Feedback on Great beginnings in Alexandria, VA

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any experience with Great Beginnings in Alexandria, VA?

[Anonymous]

Our son went to GB from when he was 10 weeks until he was about 9 months (he's almost two now). I had mixed feelings about the center. There weren't any serious problems but the infant room was generally chaotic with a lot of staff turnover and transition. On a regular basis I would arrive and they wouldn't have entered any information on my son's sheet since about lunch time. So, it would look as though he hadn't eaten anything since 11 am, but none of his breastmilk was left and he seemed fine so he'd clearly eaten, but no one could tell me when. I liked the staff but the staff member "assigned" to my son kept changing and I worried that the constant transition might be difficult for him but who knows. We were there right when the center opened in 2009-2010 so they may have worked out the kinks since then.

[Anonymous]

When I was looking into daycares I read a couple reviews of Great Beginnings that made me think they were too conservative Christian to be a good fit for us (Halloween costumed being against their religious principles, etc). Their website seemed to be more focused on religious development than any other kind of development as well.

This may not be an issue for you, and I can only base it on second hand information--I have no direct knowledge of the place.

[Anonymous]

I looked into them for my 2-year daughter. I talked to several parents who had left and the main feedback I got is that they are fine for infants, but not very good for toddlers and older. A decent place to leave your baby up to 18-months.

[Anonymous]

I am expecting in early Dec with my first.
I visited several day cares In June 2012 that had availability for an infant in Jan 2013 and put a deposit down here right away. Its the happiest looking facility I've seen - new, clean, bright, cheery.
I grew up Christian, so I am glad that they will sing bible songs during the day like I did, "Father Abraham", "The B-I-B-L-E" etc. However, it is clear that their focus is education right from the start, which is very important to us. Also, the location is great for us since my husband can pick her up after walking from Braddock Metro on his way home everyday.
Like I said, I don't even have a child yet, but that was my impression and why I chose them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son went to GB from when he was 10 weeks until he was about 9 months (he's almost two now). I had mixed feelings about the center. There weren't any serious problems but the infant room was generally chaotic with a lot of staff turnover and transition. On a regular basis I would arrive and they wouldn't have entered any information on my son's sheet since about lunch time. So, it would look as though he hadn't eaten anything since 11 am, but none of his breastmilk was left and he seemed fine so he'd clearly eaten, but no one could tell me when. I liked the staff but the staff member "assigned" to my son kept changing and I worried that the constant transition might be difficult for him but who knows. We were there right when the center opened in 2009-2010 so they may have worked out the kinks since then.

This was our experience, almost to the letter. Also, don't expect your infant to nap there - too chaotic in that room. We didn't love the owners either, although I do think they are good people.

[Anonymous]

We looked at it, and it was not for us. While I don't object o my child learning Bible stories or singing Bible songs, things prohibiting Halloween costumes seemed out there to me. While the facility was lovely, the parking situation for drop off and pick up seemed like it would be a problem. Several of my son's classmates at his current daycare have transferred in from Great Beginnings because they were unhappy for various reasons.

[Anonymous]

We toured Great Beginnings recently for our son and were not impressed. The entire staff seemed very rigid, and not warm and nurturing towards the children. Additionally, the children did not appear to be happy. The whole operation felt very cold and calculated, so GB did not make our short list.

[Anonymous]

I heard from a friend whose kids used to go there, that they only got security cameras after the center abandoned a 2 year old at their play area outside. Clearly a mistake, but in 90 degree heat and in a city ... unsupervised? I'm betting that child is going to need a therapist later in life. no thanks for us.... we went to SADS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard from a friend whose kids used to go there, that they only got security cameras after the center abandoned a 2 year old at their play area outside. Clearly a mistake, but in 90 degree heat and in a city ... unsupervised? I'm betting that child is going to need a therapist later in life. no thanks for us.... we went to SADS

Are you posting on multiple threads about Alexandria VA daycares to trash those daycares and push SADS? Every thread I've opened this morning seems to have a posting about why X daycare is awful and SADS is the best. It's odd.

[Anonymous]

Our children have attended this day care since it opened in 2009. Our experience, while not perfect, has been wonderful overall. I couldn't disagree more about the comment concerning the staff! The staff is attentive, caring, and so very devoted to the children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our children have attended this day care since it opened in 2009. Our experience, while not perfect, has been wonderful overall. I couldn't disagree more about the comment concerning the staff! The staff is attentive, caring, and so very devoted to the children.

I agree completely with this - we've had nothing but good experiences at GBELC.

[Anonymous]

Several of our friends have children at Great Beginnings. A few of them have expressed concerns/discontent with the management, but they all like the staff.

[Anonymous]

To the person writing about the "push to SADS" etc... no, not strange. It is only fair to warn parents about what goes on at a daycare. We are all adults and make up our own minds. Suffice to say, you are an outlier as most on here are looking for that kind of feedback. For what it's worth, I've heard good stories about not only SADS, but also ADS, and others in the area. The biggest shock for our family was the lack of education at GBELC (amongst other things). Students at other schools were much more prepared upon entering Kindergarten.

We were also made aware that the owners of GBELC troll forums quite often ... so you gotta be careful!

If I really wanted to troll, I'd mention tons of stories about GBELC (example: using empty Windex bottles to "spray the kids for fun" - to which our child then thought that Windex/Formula 409 bottles must contain drinking water), etc , etc... but i'll leave those alone for now.

[Anonymous]

Not recommended.