The WCP Experience
Following the best principles of early childhood education, we foster educational, physical, social, and emotional development through both unstructured and organized play. Our curriculum is enhanced by daily craft projects, exploring music and instruments, science experiments and gross motor skill movement classes. Students learn and play large sun-filled classrooms, a fenced playground offering opportunities for outdoor exploration, and a large recreation room for imaginative indoor play year-round.
The curriculum includes guest speakers (e.g., a policeman, a fireman), music, movement, science and other enrichment programs. Parents help run the program by getting involved in the Parents' Committee and various classroom opportunities.
All WCP Teachers and Assistant Teachers have extensive educational backgrounds with experience as a teacher, parent, or both. Several of our teachers have advanced degrees in fields including education and psychology. They are certified in basic first aid and CPR and are all experienced parents. In addition, the teachers at Walker Chapel all participate in frequent courses, workshops, and conferences to keep current in their fields. All staff are also certified annually by a physician to be free from any disability which would prevent them from caring for children. Most of the staff have been with our program for more than 10 years - some as long as 30 years!
A Parents' Committee organizes guest speakers, fundraising events, and facilitates communication between staff, church, and parents. Input from parents is an integral part of the committee process and helps the Committee set goals and develop programs for the preschool. Additionally, Committee meetings, surveys, and personal conversations serve as means for parents to express their opinions. All parents are encouraged to attend meetings and actively participate in the governing process.
We are pleased to offer three age-specific classes designed for 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds preparing for kindergarten. Our small classes and low teacher/student ratios foster your child’s year-over-year growth and the development of lasting friendships.
Eligibility | Class Size | Class Schedule | |
---|---|---|---|
2-Year-Old Class | Age 2 by September 30th | 10 Children; 5:1 Ratio | T/Th, 9:15am - 12:45pm* |
3-Year-Old Class | Age 3 by September 30th | 12 Children; 6:1 Ratio | M/W/F, 9:15am - 12:45pm |
Pre-K/4-Year-Old Class | Age 4 by September 30th; Children must be toilet trained | 12 Children; 6:1 Ratio | M/T/W/Th/F, 9:15am - 12:45pm |
* Children in 2-Year-Old Class are picked up at 12:00pm for the first two months of school, after which pick up time moves to 12:45pm.
Our Educators
Each WCP classroom is led by a highly qualified Teacher and qualified Assistant Teachers, and students benefit from teacher/student ratios lower than those required by the State of Virginia.
All our Teachers and Assistant Teachers have extensive educational backgrounds that meet or exceed the State of Virginia’s educational and experiential requirements for early childcare educators. They complete at least 16 hours of early childhood training each year, maintain First Aid and CPR certifications, and complete Virginia’s Mandated Reporter training annually. Teachers and Assistant Teachers frequently participate in other courses, workshops, and conferences to keep current in their fields. Additionally, all staff are certified annually by a physician to be free from any injury which would prevent the caring of children.
WCP is led by the Preschool Director, who manages the entire WCP staff, oversees all day-to-day operations, enrollment, special events, and strategic planning throughout the year. The Preschool Director is supported in administering the program by an advisory committee composed of staff, parents, and Walker Chapel UMC members, as well as the WCP Lead Teachers, the Parents Group Board and parent representatives for each class. The program operates under the education committee of the outreach program provided by Walker Chapel UMC and is covered by the church’s public liability insurance.
Academic Calendar
The WCP academic calendar begins in early September with orientation for all classes prior to their first day of school, and classes run through early June. WCP is closed in observance of federal holidays, as well as for week-long breaks over the Christmas holiday and Arlington Public School’s observed Spring Break. Please see our Policies & Resources page for full details.
About Our Church
Walker Chapel is a United Methodist Church located in Arlington, VA. We are a group of people passionate about Jesus, closely studying his word, and gathering with his people. We’re an open, intentional place where you can get to know God in a real way.
We meet together every Sunday at 10:30 for worship, and we have something for everyone! We’re hungry for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are committed to studying his word and learning to love our world better each day. we invite you to join us as we do so. No matter who you are, what you’ve done, or what you’ve been through, Jesus sees you and cares for you, and we want to do the same. Whether you’ve been a Christian for decades or are just interested in what our faith is all about, we’ll paint a clear picture of who Jesus is and why we worship him here at Walker Chapel.
When you give us a call, you’ll be connected with one of our friendly staff who can pray for you or answer any questions you may have.
Please stop by our Church on Sunday! We look forward to meeting you!
Our Sunday church worship takes place at 10:30 AM every Sunday.
Everybody is welcome.
Please feel free to stop by our welcoming church this Sunday. We look forward to meeting you!
Walker Chapel is located at 4102 N. Glebe Rd in Arlington, VA.
Please stop by and see us on Sunday. We look forward to meeting you!
Walker Chapel United Methodist Church is a United Methodist Church.
As described on umc.org United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. According to our foundational statement of beliefs in The Book of Discipline, we share the following basic affirmations in common with all Christian communities:
Our Christian Beliefs: God
God, who is one, is revealed in three distinct persons. Read More
Our Christian Beliefs: Jesus
Our church believes in the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ. God became human in Jesus of Nazareth; and his life, death and resurrection demonstrate God's redeeming love.
Our Christian Beliefs: The Holy Spirit
Our church believes The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenge, or God's support or comfort, it's the Holy Spirit at work.
Our Christian Beliefs: Human Beings
Genesis 1:27 asserts that we've been made in the image of the Creator. Like God we have the capacity to love and care, to communicate, and to create.
Our Christian Beliefs: The Church
The church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today.
Our Christian Beliefs: The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice.
Our Christian Beliefs: God’s Reign
The kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope.
We encourage you to come as you are and to bring your family, friends, and neighbors. We have always been gathering place that first started in peoples homes. Most will come informally, in business casual but some will also come in suits and fancy hats. Its sort of fun to see the mix.
We enjoy our Chancel Choir, which is open to all. All join in for traditional and contemporary hymns, songs, and carols with highlight performances from individuals and the choirs. With the example of Charles Wesley, Methodist churches are always filled with wonderful voices singing in harmony.
We still call ourselves a Chapel because it represents the close friendships that grow in a small church. Here everyone knows and cares about everyone. We don’t always agree and that gives spice to life, but we are always bound by love for each other.
The message is thought provoking and inspirational. It will cause you to pause during the week and say, “game changer!”
There is always something to do from working your brain to straining your muscles. We are small and do a lot for ourselves and others.
Handicap parking is at the start of the lot nearest the door. The chapel is accessible from the parking lot just to the right of the steps by a break in the sidewalk that leads to a gentle ramp leading into the lower level Fellowship Hall. At the base of the ramp to the left there is a self-operated elevator to the Sanctuary level that will hold up to three people at a time.
Come down Glebe Road towards the chapel and you will see a driveway just after the white signs at the front. Turn in and park going down the driveway or in the larger main parking lot a short distance down. On Sunday the first dozen spots are for handicap access.
We give of ourselves, we give our time, and we give money because without the grease of money, none of the wheels turn. There is no rule, no guidance, no examples, no right or wrong for how much to give other than all gifts should be freely given. Gifts come from the heart and something we do because we want to not because we have to or should.