Goddard/Georgetown Hill/Montessori Preschools - Rockville

[Anonymous]

Looking for a preschool for my 2 year old in the area where, even though it might be play-based, children at 4 years old still have some academic experience - how to hold a pencil, phonics, basic math concepts etc before pre-K (I mention Montessori as that's the only experience I've had myself growing up). Would love to hear about your experiences, and why you'd recommend your particular preschool. My child would be going 5 days a week 830-4 at least.

For background, my older child is at a small, costly, private preschool, but we have limited feedback on what goes on in class. They have art and music, but other then a letter of the week, there has been no other academic experience (intro to math/phonics/science etc) in this 3/4 year old class throughout the entire year. The art/music is also very basic - what I could afford to do at home when I was a stay-at-home mom. She is happy, its a cozy small environment, but I feel like what she's learnt (academically) has actually taken a dive since I stopped staying home and they started going to this school over the year (her writing is worse!). The social emotional skills and experience of being in school is priceless, and is the priority at this age for me, but I've just been surprised at the complete lack of anything academic (or anything beyond what I'd do at home).

I understand people have reservations about the franchises, but do wonder whether the more structure they provide (compared to the smaller, private preschools) provides more opportunity for learning/fun as well. However, I also wonder about teacher turnover and whether they can create the warm, cozy environment of a smaller pre-school. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

We have friends who were happy at Goddard.

We are at Kidsco Jr in Rockville and they have an app where they give a daily report on what they did. Not sure about phonics or math but they definitely work in pencil grip, counting and letter recognition. Very low turnover. Music and art are pretty basic.

A friend has her kid at Rock Spring Children's Center and I think she mentioned they do have a special music teacher and maybe have other specials as well. Very well regarded center.

[Anonymous]

In the 2s at Georgetown Hill this past school year (not a Rockville location), my son learned most of the letters and letter sounds, just through talking about the names of the kids in the class. He also learned 1-10, shapes, colors. (Most of the latter he already knew but I know they covered it in the class.) So I would imagine the 3s and 4s do even more academic materials. It's very much a play-based, fun school but they also cover the basics that you seem to be looking for.

[Anonymous]

Look at St James' Children's School on Seven Locks. My kids were extremely well prepared for K after leaving SJCS. It is affiliated with a church but not very religious. Grace at lunch time, and chapel time with Bible stories once a week for older kids. Great teachers who are caring and loving but also strong managers of their classrooms.