Feedback on Ballston Children's Center and Rosslyn Children's Center

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Does anyone have some feedback on the Ballston Children's Center or Rosslyn Children Center? We are looking at both day care options for our daughter. Good and bad feedback is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Both my kids have gone/are going to RCC and we love it. We started in Infant A and my oldest went through the Kindergarten program, so we've seen all of the classes. I could go on and on--is there anything specific you want to know about? All I can say is that my kids go skipping in there every morning, are slow to leave in the evening, and are fully enjoying its vibrant, loving culture.

[Anonymous]

Ditto - my first child was there 18 months - 5 years old. 2nd from 3 months through Kindergarten - wonderful program with fantastic staff!

[Anonymous]

We have been at Rosslyn Children's Center for a little over a year, and have been very happy with it. My son started at about 3 months old. The teachers and staff are very caring. My son lights up every morning when we walk through the door. We get a weekly lesson plan so we know what "theme" his little toddler class is working on, as well as detailed feedback from his teachers on how his day was. We've been really pleased with the care our son has been receiving.

[Anonymous]

I want to bump this thread up to see if anyone else has anything to add. Our son is registered at BCC next year when he'll be 2 1/2. Others from our daycare have gone on to BCC and they seem to like it but I would love to hear what other DCUM users have to say.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We just got into RCC and I'd be interested in learning more about he Infant-A room if anyone has feedback. It looks great, but I wonder if there might be any negative feedback. Or, is there anything that they are particularly good at?

[Anonymous]

PP, I am not at RCC, but it was my first choice - I fell in love with the center when I went to visit while pregnant. When we found out we got into Infant A and took another tour, I wasn't really impressed. I didn't get any warmth from any off the teachers (we saw them feeding the kids and outside with them), and I was suprised that I didn't see much verbal interaction, smiling, etc. One teacher came in while we were on our tour (don't remember which) and the director said "This is Mr and Mrs Smith, they are considering this room" and she barely looked at us and was like "oh, hi." Again, it was just suprising, because I think that the facilities seem so great, and my experience in seeing teachers with small children like this was that the teachers are usually so much more interactive and warm. I know we talk nonstop to DC and interact and smile and whatnot and I didn't see any of that, which struck me as odd. Just my two cents.

That being said, I'd love to hear from people who actually have their kids there - my impression is admittedly not based on much!

[Anonymous]

Someone posted here that they had a less-than-stellar experience with Ballston Children's Center but didn't explain what happened. Perhaps they're still here and can provide some more information.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/16529.page#97576

[Anonymous]

I am the person who posted about a not great experience with BCC and of course will share. There was no giant red flag which made this a bad place, it was just never a fit for us. This is not to say that it would not be a good fit for another child. I can only tell you what my experience was. My son was just 2.5 when he started.

I did not like how many children were in his class and that it seemed to fluctuate greatly throughout the day and week.

The classroom itself was rather small, as was the area where the children play in the morning and have special classes like ballet.

I was not thrilled with the rate of caretaker turnover. (I know this is common, but the teachers in the place we are now have been there 12, 16 and 18 years respectivley).

I did not like the fact that all of the children in the whole place used the same playground at the same time.

I am sure that I could have overlooked all of these things in a place that I really felt was right, but I just had this gut feeling that BCC was a business and that the kids were just commodities. I had the gut reaction that it was not a loving place.

Through a lead of a DCUM posting I ended up putting my son in the Seven Corners Children's Center. This is a very different kind of center, catering largely to lower income families in Fairfax, but it has been great for us.

[Anonymous]

I have had two kids in RCC (just one now) and recommend it highly. Some of what the previous poster said is just plain wrong. The children are never all on the playground at the same time. The class sizes fluctuate throughout the day because parents have different schedules--some drop off and pick up early and the others vice versa. Also, they offer classes like Power Tots that are optional, so some kids go to those during the day. Finally, since I've been there, the class sizes are usually under what they are licensed to have because they want to make sure the kids have enough space.

My kids have been so incredibly happy there, that is all I can say. Now that my older one is in the Arlington Public schools, it is also clear how well prepared he has been both academically and socially.

The teachers in Infant A are wonderful. Some of them are kind of shy but they are all lovely with the kids.

Having said that, if it doesn't feel right to you, move on because there are plenty of other families who would love to have the slot, and you should be comfortable with where you are sending your kids.

[Anonymous]

PP here, ack, after I hit submit I realized that the person ahead of me was referring to BCC, not RCC. Mea culpa, and sorry. RCC (Rossyln) is great and it is a not-for-profit by the way.

[Anonymous]

14:22 did you keep your kids there until public school? We were offered an infant space, but due to life circumstances cant afford the switch now, but have asked to stay on the wait list for an opening in the older classrooms to hopefully move our daugher later. Having only really toured the baby rooms, I don't have a sense of the older ones (though I like the place generally!)

[Anonymous]

Yes, my oldest went all the way through the Kindergarten program, which was fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Bump - we are considering RCC for our 2 yo DS and a 4-5 month old baby next fall, so wanted to see if there is any updated feedback. TIA!

[Anonymous]

Would also be curious of new/updated thoughts on BCC.. considering this center for my 2 year old daughter.. thx! Only major concern was that the entire school is on the playground (which is across the street) at the same time.. just seems somewhat unsafe to have all of them at the same time on the playground..