Full time Reggio Emilia program near Alexandria or Bolling AFB?

[Anonymous]

We just relocated from Portland where our daughter attended a wonderful Reggio inspired program. I would like to find a similar program for her here but am not coming up with anything. We live in Alexandria and I work across the river at the Naval Research Lab. My husband also works full time so a half day or few days a week program won't work for us.

Our daughter is 15 months old right now. She is social and loves to go outside. The teachers at her previous school took a very active, engaging attitude toward each child and treated them as people, even when they were only a few months old. They didn't rush to "fix" the children's problems but very keenly observed them and encouraged them to take care of themselves to the extend possible. That level of attentativeness is hard to find even in programs that claim all the right things in children...

In a perfect world, we'd like a program that respects children, fosters their independence, has some natural outdoor play space, and is close to Alexandria. It may be a bit too much to ask for, but one that has most of the pieces would work too. She is already in full time care at a center, but I don't quite feel comfortable. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Portland Maine or Oregon? The daycare situation in DC and the surrounding area is not great. The really frustrating thing is that the competition for spots is insane. If I were you I would stay put until you figure out a better place for your child. Sounds like it is not a great situation, but doable. The vast majority of the centers are run by daycare management operations like Bright Horizons, so they are pretty cookie cutter and offer the minimum of care, not at all what you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Check out Frog Pond Learning Center. I have 2 kids there and we are quite happy. Search the archives and I'm sure you will find some of my other posts.

[Anonymous]

I've heard the Burgandy Farm Country Day School is nice, but I've never toured it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply so far!

We are from Portland, Oregon. I have been fairly frustrated by the child care situation here. I have visited many centers and I guess they are all okay, but having had a great experience with our previous center, we are now spoiled and looking for more.

Thanks for the suggestion on Frog Pond Leaning Center. The website looks good and we scheduled a tour.

I actually visited Burgundy Country Day School for my older school-age child. I loved the environment, but they don't take kids until 3. I'm still keeping them in mind, though.

[Anonymous]

I agree wiht the previous comment - definitely NOT Bright Horizons. They are all about money and not at all concerned with quality. They have high turnover and the staff they do have is useless for the most part! They just cannot keep their teachers.

[Anonymous]

World Bank downtown runs a great Reggio program, but you'll never get in.

[Anonymous]

Children's international school