Feedback on Jewish Full Day Preschools

[Anonymous]

I understand that there will be a new addition to the choices of Jewish Full-day preschools. Temple Emanuel in Kensington will be opening a brand new Reggio-bast year-round program in September 08.

[Anonymous]

Just found out there will be an Open House there this Sunday at noon. Info on the new director Madeline Lowitz-Gold here:http://www.templeemanuelmd.org/TENS.shtml
Wondering if anyone has had any experience with her at her previous positions in the area or knows more about this school?

[Anonymous]

I had a few interactions with her when we were applying to the DCJCC (did not go in the end), and my impression was that she was nice but a trifle disorganized--not the greatest feature in a preschool director. But then again, perhaps she didn't have adequate support from the school.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know where Shaare Tefilah's Nursery School will be going in 2008? Currently, they are using space in Temple Emanuel.

[Anonymous]

May be too late (I just discovered this board), but my family is very happy with Ohr Kodesh's full-day program. The director is warm, involved, responsive, and on top of things, while the teachers are loving and approachable. My three-year-old regularly comes home telling me about conversations she's had during the day with one or another of the teachers. She's very happy, and she's also proud to be able to do things like write her name now.

The only drawback (which might not be a problem for the OP, since you specified Jewish schools) is the frequency of early closures for Shabbat and Jewish holidays. It's rough on Jewish and non-Jewish families alike!

[Anonymous]

I am not impressed by Ohr Kodesh full day (and one of the teachers used to be at my DC's school and was not nice to the kids- always barking at them).

We are happy with the new Temple Emanuel Preschool (I posted elsewhere about our experience). It's only a couple of months in but I've been very impressed so far.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:?

[Anonymous]

We have a child at Ohr Kodesh full day. We love it, think the teachers and the program are great.

[Anonymous]

We left Ohr Kodesh after two years. The 2-year-old room was very good; the 3-4 was a mess. Some teachers were good; one had a nasty temper and appeared to dislike children. When the music teacher took medical leave and the movement teacher had a baby, they did not replace them-- instead had te Hebrew teacher come in three times as often and attempt to provide all of the enrichment programming---which she wasn't qualified to do. My child and a couple of her friends left because they were so bored with the programming. Next to no intellectual stimulation.

And while it's nice to have Jewish perspective, OK teaches them next to nothing other than Jewish tradition and Hebrew.

And next year they're consolidating the preschool with the part-day programs-- apparently they don't think that the place is quite disorganized or chaotic enough yet.

We went to the DC JCC and love it. I understand that it's too far outside of your area, but maybe Rockville JCC. There is also another full-day Jewish preschool a couple of blocks from Ohr Kodesh on East-West.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We left Ohr Kodesh after two years. The 2-year-old room was very good; the 3-4 was a mess. Some teachers were good; one had a nasty temper and appeared to dislike children. When the music teacher took medical leave and the movement teacher had a baby, they did not replace them-- instead had te Hebrew teacher come in three times as often and attempt to provide all of the enrichment programming---which she wasn't qualified to do. My child and a couple of her friends left because they were so bored with the programming. Next to no intellectual stimulation.

And while it's nice to have Jewish perspective, OK teaches them next to nothing other than Jewish tradition and Hebrew.

And next year they're consolidating the preschool with the part-day programs-- apparently they don't think that the place is quite disorganized or chaotic enough yet.

We went to the DC JCC and love it. I understand that it's too far outside of your area, but maybe Rockville JCC. There is also another full-day Jewish preschool a couple of blocks from Ohr Kodesh on East-West.

Does anybody know what that school might be? I don't know if there were problems last year since we are new to OK this year. I can tell you though that I think there is plenty of intellectual stimulation and they have movement, music and Hebrew every week. I don't know of any teachers with nasty tempers! Their facility is great-big outdoor playground and social hall for running around on rainy days. My child is three so I'm not sure how rigorous it's really supposed to be. Mostly I want my 3 yo to learn how to play well with other people.

[Anonymous]

Add CLC to your list for Rockville all day preschool.
They have flexible times--offer before and after care.
It is in an old Mont Co elementary, so the classrooms are nice can big, they have a library, a multipurpose room, lots outside playground space, etc.
Teachers are very caring, and they take children with special needs as well. Low student teacher ratio.
It was recommended to me by a friend, and I have been really happy I chose CLC.

[Anonymous]

Temple Emanuel is good and less expensive than Ohr Kodesh (or so I've heard).

[Anonymous]

This, too, might be a late response. But one school not mentioned here that is fabulous is Silver Spring Learning Center. It's in Kemp Mill (don't know if that's too far for you). Like the other Jewish preschools, you will need to deal with all the Jewish holiday closings and early Friday closings in the winter. It has full-day options. I can't say enough good things about it. This is my second Jewish preschool (was at Shaare Tefila at it's Lockwood location). SSLC is far superior, with a terrific, organized director and great teachers.

[Anonymous]

Temple Emmanuel in Kensington is excellent. It has full and part time options, professional teachers and a safe, warm and loving atmosphere. We are beyond pleased. My son is in his second year and has benefitted tremendously from being in this program. We love it!!!