Moving to DC this fall. Overwhelmed with preschools..help!
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Anonymous
| We are moving to the D.C. area (I have no idea where yet, but within the city) this fall from the SFO Bay area. Our little one will just have turned three. Can anyone recommend a loving, educational, great preschool that is not the same cost as a college degree? I like aspects of play-based programs, but am not wedded to only those. I would also love it if the children could be outside a fair bit during the day - as much as that is possible. I am overwhelmed with the fact that we need to apply for a seat by March 1 it seems - and we haven't even visited the school. Also, any insight to applying to some of the public/charter schools that are in the DC preschool lottery? Can I still apply even though I'm not a resident (and pay more understandably) so we can secure a spot? We will also need a 5x day a week program full time. Thank you for any help! |
Anonymous
| Most of what you want isn't available full day and it isn't cheap. Plus you really need to narrow down a location as there are preschools all over DC. |
Anonymous
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The lottery for charters / dcps is in march and you need to show proof of residence in May so you struck out there.
You need to know where you are going to live IN dc before anyone can give you reasonable feedback for preschools b/c the commute will kill you. If you are looking NW DC for a fullday program, I would think about the JCC as well as St. Alban's Early Childcare Program. Many daycares have openings starting at 3. I don't think you have a chance at School for Friends in DuPont - but you may want to give them a call (no chance b/c they do family interviews and you may have missed the window) |
Anonymous
| Concord hill is great. I am not sure of the dates for apps, look at the website. Good if you live in NW or besthesda. |
Anonymous
| When you know where you'll be living, look at childcare centers. "preschools" will do enrollment now, might be full time with before/after care, but might also be part time only. But childcare centers often have space for 3 yr olds in their preschool because children leave to go to public or charter schools - and those who don't get into a school in March will be placed on a waitlist and they might get into a public/charter in August, and when they leave there will be spaces for 3 yr olds. It happens ALL THE TIME in August. So I'd relax a bit and know that you'll have some choices when you get here. |
Anonymous
There are 3 states here - once you know if you will be in MD, DC, or VA, then I would ask around. Where will you and DH be working? Have you thought about where you might move? |
Anonymous
| If you're moving in the fall, you are definitely out of luck for the DCPS/charter school lottery. You have to prove residency before you can enroll, and school starts in August. Please check back in here once you know where you will be living and working, so you can get some more specific suggestions. We are currently at Huckleberry Cheesecake in DuPont, a daycare that also has a wonderful preschool room. We will stay if we don't get a seat in the lottery. It is close to downtown so works well for us. Happy to provide more suggestions based on where you are living/working. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| There are lots of great options. It really comes down to needing to know where you'll be living so that DCUM can make reasonable suggestions. The good news is that because there are so many "free" 3 year old options in DC now via DCPS and the charters, you'll likely be able to find a spot at a private even in the fall. And you might even find a free option. You'll just need to wait though. You can enter the lottery without an address to see how you fair. But you'd need an address by May to keep any spot you might win in the lottery. |
Anonymous
| Look into reggio-emilia inspired programs....dc has been leading the way in adopting this approach for many of the charter schools. More reggio style private preschools in DC, Virginia, and Maryland too. |
Anonymous
| OP, I'm a Bay Area transplant who relocated last fall. I Amin montgomery county and was able to find a preschool without a problem. Dc is bigger than the Bay Area - figure out where you'll be then look for schools. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Our game plan is to move close to where my SO will be working, so I'm looking at (basically following the metro) DuPont Circle, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park or West End, Foggy Bottom, and Logan Circle. If anyone has recommendations for those areas, please let me know! |
Anonymous
| There aren't really cheap full day options for a 3 year old - the public school PS3 spots are super competitive and really aren't convenient to the areas you are looking at. The montessori schools offer full day (Franklin and Aiden) at that age and there are a number of daycare programs that will be hit or miss. I'd apply broadly and see who has spots when you get here. If you are interested in immersion, CommuniKids in Tenley also has full day. You will have an easier time getting into the PS4 slots at either Janney, Murch, Deal, etc. depending on where you end up living. |
Anonymous
+ 1 vote for Communikids in Tenleytown - walkable from Red line metro! then move IB for Hearst - best kept secret in NW DC elementary schools 
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