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Preschool and Daycare Discussion
Little Folks top 10 preschool....seriously?
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Anonymous
| Are people serious when they include Little Folks in the list of top 10 preschools? By most accounts, including personal experience, LFS is nothing but glorified day care and an extension of the Georgetown play groups. |
Anonymous
| Well, is "Top 10" really that high of a bar? I think I'd struggle to name 10 preschools in this area if I were put on the spot. It appears that the only two preschools everyone on this board and on the Private/Independent board agrees on is St. John's and NCRC (although it is unclear what sets those schools head and shoulders above the rest). |
Anonymous
| I have always thought of Little Folks as a top 10. Their exmissions is impressive. |
Anonymous
| I have only heard good things about it and I know a couple of kids who have attended Little Folks. These kids are very bright and I always feel my son is a little behind whenever we are on play dates with them. I know all kids grow and learn at different rates, but these kids seem a few steps ahead of my son. |
Anonymous
| Why does it matter to you? |
Anonymous
OP here, because I think it is misleading, particulalry to first time parents, to create an impression that LFS is anything more than it is. The teachers are not qualified and neither they, nor the director have degrees in anything relevant to early childhood education (some have no degrees at all.) The school does not follow any particular methodology and has no curriculum like most of the other schools it is often compared to. Yet, it's tuition is among the highest. Exmissions have very little to do with the quality of the school. Kids from there go on to all kinds of schools - from Beauvoir & Sidwell to Hardy and Horace Mann and that is not to make a judgement about any of these schools, but to highlight the above opinion about LFS. |
Anonymous
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My kids have attended LFS and one of the playgroups. They are significantly different. Though LFS does not follow Reggio or Montessori specifically, LFS does have a curriculum: the parent dinners are meant to introduce you to the elements of that curriculum and the reasoning behind each of the elements they have chosen to incorporate. Sometimes at the parent coffees they will do presentations and discussions of child development / education research and explain how this is relevant to what they are doing. Lastly, how can you say that 20-30 years of teaching preschool is not a qualification? It's the faculty that make the place so special.
LFS isn't perfect, but my kids learned to love school, love exploration and learning, developed strong social skills, and learned to take care of themselves, their friends, and their things. They were well prepared for elementary school. |
Anonymous
| OP- What is your experience with Little Folks? |
Anonymous
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I wouldn't put too much stake in a degree in early childhood education. Or frankly, any degrees in education. From my experience, the WORST teachers were ones who got their degrees in education. The best got their degrees in particular subjects, who then went on to teach.
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Anonymous
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Our DS attended Little Folks after having attended another preschool. The other school was more more explicit about its structure, both with children and parents. It was a nice foundation, and our DS made friends and learned the basics (both in terms of age-appropriate information and basic classroom skills (standing in line, sitting in a circle, taking turns, etc.)).
Our experience at Little Folks, though, has been terrific. His teachers really "get" him, and I believe he feels both known and loved. After starting Little Folks, our son really blossomed in terms of social awareness. He developed a much more nuanced social radar, and seems to have sophisticated (for a preschooler) ability to relate to others. People frequently comment on his empathy and helpfulness, with both children and adults. While much of this is likely innate to him, or based on non-school experiences, he himself often explains relatively complex interactions and relates them to something similar that happened at school. He is bright (and tests well), so that has made it easy for us to focus on and appreciate the social aspect of the school as our primary priority. When I have had questions, I have felt free to speak with the Director. She is smart, responsive, and clearly wants what is best for the kids. I have no doubt that different families may have very different views of, and experiences at, the same school. I'd be sorry if OP is a parent, though, as I wouldn't want anyone to feel so disappointed with his or her preschool choice. |
Anonymous
What are the impressive exmissions for Little Folks?
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Anonymous
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I'm a LF parent, and I'd estimate that at least two-thirds of the kids I know who applied out to private schools were admitted into their parents' top choice school. I don't know of anyone who was not accepted at a school that was one of their top few choices. That said, there may have been kids who applied out, did not get in where hoped for, and who may be staying at LF and re-applying next year.
Our child was accepted at our top choice, a "Big Three" (I know, stupid phrase) and we think it will be a good fit. I'm much more impressed with the LF's emphasis on finding a good school for your child over looking to particular "top" schools. A lot of kids, though, do go to the "Big Three." |
Anonymous
| My daughter has been at LFS for 2 years and it's been a wonderful experience. She was loved by her teachers and allowed to develop her confidence, social skills, sharing etc.... We're so sad that she'll be moving on to another school. She applied to two top schools and got into both and I truly think that LFS prepared her well for the next phase of her life. I love that the teachers are availabe and the Director is always available for advice and any kind of support. It is hard to find that at other places. I'm not particularly into the rating of schools....BIG 3, top 10 etc but what I know is that my daughter was happy at LFS and that was what mattered in the end! Kids from 2.5 till 5 just need to be loved and be in a fun environment anyway! |
Anonymous
| PP is absolutle right. |
Anonymous
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OP here, my child attended LFS for one year and thankfully, we did not need a recommendation from the director when we applied out to the school of our choice. I don't think most parents would describe the director as supportive. Many try to avoid her. The teachers, for the most part, are loving, though not necessarily qualified. No doubt most children are happy there. The point is, for that amount of money and given the (BS) parents put up with, there are much better preschool options out there. I wish someone had told me before sending my child.
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