Ivybrook Academy Midlothian

Ivybrook Academy Midlothian Where Your Child Will Thrive

Reggio Emilia + Montessori Inspired
Half-Day Preschool

First week is in the books! It was filled with new friendships, discoveries, art, music, outside exploration and more. D...
08/31/2026

First week is in the books! It was filled with new friendships, discoveries, art, music, outside exploration and more. Did we mention art?! There’s something extra special about these first days. We are so grateful for the families that allow us to be part of their child’s learning journey each day. It’s going to be a great year!

Every child learns differently. Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences is one of the frameworks that shapes o...
08/31/2026

Every child learns differently. Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences is one of the frameworks that shapes our curriculum at Ivybrook Academy.

Some children process the world through movement. Others through music, spatial reasoning, or interpersonal connection. Traditional classrooms tend to favor linguistic and logical-mathematical learners. Our blended curriculum is designed to honor all of them.

In practice, this means a single concept might be explored through building, drawing, group discussion, and hands-on experimentation within the same classroom.

As we wrap up the last day of our very first week of school, let me introduce you to the roots of our school. 🌿Meet our ...
08/28/2026

As we wrap up the last day of our very first week of school, let me introduce you to the roots of our school. 🌿

Meet our incredible teachers at Ivybrook Academy!

This week, our teachers have worked side by side to build meaningful connections with each child, getting to know their personalities, interests, strengths, and unique ways of learning. They have spent the week investigating, exploring, creating, and thoughtfully preparing beautiful environments and meaningful projects within their classrooms.

Our teachers are the heart of what makes Ivybrook so special, and we are so grateful for the love, intention, and creativity they bring to our school each day.

Here’s to the wonderful roots that help our Ivybrook community grow. 🌱✨

Our educators are not standing at the front of the room delivering lessons. They're beside the child, observing, documen...
08/24/2026

Our educators are not standing at the front of the room delivering lessons. They're beside the child, observing, documenting, and responding.

This is what it means to be a guide rather than a lecturer. Our teachers watch for the moments when a child is ready for a new challenge, and they introduce it at exactly the right time.

They document learning so they can tailor their approach to each student. They ask open-ended questions that encourage children to think deeper rather than simply giving answers.

The result is a classroom where every child is met where they are and gently encouraged to grow from there.

The learning environment at Ivybrook Academy is intentionally designed to teach.Child-height shelves invite students to ...
08/17/2026

The learning environment at Ivybrook Academy is intentionally designed to teach.

Child-height shelves invite students to choose their own work. Defined areas for reading, building, and creating give children ownership of how they move through the classroom.

Every element is placed with purpose, designed to build independence, encourage focus, and support a child's ability to self-direct. When the environment does its job, children feel confident enough to take the lead in their own learning.

Is your child ready for preschool? Here is what readiness looks like.Most parents focus on whether their child can sit s...
08/10/2026

Is your child ready for preschool? Here is what readiness looks like.

Most parents focus on whether their child can sit still, follow directions perfectly, or separate without a single tear. While those milestones matter, they do not paint the full picture of early childhood development.

Here are a few true signs they may be ready:

‣ Interest in peers: They are beginning to show a genuine curiosity about other children.

‣ Basic communication: They can express their foundational needs through words, signs, or gestures.

‣ Emerging independence: They are starting to explore the world on their own terms, even in very small ways.

‣ Familiarity with rhythm: They have some experience following a daily routine, even a loose one at home.

If your child is not quite there yet, that is perfectly okay. Readiness is not a deadline. Every child arrives on their own unique timeline, and a thoughtful preschool environment is designed to meet them exactly where they are.

Preschool for toddlers at Ivybrook Academy looks like this.For our youngest learners, the work of preschool is sensory a...
08/03/2026

Preschool for toddlers at Ivybrook Academy looks like this.

For our youngest learners, the work of preschool is sensory and physical. They are pouring water between containers, learning to put on their own shoes, and discovering that one tool makes a mark different from another.

Every later academic skill, from handwriting to mathematical reasoning, starts here, with the hands.

Discovery enrichment is built into the fabric of every day.We believe that a complete early childhood education requires...
07/27/2026

Discovery enrichment is built into the fabric of every day.

We believe that a complete early childhood education requires consistent, daily exposure to a wide variety of disciplines. That's why our curriculum allows every child to experience:

‣ Spanish for early language acquisition.

‣ Music to build rhythm and literacy foundations.

‣ Movement to support focus and gross motor development.

‣ Art for open-ended, authentic creative expression.

‣ Literacy in individualized and small-group settings.

At Ivybrook, enrichment is the standard for how young children naturally learn, grow, and experience the world.

Preschool readiness is not just about your child. It is about you, too.Most parents underestimate the emotional shift of...
07/20/2026

Preschool readiness is not just about your child. It is about you, too.

Most parents underestimate the emotional shift of this milestone. Sending a child to school for the first time is a major transition for the entire family.

Signs you are ready:

‣ You have processed that the first few drop-offs may be hard but your child will find their new routine
‣ You trust your child to have experiences you won't witness
‣ You are clear about what you want them to gain (not just supervised)
‣ You are excited to see your child at pickup, bubbling with excitement about their own day

Touring a preschool is one of the best ways to know if you're ready. You learn as much about yourself as you do about the school.

What does a blended Montessori and Reggio Emilia curriculum actually look like?Montessori builds independence. Children ...
07/13/2026

What does a blended Montessori and Reggio Emilia curriculum actually look like?

Montessori builds independence. Children choose their own work from carefully prepared materials. They develop focus, fine motor skills, and self-direction at their own pace.

Reggio Emilia builds collaboration. Children investigate ideas together through long-term projects, creative expression, and an environment designed to inspire curiosity.

At Ivybrook Academy, we blend both, along with Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, to create an individualized curriculum that meets each child where they are.

The result is a child who can work independently and collaboratively, think creatively and critically, and approach kindergarten with confidence.

Address

480 Winter Place Way
Midlothian, VA
23113

Telephone

+18043363989

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