HHS/ED Children's Center

[snoreen]

Hello,

Does anyone know anything about HHS/ED Children's Center? Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

My husband and I visited it a couple of weeks ago. I had heard nothing about it and am and ED employee, so I didn't have high hopes. However, we thought it was pretty good. We decided not to get on the wait list though, for a couple reasons. I didn't love the infant space because it didn't have natural light. It felt very clinical with the fluorescent lights on and I didn't like that. The other thing that wasn't great was the playground. It's located a couple blocks away under the Humphrey building overhang so it's always shaded and sort of felt like it was located right next to the road. We definitely thought that if push came to shove our kid would be safe and okay there. It wasn't our first or second choice.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

My 15-m.o. attends this daycare, and we couldn't be happier. The teachers are warm and loving, the director is wonderful, and when I pick up my boy, he is very happy every day. They have fun activities every week - e.g., last week they had a visit from reptile experts with live frogs, lizards, etc. Parents are welcome to drop by any time. As for the playground - they usually take the children to the National Mall or the Capitol anyway.

[Anonymous]

I know this is an old post, but any other thoughts on this place? We may send out 16 mo old there for preschool in the fall.

[Anonymous]

I have an infant there, and we couldn't be more pleased with the caring staff. They have an open-door policy and I stop by often and I always find happy kids and happy staff members. Really like the Director too.

[Anonymous]

I am pregnant due in October 2011. I am an HHS employee. What is the staff background? Education, training, etc.? What is the staff to infant ration? Also, this might sound weird, but we are planning on using cloth diapers for environmental and health reasons. Do you know if they allow cloth diapers? A lot of the child care centers we have looked into do not allow them. Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am pregnant due in October 2011. I am an HHS employee. What is the staff background? Education, training, etc.? What is the staff to infant ration? Also, this might sound weird, but we are planning on using cloth diapers for environmental and health reasons. Do you know if they allow cloth diapers? A lot of the child care centers we have looked into do not allow them. Thanks in advance!

When I was pregnant and looking at various day care, i also was concerned about the staff background, education, training, etc.. However, now that I have two children in day care, the most important part for me is a safe environment and caring/loving providers. I think training and education is important at the preschool level but for infants and toddlers, they need to be nutured, given lots of attention, etc.. Staff turnover is high in most day cares and that's a huge stressor for a new parents and the children. My advice would be focus on the staff turnover vs. training/education.

Regarding cloth diapers, you can always use disposal diapers for day care and cloth diapers at home. That would be the easiest.

To answer OP question, I toured that HHS/ED children's center and really liked the director and staff. The child seemed happy. The director was caring and very involved. I did not put my children on the waiting list because I ended up working in a different HHS building in Montgomery County. My primary concern with the place is taking the kids off site-my toddler is very active so i'm always afraid she gets lost.