Georgetown Hill Early School- NRC location

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts or experiences from parents who were or are at this location?
Curious about the infant and older two's rooms in particular.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

DS started in the 2s room this year. So far, he seems to be very happy. The teachers keep us up to date on any changes and asked good questions about his development level after two weeks of observation. DS has become much more verbal, sings to himself now, and is starting to show interest in other children.

Overall, we have had a good experience, but we are pretty new.

[Anonymous]

There are two 2's room at the NRC location, correct?

[Anonymous]

Yes, there are two rooms for the 2's.

[Anonymous]

I am also curious about the infant room?

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

We left several months ago. Multiple teacher turnover for both infants and 2s rooms and general lack of stability. Director tells you what you want to hear, which is often pretty far from reality. Management isn't well run, so you have teachers debating over things like who does more cleaning than the others, etc. Even witnessed arguments among teachers while we were there. Though I'll say I've heard that lots of those teachers who were previously so assertive have since left or been let go as well. Not sure about replacements. Lead teacher in older 2s room runs a very tight ship, which as a parent you would either love or hate depending on your DC and parenting preferences. Great for active kids who need to be kept in line; not so good for the more sensitive kids. As for the infant room, IMO it's just too doggone small for all those babies and teachers to co-exist on a daily basis. Constantly tripping over each other in a way. Kitchen out of sight of all babies presents a problem in terms of keeping ratios in line during meal times, getting bottles ready, etc. Not to mention the older infants "Group A" simply do not below couped up in one of those little sections all day. No indoor gross motor play space. Also some weird stuff going on regarding how the kitchen, meals, and "extra" food is handled, the use of their hired professional photographer requires upfront payment before knowing what your photo outcome will be (and one teacher running a side photography business from what I hear); and their summer activities nickels and dimes a parent to near bankruptcy, or near tears when your child cries and cries for not being able to participate. It just became too much for us.

[Anonymous]

To the PP who just left, do you mind me asking where you went and are you happier with it?

[Anonymous]

Healthy Beginnings CDC / Bright Horizons at Twinbrook. MUCH MUCH better, by comparison of the two.

[Anonymous]

I agree with 14:10, there are much better centers out there than Georgetown Hill/NRC as well as the other Georgetown Hill Centers.

I found a lot of underlying teacher dissatisfaction and the director did tend to tell you what you wanted to hear.

A lot of the teachers seemed to be dissatisfied with how things are run which typically should send off an alarm for parents. I actually overheard some teachers talking about how things were run and also encountered several times a teacher being left alone with kids because of teachers being out sick. This happened several times and was an alarm for us because of lack of proper supervision.

[Anonymous]

14:10 hit the nail on the head. We have our three kids there now and are VERY happy with their teachers. But having said that the director is clearly a mess and not aware of anything that happens in her center. We will be taking of our kids out this summer because the summer program is...well... terrible to put it nicely. Again, the day to day care of our children is not affected because their teacehrs are wonderful, but a new director is needed! BADLY!

[Anonymous]

what about Bell Mill loocation?

[Anonymous]

anyone know about the Turkey Foot location?

[Anonymous]

We have had kids in all the rooms (not the infant room) and have been VERY HAPPY with the teachers in each room. They are caring, flexible, consistent with rules, and loving. Yes, the director is disorganized but the assistant director seems to pick up her slack. I have chatted with the director a few times about minor issues and she has taken care of it that day. I agree- she is not wonderful but the teachers are -and they are the ones who have day to day contact with my kids- the room 3 and 4 lead teachers are FABULOUS! I would hire both of them to be our nanny if I could afford them! The summer program is changing this year. NOT as expensive and s is optional

[Anonymous]

Dd is in her last day of preschool at Bells Mill today. I am a big fan of this school, as I have posted in the past. I'll miss it. Most of the parents in our class who have younger kids are sending the younger ones there too. Many long time teachers. I am open to answering questions. [e-mail]