The 3s program consists of two classes each meeting three days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Parents can choose between a Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday/Friday option.
One parent assists (co-ops) in the classroom daily Monday through Thursday and two parents assist on Friday to maintain an adult-to-child ratio of no less than 1:6.
In the Green Frog classroom, the children work on developing cognitive, social, and self-help skills through their play. This typically happens as they explore water or rice in the sensory table, work with play dough, build with blocks, magnatiles and other manipulatives, climb on the play equipment, ride bikes and cars, play and listen to music, and create and experience art.
A typical day in the Frogs classroom includes:
9:00–9:45 Outside play/gross motor
9:45–10:15 Snack
10:15–10:30 Circle
10:30–11:30 Free play/specials
11:30–12:00 Bikes
Kirstin McPherson
3s Class Lead Teacher
Kirstin has been a part of Valley Drive Preschool since 1997 when her oldest of four children started as a Green Frog and her second was in the Yellow Ducks classroom. All four of her children attended Valley Drive, and Kirstin held a number of board positions at the school.
Kirstin has a B. A. from the University of Washington and a M. A. T. in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston. She has taught preschool, 2nd and 3rd grades and subbed through grade 6 in Fairfax County schools. After the preschool day, Kirstin can usually be found walking the dog or attending her children’s sporting events and activities.
Julie Henning
3s Class Assistant Teacher
Julie joined the Valley Drive family in 2015 when her oldest child joined as a Green Frog. She holds a M.A.T in secondary social studies from Boston University and spent 15 years in the high school classroom as a history teacher before joining the VDPS staff. Julie enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family.