Riverside High School Early Childhood Education

Lil’ Rams Early Learning Center

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Welcome, or welcome back, to Lil’ Rams at Riverside High School! I am so happy that you are interested in our program.

General Information

  • This class for high school students is called Early Childhood Education. Each high school student is paired with a preschool student (or two). The high school students run the early learning center under the supervision of their teacher.

  • This is a learning experience for our high school students. The school is their "learning lab." We aim for a mutually beneficial relationship - the high school students are learning to care for and teach children while building relationships, and the preschool students are gaining age and developmentally appropriate instruction. The high school students are "in training." They are not trained professionals.

  • We follow a theme-based curriculum. The high school students plan the lessons and activities. Each lesson/activity stresses at least one of the Kindergarten Readiness Skills.

  • Preschoolers must be bathroom independent and three (3) years of age by October 1st the year they enter preschool, and may not turn six (6) before June 1st their last year in preschool.

  • The school follows the LCPS calendar but starts in mid-October and ends in May. We are closed for snow days, student holidays, teacher workdays, and other special closings.

  • The LCPS Early Childhood Education Learning Labs are hands-on learning experiences designed for children ages 3 to 4 and staffed by dedicated LCPS employees and early childhood education students. Learning Labs offer children a nurturing environment and unique school experience for each and every child's development.

For detailed information about the ECE courses, as well as other available courses, please refer to the LCPS Program of Studies

Age Group:  The 2025-2026 SY Early Childhood Education Learning Lab program serves students from ages 3 to 4 (born between Oct 1, 2020, to Sept 30, 2022). All learning lab children must be potty-trained and independently capable of using the restroom on their own.

Teacher Name: Melinda Castillo

Days and Times: TBD

(ECE programs shall operate from October 15, 2025 to May 15, 2026)

Fees: TBD

Contact Information

703-554-8900

Melinda.Castillo@lcps.org

19019 Upper Belmont Place,
Leesburg, VA 20176

Curriculum

Schools will use the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence as the prescribed curriculum for the learning lab. This curriculum will be used to support Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS). Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS). Birth-Five Learning Guidelines articulate the skills and knowledge young children need to demonstrate by the end of preschool to succeed in kindergarten. 

More Information

  • The Early Childhood Education Learning Lab is open to families residing in Loudoun County. 

  • The enrollment process is through a centralized lottery system.

Note:  This child day program is NOT a state-licensed child-care facility (nor is it a preschool). This is NOT an accredited preschool program. This child day program is operating as a program exempt from licensure with basic health and safety requirements but has no direct oversight by the Department.