The truth is, it's never too soon to start thinking about preschool. Some of the schools below have January application deadlines; choosing a preschool is a difficult and important decision, so parents of toddlers in the DC area should start doing their research now.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a preschool. Do you want a play-based or a nature-based school? A full-day or a half-day program? Do you have your heart set on a language immersion program or a Montessori school? Be sure to schedule tours or attend Open Houses of any preschools you are interested in to get a feel for them and see if they're a good fit. And keep in mind that popular and highly rated preschools can fill up quickly. 

With so many great preschools in the DC area, it can be hard to narrow down your search. To help you get started, here we've rounded up 15 popular preschools in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. 

If you're pining for the ocean and don't want to travel too far, consider taking a family vacation to the Delaware beaches—Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Fenwick Island, Lewes, and Dewey Beach—all of which made our list of great family-friendly beaches near DC. These beach towns are gorgeous, packed with family-friendly activities, and close to Ocean City, Maryland. The best part is, they're only about 2.5 hours from the DC area (depending on traffic)! 

For three summers now, my family has stayed at Sea Colony—a Bethany Beach tennis resort full of fun activities for kids—and we highly recommend it. But there are also plenty of other great options for where to stay at the Delaware beaches, from seaside hotels to vacation rental homes.