Help!! Just moved to DC (Dupont area) and need preschool/daycare for my 2 year old

[Anonymous]

Hi-- I just moved to DC (Dupont area) and am looking for preschool or daycare for my 2 year old son. The few places I've called are all totally booked. Any ideas other than a nanny?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

There is a preschool fair tomorrow night at St. Patrick's.

[Anonymous]

First Baptist Child Development Center on 16th Street may have spaces available for 2 year olds. It's right in Dupont.

[Anonymous]

If he's 2 1/2, CommuniKids Preschool in Tenley has space. Full-day with aftercare until 6:00.

[Anonymous]

Hi-- He's only 2, so the Tenley option won't work. Also, I am looking for a secular school, so any other ideas would be much appreciated!!

THANKS!!

[Anonymous]

you may be stuck with a nanny or nanny share - the day cares and preschools fill up pretty fast.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you look at some home daycares in your area? I know Maryland has a listing of those licensed by the state and you can search by zipcode. Perhaps DC does too?

[Anonymous]

You can find a list of DC childcare providers at http://dc.totkare.com , hop this helps

[Anonymous]

Welcome to DC - and the struggle that many of us face.

Re: in home daycares, there are very few licensed providers in the area where you live.

Daycare spots are very difficult to get - with wait lists for 2 YOs that are normally 6+ months. Do you have the option of exploring locations near where you or your partner work?

Full day 2 YO programs near Dupont are:
First Baptist Child Development Center
the DC JCC
School for Friends

If you have issue with religious based care, you need to go to Bright Horizions or Huckleberry Cheesecake (More Foggy Bottom/Faraguet. There are also a few options up in the Columbia Heights area.

Many people do a nanny b/c there are so few childcare spots. There # of spots opens up at age 2 as ratios change - but most of the expansion happens over the summer as children transition to school and there is a major shift. You might get lucky with a family moving mid-year but this is not common.

[Anonymous]

Also check with Kids Corner on California Street.
FBC CDC is not to churchy. They have one week each summer where they learn all about one Bible story (Noah, Joseph) for part of a day for 5 days. And an adorable Christmas pageant featuring popular Christmas songs. That's about it as far as secularness. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Anonymous]

There is a home daycare opening on North Capitol St and Michigan. No waiting list. Lots of experience. contact them at [e-mail] or 202 506 5900.

[Anonymous]

Consider FBC CDC. It is not a chain and has a very nice community of parents. The parking lot, indoor gym and outdoor playground are things that not too many other places (if any) in the city can offer.