Daycare in Alexandria City

[Anonymous]

I am looking into daycare options for my yet-to-be born son. I am looking for a site that will take a 3 month old starting in September. Any information on good daycares? Also, would like to hear about any not-so-good places (so I can be sure to avoid them!). Thanks

[Anonymous]

St Anthonys Day School is the best center for daycare and preschool in Alexandria hands down. But the list is incredibly long, so get on it now! Other good options are Bright Horizons Innovation Station and Bright Horizons Crystal City. All are NAEYC certified and care for young infants. These are the creme de la creme. I've heard Great Beginnings is next tier along with American Day School. Would not go for others in town....maybe a nanny share.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St Anthonys Day School is the best center for daycare and preschool in Alexandria hands down. But the list is incredibly long, so get on it now! Other good options are Bright Horizons Innovation Station and Bright Horizons Crystal City. All are NAEYC certified and care for young infants. These are the creme de la creme. I've heard Great Beginnings is next tier along with American Day School. Would not go for others in town....maybe a nanny share.

Creme de la ceme...yikes, that's funny.

[Anonymous]

Avoid Hopkins House on Princess Street!! Terrible infant care experience there, just terrible...

[Anonymous]

My child is at St. Anthony's and has been since he was 18 months. The waitlist has over 1,000 children and siblings get preference! We looked at several centers, including the American Day School and Flagstone, but decided to be in a nanny share until something opened at SADS. Well worth the wait

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is at St. Anthony's and has been since he was 18 months. The waitlist has over 1,000 children and siblings get preference! We looked at several centers, including the American Day School and Flagstone, but decided to be in a nanny share until something opened at SADS. Well worth the wait

18 months, wow! Is that average? Did you get on the WL when you were pregnant or after your son was born??

[Anonymous]

We were on the wait list for St. Anthony's for about 14 months and our kids were older. We ended up turning them down b/c even WITH siblings, we couldn't be sure we'd get a slot for our baby.

FWIW, we kissed the director's ass constantly. I think it helps to be perfectly honest. B/c the wait list is free, it is hard for them to know who is serious and who isn't. If we hadn't gotten pregnant with a third, we would have LOVED for our kids to go there.

But my advice, do NOT count on them for child care for at least the next 18 months.

[Anonymous]

Avoid Flagstone at all costs. Terrible infant room and teachers.

We have been on the waitlist at St. Anthony's for almost three years. (I was four months pregnant with my first child, who will be three in August, when the school year starts.) Still don't know if we will make it off the list.

[Anonymous]

We got off the waiting list at St. Anthony's when our child was 16 months, and are very happy with the quality of care, directors, teachers, and program. It's a warm and loving place, and our child is blossoming and learning so much. I think we got lucky timing-wise, and happened to follow-up when a slot opened. I would agree with others to affirmatively follow-up and show interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is at St. Anthony's and has been since he was 18 months. The waitlist has over 1,000 children and siblings get preference! We looked at several centers, including the American Day School and Flagstone, but decided to be in a nanny share until something opened at SADS. Well worth the wait

18 months, wow! Is that average? Did you get on the WL when you were pregnant or after your son was born??

He was a month old when I put him on the waitlist - we had grandma the first year. It seems to open up a bit around the age of 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Avoid Flagstone at all costs. Terrible infant room and teachers.

We have been on the waitlist at St. Anthony's for almost three years. (I was four months pregnant with my first child, who will be three in August, when the school year starts.) Still don't know if we will make it off the list.

I hope you're calling - A LOT. Like every month!!! When we were on the waitilist, I called every 4 weeks. That really sucks! (I'm on the PA at SADS).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were on the wait list for St. Anthony's for about 14 months and our kids were older. We ended up turning them down b/c even WITH siblings, we couldn't be sure we'd get a slot for our baby.

FWIW, we kissed the director's ass constantly. I think it helps to be perfectly honest. B/c the wait list is free, it is hard for them to know who is serious and who isn't. If we hadn't gotten pregnant with a third, we would have LOVED for our kids to go there.

But my advice, do NOT count on them for child care for at least the next 18 months.

Sad but true. Unless you're a sibling , you do get infant slots (when they open up). I wish there were more places like SADS in Alexandria, it is remarkbable.

[Anonymous]

Any opinions on the infant room at Innovation Station?

[Anonymous]

My 2 YO daughter has been at Innovation Station since she was 4 months old. We've been through the infant and toddler programs and are now in the twos classroom. We have been happy with her care all along the way, and are particularly fond of the lead teacher in the infant room. She is fabulous.

[Anonymous]

Have heard excellent things about Innovation Station, but also that it's nearly impossible to get into unless your a PTO family. I was a Fed and couldn't get in there...got into SADS first.