MCCA Kensington/forest Glen

[Anonymous]

Does anyone go to this center? We are relatively new (it’s been great so far) and I am trying to unpack the email sent yesterday about the change in the master lease of the building. What does this mean in real teens? Could MCCA get kicked out by the new tenant (who is planning to open a competing daycare)? Or just make their lives difficult but having to share the outside spaces, etc. This was the first I’ve even heard about it, but again we are relatively new. Just awful short notice over what sounds like an impending decision with the county, I guess we should be calling council members, etc.?

Trying not to panic but we’ve had a rough go with childcare during the pandemic and I passed on a spot at another center to go here.

[Anonymous]

Real terms, not teens!

[Anonymous]

I don't know the specifics of this situation but I believe the County Executive (Marc Elrich) has authority over leases, so his office would probably be the first people to contact. Contacting councilmembers could help too if they lobby him, but they don't have power in this situation.

[Anonymous]

Not a current family but live in the neighborhood and there was some heated debate on the neighborhood listserv over the weekend. Someone stupidly made a comment about religion (I think it's a Jewish organization looking to take over the lease) which led to an onslaught of responses accusing everyone of being anti-semetic, non-welcoming, etc. When I don't think that's what most KFG parents are concerned about.

But yes, from the information that was posted, the decision is before the council, so I would contact Elrich and the council.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a current family but live in the neighborhood and there was some heated debate on the neighborhood listserv over the weekend. Someone stupidly made a comment about religion (I think it's a Jewish organization looking to take over the lease) which led to an onslaught of responses accusing everyone of being anti-semetic, non-welcoming, etc. When I don't think that's what most KFG parents are concerned about.

But yes, from the information that was posted, the decision is before the council, so I would contact Elrich and the council.

I’d imagine the concern about religion is in part due to the tendency for orthodox Jewish communities to have lower vaccination and masking rates, although I don’t know how much that trend holds in Montgomery county. That would definitely reason for concern sharing a building. This pandemic isn’t over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a current family but live in the neighborhood and there was some heated debate on the neighborhood listserv over the weekend. Someone stupidly made a comment about religion (I think it's a Jewish organization looking to take over the lease) which led to an onslaught of responses accusing everyone of being anti-semetic, non-welcoming, etc. When I don't think that's what most KFG parents are concerned about.

But yes, from the information that was posted, the decision is before the council, so I would contact Elrich and the council.

I’d imagine the concern about religion is in part due to the tendency for orthodox Jewish communities to have lower vaccination and masking rates, although I don’t know how much that trend holds in Montgomery county. That would definitely reason for concern sharing a building. This pandemic isn’t over.

Vaccine uptake in young children is low in all populations, and they can't mask properly.
Pro-tip: if you make this about religion, KFG will lose out. And they shouldn't. So make it clear you don't agree with statements that make this about religion, and write to everyone about this.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, provided two centers could co-exist, KFG could probably benefit from a little completion and the area would benefit from another childcare option. The KFG waitlist is very long and for all the praise I wasn’t super impressed on the tour. Yeah tuition isn’t bad for the area but you get what you pay for, classrooms could use refreshing and they don’t even provide lunch.

What happened to the Holy Cross Resource Center though? They always had all the prenatal and first aid classes there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, provided two centers could co-exist, KFG could probably benefit from a little completion and the area would benefit from another childcare option. The KFG waitlist is very long and for all the praise I wasn’t super impressed on the tour. Yeah tuition isn’t bad for the area but you get what you pay for, classrooms could use refreshing and they don’t even provide lunch.

What happened to the Holy Cross Resource Center though? They always had all the prenatal and first aid classes there.

Well as I understand it Chabad is not yet licensed, so it will be a while before they can provide "another childcare option" and it will be a Montessori school of which there are already too many in the area IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, provided two centers could co-exist, KFG could probably benefit from a little completion and the area would benefit from another childcare option. The KFG waitlist is very long and for all the praise I wasn’t super impressed on the tour. Yeah tuition isn’t bad for the area but you get what you pay for, classrooms could use refreshing and they don’t even provide lunch.

What happened to the Holy Cross Resource Center though? They always had all the prenatal and first aid classes there.

This. KFG is not really that amazing compared to other options locally but the locality and low-keyness are aspects that draw a lot of people. Plus the price is right. Anyone who wants actually quality preK goes elsewhere but for a daycare only option is a great choice. That being said, I agree that some competition will be beneficial for KFG and provide more options for the area. I just hope that they are not pushed out.

The listserv drama was just that, drama. Hard to articulate things via writing and emotions run high when such topics are discussed, plus not being face to face turns into...well DCUMs knows what I am talking about.

[Anonymous]

Bump- any updates on this? Has it been resolved? We are on the waitlist and are likely to be offered a spot this summer but the situation makes me nervous....KFG is slightly more convenient than other options we are considering, but having to do this all over again in a few months would also not be convenient!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bump- any updates on this? Has it been resolved? We are on the waitlist and are likely to be offered a spot this summer but the situation makes me nervous....KFG is slightly more convenient than other options we are considering, but having to do this all over again in a few months would also not be convenient!

Have you looked at other childcare options in the area? Woodlin CDC is also local to there and they are very good.

[Anonymous]

We are a current family and the two centers seem to be coexisting in the space without issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a current family and the two centers seem to be coexisting in the space without issue.

Another current family and I agree. It seemed to take a long time for the new center to open up but I imagine the licensing process can take a while. I haven't noticed any issues.

[Anonymous]

NP and a little off topic, but can someone disclose what the current tuition is at KFG?

[Anonymous]

They just like calling anyone antisemite if they don't go thier way. Lol