Goddard N. Bethesda vs White Oak Winners

[Anonymous]

I don’t love our son’s current daycare in a Kensington. He is 17 months old and we are looking to switch him. Goddard N. Bethesda has a spot for him in June and it would be a $600 increase than we currently pay. We loved it when we toured it. We can absorb the extra cost especially with my husband’s recent pay increase. FDA’s daycare, White Oak Winners, where I work will have a spot for my son this summer after 2 years on the waitlist. FDA’s daycare is significantly cheaper than Goddard at $1400 per month so with that savings over time, we could apply the savings to his 529 plan. We are going to tour FDA’s daycare this week to compare. Anyone have feedback on either daycare? Is Goddard worth the price? Or should go with FDA daycare and save on cost? We don’t want to switch our son to only save on cost, we want to love the place, but saving $600 per month what we pay now is a huge savings that would benefit my son later with this college plan. But I also loved Goddard and its curriculum. It felt like a wonderful warm community. Goddard would be a closer commute, about 12 mins and FDA daycare about 15 to 25 mins depending on traffic.

[Anonymous]

All day cares are crappy around here, especially corporate ones, do not kid yourself! You cannot gain any knowledge about the center just by touring it. If you must, go for a less expensive one. They are all the same, some just glossed over and others not so much.

[Anonymous]

I work on the FDA campus and I know a lot of my coworkers are on the daycare waitlist. I think it’s cheaper because it is subsidized.

[Anonymous]

Goddard north Bethesda is wonderful and that's why it's more expensive! Your family will be happy, educated, and cared for!

[Anonymous]

Usually, the daycares in public buildings are a great deal because the space is subsidized and the provider has to be on top of things otherwise they will be kicked out. The White Oak Winners program looks like it is an Excels Level 4 which is pretty high (so it suggests it's a high quality daycare). When you tour, observe the teachers carefully, see how engaged they are with the kids. Also ask about teacher turnover. They should be able to brag about how long their teachers stay.

That being said a long commute to daycare is a killer. If you really like Goddard and it works for you financially and logistically I think that is reason enough to go for it. You are paying extra for the Goddard name and they aren't the only good daycare in town, but they are high quality.

[Anonymous]

Do they spend at least 1,5 hrs outside every day?

[Anonymous]

The daycare, center at my Job's building is horrible, everyone are in the same room and babies just sleeps for 15 min

I'm looking for a small daycare home like my neighbor

[Anonymous]

Get a daycare home from your neighborhood, sometimes they make friends forever. Then find a preschool close to 4