Location:

Welcome to Glencarlyn Discovery House, a licensed daycare and preschool program located in the Glencarlyn neighborhood of Arlington, VA. Our family-run child care program is conveniently located just off Arlington Boulevard (US 50), with easy access to Leesburg Pike (SR 7), South and North Glebe Road (SR 120), and Columbia Pike (SR 244). We are also less than five minutes from Carlin Springs Elementary School.

Our Arlington location makes Glencarlyn Discovery House an accessible option for local families looking for a warm, home-based daycare where children can learn, play, and grow in a smaller setting.

Program:

Glencarlyn Discovery House is open year-round and offers flexible child care options designed to meet the needs of families in Arlington, VA. We welcome children as young as 8 weeks through 12 years old, including infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children.

Operating hours: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Ages: 8 weeks to 12 years old.

For added peace of mind, Glencarlyn Discovery House is equipped with a live video streaming camera, allowing parents to check in on their child throughout the day.

Well-balanced daily meals are also included in tuition for all children in our care. Meals are prepared in a peanut-free and tree-nut-free kitchen to help provide a safe environment for children with allergies.

Our services include:
✅ Full-time care
✅ Part-time care
✅ Before-school care
✅ After-school care
✅ Drop-in care

💕 Event Child Care Services:
Upon request, we can provide on-site child care and nanny services for weddings, family celebrations, meetings, and other special gatherings. With advance booking, our experienced caregivers can supervise the children in a designated area while offering age-appropriate activities, games, crafts, and quiet play. With trusted care for your little ones, you can relax, be present, and make the most of every special moment.

About Me:

Hello Parents! I’m the owner and co-provider of Glencarlyn Discovery House. With more than 12 years of experience in child care, I wanted to create a smaller, more personal environment where children could truly feel at home while learning, growing, and developing at their own pace. My goal is to give families peace of mind knowing their children are receiving attentive, compassionate, and high-quality care in a welcoming, home-like setting.

I opened Glencarlyn Discovery House with my family. We are all experienced caregivers with Bachelor's degrees and certifications in CPR, First Aid, and MAT (Medication Administration Training). Together, we are a team of women who share a genuine passion for nurturing, caring for, and supporting children. Caring for children is more than a profession to us. It is something we truly love and take great pride in.

One of the most rewarding parts of our work is watching children reach new milestones, discover their unique personalities, and experience all the exciting moments that come with childhood. We feel fortunate to be part of these important years and to support both the children in our care and their families. My mission at Glencarlyn Discovery House is to create a place where children feel safe, loved, and comfortable, while parents feel confident that their child is in capable and caring hands.

Philosophy:

At Glencarlyn Discovery House, we combine the warmth and comfort of a home daycare with a thoughtful daily routine that includes age-appropriate learning, play, socialization, and opportunities for children to explore their interests. Our small group setting allows us to give each child individual attention and get to know who they really are, including their personality, interests, strengths, routines, and areas where they may benefit from extra encouragement and support.

We also believe that strong relationships with families are an essential part of providing quality child care. We value open communication, honesty, and transparency, and we want parents to feel comfortable sharing their questions, concerns, and thoughts with us. Our goal is to build trusting, lasting relationships with every family we have the privilege of caring for.

Most importantly, we want every child who walks through our doors to feel welcomed and genuinely excited to be here. We strive to create an environment where children can build confidence, develop independence, form meaningful friendships, and enjoy learning through everyday experiences. Glencarlyn Discovery House is not simply a place where children are cared for. It is a place where they can feel at home, grow, and flourish with confidence.

Daily Routine:

We believe children learn best when learning feels like play. Our daily routine combines the comfort of a consistent schedule with plenty of opportunities for children to explore, create, move, and discover at their own pace. Using a play-based curriculum, our days include circle time, stories, early literacy and math, arts and crafts, sensory play, puzzles and manipulatives, music and singing, and child-led activities. Children also enjoy enrichment activities such as yoga, dance, drama and role play, musical theater, music and movement.

To support language and cultural learning, we have our weekly Amharic classes. Through age-appropriate activities, children will learn simple conversational phrases, greetings, numbers, colors, songs, and stories, while also being introduced to basic Fidel. The classes will be taught by an Amharic-speaking instructor who is experienced in engaging young children and creating a positive, interactive learning environment.

We follow a consistent daily rhythm while remaining flexible enough to respond to each child's individual needs. Throughout the day, we balance active play and learning with meals and snacks, outdoor activities, and rest or quiet time. Younger children have opportunities for tummy time, sensory exploration, language development, and individualized care, while older children participate in more structured early-learning activities.

Our goal is to make every day a positive and meaningful experience where children feel encouraged to explore, confident enough to try new things, and excited to learn. We want Glencarlyn Discovery House to feel like a second home where children can be comfortable, cared for, and engaged throughout the day.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us! If you're looking for a reliable, experienced, and child care or preschool program in Arlington, VA, we'd love to welcome you to Glencarlyn Discovery House. Contact us through CareLuLu to learn more or schedule a tour. We can't wait to meet your family! ❤