New Preschool Opens in Del Ray

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A new preschool has opened in Del Ray called ChildSpace Learning Center, located at 2721 Mt. Vernon Ave.

“I hope ChildSpace will become a great addition to Del Ray and benefit the community,” owner Valentina Kizchanka said Friday morning.

Kizchanka, a mother herself, has experience running an at-home daycare and has been working on opening ChildSpace since last year, she said.

The school is located at The Lofts of Del Ray, a newly constructed community built with 21st century sustainable building practices and state-of-the-art fire and safety systems. The school features lots of windows and an open, light-filled floor plan designed to give children plenty of space to move around and promote creativity while providing a sense of connection to the outside world.

ChildSpace follows The Creative Curriculum for Preschool. The award-winning program is based on the premise that the best way to teach young children is through a combination of positive teacher/child interactions, within an appropriate planned schedule, in an inspiring environment. Using exploration and discovery as a way of learning, The Creative Curriculum for Preschool enables children to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking skills.

The preschool is geared for children ages 3-5 and has space for 27 children but will start with an enrollment of 20 children, Kizchanka said.

The mission of the school is to offer a safe, caring, home-like environment where children can develop and learn based on their unique abilities and strengths.

The full-day preschool program will operate from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with options to add after-care from 3-5 p.m. or 3-6 p.m. Kizchanka is also looking to open the school for after-care enrichment activities such as music, art and dance for students from outside the school. For outdoor time, ChildSpace will use Mt. Jefferson Park, located on East Raymond Avenue.

The school is offering two free weeks for the first 15 enrollments and no enrollment fee through December.

Kizchanka points out that the school will offer a very low teacher to student ratio, a program with enrichment classes included as well as teachers with Early Childhood Education degrees and a skilled staff.

For more information call 571-429-3082 or email: info@mychildspace.com

PHOTO of ChildSpace Learning Center interior courtesy of school