I'm starting to look into daycare centers for an infant near Rockville MD, ideally west of or close to 270. Does anyone have any recommendations?
If anyone has toured any of the following centers, what did you like/dislike about them? Children in the Shoe Rockville Goddard Rockville Kidsco Jr Fallsmead Academy Child Development Center Coldspring Celebree of North Potomac Nanda Leaning (several locations in Rockville) St James Children's School Little acorns Potomac STEM Preschool Potomac |
We have friends that used Goddard Rockville several years ago and they loved it. It wasn't convenient for us and the cost was on the higher end.
We used Kidsco Jr Fallsmead and had a great experience. It's a small center with only 2 classrooms within a public school building. They do use the school gym sometimes and have a nice outdoor area right outside the classrooms. The director is amazing and the teachers are all so sweet. Very low turnover even among assistant teachers. They keep very good ratios as well. The main downside is that each room combines two groups. The infant "room" shares a space with the 2s. The older room combines 3s and 4s. We didn't have any issues with regards to that - our child was a terrible napper even before they started there. And it does mean fewer transitions as your child ages out from one group to another. The other downsides are they don't provide lunch and they follow public school offices for weather (and pandemic) closures. Most of the families live in the immediate neighborhood, but some don't and everyone is welcoming. We also toured Children in the Shoe which also seemed great. Like Goddard the location wasn't convenient for us, and it is pretty pricey. |
My toddler has been going to Children in the Shoe Rockville for 2 years and it’s truly wonderful. The staff are very caring and there is little turn over. The teachers have to plan a curriculum so they are very invested in the kids learning letters and numbers, etc. They are focused on social emotional learning which is super important for a toddler. The price is steep but it is 100% worth it. We had a 7 month wait to get in and I couldn’t be happier. It’s such a lovely community. |
We also love the Shoe Rockville. Been there for 3 years. Moved from Goddard Rockville after a bad experience. |
Is,Goddard Rockville the other one in King Farm? |
Yes, Goddard Rockville and Children in the Shoe are both in King Farm. |
What about Geneva Day School? |
Geneva Day School doesn't have an infant program. |
Have you checked out Kiddie Academy of Gaithersburg? They are outside of Kings Farm but still off of shady grove rd. |
I hadn't seen Kiddie Academy, would you recommend it? |
Our family loves it! We toured and enrolled right after. It was nice to see teachers who had been there a long time, and our child loves their meals every day. It's things we never make at home, but he's obsessed with them. Up to you, but if you have time, schedule a tour. I wonder why it didn't show up in your list... |