyful a place it is for the kids and the genuine warmth and compassion of the teachers. These qualities proved true throughout the two years that our girls spent at LANK. They participated in the 3 Day preschool and 5 Day Pre-K programs. With summer birthdays, they were some of the youngest students in their classes. Now, they are well prepared in a variety of ways – and excited – to head off to Kindergarten in the fall. LANK truly is an exceptional school providing an idyllic setting for play-based learning.

Posted: March 22, 2019

Formal homework is not part of LANK's curriculum. Teachers keep parents informed of activities and teaching units via email to encourage conversation with our children and further exploration of content. My child tends to answer the question of "What did you do at school today?" with "I don't remember." so this is especially helpful. Reading to our children is strongly encouraged and LANK has a lending library

Posted: March 22, 2019

The following strong opinion is based on personal (having 2 adult children having attended phenomenal preschools out-of-state) and professional (being an Assistant Professor with an educational background in evaluation & competency) experiences and currently having a 4 1/2 year old enrolled in his third year at LANK. When researching preschools, I knew exactly what I wanted: a curriculum that emphasizes the development of social skills and being a "good human"--kind, responsible, curious, and accountable and learning through play with nurturing and competent teachers and administrative support to implement these requirements. The teachers at LANK are phenomenal in knowing your child, being non-judgemental, competent, and communicating the positive as well as any issues that arise. They are adept at being flexible in teaching strategies to accommodate behavioral issues, e.g., a class off loud, high energy inquisitive children using distraction and positive reinforcement. Hands-on, immersive learning through play is emphasized --my son has ripped the knees in his jeans because of all the imaginary play with classmates and trucks while on the playground and is splattered with paint from his art projects. Getting dirty is a byproduct of creative play and the teachers are truly focused on providing as many positive experiences as possible. The LANK family encompasses all children and each teacher knows not only their class but the other children as well. My expectations have and continue to be met as a parent and as an educator.

Posted: March 22, 2019

The educational emphasis at LANK is not on rote learning or textbook knowledge acquisition but on learning through play--interaction with teachers and peers, social skills development, and being a kind, accountable "good human". The peer group is multi-cultural yet the children see each other as friends who are part of their class and school--differences are accepted rather than judged. Being good friends and accepting of each other through fostering integrity, compassion, and respect are the cornerstones of the LANK program.

Posted: March 22, 2019

Joan Wain, Executive Director and Patty Marsh, Administrator Director provide the strong leadership to implement and supervise an extraordinary curriculum and teaching staff. They are competent, genuine, possess excellent communication skills, and are respected by both parents and teaching staff as evidenced through observation. Both truly love being educators and have the administrative skills to lead.

Posted: March 22, 2019

Every child and every class has its own identity. The teachers recognize and adapt their individual and classroom teaching strategies to accommodate these differences. My son had delayed expressive language development and his teachers communicated with his speech therapist and modified their interactions with him; now he has blossomed and is never at a loss for words.

Posted: March 22, 2019

In my experience, either the teacher or the parent identifies actual or potential issues or inappropriate social behavior (e.g., "potty mouth", strong physicality) and LANK takes the appropriate measures to remediate and communicate. Any issues or concerns that have arisen have been resolved to my satisfaction. LANK prides itself on strong social skill development.

Posted: March 22, 2019

LANK has met and exceeded my extremely high bar expectations. My son continues to develop his curiosity and inquisitiveness and in the process develop his social skills and appetite for learning. No program is perfect but having the leadership, teachers, resources,and parental involvement makes LANK an exceptional and exemplary preschool.

Posted: October 11, 2018

Posted: October 11, 2018

Posted: October 11, 2018

Posted: October 11, 2018

Posted: October 11, 2018

This is my son's second year at LANK and we are so sad that it will be his last, as he goes to Kindergarten next year. The experience we have had has been amazing and by far the most positive on my child's learning journey so far. Last year, he was enrolled in a 4 Day AM program and what he learnt in those weekly 12 hours, was nothing short of amazing. He has been taught kindness, appreciation for others, respect for teachers and peers and has also been commended for "just being himself". We are so blessed to be part of a community and school that values its learners and parents and I cant think of a better place for him be than in LANK. The school is managed so well by the director and assistant director and has the most amazing teachers. My son is now enrolled 5 days a week and when the school added afternoon hours to its program, I signed him up without hesitation. This is really his happy place and it is all because of the schools HEART. Thank you LANK for being my little man's home-away-from-home and thank you for everything you do for us and our community. I am dreading the day we have to say goodbye - I pick my boy up everyday with a happy heart while I listen to him talk about all the wonderful things he has learnt. Thank you again for opening his mind and feeding his constant curiosity while caring for him in the way that I would.

