For any parents in the Old Town area, there's a new day care that is opening and they have space available in their infant room. Great Beginnings on 618 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA. Phone 703-224-2599. Open House from 10:00 - 4:00 on Saturday, May 30th or call to schedule a private tour. I can't attest to quality of care since they are a new facility, but as a new parent in the area, I was just relieved to hear that there was another option as the pickings in OT are so slim. |
We live in Del Ray - and I have scheduled a tour. But what is the area like? My hubby says it isn't the best neighborhood. |
We checked the daycare out. It looks like its in a really nice area. The owner is also the director. She does not have expierence running a daycare, so I am a little concerend about that. But I am thinking about sending my daughter there. anyone else looked at this center? What are your thoughts? |
How old is your daughter? |
She's 14 months. Are you familiar with the facility? |
I haven't yet looked at it, but did see the website. I believe they take in babies at 6 weeks. That seems so very little. |
I visited and put a deposit down. Its the happiest looking facility I've seen - new, clean, bright, cheery. The director seems genuine in her interest to provide reasonable and quality care and the children looked very happy there. The infant room only had 3 babies there when I visited and I think they'll have close to 20 when they are 'full' (they are licensed for more but I think she said they'll cap around 25?) so I'm guessing things will get a bit more hectic when that happens but the facility is awesome and the teachers I met were great.
I'm praying I get a spot there when I need it. Unlike the other facilities I visited, this one moves kids out of the infant room when they are walking (they go to a waddler room I think until they are 2) so its a bit harder to tell when they'll have a spot available b/c some kids walk as early as 9 months and some not until they're over a year. Its not a hard and fast move based on age. |
bumping this up - curious if anyone has thier kids enrolled |
My 5-month old son has been there for two weeks and we have been really pleased with the care. The staff is very responsive and since it's new the facilities are really nice. |
I liked what I saw and heard from Rebecca. Our concern was that the playground was covered in astro turf and my child loves real grass, sandboxes, etc.
The day care is in the heart of Old Town, so I understand that they don't have lots of grassy areas for kids to play at the actual site. Real estate is expensive. That said, the children won't experience a real playground, and that is a problem for us. But it seemed like a happy, clean place. We were there during a surprise "fire drill" (the staff had no idea why the alarms went off), and I liked how things were handled. I did have to carry a small child out, but only because she was super cute and the alarm scared her. And to the poster who said it wasn't in a good neighborhood. ? Yes, there is government housing a couple of blocks away, but that would not be a deal breaker for us. |
My ten month old son is enrolled there. He loves it! The caregivers seem to genuinely like and care for him. He has picked up some new developmental skills since his enrollment which I believe they helped develop. They provide a great deal of information in their daily care sheet that helps me to see what he does all day.
My husband and I are overall very pleased. If you have any specific questions, please post them, I am happy to let you know my thoughts. |
Rebecca is no long running the daycare. I understand she was let go of last week. Lots of changes right off the bat... |
Does anyone know why Rebecca was let go? |
BUMP |
I'm interested in knowing more myself. I saw they are hiring and am debating on sending my resume |