Best daycare in Olney for 2 year old?

[Anonymous]

I recently moved to Olney and have an almost 2 year old. She started in daycare, but has been staying home with dad for the past 6 months, due to lots of changes going on. Husband is getting ready to go back to work and I am starting to panic about daycare. I am looking for a full time daycare in Olney that is warm, loving, and nurturing. I was not thrilled with the daycare center she was in when she was younger - kids just playing by themselves for most of the day. just 20 minutes of circle time a day. My daughter loves learning new things, loves to look at books, and dance and sing. I want her to love going to daycare every day.

If I could afford it, I would put her in a part time pre school - just not an option for us. I worry that a daycare will not measure up to a pre school program.

I truly would appreciate any advice I can get from the parents out there. Open to in home or centers.

Rachel

[Anonymous]

Depends on whether she is potty-trained yet or not. I am assuming she's not, and if this is the case how much are you willing to pay? There are excellent home care providers all over Olney, and depending on your location this could be the answer for you. Most of the centers, such as the Olney Children's center, Children in the Shoe, etc. are higher in price and get full quickly.

There is a decent website, mdchildcare.org , where you can search for a provider/center based on address, child age, etc. You do have to register but this will give you a starting point. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I used to live in Manor Park area and drove to Potomac (seven locks rd) for daycare which I adored. The drive was a pain but it was worth it to feel confident leaving my child there.

[Anonymous]

I've been very pleased with Montgomery Child Care at Brooke Grove. The staff is very caring and they follow "Creative Cirriculum" which endorsed by the state.

I've toured and researched 4 centers in Olney that take 2 yo (who aren't potty trained) and my child (who just turned 3) has been in 2 of them. He's only been at Brooke Grove 3 months but I really like it so far. Its a good fit for him.

[Anonymous]

There's really not many center options (Olney Children's Center, Children in the Shoe are prob. the best of the two), but a ton of in-home places.

One advantage of the center is that the child can stay there a lot longer - OCC has transportation to all the Olney elementary schools so you could even do before/after care. There's somethign to be said about consistency

I like Olney Children's Center. Has some issues, but the teachers are warm and friendly for the most part

[Anonymous]

Our child is at Norbeck Montessori. She started at about 2 and 4 months. We've been very happy there.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for MCCA Brooke Grove. My DD has been there for a year and we've been mostly quite happy. The teachers have been good, and the director is easy to approach. They spend a good amount of time outdoors, which I find to be a positive. Also, DD just seems happy there, as do most of the other kids I see when I do drop-off/pick-up.

I also checked out Children in the Shoe, which I wasn't thrilled with (but I have no first hand experience). We considered Norbeck Montessori but spoke to two parents who did not have a good experience at Norbeck so decided against it.

[Anonymous]

PP again, there is also the Chesterbrook Academy in Olney, but I never toured there, so have no feedback.

[Anonymous]

You could look at CLC on Bowie Mill in Derwood. I have no personal experience, but have heard good things. Although I do not know if they are full-day and I do believe they recently changed ownership.

Another option is B'nai Shalom of Olney. I used them many years ago, so have no personal experience with the new Director/program, but I know they offer full-day. At the time we were enrolled, there were many Jewish and non-Jewish families.

[Anonymous]

PP again - Children's Learning Center in Rockville (on Bestor Avenue) is also an option. Again, I have no personal experience, but have heard good things. (although I know it is pricey)

[Anonymous]

FYI (in case you're confused):
Olney Children's Center is now called Chesterbrook Academy.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at Mater Amoris in Ashton? They are a great Montessori School who take 2yo and up through 6th grade. The tuition is pretty reasonable for a Montessori school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for MCCA Brooke Grove. My DD has been there for a year and we've been mostly quite happy. The teachers have been good, and the director is easy to approach. They spend a good amount of time outdoors, which I find to be a positive. Also, DD just seems happy there, as do most of the other kids I see when I do drop-off/pick-up.

We looked at Brooke Grove, but were hesitatnt because it's only two day care rooms. I liked the idea of having DC move up as she aged, not being 3 in a room with just-turned-two year olds, there are huge developmental differences there. I know it works, but for us personally we liked the options that had more classrooms, even if they were bigger centers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP again - Children's Learning Center in Rockville (on Bestor Avenue) is also an option. Again, I have no personal experience, but have heard good things. (although I know it is pricey)

I'm 19:55.

I forgot about CLC. We also toured there. FWIW, it is a Jewish preschool. And yes, like the PP mentioned, it is very pricey. Not even just the tuition. They also push fundraising quite a bit and there are several 'extra' fees tacked on that turned us off.