La Petite Academy

[Gibsoner]

We loved La Petite Academy on Michigan Avenue. Our daughter was enrolled there from 3months-8 months. We ended up leaving the center to a daycare closer to home. The teachers and staff are wonderful. I would highly recommend it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are far enough apart in age that I've been able to send both there because not at the same time. Expensive compared to some of the nearby alternatives but cost does include diapers and wipes, food for toddlers and up, and their hours and staff are great.

What are some of the nearby, less expensive alternatives? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

From touring it, it seems nice, but just too expensive.

[Anonymous]

My son went to LPA from 3 months-2 years. We had a very good experience--they took very good care of my son. He had some medical issues his first year, including being diagnosed with a severe food allergy. The staff were all extremely vigilant.

I don't think their preschool program is that great, though. We switched at age 2 for Scrilli School near Providence Hospital, which is A LOT cheaper (@$800/week) and better. But they don't start until 2.

I've also heard great things about St. Ann's in Hyattsville, I think it's cheaper?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son went to LPA from 3 months-2 years. We had a very good experience--they took very good care of my son. He had some medical issues his first year, including being diagnosed with a severe food allergy. The staff were all extremely vigilant.

I don't think their preschool program is that great, though. We switched at age 2 for Scrilli School near Providence Hospital, which is A LOT cheaper (@$800/week) and better. But they don't start until 2.

I've also heard great things about St. Ann's in Hyattsville, I think it's cheaper?

I've been curious about this location. From their website, it seems they close for about 5 weeks in the summer? Is that correct? I'm very interested, but I don't have alternate care available to fill in a month plus gap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son went to LPA from 3 months-2 years. We had a very good experience--they took very good care of my son. He had some medical issues his first year, including being diagnosed with a severe food allergy. The staff were all extremely vigilant.

I don't think their preschool program is that great, though. We switched at age 2 for Scrilli School near Providence Hospital, which is A LOT cheaper (@$800/week) and better. But they don't start until 2.

I've also heard great things about St. Ann's in Hyattsville, I think it's cheaper?

I've been curious about this location. From their website, it seems they close for about 5 weeks in the summer? Is that correct? I'm very interested, but I don't have alternate care available to fill in a month plus gap.

Beginning this year, the school will be closed for two weeks during the summer (used to be five weeks). We were initially intimidated by the 5-week-break also, but it's relatively easy to find a camp, etc. to fill in this gap. For the past two years, we've sent my son to St. Anthony Catholic School (on 12 St, also in Brookland)--they run a camp for the entire month of July for kids 3-8.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son went to LPA from 3 months-2 years. We had a very good experience--they took very good care of my son. He had some medical issues his first year, including being diagnosed with a severe food allergy. The staff were all extremely vigilant.

I don't think their preschool program is that great, though. We switched at age 2 for Scrilli School near Providence Hospital, which is A LOT cheaper (@$800/week) and better. But they don't start until 2.

I've also heard great things about St. Ann's in Hyattsville, I think it's cheaper?

My 7 month old just started at St. Ann's. Loved it when we toured, got many great reviews from families, and it's great so far. $340/week for infants. I got on the waitlist August 2015, found out we had a spot in April 2016 (to start in August 2016. They only bring on new kids in August)

Other centers in the area: Petit Scholars (also gets awesome reviews), Heritage Day Care, Our Redeemer

[Anonymous]

Bumping this chain to see if others have reviews of the infant room at la petite DC? I'm surprised people said this center was expensive, at $480/week it's one of the cheapest we toured (most centers were $500-$550/week) and the hours are much better (6am-7pm). It does seem that they have higher turnover than other centers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this chain to see if others have reviews of the infant room at la petite DC? I'm surprised people said this center was expensive, at $480/week it's one of the cheapest we toured (most centers were $500-$550/week) and the hours are much better (6am-7pm). It does seem that they have higher turnover than other centers.

I have no experience there but those hours are really good for parents that need the extra flexibility, I can imagine it's worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We signed up for the waitlist in the beginning of May, knowing that we would want to start our infant at the end of August/September. We received confirmation that we got in mid-July.

OP here. Just wanted to give everyone some feedback since our LO has been at the center for a few months now. Generally speaking, the center has great teachers/staff/directors and our LO has bonded with some of the teachers in the class. There has been some turnover, but several of the infant teachers have been there consistently and genuinely care about the babies' well-being. Mornings are hectic in the infant rooms because the classes are combined until about 8:30/9:00am and teachers arrive on a staggered basis. This can be a little off-putting at first, especially since you just have to find a spot for your LO and leave, hoping the teachers will notice before one of the crawlers comes over. This could also be a problem if you want your LO fed on a strict schedule since the teachers don't have a lot of free hands during busy drop off times. But once the rooms split, things quiet down. I've also seen the managers step in to help when things are really crazy (ie teacher is running late or sick).

There are approx 4 teachers in each infant room, but I think it's still difficult for them to give every baby personalized attention all the time with feedings, changing diapers etc. But, I think that it's good for babies to have independent play as well, so that doesn't bother me as much as it used to now that my LO is more mobile and can play solo for periods of time. And I don't think that's their fault, that's more of a staffing issue.

The hours are great, and I think the cost is on the more affordable side based on the places we considered downtown. We picked LPA because it was close to home, close to the hospital, and they have a great outdoor space for the kids. Overall, we are happy with LPA and would recommend it for infants. I can't speak to the toddler classrooms, but the overall vibe at the daycare is a good one.

Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Do you know if the teachers are engaging with the infants - talking and singing to them etc? Or is it just changing, feeding, and letting them play solo? Even at this age it's important for infants to be engaged so they develop language and when I toured LPA I got the impression the teachers were just keeping an eye on everyone but not really interacting with them