Qualifications | Preschool
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
At Y Preschool, the safety and well-being of every child is our top priority. Our preschool teachers are not only warm, nurturing professionals, they’re also highly qualified to support early childhood development and school readiness.
All teachers meet or exceed the Virginia Department of Education’s requirements for early childhood educators. Many hold Associate’s or Bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education, ensuring a strong foundation in child development and instructional best practices.
Before working with children, every staff member completes a minimum of 40 hours of training, including:
- CPR & First-Aid Certified
- Health & Safety Supervision
- Child Development
- Child Abuse Prevention
- Programming
In addition, our staff participates in at least 16 hours of continuing education each school year, staying current on the latest research and best practices in early childhood education.
CIRRICULUM
STREAMin³ is a comprehensive, play-based early childhood curriculum designed to support whole-child development through hands-on, engaging learning experiences. The program emphasizes five core skills essential for young learners:
- Relate (social skills and emotional regulation)
- Regulate (self-control and focus)
- Think (critical thinking and problem-solving)
- Communicate (language and social interaction)
- Move (physical development and coordination)
This research-backed curriculum integrates Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, and Movement (STREAM) into daily activities, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and early academic growth.
STREAMin³’s flexible and inclusive lesson plans support diverse learning styles and foster meaningful exploration and social-emotional development. It’s designed to prepare preschoolers with a strong foundation for kindergarten and lifelong learning.