Georgetown Pre-schools

[Anonymous]

Hi - trying to find a preschool in Georgetown for my first born. I’ve heard tons of mixed opinions and am having a hard time sorting out the options. Any recent opinions on: Georgetown Montessori, CHOW, St John’s, Communikids or Little Folks. Know there are older opinions on these places but also have heard that COVID really shifted things at these schools (enrollment, staff turnover, etc).

Note that we are agnostic towards pedagogy - our son is pretty well adjusted, does well with other kids (lots of cousins) and we are looking at half days. We care about solid teachers above everything else. Any info is much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Communikids is the outlier in this grouping. Also, pedagogy is pretty much the point for SJP and GMS. Both great schools but what your child will learn is quite different. Little Folks and CHOW have more general approaches.

[Anonymous]

We’ve had great experience with Children’s House of Washington (CHOW) for all 3 of our children. The group tends to be smaller than public school options so there is much more attention per student. Plus everyone there is very caring and really knows each child and their needs. For each of my kids I was pleasantly surprised at the level of reading that was accomplished by age 4, how much more verbal they became once they started at CHOW, the amazing art projects that came home, plus the tight parent community. I also liked that there is an affiliated summer camp for your kids during the summer at CHOW that is run by a few of the teachers. It really helped get all my kids acclimate to “school drop off” plus they met many school mates early.

Highly recommend Children’s house of Washington if you are looking for a caring community for your preschooler!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Communikids is the outlier in this grouping. Also, pedagogy is pretty much the point for SJP and GMS. Both great schools but what your child will learn is quite different. Little Folks and CHOW have more general approaches.

Thanks - really appreciate the response. Are you able to elaborate more on your point about why what the children will learn will be quite different? My assumption is that they will learn more or less the same thing - but just a different approach to getting at that same outcome (ie Montessori approach versus Reggio). Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Montessori schools explicitly teach letters and reading, and use manipulatives to teach math—all paced to the individual child.

Reggio follows the children’s collective interests, empowering their curiosity and collaboration. Your child will most likely learn to read in K if you don’t teach them.

Montessori art will likely be prescriptive and use typical kid supplies. In Reggio children work with heavy clay and beautiful natural materials.

GMS has rolling admissions and few large events. It’s a less intense parent community and you will rarely be part of your child’s school day. St. John’s can be quite competitive and feel snootier—and you will be welcomed into the school in more ways (but much less than pre-Covid).

GMS teachers focus on different age groups and the school takes 18 month olds. St. John’s teachers loop with the kids and children must be 2.5.

Both wonderful places. I personally do not think highly of Little Folks but many parents are happy—especially those gunning for BVR.

[Anonymous]

We were on the fence about some preschools but absolutely love Little Folks. The Head of School is warm, kind, engaging with all. It's a wonderful place.