Am I looking for a unicorn?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
NOVA - Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria
Am I delusional to think I can find a quality preschool for my two kids (2 and 4), full-time 5days/wk (at least 7:30am-5:30pm) for $3200/month or less? I am currently paying this at their daycare but had a very upsetting incident occur and want to find another preschool ASAP. It seems the place my kids are at now is the cheapest in the area, but at the top of my budget. I also want to obviously find a school that is of great quality. Feel free to drop your recs! On a side note, has anyone ever made it off the PK4 list with ACPS? Currently waitlisted for Arlington Montessori and Alice Fleet but I fear there is no movement on either of those. TYIA |
Anonymous
| I do think this is going to difficult. Can you qualify for subsidy? This would open up a number of additional centers for you. |
Anonymous
Agreed. Both the Commonwealth of VA and Fairfax Co. (which governs City of Falls Church too) offer subsidies and the income threshold has been raised to cover more families. Check it out because you may qualify with two children. |
Anonymous
| OP here - unfortunately do not qualify for subsidies. Thank you for the feedback though 🩷 |
Anonymous
| Per kid or total? |
Anonymous
As we all know, you get what you pay for. That is a very cheap cost for daycare. |
Anonymous
|
Op look at James Lee. It doesn't have a regular website I don't think, but I have a very good friend whose child goes there and she is very happy, others from the same home daycare my son went to go there and also expressed they are happy. It is VERY affordable, like $1200 a month or something? I was shocked, but she really does like it. I've heard no concerns from her.
https://www.care.com/b/l/james-lee-day-carepreschool/falls-church-va |
Anonymous
Oh wait darn I think James Lee starts at 3. You could do a home daycare for two year old plus James Lee and be in your price range. Lots of home daycares have openings right now and there are some great ones that are very nurturing. |
Anonymous
| Even if you get into pk you will likely need aftercare. In my experience expensive does not always translate to quality. High staff turnover is the biggest red flag. Look for an in home care. |
Anonymous
|
Once both children are 3-5 Columbia baptist comes CLOSE to what you're looking for and is very well regarded. And they usually have spots because they are large, but I know multiple people who go there and love it. They don't have quite the hours you're hoping but it is worth a look. For 3 - 5 year olds it would be $3490 for two kids from 8 - 5.
https://www.columbiabaptist.org/enrollment#FullTuition |
Anonymous
| James lee for older, plus home daycare at $350-400/week would really get you what you want with hours and price. The two drops off really wasn't as bad for us as we thought. |
Anonymous
|
I'm not sure what the pricing is here, but I remember it being very reasonable when we were looking a few years ago:
https://www.thefairfaxacademy.com/ Starts at age 2, hours are 6:30am-6pm. Others to look at: Funshine Preschool C Care Tierra Encantada (Spanish Immersion) |
Anonymous
|
One more - not as close to Arlington but friend is happy here, sends her 3 year old. Tuition is $225/week which is pretty unheard of. Takes 2 year olds. This might be your winner.
https://www.friendshipchurchnova.org/programs/childcare |
Anonymous
| Preschool is 3, not 2 years old |
Anonymous
|
Pre-K is best at 4 years old. It's not a requirement for kindergarten
Many kids have a nanny until 4 or 5. Many family daycares have teachers and teaches the same thing as a busy center |