Moving to DC: Full-day preschools for 3-yr old in NW?

[Anonymous]

Just found out that we are moving to DC this summer, and I hope to enroll my son, who will be 3 this June, in full-day preschool/preschool with aftercare this fall. At this point, I realize that we will have to put him on several waitlists and just hope for the best, but can someone please recommend several preschools to which I should apply? DS is currently enrolled in full time care at a Reggio school (I like the philosophy, but am not wedded to it). We are also open to religiously-affiliated schools. We don't have a place to live yet, but I will be working at GWU and my husband (who works for the govt) will probably work near Metro Center/Farragut. We plan to live somewhere in NW DC. These are the schools we are considering thus far:

1) GWU Bright Horizons
2) School for Friends
3) Fingerprints
4) Triangle Tots
5) NCRC
6) DC JCC


Any others? How many would be enough? If you would not recommend any of the above or think the waitlist would be hopeless, that would also be helpful.

This is a great resource--Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Friendship Children's Center on Western Ave in Friendship Heights- it's right off the metro red line and has a full day program.

[Anonymous]

Franklin Montessori is a wonderful school.

At this point in time, you probably have a better chance of getting into Metropolitan Methodist or Washington Hebrew Congregation.

[Anonymous]

You would have a very good chance of getting into the British School of Washington in Georgetown/Glover Park. Their nursery class (3yo's) has just expanded and it's a fairly new school so it's not competitive to get in. If you don't want to stay in the British system, you could just do nursery there. We've had good experiences with them.

[Anonymous]

due to the application cycles, you likely do not have a chance of getting into SfF or NCRC. you may have missed the DC JCC deadline, but they had some availabilty late in the game this year so you should definitely apply there.

other options include the newly opening communikids in tenleytown, adas israel in cleveland park and you might just squeak by in the deadlines for some of the charter schools (look at haynes, appletree and bridges) if you get apps in ASAP.

i didn't care for the GWu bright horizons. the space is awful (basement, no light) and i was not impressed with their staff.

if your DH is govt, he might be able to enter their daycare lottery system (again ASAP); some of those programs are great (at the Smithsonian etc).

[Anonymous]

I don't know anything about their application process, but you might look at All Saints All Day on Chevy Chase Circle. Many of the preschools around here have only half day classes at 3, not full day. At least one of the schols on your list (NCRC) has only half-day classes at that age, so even if it were not past the application deadline it still would not have met your full-day goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Franklin Montessori is a wonderful school.

At this point in time, you probably have a better chance of getting into Metropolitan Methodist or Washington Hebrew Congregation.

Washington Hebrew only enrolls a 3 for 5 days if s/he has already been in a program. Preference for 5 days goes to 2s kids already enrolled at WHC. WHC does not offer aftercare. The day wraps at 2 PM and that's it. Closes at noon on Friday.

[Anonymous]

I don't know anything about their application process, but you might look at All Saints All Day on Chevy Chase Circle. Many of the preschools around here have only half day classes at 3, not full day.

All Saints is half day only at age 3 (they don't offer any full day programs).

[Anonymous]

Check the British School of Washington - b/c they are new they may have more flexibility in filling spots at the last minute. Also check with St. John's in Georgetown - they're Reggio Emilia. They are very competitive to get into, but since he is already accustomed to the philosophy they may be able to be more accomodating.

I think plenty of places try to be helpful in situations like yours, so if you find somewhere that looks ideal, I'd at least call and talk to them before you write it off. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Franklin Montessori is a wonderful school.

At this point in time, you probably have a better chance of getting into Metropolitan Methodist or Washington Hebrew Congregation.

Washington Hebrew only enrolls a 3 for 5 days if s/he has already been in a program. Preference for 5 days goes to 2s kids already enrolled at WHC. WHC does not offer aftercare. The day wraps at 2 PM and that's it. Closes at noon on Friday.

But it is GREAT program if you are able to swing it!

[Anonymous]

Look at Little Folks School in Georgetown.

[Anonymous]

St. Columba's had some spots into the school year last year.

[Anonymous]

Children's House of Washington in Georgetown is good, and they compliment the Montessori with an arts and play program that goes until 6 pm, you can drop off as early at 8:20. It has a great playground. Westmoreland Children's Center is oa daycare/preschool n the DC/MD border at Massachusetts and Western (7:30 am to 6). Huckleberry Cheesecake in south Dupont circle (20th and M) is a daycare/preschool at 3 years old and goes 8 to 6. The wait is long for infants but at 3 years old might be significantly shorter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Children's House of Washington in Georgetown is good, and they compliment the Montessori with an arts and play program that goes until 6 pm, you can drop off as early at 8:20. It has a great playground. Westmoreland Children's Center is oa daycare/preschool n the DC/MD border at Massachusetts and Western (7:30 am to 6). Huckleberry Cheesecake in south Dupont circle (20th and M) is a daycare/preschool at 3 years old and goes 8 to 6. The wait is long for infants but at 3 years old might be significantly shorter.

My DCs have gone to the camp at Children's House in the summer and loved it. Everyone there is a great.

[Anonymous]

Appletree, Bridges, and LAMB are all public charter pre-schools with very good reputations that accept 3 year olds. They are no cost to DC residents, but require tuition payments of non-residents. They also offer beforecare and aftercare for a fee if you need it.