Music and Drama
Children explore rhythm, movement, and creative expression through hands-on music and drama. They learn fundamentals like melody and notation while building confidence through storytelling, puppetry, and simple performances.
The Gardner School of Herndon
A Caring Early Learning Community in Herndon
A High-Quality Preschool for Northern Virginia Families
At The Gardner School of Herndon, children learn and grow in a warm, thoughtfully designed environment that blends early academics with meaningful social-emotional development. As a NAEYC-accredited preschool serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, we offer a research-based curriculum, caring teachers, and a welcoming school culture that helps families feel confident in their child’s early learning experience. Conveniently located at the intersection of West Ox Road and Centerville Road, our Herndon school supports families who live and work across Northern Virginia.
Balanced, Purposeful Early Learning Experience
Inside bright, open classrooms, teachers guide early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills through a curriculum that includes Creative Curriculum, World of Wonders, and Learning Without Tears. Children benefit from warm routines, hands-on exploration, and a balanced approach that meets them at their developmental stage. With both indoor and outdoor playscapes, thoughtful classroom design, and nurturing teacher relationships, children feel supported, safe, and excited to learn each day.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Our research-based curriculum supports early literacy, math, creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional development. Teachers guide children through purposeful play, hands-on learning, and consistent routines that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
Safety and Health
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Two secure entry checkpoints, clean classrooms, and predictable routines help children feel safe and supported. Healthy meals and snacks in the Kids Café nourish growing bodies, and attentive safety practices support daily well-being
Environment and Design
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Open floor plans, organized learning spaces, and bright classrooms create an inviting and calm atmosphere for children. A private outdoor playground and spacious indoor play areas offer room for movement, exploration, and joyful play.
Community
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Families appreciate real-time updates, daily check-ins, and a warm school culture that values partnership and open communication. Caring teachers build strong relationships with children and families, creating a trusted preschool experience in the Herndon community.
Academically-Focused Programs
At The Gardner School, learning truly begins with care. Our infant classrooms provide a nurturing start built on a nationally recognized, research-based curriculum that supports early learning and development. With teachers who understand both the science and the soul of early education, babies grow in an environment that builds trust, curiosity, and confidence from the very beginning.
Toddlers are natural explorers, full of curiosity, movement, and new words waiting to bloom. At The Gardner School, our toddler classrooms nurture and celebrate this growing independence through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Each day builds confidence, language, and friendship in an environment that’s safe, structured, and full of joy. Our early childhood education program develops the whole child — encouraging physical coordination, emotional confidence, and early cognitive growth in every discovery.
Two-year-olds are bursting with curiosity and confidence. At The Gardner School, our classrooms encourage this new independence through hands-on learning, nurturing guidance, and joyful discovery. Teachers help children explore, experiment, and build social and self-help skills in a safe environment where learning and laughter go hand in hand. In this two-year-old early learning classroom, children begin to strengthen emotional regulation, independence, and empathy while exploring the world around them.
Preschoolers are natural problem-solvers and collaborators. At The Gardner School, our classrooms inspire curiosity, confidence, and creativity through hands-on learning and purposeful structure. Teachers guide children through new concepts in literacy, math, science, and art, helping them build independence, friendships, and a lifelong love of learning. Our preschool classrooms encourage critical thinking and pre-academic foundations that set the stage for kindergarten success.
Pre-K is a milestone year filled with confidence, curiosity, and preparation for what’s next. At The Gardner School, our teachers guide children through meaningful, play-based learning that builds academic readiness, social skills, and independence. With a curriculum designed around kindergarten preparation, students develop the focus, responsibility, and love of learning that will carry them into elementary school and beyond. Our Pre-K program helps children grow the attention, independence, and social skills they need to feel confident and ready for kindergarten.
Available at select Gardner School locations, our Private Kindergarten program offers a full day of meaningful, research-based learning in a small, supportive classroom setting. With nearly half the student-teacher ratio of most schools, children receive the personalized attention and enrichment that build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Our private kindergarten program represents the culmination of early childhood education at TGS—balancing 21st-century learning skills with the heart of whole-child development.
Enrichment Programs
Sports
Active, structured classes help children build coordination, strength, and confidence. Through sports like soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and yoga, they practice teamwork, listening skills, and healthy movement habits.
Martial Arts
Martial arts introduce balance, discipline, and respectful movement in a safe, beginner-friendly format. Children learn basic stances and controlled motions that build focus, confidence, and body awareness.
Dance and Movement
Children build balance, coordination, and spatial awareness through beginner dance and creative movement. With simple steps, stretching, and expressive motion, they strengthen motor skills while growing confidence and joy in how their bodies move.
S.T.E.A.M.
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences spark curiosity and critical thinking. Through simple experiments and creative projects, children explore how things work and discover the joy of learning.
Foreign Language
Through songs, games, and simple vocabulary, children are introduced to the basics of a second language to enable basic conversational skills. Lessons built around familiar themes make learning fun, natural, and age-appropriate.
Seasonal Experiences
Children participate in seasonal, multi-week, or pop-up enrichment classes that may include cooking, gardening, or exciting seasonal activities. These experiences offer fresh ways to learn, create, and discover.
School Leadership
Zena Wanamaker
Executive School Director
Zena Wanamaker
Executive School Director
Zena’s favorite moments at The Gardner School of Herndon happen when she walks through the classrooms and children proudly rush over to show her something they’ve created. Their excitement, confidence, and joy remind her why early childhood education is such meaningful work. Since joining TGS in June 2017, Zena has grown from Enrichment Coordinator to Office Support, Assistant Director, and now Director, building deep relationships with children, families, and teachers along the way.
Taminka Jackson
Assistant Director
Taminka Jackson
Assistant Director
Taminka loves the positive energy that fills The Gardner School of Herndon each morning. Greeting families, sharing quick conversations, and offering warm smiles help her build meaningful connections that make every child feel welcome from the moment they arrive. Since joining TGS in 2017, she has grown through several roles, from Enchantment Assistant Teacher to Creative Curriculum Coordinator and now Assistant Director, deepening her relationships with children, families, and staff.
Schedule a Tour
Please select a date and time that works best for you (tours are ~45 minutes). We recommend visiting in the morning between 9:30 – 11:30 am. Of course, we completely understand that is not always possible with families’ schedules and welcome families to join whenever is most convenient for you. If you aren’t ready to tour yet or these times below don’t work for your family, use the Contact Us button below, and we will coordinate a time together.
Contact Us
If you aren’t yet ready to schedule a tour or the available times do not work for your family, please click Contact Us to connect with someone from The Gardner School.