part time, half day, progressive preschool / Pre K

[Anonymous]

Hello all. I have a mid-Sept birthday boy who turned four this past weekend. We didn't feel he was ready (nor were we) for Pre-K this year, and looked high and low for a quality part time program for him. We thought we found one, which although not as progressive as we liked, was certainly a loving environment.

Unfortunately, when we actually began school this year, we found the program to be startlingly authoritarian and rigid, with a strict focus on "obedience" and children not allowed to speak, move, or play freely for most of the day. So, we are pulling our child. I am at a real loss for what to do next. We are in NE DC - and anything in Brookland, Petworth, Columbia Heights, Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Rainier, or even Takoma would be best in terms of commute but we'd certainly consider other options, including downtown DC or even silver spring.

We feel very strongly about the part time element and aren't willing to do more than 2 or 3 days a week. We'd absolutely consider a home school hybrid. We would NOT consider anything full time. We would love something that has an option through the elementary years but it's not critical. At this point, we want a safe, nurturing environment for our kid.

We love the montessori approach but have found most of those schools are full time or close to it and since DS is four, I think some won't start us at that point with no previous montessori experience. But if someone knows of something that might work out there, we'd be interested in exploring.

I love MUCH about the waldorf programs, but some of the trappings there (don't have a problem with no TV, but I'm not interested in getting rid of our written books or restricting recorded music, etc - some of that is way intense) don't sit well.

I know there is no such thing as a perfect school, but is it possible to get a part time, progressive, preschool or PreK in the DC area that doesn't come with the slightly cultish aspect of a waldorf type program?

Any help so greatly appreciated.

BTW, by progressive I mean play-based, non-grade focused, relaxed and nurturing environment where school is about developing a love for learning more so than about early math or reading or rigid academics. I am of the belief that there is plenty of time in life for that, and that early childhood learning is best when it is play based, free, child-centered, and relaxed.

[wholekidsacademy]

Hi, we are a brand new language immersion preschool located in Bethesda near the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Democracy Boulevard and we would be happy to offer part-time and/or half day availability for your little one. In addition to the language immersion component we also focus on healthy eating, music, science and lots of exercise and sunshine. If you would like to find out more or schedule a tour please visit our website http://wholekidsacademy.com or give us a call at 240-343-4952. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hello, and thanks!

Do other children do the program part time?

[Anonymous]

I don't have any experience with that neighborhood, but I believe there are several co-ops in that neighborhood. I'm sure they are play-based and part time. You'd have to find something else for kindergarten, though.

[Anonymous]

Part time options are hard to find in the city, for whatever reason (are there more 2 working parent families in urban areas than the burbs?). Check out Amazing Life Games, a co-op in a church (located, but not chrch based) along 16th street.

There's another part-time place located at another church along Wisconsin (or maybe Connecticut?) - I think a Presbyterian church? The more I think about it the more I think it's Connectucut - up high, close to military Ave. Sorry I am not being more specific - I gave up and gave into full time school. ALG might be a good fit though.

Oh- you know what else - the friends school associated with the church along FLorida, in Dupont circle - they have a part-time option, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Part time options are hard to find in the city, for whatever reason (are there more 2 working parent families in urban areas than the burbs?). Check out Amazing Life Games, a co-op in a church (located, but not chrch based) along 16th street.

There's another part-time place located at another church along Wisconsin (or maybe Connecticut?) - I think a Presbyterian church? The more I think about it the more I think it's Connectucut - up high, close to military Ave. Sorry I am not being more specific - I gave up and gave into full time school. ALG might be a good fit though.

Oh- you know what else - the friends school associated with the church along FLorida, in Dupont circle - they have a part-time option, too.

If you mean St Pauls at Ct and Ellicott, I am pretty sure they are 5 mornings a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello, and thanks!

Do other children do the program part time?

Yes, we have a mix of full-time and part-time children in our program.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, have you looked at:

- Petworth Co-op
- Christian Family Montessori (Petworth)
- St Jerome's Montessori (Hyattsville)
- College Park Nursery School
- UMD Center for Young Children

[Anonymous]

We haven't found the Waldorf schools to expect families to give up books or recorded music, only TV. They all have part-time programs for that age, I would check out Washington Waldorf and/or Acorn Hill to see if they still have openings. Especially if you found the obedience thing too strong, you would probably find their classroom approach very gentle.