Creative Play School on Windsor Ave in Del Ray, Alexandria

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm interested in enrolling my 2 year in Creative Play School in Del Ray. I've searched the archives and really only see reviews of the Howard St location. I'm interested in the Windsor Ave location. if you have feedback please pass it on!

Also any other full-time options in Del Ray?

Thanks,
joy

[Anonymous]

My son was there until he went in K last fall. We really liked all the teachers there, but there was A LOT of staff turnover, sometimes with little or no warning. I liked the fact that it was play based and non-academic, and thought it was a nice environment, but would never rave about it.

[Anonymous]

For Creative Play School, if you are interested, get on the wait list NOW. I don't specifically know how long it is for the 2 year old class, but we were told at least a 1 year wait for the 3 year old class.

Another highly regarded option for 2-5 year olds in Del Ray is Abracadabra. They are expanding in September so their wait list may not be as bad as it normally is.

Other options are the new place opening in April, Discovery Time...people seem to like director, but no feedback positive or negative since they aren't yet open. Then there is the Nest. Plenty of threads on here you can search for that talk about the Nest.

If you can hold off until 2.5- 3, Del Ray Montessori is very highly regarded....

Crystal City Childrens Center isn't in Del Ray, but its super close and we were very impressed when we toured there. Also Madison Day School, which is by Braddock Road metro. Had immediate openings last we checked. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I liked the Windsor Ave. location (on a tour) but haven't heard super great things about the director in the Del Ray location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I liked the Windsor Ave. location (on a tour) but haven't heard super great things about the director in the Del Ray location.

Sorry, I meant we toured the Howard location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was there until he went in K last fall. We really liked all the teachers there, but there was A LOT of staff turnover, sometimes with little or no warning. I liked the fact that it was play based and non-academic, and thought it was a nice environment, but would never rave about it.

Curious why didn't you switch schools? And why is there a long wait list if it's nothing to rave about?

[Anonymous]

Long wait list due to the lack of center based care in the area... a long wait list does not always equal an excellent program.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone share tuition information and the rates for before & after care with Creative Play? I looked at the website and couldn't find it. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Long wait list due to the lack of center based care in the area... a long wait list does not always equal an excellent program.

Not sure if this is true about CPS, but I think it's true about St. Anthony's and American Day School infant programs. Long wait lists, but IMO it's all hype.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share tuition information and the rates for before & after care with Creative Play? I looked at the website and couldn't find it. Thanks!

There is no before or aftercare. It's open 7:00 am to 6:00pm, all inclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was there until he went in K last fall. We really liked all the teachers there, but there was A LOT of staff turnover, sometimes with little or no warning. I liked the fact that it was play based and non-academic, and thought it was a nice environment, but would never rave about it.

Curious why didn't you switch schools? And why is there a long wait list if it's nothing to rave about?

Because my son had friends and was settled there. Plus there aren't so many full day options, and no place is perfect. As I mentioned, we liked all of the teachers there, it was just the turnover that bugged me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was there until he went in K last fall. We really liked all the teachers there, but there was A LOT of staff turnover, sometimes with little or no warning. I liked the fact that it was play based and non-academic, and thought it was a nice environment, but would never rave about it.

Curious why didn't you switch schools? And why is there a long wait list if it's nothing to rave about?

Because my son had friends and was settled there. Plus there aren't so many full day options, and no place is perfect. As I mentioned, we liked all of the teachers there, it was just the turnover that bugged me.

I'm surprised to hear of high turnover. I thought NAEYC accredited programs typically have low teacher turnover?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son was there until he went in K last fall. We really liked all the teachers there, but there was A LOT of staff turnover, sometimes with little or no warning. I liked the fact that it was play based and non-academic, and thought it was a nice environment, but would never rave about it.

Curious why didn't you switch schools? And why is there a long wait list if it's nothing to rave about?

Because my son had friends and was settled there. Plus there aren't so many full day options, and no place is perfect. As I mentioned, we liked all of the teachers there, it was just the turnover that bugged me.

I'm surprised to hear of high turnover. I thought NAEYC accredited programs typically have low teacher turnover?

I thought the same thing but found out that NAEYC only comes every 4 years. The assistant in our room is okay but our teacher who we loved left late last summer. She told us that she was the eighth or ninth person to leave since the year started. They've continued to lose teachers since then but I'm not sure why. I have a friend at the Howard location and she says they don't have the same problem with turnover.

[Anonymous]

Hello! I am resurrecting this thread to ask if anyone has recent feedback about the Creative Play School on Windsor. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, I'm interested in enrolling my 2 year in Creative Play School in Del Ray. I've searched the archives and really only see reviews of the Howard St location. I'm interested in the Windsor Ave location. if you have feedback please pass it on!

Also any other full-time options in Del Ray?

Thanks,
joy

If you are on FB I would post on one of the Alexandria groups for feedback