pre-K in DC

[Anonymous]

I am looking for a good pre-K option for my son in the DC/chevy chase area. My husband will be working at Children's medical center, so I was hoping to find something close to that, or maybe close to GWU?
thanks

[Anonymous]

First Lafayette public offers a very good program for 4 year olds. So keep that in mind. You don't say how old your child is. Secondly search the archives. Lots of recommendations for schools in chevy chase area. Many are half day. Wonders used to be in Chevy chase circle and offered full day. We used that program and it was very good. It is moving to 16th st this year. CCPC and CCBC are also excellent.

Is there reason why you want a school near work? I would suggest that you pick a school near home because of commuting time and also because they get to know children in your neighborhood. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

My son is four and a half, will turn five in October. I have always felt that the school should be near work so that if there is a problem I can get to my child sooner. Also I'd like to pick him up right after work and have him drive with me home. Next year he'll be eligible for public school so he will be closer to home, which would mean I'd have to leave early from work to pick him up (I am a physician) which is tough, or find someone who can. Since I have a choice this year I thought he should be close to work.
I am looking for full time placement.
I have left a message for Lafayette, but we are probably going to live in Chevy Chase so will he be able to go there?

[Anonymous]

What are CCPC and CCBC?

[Anonymous]

Concord Hill School, Little Flower School (I think they have a pre-K), Nat'l Presbyterian.

[Anonymous]

to answer 10:19's question. CCPC and CCBC are both preschools at Chevy Chase circle and are fabulous schools, particularly CCBC. They have programs for 2-5 year olds that are play-based. Wonderful schools, truly.

[Anonymous]

Lafayette is in chevy chase dc (washington, dc) not in maryland. You need to be sure on the boundaries but murch (other area school) offers pre-K too. If you are in maryland the K school is probably rosemary hills and they do not offer pre-K program.

OP are you saying your child is turning 5 in Oct? You just missed the cutoff for K in DC. see http://www.k12.dc.us/schools/Pre-kindergartenregistrationandlottery.htmI
It used to be dec 31 but they have been moving it up. For pre_K there is a lottery. I've seen the lafayette list and it isn't as bad as previous years so it is worth getting on the wait list after they finish the lottery people. Last year was way oversubcribed by the lottery but in the end everyone got in who wanted to.

Not sure about any schools outside of this area. Are you looking for full day then? Would be good to clarify. Most preschools are 1/2 day.

[Anonymous]

We got him a spot at Westmoreland Child Center. We decided to rent a house in Bethesda so this would be closer. Wood acres will not take him in K because of the age cut off.
Our other option is Oneness family. I need a full day for him.

[Anonymous]

We have had children at WCC for the past three years, and overall we have been very pleased. Almost without exception the teachers we've had have been wonderful, and the ones that weren't wonderful were just fine. Our children have now been at all three campuses, and I'd be happy to try to answer any specific questions you have about the school.

[Anonymous]

That's great. What kind of teaching style does WCC have, I could not get that from their website. Is it more montessori style, or is it more like a child development center. My son was in a very structured, private school environment here, so I just wanted to know what a daily schedule would be like. He'll be at the westbrook campus and will be in the 4s class. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It's a play-based program. It is not very academic, although I am confident that my child is well prepared for kindergarten (e.g., is beginning to read, can do simple addition). (Our teachers were willing to spend time working one-on-one with children who show more interest in math or other areas.) They have lots of arts & crafts and outdoor time, particularly in aftercare (after 3). There is a daily schedule that is anchored by circle time, snack, outdoor time, lunch, nap, etc., but the schedule includes a lot of free play time. If you want to know more about the schedule, I would call and ask to speak to one of this year's 4s teachers from Westbrook. Angela and Lela are both at the Circle campus for the summer. Elizabeth is at the Pilgrim campus for the summer. The numbers are on the Web site, and you can just call and ask to speak with one of them.

It is not a fancy school. They don't have Franklin's art program or the type of music and movement you get at NCRC. But we have found it to be a very nurturing, traditional-type nursery school, and as I said previously, we have been very happy with almost all of the teachers.