STEP (Starting Towards Excellence in Preschool) is a locally (LCPS) and State-funded (Virginia Preschool Initiative) program that serves 4 year old children who reside in certain geographical areas in LCPS. Students are found eligible through certain criteria.  Children must be 4 years old on or before September 30 to be eligible for STEP.

The curriculum is aligned with Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS), Birth-Five Guidelines, and focuses on early literacy and early math instruction, as well as developmentally appropriate social and behavioral expectations. The goal is to close the achievement gap that might exist between the STEP students, who may be referred to as at-risk, and enable them to perform on a level consistent with their more advantaged peers.   

Tools of the Mind Curriculum

This year, we will be following the Tools of the Mind Curriculum which is implemented in preschool classrooms in Loudoun County. Tools of the Mind is a researched-based program that incorporates developmentally appropriate practices for children to learn skills while exploring through play. The curriculum is designed to encourage cognitive, social-emotional, self-regulatory, and foundational academic skills. Because social emotional education is an integral part of a child’s development, the Second Step Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program is also used. Second Step SEL is an evidence-based curriculum that teaches foundational social skill interactions for classmates and classrooms.

Skills are taught through various individual and group activities related to unit themes. Children will work at learning centers of their choice during Center Time.  Centers provide activities and materials that children can use with increasing independence and self-direction as they explore, create, collaborate, and expand their abilities. Teacher directed activities during Large Group, Table work, and Small groups are structured and focused on direct instruction. Multiple methods of teaching are utilized, including visual, auditory, tactile, hands-on, music, and movement.  

You can learn more about Tools of the Mind here: 

What is Tools?

Tools for Parents

Head Start's office number is 571-252-2110

STEP Office number is 571-440-2583 ext  19244 (temporary)