Posted: October 2, 2018

The Director, Joan Wain and Asst. Director Patty Marsh have been at the school for many years as teachers in the past or were there at the school's beginnings and both have successful methods to keep a preschool running with consistently open and translucent communication and community involvement.

Posted: October 2, 2018

Posted: October 2, 2018

Both staff and its administration keep a very close eye on children and their behavior. They are very quick to be involved and have solutions to remedy situations. This Administration truly cares for every child that comes through the school.

Posted: October 2, 2018

There is no homework given to preschoolers because they are still young children.

Posted: October 2, 2018

Teachers in various programs teach with kindness and patience on appropriate cognitive and fine motor skills depending on the child's age.

Posted: October 2, 2018

Posted: October 2, 2018

5 Stars!! My older children who are now ten and nine years old went to this school when they were both three and four and now my four year old son attends as he did last year when he was three. After meeting with multiple preschools closer to home, we decided the best fit for our toddler was still the same preschool his siblings went to before him. We drive 20 minutes each way and it is worth it!

Posted: September 22, 2018

Posted: September 22, 2018

Posted: September 22, 2018

Posted: September 22, 2018

Posted: September 22, 2018

Posted: September 22, 2018

Posted: September 22, 2018

LANK is an absolutely wonderful school! Our daughter started in their Junior Preschool program last year and it has been a fantastic experience for her. She’s now in their 4-Day Preschool program and enjoys every aspect of their play-based, arts, crafts and music learning. And we love that LANK’ focus on STEAM projects and the fact that it’s set in a beautiful environment in nature... and the kids spend time outside every day... playing on the playground, collecting acorns, playing in the sand box. We couldn’t ask for a better experience for our daughter! We can’t wait to send our son!

Posted: July 29, 2018

Posted: July 29, 2018

Posted: July 29, 2018

Posted: July 29, 2018

Posted: July 29, 2018

Posted: July 29, 2018

Posted: July 29, 2018

I have never been more disgusted by an establishment. The administration discriminates against children with disabilities.

Posted: November 29, 2017

My three children have all been LANK students, and we have been so happy with every experience at this wonderful school. Talented and caring teachers combined with a perfect curriculum have cultivated a love of learning for each one of my kids. What's more, they loved exploring the beautiful natural environment in which LANK is nestled!

Posted: May 31, 2017

We have enjoyed our experience at LANK. The JP program was ideal for our twins who had summer birthdays. We found the teachers committed to education through play which was instrumental in shaping the joy our children feel about school. The twins flourished in the 3 day program taking on greater independence and cooperative play with others. The five day teachers (pre-k) set our children up for success through fundamentals of early childhood education. My children attended kindergarten at LANK and thrived in the small class size and individualized attention. They developed confidence and are academically ahead of their peers based on their experience at LANK. LANK is a gem in the community!

Posted: September 28, 2015

The teachers and staff are amazing! Both of my children have attended, and both of them have had a great learning experience.

Posted: January 21, 2015

Visit LANK to discover a unique play-based approach to learning: the children think they are going to school just to play, but they are actually receiving a solid academic foundation in language arts, math, science, and social studies. From constructing simple machines to sequencing story pictures to making patterns, the kids have a blast while becoming prepared for elementary school. LANK s philosophy of meeting the child where the child is means that every child has the opportunity to be enriched in a way that meets the child s particular needs. LANK offers enrichment programs in music, Spanish, and gymnastics, all at no extra charge. LANK also has a top-notch full-day kindergarten. The teachers are qualified, experienced, warm, and loving. LANK offers several social events for the kids as well as an adults-only spring event. There are lots of ways to get involved and help shape your child s preschool experience. We visited many other preschools and found that the only ones that compared academically were substantially more expensive. LANK was also the only place we visited where we felt our children would receive a perfect balance of fun and learning at a reasonable price.

