TCCC, Bright Horizons and Fun&Friends Child Care Center

[Anonymous]

I am looking to placing my son in a day care center. Does anyone have any feedback on the following day care centers: TCCC, Bright Horizons and Fun & Friends Child Care Center? How do they compare? Do you have other recommendations?

[Anonymous]

I would not recommend "donating" your application fee to Bright Horizons. It was an impressive center (I saw the one in Ballston and Crystal City) but after the $50 application fee submitted when I was 2 months pregnant, I was told I was 155 on the list. My now 5 month old son may get in when he's 2-3 years old, according to the last conversation I had with them.

[Anonymous]

I would review the list of childcare inspections and violations for these centers and any others you are considering in the state of Virginia on this website:

http://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/licensed.cgi

In January 07 Fun and Friends received a violation for being understaffed, so that gave me pause about sending my child there. They are NAEYC accredited, though.

[Anonymous]

We had our child in Bright Horizons on Greensboro Drive for about 2 years (infant through toddler) and had a pretty good overall experience. The center was pretty new at that time, which meant the facilities were nice and new. They seemed to have a lot of staff turnover, but that may be common at all daycares - they said it was higher there because the center was pretty new. Most of the staff that I knew there have since moved to other centers due to their expansion or have left BH altogether. The main problem was that my child aged out at 3 years old. I know some aged-out toddlers from BH went to TCCC on Spring Hill and have been pleased. I think some toddlers went to Fun & Friends too, but I didn't see them afterwards to know how they liked it. As for the waiting list, it was only 9 months when I got on the list, so it worked out fine. I don't know what the wait is now.

[Anonymous]

Our DS has been a TCCC on Spring Hill for 9mos - since he was 12 weeks and we couldn't be happier. I love the infant program. My neighbor started her 12kwk old at Greensboro 3 mons ago and has been happy. Have another neighbor who has had kid at both sites (DD is now in the Kindergarten there) and has been very happy. Heck, I even like the Mom's I've met there and have some new friends now!!

Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

I love TCCC at Spring Hill for my son. He was having problems adjusting to preschool. I had to pull him out of another school because it was not the right fit for him. The director at TCCC- Spring Hill is awesome! She is so involved and really cares about the children. The teachers also seem to really know and understand my son. I feel forturnate that he goes to such a great school.

[Anonymous]

My child is in Bright Horizons in Silver Spring and we LOVE it. We had a hard time getting in though, there was a really long wait. It was worth it!

[Anonymous]

My children were in the Bright Horizons in BAH's building and it has had the absolute worst affect on my children!!!!! High turnover including the director is a very bad sign and the transitions are difficult on the children. The BH was pretty was poorly run. My children were in TCCC in Greensboro after that. Much better experience and they did get to know my children. However, though there are lots of programs and attention, the small rooms leads to much biting in the 2 - 3 year old room. Plus, the siblings did not get to see each other throughout the day with its layout. My youngest is in a different place (I changed jobs and oldest went to grammer school) and there is no biting or throwing in the 2 year old room and very low turnover. So turnover and biting aren't normal everywhere.

[Anonymous]

We are at TCCC on springhill adn love it

[Anonymous]

My son was at the Bright Horizons in the Reagan Building (Triangle Tots) and we were very happy there. We moved him due to convenience and other factors but would have been happy to have him stay there too.

You really do need to look at the BHs individually as they are different depending on the director and perhaps the support they receive from the agencies with which they are affiliated. The BH model is that they partner with corporations/government agencies and employees of those companies/agencies get first priority, government employees second priority, and community, last. This is why, as a previous poster said, it is extremely hard to get in unless you are with the priority company/agency. Also of course because there are such a limited number of childcare options for children below 2 years old.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Could you tell me which one is the Bright Horizons in the BAH's building? What means BAH?
thank you.

[Anonymous]

I am not the PP, but I think that BAH is Booz Allen Hamilton.

[Anonymous]

My son was at Fun & Friends for half a year, starting at two years of age.

On the bright side, I liked the center better than the few others I looked at in the Tysons area. The Director and Assistant Director have been there for 10+ years, and they were both very hands-on with the kids and responsive to parents. I felt like both knew my son reasonably well and truly loved the kids at the center.

What I found was that the 18-30 month grouping for my son's class didn't serve him as well as I would have liked. The toys, activities, and books were geared toward the youngest kids, which was absolutely appropriate for safety and other reasons. At the end of the day, I just didn't feel he was stimulated.

I think my decision was more about our family's preferences and needs than F&F's. Even though we left the center, I would absolutely recommend it.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Would the PP who didn't like the BAH Bright Horizons mind adding a few details? My child is there now and I am trying to figure out whether to move him to another daycare. I'd love to hear more about what you didn't like.
Thanks in advance.