Old Town Alexandria Area Day Care

[Anonymous]

I would have to mirror everyone's comments on American Day School. They're a brand new shool, and although they've been open for some time now (at least Oct. - I think - of '07) they're still posting openings for their older classes. When I took my daughter there for a visit, I liked that everything was new, but it was very hard to understand the teachers. DH & I arrived right at 7, and they didn't open doors until 715. Another parent was waiting for 15 min's as well. He said they thought the school was ok, but he couldn't really comment b/c his DD was only there for about a week. He dropped child off, and she was in same class as my DD would have been in. The child was very taken back and did not want to participate with the teacher. As soon as the parent left the room the director was showing DH & I around and when she asked the teacher a question, she spoke to her in their native language. Don't get me wrong - I as well am not knocking foreign languages, and I think its wonderful that the children are learning so much. However, I wondered if that happened more often than not when parents were not present. We decided not to enroll her and went with CCCC.

[Anonymous]

I plan to visit American Day School at some point, if I can get around to scheduling it. If I do, I'll be sure to post my thoughts. Thanks for yours.

[Anonymous]

Bright Horizons opened a new center in Crystal City (Arlington, just over the border from Alexandria) I think in September. I don't know if they have any spots available.

[Anonymous]

On the Crystal City Bright Horizons - it is new, our child is enrolled there - we were lucky and got on wait list before they opened. -- Don't be discouraged if there is a wait list - they are hiring more teachers weekly and not at capacity enrollment yet, and not everyone who gets in ends up accepting because it is not inexpensive.

We LOVE this center, if you have to wait to get it, it is worth the wait. We have been in other area daycares and found them all to be sub-par. BH Crystal City is ABOVE par, it is pricier but I can tell you this, BUT, my 18 month old has not been sick ONCE since she started in September. It is a very very clean facility, parents and children must wash hands upon entering and exiting - seriously have not had to take a sick day to stay home with child. (last daycare, my husband or I were out once a week b/c we were sick or baby was sick).

Plus, our child LOVES it here, she claps when we pull up -- my husband and I have peace of mind, the Director or Asst. Director are always on site and do an excellent job of communicating with the parents and the staff is treated well. We frequently receive digital pictures of the daily activities, and the staff really seems to love the children, they are clearly selective on quality teachers -- It all shows. GET ON THE LIST, it is worth it Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I'm considering some of the places mentioned in this thread (for an infant this fall), and my husband and I just visited American Day School. We liked what we saw, and the administrator and lead infant teacher were both nice and courteous. They both had accents, but we certainly didn't have any trouble understanding them. (And I asked lots of questions.) If the teachers and assistants do speak to each other in Spanish in front of the babies/kids, that doesn't bother me a bit--in fact, I was glad to hear they have Spanish programs for the older kids. This will be my first child, and this was my first visit to a facility, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I wanted to let you know that we both left with a good feeling, not a bad one.

[Anonymous]

American Day School in particular for Old Town, does anyone have experiences there with an older child, i.e., preschool age?