Posted: January 12, 2015

When choosing a preschool for our daughters, we wanted to make sure this first experience would be positive; in a place where learning was fun, challenging and rewarding. We immediately knew we had found that place in LANK, and have been absolutely thrilled with how our girls have thrived there over the last 5 years. LANK has given our girls the most wonderful first school experience and has allowed them to start their journey in education feeling happy, confident and loved. LANK has also been a very positive experience for us as parents. Very soon after starting at LANK, we could see that dedicated, enthusiastic parents play an essential role in making the school a wonderful place for children and families to be. We were immediately impressed by the commitment to and love for LANK that families feel here. This atmosphere of dedication and involvement from the parent community is just another reason why LANK is such a Reston gem!

Posted: January 11, 2015

We couldn't be happier with LANK; not only do our children come home with smiles on their faces and eager to share about their day but the community of families and support is immeasurable. The teachers are sincere and genuine and communicate readily with parents. The environment is positive and extremely conducive to learning for children as young as two through Kindergarten; this preschool comes highly recommended!

Posted: January 6, 2015

We enrolled our 2 1/2 year old in LANK's Junior Preschool program a few years ago and were very pleased how well he did there. I was initially thinking it was crazy to send a 2 year old to preschool but it turned out it was so much fun and he loved leaving to go to school each week. The teachers have been there for years and they enthusiastically love what they do and the children in their care. I regularly received email updates on what the class was learning, they shared photos and even did conferences to outline their curriculum goals and my son's progress. The curriculum is play-based, which is what we wanted. Learning through play has many benefits and we wanted this to be a fun and engaging experience for our little guy. And it was! In addition to LANK being a fantastic educational experience for my son, it's a close-knit community of caring parents and caregivers. My husband and I have met so many families that we have now become friends with through the many activities for families throughout the year. An added bonus!

Posted: January 30, 2013

My children have loved their time at LANK. It is a fun, warm and caring environment that truly encourages children to come into their own. The teachers and directors are wonderful about recognizing and nurturing each child's individuality. LANK's curriculum is a play based curriculum, which studies have shown is the best way for young children to learn. Literacy and languages, math and science and a healthy lifestyle are all part of the curriculum. The family community at LANK is a very close knit community. We have met friends at LANK who have become some of our closest friends and have continued to be so even after aging out of LANK. My oldest child's transition to elementary school has been seamless and I truly credit LANK for preparing her socially, emotionally and academically for elementary school.

Posted: January 23, 2013

My daughter has been at LANK for 4 years (she's in the Kindergarten program) and this is my son's 2nd year. I am confident that we made the absolute best preschool choice with LANK. I have been so impressed with the age-appropriate curriculum that promotes development in all areas. It's a wonderful mix of child-initiated play and teacher-guided projects, both of which support socialization and learning. The chidren recieve gymnastics, Spanish and music classes, in addition to the regular curriculum. Early literacy, math, and science development is built into fun activities that engage the children. The teachers are warm, energetic and creative. Class parents create opportunities tor playdates outside of the classroom experience which enhances socialization and builds bonds between parents. We have made friends at LANK that will surely last a lifetime. Parents have many opportunities for volunteering, although volunteering in the classroom is limited to special events and occasionally reading to the class. The Board of Directors is made up of mostly parents with a few teacher reps, Our main goal for preschool is that our children learn to love school. They absolutely do.

Posted: January 22, 2013

We have been part of the LANK community for 6 years and look forward to each one to come. LANK has nurtured, educated, inspired and brightened all three of my children's minds, bodies and spirits. Incredible staff, superior Directors, fun-loving and involved parents, and a great curriculum that fosters play and academics are a winning combination for all children who attend. I cannot imagine a better preschool experience for my entire family...and we'll be so sad when our youngest moves on.

Posted: January 12, 2013

My kids love Lank! they have a big smile every time I drop them or pick them up. The teachers are truly involved in their development. I am so happy i found this place, it really is unique. The director has been there for a long time and knows what she is doing. I have been part of their community for the last 3 years; my kids play and learn everyday.