Is Your Toddler Ready for Preschool?

A joyful mother and child share a playful moment together, both smiling warmly with genuine happiness.

5 Signs Alexandria Parents Should Look For

Every Alexandria parent asks the same question: "Is my child ready for preschool?"

Whether you're in Old Town watching your toddler at the playground or navigating parenthood in Del Ray, this decision can feel overwhelming. Some mornings you're convinced your little one is ready to conquer the world. Other days, you wonder if you should wait another year.

At Cowo & Crèche Kids, we've helped hundreds of Northern Virginia families through this decision. The truth? There's no magic age or perfect checklist. But there are clear signs that can help you know when your toddler is ready to thrive.

1. Your Toddler Shows Interest in Other Children

Watch your child at Simpson Park or any Alexandria playground. Are they content playing alone, or do they gravitate toward other kids? Around 18-24 months, most toddlers shift from parallel play to actually wanting to interact.

You might notice your child watching other kids intently, trying to join their games, or getting excited when they see familiar faces. They might not share gracefully yet, but the desire to connect is there. That's the foundation for preschool readiness.

At our Little Lights program for toddlers, we build on this natural curiosity. In small classes with a 1:6 ratio, teachers guide those first friendships—showing children how to ask to join play, share toys, and be gentle with friends. We pray together each morning, asking God to help us be kind. Even the youngest children understand that prayer.

If your toddler still prefers solitary play, that's completely normal. Keep arranging playdates and modeling social interactions. Readiness will come.

2. They Can Separate from You for Short Periods

Can your toddler handle being with a trusted caregiver while you run errands? Do they recover relatively quickly when you leave, or is the anxiety prolonged?

Some separation anxiety is normal and healthy—it means your child has a secure attachment to you. But preschool readiness means they can transition to another caring adult without extended distress.

During the first weeks at Cowo & Crèche Kids, we expect some tears at drop-off. That's normal. What we look for is whether children can be comforted, engage in activities once you're gone, and seem happy when you return. Our faith-based approach helps. We create a peaceful, predictable rhythm with morning prayer and worship. Children know what to expect, and that routine brings comfort.

If separation is really difficult, start practicing. Leave them with grandparents for an hour. Try a Parents' Morning Out program. Build their confidence gradually.

3. Basic Self-Care Skills Are Emerging

Can your child feed themselves? Are they trying to wash their hands? Can they communicate when they need the bathroom?

Let's talk about potty training—the question we get most. At Cowo & Crèche Kids, we don't require children to be fully potty trained for our Little Lights program. We partner with families during the journey. Accidents happen. We handle them with grace and zero shame.

For our Brave Believers preschool program, we prefer children to be trained or actively training, but we're flexible. What matters more is that children are showing awareness of their body's signals. The desire to be a "big kid" often motivates them once they're in preschool.

Other signs: attempting to put on shoes (even on the wrong feet), trying to put on their coat, drinking from a cup without spilling everywhere. These small steps toward independence matter.

4. They Follow Simple Instructions

Can your toddler come when called? Can they follow a simple direction like "Put the toy in the basket"? This doesn't mean they always obey immediately—they're toddlers. But can they understand and respond?

Preschool involves lots of transitions and group directions: "Time to clean up," "Let's sit for circle time," "Wash your hands." Children who can follow these simple instructions will feel more confident.

At Cowo & Crèche, we teach first-time obedience with love and consistency. We make eye contact, keep instructions simple, and follow through every time. It's part of teaching respect—values rooted in our faith-based approach.

If your child struggles with directions at home, it doesn't mean they're not ready. It might mean they need the structure and routine that preschool provides. But you want to see some baseline ability to understand and respond.

5. Curiosity and Eagerness to Learn

Does your toddler ask "Why?" approximately seven hundred times a day? Do they want to know the names of everything? Are they fascinated by how things work?

This natural curiosity is gold. Children who are curious about the world are ready to benefit from the rich learning environment that preschool offers.

At Cowo & Crèche Kids, we feed this curiosity through hands-on STEM activities that reflect God's creative design. We explore how plants grow, why the sky is blue, what makes things float. We connect it all back to faith: God made this amazing world, and we get to discover it together.

If your child is asking questions, exploring, showing interest in books and songs—that's readiness.

What If They're Not Ready Yet?

Here's the freeing truth: that's completely normal. Developmental ranges are wide. Some children are ready at 18 months. Others aren't ready until three. Your child's timeline is their own.

If you're not seeing these signs yet, work on social skills through playdates, practice short separations, encourage self-care without pressure, give simple directions consistently, and read, sing, and explore together.

Our Little Lights program is designed for emerging readiness. We meet children where they are. With our small class sizes and experienced teachers, we provide the individualized attention that helps every child succeed.

Trust Your Instincts

You know your child better than any checklist. If you feel in your gut that they're ready, they probably are. If something tells you to wait, listen to that too.

When you're ready to explore preschool options, we'd love to meet you. Come see our Little Lights program in action. Watch how our teachers interact with toddlers. Ask questions about your specific child.

At Cowo & Crèche Kids, we're not just checking boxes. We're partnering with families to nurture young hearts and minds in a Christ-centered environment where every child can flourish.

Ready to talk about your toddler's readiness? Schedule a tour at Cowo & Crèche Kids in Alexandria. Call (571) 495-9302 or visit www.cowocrechekids.com.