The Gardner School of Herndon

Nationally Accredited Through NAEYC With Curriculum-Based Learning

Our learning atmosphere includes a careful blend of traditional and Montessori educational styles, centered around curriculum-based lessons, child-directed activities, and structured play. Your child will have access to Creative Curriculum, World of Wonders Curriculum, and Learning without Tears Curriculum. We are proud to have achieved the honor of national accreditation through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAEYC).

 

Open Floor Plans With Indoor and Outdoor Playscapes

The Gardner School of Herndon is built with your child in mind. We have a spacious indoor playscape and a private outdoor playground where we included security features to ensure that children are safe and well-monitored at all times.

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The Gardner School of Herndon preschool and daycare offers year-round full- and part-time child care with early childhood education programs for children six weeks old through 5 years. In addition, we also provide a full suite of enrichment classes and our summer camp, Camp Gardner. Classrooms are led by highly-qualified teachers who have a passion for helping young children learn and thrive. The stimulating, creative, and educationally-engineered school has been designed to meet the needs of our most important client—the children. Attention to detail both inside and outside the classroom is what makes The Gardner School of Herndon a very special place for young children. Schedule a tour to visit our preschool in Herndon, VA, today!

School Features

  • Academically-focused learning with research-based curriculum
  • NAEYC Accredited
  • Real-time updates through the parent communications app with photos, nap and feeding times, and school announcements
  • Safe and secure environment with two security checkpoints
  • Inviting classrooms with four-year degreed lead preschool teachers
  • Delicious, healthy meals in the Kids’ Café
  • On-site supplemental enrichment classes (sports, music and arts, computers, foreign language) in our enrichment studio and computer lab
  • Open-door policy for daily check-ins
  • Private outdoor playground
  • Spacious indoor play areas

Academically-focused Programs

Camp Gardner

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Infants

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Pre-K

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Kindergarten

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Preschool

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Toddlers

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Twos

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Enrichment Classes

BeSmart Computers

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Cooking

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Dance

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Gymnastics

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Soccer

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Spanish

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LEGO Robotics

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Herndon Campus Leadership

Zena Wanamaker

School Director

How long have you been with TGS?
March 2023

Roles served with TGS:
Director

What is your educational background?
I have my associate’s degree in early childhood education, my bachelor’s degree in human development and family relations with a concentration in early childhood development, and my master’s degree is in special education and behavioral analysis.

What made you decide to have a career in education?
Working in education allows you to see the impact you have on the world around you.

What makes you laugh about kids?
They put everything into perspective. Sometimes life is not so serious, and children help remind adults to have fun!

What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
The amount of growth and development that occurs during these years is incredible!

What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day is when I walk around the classrooms and see everyone having a good time. They are always engaged in something fun, which makes me want to join!

What do you love most about TGS?
I love the standard of care we hold our centers to. Each teacher goes above and beyond to make the experiences in the classrooms so meaningful.

What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My best memory will be the support I had when I first started. I really felt like I was joining a team when I started at The Gardner School.

What inspires you?
My teachers inspire me every day. They are so committed to the children and their families.

What is your passion or passions?
I love any activity that I can bring my dog to! We love to enjoy Colorado summers outside and in the mountains!

What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
This means that early childhood is a crucial time period for growth and development. There are so many opportunities in the natural environment that educators and caregivers can capitalize on to give their children the best support.

How important is early childhood education?
Education in early childhood helps establish those foundational skills to be successful in school and future contexts.

What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I would tell them that this is a normal feeling. With our schools, we pride ourselves on our communication which helps to ease parents into this next step and bridge the gap between school and home.

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Taminka Jackson

Assistant Director

How long have you been with TGS?
Since October 2017

Roles served:
Enchantment Assistant Teacher, Acceleration A Lead Teacher, Creative Curriculum Coordinator, Enrichment Coordinator, and Assistant Director. 

What is your education background?
I have over 10 years of experience in early childhood education. I earned my bachelor’s degree from George Mason University. 

What do you love most about TGS?
I love partnering with families, staff, and children to create an environment that is warm, welcoming, and inspiring.

What makes you laugh about kids?
The phrases they use and their conversations with their peers are hilarious!  

How important is early childhood education?
I believe that early childhood education is so important because it is the time when the child is shaping his or her personality, routine, and drive to learn. 

What made you decide to have a career in education?
I decided on education as a career path because I have a profound love for helping others learn and grow to be the best they can be.

What do you love most about working with children?
Children are deeply empathetic, curious, and observant. It’s a gift to spend time in their world, and I feel lucky to be a part of their lives! 

What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My favorite thing about TGS is the community relationships and lasting friendships. Watching these develop in students, parents, and staff over the years has been just one of the highlights. 

What inspires you?
Imagine watching a little kiddo learn to tie their shoes for the first time, draw a wonderful picture with loads of detail, or laugh out loud from listening to a silly story. I get a front-row seat every day to all those transformations. That’s inspiring!

What is your passion or passions?
My passion is to affect children’s lives in a positive way. I also have a passion to be a leader and role model for others I interact with daily.

What does the term ‘Where Learning Begins’ mean to you?
To me, “Where Learning Begins” means children can learn in any environment daily. The learning abilities of children are endless and start as young as infants.

What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I felt the same way when leaving my child for the first time, but I would let them know that our teachers are experienced and provide lots of attention and love for each one of our children. I would answer all questions to the best of my ability and provide them with an opportunity to call throughout the day to check on their child.

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What TGS Parents Are Saying

I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have found The Gardner School. From the moment I walked in, I knew my... child would be in good hands. The staff...read more
Lizzie S.
Lizzie S.
I absolutely love this school. My almost two year old was at a different school for about 4 months while I waited to... get off the waitlist at the Gardner...read more
Danika B.
Danika B.
We enrolled in Gardner School a couple of years ago when our previous school went under during covid. Having a son with... some special needs we were pretty...read more
Timothy F.
Timothy F.
Researching a "good" daycare is hard. There aren't a whole lot of reviews posted. At the end of the day, you'll need... to visit them and go with your gut...read more
Tori B.
Tori B.
We sent our son to The Gardner School of Herndon during Covid. Staff practiced all the recommendations from the CDC,... which was great. Our son excelled in...read more
Hafsa M.
Hafsa M.
My 22-month-old son has been going to The Gardner School since he was 11 months old, and we love the school! Sometimes... when I come to pick my son up, he's...read more
Terrell S.
Terrell S.
Enrolling my daughter at day care was not something easy for me to do! But after almost a full year, words are not... enough to express how thankful I am that...read more
Juliana L.
Juliana L.
Seriously the best daycare ever! This review is way overdue but I just want to say thank you so much to The Gardner for... taking care of my baby when I really...read more
Kyra L.
Kyra L.
I truly enjoy the Gardner School of Herndon! My son, Thomas, has been in attending the school for almost a year and a... half and I couldn’t be more happier! He truly enjoys going to school and I’m extremely comfortable with the teachers and staff - which is HUGE for me. They foster a nurturing, academic based environment and I can see the exponential growth in my son as a result. I also love the diversity amongst the teachers and staff which is very important to me as an African American mom. This is certainly an incredible school to have your little one in, you will not regret it!read more
Alyson E. Calloway
Alyson E. Calloway

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