Non-English speaking family, sending my son to Spanish Immersion Daycare (Bambini)

[Anonymous]

We’re at Bambini and love it. The teachers speak Spanish to the kids (and they even humor my attempts at the language)..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I read OP as saying her son does not currently speak any English? If that's true, I would want him in an English speaking daycare to be ready for PK3, which I think would be very hard if the kid went in speaking no English (unless you would only send to an immersion program).

He doesn't need to know English for PK3, and he doesn't really have to go to an Engish-speaking PK3 at all.

We are at VA but all three of my children went to first grade directly out of their immersion preschool+K, where not a word of English was spoken to them.

[Anonymous]

Bambini teachers only speak Spanish to the kids. It's a wonderful place that I'd highly recommend, but it really helps if you speak some Spanish because only one teacher per classroom knows English. Just FYI also - they do not have dedicated outdoor space. Pre-COVID it wasn't a problem because they did so many fun outings, but during COVID it means that kids are indoors all day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I read OP as saying her son does not currently speak any English? If that's true, I would want him in an English speaking daycare to be ready for PK3, which I think would be very hard if the kid went in speaking no English (unless you would only send to an immersion program).

Our preschool is chock full of diplomat/IMF/World Bank kids who spoke no English at all until they started preschool at age 3-4. They all pick it up in a week. And then they go home and speak it to their siblings! So the siblings arrive at school already knowing English even when the parents speak 100% in their native language and don’t allow any English media. English is going to find its way into your kids’ brain no matter what you do, so it shouldn’t be a thing you stress about.

Which preschool?

Pretty much any preschool in Upper NW will have a significant population of international kids.

[Anonymous]

we're not at bambini but go to full time spanish immersion...it's fantastic. neither parent is a spanish speaker. they pick up very quickly.

[Anonymous]

Agree that you do not need to teach them English at home, only your native tongue. DH and I do not speak French at home but our kids go to the lycée, excel in their classes, fully fluent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bambini teachers only speak Spanish to the kids. It's a wonderful place that I'd highly recommend, but it really helps if you speak some Spanish because only one teacher per classroom knows English. Just FYI also - they do not have dedicated outdoor space. Pre-COVID it wasn't a problem because they did so many fun outings, but during COVID it means that kids are indoors all day.

Bambini has resumed daily outings at all locations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we're not at bambini but go to full time spanish immersion...it's fantastic. neither parent is a spanish speaker. they pick up very quickly.

Which Spanish immersion daycare does your child attend if you don't mind sharing? Have just learned of Tierra Encantada in Alexandria and am curious. Bambini sounds wonderful but we are also looking for potential full time Spanish immersion daycare in VA rather than downtown for commute purposes.

Any recommendations? And can anyone share prices? Thank you!